Divided Loyalties

Brought together at the end of World War 1, German soldier Matthias and English nurse Ellen struggle to bring their children up in the shadow of prejudice. The inter-war years mean a conflict of loyalties for Matthias. He has a son who hates him and a dangerous rift with his family in Germany. Together they threaten to tear the family apart. When war breaks out the fragile happiness of Ellen and Matthias is tested to the limit. War splits them apart. Walter and his cousin and enemy Helmut encounter war at its cruellest. Can any resolution be brought to such a divided family? Perhaps Ellen's younger children, Paul and Anna, can bring comfort.
I was rivetted by Divided Loyalties. It's a novel of startling resonance. The history is accurate, nobody betrays a trace of twenty-first century sensibilities and wartime Britain comes alive on the pages.' Jill Murphy, BOOKBAG