Caught in the Baltic Tide — John Connor

Original in its perspective and unusual in its setting, 'Caught in the Baltic Tide' offers a valuable addition to historical fiction of WWII.Following the fate of a British engineer, stranded in occupied Latvia, its focus is on the deep cultural and political tension of the Baltic frontier and the insidious realities of the internment of the blameless and the ordinary under Russian military occupation. Yet, the sweeping shadow of war is not the only tide that washes through the novel. Clean, quiet and innocent, 'Caught in the Baltic Tide' is, above all things, a book about love in a time of war. Its themes of rebirth, discovery and humanity sit against the backdrop of a poignant romance. At its core, 'Caught in the Baltic Tide' is the story of a man, lost and found, a stranger in a strange land and the sheer power of ordinary, human love in the face of hatred and despair. While its story resides in the past, 'Caught in the Baltic Tide' carries a timeless message for us all: to love and be loved is to conquer every enemy. Told with an incisive and personable voice, touching with subtlety and grace on heavy socio-political themes, evoking strong setting and possessed of well-drawn character, 'Caught in the Baltic Tide' is a well rounded read with considerable heart. 'Caught in the Baltic Tide' is a love story. It is also a personal journey and it is about the fate of a proud, prosperous and independent country. It is a 'must read'.