Fabulously haunting, a fantastic read. Eva and Angelos story is beautifully written. A richly historic beautifully written book.

This book was my first by Amy Harmon. I am amazed and overwhelmed when I finished this book, I enjoy historical fiction and recommend it for others that like this genre also, but I recommend this book for everyone. This is a must read book for all. Ms. Harmon tells us of what happened in Italy during World War II. From start to finish it was captivating, I was pulled in by her characters and deeply moved by the story. Bravo!

I've become fascinated with WWII, especially reading about how 'ordinary' citizens in war-infested European countries lived through the war and helped with the resistance. This story is set in Italy and weaves a wonderful tale of a Jewish family and a Catholic family bound together through their work initially. The story tells in a wonderful manner one of the roles members of the Catholic Church hierarchy played in sheltering Jews. While the end is a little bit soap-operiash, I can 'forgive' the author for wanting to give us a drastic ending.

5 Beautiful stars!!

I finished this book almost a week ago and I'm still a little speechless. The writing was absolutely beautiful as well as the storyline. Amy really knows how to write a beautiful story.

It amazes me how much I've grown to enjoy historical romance books, I never thought I would enjoy reading about WWII. But I'm kind of becoming obsessed with it!

This story was both a sad & happy story. My heart squeezed at times and others I shed tears. I read this book super slow to savor every bit of it, I did not want it to end...ever.

I just love Amy Harmon’s writing! It’s just the perfect combination of all the things that I love/crave to read about.

This book felt different someway, heavier and with good reason. Our main characters Eva and Angelo live in Italy when in was occupied by Germany, and Eva being jewish is in grave danger.

Eva and Angelo’s story starts much sooner than that, since they were kids they have lived together, they have grown up as brother and sister except they never felt that way about each other, there was always something more, a different kind of love.

Circumstances pull them together and a part throughout the book and every chapter was a new way for me to get extremely anxious about the future of my beloved characters.

The book also has some history in it, Amy explains that some events and even names of German officers are real and that gives the book another look altogether, this book made me sad, angry and perplexed to the extremes people go for what they believe is the right thing when it is so obvious that it is not, that there is no way that the annihilations of thousands of people is the right thing to do.

First book I read and already in my favorites of the year, if I could give it to everyone to read I would.

I thought this was a very entertaining if a tad far fetched book. I liked the glimpse of the WWII through the eyes of Italians. That's not something as well covered in fiction as WWII from a German or US perspective. I was a little disappointed in how off the rails it went at the end but I guess they had to tie it up somehow. All in all glad I read it and for a while I couldn't put it down.

This book is -hands down- the best book I've read all year. I couldn't put it down. Amy Harmon did a great job of creating a suspenseful plot, without being too gruesome. I could feel the powerful love between the characters. Well written! I can't wait to share this book with all of my book club subscribers!

I love historical romance but I think maybe the WWII genre just isn't for me. There were beautiful moments of this book and I found it to be very historically accurate.

It was hard for me to read due to the historical facts and things that happen to the characters in this book. A light read, this is not. I think maybe WWII is still to recent for me to be able to read about it and not feel so emotionally attached to it's events.

I would say devastating and beautiful are two words to describe this book. I thought the end was rushed and that combined with just overall feelings are why this has three stars. I can see why a lot of people loved it and I can see why some people won't. I fell in the middle.

I'm going to be in the minority here but as amazing as the beginning was I just couldn't get into the story later on. Maybe it's because I have never enjoyed historical romance, I'm not sure. But I will give this a chance later.

From Sand and Ash is a rare and remarkable novel and I will never be able to do it justice with my review. Simply put, in four decades of reading, it is one of the best books I have ever read.

Angelo and Eva were raised side by side for most of their childhood. Their differences – Angelo was American and Catholic, Eva an Italian Jew – were not enough to stop the unbreakable bond they formed.

Despite a deep love for one another, Angelo follows a path of servitude in the Church, leaving Eva to pursue her music. However, the years that pass do nothing to diminish their feelings for one another.

Suddenly war is at their doorstep. Life for Eva becomes more dangerous with each passing day and Angelo has sworn to protect her. While Angelo works within the Church to hide and shelter as many Jews as possible, Eva also finds herself in defiance of the Germans occupying Italy and takes increasingly dangerous risks.

Harmon’s writing had me completely immersed and I felt as if I were living this story right along with Eva and Angelo. Through her imagery, narration, and fully formed characters, I was transported to another time and place – where unimaginable horrors were combated with everyday acts of heroism. Knowing of the atrocities committed during WW II does nothing to soften the depiction of it here. So many scenes are heart-wrenching but there is also such beauty in the unfailing faith and hope portrayed.

Eva and Angelo are unforgettable characters. Eva was spirited and fearless and, while she came to know fear on a daily basis, she had a strength of character that had her continuing to do what she knew to be right. Angelo was a man of such faith – selfless and compassionate, working tirelessly to save lives at constant risk to his own life. They did not just endure, they fought; and not just for their own survival but for countless others who found themselves on the wrong side of a war. Innocents whose only crime was to be born a Jew.

From Sand and Ash is not an easy read. It showcases a cruelty that is impossible to imagine. But it is an absolute gem in its beautiful depiction of love, faith, endurance and hope. This book is the perfect example of why I read.

This was such a beautiful and moving story. Amy Harmon truly has a way with words, and I certainly hope she is very proud of her work with this book.

Wow, what a wonderful book. I was hooked from start to finish. Highly recommended.

The storytelling was superb and the love story between Angelo and Eva was extraordinary. You were able to see them grown before your eyes and go through all the tribulations they did as well. You tend to learn about the Holocaust but this truly put into perspective everything that had to go through during those truly devastating times. I will definitely be reading more from this author.