Marion Kummerow

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About Marion Kummerow
USA Today Bestselling author of historical fiction.
Her books are filled with raw emotions, fierce loyalty and perpetual resilience.
She loves to put her characters through the mangle, making them reach deep within to find the strength to face moral dilemma, make difficult decisions or fight for what is right. And she never forgets to include humor and undying love in her books, because ultimately love is what makes the world go round.
Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to "discover the world" and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she's now living with her family.
After dipping her toes with non-fiction books, she finally tackled the project dear to her heart. UNRELENTING is the story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime. It's a book about resilience, love and the courage to stand up and do the right thing.
To get a taste of her writing, you can download a free short story about a downed British airman here:
http://kummerow.info/newsletter-2
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Books By Marion Kummerow
"Well-researched, dramatic, and heartbreaking, this tale is historical fiction at its very best." ~ Alexa Kang, USA Today bestselling author of the Rose of Anzio series
Inspired by true historical events, From the Ashes is the unforgettable story of a tortured man, torn between his ideals, the iron fist of Stalinism and the woman he loves.
World War II is over, but another battle has just begun…
Marlene has no love lost for the Soviet occupying forces, who turn out to be every bit as cruel as the Nazis were. Living in constant fear of the Russian soldiers, she works in a hospital to make ends meet, where she meets Werner, a cold-hearted career politician.
Werner, a German émigré to Moscow, returns to his hometown with the highest hopes for a better future. Sent by the communist party to bring freedom, wealth and happiness to the people, he’s soon caught in a moral conflict between loyalty to his party and his conscience.
When Marlene criticizes the communist regime, she becomes the target of powerful men. Oblivious to the danger for her own life, she refused to back down, and there’s only one thing Werner can do to save her life: defy the party line.
But will he be able to shed decades of indoctrination for the woman he loves? And what will become of him if he does? Because those who speak up against the regime, usually find themselves on a train to Siberia or worse.
From the bestselling author of the 'War Girls Series' comes this nail-biting story about Berlin sliding into the Cold War.
Readers who loved From the Ashes:
"Once again as with all of Marion Kummerow’s books this author has taken a moment in history which was pivotal in the geopolitical tensions of post-war Europe between the Soviet Union and the Western Powers." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"An excellent read! Gripped my imagination on the first page and never let go... The twists and turns of the narrative will surprise you as will the ending, and you definitely would want to learn what is in store for them and other not less interesting characters who populate this absorbing story in the next book promised by the author. I can’t recommend it highly enough." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
After a bombing led to her identity being mistaken, Margarete Rosenbaum has been living disguised as one of the Nazis themselves, for almost the entire war.
But secretly—aided by Stefan, a resistance fighter she’s becoming impossibly drawn to—she is trying to liberate the Jewish workers sent to work on the land she’s inherited, and to sabotage the work of the factory she’s meant to be in charge of.
She knows that every day she is risking her life. But she also knows what she has to do. Because it could be her on the other side of the barbed wire fence. And for every person she saves from the Nazis, it’s worth it.
Until she is discovered. And to protect the people she had been helping, she knows she must accept her fate. Even when they send her to the very place she’s hoped to save her prisoners from: Auschwitz… Where no one comes out alive. As the war moves towards its brutal end, will she survive to see Stefan again?
A totally heartbreaking story about courage, love and betrayal, perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Beneath a Scarlet Sky and All the Light We Cannot See.
Readers love Marion Kummerow:
“Awesome!!… WOW… Completely and utterly amazing… I highly highly recommend this story!! It was simply amazing!!” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Absolutely gripping and devastating… The book feels like a race against time. Will Margarete be discovered? Will she be able to make a difference? Will she live? A WWII page-turner that I loved until the last minute.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This heart pulling, feels-destroying read… really pulled me into the story right from page one… It managed to pull me into this dangerous world and keep me there… Deeply emotional.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Stays with you long after reading… This book made me cry and weep at the injustice of it all… A heart-wrenching read… sprinkled with moments of kindness that gave me hope for humanity.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Highly addictive… Plenty of suspense, drama, mystery, intrigue, and surprises to keep even the seasoned historical fiction reader on their toes. Margarete is such a strong and complex lead character that I devoured her story.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wonderful, wonderful… I was blown away by this book. I couldn’t put it down. I ignored everything and everyone until I finished it.” Nicki’s Book Blog ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“That ending! I did not expect that to happen.
When the Nazis destroyed all that Margarete Rosenbaum knew, taking everything and everyone she treasured, she prayed only to survive. Until chance allowed her to disguise herself as Annegret Huber, the daughter of a prominent Nazi.
As Annegret, Margarete had a moment of safety, but now the legacy of her false identity means she must make a devastating decision, and risk everything to save the lives of others.
Because the true Annegret and her family are dead, and the fortune is all hers – all Margarete’s. There is a grand house with crystal chandeliers, and a factory with fences built high and topped with cruel curls of barbed wire. Inside, the workers shiver, their faces gaunt from hunger. Margarete struggles to hide her gasp when—amongst the faces of the prisoners—she sees one that is achingly familiar.
Suddenly, she has hundreds of lives in her hands, including one who means more to her than anyone else left in the world. There’s no question that she must act. From that moment, Margarete is more than just a girl in hiding. She’s a girl who can save others. But in her new position of power, surrounded by the Nazi elite, every move she makes is being watched. Every mistake she makes could lead to disaster.
As the war tears through the country she loves, and turns the world dark, Margarete knows she can’t ignore her chance to stand up against evil. Even if it means risking her own life to save the innocents in her protection…
An absolutely gripping and devastating story about courage and sacrifice in the darkest days of war. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, All the Light We Cannot See, and The Nightingale.
Readers are loving From the Dark We Rise:
“Wow… so amazingly captivating. I devoured this book in one sitting, unable to stop turning the pages… I had to read through non-stop to the end. I loved it… Breath-taking and intense… One unforgettable read. I wish I could give ten stars… Wow, just wow, I’m totally speechless… Phenomenal.” PageTurners Blog ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Absolutely gripping and devastating… The book feels like a race against time. Will Margarete be discovered? Will she be able to make a difference? Will she live? A WWII page-turner that I loved until the last minute.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I devoured this book within about a 24-hour period… Gut-wrenching scenes… I felt really tense as I was reading… There is heartache and hope and at times I felt as if I could hardly take a breath.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Totally immersing… Pure escapism… If you enjoyed Schindler’s List and love a fast-paced 5-star historical fiction featuring a strong female protagonist, this book needs to be on your radar.
Margarete lives as Annegret Huber would have, in a beautiful rural mansion by a forest in northern Germany. She is the heiress to the entire Huber fortune—one which she has devastatingly discovered includes a factory and Nazi prison camp. Margarete has done everything she can to help improve conditions there, and to reduce suffering for the prisoners who remind her so much of her own lost family and friends.
However, as the war rages on and the Nazi party becomes more brutal in its treatment of Jews, she realizes she must do more. She has to help the prisoners escape to real safety, because they will never be safe in Hitler’s Germany.
She’s heard of a route to freedom through Sweden. Although that means secretly reaching out to the resistance. With the risk of betrayal at every turn, her enquiries lead her to a man named Stefan, who she instantly feels a powerful connection to. But she fears he will never trust her… unless she reveals the secret that keeps her safe.
At the same time, a Nazi officer begins to show romantic interest in her, making it harder to keep her identity a secret. His loyalty to the party is beyond question, so if he finds her out, not only will her plan be at risk, but also her life and those of everyone she cares for.
But can she let that fear stop her from saving others? Because she knows she herself could so easily be one of the faces on the other side of the fence. And that, in the darkest times, sometimes the only person who can rise up is the girl in the shadows…
The powerful third novel in Marion Kummerow’s bestselling Margarete’s Journey series is an unforgettable and devastating story, perfect for fans of The Nightingale, The Lilac Girls, and All the Light We Cannot See.
Readers are loving The Girl in the Shadows:
“WOW! Marion did not disappoint me… I loved these brave characters and how far they are willing to go to save thousands of lives and end the Nazi regime… Such a heartbreaking read especially in our current political climate and the parallels are startling!… I can’t wait for the finale… I can’t handle the lip-biting suspense.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“That ending! I did not expect that to happen. Wow! It was a definite surprise and superbly played… A truly heartwrenching tale of survival against all odds.” Confessions of a Bookaholic
“The twists crept up on me and left me gasping as I frantically turned pages.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Excellent… [I] held my breath… while turning the pages of this fast-paced book… What I love about Marion’s books is that she sheds light on the turmoil some Germans went through, not just those who became unwilling Nazis but those who risked everything to help bring down Hitler.
Berlin, 1941: Margarete Rosenbaum is working as a housemaid for a senior Nazi officer when his house is bombed, leaving her the only survivor. But when she’s mistaken for his daughter in the aftermath of the blast, Margarete knows she can make a bid for freedom…
Issued with temporary papers—and with the freedom of not being seen as Jewish—a few hours are all she needs to escape to relative safety. That is, until her former employer’s son, SS officer Wilhelm Huber, tracks her down.
But strangely he doesn’t reveal her true identity right away. Instead he insists she comes and lives with him in Paris, and seems determined to keep her hidden. His only condition: she must continue to pretend to be his sister. Because whoever would suspect a Nazi girl of secretly being a Jew?
His plan seems impossible, and Margarete is terrified they might be found out, not to mention worried about what Wilhelm might want in return. But as the Nazis start rounding up Jews in Paris and the Résistance steps up its activities, putting everyone who opposes the regime in peril, she realizes staying hidden in plain sight may be her only chance of survival…
Can Margarete trust a Nazi officer with the only things she has left though… her safety, her life, even her heart?
A totally heartbreaking and unputdownable story about how far someone would go to save one life, that fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See will adore.
Readers are loving A Light in the Window:
‘Wonderful, wonderful… I was blown away by this book. I couldn’t put it down. I ignored everything and everyone until I finished it.” Nicki’s Book Blog, 5 stars
“Blew me away… You get engulfed in the storytelling until the end!… Perfect!… I loved this book – I lost my whole day reading – just couldn't bear to put it down!” NetGalley reviewer
“I can’t put into words how incredible A Light in the Window is… Extraordinary, well written, beautiful story.” Goodreads reviewer
“This story was heartbreaking and riveting. I was up until wee hours of the morning reading it. It couldn’t put it down until I found out what was happening next.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“Emotional… Will pull at your heart strings with each turn of the page.” Spooky’s Maze of Books, 5 stars
“A poignant love story… beautifully written and rich with emotion… It is a story about courage and sacrificial love that I found really beautiful and one I highly recommend.
“If you ever get lost, Jacob, you need to stay where you are and wait, because I’ll come looking for you. And I’ll always find you.”
In the icy grip of winter, Emma is trying to escape Poland, with her two young children and little more than the clothes on their backs. With the Russian Red Army advancing, she knows their safety relies on them crossing the border. She swears to herself that she’ll do whatever it takes to keep their family together.
But before they can reach the border, her little boy Jacob falls ill, his once-sparkling blue eyes getting dimmer with each moment that passes. And Emma knows she has to get him to a hospital, where she hands him to a kind nurse.
She feels sure they will be reunited the next day. But then the bombing starts. And when she reaches the hospital again, she finds it deserted, her darling son gone.
Though her heart tells her she has to stay and find him, she faces an impossible choice. She would risk her own life for Jacob in a heartbeat, but as her daughter Sophie’s cold, little hand slips into her own, Emma is forced to make a heartbreaking decision. Unable to find any trace of her beloved son, she knows she must at least get her daughter to safety.
But she can never forget the promise she made to her little boy. That if they were ever separated, she’d come looking for him. That she’d always find him.
Whatever the danger, whatever the risk. She knows what she has to do. Because there is nothing stronger than a mother’s love…
An utterly unforgettable and devastating story, perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Stolen from her Mother and Sold on a Monday.
Readers love Marion Kummerow:
“I devoured this book within about a 24-hour period… Gut-wrenching scenes… I felt really tense as I was reading… There is heartache and hope and at times I felt as if I could hardly take a breath.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Awesome!!… WOW… Completely and utterly amazing… I cannot explain how much I enjoyed reading this… I highly highly recommend this story!! It was simply amazing!!” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wonderful, wonderful… I was blown away by this book. I couldn’t put it down. I ignored everything and everyone until I finished it.” Nicki’s Book Blog ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“So emotional, heartbreaking… I couldn’t even put this book down and I got so engrossed into the book that I didn’t even realize until I came to the end!… Grab your tissues because this book will make you cry… Unputdownable historical fiction!” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Cabaret singer Bruni uses men strictly for her own benefit – no love involved. Keeping good relations with the decision-makers of all four Occupying Powers gives her a better life than the average Berliner, but this is about to change when the Soviets clamp down on all traffic between Berlin and the Western zones.
Victor, a gifted American engineer, has been tasked to do the impossible: to build a new airport for Berlin from scratch. Without much more than starving workers and shovels, can he win the race to feed the population before winter sets in and all construction must come to a halt?
When the two of them first meet, it’s love at first sight. But while Bruni doesn’t do love, Victor is looking for a woman to marry. Will he be able to convince her that he’s the right man for her?
Readers raved about On the Brink:
"There are many things I appreciate about Marion Kummerow’s work, and one of them is that she does her research! I have a deep appreciation for the effort she puts into not only crafting a fabulous story but respecting historical details and flavors. I also appreciate that many of her novels are part of a series for addicts like me, but they are written in such a manner that they can also be stand-alone books. On the Brink, the second book in her Berlin Fractured series, is a can’t-miss!" - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"On the Brink, book two of the Berlin Fractured series, is a masterfully written and exciting portrayal that incorporates intrigue, mystery, suspense, and romance during the Berlin Airlift." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"On The Brink grabs you right from the start... [it] will be your new favorite book." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sabine always minded her own business, closing her eyes to the sinister events engulfing Germany. War is always ugly, and it's best to simply stay out of harm’s way.
That changes the moment the Gestapo needs information from her. With her husband held captive, his very life depends on her willingness to cooperate in this evil enterprise.
Soon, she’s thrust into the midst of the resistance, smuggling people out of Nazi Germany.
Her task?
Find the leader and hand him over to torture and certain death.
If she does as she is asked, she betrays her own people. If she does not, her husband will be executed by Hitler's forces. Can she silence her conscience and save her husband?
Read Reluctant Informer now - a WWII tale of love, courage, and impossible choices.
Previously published as part of the USA Today Bestselling Anthology, The Darkest Hour – Tales of Resistance, this standalone novella will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what Sabine will do next.
Readers LOVEReluctant Informer:
"Thought-provoking novella about the horrors of WWII inside Nazi Germany." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A very emotional story that really makes the reader think about what they would do in a similar situation. Would you be able to sacrifice the one you love for the greater good? How far would you go to save yourself?
The author does a wonderful job of describing the feelings of the main character in her desire to just live her life without getting involved in the politics of Nazi Germany... thought-provoking, but with just enough hope to make you believe that things will turn out OK for our young couple." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Marion Kummerow is one of my favorite historical fiction authors and this is an excellent story to start with, if you're unfamiliar with her work." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"An emotional story of just how easy it is for evil to make you do things you never thought you'd do. Well written and fast paced. Highly recommend!" - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Held captive in a notorious Nazi camp, Peter clings to the dream of freedom.
But when his wife Anna stages an escape for him, he has to leave his injured brother Stan behind.
Stan fought with the partisans expelling the Nazis from Polish soil.
Severely wounded, he will not survive without a friendly soul by his side.
Uncommon Sacrifice is a novel about gritty determination, and the wondrous resilience of human beings that’ll make you cry, laugh, and root for War Girl Anna and her family.
Readers who loved Uncommon Sacrifice:
"Uncommon Sacrifice (War Girls Book 6) by Marion Kummerow was a fast pace, action-packed historical fiction read, that gave us an inside look of what it was like during WWII and what it really meant to give everything you got for your county, family and freedom...This story is a must-read for all, and a reminder what it not only takes to live through a war, but how to survive it, and to try and keep what little humanity you have left real, solid and sane." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"...in “short” I loved it. I look forward to reading more of the War Girls series and more from this author as a whole." - Goodreads Reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"WOW...I read every single word and found it really hard to put down to do real-life stuff...After those few pages, it didn't take long and I was 100% invested in this story. All I can say is that it must be the authors writing because it was completely and utterly amazing." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
… right under their noses.
Officially employed as a radio operator for the Wehrmacht, Lotte is, in fact, a spy for the British service, risking her life to defeat the Nazi forces.
When her contact in the Norwegian resistance is captured, it's a race against time.
The allies are advancing, but if they don't hurry and liberate Norway, the Gestapo is sure to uncover her secret.
If she's caught, she'll be tortured and killed.
When the tides turn, friends become foes - and enemies become allies. Without their help, Lotte will never see her family again.
Follow Lotte on her agonizing flight across Scandinavia, evading both her own people and the enemies who would destroy her.
You'll love this fast-paced World War 2 adventure, because everyone loves a woman of courage and valor.
Readers LOVE Secrets Revealed:
"Once again Marion has outdone herself... This novel continues the ongoing saga of one of her characters." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I whole heartedly recommend all of the several series by Ms. Kummerow about the situation and horror Germans and Poles experience before, during, and after the war in Europe." - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Another hit for Ms Kummerow! All the usual thrills and spills we have come to expect, and once again I was not disappointed. I read this book in two days!" - Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Two lovers, separated by politics. How far is one woman willing to go to save the only love she’s ever known?
Bruni, a singer and entertainer in Berlin after World War 2 thought she had it all: a career, raving fans, good friends, and an American soldier she loves.
But good things aren’t always meant to last.
When her fiancé is injured in a hit-and-run accident and flown out to Wiesbaden, Bruni knows that she must do everything in her power to find him. If he leaves Germany before they are married, she might never see him again.
But this is post-war Berlin, and the Soviets have throttled all traffic between the city and West Germany by land and by water. Her only way out is to find a truck driver willing to smuggle her across the Soviet occupied zone.
Enter Otto, a good-hearted small-time criminal. In a bid to do his part against the Soviets, he smuggles food and goods across the border while making a simple living doing it. So when a Bruni offers him to a generous sum to give her a lift across, he doesn’t think twice.
However, Bruni is not the only forbidden cargo on board. When Otto discovers that his truck has been planted with stolen antiques, he knows that this journey will be no simple feat. Especially when he has the Soviet army on his tail.
Can these two unlikely allies find a way to escape the death sentence that follows them? Will Bruni be reunited with her only true love?
All they had left was each other. Until the Nazis tore them apart.
After years of hiding from the Nazis, Rachel Epstein and her little sister Mindel are captured by the Gestapo and sent to the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen. The only ray of light for either girl is that they are together.
But on arrival they are separated. As she’s seventeen and deemed an adult, Rachel is sent to work in a brutal factory whilst four-year-old Mindel is sent into the so-called “star” camp for Jewish prisoners. All on her own, Rachel knows her sister will have no chance of survival—unless she can find someone to take care of her.
Working in the windowless, airless factory—filling munitions casings with chemicals that burn her fingers and make her eyes sting—the only thing that keeps Rachel going is the thought of her little sister. Because if there’s even a chance Mindel is alive, Rachel knows she must try to save her.
But, separated by barbed wire, and treated brutally by SS guards who do not even see them as human beings, can either of the orphaned sisters ever dare to hope that they’ll find their way back to each other? And to freedom?
A completely heartbreaking, utterly gripping tale of courage, loss and overcoming impossible odds, perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Ragged Edge of Night and The Orphan’s Tale.
Readers are loving Not Without My Sister:
“Incredible… I couldn’t stop reading… It would be a great movie… [It] made me cry.” Rachel Wesson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“So emotional, heartbreaking… I couldn’t even put this book down and I got so engrossed into the book that I didn’t even realize until I came to the end!… Grab your tissues because this book will make you cry… Unputdownable historical fiction!” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“It made me weep… a roller coaster of emotions.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“[A] beautiful, heart-breaking story… a poignant story that will tug at even the most hardened heart strings, with beautifully drawn characters, and filled with raw emotion, it’s a book that will stay with you long after you’ve reached the last page.” The Book Review Café
“By the end of the story I was crying… gripping… A must read!” jasminegalsreadinglog ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A heartbreaking read that brought tears to my eyes… Both beautiful and harrowing.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Heart-wrenching… such an emotional read, have your tissues ready.
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