A novel in which a “blonde and blue-eyed Jewess” converts to Christianity after she falls in love with a Nazi officer in the Theresienstadt concentration camp has sparked outrage after it was shortlisted for two prestigious literary awards.

For Such a Time tells the story of an inmate called Hadassah who falls in love with SS officer Colonel Aric von Schmidt, who makes her his secretary.

Said to be based on the Book of Esther, Hadassah falls in love with the man who she knows to be her enemy, while trying to save the Jewish people.

She eventually finds peace by converting to Christianity.

The novel by Kate Breslin was released by a Christian publishing house last year – but garnered attention after it was nominated for two Romance Writers of America awards last month.

Nevertheless, fellow romance writer Sarah Wendell condemned the recognition.

Ms Wendell, who set up the romantic literature website Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, wrote: "Co-opting a genocide to further your specific religious perspective is unacceptable.

"I converted to Judaism, so I have both parts of education on the Christian side and the Jewish side. I can see how [the character]'s Jewishness and Jewish faith are slowly being erased and replaced by all these references to salvation, resurrection and religious forgiveness through sacrifice."

But Ms Breslin has maintained that the novel was "borne from a compassion for the Jewish people".

She said: "It was my intent to write a book that told a more modern-day story of a courageous Jewish woman," she wrote. "I am heartsick and so very sorry that my book has caused any offence to the Jewish people, for whom I have the greatest love and respect."

Ms Breslin’s novel did not win the awards at the ceremony in July.