The Good German Girl

A League of Extraordinary Women, Book 1

By: Erica Marie Hogan

Narrated by: Jenn Leigh Pengelly

Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944

When battle-hardened Private Bernie Russell witnesses a fellow soldier shoot a young German boy with his hands up, he’s shaken to his very core. Then, as that same boy is dying, he presses a packet of photographs and letters into Bernie’s hand, and utters three words in English.

"It must end."

After having the letters translated, he discovers they were written by the soldier’s twin sister, and the photographs within the packet reveal evidence of Hitler’s plan to wipe out the Jews.

Berlin, Germany

Margot Raskopf is a young art teacher, forced to conform to the education Hitler has designed. Then, when one of her sources with the underground resistance receives a letter for her from an American soldier, she’s shocked and filled with renewed hope. But Margot has been harboring a secret. In her house, she hides a young Jewish woman she’s known since childhood, risking being discovered by the Gestapo with each passing day.

As they begin a dangerous correspondence, both Margot and Bernie embark on treacherous journeys. One taking Bernie across Europe and right into Germany. Another taking Margot through the gates of Auschwitz and under the scrutiny of Josef Mengele.

©2021 Erica Marie Hogan (P)2023 Elk Lake Publishing, Inc

Beautifully written, captivating, and narration transports you into the story

Many books I’ve read that take place about the terrible events that happened during the war with the Nazis’s leave me feeling broken inside.. but the author really created a beautiful courageous story …the characters are so much more then just a German war…it’s about strength, connection, courage and the relationships we take for granted every day. It’s a love story that makes your heart expand and shine with the knowledge that so many soldiers, so many people connected in these fleeting moments during the chaos and madness brought on by one man .. it’s these beautiful moments in time and connections with other humans regardless of race, color, ethnicity. Remembering that we are all connected, and love conquers all. Thank you Jen - a true survivor ❤️🙌 for your incredible narration… your ability to change accents so effortlessly and your soft warm voice was a joy to listen to. You have found your calling!

Excellent!

Erica did a fantastic job letting readers feel like they were there in her story. She did a great job reminding us of how bad they had it during that war. I’m looking forward to another audible book by her.

Captivating with all the emotions

This story was well written, and well narrated. I found myself, so caught up in the story and characters, that at times, had to pause listening and come back because it felt too emotional. A story during the holocaust is such a difficult topic. The books narrator did a good job portraying characters and their personality. The book beautifully blended many relationships both good and bad. A love story told during a heartbreaking historical moment. A spin on a part of history not done before. Had I read this book I may have chosen not to finish as I don’t always handle hearing the hard truths that many faced during this. However because I listened to it I felt so invested in the life’s of those I was hearing about finishing it was the only option. Im so glad I experienced all the ups and downs of The Good German Girl. A great read

Wonderful story telling!

As a fan of historical fiction, I enjoyed this novel with its well defined characters and the obvious historical research behind it. Erica Marie Hogan gave us characters who held fast to humanity in the dangerous times of World War II. The story from the perspective of a German girl who did not agree with Nazi policy and a US soldier who becomes connected her made for an intriguing plot.
Jenn Leigh Pengelly shows great promise as a narrator. She gave each character a unique voice and helped them come even more alive.

an advisor your ears

The Good German Girl is a story that transports you back in time. As Jenn Leigh Pengelly reads the words it feels like your feet are shaking from the shelling and gun fire. The underlying love story gives the reader an escape from the dark time of World War II. A must read/listen for anyone who loves a story where good prevails over evil.