The Butterfly and the Violin

 "And then came war . . .

Today. Sera James spends most of her time arranging auctions for the art world’s elite clientele. When her search to uncover an original portrait of an unknown Holocaust victim leads her to William Hanover III, they learn that this painting is much more than it seems.

Vienna, 1942. Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna’s vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family's tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.

The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele’s barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshiping God with her gift?

As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait—Adele—they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God’s faithfulness never falters."

My review:  I absolutely love The Butterfly and the Violin!  Once I started reading, I couldn't put this book down. I think the author, Kristy Cambron, does a great job fitting two stories and time periods together.  She moves back and forth between the two time periods, but in such a way that the reader is never lost.  She makes the story come alive with characters that are real and a storyline that includes true historical events.  I was kept on the edge of my seat through the whole book, was pleasantly surprised with the ending, but was also sad that the book had ended.  This is a story that will stay with you long after you are finished reading.  With this debut novel, Kristy Cambron shows great potential.  I am already anticipating the next book in this series.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher through the Booklook Blogger program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.