The Moon Looked Down

May 11, 2009
When WWII breaks out, many Americans find their lives turned upside down, few more so than the Heller family. Seeking refuge from Hitler-controlled Germany, the Hellers had moved to smalltown Victory, Ill., only to find themselves, 10 years later, suspected by their neighbors of being Nazis. Feeling the threat to her family grow, headstrong 20-year-old Sophie Heller also feels powerless to stop it; soon, however, she meets a handsome, similarly frustrated schoolteacher named Cole Ambrose, whose bad leg prevents him from enlisting. Their instant attraction is, naturally defied by racist townsfolk bent on keeping them apart by whatever means necessary. Garlock (Leaving Whiskey Bend
) exhibits a too-comfortable mastery of the romance genre; Ambrose is a true gentleman and Sophie is a charming heroine, but both are painfully bland. The villainous characters prove more interesting, but stray often into caricature. The central conceit, racism against German immigrants during WWII, is compelling but not really explored except as a vehicle for star-crossed romance.

June 15, 2009
Ten years after Sophie Heller and her family fled Germany because of the darkening political situation and built a new life as U.S. citizens and farmers in Victory, IL, their peace is shattered as they fall victim to a few German-hating bigots bent on running them out of townor worse. Barn burnings and vicious taunts and slurs are only the beginning in a story that highlights fear, prejudice, and other less honorable aspects of life at home during World War II. Sophie and crippled teacher Cole Ambrose provide the light romance, plus some heroics, in this fairly predictable story. Garlock ("Leaving Whiskey Bend") has written a number of novels set in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. VERDICT The true strength here lies in the author's choice of theme and setting and her exceptional ability to make that place spring vividly to life. Garlock lives in Clear Lake, IA.

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2009
In 1933 the Heller family escapes Nazi Germany and settlesin the idyllic rural community of Victory, Illinois. They make new friends and work hard to make their farm prosper. Then World War II breaks out, and all Germans are labeledenemies of America. It doesnt matter that the Hellers are Jewish refugees.Angry men, their faces obscured by hoods, converge on the Heller farm, burning the barn and brutally beating Mr. Heller. Daughter Sophie tries to protect her father, making herself another easy target. Cole Ambroses father blames him forhis mothers death; hampered by his club foot, Cole couldnt get help fast enough when she slipped and fell. Now, despite his fathers disdain, Cole is back from college, ready to beginwork as a teacher. Sophie and Cole fall for each other, but the road ahead is rocky. In her newest emotional, historically rich novel, Garlock shows how hatred and prejudice can poison anycommunity.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)