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In Spite of It All

by Constance Bierkan

In Spite of It All
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In Spite of It All

by Constance Bierkan

Published Dec 19, 2021
383 Pages
6 x 9 Black & White Paperback
Genre: FICTION / Historical / World War II


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Book Details

In Spite of It All spans the parallel stories of two women: New Yorker, Claire Fitzgerald, who has yet to realize her strengths, and Frenchwoman Madeleine de Beaulieu, whose impetuousness will lead her astray. It’s 1945 and the war in Europe is winding down. Originally an “American Firster,” Claire recants her stance against US involvement in the war and joins the Red Cross. Her change of heart will subsequently immerse her in a series of experiences beyond her wildest dreams. Madeleine, a winsome girl of twenty, feels the war has robbed her of her youth and  deprived her of any chance at romance. Fleeing to Morocco to escape her war-weary malaise and hopefully find love lands her in a heap of trouble. As each woman embarks upon her quest for happiness, neither can anticipate the collision course she is on in this compelling story. And as events unfold under a shadow of secrecy during the Allies’ discovery of Hitler’s propaganda art hidden in the Kaiserode Mine, a twist of fate will cause these women’s lives to be changed immeasurably. 
This book is geared toward fans of the World War II genre, romance, adventure and art history and is third novel. The first, Alone in a Crowded Room: An Adoption Story, was awarded a Kirkus Star and named Best Indie 2018. Her second novel is Free To Breathe was well received. Both are powerfully evocative. In Spite Of It All is her best to date.



 

Book Excerpt

While Claire had decided it best to drop her objections to Billy’s going to war, privately, she had not changed her mind about the war. To her, there was no valor to be had in joining this or any other battle. Violence only begot more violence, and despite what political leaders might have claimed at victory parties no one was ever really the winner. How could there be? Blood was shed, lives snuffed out, family members and friends left behind to live the rest of their days grieving. War seized that which was most precious and could never be restored—property, limb, one’s very existence. At twenty-seven, Billy had no business joining those fresh-faced, foolish boys—babies, really—lined up on every other city block eager to get themselves killed. That Billy had been lured away from Claire by a bigger sense of duty than that which he had vowed to her at the altar was hard to comprehend.

 

About the Author

Constance Bierkan

Constance Bierkan grew up in Zürich, Switzerland and London, England. She sat her Ordinary and Advanced Level exams administered by the University of London and earned a BA in English Literature and a minor in Semantics at Skidmore College and Goucher College. She worked toward a Master’s at Fairfield University in Psychology. Bierkan’s debut novel, Alone In A Crowded Room—An Adoption Story, published in 2017, received a Kirkus Star and was named Kirkus Best Book Indie 2018. Her second novel, Free To Breathe, has enjoyed enough success that there is demand for a sequel. Fluent in French and German, Bierkan loves to read, people watch, and travel. She and her best friend-husband-Naval-Aviator-veteran-airline-pilot-gentleman-tree-farmer, live at 8,200 feet in the Colorado Rockies.

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