You don't see a lot of romance novels set during World War
I, but Maureen Lang's novel LOOK TO THE EAST, pulls the
reader into that uncertain time with a story of love and
courage that uplifts and inspires.
Juliette Toussaint has grown up in a town divided by a
family feud with the de Colvilles. When the war coming
knocking at the village door, suddenly the petty
differences between the two families begin to fade away as
the entire town struggles to survive the German occupation.
Things are horrible for everyone, but when Juliette
discovers a handsome stranger hiding in the basement of the
church, a man she's seen before long ago, the war suddenly
becomes very personal.
Charles Lassone, an American with Belgian ancestory, is
determined to return to Belgium to fight for his second
homeland. However, his plans are turned awry when his car
is confinscated and he is forced to fend for himself in the
French countryside. He comes upon a huge battle, and along
with four other soliders, takes refuge in a small town he
had visited long ago. He soon discovers the young girl he
remembered meeting so fleetingly back then is now the
lovely young woman who prays so earnestly in the chapel
upstairs.
As the couple begins to renew their friendship, Juliette
smuggles what provisions she can to Charles, at risk to her
own safety as well as her family's. As the town unites to
help the hidden men escape, Charles vows to Juliette that
he will return for her and pleads for her to keep her faith
in him and in God to save them both.
LOOK TO THE EAST is a somber, heart-wrenching novel set in
a dreary, hard time. But Lang brings an element of
inspiration and beauty to the story that renews the
readers' faith in mankind and the power of love.
At the dawn of the First World War, the small village of
Briecourt is isolated from the early battles while a
century-old feud between the Toussaints and the de Colvilles
still rages in the streets. But when the German army sweeps
in to occupy the town, families on both sides of the feud
are forced to work together to hide stragglers caught behind
enemy lines.
Julitte Toussaint may have been adopted from a faraway
island, but she feels the scorn of the de Colvilles as much
as anyone born a Toussaint. So when she falls in love with
one of the men in hiding—a wealthy and handsome Belgian
entrepreneur—she knows she’s flirting with danger.
Charles Lassone has been waiting in the church cellar, safe
from the Germans for the moment. But if he’s discovered, it
will threaten the entire village—including Julitte—and could
cost Charles his life.
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