Two women spies expose the betrayal of Churchill's secret mission to stop Hitler from producing the first atomic bomb. This suspense novel is based on true events.

Bonnie Toews proves herself a master of surprises for readers trying to guess the outcome of this brilliant novel.
--Sharon Galligar Chance, BookBrowser
Five Stars

"Treason & Triumph" by gifted storyteller Bonnie Toews is an amazing war time tale of patriotism, espionage, strength and courage.
--Victoria Taylor Murray, author of "Thief of Hearts"
Five Stars

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ABOUT BOOK: Treason & Triumph explores in depth the tragedy of the secret war, the far-reaching consequences of individual acts and the lives they affect. Above all, it vividly brings to life Hitler’s Third Reich by creating a moving journey of the human spirit transcending evil. Set in war-torn Europe between 1937 and 1946, this story brings four strangers together—Marla Franklin, an American journalist; Lady Catherine Rushmore, a British royal; Joachim von Daren, a German nobleman; and Christopher Tobin, an Irish patriot. They are caught up in the conspiracy of Project Amanita, a special SOE operation that is part of Churchill’s secret race to prevent Hitler from producing the first atomic bomb. Bound by hidden forces they cannot control, Marla and Catherine learn to trust no one, except each other, as they are plunged into a nightmare of murder and terror. When Catherine is betrayed to the Gestapo, Marla takes her place and is captured instead, but once the Gestapo realizes it has been tricked, the hunt to find King George’s real cousin begins. For von Daren and Tobin, the outcome of the war rides on what happens to these two women and the atomic formula they are protecting. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• How does the author set up the plot in the first chapter?
• What role does music play through the story?
• What historical event brought the two women together? How did it affect them? How did if affect you, the reader?
• Why are Catherine and the SS officer instantly drawn to each other, and what in their nature bonds them so loyally through the war?
• Why is Marla so starved for love? How does this affect her relationships with men?
• Why is the horse such a significant symbol throughout the story?
• How are Catherine and Marla alike? How do they differ? What inner conflict does each woman have to overcome through the story?
• Trace events through the story that influence the metamorphosis of both women until they appear to be mirrors of each other.
• Why did British Intelligence use codes in radio broadcasts during World War II?
• Why did the traitor betray Catherine to the Gestapo in Denmark?
• Did you realize who the traitor was before the author revealed it? How does the author foreshadow his exposure?
• Why was Project Amanita so important to the outcome of the war?
• The story is told against true historical events. Choose five scenes that change your perceptions of the war.
• The “ring of light” is a significant symbol. Why? What does it mean to you?
• How does the author treat male characters in the story?
• Colonel Streicher was modeled after a real Nazi officer. What drove his evil? Did the author succeed in showing his vulnerabilities? How?
• How does Major Richter represent the average German trapped under Hitler’s regime?
• Why was Hitler able to mesmerize the German people into following him so blindly?
• Select one scene in the story you remember most. Why did you choose it?
• What admirable qualities do you see in each of: Christopher Tobin, Joachim von Daren, Sir Isaac Malcolm, Ulo Rorvig, Waldemar Richter, and Wendal Stevens?
• Marla affects the men in relationships with her. What about her draws them to her? How do the following change because of her relationship with them: Christopher Tobin, Winston Churchill, Sir Isaac Malcolm, Ulo Rorvig, Friedrich Streicher, the guard Lutz and Wendal Stevens?
• What role do children play in the story? What lessons do we learn from their involvement?
• How does the author show the public’s reaction to people who have endured wartime trauma? How do Marla, Catherine, Joachim and Wendal react to the end of the war?
• Why did Streicher suddenly kill himself at the end? Did you think it was a credible act based on his character?
• After reading the story, how do you explain what drives Catherine and Marla to be so brave under devastating wartime conditions?
• What question would you like to ask the author? Email her atbonnie.toews@sympatico.ca.

E-Mail bonnie.toews@sympatico.ca