Rise of the Pale Moon is an excellent book! I literally could not put it down! Hoping for a sequel! Highly recommend! - Leisa L

Rise of the Pale Moon - I just love these characters, as much as I love the strong women in Dorothea Benton Frank’s stories and those of Mary Alice Monroe. Patricia’s story is well-written. And it is captivating and entertaining! Don’t miss it. I’m hoping for a sequel. - Margaret S

"Evil often initially masquerades as gray, not black and white..."

Germany would be a great nation now that Adolf Hitler was at the helm. Look how successful the Olympische Sommerspiele of '36 had been, and that was only the start. The signs had been there, of course. Sonne Becker's father had seen them, but even he did not know how far the Nazis were willing to go to achieve their aims.

Rainer von Bauchelle and Josef Taffel had been friends for as long as they could remember. Nothing could change that. Nothing. Not even the Nazis as they marched into Alsace, France and spread their propaganda of hatred and division. But while Josef, a Jew, joins the Alsatian Resistance, Rainer must play a different type of game. He is forced to befriend the enemy, work with them. He does not want to. But, he has no choice.

Hitler had blue eyes. Sonne Becker had always thought them black, like his soul. But no. They were blue. She would never forget the colour of his eyes, or what that chance meeting would mean for her. Sonne's life was no longer her own, and nor it seemed, was her body.

From the early days of Hitler's chancellorship to the devastating consequences of the Second World War and beyond, The Center of Gravity by Patricia Brandon is the gripping yet harrowing account of two lives torn unmercifully apart by the Nazi Regime.Brandon has penned a deeply moving story of betrayal, deceit, sacrifice, and loss. This emotionally charged story paints a graphic portrait of what life was like for those who found themselves as disposable pawns in a game they never asked to play in the first place. Sonne experiences the horrors of Hitler's Wolf's Lair, whereas Rainer has to pretend to be submissive when he really wants to shout out his hatred. But along the way, both Sonne and Rainer discover that even in the darkest of moments, there is a reason to hope. For help can come from the strangest and most unlikeliest of places — an SS Officer, and the brother of Hermann Göring.

Sonne's struggle for survival haunts me. Brandon has taken a woman with so much promise, with youth on her side, and placed her in a situation where she cannot save herself nor can she fight. Her fears and her struggle for survival was incredibly moving. But her suffering does not end when the war does, nor does it end after the Nuremberg Trials. What happened to her affects her for the rest of her life. I found myself in tears on more than one occasion.

Rainer's war is a little different from Sonne's. He is recruited by the Nazis to recreate the Amber Room in Konigsberg Castle. His acts of defiance are small — unbeknown to anyone he wears the Star of David, a gift from Josef. But he soon comes to realise that not everyone who raises their hand and greets with a "Heil Hitler" is as loyal to the Party as they seem to be. I thought Rainer's character was masterfully portrayed.

There are several supporting characters in this book, but I thought the portrayal of Albert Göring was sublime. Albert is one of those unsung heroes of World War II. Unlike his brother, Albert was not seduced by the Party — in fact, he despised it. Albert saw through the parades and the banners and the slogans. He saw the Nazi Party for what they were. Albert was vehemently opposed to Nazism, and he did everything he could to help Jews and others who were persecuted escape. Albert has been shoved into obscurity by the depravity of his brother's crimes, so it was wonderful to read a book that celebrated his achievements. Kudos, Ms Brandon.

The historical detailing has to be commended. I have tutored Modern European History for a number of years, and the rise of the National Socialist German Workers' Party has always been somewhat of a speciality. Brandon has paid very close attention to the historical sources and eye witness accounts. I thought her portrayal of Wolf's Lair and the plight of Hitler's food-tasters was fabulous. The story of these 15 women who were forced to test Hitler's food before it was considered safe for him to consume is not something that is often discussed. But these women faced death every day, and the emotional damage must have been horrendous. Brandon has shown this in all its horrific detail.

I thought this was an absolutely fabulous book, and there is a surprising twist at the end, which I didn't see coming. Fans of tautly gripping World War II fiction will undoubtedly enjoy The Center of Gravity.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.

The Coffee Pot Book Club.

A simply riveting read from cover to cover...
Brandon's latest is a compelling work lit by powerful imagery, character, and setting. It is 1933. Struggling to make ends meet after her father's forced confinement by the Reich military police in Berlin, the young and naive Sonne Becker finds herself becoming one of food taster for Hitler at Wolf's Lair. Rainer von Bauchelle, an art historian from France, ends up in Russia against his wish. As their paths converge, they try to find an escape, unaware of the twist of fate lying ahead. Set against the backdrop of the early days of Hitler's chancellorship to the destructive consequences of the Second World War and beyond, the novel focuses on the inner lives and challenges of a common man. Brandon keeps the reader off guard and guessing, and traces Rainer and Sonne's individual and shared stories with sensitivity and emotional clarity. The riveting finale is both utterly shocking and satisfying. Fully-fleshed, compassionate, and fascinating, this is a cerebral, complex novel detailing harrowing account of two lives torn apart by the Nazi Regime. Brandon is a writer to watch.
PRAIRIES BOOK REVIEW

5.0 out of 5 stars Ms. Brandon does it again! A Rule of Life Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2021

Another fabulous work of historical fiction from Patricia. Very different from Center of Gravity, but equally as engaging and entertaining. I love how she develops the characters and you end up rooting for the good guys and wanting to squash the bad guys. This book introduced a mystery I didn't expect and a ritual I've never heard of. As a southerner, I especially enjoyed NC as the backdrop. I never had the pleasure of going to summer camp as a child and this book gives a sweet taste of what I missed. With summer approaching, this is a great summer read for teens on up to the "mature" women like myself! Thank you Patricia and please keep on writing!” - Catherine G.

“I want to know. I’ve got to know.” ***** What really happened to Miss Priscilla Parker, and who killed Chester Graves? Tricia Grimball’s inquisitive mind will not rest until she has all the answers. But as she tries her best to become something of an amateur detective, she discovers a very dark and dangerous world that not only threatens her safety, but also the safety of the man she is falling hopelessly in love with. The clock is ticking, and time is not on Tricia’s side. If she cannot put all of the pieces together, then another child will fall victim to a hideous crime. However, Tricia is unaware that those she seeks to bring to justice will do anything and everything to silence her forever…

A Rule of Life by Patricia Brandon is a novel that shines so bright in its own brilliance that is near on impossible to put down. The compelling narrative drew me in from the opening chapter, and not once did I feel my attention waver. I became invested in this story and these characters. It was as if I was experiencing what they were experiencing, rather than reading about it. The characters were fresh and exciting, but there was also an air of innocence, especially when it came to the children, as they delighted in their shared childhood discovery, all the while cementing friendships that would last a lifetime. And with the young counsellors, there was a wonderful excitement of a future enveloped in endless possibilities.

Camp Arden Woode for Girls is situated in idyllic surroundings, and it is here that the children are valued for who they are, and perhaps when they leave they know a little more about who they might become. It is here that Tricia’s, who is a camp counsellor, life really begins. She finds the courage to question whether to stay on the path that her controlling and, at times, emotionally abusive parents have carefully orchestrated for her. Tricia was a character that I instantly adored. Her gentle disposition makes her a firm favourite of the children in the camp and she effortlessly steps into the role of mentor, carer and friend. But there is also a side to her that craves adventure and she is curious about the world around her. It could be said that she is as curious as a cat, although perhaps not as stealthy as one! Before she knows it, she is confronted with a sinister truth. Brave, Tricia most certainly is but she is sometimes very foolish as she gives into temptation and takes it upon herself to solve the mystery and to end the frightening attacks on children, particularly young girls.

This novel is a story about discovery. Not only are Tricia and her friends desperately trying to discover the identity of the men who attacked, and the man who saved Priscilla, but they are also exploring the possibilities of their own future. Trisha finds herself at a crossroads. Does she maintain the status-quo and live her life as her parents have dictated, or dare she strike out on her own and in doing so find her true calling and perhaps even love? At times Tricia is very indecisive, not quite trusting her intuition, which I thought made her character all the more real in the telling.

Although this novel exclusively follows Tricia, she achieves nothing without the help of her friends, who are willing accomplices for our brave heroine! Tricia’s friends are as determined to discover the truth about the men who attacked Priscilla, and although a few of them feel an edge of unease about the situation, the bonds of their friendship are so strong that they would never abandon each other. I thought the camaraderie between Tricia and her friends was particularly well-drawn and it certainly helped to propel the story forward.

Social inequality is a theme that runs through this novel. Otha Moses, the camp’s cook, is limited in her choices and indeed the choices for her family because of the colour of her skin. Her fear of the authorities is justified, for she has experienced injustice first-hand. And although the camp might seem, on the outside, progressive, it does not allow children of colour to attend, which considering the year this novel is set in, should come as no surprise. Social integration and social acceptance still have a long way to go, but in characters such as Otha, there is a spark of hope, for she is a beloved member of staff who the young councillors, especially Tricia, admire and desperately want to protect. But the fear that Otha lives in is constant, and I thought it was very telling of the era.

There is an element of “who done it?” in this novel, and often I felt moments of doubt, just like Tricia does, about certain characters, which I think made this novel all the more compelling. It also demonstrated Tricia’s determination to get to the bottom of the truth, no matter what. But on the other hand, Brandon has also depicted the joy of summer and the fun of being in the camp. It makes for a well-rounded read. There is danger, but there is also sunshine and laughter.

The historical backdrop of this novel is breathtakingly beautiful. Brandon has captured the very essence of this period and brought it gloriously back to life. Kudos, Ms Brandon. Kudos, indeed.

A Rule of Life by Patricia Brandon is fabulous from beginning to end. It is the kind of book that I would happily read over and over again.

I Highly Recommend.

Mary Anne Yarde

The Coffee Pot Book Club

theprairiesbookreview.com/2021/07/07/a-rule-of-life-by-patricia-brandon/Well-thought-out and original... A deliciously readable mystery.
Brandon's latest brilliantly integrates psychological depth into a clever mystery plot. With the Great War and the Spanish Flu pandemic behind, the world seems like a fine place once again. A new camp for girls has just begun in the mountains of western North Carolina. Seeking both adventure and an escape from her dreary life back home, the camp counselor Tricia Grimball is looking forward to working with new girls. But a kidnapping followed by a murder sets Tricia on a dangerous path of sleuthing. Brandon's thoroughly sketched characters and setting breathe further life into the effortlessly crafted plot while the engaging prose and expert inclusion of misleading red herrings throughout the narrative pull the reader right in. Brandon's atmospheric setting of the lush North Carolina mountains and the deeply affective insights about friendship, love, identity, independence, forgiveness, God, religion, and life in general make this coming-of-age story a triumph. Readers looking for a thoroughly gripping, sophisticated traditional mystery won't be able to resist.

BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

A Rule of Life is a coming-of-age novel by Patricia Brandon. Tricia Grimball feels the beckoning call of the unknown and seeks out a life different from her usual predictable one. For the summer, she goes to a camp for girls in the mountains of western North Carolina and works as a camp counselor. In a visceral place where risk and fear meet, Tricia hears about a strange kidnapping and a man named Chester being killed. This is also the first time she hears about local folklore, the ‘Sin Eater’, someone who eats the sins of a person who dies before they can ask for forgiveness. He takes them on himself, so the dead can go on to Heaven. Little does Tricia know that these incidents would lead her into an unexpected, mystery-riddled adventure!

A Rule of Life is set in the historical era of 1919, North Carolina. Patricia Brandon has created a steady-paced novel that kept me in suspense from start to finish. I was as intrigued as Tricia when she learned about the story of the Sin Eater from Otha. I love how Brandon has created an air of mystery from the very first chapter and kept my attention right to the end of this tale. Tricia Grimball’s time in the mountains of western North Carolina is a far cry from her usual, predictable life and I followed her adventures with great anticipation! This tale is more than just a mystery; it is also a tale of trials and tribulations, of friendships formed and sacrifices made. This highly interesting novel is easy to visualize and I felt the story come alive as I got deeper into the plot. Overall, this was an enjoyable and thrilling read. Every chapter left me wanting more! Great work!

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Read! Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2021 “Once again, Patricia Brandon has outdone herself. With A Rule of Life, she has developed another amazing, thought-provoking work. Having enjoyed camp as a youngster, this story brought back wonderful forgotten memories of friendship and camaraderie. By incorporating the folklore of the North Carolina mountains, the story becomes relevant to not only young adolescents but more mature readers as well. A RULE OF LIFE is a must-read!” - Rosemarie L.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Read! Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2020 “Well-written, compelling, engrossing novel. Clearly well researched as the attention to detail and facts in The Center of Gravity are historically correct while weaving in a story of love and courage during a dark and painful time in history for all, but especially the characters in the book. Once I started the book I had a hard time putting it down. Loved how the book began in current times, went back to WWII and then back to current times. Thoroughly enjoyed this book!” - Corinne C.

A simply riveting read from cover to cover...
Brandon's latest is a compelling work lit by powerful imagery, character, and setting. It is 1933. Struggling to make ends meet after her father's forced confinement by the Reich military police in Berlin, the young and naive Sonne Becker finds herself becoming one of food taster for Hitler at Wolf's Lair. Rainer von Bauchelle, an art historian from France, ends up in Russia against his wish. As their paths converge, they try to find an escape, unaware of the twist of fate lying ahead. Set against the backdrop of the early days of Hitler's chancellorship to the destructive consequences of the Second World War and beyond, the novel focuses on the inner lives and challenges of a common man. Brandon keeps the reader off guard and guessing, and traces Rainer and Sonne's individual and shared stories with sensitivity and emotional clarity. The riveting finale is both utterly shocking and satisfying. Fully-fleshed, compassionate, and fascinating, this is a cerebral, complex novel detailing harrowing account of two lives torn apart by the Nazi Regime. Brandon is a writer to watch.
PRAIRIES BOOK REVIEW