Catching The Wind

by Melanie Dobson

Paper Book, 2017

Status

Available

Call number

F DOB

Collection

Call number

F DOB

Publication

Tyndale House Publishers

Description

What happened to Brigitte Berthold? That question has haunted Daniel Knight since he was thirteen, when he and ten-year-old Brigitte escaped the Gestapo agents who arrested both their parents. They survived a harrowing journey from Germany to England, only to be separated upon their arrival. Daniel vowed to find Brigitte after the war, a promise he has fought to fulfill for more than seventy years. Now a wealthy old man, Daniel's final hope in finding Brigitte rests with Quenby Vaughn, an American journalist working in London. He believes Quenby's tenacity for finding missing people and her personal investment in a related WWII espionage story will help her succeed where previous investigators have failed. Although Quenby is wrestling with her own demons-and wary of teaming up with Daniel's lawyer, Lucas Hough-the lure of Brigitte's story is too much to resist. Together, Quenby and Lucas follow a trail of deception, sacrifice, and healing that could change all of their futures.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member lanehillhouse
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson, © 2017
Amazing historical fiction ~ lost in time for this generation.

A river ran through town and lapped against the foundations of old shops now housing establishments like Subway and Starbucks. And an abandoned stone castle perched on a
Show More
grassy hill, overlooking the town.
--Catching the Wind, 105.

I look at the old stately oaks reaching the sky behind our house on the ridge and wonder what it was like here in earlier times.

This story will catch you from the beginning ~ survival, stretching to become part of the life you have unfolding before you. Will you catch up to where you are to be? Certain you will arrive there if you will only believe. This is Brigitte's story. Only we haven't heard it yet or discovered her whereabouts. In the untangling, it becomes others' stories too.

Quenby Vaughn is a successful rooter out detail journalist author unfolding clues needed to take the next step ~ until another story embarks on the one she is already on... Lucas Hough has set out to secure the heart of his employer and most trusted friend, Daniel Knight. Will he be able to secure his own, as well? Stepping out to enfold Quenby into the silent deception all around them, will truth prevail before it gobbles them up inside it?

Daniel Knight has led a life of longing, for the past to become his present. Memories of Brigitte and his pledge to watch out for her and protect her have long since been lost to him. Because he didn't take a step when he could have? Believing he was doing the best thing for her in releasing her to another? Doubts and regrets surface as they have over the past seventy some years. A lostness continuing for him ~ and wonderings... Is she alive? Did she survive? Did he do his best really as he strove to bring her warmth and continuance beyond what he could provide at the time? These questions stalk him and he hopes beyond reason that Quenby can unfold the mystery others have been unable to obtain for him ~ and hopefully for her ~ Brigitte, his heart's desire of all things good.

Step into 1940 Germany and a 2017 isle of hope, to meld them both into a now that is complete.

Wordsmith Melanie Dobson has circled back to the beginning to unravel the crushing merits of war and deluge of men uncertain of who is right in what they are striving for among themselves. Is it for their past and their debilitating attempt to resurface what they have gained and lost? For truly, there is no merit of war that destroys the heart. The heart of the people trying to maintain a semblance of their every day among muddle that surfaces to destroy them and change their generational aim of peace and security for their families and their offsprings' holdings. Peace, joy and song to resonate in their souls, their very beings. Resounding in truth amid the birdsong and lack thereof.

Catching the Wind will have you remembering and sorting long after the last page to grasp the simplicity of an unhampered longing ~ of a smile, so simple and joyful that all of life can be contained in it. Determination to keep searching until it is replaced in its rightful place, complete in joy and received with relief. To be home, joining heart and soul to the spirit within.

***Thank you, author Melanie Dobson and to Tyndale House Publishers for sending an Advance Reader Copy of Catching the Wind. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
Show Less
LibraryThing member texicanwife
Dobson is a master story teller! She breathes life into her characters like none other! They are old friends, best friends, and worst enemies.

Dobson tells a tale as old as time. She brings you to the brink of disaster, rescues you, drops you, and then lifts you higher than you ever dreamed! All
Show More
between the front and back cover of this marvelous work! She tells a tale of hope for the future by revisiting the past.

The author has a masterpiece here. And I highly recommend it for your summer reading list! But be forewarned, you will need a lazy summer day, with nothing else to do but relax and read, because once you open the first page, you won't want to put it down until you have devoured the whole thing.

I give this book five stars,

a big thumbs up,

and my personal recommendation.

You can purchase the book on Amazon. It retails for $15.31 for the hardcover, $8.56 for the paperback (both of these be sure to add shipping and handling) or $8.13 for the Kindle version.

****DISCLAIMER: The above book was provided by Tyndale Publishers in exchange for a fair and impartial review. The opinions above are solely those of this reviewer, and may not reflect those of other reviewers.
Show Less
LibraryThing member alekee
This book is so good that once you turn the final page there is a whole sense of loss, a dear friend I wanted to spend more time with is now gone.
The story begins in Germany and the world is at war, and we see a normal situation, children playing, but alas a split second later they are on the run
Show More
for their lives, and then we span decades before the story is concluded.
Right from the beginning I found myself wishing for a romance between journalist Quenby and Lucas, and there is a bit, but then that is not the main theme of this story. In fact we do have a big of everything, including espionage, and when we circle part of the world looking for clues, we soon find the world is not that large.
Come and root for Dietmar and Brigitte and the journey of their lives and survival.
I received this book through Net Galley and Tyndale House Publishers and was not required to give a positive review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member lamb521
Title: Catching the Wind
Author: Melanie Dobson
Pages: 399
Year: 2017
Publisher: Tyndale
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
This is a wonderful story about two German children in the 1940s, who despite their age are able to escape the Gestapo and make it to England where they are separated. Dietmar is a
Show More
13-year-old boy and Brigitte Berthold is a 10-year-old girl; they are best friends. Their parents are unexpectedly taken prisoners by German soldiers as they are suspected of harboring Jewish fugitives and are anti-Nazi. Dietmar has an aunt who lives in England and when his mother tells him to run that is where he runs toward with Brigitte in tow. They survive some scary situations with Dietmar acting the protector, telling Brigitte he would search for her and find her if they were somehow separated during their journey. At journey’s end, they are separated and for over seventy years Dietmar has been searching for Brigitte. To aid in his final search as he is now 90 years old, he hires investigative reporter Quenby Vaughn.
Quenby Vaughn is a young woman with a gift for researching and writing compelling stories. She is working on a story that involves a prominent British family possibly housing German spies and supporting Hitler secretly. She uncovers some clues, but the owner of her newspaper suddenly cancels her story and forces Quenby to take a vacation. While on vacation, Quenby decides to take up Mr. Knight’s offer to try to find his long-lost friend Brigitte. Mr. Knight’s attorney, Lucas Hough, is to be part of the search team. Lucas is a young man from a wealthy family who appears arrogant at first as he and Quenby lock horns. However, once they begin talking they both let down their walls and become friends with a possibility of something more.
This was one book I had a hard time putting down! The story drew me in with characters I came to care about and mystery and history that kept me glued to the pages. I liked the use of flashbacks to the 1940s to get the story of Brigitte and Dietmar, then back to the present with Quenby and Lucas hunting down clues in their search for Brigitte. What they uncover about Brigitte as well as themselves will change their lives. The themes of loyalty, honor, faith, friendship and so much more are included. I also applaud the faith and presence of God highlighted throughout the story. The way the author ties everything together at the end is fascinating! I would recommend this book as it will stay in the reader’s mind as one they will not soon forget.
Show Less
LibraryThing member tenamouse67
I won this in a GOODREADS giveaway -- Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson -- this was an excellent read! Historical fiction... there a a lot of Nazi-era books out there... this one of the best ones I've read so far!
LibraryThing member ang709
I won this book from the Goodreads Giveaways program. Somehow when I entered, I missed the fact that this is Christian Fiction. That's not my usual choice of genre, but I ended up really enjoying this anyway. I really liked the main characters, and I found both timelines captivating. In fact, for
Show More
the last two thirds of the book, I couldn't put it down.

Even though, as previously stated, this is not my preferred genre, I will probably check out more books by this author.
Show Less
LibraryThing member BeautyintheBinding
Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson is a well-written time-slip novel. Unlike other time-slips I have read, I had no confusion as to the time period or how much time had passed. The time was clearly noted as needed and the narrative explained event progression in both time periods. The novel
Show More
captured my attention from the beginning. A natural coupling of mystery, mild suspense, and a few plot twists carried my interest until the end.

I loved the theme of redemption that is woven into this story. Without giving any spoilers, I will say that Quenby must dig up the past (in more than one aspect), search for and learn the truth, decide to make healthy choices, and step boldly into God-given opportunities. Quenby, Daniel, Brigette, and Hannah all experience a degree of redemption of their personal pasts. As Quenby says on page 370: “It's not about exhuming [the past]. It's about redeeming what has been lost.” I also appreciated the subtle messages about the power of friendship and the necessity of forgiveness, both of which support the magnificent theme of redemption.

Catching the Wind is the first novel I've read by Melanie Dobson. I probably would not have chosen to read it on my own, but the local book club I attend picked it for our March reading. It made an excellent selection as we discussed it's themes, the character's perspectives, and modern-day heroes. I liked it much more than I expected and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with an engaging mystery, modest suspense, and gentle romance. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy through the My Reader Rewards Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Show Less
LibraryThing member Marypo
This was the perfect blend of mystery and adventure, with the search for someone lost decades earlier overshadowing both narratives. This is what glues the reader to the page.
I shy away from romance, but the focus here is on unfolding the past, right where it should be. The potential couple
Show More
actually start off disliking each other because they misjudged each other's character, and their relationship then transitions into a very close resemblance of a brother-sister relationship while on this assignment they were given. This was probably my favorite aspect of the book, because I love a good like-siblings relationship.
While you have nothing to worry about from this couple, there is infidelity and immorality that plays a part in the book, so read through it if you are planning to give this to a younger reader.
Show Less
LibraryThing member clamagna
Dual timeline stories… yea or nay?

I’ve read a few, now, and I find that I’m a fan! This novel goes back and forth between WW2 England and contemporary England. A wealthy, elderly man, Daniel Knight, hires an American journalist working in London, Quenby Vaughn, to help him find Brigitte
Show More
Berthold - the little girl he was separated from as they escaped to London from Nazi Germany during WW2, when they were children. He promised to find her after the war and has been looking for her for decades. He feels investigative journalist Quenby is his last hope. Daniel’s attorney, Lucas, teams up with Quenby, whether she likes it or not, and a little something more than just the missing person case begins to draw them together. I have to admit, at the beginning, Brigitte’s WW2 timeline was more intriguing to me, but then things started to get really interesting in Quenby’s story as she searches for Brigitte and simultaneously investigates a related possible wartime spy story in the British countryside… a story, it seems, someone does not want her to finish. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I will say that I
Show Less

Awards

Audie Award (Finalist — 2018)

ISBN

9781496417282

Barcode

51472

Similar in this library

Page: 1.0928 seconds