“The Pope’s Jew” by Eva Mekler has been released worldwide. This 288-page work of historical fiction follows the mysterious Luc Kasten, who decides to share his tumultuous story with a journalist, Diane Jameson, 35 years after the end of World War II. As romance blossoms between the pair, wartime secrets from Luc’s past threaten to tear down the life he has built. After a chance encounter with an old enemy turns Kasten’s circumstances from tenuous to dire, he and Diane are drawn into a tense game of cat-and-mouse that could destroy everything they hold dear.

Deeply embedded in the history of WWII and captured in beautifully descriptive language, Mekler’s portrait of love and fear examines the lasting effects of persecution, the horrors of war, and the complexities of identity. Despite their differences, which only become more apparent as hidden truths come to light, Luc and Diane’s connection gives them the strength to face the past and come to terms with troubling memories of the war. 

Spanning decades from the late 1930s through the 1980s, the story draws readers into the vibrant streets of Paris, illustrating the attitudes of the times and the long-term cultural impact of Nazism on the French people. Through Kasten’s story, Mekler illuminates the experiences of many European Jews and the incredible lengths they went to for the sake of survival. 

While the novel serves as a fascinating look at the real history of WWII France, the intrigue surrounding Kasten’s past and the fraught love affair he develops with Diane create a riveting narrative that both deepens and transcends the story’s historical context. This powerful tale is emotional and exciting, poignantly exploring what it means to be free of the past. 

The Pope’s Jew (ISBN: 9781963844443) can be purchased through retailers worldwide, including Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The paperback retails for $14.59 and the ebook retails for $2.99. Review copies and interviews are available upon request.

From the back cover:

Who is Luc Kasten? A wealthy French industrialist? A wanted man? A Jew from Avignon who has led a forged life? Or is he all three? Now, 35 years after the end of WWII, he is ready to unburden himself and hires a veteran journalist, Diane Jameson, to write his memoir. But years of hiding his identity make him hesitate to share his grim secret. A chance encounter with a past enemy spurs him to violence, and Diane, who finds herself falling in love with him, joins Kasten in his struggle to outwit the man who can expose him. What ensues is a cat-and-mouse thriller and a love story set against the somber background of France during and after WWII.

About the author:

Eva Mekler is a writer and psychologist known for her work in fiction and non-fiction, often exploring themes related to Jewish identity, history, and psychological resilience. She has authored novels as well as books that delve into the psychology and dynamics of the acting profession. One of her well-known books, The New Generation of Acting Teachers, profiles influential acting coaches and explores their techniques and philosophies.

Mekler’s fiction work frequently draws from Jewish cultural and historical contexts, sometimes addressing the Holocaust and its aftermath. Her novels tend to focus on characters navigating personal and historical trauma, resilience, and identity.

About Manhattan Book Group:

Manhattan Book Group (“MBG”), located on Broadway in New York City, is a registered trade name of Mindstir Media LLC. MBG is widely known as a premier hybrid book publisher. We have combined the best of traditional publishing with the best of self- publishing to provide authors with the “best of both worlds” in a sense.

To learn more about MBG, visit https://www.manhattanbookgroup.com/

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