Vivi Von Rhomberg: Book 1
Publication Date: July 15, 2026
Spain, 1935: I’m shaking as I watch my brother emerge from the truck, his hands bound behind his back. And when my lover gives the order for him to be executed, my heart breaks. My worst nightmare has come true. To save my brother, I must betray the man I love…
When Vivi arrives in Madrid, she is captivated by its heat and colour, a world away from the grey of her life as a lonely newlywed back in Berlin. But her diplomat husband and beloved brother Christian are here for one reason only: to bring the Nazi regime to Spain, and to destroy everything that stands in their path.
When Vivi is caught in a bombing raid, she is thrown unexpectedly into the arms of Emilio, a member of the militia. As she gets to know him and his love for his country, his passion inspires her, and her world changes overnight. And as he stares at her with his warm brown eyes, her heart races in her chest, knowing she is truly being seen for the first time in years…
But falling in love with Emilio is dangerous. Franco and his Nazi allies are closing in on the resistance in Madrid, and it’s only a matter of time before Emilio is discovered. Vivi does everything she can to protect him, but she knows time is running out.
When her worst fears come true and Emilio captures her brother, Vivi must decide where her loyalty lies. Should she betray her lover to save her family? Or will she choose love above all else? And once the war is over, can she live with the consequences?
A heartbreaking and emotional page-turner about how true love can triumph against evil. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and The Book of Lost Names.
Vivi Von Rhomberg knows her duty lies with the Germans, but the fiery Spanish side yearns for more.
Author Catherine Hokin uses the Spanish Civil War as the backdrop for a moving tale of a woman caught between love and duty in The Man She Had to Save.
Stationed in Madrid with her diplomat husband, Vivi discovers her loyalties divided during a bombing attack. Even as her adored older brother cautions against political involvement, Vivi finds empathy for the working class, including a rebel named Emilio.
Trapped in a loveless marriage and her hopes for the future in tatters, it’s no wonder that Vivi’s heart turns to a forbidden romance. When she is forced to choose between her brother and Emilio, will it be the German side or the Spanish side who makes the decision? Better yet, what if she makes the wrong choice?
The drama is gripping, with realistic consequences as one choice means the difference between life and death.
The Man She Had to Save provides an engrossing World War II storyline that will leave readers eager for the next installment.
Catherine Hokin is the author of several novels inspired by World War Two, including the Hanni Winter series. She writes books set primarily in Berlin, which is her favourite city, a never-ending source of inspiration and also, very conveniently, where her son lives. Her novels cover the period from 1930 up to the fall of the Berlin Wall and deal with the long shadows left by war.
Her passion for history began as a child, flourished doing her history degree course at Manchester University and survived a varied career covering marketing, teaching and politics. She is from the North of England but now lives very happily in Glasgow with her American husband. She loves to travel and, if she’s not at her desk, she can usually be found in the cinema.
