Overview

THE LAST SEASON is an exciting and passionate coming of age story of a pampered British debutante who is forced to choose between her selfish wants and the ultimate act of selflessness. In 1938 Britain, while war with Nazi Germany looms, the extravagant lifestyle of the English elite goes on. The so-called 'Season' is beginning, a traditional period during which marriageable young ladies of the aristocracy enjoy lavish balls and are 'presented' to the monarchy as they enter high society. This year, it is 18 year old LADY MARY ASHMORE'S turn. Mary hopes that her escort to her ball will be the object of her desire: the sensitive and fiercely patriotic LORD ANDREW BUCKFORD. Although Andrew's roguish younger brother NICHOLAS has his eye on Mary, she shuns him because of his reputation as a womanizer and rumors that he is involved in activities possibly detrimental to Britain. Mary is devastated when she discovers that Andrew is deeply in love with her German-Jewish tutor RUTH HERZOG. Learning of the situation, Mary's mother, LADY CELIA, immediately discharges Ruth, sending her back to Nazi Germany. There, she is forced to live under deplorable conditions in a Jewish ghetto, a stark contrast to the German life she once knew. Shocked by Ruth's sudden departure, but aware that Mary plans a visit to relatives in Berlin, Andrew, who has joined the Royal Air Force, secures documents enabling Ruth's return to England. He pleads with Mary to deliver them to Ruth, and she reluctantly agrees. Mary's jealousy, however, gets in the way. The Last Season is a coming of age story of romance, passion, and the ultimate power of one. In Berlin, Mary confronts the harsh reality of Nazi militarism, extreme anti-Semitism and the ever-present threat of Ruth's deportation to one of Hitler's death camps. In addition, she must contend with her radical cousin HEINZI who is active in the Hitler Youth movement and lusts after Mary. Nicholas surprisingly turns up in Berlin on business, and Mary gets an inkling that the mysterious project with which he is involved may prove far more powerful and important than anyone ever dreamed. After a long personal struggle, Mary realizes the harm her selfish emotions and unrequited love have caused and embarks on a dangerous plan to help Ruth escape Germany.

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Reviews

WWII has spawned many books, historical, fictional, and a combination of both --historical fiction. This fits into the latter category, and succeeds in bringing a fresh, compelling story to a war well explored. The book brims with romantic intrigues and drama as the book's characters are drawn into the vortex of the war. There could have been nothing more tense than the world on the brink of this war. Many of the book's characters are in denial about the war, as many people in England were at that time, or realize how dangerous their European neighbors have become. The end of this world tragedy is well known, but this novel's remarkable feat is to make the outcome suspenseful. The book centers around an aristocratic English family drawn in various ways not only into the war but into terrifying scenes in Germany. The underlying economic causes of this war, and war in general, are rarely acknowledged in fiction, but that motivation is clear in the greed exhibited by some of the characters. Another unusual and fascinating theme of the book is the characters' role in the scientific discovery of radar and how the urgency of the war propelled this discovery. Some of the characters such as Mary go through so many transformations -- starting off as a shallow debutante-- that are dramatically linked to the evolution of the war that one concludes that war builds character. Love, war, death -- so intertwined in this compelling, can't-put-down novel. Hope it's going to be a series! Amazon What a fantastic ride! I usually listen to audible but this book came so highly recommended by a friend's book club that I downloaded it and am so glad I did. Haven't enjoyed a read like this in ages. Felt like a World War II version of Gone With The Wind. Amazon The story captured me from the beginning. A lover of Downton Abbey, and WWII period storylines, this book checked all the boxes for me. I couldn't put it down! If you love the British WWII era, you will love this book. Goodreads This a book is written about a time in history that was shocking and cruel to say the least. The characters are so real; their flaws, selfishness, love, desires all are so convincing that it draws you into the story. There is adventure, disaster, discouragement and romance all in one story. Excellent book. I strongly recommend this book! Amazon Could not put this story down! This book takes place with WW ll on the horizon. There is tragedy and yet there is hope. Visit pre-war Germany with all its Nazi whoopla, military parades, and Hitler's speeches; escaping on a train to France and back to London-----and a ball for the Last Season before the beginning of WW ll! All of this in the year or two before 1940! The action races a long like any good suspense story and you won't be able to put the book down until the end. Nothing will be the same! Goodreads This is book is written about a time in history that was shocking and cruel to say the least. The characters are so real; their flaws, selfishness, love, desires all are so convincing that it draws you into the story. There is adventure, disaster, discouragement and romance all in one story. Excellent book. I strongly recommend this book! Goodreads

Author Information

Robert Joseph has published 15 novels and 2 works of non-fiction with Berkley, Ballantine, Fawcett, Pinnacle, W.H. Allen (UK) and Landemann (Scandinavia). His 16th novel and latest work, THE LAST SEASON, comes from Rockit Press. THE LAST SEASON is a powerful coming-of-age story set in England and Germany at the dawn of World War II. In addition to his published works, Robert Joseph has written many screenplays and several stage plays.

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