The White Venus — Rupert Colley

When the ties of loyalty are severed, whom do you trust?

World War Two. It is June 1940. France has surrendered and the Nazi German occupation begins. A small village in northern France awaits the arrival of a garrison of conquering Germans.

To their dismay, 16-year-old Pierre and his parents, Georges and Sandrine, are forced to accommodate a German major, Major Hurtzberger. He is the enemy within their midst; the invader of their country, and, more pertinently, the unwanted lodger within their home. The problem, however, is that the German is annoyingly pleasant. The major, with a son of his own, empathises with Pierre in a way Georges has never been able to. Immediately the two of them find a bond, leaving Pierre confused and his understanding of good and bad, of black and white, shattered.

But then, Georges, Pierre's father, is arrested by the Gestapo and taken away. Forced to confront the prejudices of others, as well as his own, Pierre has to ask where his loyalties lie, and who are his friends and who, exactly, is the enemy.

Desperate to prove himself a man, Pierre is continually thwarted by those he trusts - his parents, the villagers and especially Claire, the girl he so desires.

Pierre's quest brings to the fore a traumatic event in the family's past, a tragedy never forgotten but never mentioned. Only by confronting his trauma, can Pierre find the answer and prove he is a man in a country at war.

From the founder of the History In An Hour series, comes another powerful work of WW2 historical fiction that will remain with you long after you've turned the final page.

"Really enjoyed this book. Loved the characters and their involvement in the story."

"This is a book with difference. I will look for more books by this author."

"Colley draws his characters with fine lines, illustrating both the brutality and compassion shown by individuals on both sides of this war."

"Told with great poignancy."

Historical fiction with heart and drama.