In the spring of 1944, 982 refugees from Europe sail across the Atlantic to America to be housed at Fort Ontario near Oswego, New York, in a refugee camp until World War II ends. They all sign a document stating they will return to their war-torn countries when released. Upon arrival, refugees think the fort looks more like a concentration camp with its barbed wire and tall fences. They were safe, but were they really free?

Suzanne Randolph comes to the camp to write some human interest stories for a Washington newspaper. She is trying to revive her career and get back into the good graces of her boss and colleagues after an awful debacle with a story she had written. At the camp, she meets Theo Bridgewater, who has relatives among the refugees. His uncle, aunt and niece are there, and his family sends Theo from their Wisconsin farm to make sure they are alright. A tumultuous relationship ensues between Theo and Suzanne as she plunges headfirst into her research without considering what the refugees have endured. Theo does his best to keep her tempered and see the people as people, rather than just a story.

In SAFE HAVEN, Anna Schmidt gives us a masterfully written, inspirational story filled with little-known true historical events and places about World War II. She discusses religion, politics and ethnic groups in a very sensitive manner. The characters are an eclectic mix, but each one is on a journey searching for their place in life and seeking peace. Many of the characters are also experiencing rebuilding their lives and starting over. SAFE HAVEN is a story about hope and trust, about knowing what you want in life and going after it. It embraces the Biblical principal that God can bring about good from any situation. The ripples of war are far-reaching, and in this story, war certainly makes some strange friends. SAFE HAVEN is the third installment in Ms. Schmidt's Peacemakers series. I missed the first two, but intend to read them. I won't miss the rest of this story!

Book Summary

Suzanne Randolph’s journalism career is all but over…

So when she learns that President Roosevelt has invited nearly a thousand European refugees to come to America while WWII still rages across the Atlantic, she’s confident she’s found her story. She heads for the shores of Lake Ontario to Oswego, New York, determined to make her journalistic mark, but is there more to life than restoring her career?

Theo Bridgewater knows God has plans for him…

Throughout the war, Theo has suffered the taunts and insults of others—first because of his family’s German heritage and then because of his pacifist Quaker beliefs. Now his parents have sent him to Oswego to find his uncle, aunt, and cousin, and bring them back to the family farm in Wisconsin. Little does Theo realize the journey will last for eighteen long months and test the faith and resolve of this humble farmer.

And when there’s an undeniable spark between Suzanne and Theo, could it be God’s plan for these two determined individuals to achieve even greater things if they work together?

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