The cobbled streets were dark as Isabelle hurried through the shadows, dodging in and out of doorways, constantly looking back. She worried the sound of her loudly thumping heart would give her away, as she peered around a corner. Suddenly, Isabelle was surrounded by Nazi soldiers, their black boots pounding on the pavement, barring her way…1939, Berlin. Max Albrecht is the young and handsome heir to a beautiful house on a lake where he spent his happy childhood. As war approaches, his parents tell him he must join the Nazi party or the whole family will be killed. But when his beloved French fiancé Isabelle shows him the horrifying truth, Max faces an impossible choice: protect his family or save the girl he loves?2010, San Francisco. Anna Young is content with her life, running a bustling deli and taking care of her adored grandfather Max, who raised her. Max has never spoken of his past until he hands over an old map, the plans to a grand house just north of Berlin. With a shaking finger, he points to it and says, “I left something behind under the floorboards. Please bring it home before I die.” When Anna arrives at the crumbling manor in Germany, she discovers a hidden engagement ring in a velvet box. She is desperate to find the woman her grandfather hoped to marry, but the local villagers look away when she mentions Max’s name, and back in San Francisco he is now in hospital, too unwell to speak to her. What did Max do so many years ago? Is Anna ready for the terrible secret that her family’s past may hold?From bestselling author Ella Carey comes an unforgettable novel, weaving together past and present. Gripping and heartbreaking, The House by the Lake uncovers the secrets and devastating choices that people were forced to make during history’s darkest time. Readers are utterly captivated by The House by the Lake: “Brilliant… It made me cry (can’t remember when I last did that)—I also laughed and felt sad when the book finished. I wanted to know what happened next… I highly recommend this book. Really looking forward to her next one.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I LOVED this book!! I didn’t want it to end because the story was so great and fast moving.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I NEEDED to know what happened. It kept me turning the pages… I have grabbed up the other two books in the set.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I loved this book! The history has such beautiful detail and it was also a beautiful love story!!! I felt like I was there with them!” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down and read it in one night. Ella Carey's descriptions had me in awe, I truly could visualize everything especially the Christmas scenes!!!” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“WOW! What a great story… I highly recommend this book.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“One of the best books I have read in a long time. I will definitely read anything by this author. I recommend it to everyone, it’s really, really an excellent read.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Wow!! This book was awesome and I couldn’t put it down. I was so enthralled with the story and characters. I can’t wait for the sequel to come out!!” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“A real page-turner. I couldn’t put this book down… The ripple down effects continue to this very day, as this story illustrates so well.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I have only one Ella Carey book left to read… Please, write MORE & MORE!” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐