Book ~ "The Seven Year Dress" (2016) Paulette Mahurin

From Goodreads ~ One of the darkest times in human history was the insane design and execution to rid the world of Jews and “undesirables.” 

At the hands of the powerful evil madman Adolf Hitler, families were ripped apart and millions were slaughtered. Persecution, torture, devastation and enduring the unthinkable remained for those who lived. 

This is the story of one woman who lived to tell her story. This is a narrative of how a young beautiful teenager, Helen Stein, and her family were torn asunder, ultimately bringing her to Auschwitz. It was there she suffered heinous indignity at the hands of the SS. It was also there, in that death camp, she encountered compassion, selfless acts of kindness and friendship. 

Myra is a nursing student who is renting a room from Helen, a Holocaust survivor.  After seeing the number tattooed on her arm, Myra is curious to hear Helen's story.  The opportunity arises one day ... and this book is Helen's story, which is based on a true story.

Helen was born in 1919 in Germany.  She had a happy childhood, growing up the youngest of four children.  As Hitler started getting more powerful, they found it hard to believe and tried to carry on with their lives, even after her father lost his job as a lawyer with the government because he was Jewish and restrictions were placed on Jews (they couldn't go to school, businessmen were hassled, etc.).  Things get worse and their Christian friend and neighbour, Max, who was forced to become a SS soldier, hides Helen and her brother, Ben, at their farmhouse with the intent of bringing the rest of her family there for safekeeping.  Helen eventually ends up at Auschwitz concentration camp where her will to live kept her going, despite all the brutality.

Needless to say, this is a heavy story.  We all know about what happened during Hitler's rule but this book provides a lot of insight on how it was day-to-day.  The author obviously did a tremendous amount of research.  As a head's up, there are many descriptions of violence and sexual activity/thoughts.

As an animal lover, I like that profits from the author's book sales go to help rescue dogs from kill shelters.

Book ~ "The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap" (2012) Paulette Mahurin

From Goodreads ~ The year 1895 was filled with memorable historical events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France; Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta address; Richard Olney, United States Secretary of State, expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine in settling a boundary dispute between the United Kingdom and Venezuela; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under Britain’s recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. 

When news of Wilde’s conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a small Nevada town into chaos. This is the story of what happened when the lives of its citizens were impacted by the news of Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment. It is a chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all its unintended and devastating consequences, and how love and friendship bring strength and healing.

It's 1895 and Mildred Dunlap and her cousin, Edra, live on a farm outside Red River Pass, a small town in Nevada.  Mildred's father, Max, had made some shrewd land purchases and ended up a wealthy man ... that all belongs to Mildred now.  Because of her wealth and masculine appearance, the people in the town talk about her behind her back ... but that doesn't stop them from accepting her financial help when they need it.  But Mildred doesn't care ... she's happy being on the farm with Edra, who hasn't been to town in many years because of a traumatic event in her childhood.

With the news that Oscar Wilde has been in imprisoned for having relations with another man, it is the talk of the town.  Everyone thinks that prison isn't a harsh enough punishment for what he's done.  Mildred is scared of what would happen if they were to discover the true nature of her relationship with Edra.  To protect it, she needs to throw them off.  She decides to make it look like she is making a play for the newly widowed, Charley, hoping he'll turn her away, thus giving the illusion of her being a straight woman.  But it backfires when Charley doesn't turn her away which starts the town gossiping even more.

It was a interesting story, different from what I usually read ... and I enjoyed it.  I liked the writing style ... it was well-paced.  I liked the characters I was supposed to like and didn't like the nasty ones.  I found Edra a bit annoying, though.  She was just too emotional for me.

I'll keep an eye out for future books by this author.

As an animal lover, it really impressed me that this author is giving all profits from this book to the first and only no-kill animal shelter that opened in Ventura County (where she lives), Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center, in the memory of one of her all time best friends and great loves of her life, Tazzie (August 25, 1996 – September 7, 2011), a Rottweiler she had gotten from a shelter.  So she is promoting this book, in hopes someone will pick it, read it, spread the word and furry kids like Tazzie will find their forever homes.

I received a copy of this ebook at no charge from the author in exchange for my honest review.