I had read Heather B. Moore's previous book and I was very excited to get to this. Unfortunately, it fell kind of flat for me. I've read a lot of historical fiction novels set during WWII but this was my first one set in the aftermath. It was an interesting setting but I didn't feel like I knew anything about the characters or where they were other than the bare minimum.

Oh my this book hurt. The beginning was kind of boring, but then the author pulled out the big guns. The plot got drastically dramatic and emotions were played with. The letter absolutely broke my heart as well as the three final chapters. The friendship between Bob and Adolf was adorable and made me cry even more

This was a wonderful and emotional story set during the Cold War. I loved how it was based on actual people and events. I loved how well Heather Moore captured the emotions of the individuals and told this story. I loved learning more about this period in time and thought it was well done.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

First sentence: The words from the hymn "We Are All Enlisted" echoed in Bob's mind as he drove through the gray afternoon that promised snow.

Premise/plot: The Slow March of a Light is a historical novel set during the Cold War. It is based--perhaps loosely based--on a true story. The protagonist, Bob Inama, is an American soldier who finds himself going undercover in West/East Berlin. He hopes that by posing as an economics student, Peter Jones, he can be hired as a teacher's assistant. (The teacher regularly lectures on economics in East Berlin.) His story as a spy--and a prisoner--is fascinating. And this is the "true" part of the novel. However, the story adds a second protagonist, Luisa Voigt, a German nurse who finds herself becoming more and more sympathetic to the plight of the East Berliners. Her father is a police officer in West Berlin, she has plenty of reasons to stay away from an underground movement helping East Berliners escape into freedom. But she feels called to do everything to help no matter the personal risks. Her story is fictional; I'll clarify, there was no Luisa Voigt in Bob Inama's story. The book alternates between the two perspectives.

My thoughts: I think it is extremely important to set expectations. Do not pick up The Slow March of Light thinking it is a romance. It isn't. I don't know why they added this subtext of romance, this tension, between the two protagonists. Like these two could have been, would have been, might have been...if she hadn't been German, he hadn't been American...etc. Even how these two kept in touch via Christmas cards through the DECADES. I personally felt irritated to learn that Luisa was fictional to Bob's story. She just didn't belong to *his* story. I think his story was powerful enough, inspiring enough, compelling enough, that one didn't need any extras. My complaint isn't with the writing, not really. I think her story and his story were both well done. I think there was enough there for her to have her own book. And the same with Bob's story. I just felt that genre lines were blended a little too much.

I've told you what the story is NOT--a romance. I'll now focus on what it is. It is a faith story. The point of the story is Bob's faith and how his faith informed his imprisonment. His faith sustained and strengthened him day by day, night by night. No matter what happened in prison, Bob was rock steady in his faith and forever grateful. His gratitude-attitude didn't go unnoticed. He was able to be a witness with very few words. In case you were in doubt what the story was all about, the ending of the story sums it up--God put me in prison so that my guard could come to faith.

What an absolutely amazing story, and written so beautifully.

Based on extensive interviews with Bob Inama, The Slow March of Light tells his story. A story of courage, integrity and faith. Alongside Bob's story we have Luisa's, (a fictional character) - and the weaving together of their lives was just so poignant.

Bob was drafted into the US Army in 1959. His plans for life put on hold. Posted to Germany at a time of huge political turmoil, he was sent on an undercover mission that ended up with his incarceration in a Soviet run prison. Daily beatings and interrogations did not dent his spirit, and he was able to practise gratitude despite his ordeal. This led to a friendship with a prison guard, who was deeply affected by Bob's compassion and humility.

Luisa became involved in helping people escape the oppression of East Germany, at great danger to herself and her family. She was also a hugely compassionate and courageous character, and I felt the anxiety she experienced with every mission.

I adored everything about this gorgeous book and it's one I know I'll return to time and time again. Inspiring, uplifting and beautiful.

This historical novel is based on the actual experiences of Bob Inama, an American soldier stationed in Germany during the cold war. It covers the creation of the Berlin Wall and the hardships experienced by all Berliners, but especially the plight of East Berliners who were forced to succumb to Russian tyrannical rule and depravations. Luisa has a beloved grandmother in East Berlin and is desperate to convince her to relocate to West Berlin. Luisa and Bob meet at a social, and their connection becomes a strong force for both of them, in spite of Luisa's father's antipathy toward American soldiers. Each is unaware of the other's efforts to undermine the East German/Russian governance, and when Bob disappears Luisa doesn't know that he's been arrested for his espionage. For both of them, their faith and spirituality are strong influences that contribute to their endurance throughout hardship and danger. The author's devotion to telling Bob Inama's story carries the novel, even though the writing is not always polished.

2.5 stars

The Slow March of Light is based on the true story of Bob Inama, an American prisoner of war in Germany during the Cold War. It was great that the story began before he was drafted into the army, so we get to see his whole journey from soldier to spy.

Unfortunately, Bob came off a little one-dimensional. I think this could be due to the difficulty of writing a fictional account of a real person's experiences, but he was the cookie-cutter good American boy. Bob seemed to excel at everything with very little effort, and his faith was so steadfast that he never wavered in his beliefs despite being imprisoned and tortured for months. I do not doubt that Bob was a good person but no one is that good. Everyone is flawed, and if we had been allowed to see some of Bob's, he would have been a more well-rounded and interesting character.

The character of Luisa is based on a real acquaintance Bob made while he is in Frankfurt but is mostly a fictional character. I think Heather B. Moore had more freedom to be creative with Luisa since she didn't have to worry about misrepresenting a real person. So, while Luisa is still overwhelmingly good, like Bob, she did struggle more when it came to making the right choices - especially when these decisions force her to hide things from her father, the police officer. This made her a more realistic and relatable character, so while I was intrigued by Bob's storyline, I was more drawn to Luisa's as the narrative continued.

I haven't read a lot of historical fiction around the Cold War or the erection of the Berlin Wall (my only other attempt ended in a DNF, unfortunately), so it was interesting to read about a time in history that I don't know well. However, the story was a little too tedious and one-dimensional for me.

Powerful story based on a true story. Having been to Berlin twice, having been in Europe when the wall came down, I was intrigued and drawn to this story. That said - the format is awkward, over explained in parts. An odd mix of historical fiction and biographical nonfiction ...

This book is absolutely stunning and thought provoking and is another top read of mine for the year. Bob Inama’s story is important and heartbreaking and the author tells it in a gripping way. Heather B. Moore is a master of historical fiction. I felt as if I was right by these characters, experiencing what they did. I’m grateful there are authors like this one that write these amazing, powerful stories.

The Slow March of Light is another great read by Heather B. Moore. I highly recommend it and am giving it five stars.

This historical story followed the life of US Army soldier Bob Inama in the early 1960’s. He’s stationed in Germany and tasked to be a spy against East Germany right before the Berlin wall becomes more permanent overnight. It also follows a fictional character’s journey (based on real events), Luisa Voigt, as she and her father move to West Berlin and she starts working for the underground in her nurse position to help desperate people escape East Berlin, including her grandmother. It’s a crazy story, and very inspirational (especially the ending). Very riveting and informative about how the aftermath in Berlin worked almost 2 decades after WWII.

After a slow start, this inspirational read by Heather B Moore based on true life events, had me gripped. Spy novels aren’t usually my kind of read, though a narrative on the step by step construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 had my interest piqued. The story is told through two protagonists, Luisa Voight, West German and Bob Inama, a US soldier. Luisa, working in a local hospital gets swept up in undercover operations, whereas Bob is drafted in to spy on military installations. Their paths cross and a relationship ensues. Well researched and I found the use of media quotes added to the historical interest and drama.

Thanks to Netgalley the author and publishers Shadow Mountain for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I wanted to love this one as it's about a time in history that I love, the Cold War years. But there's not a lot of historical fiction written about this time. But I didn't love this one. I did enjoy reading it though. Though the first 1o chapters are so dragged for me. I could see in the writing that the author did her research. I think I would have like this one more if it had been non fiction instead. Though I did learn a lot more about German during the 1960s. The story premise of an Army Solider who speaks German fluently enough to talk to the locals reminds me of a lot of my great uncle's story stationed in German in the 1960s as the wall was going up. A wall that was still up in my life time, granted for only about two years of my life.

I'm glad I read this book, I just wish I had loved it. But if this is a sign that we are going to get more historical fiction set during the cold war years I'm all for it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I found the start of this slow going, and it took me awhile to get into it. Once Bob had started training and we met some of his comrades in the army I felt like things shifted from being told to being shown more, and it was easier to read and become attached to the characters (several of whom were real people).
I wished Luisa had been real as I found her a very sympathetic character. Her relationship with her father was very touching, as was her relationship with her Oma.
Bob was a remarkable example of faith and courage, and I loved the extras included at the beginning and end so we could understand him better as a real person and not just a character in a novel.
While the ending was unexpected to me, I did enjoy it, particularly the letter Bob received.

***4.5 stars***

I haven't really thought about what the people of Germany went through when the Berlin Wall was built. This novel was an eye-opener for me.

The book is set after the end of WWII. Bob Inama is a young US soldier who was drafted after the war was over and stationed in Germany. The book explains the tensions between the two halves of Germany. I wasn't a fan of how the East German's were treated.

Bob is asked to go undercover and collect intelligence on East German military facilities. He simply takes a picture and mails the location to the US Government. In order to achieve this, he becomes a teacher's assistant to a professor who goes back and forth across the border. It is a good setup until his cover is blown. In so many ways my heart went out to him. He wasn't a made-up character, but a man who lived through the experiences.

The book also tells the story of Luisa, a young German woman who just finished her nursing program. She has a grandmother living in East Germany and she also goes across the border. The living conditions and the challenges of the East Germans are starkly portrayed.

The book is told from both of their viewpoints. Occasionally they meet in the middle, but it portrays two very unique perspectives. In many ways, the story blew me away. It is well written and very compelling. I feel like I learned a lot when I finished the book. The ending was far different than I thought it would be. It took me by surprise.

The Slow March of Light by Heather B. Moore was based on an incredible, touching and true story that Bob Inama and his wife shared with author, Heather B. Moore. In The Slow March of Light an American soldier, Bob Inama, was asked to become a spy for the American government in Soviet held East Berlin after World War II. Bob had been recognized by his superiors as an outstanding and loyal soldier. This assignment was dangerous and if anything went wrong Bob knew he was on his own. He became a valuable assistant to an East Berlin professor who traveled throughout Soviet occupied Berlin giving lectures. Bob accompanied him on these trips and as discretely, carefully and as often as he could he took photos of Soviet buildings that would be helpful to the American government in trying to oust the Soviets from Germany and sent them to his superior. At the same time, a young woman, Luisa Voigt, worked as a nurse in West Berlin. She had a grandmother who resided in East Berlin. The conditions deteriorated quickly in East Berlin and life there was hard and dangerous. Luisa wanted to help the people in East Berlin escape to a better life in West Berlin. She tried to convince her grandmother to come and live with her and her father to no avail. Luisa joined a secret network of spies. Eventually, Luisa became involved with helping East Berliners escape through a secret tunnel to a life of freedom in West Berlin.

Luisa and Bob had met several months before while Luisa was still living in Frankfort, Germany. Bob and the members of his troop were also stationed in Frankfort. He had always been a religious man and so he decided to attend a church service and then stayed for a social that followed the service. Luisa had come with her friend and also stayed for the social. The two met and felt a mutual attraction and respect for one another. They shared secrets with each other that they had not shared with other people. Bob and Luisa met a few more times and each time their friendship grew. Luisa’s father learned that his job was being moved to West Berlin. Her father was a police officer. Luisa was torn about moving. Frankfort was her home. Her mother had died recently and it was hard to leave her memories behind. On the other hand, Luisa would be closer to her grandmother and maybe she could convince her grandmother to move in with her and father. Little did Luisa know that Bob was now to be stationed in West Berlin. The two never got to say goodbye to each other. Their moves and assignments happened so quickly.

These two brave individuals put their lives in danger to help others. Their acts were selfless and brave. What consequences would await them and how would it affect the rest of their lives? The Slow March of Light by Heather B. Moore portrayed two different means of how Bob and Luisa went beyond their comfort zones, put themselves in immediate danger but risked all that to help others. It was such an inspiring story. Heather B. Moore’s research was impeccable. It was well written and hard to put down once I started it. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for allowing me to read this advanced digital copy of The Slow March of Light by Heather B. Moore through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the first book I've read by Heather B. Moore and I look forward to reading more of her books. It is very apparent that The Slow March of Light was well researched and Ms. Moore took extra care of Bob Inama's story. She does a phenomenal job with the descriptions so that I felt like I was walking through the oppressive streets of East Berlin with Bob or the busier, livelier streets of West Berlin with Luisa. Both characters grew throughout the story and they endured more than most people probably could.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A gripping and compelling historical novel set in the aftermath of World War 2, Spy adventures, danger, and romance--this book has it all.

Thank you Shadowmountain for the ARC.

What a man! An inspiration and example, earnest, sober and seeking to do good even in the midst of one of the most confusing situations. . .sorting out life and death in an East German prison in the early 60's. Of course, the book starts before this desperate situation, and is a true life event for Bob Inama of Idaho.

Heather B. Moore wrote this book based on Bob's experience in East Germany after he was drafted in the middle of his school life. Other characters are inspired by the real events during that tremendous time when East Germany was bleeding people - they were escaping every way the could, risking life and family just to get out. The resolution to their problem was stark and basically imprisonment: The Berlin Wall(s). . .it started with barbed wire and concrete blocks, but in time became 2 walls with a Death Strip where anyone within its boundaries were free game for soldiers or dogs kept for that purpose. The wall wasn't for protection. It was to keep the East Berliners inside. Prison, basically.

Having been a child in the days the events take place, I remember seeing some of it, though not much, on the news, and by the time I was in high school, there wasn't much study of the Cold War as we were still in it! I remember the victory of the wall coming down, and as we watched on our TV sets at home, it was plain to see the fierce joy of the people tearing it down with anything they could get their hands on. This book set me to googling aplenty for further information about Berlin and exactly how all that happened. Honestly, I cannot remember ever reading a book about this subject. . .so I'm interested and will research further.

I found Bob Inama's story inspiring, and highly recommend it. There is a strong lean toward his faith in God and prayer throughout.

A sincere thanks to Heather B. Moore, Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review. #TheSlowMarchofLight #NetGalley

The Slow March Of Time was a heart wrenching story based on real events. The characters are beautifully human. This is a story of hope and bravery not to be missed.