Look to the East

By Maureen Lang

Description:

A village under siege. A love under fire.

France, 1914

At the dawn of the First World War, the small village of Briecourt is isolated from the early battles while a century-old feud between the Toussaints and de Colvilles still rages in the streets. But when the German army sweeps in to occupy the town, families on both sides of the feud are forced to work together to hide stragglers caught behind enemy lines.
Juliette Toussaint may have been adopted from a faraway island, but she feels the scorn of the de Colvilles as much as anyone born a Toussaint. So when she falls in love with one of the stragglers—a wealthy and handsome Belgian entrepreneur—she knows she’s flirting with danger.
Charles Lassone has been hiding in the church cellar, safe from the Germans for the moment. But if he’s discovered, it will bring danger to the entire village—including Julitte—and could cost Charles his life.

Book Takeaway:

Everyone has faith in something, and Look to the East explores where we put that faith. In ourselves? In others? Or in God? My hope is that anyone who reads Look to the East will come away having explored their own faith and perhaps be reminded that God is the only One who can live up to the faith anyone puts in Him.

Awards:

Why the author wrote this book:

I've always loved the First World War setting—it's a time that has such a historical feel, and yet with a touch of modern day as well. Since I love the era I've read a bit about it, and came across the true story of a man who was caught behind the battle lines, and hidden in a feuding little village that had to come together for the first time in most people's memory. I was fascinated, but since the historical account has a tragic ending, I needed to write a new story with a much happier ending. That's how Look to the East was born.