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Heather Osborne
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Verboten Kindle Edition

by Heather Osborne (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 26 ratings
Love can be found even in the most hopeless of places.

A young woman in the Lodz Ghetto is given a chance at survival by an old school friend who happens to be a Nazi soldier. Can their love survive in such a dangerous environment?
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  1. Print length
    27 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    January 23, 2014
  5. File size
    2.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00I124IZM
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 23, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 27 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 26 ratings

About the author

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Heather Osborne

Heather Osborne

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Heather Osborne, an author of crime and historical novels, was born and raised in California. She has a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Victimology. In 2009, she moved to Scotland. Along with her novels and short stories, Heather also has written and directed several plays. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing (of course!), and theatre, as well as caring for her two sons. Among her published titles are: The Soldier’s Secret, a historical romance set during the American Civil War; Bitter Bonds, a tale of black magic in the deep South in the 1840s, and the Rae Hatting Mysteries series.

Find her at: www.heatherosborneauthor.com

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
26 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a wonderful short story of forbidden love, with well-developed characters and excellent writing. They appreciate its readability, with one customer noting it makes a great summer beach read.

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Story qualityReadabilityWriting qualityCharacter development
9 customers mention "Story quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the tender love story in this book, describing it as a wonderful tale of forbidden love, and one customer notes it is based on true events.

"...The author is an incredible storyteller. In this case the story is not fiction it’s true, and it picks the savagery of some people in the world to..." Read more

"...horrific conditions found in history, Heather Osborne gives us a tender love story...." Read more

"...Good original story line. Great summer beach read." Read more

"...I really enjoyed this short story. Heather Osborne managed to create a story of love, courage, and survival, between two unlikely characters...." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful and excellent piece of work, with one customer describing it as a great summer beach read.

"...Good original story line. Great summer beach read." Read more

"4.5 Stars!!!! I really enjoyed this short story...." Read more

"...Turning all of this into a love story was a risky move, but quite an original one. And successful I might add. Great read!" Read more

"...were longer to have allowed for more development, but it's an excellent read as is...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer describing it as a beautifully written story.

"Wow, this was a great story. The author is an incredible storyteller...." Read more

"I thought Verboten was very well written...." Read more

"...It was uplifting and brought tears to my eyes. This is a very talented author, and I hope to read more of her stories." Read more

"...For a story this length, it was a well crafted piece of writing...." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"I thought Verboten was very well written. The main characters were well developed for a short story and the author did an excellent job throwing..." Read more

"...I felt for the characters, knowing their existence mirrored that of so many real, living human beings during that hellish time...." Read more

"...The characters were well portrayed and we truly get to feel what it must have been like for those poor people, living in a Nazi-governed region...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • EvilAntieJan
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent novella
    Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Wow, this was a great story. The author is an incredible storyteller. In this case the story is not fiction it’s true, and it picks the savagery of some people in the world to survive by others. it also gives hope and a reminder that Love can conquer all.
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars A love story
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Surrounded by the most horrific conditions found in history, Heather Osborne gives us a tender love story.
    Would like to see this story expanded with more detail and description.
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  • Suzanne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Original WW2 historical romance
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I thought Verboten was very well written. The main characters were well developed for a short story and the author did an excellent job throwing the reader into Nazi Germany during World War 2. You get a feel for what it may have been like to be a Jew in a desperate situation, surrounded by Nazi soldiers.

    You wouldn't think that this would be a setting that would allow for romance to develop, but when a Nazi Lt. spots Irena, one of his adolescent crushes from school, a forbidden love is sparked. Even though even a friendly discussion could get either of them killed, a relationship is kindled, but can they both survive long enough to see it through...? Good original story line. Great summer beach read.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Literary_Love_Story
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    4.5 Stars!!!!

    I really enjoyed this short story. Heather Osborne managed to create a story of love, courage, and survival, between two unlikely characters.

    "For that moment, the war, the ghetto, the camps did not exist. They were simply two people, in love."

    When war continues its destructive path, survival becomes the only priority. I was convinced there could be no happily ever after for Peter and Irena, especially since human life is regarded as easily disposable in times of war.

    "She had done what she had to in order to survive, fighting in her own way."

    If you enjoy historical romance, and stories with a strong sense of realism about them, definitely pick up Verboten.
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  • ObxFiction
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Love Story Set in Hell
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This story appealed to me because my father was in Patton's 3rd Army, in the Super Sixth Armored Division and liberated Buchenwald Concentration Camp at the end of the war. All things WWII are fascinating to me, and the idea of a romance set in this dismal time drew me in. I felt for the characters, knowing their existence mirrored that of so many real, living human beings during that hellish time. I loved Irena's resolve, her drive to do whatever it took to stay alive. I loved Peter and his dedication to Irena and the residents of the Ghetto. His willingness to help them, knowing full well he could be deported or killed was touching and powerful. I highly recommend this short but poignant story.
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  • Zee Lugo
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Touching Story!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    As a reader, I am very sensitive to pain and suffering. I am unable to handle stories where cruelty and torture are described in depth. Stories about slavery, Nazi Germany, and patients dying of painful diseases are off-limits to me; they give me nightmares and feelings of helplessness and anger. I had to exert extreme self discipline to make it through Tressie, which gave me nightmares for days.

    By chance, I just read the short story Verboten by Heather Osborne because I had no idea what it was about until I read the first page, and then I was hooked and could not put it down. It's a beautifully written story set against the dark and hopeless background of Nazi occupation. Irena Adler has promised her dead father that she will survive; the story tells of her effort to do so. She endures hunger, humiliation, hatred from her enemies and her people, but she also experiences love and hope. I loved the ending. It was uplifting and brought tears to my eyes. This is a very talented author, and I hope to read more of her stories.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • db97531
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful read, and such daunting setting!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    It’s daunting, and at times a completely overwhelming, to think of all the things that took place during World War II and what those poor people had to suffer through. In this short story, Verboten, the setting is this very same, daunting place: a Jewish ghetto in Poland and we are instantly drawn into the main character’s life. For a story this length, it was a well crafted piece of writing. The characters were well portrayed and we truly get to feel what it must have been like for those poor people, living in a Nazi-governed region. Turning all of this into a love story was a risky move, but quite an original one. And successful I might add. Great read!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kim Murphy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Set in a Jewish ghetto in WW II Poland, Irena has suffered the loss of her family and other deprivations. Even with the horrific conditions, she manages to find love, but it's a love fraught with danger.

    Verboten is a fast paced short story. I wish it were longer to have allowed for more development, but it's an excellent read as is. The author also included a web link about the actual ghetto at the end of the book, and I spent time reading more about it.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Julz Cargill
    5.0 out of 5 stars great short story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Def my kind of story historically accurate, whilst conveying how deplorable the nazi's and German beaurocrats were! This story conveyed the sense of of how bad the situation in the ghetto rally was and also proves that the few Jews who survive did so by any and all means possible, this story is a fantastic read 😃
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  • Demelza Carlton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Anything for love
    Reviewed in Australia on June 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A very poignant World War II love story set in a Jewish ghetto in World War II Poland. In this stunning short, Ms Osborne demonstrates that in a time of war, when a couple will do anything for love, that can mean the unthinkable.

    When Irena promises to survive, whatever the cost, despite the memories and losses the uncertain future will hold for her...hell, I'm not sure if many people would have the courage to do what she had to - or live through what she did.

    I only wish this story were longer - because I'd love to have spent much more time with Irena and her Leutnaut.
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  • 10Stars
    3.0 out of 5 stars A disappointing read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A good story, badly crafted, with little or no atmosphere or understanding of the era in which story belongs. Unfortunately, if using an actual historical event, and one that has been so well documented, it is vital to place the story and its characters in a factual overcoat. That is to say their actions, speech and attitudes. This did not happen.
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  • kevin bailey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this story, and I couldn't put it down. The author definitely knows the subject well and I look forward to reading more of her work.
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  • Karlee Edgson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant story, very moving & very well written. I've never had a real interest in historical fiction, but this book took me past that. Cannot wait to read more by this author.
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