Copyright Helena P. Schrader
Helena P. Schrader
Bridge to Tomorrow:
A Novel of the Berlin Airlift
Book III: Cold Victory
Released 8 MAY 2025
In Russian-blockaded Berlin, courageous women — lawyers, nurses, nuns and prostitutes — lead the fight for democracy as they defend a rape victim accused of murder and help rescue a downed woman pilot.
BERLIN 1949
With the Airlift gaining momentum day-by-day, the Russians turn to more devious and covert tactics to thwart the forces of democracy. Key players — or their loved ones — are targeted for unscrupulous attacks. The Americans have learned that the policy of “collective guilt” is no longer viable. Yet “collective amnesty” enables some Nazis to worm their way back into positions of power — and use that power against the most vulnerable.
Award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader takes the reader away from the limelight and into the shadow side of the Berlin Airlift to explore its social, psychological and long-term impact.
Based on historical events, Cold Victory highlights, how the victory of the Allied Airlift brings with it the division of Europe and turns Russia into an inveterate enemy of democracy and the West.
Winner of a prestigious Indie BRAG Medallion
Review Excerpts:
“One of those rare novels that manages to make a well-documented historical event feel utterly urgent and freshly lived… a moving, deeply human story about standing firm against tyranny without lifting a weapon, and about what it means to win peace, not just survive the war. ... Helena P. Schrader has crafted … a novel that reminds us, in the best tradition of the genre, that history is never just in the past. It lives on in stories like this one, in the questions we still ask, and in the lives of characters who refuse to be forgotten.” BookTrib Review (Read full review here.)
"The resilience of the human spirit radiates through every carefully crafted word of this mesmerising book. Schrader casts a vivid light on the shadowy facets of a haunting reality, exposing the emotional scars left by conflict." — The Coffee Pot Book Club Review (Read full review here)
"A rich, detailed, character-driven novel transforming a pivotal period of Cold War history into an intimate exploration of loyalty, sacrifice and moral complexity. ...Cold Victory is a shining example of historical fiction done right... the world-building is impeccable.... [Schrader] gives voice to all sides, showing how victims can also be perpetrators, enemies can sometimes become allies, and that survival almost always requires moral compromises.... For fans of thoughtful historical fiction that values depth and insight over action-packed sensationalism, Helena P. Schrader's Cold Victory stands out as a poignant and satisfying conclusion to the Bridge to Tomorrow trilogy." — IndieReader (Read full review here)
"A tense and fast-paced look at the many stories behind the Berlin Airlift." — Kirkus Reviews (Read full review here)
"...a completely immersive read." — The Historical Fiction Company
"...a tribute to the unsung heroes of the Berlin Airlift and a powerful reminder of the values that define a free society." — Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite (Read full review here)
"In the shadows of political maneuvering and ideological battles, Schrader illuminates the essential, unheralded work of women rebuilding society amid the ruins of war." — K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite (Read full review here)
"Schrader excels in true character development, leaning into the personal impact of broader political issues..." — Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorites (Read full review here)
"Cold Victory is a fantastic character-driven story. It's an immersive and profoundly moving story of intense and harrowing interpersonal dramas, and of love and hope." — Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorites
(Read full review here)
"...the story takes on a vibrant and dynamic quality, keeping the reader captivated and eagerly turning the pages. Schrader's vivid portrayal of remarkably brave and resilient women adds an extraordinary depth to this book, making it a compelling addition to any bookshelf." — The Coffee Pot Book Club Review (Read full review here)
“A remarkable conclusion to the Bridge to Tomorrow series, Cold Victory will entrance devoted fans of the series as well as those discovering Schrader’s work for the first time.” — BlueInk Starred Review
“For readers who crave intelligence over sensationalism, heart over spectacle, and the kind of book that leaves a lasting impression, Cold Victory delivers — and some.” — BookTrib Review
"...the people within the pages will linger in the reader's memory for some time." — The Historical Fiction Company
“There are courtroom scenes that pulse with tension, not because they are sensationalized, but because the stakes are so heartbreakingly real.” — BookTrib Review
“This story, grounded in compassion and resilience, resonates with surprising timeliness, underscoring how the fight for justice is always ongoing, always unfinished.” — BookTrib Review
“You’re not just reading about history — you’re inside it.” — BookTrib Review