A story of people brought together and pulled apart by the long shadow cast by war. Set in France during the Second World War ‘A New Beginning’ by Barry Cole follows Sergeant Albert Clemens as he encounters a young Joliane when seeking sanctuary and assistance for his two wounded comrades at a convent. What follows is a rapid connection which sees Albert do whatever is necessary to keep Joliane safe as they run away together. But will a bond formed in war and maintained with blood, stay strong? I am familiar with the author’s work, having read ‘The Letter’, another standalone historical fiction by Barry Cole. In Cole’s latest novel the author has again succeeded in delivering an immersive and character driven story. I thought the storyline and relationship between Albert and Joliane unfolds at an unbelievably quick pace, although it does emphasise the characters' environment and that in war having a future isn't certain. Cole’s writing paints a picture that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the story as Albert and Joliane search for a place to start a life together. The characters throughout are multifaceted and as in his previous book, you learn more about even the side characters, which adds an extra layer of dimension to the book. There's also lots of twists to keep things from running smoothly. Another entertaining and immersive read for fans of historical adventures and historical fiction.
United by fate – destroyed by love Northern France 1944. With two of their men wounded a company of English soldiers take shelter in a convent. Also seeking sanctuary there is Joliane a young Frenchwoman. After treating the wounded soldiers, discovering that she is wanted by the local Marquis for collaborating with the Gestapo and that when they leave, she will be taken away and shot, the company Sergeant, Albert Clemens decides to take her with them. Reaching Allied lines, given her nursing experience Clemens persuades the officer in charge to let her help out in the field hospital. Assuming that she is safe when he discovers that two members of the Marquis have abducted her, he goes after them. After killing the two men determined to get her to safety commandeering a jeep Clemens sets off in search of a sanctuary. Finding the town where he hoped she would be safe in ruins, traumatised by events in his past and disillusioned with the war, Clemens proposes that the two of them run away together. Indebted to him for saving her life and with little hope of ever returning home Joliane agrees. Posing as brother and sister they journey south in the wake of the advancing US Army and guided by the fickle finger of fate they begin their search for a new beginning. An odyssey fraught with death and danger. A journey across a war-torn Europe which will test their relationship and their newfound love to the limit. Two people haunted by their past and the fear of retribution striving to find happiness together. But as they are soon to discover, hopes of a new life come at a price and sometimes it has to be paid for in blood.
