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.