Broken Faces by Chris Karlsen and Jennifer A. Conner.
Historical Romance Based On True WWI Events.
Review by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews: 5.0 Out Of 5 Stars. If I Could Give More Than 5 Stars, I Would.
Amidst the devastation of World War I, a young American woman named Abigale Belorman discovers a profound calling: to restore hope to the WWI wounded soldiers. In France they were called ‘Gueules Cassees’, or ‘Broken Faces’. Using her sculpting skills, she begins crafting intricate masks that conceal the scars of war, offering a semblance of normalcy to those who have endured unimaginable suffering.
Colm Harp, a skilled metalsmith, is driven by his own wounds and a personal tragedy to join Abigale’s mission. His younger brother, Danny, has returned from the war with devastating facial injuries, and Colm is determined to give him a chance at a life worth living. Together, Colm and Abigale embark on a journey of compassion and resilience, their work becoming a beacon of hope for countless wounded soldiers.
As they navigate the challenges of war-torn Europe and the limitations of early 20th-century medicine, Abigale and Colm discover the transformative power of human will. Their story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the enduring power of love, and the extraordinary lengths people will go to make a difference in the world.
War changes all their lives, but if you can improve one person’s life, is yours not for the better? What if you could help hundreds? What would you give up?
Review by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. If I could give more than 5 Stars, I would. Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2024. Verified Purchase. First, I must say that the authors write such an amazingly realistic story. I wanted to also make a note on how well the story was put together between the collaboration of two authors. The story is seamless, and it follows the lives of Abby and Colm, just for starters. Abby and Colm come from two different worlds, two different statuses in life and two different countries. Then you insert World War I. Abby and Colm become part of the war-torn world. The reader learns about Colm’s family and his back story, and his relationship with his mother, sister, and brother, Danny. Danny enlists in the war so that he is not seen as a coward anymore. Abby finds herself in an arrangement of marriage, where it seems only her husband can do what he wants. Abby sees her world differently from her parents, especially her father. Being in an arrangement or contract of marriage is also a loveless and lonely marriage, unless you like the perks of being rich. The reader meets many people along the way, and one of my favorites is Rosie, who was basically a servant, but also best friend of Abby. The world gets turned upside down. For the characters, for their families and for the soldiers, who live or die, or just be. I have read Chris Karlsen’s work before, and I do love this collaboration with her and Jennifer Conner. This story is based on factual events, such as artists of all kinds, giving faces back to soldiers who lost them. Abby and Colm, give those who had their faces literally broken back to them, and it changes their lives, and outlook on life. The end of the book shows real-life photos and may be disturbing but you get the need for Abby and Colm’s artistry and humanity. It is a long read, and took me several days to read it, but not because I couldn’t put it down, but because I had to put it down. It is worth every single word in the story, and this story should be shared. Broken Faces is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.
Review by Our Town Books: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. A Must Read. Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2025. Verified Purchase. This is a sad and yet gratifying story. Reading about WWI veterans facially disfigured being shunned from social events when they returned to the States is enlightening, yet horrid. Reading about someone caring enough to use their creative talents to cover the faces of those mutilated men is heartening. A well-written story. One that really needs to be read.
Review by Els Ebraert – b for Bookreview: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. Beautiful. Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2025. Verified Purchase. Very emotional.
Product Details:
Hardcover: 412 Pages
Publisher: Independently Published (October 9, 2024)
Language: English
Historical Romance (Fiction Based On True WWI Events)
20th Century Historical Romance (Fiction Based On True WWI Events)
Military Romance (Fiction Based On True WWI Events)
Amazon Hardcover:
https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Faces-Historical-Romance-Events/dp/B0DJSN3SJP/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Amazon Softcover:
https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Faces-Historical-Romance-Events/dp/B0DJT248BY/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Author’s Page At Book Marketing Global Network:
https://bookmarketingglobalnetwork.com/book-marketing-global-network/author-chris-karlsen/