Blog Tour: WHEN THE SKIES RAINED FREEDOM by Annette Oppenlander

 

When the Skies Rained Freedom

by Annette Oppenlander

 

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GENRE:   Historical Fiction

 

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BLURB:

 

Captivating, gripping and relentlessly authentic...inspired by eyewitness accounts.

To this day, the Berlin airlift presents one of the most dramatic and daring historic events of post WWII Germany, pinning east against west, and cementing the Cold War against Soviet Russia. Without the help of America’s brave pilots, two million Berliners would’ve been lost to Stalin’s dictatorial regime, the future of Europe may have turned out entirely different.

Berlin, May 1945: As the war finally ends, Lotte Berger's apartment lies in rubble, her mother suffers a breakdown after an assault by Russian soldiers, and both, Lotte's father and fiancé are missing in Russia. Only when Mitch Cameron, an American pilot, comes to her aid after an accident, does she regain hope. Just as they are growing closer, Lotte's fiancé reappears under suspicious circumstances...

Berlin, June 1948: Lotte has fought her way through the aftermath of WWII and a devastating loss, when Russia’s dictator, Josef Stalin, decides to take over West Berlin. By cutting off supply lines, electricity and travel, he is willing to starve two million Berliners and force the U.S., Britain and France out. But the western allies, led by President Truman, decide to do the impossible: support Berlin from the air. Thus begins a turbulent and seemingly futile attempt to rescue West Berlin. Willing to do her part, Lotte lands a job as a translator at the American-run Tempelhof Airport. Even if her love is long lost, she can at least dream about Mitch helping to free Berlin...

 

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Excerpt One:

 

Lotte

How fragile life is. Snuffed out in an instant, erased by the millions—the essence of war. Oh, how I hate it, that faceless, cruel war that has taken everything I hold dear. And yet, in its aftermath, when it was finally over, I rose from the rubble along with my fellow Berliners, to live and fight another hour, another day—a lifetime.

 

Berlin, September 1948

I look up as the sky darkens with another low-flying plane. American cargo planes, large and seemingly too heavy to remain in the air, colossal hunks of steel, are here to save us. They carry everything from sugar to dried potatoes to oil and coal, everything to supply the three western-occupied sectors of Berlin.

 

The air is balmy, a mild day with lots of sunshine, a last remnant of summer, yet the droning sounds above send shivers up my back like icy gusts in winter. It has been nearly three and a half years since Berlin saw its last bomb attacks—attacks that lasted for years and many of us survived only by a miracle, hiding in basements among the wreckage.

 

The air vibrates as another plane passes overhead. My hand slides into the pocket of my dress to find the brass button, wrapped in my father’s handkerchief. I run a forefinger over its surface and though I cannot see it, I could draw the eagle’s wings in the dark. Maybe he is up there right now, flying overhead. Would I know, would the button I’m carrying somehow submit a signal, some invisible wave? Nonsense, I scold myself. Why do I bother?

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Annette Oppenlander is an award-winning writer, literary coach and educator. As a bestselling historical novelist, Oppenlander is known for her authentic characters and stories based on true events, coming alive in well-researched settings. Having lived in Germany the first half of her life and the second half in various parts in the U.S., Oppenlander inspires readers by illuminating story questions as relevant today as they were in the past. 

 

Oppenlander’s bestselling true WWII story, Surviving the Fatherland, received eight nominations/awards. Uniquely, Oppenlander weaves actual historical figures and events into her plots, giving readers a flavor of true history while enjoying a good story.

 

Oppenlander shares her knowledge through writing workshops at colleges, libraries, festivals and schools. She also offers vivid presentations and author visits. The mother of fraternal twins and a son, she now lives with her husband and mutt Zelda in Germany.

 

Buy Link

https://www.amazon.com/So-Close-Heaven-Annette-Oppenlander-ebook/dp/B0BM82FMNH/

 

Contact

Website: www.annetteoppenlander.com  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/annetteoppenlanderauthor  

Twitter: www.twitter.com/aoppenlander   

Pinterest: annoppenlander

Instagram: @annette.oppenlander

Blog: www.annetteoppenlander.com/blog/

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Annette-Oppenlander/e/B00W8QRTJ4/  

Email: hello@annetteoppenlander.com

 

Buy Links When the Skies Rained Freedom

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/When-Skies-Rained-Freedom-historical/dp/3948100462/

Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144247442?ean=9783948100469

 

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GIVEAWAY :

Annette Oppenlander will be awarding $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. a Rafflecopter giveaway