Reader Reviews

The Way It Was Book Reviews

“The Way it Was” is engagingly told as the experiences and feelings of a youth, yet the specter of Nazi occupation is never absent. Would the Germans discover the hidden radio and the pistol that had not been turned in? Would they discover the man they wanted, dead or alive, the family was hiding? What would happen if they did?

Cal Bratt, Tribune Editor

“The Way it Was” provides a unique view of place, time and events our generation knows little about”.

J. Smith, Attorney

“I started reading the book in late afternoon. I couldn’t put it down. After laughter and a tear, it was 2AM when I finished”.

Mrs. Ruiz

California

“You’ve got me hooked from the first page. This is an exceptional story and your writing is so good”.

Brion Sausser

California

I really enjoyed reading "The Way it Was".

You had some incredible experiences growing up in Holland during the Second World War. I sure do admire the sacrifices your parents made as part of the resistance. I was fascinated with your ingenuity in using a windmill and bicycle to generate power for lights to milk the cows. Wow! You showed your ingenuity early in life.

The "life and death" secrets your parents shared with you at such an early age showed their full trust in you. You described your memories very well and I almost felt that I was living through your experiences.

R. Williams

Olympia, WA

“The Way it Was” provides a unique view of place, time and events our generation knows little about”.

Jake Smith

Bellingham

The Way it Was offers a clear picture of life in the Netherlands. More importantly, it demonstrates the important role faith and family must play in ensuring our freedom. In an era when fascism appears to be on the rise once again, it’s a lesson that today’s advocates of an “anything goes” society should pay close heed.

James Nolan

Virginia

Thank you for writing this wonderful book. I couldn’t imagine what it was like living under occupying forces and I admire what you and your family did during the war.

Susan Theisen

Dawning of a New Day Book Reviews

This is the romantic novel I had been waiting for—Dawning of a New Day provides excitement and intrigue then warms your heart to tears. From the first page and I was spellbound to the very end. Childhood friends, John and Joan, re-discover each other fifty years later in a beautifully written book that had me laughing and crying throughout. As John tries to discover the reason for Joan’s profound sadness, she finally shares her tragic and troubling past. Love comes softly then deepens. It took me through a myriad of emotions while healing and hope proved triumphant. Every generation can identify with this World War II setting to the present. God’s grace is woven through this enchanting story that will stay with me long after I close the book—we all should be so blessed.

R. Tadema
Spokane, WA

“I really enjoyed Dawning of a New Day. I couldn’t put it down. The ending absolutely floored me. A very well written and interesting book.”
Harold Voorhees
Grand Rapids, Michigan

I just finished reading your book "Dawning Of A New Day" and I found it very entertaining and moving. Once I started reading it I could not put it down because I wanted to find out "Joan's story.

Larry Vander Giessen

I could not put “Dawning of a New Day” down until I was finished. It kept me in suspense wondering, how is this or that situation going to be resolved? I kept reading snippets to my husband.

The surprises in it were many, it is very readable, and is a great Christian
story without being blatantly in-your-face. More people should be reserved
listeners in communicating with others.

Thank you for this book. I am going to share it with others at the
school where I am doing a long-term sub job for November and December.

I hope you will write some more books!

Sincerely,
Shirley Allert