Inspired by the heroic Biblical story of Queen Esther, debut author Kate Breslin has written a very strong and compelling version set against the horrific backdrop of war- torn Nazi Germany and concentration camps in 1944.

With false papers organized for her by her uncle Morty, the lovely blonde and blue-eyed Hadassah Benjamin had tried to avoid capture by passing herself off as Stella Muller from Austria. That worked for a bit until she rejects the lecherous advances of a Gestapo soldier and her reward becomes a one way ticket on a train to Dachau. Months of living close to starvation and a tattoo on her left arm had left her weak in body, but she is determined to stand without fear as she faces the gunfire from the firing squad.

Yet, that was not to be her fate. Meticulous to the smallest detail, SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt had discovered a mistake and insists on rectifying it. Saving Stella from the firing squad, he is now speeding her to his base at Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia where Jews were held in a transit camp before being sent to Auschwitz. Will this fate now be worse that the clean death that Hadassah has barely escaped? Why has she been saved?

Setting her up as his secretary, Aric is gentle and kind to her, but still makes his intentions known. Can he be trusted? As Stella types his letters and work orders, their implications become clear. Just like the Biblical Esther, Hadassah cannot enjoy being pampered when there is so much suffering and death. She must find a way to save her people or as many as possible. But, they are still in the middle of a war. Can she convince the Kommandant to let her go?

While FOR SUCH A TIME may be Kate Breslin's first novel, she is already known for her inspiring fiction and poetry and that clearly shows in her strong writing style. I enjoy how Breslin develops her characters and they spring to life quickly in the reader's mind. While the premise of a SS-Kommandant rescuing a Jewish woman may be atypical, Breslin sets the stage for this event in a realistic manner. Without wanting to have to give a spoiler alert, I can vouch that there are many dramatic and gut- wrenching scenes with lots of fast moving action and a little romance. While not a perfect novel, it is a very riveting read and its storyline will resonate in your mind long after you are finally able to put the book down. I particularly liked reading the author's note at the end of FOR SUCH A TIME where Breslin shares in her research and highlights what is fact and what is not in her fictional story.

FOR SUCH A TIME is sure to be hit with inspirational and romance fans who are sure to enjoy this story of how God moves in mysterious ways to bring two unlikely people together and gives them the courage to do what they feel is right, despite all the dangers and deaths that might be involved. I highly recommend FOR SUCH A TIME and I look forward to more novels from debut author Kate Breslin! Enjoy!