The Last Green Valley

A Novel

By: Mark Sullivan

Narrated by: Will Damron

Length: 16 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

“Mark Sullivan has done it again! The Last Green Valley is a compelling and inspiring story of heroism and courage in the dark days at the end of World War II.” --Kristin Hannah, number one New York Times best-selling author

From the author of the number one best seller Beneath a Scarlet Sky comes a new historical novel inspired by one family’s incredible story of daring, survival, and triumph.

In late March 1944, as Stalin’s forces push into Ukraine, young Emil and Adeline Martel must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves - murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans?

The Martels are one of many families of German heritage whose ancestors have farmed in Ukraine for more than a century. But after already living under Stalin’s horrifying regime, Emil and Adeline decide they must run in retreat from their land with the wolves they despise to escape the Soviets and go in search of freedom.

Caught between two warring forces and overcoming horrific trials to pursue their hope of immigrating to the West, the Martels’ story is a brutal, complex, and ultimately triumphant tale that illuminates the extraordinary power of love, faith, and one family’s incredible will to survive and see their dreams realized.

©2021 Mark Sullivan/Suspense Inc. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Will Damron shows his vocal range in this work of historical fiction, set in Ukraine during WWII. The cast is large, giving Damron ample opportunity to use his expertise in differentiating characters.… He smoothly slips from the third-person narrator to a variety of voices and accents, making listeners feel present as the dramatic events unfold.” —AudioFile Magazine

“After his triumphant novel Beneath a Scarlet Sky, Mark Sullivan delivers another stunning tour de force. Based on interviews and careful research, The Last Green Valley is the novelization of an inspirational true story featuring human strength, faith, and endurance against all odds.” —Authorlink

“A simply riveting read from cover to cover, The Last Green Valley is a deftly crafted novel that showcases experienced author Mark Sullivan’s exceptional narrative storytelling skills combined with exceptional originality.” —Midwest Book Review

Caught Between the Bear and the Wolves

I didn't expect this story to live up to my high expectations after "Beneath a Scarlett Sky." Such a rare and magnificent story seldom has a successor equal to it. I was overjoyed to discover that Mark Sullivan was, indeed, capable of doing it again. After listening to this breath-taking novel, I am confident in saying I feel Mr. Sullivan is a voice we desperately need right now.

Taking place as WWII draws to a close, Emil and Adeline Martel set out on a desperate journey beyond imagination in an attempt to find a better life for their family. If this were a work that had no basis in historical fact it would still be astonishing. But with a backdrop of Stalin's Russia, Hitler's Nazi invasion, and the Allied Forces pushing through Europe this tale takes on a mesmerizing, haunting, almost surreal quality.

I am often astounded by how little today's society really knows about the events of that time. Or, worse yet, how they refuse to believe that the atrocities such as the death camps and genocide could have been factual. This story gives us a taste of what many people endured: how they suffered, starved, and often died. It's got a lot of dark elements, as one would expect. Yet the strength, resilience, and hope of the Martel family shines through it all.

I understand that the generations that have never known life without microwaves, on-demand movies, computers, and video games will have a hard time understanding the fortitude and determination of these people. It's not prevalent in today's society. But that doesn't negate the fact that people like the Martels and other fascinating characters existed.

There was so much heart break and angst in this novel it was tough to listen to at times. But taken as a whole, I found it a very uplifting and fulfilling story of love, courage, and faith.

Back to Back home runs with for Mark Sullivan

Truly the book Beneath the Scarlet Sky and The Last Green Valley are incredible tales that regale you and entertain you and leave you thirsting for more. Both are just fantastic, optimistic, hopeful in seeing the The good and silver lining in such a dark and difficult event in history.. the heart of mankind the will of an individual and people to better their lives tnd believe in something greater than this world are evident in these books.. Will Damon Is one of my favorites narrators. Hands down just a captivating storyteller.

Solid 4 Star Book

This was an amazing story that was compelling and informative.
Informative because I never thought of the aspect of the life of a German living in Ukraine during WWII and the harrowing experience of being caught in between the two evil leaders of Hitler and Stalin. It was really eye opening for me as I learned many things that I just never considered before - shame on me as an avid WWII buff too.
Anyway, after experiencing Beneath a Scarlett Sky and now this one, The Last Green Valley - I have to give kudos to the narrator for a fine job. However, I also found the author tends to be a bit over dramatic in his writing style instead of just letting the natural drama of the story evolve - he tends to stretch out the drama unnecessarily and repeatedly to my frustration. Overall he is a decent story teller, but his penchant for over dramatization does take away from the story a little bit for me.
Overall it's an amazing story with great narration and I think learning this story has made me a better person in some ways so how could this not be worth the credit... Recommend.

Exceptional

After listening to Beneath a Scarlet Sky on Audible,
I was pleasantly surprised. I had never read anything of Mark Sullivan’s, but the story line intrigued me. My books of choice are WWII stories of those who lived through such a difficult period. They are Heroes.
I never thought he could top it.
Imagine my surprise, when I found myself late for work because I had to know what happened next!
The Last Green Valley is a story of profound survival with so many trials and tribulations. A family that had the will to overcome such tragedies left me breathless.
I highly recommend it. This 2nd book has made me a huge fan of Mark Sullivan!
Enjoy!

Outstanding, inspiring story!

I loved this book! I love this author and was drawn to it after reading and listening to Beneath a Scarlet Sky (which is the best book I have ever read). Hard to follow that incredible story, but Sullivan is a master at weaving a tale of the lives of people who have experienced incredible things. This story is one of resilience, love, faith and perseverance. Hard to put down and at times hard to believe it could be true. I highly recommend this incredible story of an ordinary family who perseveres against all odds.

Amazing and emotional!

I cannot say enough about this book - the writing, the performance - but most of all the transformational story of the Martel family, told so well by the author. The brutal starvation, fear, suffering and oppression under both Stalin and Hitler the Martels endured was gut-wrenching, and should be a caution for all of us today. The other side of their story is all the times God provided for them along the way - this is absolutely a spiritual journey as well as a physical one.
Without a doubt the best book of the year for me so far!

Incredible!

Incredibly beautiful story of courage, determination and faith. This book is now one of my favorite historical fiction stories ever.

Great Book

couldn't stop listening. A must read or listen. An inspirational book based on true events.

Great book!! Must read.

This was a great story and a must read. Highly recommended. Very interesting will keep you wanting more.

Grateful listener

What a story...and that it’s based on real people makes it even more poignant. Painful story at times but well worth the listen.