"The Lioness of Leiden," published by Greenleaf Book Group Press, stands among the many accounts and novels chronicling the events of World War II. However, what sets it apart is its unique perspective, as it is based on the firsthand recollections of author Robert Loewen's mother-in-law, Hetty, her roommate Mimi, and the 17-year-old Maria. These remarkable women found themselves in roles they could never have imagined as they became Dutch resistance fighters during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

In the face of the Nazi invasion, Hetty, Mimi, and Maria undertook daring missions, carrying documents, secret messages, and cash, all in an effort to protect Jews, downed pilots, and other individuals in hiding. Their work was fraught with constant danger as they operated under the ever-present threat of being exposed to the Nazis by collaborators keen on identifying resistance fighters.

Like many other novels set during WWII, "The Lioness of Leiden" is not an easy read. It is a poignant reminder that real people suffered the consequences while fighting against the forces of fascism, making it a difficult reality to grasp. The story also delves into complex family relationships, the shared tragedies experienced by the characters, and the significance of female bonds. Through its narrative, the book explores the courage that emerges when individuals are faced with the profound evil of wartime.

I appreciate the author's dedication to bringing these remarkable women's stories to light. "The Lioness of Leiden" serves as a testament to the unforeseen capabilities that individuals can exhibit when confronted by extraordinary circumstances.

When the Nazi's invade Holland, Hetty's boyfriend volunteers to fend off the Nazi's. When he goes missing, Hetty knows that she must join the resistance. She and her roommate, Mimi, are quickly recruited by Kees to form a small resistance cell in Leiden, along with Maria, an orphan whose parents were killed for resisting. They begin by transporting ration cards, but are quickly escalated for more dangerous missions, transporting pilots, people and weapons. As the danger heightens, Hetty's cell is directly targeted and Hetty can't seem to keep the danger away from those she loves.

Based on the life of his mother-in-law, Loewen presents an amazing story of the unknown heroes of Leiden during World War II. The writing is realistic and gritty and doesn't gloss over any of the dangers that these young women put themselves in. Hetty's character was emotional, heartfelt, determined and down to earth. Her decision making was for the greater good and I was in awe at her ability to always carry on in the face of danger. As well as Hetty's courageous acts, Mimi and Maria were astonishing heroines in their acts for the resistance. I didn't know much about the Resistance in Holland and was glad to learn about these incredible, brave, real-life women who were willing to risk everything to fight the Nazis.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

There are no shortages of true accounts and novels based on WWII. The Lioness of Leiden (GreenleafBookGroupPress) is a historical novel written from first-hand memories of author, Robert Loewen's mother-in-law, Hetty, along with her roommate, Mimi and 17-year-old, Maria. These ladies took on roles they never could have imagined during WWII in the Netherlands. They became Dutch resistance fighters fighting the Nazi Gestapo in the Netherlands, taking on more and more dangerous assignments.

When the Nazis invade the Netherlands, these three women, at great risk carry documents, secret messages and cash to protect Jews, downed pilots and others in hiding. They're always on edge that they may be turned in to the Nazis by collaborators on the lookout for resistance fighters.

Like most WWII novels, The Lioness of Leiden is not an easy read. Knowing that actual people suffered the consequences to fight fascism is difficult to process. Complicated family relationships, tragedy suffered by all and meaningful female relationships keep The Lioness of Leiden moving forward with energy and insight. It's a courageous example of not knowing what a person is capable of until faced with evil.

This book was interesting and good.

Book Description: This book is about the resistance in the Netherlands and the brave students who worked against the Nazi occupation during WW2.

I have read quite a few WW2 historical fiction books, but not many about the Dutch resistance. This book is inspired by a real person, and I especially enjoyed reading the Author's postscript. The author based the story on the stories told by his mother-in-law, the real life inspiration to this fictional story.
It never ceases to amaze me how brave people were during the war, how they fought for others and put their lives on the line.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and I'm very glad to have the chance to read it.

I am a sucker for a good historical fiction book, and Loewen's book did not disappoint!

In the last two years I visited Amsterdam and went to the Anne Frank house. What I didn't realize while I was on the tour is that Jews thought that they could escape to Holland in hopes of avoiding persecution since Holland remained neutral during WWI. Of course, Holland ended up getting involved in WWII and while the Jews thought they would be safe, that wasn't the case.

It was interesting to learn about the Dutch resistance - a topic rarely taught in high school or even in depth college courses and with the character development of main character Hetty, I really enjoyed this one.

Excited to see what else Loewen publishes in the future!

A free copy of Lioness of Leiden was send to me via Net Galley, in consideration of an honest review. My thanks to Net Galley, author and publisher.

It is 1940 and the Wehrmacht is on the March, unstoppable everywhere it seems. France has fallen, as has Denmark, and the British have been beaten back across the Channel. The Netherlands’ turn to feel the German weight fall on it is near. Hetty Steenhuis, student , can hardly believe what is happening to her happy country. The Queen has fled with her family to England, something resented by many, though necessary. The red Swastika flag is everywhere,backed by the helmeted men in field grey uniforms and black steel helmets. Any sign of resistance is ferreted out by the special units named ORPO - who brutally go about their jobs . Their job is to impress on the Dutch that resistance of futile and will be responded to with steel.
Hetty’s life changes on a morning when she and her friend witness the ORPO taking three young men, Communist members of the Resistsnce, and whipping them. The young women see and hear lashes that flay the kneeling men’s backs. The men’s screams in their ears and the sight of their blood running on the cobbles, convinces Hetty, and her friend to join a group of anti- Nazi fighters.
This slim book is based on the memories of the author’s mother in law written and shared with her children and with history. It tells of how Hetty and her friends join a cell to fight the Occupiers of their homeland. Through four long years Hetty does everything she can to give the Germans trouble. Smuggling ration card booklets , helping Jews hide , even attacking Nazi couriers and police patrols. She sees comrades arrested and sent to the dreaded “ Orange Hotel” as the ORPO prison is termed, friend raped and other atrocities. She survived to tell her story for the rest of the world.
A few years ago, I and my wife toured Amsterdam’s holocaust museum, just across the street from the Anne Frank house. It was a sobering, yet joyful thing to see how these brave people managed to survive those hard years, those who did and the pictures of those who did not.
Reading this book brought it all back to me.
This was an advanced reader copy, so it was not formatted yet into chapters, paragraphs and sections. It was something like a narrative stream. It did not have maps, photos or pictures, which the print copy might have, I hope, for I would have liked to see Hetty’s picture.
The Lioness of Leiden is a memoir worth reading, just to keep alive how much freedom means, to those who fought to get it back. .

The story had very interesting information. The writing style left a lot to be desired. It is an interesting perspective to read about.

The Lioness of Leiden is based on a true story about a woman who joins the resistance after Nazis enter the Netherlands.

The Lioness of Leiden is based on the true life experiences held by Loewen's mother-in-law, it focus on true facts about the female Dutch Resistance during WWII. It tell the true horrors that people faced on a daily basis.

Robert Loewen's writing style made this an easy read but it was also a hard read due to the themes and events that are happening throughout.

Overall, If you are a historical fiction reader, this is a must read for you, I really enjoyed this novel.

suspense, suspicion, thriller, Netherlands, networking, resistance-efforts, under-ground, smuggling, occupation, armaments, WW2, intrigue, family, resilience, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, cultural-heritage*****

It's called fiction because it is an account of the author's mother in law and also because no one was there with a film crew as she risked her life time and again while working in the Dutch underground.
Well written and with a sense of the urgency she felt as everything she knew was being destroyed around her.
I requested and received an EARC from Greenleaf Book Group Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
Not only that, but I also won a print copy from the publisher in a LibraryThing Giveaway! Thank you even more!

This story is based on a real life heroine of WWII. It portrays a tragic portrait of the horrors of war and all the hardship and pain it inflicts on all parties involved.
This story is about resistance and what it takes to be able to resist, the courage and strength, the tests of morality and conscious, the refusal by ordinary men and women to silently stand by and let their fellow citizens be persecuted for the happenstance of their birth.
This is a story of good conquering evil and the inherent goodness of human nature.
Thank you to Greenleaf Book Group Press and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in voluntarily.

Based on his mother-in-law's experiences during the Nazi invasion of Holland, author Robert Loewen writes a strong, compelling story of Hetty Steenhaus and her decision to work with the Dutch Resistance against Hitler and his brutal regime. Recommended.

The Lioness of Leiden by Robert Loewen is based on the true story of a young resistance worker in Holland during WW II, Loewen’s mother-in-law. Hetty was a 20 year old college student when the Nazis invaded Holland and among other things, closed the university. Hetty had been flirting with Communism, in part because they wanted to fight the Nazis. Her friend and roommate had fallen in love with Gerhardt, a member of the queen’s guard and a man who was working to set up resistance cells in Leiden and so recruited Hetty. Her job was mostly as a courier, until she killed a Nazi officer who had raped and killed a friend. She hadn’t intended to but he was trying to kill another member of the cell. At that point she became a wanted woman, but the war was far from over.

This was a wonderful story and a worthy effort for a first novel. The style included skipping from scenario to scenario but not always well. Things were missed. It felt like hopping from mountain top to mountain top, scattered and rushed. Again… the story was fabulous and in many ways told well. Hetty was a strong character as were many of the others, some who made very short appearances. Loewen did do well with character building. It was a frightening time and that emotion was at the forefront at every moment. It is a story worth reading and hopefully Loewen will write another, using what he has learned to make it a more worthy effort.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Lioness of Leiden by Green Leaf Book Group Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #GreenLeafBookGroupPress #Robert Loewen #TheLionessOfLeiden

I enjoyed this based novel based on the life of his Mother-in-law. It was a typical WWII story of people in the resistance movement, but one that was interesting and intriguing. Such danger and such bravery!

I really liked this historical fiction story that takes place during WWll in the Netherlands. I liked that this was based on a true person. I loved Hetty. I loved how the author showed how tragic this war really was. I liked that this story made me laugh a few times and want to cry a lot. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Here are my two reviews;
https://app.thestorygraph.com/book_reviews/a040d2dc-3292-4bd7-989f-9e2f35482c2c
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqdhIpQrm1q/

The Lioness of Leiden
by Robert Loewen
The Dutch resistance of the Nazi occupation was beyond heroic. Hetty is a survivor of the persecution of the Dutch people and Jews during world war II. The struggle of conscious and moral strength tested more at that time than any other place in history. Her story is passed on to the next generation in family stories. Robert Loewen used his grandmothers struggle to base the story, it is fictional in this edition. He shows the personal struggle of the men and women who refused to allow the Third Reich persecution of their countrymen, and others. Many of the resistance lost their lives in the struggle, towns faced persecutions of officers as they struggled to punish and exterminate the resistance. It was a dark time, with many grey options. The Dutch protected their neighbors as best they could, although the struggle of spies, and collaborators made it very difficult. This story looks at the cost of war, the cost of evil, and the triumph of the human nature.

Hetty Steenhaus is a Leiden University student aware of the German Reich invasion of Poland and wants to know more about a group organizing resistance. As Hetty learns of the group's work, the fear that Hitler will not honor the neutrality agreement with the Netherlands turns her fear into a will to fight against the aggressive invasion, no longer a threat but a reality. As the difficulty of the assignments increases, so does the risk of personal safety and exposure for herself, her family, and as a member of a cell in the resistance. Hetty is also in increased danger because of her father’s choices, yet her commitment does not waver. How do you simultaneously remain loyal to your family and beliefs?

The author’s debut novel is a moving story all the more compelling as it is based on his mother-in-law’s experiences in WWII. The novel is written as a series of vignettes developed from listening to the experiences of Hetty Kraus, a courier for the Dutch resistance. With the turn of each page, a light shines brightly on heroism, resolute courage and purpose, and resilience beyond words.

A Q&A with Robert Loewen and Book Club Questions are available to download on the author’s website using the novel’s title as the web address.

Thank you to Robert Loewen, Greenleaf Book Group Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.

#TheLionessofLeiden #NetGalley

Among the overwhelming number of WWII novels, The Lioness of Leiden stands out. Set in the Netherlands, beginning with when the Germans invade and take over. Three young women decide that they must take a stand, as the Germans tighten their grip on the citizens and impose their brutal rule. Hetty, Mimi and Maria carry messages, documents, cash, and fight to help Jews, downed pilots and others. They do their best to protect their families, defeat the Germans and survive. Based on real events, and will researched, their stories will touch your heart.

The Lioness of Leiden was such a great book! To my understanding, this is Robert Loewen's first WWII novel, and if that is correct, I will definitely be on the lookout for his future novels. This was an unputdownable book. I loved the plot, the characters, the suspense and so much more. The main character Hetty joins the Dutch Resistance at the start of the war and risks her life to save others, while forming close bonds with her fellow resistance workers. Hetty is patriotic, brave, selfless and would gladly risk her life for the freedom of her country. I also appreciate the brutal honesty of the book and instead of painting life to be rainbows and butterflies, it shows the awful reality of what war was like, and the fates many of the characters met were sad, but sadly realistic too.

Sometimes it was not clear where at in the timeline the story was, but as the chapters progressed, the timeline became more clear. It was a very interesting book.

I enjoyed reading the story of Hetty, a Dutch resistance fighter during WWII, even more so knowing that this story was inspired by the real-life experience and bravery of author’s mother-in-law. The danger, sacrifice, and loss that the resistance fighters encountered during their own battle for freedom against the Nazis was clearly portrayed throughout the story being told. Knowing the city of Leiden, the Hague, and surround area quite well myself, I could easily imagine the story of Hetty and her resistance fighter friends in their surroundings. The bombing of Bezuidenhout (a neighborhood of the Hague) on March 3rd, 1945, was even included as part of the story-line, an accurate representation of war times in the Hague. Despite the heavy historical topic of the Nazi’s occupation of the Netherlands, the story flowed well, there were several suspenseful sections, twists and turns, and storylines of love as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.