Copyright Helena P. Schrader
AWARDS
Runner-Up for BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 from the Historical Fiction Company
GOLD (1st Place) in the category Historical Fiction from the Feathered Quill Book Awards 2024
GOLD (1st Place) in the category Wartime Fiction from the Historical Fiction Company Book Awards 2023
SILVER (2nd Place) in the category Political Thriller from Readers' Favorites Book Awards 2023
MEDIACREST Award
- FINALIST in the category Historical Fiction from the Book Excellence Awards 2024
BRAG Medallion
Bridge to Tomorrow
A Novel of the Berlin Airlift
Book I: Cold Peace
Berlin 1948. The economy is broken, the currency worthless, and the Russian bear is hungry. In the ruins of Hitler's capital, war heroes and resilient women struggle in the post-war doldrums -- until they discover new direction in defending Berlin’s freedom. When a Soviet fighter brings down a British passenger plane, the world teeters on the brink of World War Three. The first battle of the Cold War is about to begin.
Based on historical events!
Award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader brings to life the backstory of the West’s bloodless victory against Russian aggression via the Berlin Airlift.
Helena P. Schrader
The first battle of the Cold War is about to begin....
Review Excerpts
"Utterly transporting!"
Schrader's writing is masterful. She effortlessly weaves together multiple plot threads and characters from different backgrounds and with unique perspectives. The author's attention to detail is stellar, capturing the nuances of life in Berlin during this tumultuous period. ... Schrader brings authenticity and depth to her storytelling.
Cold Peace deftly balances action and suspense with character development. ... The historical context is expertly woven throughout the narrative, providing an understanding of the complex post-war politics and the motivations behind the Soviet blockade. Schrader's research is thorough, and her writing brings home the significance of this pivotal historical moment. Helena P. Schrader has crafted a unique historical tale with an immersive setting and a conflict that puts readers on the edge of their seats — utterly transporting." -- The Book Commentary (Read full review.)
"Magnificent Story, Compelling History"
"Cold Peace is a magnificently conceived story on a grand scale (who writes trilogies anymore?) with dynamic characters, detailed yet evocative prose, and compelling history. Readers will eagerly await Schrader’s next installment, Cold War." -- BookTrib(Read full review.)
"Sharp research meets vivid storytelling"
“Schrader is a sharply descriptive writer who captures the atmosphere and minute details of life in postwar Berlin with photographic precision…The novel ambitiously juggles several major characters, and the author ably handles the tricky task of making each well-rounded and psychologically believable. She provides in-depth background information that reveals not only the players’ past, but also their understanding of one another. … Overall, this is a smart and compelling read, punctuated by gripping aerial sequences, political tension, and a dash of romance. It will likely have military fiction fans clamoring for the next installment. Sharp research meets vivid storytelling in an absorbing novel of the postwar period.” Kirkus Reviews (Read full review.)
“....A spellbinding work of historical fiction that brings a unique pocket of history to life with extraordinary detail and heart. ... Schrader puts heart and soul into the dialogue and development of everyone from cover to cover. This keen sense of reality adds to the overall attitude of the piece, giving an authentic image of people caught in a very unsettling historical time. Overall, Cold Peace is a deeply engrossing novel that I would recommend to fans of military history, realistic drama, and suspense novels alike.” KC Finn for Readers’ Favorites
"A wonderful mixture of hard facts ... with raw portrayals of the human condition."
“Schrader has marshalled the historical facts and assembled her wide range of very different characters with both a magisterial authority and a painterly skill….[This is a] fast-paced, complex book, a wonderful mixture of hard historical facts, minutely and meticulously researched and synthesised, with raw portrayals of the human condition. Readers will be anxious for more.” Historical Fiction Club
"...it educates wonderfully, as well as entertains completely."
“The author captures the different attitudes and commitments of the various Allied parties that made up the ruling powers in Berlin post World War II perfectly. The beauty of this narrative is that it educates wonderfully, as well as entertains completely. … This is a wide-ranging and expansive dive into the nature of the Berlin Airlift and I cannot wait to read the follow-up books from this superbly talented author.” Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorites
"In her compelling novel Cold Peace, Helena P. Schrader delves into the complexities of post-WWII Germany and the roots of the Berlin Airlift. ... Schrader’s plotting is intricate and engaging. She deftly guides readers through the political and cultural landscape of a Berlin divided into four quarters... Schrader’s fiction is deeply rooted in historical fact, interweaving fictional characters with real historical figures ... [Readers] will find Cold Peace rewarding...." Blue Ink
“Cold Peace …. [is a] fast-paced, suspenseful, emotional, and riveting story that any reader will find almost impossible to put down. … The settings are perfect, the writing is superb, and the plot is very well-crafted. … Cold Peace is a riveting and wonderfully written example of historical fiction and definitely stands out as one of the best. … I have become a huge fan.”Feathered Quill
“…[Cold Peace’s] portrayals of people finding their way in the confusing postwar era are empathetic...[but] it’s the strong women who stand out most. … In the historical novel Cold Peace war heroes and strong women find their collective purpose in a war-torn Berlin.” Foreword Clarion Reviews
"Cataclysmic political storm clouds may be brewing across the city in Cold Peace, but it is Schrader's painting of human stories that really creates the sense of drama that grips the reader. This is one for fans of military fiction, realistic suspense and high-octane historical drama." IndieReader