Martha Hall Kelly Books

For three women living through World War II, the threat of war poses very separate issues - that is, until their lives become intertwined in the most tragic of circumstances. New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate.

Inspired by a real World War II heroine, this powerful debut novel tells an incredible story of love, redemption, and long-hidden secrets. New York socialite Caroline Ferriday juggles her role at the French consulate and a budding romance when Hitler's army invades Poland in September 1939, shifting her world dramatically. Meanwhile, Polish teenager Kasia Kuzmerick feels her carefree youth slipping away as she becomes a courier for the underground resistance. In a climate of suspicion, one misstep can lead to dire consequences. Ambitious German doctor Herta Oberheuser sees a government medical position as her escape from a bleak life, only to find herself ensnared in a male-dominated world of Nazi secrets. The lives of these three women intersect dramatically when Kasia is sent to Ravensbruck, the notorious Nazi concentration camp for women. Their narratives span continents—from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland—as Caroline and Kasia seek justice for those forgotten by history. This remarkable novel highlights the unsung stories of women pursuing love, freedom, and second chances, keeping readers engaged until the last page. Advance praise emphasizes its rich historical detail and the emotional depth of its characters, showcasing the bravery and complexity of women's experiences during this tumultuous time.

"Sunflower Sisters is a work of fiction. All incidents and dialogue, and all characters with the exception of some well-known historical figures, are products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real: As we roamed the neat brick streets of Charleston, past filigreed fences and palmetto trees, the atmosphere so gentle and refined, we never dreamed we'd stumble headlong into hell. Mother, my sister Georgy and I had come from New York City to visit friends. We stepped out to make our morning calls, admiring the pretty houses, one fanlight-windowed vestibule handsomer than the next. We left Mother's ecru cards on the silver trays. Mrs. Charles Woolsey 8 Bervoort Place, New York City"

In the aftermath of World War II, two former spies, Sofie Anderson and Arlette LaRue, embark on a perilous mission to track down a notorious Nazi doctor. Having endured imprisonment at Ravensbrück concentration camp, where they lost everything, including Arlette's son, Willie, they forged a bond that transcends their traumatic past. Now, in 1952, Sofie is working for the U.S. Army, ostensibly to recruit Nazi scientists, while secretly harboring a burning desire for revenge against Dr. Snow, the man responsible for her mother’s suffering. Meanwhile, Arlette struggles to support herself and Fleur, the orphan they took in, as she continues her desperate search for Willie. When Luc Bouchard, the charming son of a philanthropic family, offers Arlette a chance to find her son at an orphanage in French Guiana, she is drawn into a web of deception. Upon arriving at Cove House, she finds herself trapped and must use her spy skills to uncover the truth. As Sofie's quest leads her across Europe and back to Arlette, both women confront the dangerous legacy of their pasts. This captivating narrative explores the fates of Nazi doctors and the courageous female spies who risked everything for justice.

"It is 1914...Eliza Ferriday is thrilled to be traveling to St. Petersburg with Sofya Streshnayva, a cousin of the Romanovs... But when Austria declares war on Serbia and Russia's imperial dynasty begins to fall, Eliza escapes back to America, while Sofya and her family flee to their country estate. In need of domestic help, they hire the local fortune-teller's daughter, Varinka, unknowingly bringing intense danger into their household. On the other side of the Atlantic, Eliza is doing her part to help the White Russian families find safety as they escape the revolution. But when Sofya's letters suddenly stop coming, she fears the worst for her best friend. From the turbulent streets of St. Petersburg and aristocratic countryside estates to the avenues of Paris where a society of fallen Russian émigrés live to the mansions of Long Island, the lives of Eliza, Sofya, and Varinka will intersect in profound ways."--Page 4 of cover

Set against the backdrop of World War II on Martha's Vineyard, two sisters create a wartime book club for women, discovering the transformative power of storytelling. Inspired by true events, the narrative highlights themes of resilience and connection during challenging times, showcasing how literature can foster hope and unity among women facing the uncertainties of war. This compelling tale captures the spirit of sisterhood and the importance of community in the face of adversity.

Drei Frauen, die inmitten eines gespaltenen Landes um alles kämpfen müssen, was ihnen lieb und teuer ist … 1861: Georgeanna stammt aus gutem Hause, für Ballabende hat die junge New Yorkerin aber nichts übrig. Ihr Traum ist es, Krankenschwester zu werden. Als der Bürgerkrieg ausbricht, meldet sie sich mit als Erste für die Lazarette an der Front. Die Sklavin Jemma kämpft auf einer Plantage in Maryland täglich ums Überleben. Unerwartet bekommt sie die Chance zur Flucht – doch dafür müsste sie ihre Schwester zurücklassen. Währenddessen versucht die Plantagenbesitzerin Anne-May ihr Gut vor den Truppen aus dem Norden zu verteidigen und fasst deshalb einen riskanten Plan: Sie wird Spitzel im Auftrag des Südens. Die drei ahnen nicht, dass sich ihre Schicksale schon bald untrennbar miteinander verflechten werden … »Ein großartiger Roman, der die Frauen feiert, die vor uns kamen, die für das kämpften, was sie für richtig hielten, und die zu Heldinnen wurden, die ihrer Zeit voraus waren.« Lisa Wingate »Die Sonnenblumenschwestern« hat Ihnen gefallen? Dann lesen Sie auch »Und am Ende werden wir frei sein«, das packende Debüt von Martha Hall Kelly.

"Девушки сирени" — книга о любви, стойкости и милосердии. О том, как выжить в нечеловеческих условиях и остаться человеком. Кэролайн Ферридэй, нью-йоркская светская дива, увлечена новым романом и своей работой во французском консульстве. Она еще не знает, что ей предстоит спасать сирот и жертв концлагерей. Скоро закончится беззаботная юность польки Каси Кузмерик. Рискуя жизнью, девушка будет выполнять задания подполья. Герта Оберхойзер мечтает о карьере хирурга, но в нацистской Германии эта профессия недоступна для женщин. Придется найти другое, поистине роковое применение своему таланту и знаниям. На земном шаре есть точка, где пересекутся эти жизненн