Review: Enduring Love
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 30, 2013
Prepare to be emotional pulled into THE HEART WANTS, just be sure to have a box of tissues handy. THE HEART WANTS is a unique World War ll story. What makes it unusual is that the story is centered on a German soldier, an Italian girl of the aristocracy and a touch of the paranormal. A look at the war from the eyes of a German was definitely different for me. I’ll be honest and say I’m not a huge fan of war stories but this is more of a tragic love story, with a twist, than a tale about war. I am a fan of good writing and Ms. Marell delivers a well written short story.The young German soldier, Philipp Munch, isn’t your typical hero in war stories. Philipp comes across as very real, very vulnerable, and not the monster Germans were thought to be during the war. Catrina Bellamonte as a member of the Italian aristo crowd is an enemy of the occupying Germans. But Catrina sees Philipp as a man not a soldier.  At the beginning of their story there is a couple of lines about Catrina that pretty much summons up the tragedy, (I don’t feel like this is a spoiler since it is placed on the first few pages of the story); “Honour was satisfied and Catarina paid her dues. For loving the enemy, and for bringing disgrace on her noble family, there could only be one price.”  This is a compelling story about enduring love even after death.Ms. Marell was kind enough to include another short story after THE HEART WANTS. WAITING FOR ETERNITY is my favorite of the two stories. Another story about World War ll only this one involves an Englishman and an American. Love a tale with a touch of humor and with this story you are going to be both smiling and grabbing for the tissues I warned you to keep handy. Near the close of the tale my throat had that stinging tightness and my eyes that burning tingle that lets a person know emotions are being gripped and given a good ripping.THE HEART WANTS is a novelette well worth taking the time to read if you enjoy love stories with a touch of the paranormal, a big dose of tragedy, with an ending of enduring love.Recommend to anyone 16 and older. Wish there was a 4 1/2 star rating to choose.