“Already, I felt like a beggar taking such hospitality from this stranger. Why would he offer to allow me to invade his home? What services would I be expected to perform for this grand family? I desperately wished I had questioned my father as to our relationship with these people. Racking my brain, I could not remember ever hearing of them. Already, my nerves caused me to perspire and tremble a little. During my life, I had never felt subservient to another. Now, I do.”
– an excerpt from the book
ARPress is honored to publish VieVie La Fontaine by Linda Heavner Gerald. This book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress website.
In today’s world, where headlines often bring stories of conflict, displacement, and the struggles of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, we are reminded of how fragile peace can be. History has shown us the devastating cost of hatred and unchecked power, and perhaps more importantly, it has also shown us the strength of resilience and courage. It is in that spirit that Linda Heavner Gerald brings us her historical novel VieVie La Fontaine, a story that, though fictional, carries the weight of truth from one of humanity’s darkest chapters.
Set during the Second World War, VieVie La Fontaine follows the journey of Mark Lichter, a young Jewish man forced to leave Germany as Hitler’s shadow begins to spread across Europe. His path leads him into the home of General La Fontaine and his captivating wife, VieVie. Through their intertwined stories, Gerald paints not only the terror of Nazi oppression but also the intimate, personal struggles of love, loyalty, survival, and resistance.
While VieVie herself is a fictional creation, her life embodies the countless unnamed men and women who fought in the French Resistance, risking everything to oppose tyranny. The novel is dedicated to John Pugliese, a real survivor of the Resistance, making the story as much a tribute as it is a narrative.
Reading VieVie La Fontaine in our current climate of global uncertainty feels almost prophetic. The book reminds us that the seeds of oppression can grow quietly while much of the world looks away. At the same time, it highlights that courage can be found in the most unexpected places, in quiet homes, in hidden friendships, and in the resolve of people who refuse to surrender their humanity.
Linda Heavner Gerald herself acknowledges in her introduction that she reads about the Second World War with both fascination and dread. Her aim in writing this book is clear: to keep alive the memory of those who perished and to honor those who resisted. As she beautifully notes, “Perhaps, my wish is if we ingrain the horror in our minds, we will never forget those who perished”.
Linda Heavner Gerald is no stranger to weaving tales of resilience, suspense, and human struggle. With a portfolio of novels ranging from Beaufort Betrayal to Castles in the Fog, her work often blends history, personal journeys, and moral complexity. In VieVie La Fontaine, she has created not only a gripping narrative but also a bridge between past and present, a reminder that remembering history is itself an act of resistance against repeating it.
VieVie La Fontaine is more than just historical fiction; it’s a heartfelt plea to “remember, just remember”. In a world that still struggles with division and unrest, Gerald’s novel offers a timeless message: that even in the face of overwhelming darkness, the human spirit can shine with courage, loyalty, and love.
VieVie La Fontaine by Linda Heavner Gerald is now available for purchase via the ARPress Bookstore.