The Melody of Secrets

The Melody of Secrets by Jeffrey Stepakoff

Love stories. As readers, we never seem to tire of them. Perhaps the very thought of finding that one true love triggers hope and yearning in all of us. This short, historical fiction novel may do just that, long after you finish the final chapter.

The book covers a span of time dating from the 1940s to 1960. World War II is ending. For a young, German girl like Maria, the ravages of war have taken a toll on her mind and body. She knows the end of the fighting is near. Maria is a gifted violinist, and she treasures the precious moments spent teaching music to the small, innocent children nearby. As she reflects on her uncertain future, an American pilot by the name of James Cooper,  seeks refuge and a secure hiding place from the Germans after his fighter plane is shot down in a bold and daring night raid. He finds such a place in Maria's cottage. Two lonely souls with an immediate attraction to one another, they endure harrowing days until James realizes it is dangerous for him to stay. He vows to return. Little do they realize that this chance encounter will lead them to finding one another again fifteen years later.

It is now the 1950s in Huntsville, Alabama. Maria is married to second cousin, Hans, a brilliant scientist recruited by the U.S. to help in the flourishing space program.  Hans and many revered German colleagues now call this place home, while their wives struggle to learn a new language and live in a foreign country. Son Peter is a beacon of light; smart, personable, and incredibly astute for a child. Maria's contented and happy life, however, is soon shattered when James Cooper appears once again. Daring, bold, and working for the government, he hopes to be a leading candidate for the astronaut program.  He soon discovers astonishing secrets about the German scientists that are developing the jet engines that will take him into space. At the same time, Maria is forced to face these same revelations about Hans, the friend and confidante who rescued her from the atrocities of war. Will she be loyal and stay with a man she no longer can trust or follow her heart and rekindle a love forgotten so long ago?

Facts and fiction combine in this wistful story about forbidden love, misplaced loyalties, and shocking secrets. This period of time in world history is exposed; the heinous crimes of World War II, and the exhilarating start of the space program. It was also a time of unrest with the Civil Rights Movement, and this too, becomes a sub-plot involving minor characters.

This is an easy read with an unpredictable ending. It has all the elements needed for a touching...

Love story.