Maggie Bright

Praise for novels by Tracy Groot

The Sentinels of Andersonville

“Groot’s well-researched, inspirational historical tale . . . will be compelling and memorable for a diverse audience.”

BOOKLIST

“Groot has done good historical homework. . . . The pacing is page-turning. . . . This Civil War–era story grapples with fundamental moral questions about decency and conscience
 
—questions that can be asked about all wars.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
,
STARRED REVIEW

“Richly detailed, engrossing historical fiction.”

KIRKUS REVIEWS

“If the truth hurts, this devastating story is like a knife to the heart. . . . This story of a Good Samaritan shines brightly as the characters place themselves in danger.”

ROMANTIC TIMES
,
TOP PICK REVIEW

“Fast-paced, with endearing protagonists and a thoughtful exploration of why some people do nothing in the face of evil and others risk everything to battle it.”

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Flame of Resistance

“Groot . . . does good historical work with details and subtle psychological work with her characters. WWII-era novels are popular; this is a superior, page-turning entry in that niche.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“This well-researched novel is filled with intrigue and captivating characters that should please fans of World War II fiction.”

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“Groot ensnares readers with accurate historical detail and gripping prose. With complex characters, authentically reflecting good and evil . . . , this story overflows with intrigue, passion, sacrifice, and humanity.”

RELZ REVIEWS

“Scrupulously researched and lovingly written, Flame of Resistance plunges the reader into an exhilarating story of courage, grace, and one endearing woman’s leap of faith.”

THE BANNER

“Groot’s impeccable research lends credibility and depth to this riveting tale based on real-life history. . . . Betrayal, unexpected allies, suspense, and heroism share in the drama of the tale.”

WEST MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN NEWS

“Tracy Groot adds fine research on [D-Day] and [the] World War II environment, both of which make
Flame of Resistance
a powerful saga.”

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

“The suspense is great, the characters excellent, the romance held in check, and the spiritual elements are extremely encouraging.”

THE CHRISTIAN MANIFESTO

Madman

“[A] well-paced, beautifully written historical novel. . . . Entertaining and compelling.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
,
STARRED REVIEW

“Groot cleverly combines historical research, Scripture, and thrilling imagination to create an ingenious story built around the Gerasene demoniac described in Mark’s and Luke’s Gospels. It’s one of the best fictional adaptations of a biblical event I’ve had the pleasure to read.”

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Maggie Bright: A Novel of Dunkirk

Copyright © 2015 by Tracy Groot. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of woman copyright © Ladida/iStockphoto. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of boat copyright © TAGSTOCK1/Dollarphotoclub. All rights reserved.

Interior photograph of map copyright © Alistair Scott/Shutterstock. All rights reserved.

Designed by Ron Kaufmann

Edited by Kathryn S. Olson

Published in association with Creative Trust Literary Group, 5141 Virginia Way, Suite 320, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027.
www.creativetrust.com
.

Psalm 107:23-24 epigraph is taken from the New American Standard Bible,
®
copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Nahum 2:1, quoted in chapter 19, is taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Maggie Bright
is a work of fiction. Where real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales appear, they are used fictitiously. All other elements of the novel are drawn from the author’s imagination.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Groot, Tracy, date.

  Maggie Bright : a novel of Dunkirk / Tracy Groot.

    pages ; cm

  ISBN 978-1-4143-8323-1 (hardcover)

1.  World War, 1939-1945
 
—Naval operations, British
 
—Fiction. 2.  World War, 1939-1945
 
—France
 
—Fiction. 3.  Yachts
 
—Great Britain
 
—Fiction.  I. Title.

  PS3557.R5655M34 2015

  813’.54
 
—dc23 2014048845

ISBN 978-1-4964-0670-5 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-4143-8478-8 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-4964-0671-2 (Apple)

For Alison, Annie, Cynthia, Lorilee, Sharron, and Shelly,

Fellowship of the Gimlet Eye

Those who go down to the sea in ships,

Who do business on great waters;

They have seen the works of the Lord,

And His wonders in the deep.

 
—Psalm 107:23-24

SOMEWHERE IN BELGIUM

MAY 1940

There is nothing more disturbing than the sound of an animal in pain. Animals can be put out of their misery, but men, men cannot.

“What in me is dark, illumine! What is low, raise and support!”

“Will someone
please
shut him up?” shouted the British officer.

Artillery shook the hut. Bits of dried earth rained down on the officer’s map. He flicked away a single lump. The British Army was in
retreat
. Had England ever met such a rout as this? How would they face those at home
 
—if they made it home?

The man in the corner howled. When he didn’t shout strange things, he howled, and not just any old howl; it came up in an eerie building groan and let loose at a peak, put the hair straight up one’s neck.

At the peak of the latest unholy howl, a figure appeared in the doorway, hesitant, uncertain
 
—just the person.

“You there!” said the officer. “Yes, you. See the man over there? He’s yours.”

The private looked at the bandaged man. “What do you mean, sir?”

“Get him to Dunkirk. He’s done something heroic.”

“I only came to tell you
 
—”

“Yes, yes, we’re overrun!” A boom shook the hut. “Bronson!” he shouted over the private’s head. “Get
over
that canal and tell McIntire’s unit to
pull out
.
God
, have mercy!” He stared at the private. “Still here?”

“But, sir
 
—”

“Let me be clear: You are no longer part of any unit. You’ve been plucked from your lovely little fraternity, you now have an independent commission, and
he
is
yours
. Move!” Then, bellowing, “Bronson!”

Private Jamie Elliott went to the bandaged man making the horrible sound. A medic finished the last of his dressing, and looked at Elliott with some sympathy.

“All yours, mate. At least he can walk.”

“What’s wrong with him?” said Elliott.

“Shell went off, right by his head. When he’s not howling, he quotes Shakespeare.”

“Milton, actually,” said another medic, bandaging another man.

“Who cares? It’s poetry, and it’s awful.”

“I think it’s rather interesting. I like to listen to him.”

“That’s because you’re a pansy, aren’t you?” said the first medic. He looked at Jamie and shook his head. Then he looked at his charge, who had quieted at last, and said, gentler, “He’s a captain. Lost all his men, poor sod. Risked his life to bring a message to another unit, saved
their
lives, came back to his own and they were blown to bits. Last one died ten minutes ago. A brigadier put him in for the Victoria Cross.”

A boom, and earth rained down.

“Their fatal hands no second stroke intend!” shouted the bandaged captain.

“Well, that was relevant.” The medic grabbed the captain’s rucksack and stuffed in rolled bandages. “Change it as often as you can; keep it clean as you can. It’s a great rotten hole, but I have no time to stitch it. Keep the bandage
tight
. He’s lost a lot of blood. He’ll need water as often as you can scrounge it.” He thrust the rucksack at Elliott. “Go.”

The ground shuddered, earth rained, and Elliott grabbed the captain’s arm.

“Which way to Dunkirk?”

“That way, mate, twenty miles or so. You can’t miss it
 
—it’s burning.”