Promises. Devotion. Deception. Betrayal.It’s 1966 in East Berlin, Germany. The Wall is reinforced with cinder blocks, barbed wire, tank traps, and second-generation guard towers to oversee what is known as the death strip. Its function successfully claims a steady stream of victims longing for freedom and willing to risk everything to escape the destruction known as the Deutsche Democratic … Democratic Republic.
Ella Kühn now in her twenties, faithfully awaits the end of Stefan‘s ten-year military sentence, yearning for the moment they will finally be together. A mysterious disappearance, startling news from the West and surprising betrayal wrench Ella’s dedicated resolve in shocking directions. Her stubborn curiosity and devotion to those she loves pushes her to pursue answers in the face of doubt, danger and even death.
In Deception, book 2 of the “Berlin Butterfly” series, Ella’s search for light in an ever-growing darkness introduces her to new friends, perilous associations and deadly exploits. Will Stefan’s love and the belief that he will return be enough to keep Ella on the East side of the wall? Or does heartache and treachery push her to join the family and a life of freedom she longs for?
Fans of German war fiction and historical romance will love this extraordinary twentieth-century political drama.
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Book Two in Moyes 3 Book Series, Deception fits the storyline…Ella is going through a rough time and this book is darker than the first. Moyes writes amazing details about what must have been a tragic period for so many people who had families on both sides of the Wall. A lot of emotion in this series as expected with families being torn apart by a repressive and untrusting regime in the DDR. Read this Series! I’d love to see this series turned into a movie someday.
Deception is book 2 in the Berlin Butterfly series, and I had the pleasure of reading Ensnare last year. (you can read my review of Ensnare here). I’ve also been told by Moyes that we can expect book 3 later this year (November to be exact), and I can’t wait to finish the series and find out what becomes of poor Ella. Here’s my review:
It’s been hard on Ella waiting out Stefan’s service in the military, but she has the letters he has sent to her to keep her going, until, the letters stop. Time seems to keep crawling forward and Ella isn’t sure what to make of Stefan’s radio silence. He hasn’t even communicated with his family, and more importantly, his sister Katherine with whom he is very close with. On the one hand, it makes Ella keep hope that he hasn’t blown her off because he isn’t writing his family, and on the other hand, it has everyone worried for Stefan’s safety.
But as the months start to pile on top of each other, Ella starts to doubt Stefan. There is no reason for him to have gone on this long without writing her, so she crawls into a hole and shuts off communication with everyone who loves her. Finally realizing that this isn’t the life she wants, she starts writing her brother and Anton again, she even makes contact with Katherine, who is now married and has returned home to work. Her desire for more out of life leads her back to some old friends, friends who don’t want to stay in the East any longer.
What embarks is a dangerous mission to tunnel out of East Berlin, to make her way back to Josef and Anton, and to escape the pain of Anton’s betrayal in the East.
I really love what Moyes has done with this series. Ella has evolved quite a bit since book 1 and while she still isn’t completely strong and assertive, she is starting to take control of her life. There were things I wasn’t expecting out of her relationship with Stefan and I can’t wait to see how that resolves in book 3. Every time things started to go well for Ella, something set her back, and my heart broke for her. Deception is very nicely done and I cannot wait to continue Ella’s story.
Readers of historical fiction will like this book. I am so excited to share this book with you. The Berlin Butterfly series, written by Leah Moyes, is the story of Ella, a young woman who finds herself alone and separated from her friends and family on the east side of the Berlin wall. It is a story of survival, strength, hope, and love. Berlin Butterfly Deception continues Ella’s story finding Ella still separated from her friend Anton and her brother Josef but with a hope for her future, a hope of love and family with Stefan that keeps her from escaping to the west. But her struggles are not over. Can hope survive the challenges of being trapped in East Berlin? Please order Berlin Butterfly Deception and of course start with Berlin Butterfly Ensnare. My hope is you will love Ella’s story as much as I do.
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I’ve read Ensnare, the first book in the Berlin Butterfly series, and while it’s not necessary, I recommend it. In this story, now, it’s 1966 and Ella is grown, there is still the battle of the Berlin sides, with its wall more than just barbed wire. This story was just as grand as the first one, and this one shows more character growth, and depth. A new storyline, but the same struggles and journey, adding heart-filled love to keep her going. This is just as much as a page turner as the other one, and I enjoyed both very much. I look forward to her next book due to be released soon. This book is recommended by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews.