Esther had never seen anything so beautiful It was her mother's heirloom necklace, covered with jewels representing the twelve tribes of Israel. "May it always be near her," her father prayed, "reminding her of Your never-ending presence no matter where she goes." The year is 1944, and sixteen-year-old Esther is forced from her home in Amsterdam and taken to Auschwitz. She is left devastated and alone - her faith tested to its limits. Because of Esther's rare beauty, SS Officer Kurt Gerstein chooses her to be part of his plan for survival. During this plan, God uses Esther's inner beauty and vibrant faith to revive Kurt's Christian beliefs. Not only does Kurt's love for God increase, but so does his admiration for Esther. This admiration turns into something much more. Can she accept that his Jesus is the Messiah? And will she ever leave this place, much less keep her promise to Gabriel, her high school love? Join Esther on this journey of perseverance and hope, in which even through the darkest hour, God proves His ever-loving care. "I didn't want to put this book down From the first page, I was captivated. The author masterfully takes you on a journey inside the life of a World War II family and the events during that time. Twelve Smooth Stones is a must-read for anyone interested in World War II and God's ultimate redemption " (critic review)