May 8, 2015
My first book “In The Blood of the Greeks” deals with Eva and Zoe trying to help Jews escape from Larissa Greece. Thessaloniki (or Thessalonica) is about 150 km from Larissa. The trains shipping Jews from Athens went through Larissa before they went to Thessalonica. Here's an interesting article about this. Thessalonica and Larissa had the highest concentration of Jews in Greece. After the war, the Jewish communities were shattered.
The following is a report from FoxNews:
Thessaloniki Jews remember 72nd anniversary of transport to Nazi Germany's death camps
THESSALONIKI, Greece – Residents of Greece's second-largest city on Sunday placed flowers on train tracks and inside old cattle wagons in solemn remembrance of nearly 50,000 local Jews who were transported to Nazi death camps during World War II.
About 2,000 people joined together at Thessaloniki's Freedom Square for the 72nd anniversary of the roundup and deportation of the Jews. Some held banners that said: “Racism Kills, Let's Learn from History,” and “Never Again.”
The crowd then marched to the northern city's old railway station, where the first of 19 trains departed for the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp complex on March 15, 1943.
A locomotive believed to have been used to transport Jews, and four carriages that normally would carry cattle and in which people spent nine days locked up on their way to the extermination camps, were at the station. The crowd laid flowers on the wagons and the tracks.
“It was a horrible, mournful, rainy day. Even the skies were weeping,” recalled Heinz Cunho, 87, one of fewer than 100 surviving Greek Jews who made it back from the camps. “Normally, the carriages held 50 people. There were 80 of us to a wagon, and they had us locked up throughout the nine-day trip.”
Greece's government has decided to include among its demands for German World War II reparations a sum, today equivalent to 50 million euros ($53 million), paid as a ransom to Nazi occupiers in 1942 to free about 10,000 Jewish men used as slave laborers in Greece. They were freed, but still sent subsequently to death camps.
Jews, mostly Sephardic refugees from Spain and its Inquisition, formed the majority of Thessaloniki's inhabitants from the 16th to early 20th centuries. Their numbers dwindled in the early 20th century.
Of the 46,091 Thessaloniki Jews sent to the camps, 1,950 survived. Others avoided the camps by either joining the partisan resistance or escaping to Turkey by boat, with the help of residents, and making it to the Middle East. Today, the Jewish community in the city of nearly 800,000 numbers fewer than 2,000.
“We are marching upon the footsteps that Greek Jews marched back then. We must remain united and opposed to Nazism, racism and anti-Semitism,” said David Saltiel, head of Thessaloniki's Jewish community.
Some photos (photos courtesy of Associated Press)
Mina Beneroubi, a survivor of the Holocaust, right, places flowers on rails at the old train station of Thessaloniki, in the Greek northern town of Thessaloniki, on Sunday, March 15, 2015. Residents of this northern Greek city on Sunday marked the 72nd anniversary of the roundup and deportation of its Jews to Nazi extermination camps during World War II. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos) (The Associated Press)
A girl stands in front of a train wagon that was used by the Nazis to carry Jews from Thessaloniki to Auschwitz during WWII, in the Greek northern town of Thessaloniki, on Sunday, March 15, 2015. Residents of this northern Greek city on Sunday marked the 72nd anniversary of the roundup and deportation of its Jews to Nazi extermination camps during World War II. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos) (The Associated Press)
A woman places flowers inside a train wagon that was used by the Nazis to carry Jews from Thessaloniki to Auschwitz during WWII, in the Greek northern town of Thessaloniki, on Sunday, March 15, 2015. Residents of this northern Greek city on Sunday marked the 72nd anniversary of the roundup and deportation of its Jews to Nazi extermination camps during World War II. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos) (The Associated Press)
May 8, 2015
Self Publishing Review site has reviewed “In The Blood of the Greeks” on 28 April.
You can purchase the book from Amazon (ebook) and in Print (Amazon, B&N and other bookstores)
In the Blood of the Greeks, Intertwined Souls Series Book 1, by Mary D. Brooks, is an amazing story set against the horrors of World War II.
In Larissa, Greece, the town’s occupants are living in fear. World War II is raging in Europe, but in their small town, they are living under Nazi tyranny. Zoe Lambros, a young Greek woman, has suffered much due to the war. Her hardened heart desires one thing: revenge. Eva Muller, the daughter of a German Major in command of the occupying force, is living with her own fear. When the two women meet, it’s not a friendly encounter. Can they overcome their hatred and work together to survive the war?
There are many novels that take place during World War II. To write one that stands out in the crowd takes not only a great story, but intriguing characters, heart, passion, fear, and unfortunately blood. In the Blood of the Greeks is more than a historical fiction novel. It’s more than a lesbian romance. It’s a classic tale about forbidden love and finding the courage to follow one’s heart no matter the consequences. The pages are filled with courageous people who are everyday people doing what they think is right even if that means they might be killed. War is hell. Not just on the battlefields, but on the home front. Every day is filled with risks, sadness, and despair. But there’s also hope. While you may need Kleenex while reading this story, you’ll also laugh, cheer, and realize that even when everything looks bleak, there is still happiness to be found. It’s a wonderful lesson that all of us can apply in today’s world. Never give up, no matter what the odds, especially if love is involved.
The author does a wonderful job of whisking the reader back in time to occupied Greece and it’s nice to see a novel focus on Greece and not France. So many people lived under Nazi terror and it’s important that stories from all the countries are told. Mary D. Brooks did her research and she’s created such a realistic story that is harrowing. Many may wonder what it was like to live during World War II. Read this book to get a taste. Brooks thrusts the reader into the midst of the occupation in such a way it’s not surprising to find oneself gasping for breath, fearful that death is just on the next page.
Eva and Zoe are incredible characters and their depth keeps the reader engaged in the story. Brooks, though, has such a wonderful supporting cast filled with good guys and truly evil ones. However, not all of them are black and white, and it’s the shades of gray that make this story so realistic and addictive.
Even though this is a romance, it’s also a thrilling read. Who can Eva and Zoe trust? This sense of dread makes for some uncomfortable reading at times, but it also makes the story unforgettable. To become that enthralled by fictional characters is a treat for book lovers. Historical fiction and romance fans will enjoy this heartfelt story. Highly recommended.
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May 8, 2015
Book Viral has reviewed “Awakenings” – Intertwined Souls Series Book 4
The new edition is available to pre-order for 1 June 2015 release
In the fourth novel in the Intertwined Souls series, Awakenings continues with Eva and Zoe’s tumultuous journey to Greece and Germany. They leave Greece with a new understanding of the past and a renewed purpose for their lives. In Germany they discover unknown secrets and gifts that span generations. With hidden truths uncovered and a peek of their future, they can now work toward making their once impossible dreams come true.
Romance and prejudices dominate in Awakenings by author Mary D Brooks. A beautifully observed and intriguing novel that stands as a lingering reminder of loves consequences in times past. It’s a heady mix that makes for a captivating and persuasive read, effortlessly capturing the spirit of time and place as the almost palpable tension simmers between her females leads. Captured in acerbic prose, we are reminded of the constantly shifting spheres of influence that shape the world around us and those experiences which make us what we are, as we come to make sense of the world, prejudices and the relationships through which we evolve. Thought provoking with thematic moral undertones, Brooks has created astute, honest, and most notably, believable characters that quickly materialize in the mind and bring an undeniable sense of authenticity to her tale that will leave many of her readers reflecting upon the fettered boundaries of forbidden romance in bygone times.
With a compelling and satisfying story arc, fans of Mary D. Brooks will certainly find Awakenings an enjoyable and thought provoking read. It is recommended without reservation.
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May 7, 2015
Book Viral reviewed “In The Blood of the Greeks”
The full review can be found here | For more about this novel, news, images and trailers – click here
In part it reads…
An unerringly confident foray into the realism of forbidden relationships in World War Two, Mary D Brooks takes us on a journey that is both ambitious and morally searching as the spectre of conflict deals out death and loss. An author who revels in authenticity, Brooks has again done her research to great effect and the descriptions of her settings add immeasurably to the quality of her narrative. Yes, it’s a story about love and lesbianism but with an acerbic pen Brooks also delivers jolting social commentary and there is little formulaic about her narrative. There’s genuine depth here and whilst sober at times she ensures that Eva and Zoe are not only intimately entwined but intrinsically connected to the horror that surrounds them. It’s this that creates a real sense of identity. It’s deep rooted, emotive and at times volatile, adding significantly to the power of their story, but more importantly it induces empathy from the reader.
A wonderfully told tale of life, love and prejudices, In The Blood Of The Greeks proves another excellent release from Mary D Brooks and one sure to garner her many more followers. It is recommended without reservation.
Visit the Intertwined Souls Series Book 1 page
May 5, 2015
READS REVIEWS | PRE-ORDER FROM AMAZON
- Pre-Order for 1 June Release
2nd Edition available now to pre-order – Contains additional material new to this edition
The fourth installment of the Intertwined Souls Series, Awakenings, continues the journey of two extraordinary women, Eva Haralambos and Zoe Lambros to Greece and Germany. Having gone back to Greece to reclaim Zoe’s inheritance after the Greek Civil War had ended, they are confronted by their own haunted memories and secrets.
Eva not only has to deal with her wartime memories in a town that despised her, but she also has to contend with a figure from her past. The festive wedding of a wartime hero brings to light Eva’s strength in facing her fears.
Zoe contends with own harrowing memories and relives a day that shattered her soul but out of the darkness there is light.
They get help from two formidable women—Zoe’s Aunt, Dr. Stella Nikas-Lambros, an exuberant, zany character in her own right, and Theresa Mitsos, the quiet, gentle soul with extraordinary paranormal abilities.
In Germany they discover secrets that have spanned generations and shocking revelations. Their lives are once again altered in ways neither of them expected.
Follow this emotional journey of Eva and Zoe. It's more than a lesbian romance. Secrets are revealed, new abilities are found and risks are taken.
PRE-ORDER NOW
A woman places flowers inside a train wagon that was used by the Nazis to carry Jews from Thessaloniki to Auschwitz during WWII, in the Greek northern town of Thessaloniki, on Sunday, March 15, 2015. Residents of this northern Greek city on Sunday marked the 72nd anniversary of the roundup and deportation of its Jews to Nazi extermination camps during World War II. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos) (The Associated Press)
