Riptide Publishing Presents:
http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/bells-of-times-square
Blurb
Every New Year’s Eve since 1946, Nate Meyer has ventured alone to Times Square to listen for the ghostly church bells he and his long-lost wartime lover vowed to hear together. This year, however, his grandson Blaine is pushing Nate through the Manhattan streets, revealing his secrets to his silent, stroke-stricken grandfather.
When Blaine introduces his boyfriend to his beloved grandfather, he has no idea that Nate holds a similar secret. As they endure the chilly death of the old year, Nate is drawn back in memory to a much earlier time . . . and to Walter.
Long before, in a peace carefully crafted in the heart of wartime tumult, Nate and Walter forged a loving home in the midst of violence and chaos. But nothing in war is permanent, and now all Nate has is memories of a man his family never knew existed. And a hope that he’ll finally hear the church bells that will unite everybody—including the lovers who hid the best and most sacred parts of their hearts.
My Review
First, we start off the book knowing it’s a tragedy. Nate is in a wheelchair with his gay grandson waiting for the bells to sound on New Year’s Eve. We know Walter is not part of his life and that Nate has been “waiting” to meet up with him every year by listening for the bells – a pre-arranged meeting time for the lovers. Most of the rest of the book is the back-story for this.
Nate joins the war effort as a “spy” photographer. He definitely leans towards liking men versus women, but has in no way acknowledged that fact and in these times and with his faith, Jewish, it isn’t something he really contemplates as something he can act upon.
He’s on a reconnaissance mission over France when his plane crashes. He is rescued by an American Army soldier who has escaped a POW camp and been living “off the grid” in a summer cottage for the past several months. It becomes clear that Nate is infatuated with Walter right off and he suspects Walter is at least acquainted with that “persuasion” and possibly feels similarly for Nate.
But, this is war time. Though the two get to spend an entire month helping Nate to recover from his wounds, the time can’t go on indefinitely. At some point Nate wants to leave the cabin and find his way back to his platoon, if for no other reason than he thinks he might have some valuable intel stored on his film from the failed mission. Walter is not really so keen on the idea of leaving the cabin… ever.
When their little cabin is found and being used by an SS officer and his lover, both Walter and Nate realize the time to leave is upon them. They prepare as best they can to leave, but time is precious and it has run out.
Fortunately, there are allies in the woods who help Walter and Nate escape the cabin and try to help them re-join their commands.
At this point – well – some important stuff happens that I don’t want to spoil – so I won’t go into the details – but you’ll need the Kleenex- buy the Family Size.
Nate is left alone and adrift back in the states and he has to make something of his life despite all that he’s lost. He manages to find joy where he can and, as we knew from the beginning of the story, builds a family and a life for himself.
I won’t tell you about the ending – just know your heart will smile while you cry.
**
Only Amy would think to publish a tragic love story about World War II over the holidays. Sheesh. We are already primed for emotion around the end of the year and that’s when this will be published. So just suck it up, know you’re going to be doing the ugly cry and enjoy the ride.
One thing I have to say is this: Amy made me understand WHY it had to be like this. Walter is a defeatist character. He really and truly cannot see a future in which happiness plays a role. Nate tries desperately to convince him (and himself?) that such a world is possible. He even has examples from his own life of two “bachelors” living together, “such a shame they never married”, so he feels it is a real possibility for him and Walter. But Walter has no such experiences and his life has never been anything but brief diversions from misery.
Of course Amy has had characters like Walter in the past – Sonny from Racing the Sun comes to mind – and he WAS able to be made to believe in a future with happiness, so part of me still wants to rant and rave …But part of me really appreciates the tragedy of the story and the strength of Nate’s love… his internal conversations with Walter over the years, his visits to his grave… his photography. There was such touching devotion that, really, may not have even withstood the test of time, given society during those years. Their love remained pure because it was so short.
Now, saying that, I don’t want her to get any funny ideas that she should become the next Nicholas Sparks and start righting loads of gay romantic tragedy… I like the HEA, thankyouverymuch!
So pull up your big girl panties and prepare for a beautiful emotional ride… you won’t be sorry you bought the ticket.
I give it 5 of 5 hearts – I loved it!
