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99 pages

English

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Transports readers to the cold landscape of wartime Norway, as a brave, young heroine faces the cruel reality of oppression to join the underground resistance and do whatever it takes it save her family and her country. - Michelle Houts, author of Winterfrost. MARI'S HOPE delivers the dramatic conclusion to the trilogy begun with Odin's Promise, awarded the 2014 Midwest Book Award for Children's Fiction, and Bjorn's Gift (2016). In Mari's Hope, set in a small village in occupied western Norway in the final years of World War II, young Mari has become a valued helper to the village doctor. She also plays a role in her family's efforts in the local resistance, despite ever-present dangers, especially from the snooping soldier called Goatman and from Leif, her one-time school friend, now a German collaborator. As the German war efforts falter, the pressure increases on the occupying troops to hold Norway firmly in their grip. But freedom-loving Norwegians will do their best to thwart those plans. Praise for the series: "An exciting look at the occupation of Norway, through the eyes of a young, brave girl." - Angela Cerrito, author of The Safest Lie.

Sujets

Historical

World War II

Fiction

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Publié par	Outskirts Press
Date de parution	08 octobre 2019
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781977219596
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0500€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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MARI'S HOPE All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2019 Sandy Brehl v2.0
First Edition Copyright © 2017
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.
This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Outskirts Press, Inc. http://www.outskirtspress.com
ISBN: 978-1-9772-1959-6
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019910276
Cover Illustration © 2019 Kathleen Spale ( www.KathleenSpale.com ). All rights reserved - used with permission.
Outskirts Press and the “OP” logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
To Doris, with deepest thanks for introducing me to your Norwegian family and heritage.
The books in the Odin’s Promise Trilogy include Odin’s Promise Bjorn’s Gift Mari’s Hope
For more information, visit: www.SandyBrehlBooks.com
Contents
Out of the Darkness
So Many Secrets
A Fragile Promise
No Easy Cures
Catching Up
March Surprises, 1943
Something To Celebrate
Bestemor’s Surprise
Mystery Solved
Spring Notes, 1943
Bergen, A City Transformed
Hanna and Rolf
Summer Picnic
Life’s Hard Lessons
Suffering Consequences
Strong At Any Age
Heading Home
Leif’s Offer
The Outbreak
Surprise Discoveries
A Mixed Blessing
Goatman at the Bridge
Hope Fades
Another New Year
Setting a Trap
Uninvited Guests
Restoring Order
Confusion and Contraband
Goatman Must Go
Bergen Disaster
Another Delivery
Secrets Under Wraps
Another Goodbye
Painful, Hopeful News
Ytre Arna, 1945
A Breath of Fresh Air
Homecoming
Up From the Ashes
Packages and Plans
A Fresh Start
Author’s Note
Glossary of Norwegian & German Words
For Further Reading
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Out of the Darkness
February 1943 Ytre Arna, Norway
The months following Christmas wrapped Mari in a shroud of gloom. That had always been true, even before the Germans invaded Norway three years earlier. In the deep of winter in Ytre Arna, even in normal times, villagers could expect little sunlight, only a few hours each day, and long, freezing nights. But this was not a normal time.
The annual season of darkness was intensified by the German occupiers’ ban on any lights visible outside the houses. Blackout curtains eliminated landmarks for potential Allied attacks. They also did away with the warm welcome of candles and lamps seen through windows that would have cheered Mari as she made her way through the blackness.
She appreciated nights filled with the luminous glow of the moon. Every day she crisscrossed the rugged paths of the countryside surrounding Ytre Area, working as Doctor Olsen’s assistant, visiting isolated homes that dotted the steep mountainsides rising from the village. Hour after sunless hour she hiked countless kilometers, often with views out to the fjord below sparkling in the starlight. Such enchanted times allowed her attention to wander while she crunched across mountain trails, dodging snow-laden evergreen boughs, heading from one small homestead to the next.
This particular night as she walked she counted the weeks until the spring equinox when Earth’s tilt would finally tip again toward more daylight than darkness. Her birthday at the end of March had always signaled her personal start to spring. The thought of turning fourteen was exciting, though she knew that her family lacked the means to celebrate.
These were lean times for all the families of western Norway. At least for those who hadn’t betrayed their country to support the Germans. Those turncoats had plenty of provisions. The occupiers made sure of that.
Since Mari began to train as Doctor Olsen’s assistant the previous year, her neighbors had come to welcome her visits. Everyone in Ytre Arna had been used to relying on the doctor, but times were hard, and the food rationing and crowded living conditions caused many health problems, making it impossible for him to meet all their needs on his own. Happily, they were beginning to trust Mari’s help as well. They knew the doctor was reviewing all her reports carefully.
When she wasn’t working or at school, the young girl studied constantly, feeling the heavy responsibility of her duties, but growing daily in confidence and skill. Her intelligence and maturity won people over as surely as Doctor Olsen’s endorsement. Months of home visits and careful treatments had earned her the respect of even the most cautious villagers. It didn’t hurt that although she was just thirteen she was tall for her age, and had a gentle smile. Still, she took care to dress plainly and wear her dark hair in the long braid of a younger girl. Patrolling German soldiers viewed her as a harmless child and rarely asked for her pass or challenged her about being out after curfew.
Mari’s home visits on that bright evening were uncomplicated, leaving her a bit of time before returning to her grandma’s cottage on the edge of town. She took a detour to spend a few minutes visiting Odin’s grave in a clearing on the mountain hillside.
By the time she arrived at the small glade, dense clouds masked the full moon, limiting her view of the landscape. Winter’s crusty snow disguised familiar knolls and shrubs, but her feet and heart didn’t hesitate. She hurried to the familiar resting place of her faithful Norwegian elkhound.
Kicking at the caked ice with the heel of her boot, she used one mittened hand to brush the remaining snow from his marker. Even in the dim light, the ebony granite stone gleamed like Odin’s black fur once did.
Mari removed both knit mittens and pressed her palms against his name etched into the marker, remembering happier times.
She welcomed the pause with Odin, a chance to rest before descending to the village again, a moment to catch her breath and be still. It was two years since a German soldier had shot her beloved dog. In that time her heartache had eased, but the pain of loss and the love she felt for him were as powerful as ever. Her visits provided a comfort of sorts, but always fueled her commitment to doing everything in her power to resist the occupation.
But it was far too cold to linger that evening.
The call of an owl nearby startled her from her thoughts. She glanced toward the tree line to locate it.
Staring back at her was a large rabbit.
“Yes, you’re a very handsome fellow, long-ears. But when this cold spell breaks I’ll be out setting snares for you and your friends.”
The rabbit’s ears twitched and he stared more intently, holding her gaze as if he were considering what she said. Mari laughed. “I’d spare you if I could, but we need every one of you in our soups.”
She turned away and headed down the mountain.
In veiled moonlight she followed the familiar path easily. Sometimes she’d pretend that the Germans had never come. She’d picture her large family home, the main house, snugged up against the steep mountainside, light spilling out over the fjord from every window. Mama would bustle about their large kitchen, preparing supper. Mari would often stop first at her grandma’s small stone cottage at the opposite end of their garden path. Odin would race ahead to the house while she and Bestemor followed, arm-inarm, to join the family for supper. They’d climb the steps together and spend an hour or more at the table with Mama, Papa, and her grown brother Bjorn.
For those few moments, trudging down the hillside lost in memory, Mari was able to relive the comforting memories of her secure, cozy childhood before the German invasion.
Now a squad of Germans lived in their house, and Mari’s family – Mama, Papa, Bestemor, and Mari – were crowded into the small cottage.
As she neared their property Mari refocused her attention. In mild weather the soldiers sat outside or roamed about the yard, smoking and chatting. Freezing temperatures made that less likely, but as she approached she strained to hear any German voices, and she sniffed the air for tobacco.
The clouds covered the moon entirely now. She ran her hand along the hedge, feeling for the gate latch. After slipping into the yard she clicked it shut behind her.
Suddenly the door to the main house flew open. Two soldiers burst out, tumbling off the steps and shouting at each other. She crouched beside the hedge, shivering as much from fear as from cold. A flash of moonlight pierced the night, revealing a drama playing out just a few meters away.
“Where is it? What have you done with my watch?” one demanded of the other. The accuser gripped the collar of the other soldier, shaking him like a dust rag. “That was my father’s watch. I want it back!”
“Leave me alone! You have no proof!” The accused was the soldier she called Goatman, a sneaky character that no one liked much. He sounded like a whining child as he flopped about awkwardly in the grasp of the taller soldier, who continued his accusations.
“You miserable thief, if I catch you with my things I’ll break your neck!” With a shove he sent Goatman sprawling into the snow.
The squad leader appeared in the doorway and ordered them both inside. The tall soldier, whose name was apparently Schwartz, kicked at Goatman’s boot but then complied,
Goatman, however, stayed on his knees like a sulking child. The officer stomped to his side and yanked him to his feet. “Klein, get inside!” He shoved