Italy, 1943—Germany occupies much of the country, placing the Jewish population in grave danger during World War II.
As children, Eva Rosselli and Angelo Bianco were raised like family but divided by circumstance and religion. As the years go by, the two find themselves falling in love. But the church calls to Angelo and, despite his deep feelings for Eva, he chooses the priesthood.
Now, more … priesthood.
Now, more than a decade later, Angelo is a Catholic priest and Eva is a woman with nowhere to turn. With the Gestapo closing in, Angelo hides Eva within the walls of a convent, where Eva discovers she is just one of many Jews being sheltered by the Catholic Church.
But Eva can’t quietly hide, waiting for deliverance, while Angelo risks everything to keep her safe. With the world at war and so many in need, Angelo and Eva face trial after trial, choice after agonizing choice, until fate and fortune finally collide, leaving them with the most difficult decision of all.
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A look at two different cultures, beautiful reading
(Read Mar/2017)
5+ Gorgeously Rendered STARS!
I approached this book with trepidation; only because of the subject matter and my propensity for getting too emotional and letting it carry over into my daily life. I was elated when the author was hosting a read-along on Facebook where we would digest the book slowly with daily discussions. The support of the author and fellow readers was all the encouragement I needed.
At the heart of From Sand and Ash is the relationship between childhood friends who, as they grow, move in contrasting directions making a romantic relationship impossible. As Hitler’s Germany encroaches on all of Europe, Angelo and Eva’s Roman hometown is threatened. With Eva being Jewish, her life, as well. Angelo, a Catholic priest, along with much of the Catholic church in Rome, help to protect Eva and other Jews from the Nazis and certain death.
This was a heart-wrenching read, while at the same time a beautiful love story. Harmon doesn’t spare us the ugliness of this time, but there is always a glimmer of hope. As a reader, I felt all of it – sadness, hope, anger (especially,) despair, longing, and an exquisite romantic tenderness. I couldn’t help but feel everything when experiencing the author’s lyrical prose, authentic dialogue, and extraordinary analogies and metaphors. You live this story as you read it and that makes it truly special. Amy Harmon succeeds in creating a story that helps to remind us of a time we should never forget. While revealing the ugliness, she also calls attention to the beautiful.
Magnificent. Brilliant. Painfully beautiful in its raw honesty.
An epic love story that spans the late 1920s through WWII. A friendship between a Jewish girl and a Catholic boy that begins at age 10 grows into a romantic love a decade later. A forbidden romantic relationship in a war ravaged Italy has no chance in both of their eyes, yet their hearts do not realize the obstacles. This is an inspirational, romantic read based on historical information and some actual events.
This was such a beautiful, sad, poignant story that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading the last page.
This marvelous author tells this story that takes place in World War11 about a loving family in Italy that were Jewish and what they endured was heart breaking.
Characters were well developed and would recommend this book as it will have an impact on your life and good lessons to learn. A must read.
This is a beautifully written story with WWII as the background. The love story is incredible.
Amy Harmon writes such emotionally charged stories. This is an incredible love story between a Catholic and a Jew, that transcends the perils of WWII in Italy. I couldn’t put it down, even though the subject matter was tough and sometimes graphic, a sign of those times. Wow, great story.
An amazing, heartfelt love story set against the tragic background of WWII Italy.
The heroine is Jewish, the hero is an Italian-American priest. They grow up together in Italy and have loved each other since the moment they met, but their lives and the world around them force them into divergent paths. It’s both tragic and heartwarming to witness these two as their lives occasionally touch but always separate again. The writing is lyrical and engaging, and the author brings that time period alive. I highly recommend this book!
This book was heartbreaking, beautiful, a tear-jerker and very emotional. I was excited when Amy announced she wrote a historical romance novel. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book and Amy did not disappoint. I was hooked from the start and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen to these two extraordinary characters. I just knew this book would have a major emotional punch to it, because it is set in one of the darkest time in the world’s history. I wasn’t wrong, it was very heartbreaking. I live in Europe so the WW2 was a very important part in our history classes, so I knew quite a lot of what happened during that time. But reading it through the eyes of the characters, gave it another dimension. I cried a lot while I was reading this book, I just couldn’t contain my tears, it was so horrific what the Jewish people went through.
Both Angela and Eva were amazing characters that were so beautiful together. They were both such strong and phenomenal characters that put others before themselves. So selfless, and people like them helped so many people during the war. They go through so much in this book, but they never gave up hope. Hope is what keeps people going during these dark times. I don’t even know what to say more in this review. All the secondary characters were courageous and exceptional as well. Just pick it up! My all time favorite book is The Bronze Horseman and this book had some similar feel to it. Experience Angelo and Eva’s forbidden love. I highly recommend this book if you love epic love stories.
A great romantic, historical novel set in Italy in WW II. The story line centers on both Jewish and Christian characters and incorporates actual events and people in a way that encouraged me to do a little research. Well-developed characters, tense events, perhaps a little too much coincidence near the end, but wars are full of unexpected coincidences/paths crossing. Definitely a good read.
I have read many WWII books and this is a great one! It takes place in Italy and the central characters are a Jewish Girl and a Catholic priest. I have gone on to read several more books by this author. I highly recommend!
This book is easily in my top five of all time favorites! It is the most beautiful story of love and devotion during a time of the greatest turmoil that I have come across to date. I found myself in tears throughout the book simply overcome with emotion. Angelo and Eva’s story is unforgettable.
There are times in your life that you will never forget. For Eva Roselli – meeting Angelo Bianco was a moment that would shape her life. The two came from very different worlds. Angelo was American and Eva was Italian. They both were raised side by side growing up. Eva cherished her music and Angelo was destined to lead a life in service to the church. Those dreams that we dream as children don’t always come true. Then there are times that they flourish in a way you never could have imagined.
Eva and Angelo were raised together for most of their lives. Differences often presented themselves when religion was involved. Prompting Eva to always avoid their conflicting beliefs. Time couldn’t stop the attraction that these two would have for one another. Testing the resolve for both of these determined individuals. A choice was made that affected their friendship. Angelo placed his quest for the priesthood above his feelings for Eva. Bruising her heart in a way that would pull the two apart.
Life goes on and the two began journeys that were independent from one another. Cementing the divide that separated them with their individual endeavors. In the blink of an eye, a time of war would soon bring them back to the place where their friendship began. Germans were leading the Italians into a war that would divide the people of this cherished land. Pitting neighbor against neighbor and friend against friend. Isolating a group of people for their religious beliefs. Engaging a war that this nation would never forget.
As a member of the clergy, Angelo sought to help as many Jews escape the fate that would befall them during the German reign. Families were in danger everywhere they turned as the way escalated between nations. No one was safe, and that included Angelo’s beloved Eva. Determined to keep Eva from falling prey to the sickening acts of the German ruler ship, Angelo takes on the task of keeping her safe. A task harder to accomplish that anyone could have imagined.
During a time of war everyone was in danger. This included the priest that was risking his own life to hide those that escaped a fate that few could have predicted. Eva and Angelo know that every choice they make could be the last time they see each other again.
Where do I start? From Sand and Ash is truly an unforgettable book. A glimpse into a war from that past…..the places, the pain, the despair all captured through the eyes of a remarkable story teller. There is an unrelenting love story that emerges in the face of tragedy. A story of hope, determination, loss, and love. This is a book you need to read!!!
How do you write a review that does ‘justice’ to a story this involved??? Harmon has expressed the way this tale spoke to her, and that is evident in each chapter. Once I started this tale of the past I couldn’t put it down. Angelo and Eva constantly beckoned me back to the book. Each chapter another tale in the saga that spanned years. Their journey is littered with the mistakes of our past. A war that had epic proportions on the entire world. A condemnation to a group of people that never imagined the consequences of the leadership of Hitler. Harmon has created beauty among the ashes. A true depiction of tragedy that no one should forget. A love story that will leave you thinking about it after the turn of the last page. A story that touches your soul and makes you believe in humanity and finding that one true love.
This book twisted me up. Set during the Nazi occupation of Italy, it’s a very real, raw description of what happened to Jewish families and sympathizers. Also a love story between a Jewish girl and Catholic priest.
A wonderful book that educated me about both Jewish and Catholic traditions. I read many books about the perils of World War II and this book is definitely one of my favorites.
WWII historical novel set in Italy during the German occupation . A Catholic priest loving a jewish woman and risking it all to protect her. One of my favorite books this year! Beautiful writing with riveting characters.
6 “Mitzvah Stars”
It’s been such a joy to discover Amy’s books. She has the uncanny ability to grip hard human strengths and weaknesses. Breaking them down to simpler verbs and nouns, she spins a tale so fearsome and fearless, it fills you with dread and yet doesn’t dim the light of hope. I was mesmerized by her skillful prose, emotional dialogues, and honest truths, it was as if she became instrument of God Almighty to bring such a wondrous story to fruition. I fell in love with her first book and my mission is to read all her books and keep hope alive that I shall meet her one day
It’s a harrowing and tragic tale of forbidden love surrounded by death and danger. Two kindred spirits, childhood sweethearts standing in the rubble of devastation with their world exploding around them
Angelo Bianco and Eva Batsheva Roselli are doomed from the start lovers, or wannabe livers, separated by sense of duty and Law. Church and Synagogue. Catholic and Jew. It’s like the odds were always stacked against them and kept getting higher and higher.
My name is Batsheva Rosselli, not Eva Bianco, and I am a Jew. Angelo Bianco is not my brother but a priest who wanted only to protect me from the very place I now find myself.
This story is about wars and battles. Raging inside human beings and outside in the world in the tragic 1930’s and 40’s. World has gone crazy, Hitler is on a usurping spree, his greed and appetite growing by the second, his disillusionment and dementia reaching sky and he is racing to achieve Judenrien a Jew-free world. Blinded by rage, ordering elimination of an entire race, his ego crushes any person daring to think about raising any opposition against him or his Fascist party.
History shall remember this as the blackest chapter in the history of the world (sounds familiar!)
It’s like the Panzer tanks, the SS, Reichswaffe, the Gestapo all rolled right through my heart, leaving deep imprints. My whole being just trembled as I read the atrocities committed by the Nazis, lying and playing with Jews as cat plays with mouse. Their chokehold restrictions, stripping Jews from their culture, dignity,banning them from education, jobs,literally wiping out their identities (sounds familiar!)
And amidst of it all, a Jew girl falls in love with a Catholic boy and it’s the most difficult of a love story as it can possibly be. She tries to hide in her music like her Uncle Felix does and “Babbo” Camille encourages.
Music is a door, and the soul escapes through the melody. Even if it’s only for a few minutes. And everyone who listens is freed. Everyone who listens is elevated.
Though affluent, Rosellis are in danger. War didn’t spare any Jew in Italy in that era.
The Jewish people have been stripped of choice. They have been stripped of liberty. They have been stripped of dignity. And they cannot save themselves.”
They try and fold unto themselves trying to make themselves invisible and integrate in Italian culture but neighbours turn on neighbours, friends turn friends over and greed overshadows relationships.
And churches become safe havens and portals to hide and distribute Jews in safer locations.
The church was now in the business of hide-and-seek, and Angelo was the eyes and ears, a young priest with a limp and an affinity for languages, with a special understanding of the Jewish people.he was just another cog in the wheel of clergy who had begun the enormous task of trying to hide the hunted.
One legged Priest limping around Rome, trying to save people, barter for scraps, haggling & negotiating for supplies, food and hiding spaces. In closets, under ground, in crypt, basements, holes in the floors.
It was a long way to Rome for a crippled man with a broken heart.
This disgusted my senses, how could the world watch just mutely while a Hopping Mad Dictator was going around stomping on people, their culture and race, trying his best to wipe their traces from humankind !!!(SOUNDS FAMILIAR !!). His cronies & Bloodthirsty Sycophants all gathering around him , trying to come up with a Final Solution, herding people into cattle cars and driving them to gas chambers….i wanted to tear up in frustration at every unfortunate soul that perished, every piece of history that was wiped out and I’m jot even a JEW !- India wasn’t even effected by Nazis.
It is one thing to kill someone. It is another to degrade and humiliate, to strip away a person’s dignity like stripping away flesh. One made a man a murderer. The other made him a monster.
Even though I’ve read many many books on WW2, Nazis, the Third Reich. (I was a history major and this was my research paper) I’ve been obsessed with this historical era ever since I read EXODUS by Léon Uris in 7th grade. This subject still fascinates me. The sheer scale of genocide, the astounding neglect from the rest of the world and then the Allied initiative to oppose it has been a topic of millions of books, movies, documentaries. Like Amy Harmon herself wishes
My prayer is that the people of today will know the past so they won’t repeat it.
Amen !
A sensitive and yet brutal tale of persistent and tenacious love, threatened and endangered by vicious times, is the most heartbreaking and heartwrenching love story I’ve read in recent years. The underlying theme of not ignoring your fellow world citizen’s hardships ever again, has been poignantly penned by Amy. She’s a very sensitive and dexterous writer. Words play in her hands and are brought to life as if it’s God’s mission. It was her calling to tell the story. HE chose Amy to highlight the sacrifices of Rabbis like Nathan Cassuto, Vatican Monsignors, Jake Priors and many many priests and churches that were instrumental in keeping a race alive.
The Third Reich highlights the brutality of unnecessary wars to satisfy an egomaniac lust and let this be a lesson for all in present times, as to what it can lead to.
Loss of life, resources,art, history, culture, environment and peace. At such times neutrality is a curse and compliance and cowardice. One cannot and must not stay as a silent spectator. Choose a right side and fight, oppose, rebel, revolt or history will never forgive you and you WILL have to pay the price of being an aider and abetter of Crimes Against Humanity by sheer dissasociation .
This war isn’t about two equal but opposing forces who disagree. This war is about right and wrong, good and evil. And evil must be stopped. It will be stopped. And people like you will be caught in the cross fire when that happens.”
I’m officially drained and exhausted and I don’t want to pick up any other book for a while.
THANK YOU Amy for enriching us with such a soulful and heroic book. It must’ve taken a huge toll on you too, so thank you for your tears, for our tears and tears shed for every victim of Nazi atrocity and racial bias. I loved the fact that it wasn’t highly politicised and militarized, but the language was simple and broken down at people level. Even though there’s gore and dread, it also has tenacity and resilience. pain and endurance go hand in hand. Hopelessness and hopefulness are juxtaposed. Role reversals of friends and does are miraculous and life saving. Bravery and survivalist Human spirit is celebrated with joy. Death and birth are balancing on thin line of chaos and safety.
I loved that though God is silent, HE is definitely not quiet and Miracles DO exist !
. Our immortality comes through our children and their children. Through our roots and our branches. The family is immortality. And Hitler has destroyed not just branches and roots, but entire family trees, forests! All of them, gone. Eva was the only Rosselli left, the only Adler left.
As Shoshanna and David Cassuto wrote we were 3 when we arrived in Israel and now we have 82 descendants. Children grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
THIS is our answer to those who wanted to destroy us. Our story is a wondrous story of revival of a Nation on it’s Land.
Tell this story to your kids and tell them to pass it on,generations to generations. This history lesson shouldn’t be trapped in pages of books, we should not forget those who perished.
I just finished this story and I’m still in shock and amazed by writing Amy Harmon.
I’ll start with the main characters. This author always creates characters that leave some mark on you and this book was not the exception. Angelo was great, his personality, his beliefs and his feelings made him a very complete character. And his struggle! The growth of both Eva and him was based on almost endless and painful struggle. I loved Eva, not only was she funny, but nice to read, strong, inspiring, fierce and with a huge faith and feelings. The secondary characters were just as good as the main characters.
Now the plot, first I feel I should point out and emphasize that it is based on World War II, I think I read it but I didn’t understand the enormity of that and how much the environment where it develops would make me suffer, so I am warning you. Add to that Amy Harmon’s writing and you will know how much I enjoyed this story, write it down, I didn’t enjoy it, I loved it! It was not only beautiful, it was tragic, it was magical (typical of this author), it was intense, it was full of hope, suffering and struggle, for me it was a complete package, a book that will fill you with emotions and leave you thinking about many things.
I’m still stunned, we read certain things that are so incredible that they don’t seem real, but sadly they are, it came a time in the story that I had to stop, cry and go to hug my loved ones, it really made me super sad, but the beauty of this story is not sadness, injustice and suffering, is how in spite of all that the characters didn’t let themselves be beaten and they kept fighting for what they believed was right and they never stopped believing. Faith, struggle and love are the key words in this book.
The story was magnificently developed, from the beginning I was captivated and couldn’t stop until the end, despite the atrocities you read, everything that happened had its time to develop and resolve, nothing was rushed (although sometimes I wanted to avoid so much suffering) and although certain things in the last chapter can be a little bit like fantasy, for me they were super adequate and necessary to achieve a good balance. And that epilogue! Amy always closes with a gold ribbon, it really was super beautiful, sad and full of hope, a great way to end this story!
I loved the growth I saw in the writing of the author, it makes her good to go into other genres and push herself, because the two times she has done it the stories have been incredibly good. I also felt much more of her in this book, I have always felt something of her in her stories, but here I believe that her heart was more into it, which was one of the many things that I loved. And the magic parts! Another very thing about Amy, every book has something magical that makes it even better and gives that extra touch that makes it stand out, and this time was not the exception, and what a way to do it, it took me really long to read that part because I couldn’t stop crying, absolutely beautiful!
To finish and as you can deduce from my review, I highly recommend this book! It’s one of the best that Amy has written, which is a lot to say since her stories are very good, and they are definitely a must read. Do not be afraid of suffering, believe me it’s so worth it for all the beauty in it, I also suggest you take it when you have time to read it, which I assure you will enjoy it much more and the impact will be even greater.
I have nothing but good things to talk about this story and this author, both deserve a standing ovation. From the bottom of my heart, I thank Amy for sharing this book with her readers I don’t think it was easy to write and I assure you it will make an impact on you and it will be hard to forget. I am dying to continue seeing the growth of this author and to see what else she will surprise us, which surely will be amazing!
I’m a WWII buff–I’d hardly call myself “fan”–and I found this story of triply forbidden love in Nazi-occupied Italy to be tenderly told. It hits all the right notes . . . politically, socially, and religiously.