The Heart Mender: A Story of Second Chances

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Overview

A unique blend of historical fact and engaging fiction showing the power of forgiveness.

While digging up a withering wax myrtle tree beside his waterfront home on the Gulf coast, author Andy Andrews unearths a rusted metal container filled with Nazi artifacts and begins an intriguing investigation that unlocks an unspoken past that took place in his backyard . . . literally.

In 1942, as the country gears up for a full-scale commitment to WWII, German subs are dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico to sink U.S. vessels carrying goods and fuel. While taking a late-night walk, Helen Mason-widowed by war-discovers the near-lifeless body of a German sailor. Enraged at the site of Josef Landermann's uniform, Helen is prepared to leave him to die when an unusual phrase, faintly uttered, changes her mind.

Set in a period simmering with anger and suspicion The Heart Mender offers the very real chronicle of a small town preparing itself for the worst the world has to offer. As cargo from torpedoed ships begins to wash up on the beach, Josef and Helen must reconcile their pasts to create a future.

Blending his unique style of historical accuracy with unparalleled storytelling, New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews offers a tale of war, faith, and forgiveness illuminating the one principle that frees the human spirit.

Previously released as Island of Saints, this new edition includes a reader's guide and a "Where Are They Now?" update on the real-life characters.

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

To render his message of the power of forgiveness, author Andy Andrews blends historical fact and heart-arresting fiction. The Heart Mender captures an extraordinary WWII rescue story in an even more extraordinary place: an American beach on the Gulf of Mexico. When recently widowed Helen Mason first comes upon the nearly lifeless body of a German sailor washed up on the beach, she is first infuriated at the sight of his uniform. Then he speaks a single phrase and both their lives begin momentous changes... (Hand-selling tip: With its uplifting message, the book by the author of The Traveler's Gift is primed for crossover readers.)

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780785231035
Publisher: Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date: 5/4/2010
Pages: 256
Sales rank: 79,061
Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.30 (h) x 1.00 (d)

Read an Excerpt

The Heart Mender

A Story of Second Chances

By Andy Andrews

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2010 Andy Andrews
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-7852-3103-5

Chapter One

It is early summer as I sit at my desk and finally begin the process of sorting what I know to be true from what I merely suspect. As I form the words and type them into record, I shall endeavor to separate facts from the legend and myth in which they have now been shrouded for decades.

As an author, I usually have a particular work living in my head-complete with its title, plot, subplots, and ending-for months before leaping, as fully formed as I can make it, onto the page. At present, however, I haven't even a working title for this manuscript. The book you are holding, if indeed it has come to that, was nothing I ever intended to write. My next two books have been outlined and are ready to begin, but I have become distracted by an attempt to solve a mystery literally thrust into my life by the earth itself. Let me explain ...

I live with my wife, Polly, and our two boys on a small island situated along the Florida/Alabama coastline of the northern Gulf of Mexico. There is a single, small bridge connecting us to the mainland. Orange Beach, Alabama, just to our west, is where we bank, vote, attend church, and shop for groceries.

Perdido Key, Florida, is to the east. A thirty-second drive from the bridge in that direction crosses the Florida state line and passes the world-renowned Flora-Bama Lounge, a loosely constructed conglomeration of wood, brick, and tent material most famous, I suppose, for being famous. Therefore, it is always packed, and if the wind is right, sometimes late at night I can hear strains of "Redneck Mother" or "You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin' ... Darlin'" from my dock.

Over the past twenty years, this previously ignored coastline has increasingly become a prime destination for summer tourists and winter snowbirds drawn to the area by the turquoise water and dazzling white sand. The beach, one of the few in the world to be composed of only one mineral-in this case finely crushed quartz-is part of a one-hundred-mile stretch of beach that includes the Florida towns Panama City and Destin and is known as the "Miracle Strip."

Our home is situated on a dune line that rises twenty-five feet from the water's edge and runs east to west, affording a view of the water on both sides of the island. The landscaping is minimal at best. Here and there we've managed to coax a few flowers out of the sand, and several potted palms grace the dock. Polly holds with the belief that "natural is better," and I, having not forgotten the chores thrust upon me by my garden-crazy parents, am happy to agree.

So, instead of grass demanding to be mowed and azalea bushes begging to be fertilized or pruned or have pine straw placed by hand around their precious roots, we have sea oats and wax myrtles and ancient oak trees growing in the sand. And they grow quite nicely without any help from me. Most of the time.

Last September, I noticed the largest wax myrtle on our property had begun to die. In the almost one hundred years of its existence, the tree had grown to well over forty feet and shaded an area the size of a tennis court. It crowned the top of the dune near our kitchen porch, and boaters often noticed this magnificent monarch even before they saw the house. Because of its height and close proximity, my family was keenly aware of the tree's impending demise.

By the new year, no semblance of life was left in its branches. I was surprised to find myself strangely relieved, as if an old friend had finally passed away after a struggle that had become too difficult to witness. And after a proper period of what I called mourning and my wife termed "yard work procrastination," I knew it was time to remove the tree.

The wax myrtle, also known as the southern bayberry, was used by the Indians and early American colonists to make candles. Its distinctive, fragrant scent comes from volatile oils contained in tiny glands on the leaves. These oils render the tree highly flammable and remain in the tree long after it dies. Dead wood infused with combustible resin is not a good combination when it is located so near a house, and so it was with a heavy heart (and a portable radio tuned to the NFL play-offs) that I struck my first blow against the trunk of the tree.

I am an ax man. Ever since, as a teenager, I saw the movie in which a chainsaw was the weapon of choice, I've never been especially keen on that particular sound. So, instead of a quick rip and a crash, it took until early afternoon to chop down the tree and haul its scattered pieces away, leaving only the stump as a reminder that anything had been there at all. But as much as we loved the tree, no one wanted the reminder. "Dig it up," my wife urged in what she felt was an encouraging voice, and I did.

Granted, when surrounded by sand, a stump is not the formidable opponent it becomes when its roots have embedded themselves in clay or a rocky soil. There is, however, something to be said for a root system having spent a hundred years in search of nourishment. Tremendous mats of stringy, underground branches stretched in far larger networks than their leafy counterparts had ever accomplished in the sunshine. I was shocked and exhausted, I had a hole in the ground the size of my grandfather's Buick, and I was starting to think in regard to my dear wife, What she doesn't know won't hurt her. I was about to reverse course and hide the roots that were left by covering up the whole mess when my shovel struck something that didn't feel like root.

For a brief moment, the shovel stuck. It was as if I had hit a monstrous wad of gum or taffy. And the sound was different. I had grown accustomed to the high-pitched swish of the steel shovel as it cut through the sand, but this tone reverberated as a dull thunk. At the time, I didn't think it sounded like metal, but that's exactly what it was.

With the shovel's retreat, I exposed a hand-sized portion of rusted ... something. Sand poured into a slit in the object that had obviously been opened by the slicing of the shovel. On my hands and knees, I quickly pulled wads of tiny roots away from the item and, with my fingers, pried it loose. It was a can.

I turned the heavily rusted object over in my hands, being especially careful not to cut myself on any of the sharp edges. It was large ... like the gallon-sized cans a restaurant uses for vegetables or refills of ketchup. The can was sealed at both ends, but the rust, I noticed, had created several tiny holes in its surface in addition to the large one made by the shovel's blow.

The presence of the holes made it apparent that the can was not filled with food or liquid of any kind, but still, it was heavier than an empty can should feel. And it rattled when I turned it. Although I assumed the clatter to be caused by shells and sand, I was curious and pried apart the thin, fragile metal.

Inside the can, dank and mildewed, was what I determined to be an old chamois-once soft leather now stiffened by age and the rusty dampness in which it had been imprisoned. Pulling the leather free from the can, I saw that it had, at one time, been carefully folded. Now, though, it was shrunken somewhat, blackened by mold and almost hard on its edges like a big, ugly potholder that someone had starched.

The leather folds came apart easily in my hands, and as they did, a button fell out and onto the sand at my knees. A silver button. Though somewhat tarnished, the face of the button was beautifully etched with an anchor. From its back extended a single loop surrounded by letters so tiny that I was unable to make out anything more than a K, an R, and on down the line of script, what I thought might be an A.

Placing the button on the kitchen porch behind me, I tugged harder at the leather from which it had come and tore a piece completely off. Three more buttons, identical to the first, along with a ring, fell into the sand. The ring was also silver, a bit more discolored than the buttons, and had as its center point an eagle surrounded by a wreath. The ring also had letters-these much larger-which ran the entire outside circumference of the circle. I read the words aloud: "Wir Fahren Gegen Engelland."

Not being able to translate or even identify the language, I set the ring aside with the buttons and continued to peel apart the crusty leather. With the final layer laid open, I slowly set the chamois on the sand and gazed openmouthed at what it held. There were four more buttons, making a total of eight, a silver anchor badge about 2 inches tall by 1 1/2 inches wide, some kind of black-and-silver medal with a bit of red, black, and white ribbon attached, and three, only slightly water-damaged, black-and-white photographs.

The first photograph was a simple head and upper body shot of a man in military attire. I didn't recognize the uniform, but saw immediately that the buttons in the picture were the same ones I now had in my possession. In fact, I counted them. Eight silver anchor buttons in the photo ... and eight on my porch. I really couldn't tell if the man in the picture was twenty or forty, and in that way, he reminded me of old pictures I have seen of college kids in the nineteen thirties or forties. They all looked years older than they actually were.

The man was not smiling. It was as if he was not entirely comfortable with the idea of having a photograph made. He was not thin or fat, though "thick" might have been an accurate description of his body type. The same eagle that appeared on the ring was also on display on the right breast of his uniform jacket and the top of an odd, beret-type cap. Stitched in large, Gothic script along the lower brim of the cap was the word Kriegsmarine.

The second photograph was smaller and had a decorative black border framing the print. In it were three figures: a young woman in what struck me as the best dress she owned, a man in a suit and white shirt with no tie, and a baby in a wagon between them. Whether the child was a boy or girl, I couldn't tell. Though the woman looked directly (fearfully?) into the camera, the man's attention was focused toward the child, causing his face to appear in profile. I wasn't certain, but I thought that maybe he was the same uniformed man in the previous photograph.

It was the third photograph, in addition to the ribboned medal, that had my attention. The black-and-silver military decoration was cast in the shape of a cross. At the bottom leg of the cross was a date, 1939, and in its center a more familiar symbol. I blinked as I touched it with my finger and shivered, whether from the January chill or something unseen, I didn't know.

Quickly I looked again to the last photograph. Men on a boat of some sort ... lined up as if for inspection. On the right corner of the front line, yes, there was the uniformed man from the first picture. Four officers in highly decorated military overcoats were in the foreground of the shot. Three wore dark clothing with what I imagined to be gold or silver trim. The fourth man, to the far left of the photograph, was dressed immaculately in an outfit cut in the same design, but of a paler material. It was this man whose face I recognized. This was the man for whom the symbol on the medal had been created. But why on earth was a picture of Adolf Hitler buried in my backyard?

Chapter Two

A week later, I was still no closer to answering my question. Where had this stuff come from? At least the Internet, with its various search engines, had begun to fill in some of the blanks about what the actual pieces were. And the swastika embossed on the medal gave me some idea of what I might find.

After rushing inside and fanning out the items on the kitchen table for my astonished wife, I retreated to my office and cranked up the computer. The first word I searched was Kriegsmarine, the script on the man's hat in the first picture. I quickly found that it was the name of the German navy controlled by the Nazi regime until 1945. Previously titled the Reichsmarine, the Kriegsmarine was formed in May of 1935 after Germany passed the "Law for the Reconstruction of the National Defense Force." This law brought back into existence a German military presence that had been essentially banned by the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I.

I next typed in Kriegsmarine buttons and was instantly rewarded. There, on my computer screen, was an enlargement, front and back view, of a button exactly like the eight in my possession. The front of the button proudly displayed the anchor while the magnification of the back side clearly revealed the word Kriegsmarine stamped in a semicircle. Remembering the letters I had barely made out on the back of the first button I found, I dug an old 8X photographer's loupe out of my desk and looked at the back of one of the actual buttons. There it was, the same semicircular engraving of the same word that stared back at me from the computer.

As I moved my eye from the magnification device, I noticed that the photographer's loupe-a small plastic piece with the brand name Lupe-had an engraving of its own. "Made in Germany," it said. If it hadn't been so weird, I would have laughed out loud.

The medal-easy to find-was an Iron Cross. First instituted by King Friedrich of Prussia in 1813, it was adopted as a piece of political imagery by Adolf Hitler during the opening hours of World War II and became the most recognizable decoration to be won by a member of the German military. The Iron Cross was awarded for bravery in the face of the enemy. The actual medal itself was seldom worn, but often carried. An Iron Cross recipient usually displayed only the brightly colored ribbon by running it out the top right buttonhole of his jacket. In the first photograph, I could see that very piece of red, white, and black cloth featured prominently on the Kriegsmariner's uniform.

Next, I began a frustrating search for the silver anchor badge by typing in those exact words. After trying German silver anchor badge, German silver rope anchor badge, and German Navy silver rope anchor badge with no luck, I substituted the words pin and medal for badge, Nazi for German, Kriegsmarine for Navy, and every combination of those terms I could concoct, with the same results. Nothing.

Pausing for a moment, I sat back and stared at the badge/pin/medal/whatever on my desk. I had literally scanned the pictures of more than one hundred German decorations and military awards, but hadn't come close to anything resembling this impressive piece of masculine jewelry. Picking it up, I placed the silver badge on the gray background of my laptop. Then, I saw something that, unbelievably, had escaped my attention. On the left side of the pin, from the anchor's flange at the bottom to its cross bar at the top, rested a large U. Matching it on the right side was a B of equal dimension. Both letters appeared as mere decorative support, so I reassured myself I wasn't a total idiot for having overlooked them. But now that I did see them, it was as if I could see nothing else-like the optical puzzles that, when you finally see the picture, you wonder how you could have ever missed it in the first place.

U B ... I wondered. My eyes narrowed. U-boat? Immediately I typed in Kriegsmarine U-boat silver anchor badge and got the hit that led me to a picture of the badge in my possession. Subsequent searches using several different search engines finally gave me a fairly complete background on the medal.

Interestingly, it was commissioned by the German government in 1910 and worn at that time by officers in the submarine corps. For some reason, the Nazi regime chose not to include the medal in its official notices of recognition. Thus, I found that this particular design was worn by several U-boat officers during World War II as a deniable way of protesting Hitler and his policies. These officers, who either inherited the badge from a relative or had a copy made by a jeweler, considered themselves Germans, not Nazis-a curious but apparently not uncommon distinction.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews Copyright © 2010 by Andy Andrews. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Anonymous

Posted January 5, 2011

highly recommended!

Andy Andrews' The Heart Mender is an inspiring story about the power not just of love, but of forgiveness, community and faith. Intertwined with the love story of an American woman and a German soldier during World War II (and with the stories of their friends and neighbors) is a bit of the author's own story, as he uncovers the clues that lead him to discover the romance.

Andrews is a skilled storyteller, and weaves dialogue and description to create vivid and believable characters. The issues with which the characters struggle are real, and the answers to which they come are hard-won - but throughout the book is a firm and unyielding hope and confidence that love will, in the end, triumph. From beginning to end, the storylines illustrate the truth that bitterness and resentment do nothing but continue to wound, while making the choice to forgive can do everything towards bringing healing and hope to a broken heart.

One of the things I most appreciated about this story is that while it is a love story, it doesn't happen in isolation. It blossoms in the context of a community, and affects - and is affected by - that community. I love that. It makes the entire book feel even more true - because in real life, relationships do inevitably happen in the context of community.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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danreader54

Posted October 3, 2011

Highly Recommended

Andy Andrews has a way of weaving fact and fiction together to make a very readable and enjoyable book. This book shows the power of forgiveness and second chances. Wonderful story of the best of people and the worst of people. It tells of how a young woman helped a man whom she thought to be her enemy but because of her actions became so much more to her. Without revealing too much of the story line, it shows that we never know when we have the opportunity to change a life forever, maybe even our own.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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9083391

Posted July 15, 2011

Loved this book

I thought book was an incredibly easy book to read with a heart warming message. I connected with the characters and laughed and cried along with them. Andy Andrews is a writer that everyone can read, and everyone will enjoy. If you enjoy this book, also check out Andrew's "The Time Travler's Gift." Enjoy!
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Anonymous

Posted March 9, 2011

Book is good but my opinion of B&N isn't nearly as good as it used to be.

I just downloaded this book in english. I started to read it and at the very begining I discovered that it had been published before under the name of Island of Saints. I had read Island of Saints a few years ago and enjoyed it very much but did not want to read it again under the name of The Heart Mender. I called Barnes and Noble to tell them what happened. They admitted that this was true but refused to give me a refund because I had already downloaded the book. I tried to tell them that downloading the book was how I found out that it had been released before under a different name. I am sure Barnes and Noble makes enough money that they do not need my $10 AGAIN. My review of the book is good but Barnes and Noble gets zero stars. I wish I had bought a Kindle so they couldn't get any more of my money!
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ChandraLynn

Posted September 16, 2010

Wonderful Blend of History and Fiction

It is difficult to classify this book, but it is easy to call it excellent. Andy has done it again. He takes truth and mixes it with imagination and weaves them into a story that reads like a novel but feels like an autobiography. It is hard to describe the book without giving away some of the wonders of the story, and I'll not be guilty of writing a spoiler. This is a wonderful, heartwarming book. Read it, you will be pleased you did.
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Anonymous

Posted August 31, 2010

An amazing book

I really enjoyed reading The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews. In typical Andy Andrews style, he has you from the beginning in an engaging story with a great lesson about life. In my opinion, one of the key skills to learn in life is how to forgive and Andy masterfully covers that skill in this great book. I highly recommend this book!
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Clarkwith4

Posted August 30, 2010

History buffs, Take note!

From the first page to the last page I was intrigued! When a book can urge you to continue the pursuit of knowledge, that's when you know you've found a good one. I have shared my love for this book with everyone I can.

Andy Andrews had his "honey do" list turn into a lesson in history and lesson on forgiveness. When he realizes his family home could have been the site of WWII history he takes his findings to neighbors and friends to find out who the people were that buried a veritable treasure on his property.

This book made me want to take world history all over again! So much went unknown without the availability of the internet. Andy Andrews pieced together amzing stories.
So many people that lived in that time frame are not even aware of what was happening and I love this book for what it has taught me.
This book teaches history, love, patience, forgiveness and so much more.
It's a must read!
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RainCT

Posted August 22, 2010

Captivating from start to end

When I started reading the book, it surprised me twofold: first of all, it didn't begin with the actual story I had expected, but with a narration of how the author got to write the book, after finding a box containing WWII artefacts and a photo buried in his backyard. Even more surprising, though, I got captivated by it after reading just the first few pages, something many few books achieve so fast.

After a few chapters exploring the origin of the artefacts, the author begins with the actual story of how Josef Landerman, Lieutenant of a German U-Boat sent to the Gulf of Mexico, ends up at the mercy of Helen Mason. Helen, a widow who hasn't been able to overcome her ill fortune, is thus confronted with the choice of saving the life of someone wearing the same uniform that killed her husband years ago. How did he end up in such a situation? And, even if Helen decides to help him, what will await him so far from home?

While focused as a romance with strong attention to the topic of forgiveness and second chances, the book doesn't miss its fair share of adventure and it is a pleasurable read. I can only recommend it.
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JMcDilda

Posted August 6, 2010

Great read, inspiring story!

This is a wonderful book, I fell in love with it after the first few pages and it was hard to put down! A historical book that will grab the attention of history buffs like me and the average non-fiction reader alike. I loved how the flow of the book went, taking you from present day when the author was digging in his backyard, back to World War II and back to present day. For me this was a story of love first and foremost, and forgiveness.

The book starts out with the author digging in his yard where he finds some old artifacts, he then proceeds to ask around to figure out what they are. Soon the author figures some of it out and we find out about Helen Mason a war widow who finds an injured solider on the beach, nursing him back to health, even after finding out he was a Nazi. You follow Helen in her world where she worked as a waitress, and how her and Josef's relationship bloomed.

This was a wonderful book, always keeping you on your toes and trying to guess what would happen next. The historical data in it was wonderful, and knowledgeable, and down right interesting. The story of forgiveness and love throughout the book was wonderful and got me thinking about my own life as well as Helen's. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, I believe this book has something in it for everyone to learn from.
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rspooner

Posted July 23, 2010

more from this reviewer

An Inspirational Masterpiece

I recently read The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews and was overall very impressed by what I read. The Heart Mender is a story of love, war, friendship, and forgiveness. Helen Mason is a young widow during WWII. Helen is alone with no family and bitter and angry at the Nazi's for taking her husband's life. She works as a waitress during the day and feeds her bitterness at night, allowing her anger to shadow who she is. The story then takes us to the other side of the world where we meet German U-boat officer Lt. Josef Landerman. Overcome with grief over his family's death, he is betrayed by his own country and left for dead where he washes up on Helen's doorstep.

Although I found this story a little hard to get into, I was intrigued by the details of war that I had never heard of before. Andy Andrews gives you an inner look to the life of early America as well as the inner war between the Nazi's and the "true Germans". The story is based on true history as well as true characters whose names were changed to protect their privacy and anonymity. This gives it a ring of truth and reality that make it impossible to put down. For a Christian Fiction novel, there was very little talk about God. Although I appreciate the fact that this makes the book more applicable to the average person, I was also a little bit disappointed and felt that it made it lacking somehow. If this book were to have a 'moral of the story' it would definitely be about forgiveness and the healing power of love. At the end, Andy adds a "Where are they now?" portion as well as a readers guide that gives the reader further insight into the character's true lives.

I would most definitely recommend The Heart Mender: A Story of Second Chances to my readers. If you like romance, war, or historical fiction, you will love this book.

**I received a free copy of this book through Thomas Nelson
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BillyB

Posted July 23, 2010

more from this reviewer

A Moving True Story

When digging up a withering wax myrtle tree, Author Andy Andrews stumbles upon an old metal container. He finds inside it several Nazi artifacts and pictures, believed to have belonged to Lt. Josef Landermann. Being an author, Andy wants find out more about this man. He discovers that Josef died during WWII when a German U-boat went down in the Gulf of Mexico.

Andy puts his other writing projects aside and begins interviewing people about Josef. Surprisingly, he stumbles upon a startling truth, Josef Landermann is still alive.

Andy Andrews has cleverly written this delightful true story. I was instantly hooked to this intriguing tale of life, sacrifice and forgiveness. This is a must read.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for sending me this copy to review.
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AgapeAngel

Posted July 8, 2010

Absolutely Captivating!

The raging Second World War in 1942 and its shocking venture up to the Gulf shores of Alabama. A torn American soul forever hostile to a world depleted of her husband killed in voluntary work overseas, and a shattered German officer left without any reason to live. Both lives cross in unbelievable circumstances, only to mend each other's broken hearts and create a new single path on their journey. Dramatic and horrifying, the fear of Nazi invasion and influence terrorizes throughout the breathtaking tale of The Heart Mender.

Prepare to be swept away. This story will linger in your heart and braid itself with your spirit permanently. The tensions between the opposing forces within the War are attempting to manifest between the lead characters of Josef and Helen. The beauty of their relationship unfolds over a tapestry of reasons in need of forgiveness. It is enough cause for the reader to examine one's own state of mind regardless of how petty or severe the circumstances may be.

Andrews brilliantly divides up his storytelling with the introduction, conclusion...and tale in between. The account is mesmerizing to say the least. The fact that this is a true story is the icing on the cake. The book concludes with a Where Are They Now? followed by a helpful Readers Guide. The finale will take your breath away. I am absolutely in love with this story. Andrews' words will stand the test of time. The Heart Mender is a lovely, unforgettable blessing.

This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.
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Anonymous

Posted July 2, 2010

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Great Reading!

I couldn't put this book down! It was a great love story and a fascinating history lesson, too. I had no idea that all this went on. It's not something that we ever read about in our history books. It was so interesting to me, that I actually went online and read more about these German submarines in American waters so close to where I live.

This is defintely my favorite book by Andy Andrews. There are some interesting facts about this submarine that connect it to the area of today's terrible oil mess in the Gulf of Mexico. So, that made it an even more timely piece.
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Noelle_The_Dreamer

Posted July 2, 2010

Love and second chances

Every so often you find a really good historical novel.
Written by best-selling author Andy Andrews, http://theheartmender.andyandrews.com "The Heart Mender" tells a story of love and loss in a time of war.

Albeit based on facts mostly unknown by most of us, namely the presence of U boats in the Gulf of Mexico during WW 2, this novel is about the many emotions experienced by people in times of trouble and hardship.

It is fast paced, well written and has all the ingredients which makes it a story you will not want to put down: love, hate, murder, intrigue, deception and survival.

This is indeed a compelling story of second chance, of forgiveness and real people (names were changed to protect their privacy) in a small town along the northern gulf coast faced with the realities of war.

I find it a wonderful read and I heartily give it 4 stars!
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The_Observer

Posted June 23, 2010

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Experience the unknown historical details of the WWII and learn about second chances

Immerse yourself into the events happening during World War II and the Gulf of Mexico. The citizens of a quiet town that never got much attention suddenly find themselves wrapped up in a German conspiracy.

Based on real historical events, Andy Andrews masterfully weaves the historical facts with the emotive personal stories that are at the same time heartwarming and heartbreaking. It is the story of losses and gains; the story of despair and hopefulness; hate and love. And above all that, it is the story of turning the page and learning anew how to live, love, and laugh.

Amazing how many twists and turns sometimes we have to suffer through in our lives. It seems like those twists and turns are unnecessary and often painful, yet after we finally realize that the original plan for our life isn't going to work out we are free to accept the new direction we have been thrust into and learn how to forgive. That is exactly the path that Helen was presented with and the decision is hers to make: Can she give up the anger and bitterness or she will continue clinging to it as the only fuel for her existence? Can her heart be mended?

The skillfully described inner emotional turmoil of the main characters certainly leaves one wanting to read more and more, find out what will happen next. And just as you think you know where it is going, the plot changes. That's where I have found myself - torn between wanting to read the book and find out what happens in the end and yet savoring each moment with lead characters. That's one of the things that I love about good writers - they make the reader transport him / herself into the book and make them feel every little detail.

Heart Mender by Andy Andrews is definitely a book that I would recommend and, in fact, I already passed the book on to my friends.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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JanetRuth

Posted June 18, 2010

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The Heart Mender

The Heart Mender is a beautiful love story, but it also details the ravages of war as innocent people were torn away from their loved ones. The story begins when the author Andy Andrews discovers some hidden artifacts from World War II buried in his yard. He begins a search to find out how and why the German war medallions and buttons ended up along the Gulf Coast.

A little known fact of WWII is that German subs were dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico, and their mission was to sink any US vessels that were destined to carry goods and fuel overseas for the US army. Cargo and dead bodies washing up on the shore of a quiet little town in the Gulf became all too common. One evening, a young woman walking along the beach discovers a wounded German sailor, and she decides to nurse him back to health. This is just the beginning of a fascinating story of war, faith and forgiveness.

This story spans several decades as the author discovers some fascinating evidence to prove his theory about the hidden artifacts. Andy Andrews is an incredible storyteller, and this book is a new favourite that I will definitely read again.

I am a member of Thomas Nelson's Book Review Blogger Program (Book Sneeze) http://booksneeze.com
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D_Nare

Posted May 29, 2010

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The Heart Mender : A Story of Second hances

The Heart Mender is my second book of Andy Andrews and I have to admit that this one is even better than my last read and Andrews' bestseller 'The Noticer'. Based on extremely interesting background of World War II, The Heart Mender: A Story of Second Chances is the tale of love, deception, forgiveness and letting go.
When Andy Andrews discovers some surprising elements in his backyard, a search for the story behind them begins weaving a beautiful story of romance intertwined with historical facts and thrills & fears of the time of WWII. At the times when the German submarines attacked U.S. vessels off the Gulf of Mexico, a young woman, Helen, who is suffering from the loss of her husband in war find a wounded submariner Josef. Their relationship gives the answers they both were searching for and their faith in God provides them with the uttering power of forgiveness.
Though this book contains all the features of fiction, it is a true story which will surely left a mark on every reader. The book is divided into three parts and makes a fast read due to the enchanting story line. It's compiled by the photos from the past and even 'Where are they now' pages at the conclusion.
As one of the praise for this book says it works as a reset button for life. One of the best inspirational books I've ever read. This book is highly recommended for those who like historical fictions or romance or motivational subjects.
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Taylored-Wife

Posted May 27, 2010

One of my all-time favorites

When Andy finds a historical treasure of sorts buried in his beachfront yard, he takes us down a path of history and fiction intertwined to create the ultimate example of forgiveness. Set primarily in WWII, Helen loses her husband as a casualty of war. At 25 she finds herself angry with everyone and everything in her life. As she struggles with her day to day pity party, her bitterness is shattered when her enemy lands right in her back yard.

I absolutely loved this book. I can honestly say it was one of the best books I have read in a long time. The writing style wasn't my favorite, but that was easily over looked by the power of the story. It was a quick read that appealed to my sense of adventure and love of history. It inspires me to go dig up my back yard in an attempt to find a treasure-although my husband would probably prefer that I didn't so maybe I'll just stick to doing a little historical research in the library.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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MSaff

Posted May 26, 2010

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The Heart Mender

At the first glance of the cover of this book/story, the reader can gain some insight into what they will find inside. Is it a love story, a story of intrigue, a story of espionage, a war story, a story of a combination of two or more? These are the questions that each reader will have to decide for themselves.

As I started my journey towards the story line and answers to the questions noted above, I was immediately captivated by the characters. What I especially liked was the initial part of the story, being told by and through the author himself. "The Heart Mender." by Andy Andrews, takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions and surprises. Just when you think you have a character pinned down, Andrews, throws another twist in the story.

For me, this is apparently a true story which gives the reader an opportunity into finding out how World War II comes to America, and focuses on the Gulf of Mexico, around the area of Florida and Alabama. "The Heart Mender," starts off by the discovery of strange items or should I say interesting and out of place items which compels the author to do research on the items and then find that he is being thrust into the past. This is where the journey and story starts, but by know means does it end where it begins.

Helen and Josef, are the novel's main characters, but the story is filled with many characters which help to bring the story to life. Both Helen and Josef and searching for answers, yet neither of them is willing to admit this. Andrews also uses the great cast of characters to bring this story to the forefront our of minds. It also made me think about what was really happening in and around this country during World War II. This story is one which should prompt the reader to find out more about the time. It certainly give me cause to do more research into the war and my own area of the country.

What I learned from this story is that when confronted with a situation or condition, things may not be as they appear. What we must do is to have faith and sometimes look beyond the apparent.

Thank you Andy Andrews for writing this compelling story. It should cause any reader to stop and think. Do we really see what is there, or is there something else going on? This question can be asked in many instances. Andy you certainly know how to write a story that captivates a reader immediately.
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toothdocbob

Posted May 24, 2010

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A gripping story of forgiveness and second chances

Andy Andrews is a phenomenal storyteller. I have heard him in person and have read several of his books, so I already had high expectations when I picked up this book. The Heart Mender exceeded my expectations. Andy said that this book is his favorite and I understand why.
The Heart Mender is a story within a story. It begins when Andy unearths a can with Nazi military mementos and tries to discover why they would be buried on the coast of Alabama. His investigation segues into a heart wrenching story of a young war widow who is angry with the world. As she walks along the beach late one night, she discovers the body of a nearly drowned German sailor. Something he says touches her heart and she decides to take him in and care for him. As the sailor's physical wounds heal, the woman and the sailor both begin the psychic and spiritual healing process as well, with the insightful help of a man with Down's syndrome.
I thought that the jacket notes gave away the ending, but I was wrong. There are some plot twists that left me breathless.
I enjoyed this book on several levels. First, Andy revealed a part of American history that was new to me. I was not aware that u-boats had patrolled our waters and sunk our merchant ships. I had thought of the war as something more distant.
Second, I found the book hard to put down. Andy Andrews is a master storyteller. He explores human emotions without becoming obscene or lurid, and that is all too rare in the literary world today. I was drawn in to the story and felt the anger and heartaches of the protagonists.
Third, I appreciated the reader's guide at the end. The discussion questions gave an added insight into the author's purposes.
Fourth, the Where Are They Now? section was a great addition, since the book is based on actual events.
Fifth, there is an element of romance to the book, but not enough to turn off most male readers.
Finally, and most important, the book teaches the principle of forgiveness in a unique and powerful way. Andy did this in a very genuine way: it did not seem contrived or preachy.
I highly recommend The Heart Mender. In the interest of full disclosure, I received my copy from Thomas Nelson publishers as a promotion. But it is well worth the cover price!
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