Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: Zero Option by Peter Kirsanow

Book Description

November 1943. Stalin is pressing the Allies to open a second front in Europe in order to ease the pressure on the bloody grinding war in the East. Roosevelt and Churchill agree to meet the Soviet premier in Tehran. 

Wild Bill Donovan, the charismatic leader of the OSS, has intelligence that someone is planning to assassinate either or both of the Western leaders at the conference. He sends his best agent, Dick Canidy, to thwart the plan, but how can he do that when he doesn’t even know if the killer is a Nazi or an Ally?

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Elise’s Thoughts

W.E.B Griffin Zero Option by Peter Kirsnow bring to life the characters within an exciting thriller. This story has Major Dick Canidy of the US Army racing to stop an assassin from disrupting a vital conference that will shape the course of World War II.Stalin is pressing the Allies to open a second front in Europe to ease the pressure on the bloody grinding war in the East. Roosevelt and Churchill agree to meet the Soviet premier in Tehran. Wild Bill Donovan, the charismatic leader of the OSS, has intelligence that someone is planning to assassinate either or both of the Western leaders at the conference. He sends his best agent, Dick Canidy, to thwart the plan.  Unfortunately, there are others also trying to thwart the success of the conference.  There is also the danger that an important weapon is being developed and it must be kept out of both the German and Russian hands. Readers will not want to put the book down.

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Author Interview

Elise Cooper: Idea for the story?

Peter Kirsanow: I wrote two so far. The first one came out last year.  I always have been into WWII history.  I have read history books about the historical characters of this period.  The characters are larger than life with events the most cataclysmicin history. There is a lot of material. In writing about WWII there is an abundance of information even for fiction.

EC:  Were there any parameters you had to follow?

PK:  I was able to write my own stuff and not necessarily in the style of Griffin. But I had to have the characters consistent with the ones he created.  I tried to keep the personalities the way he had created, including speaking in the same manner.

EC: Was it true Russia tried to do an assassination hoax to kill the western leaders?

PK: Historically people think that might be true. If Stalin thought it could prompt the western powers to move up the day for D-DAY.  He needed a Western flank to open to relieve pressure on the Eastern front.

EC: How would you describe some of the antagonists?

PK: There are a couple of antagonists, all of whom I made formidable. Major Taras Gromev is one of them. He is a despicable character who can do just about anything. He is strong, determined, and guile. He is pure evil and ambitious. He had no second thoughts of killing friend or foe to achieve his objections.  The character I thought is the most fascinating is a historical one, Otto Skorzeny, a German commando.  He is like a James Bond on steroids. He was an Olympic athlete, James Bond. In fact, after the war he worked for Mossad.  He is hyper-smart, a roguish character. I even wrote in the book how he rescued Mussolini from a prison that was on top of a mountain, heavily guarded by allied troops. He is very efficient, resourceful, and disciplined.

EC:  The way Skorzeny rescued Mussolini reminded me of what Hamas did on October 7th?

PK:  Both are evil bad guys, the Germans and Hamas used gliders. I wrote this before October 7th

EC:  How would you describe the protagonists?

PK: They are talented, innovative, aggressive, diligent, daring, and resourceful. Major Richard Canidy and Lt. Eric Fulmer were quid essential Americans, all-Americans.  They were not evil or cunning.  They would win by being on the up and up.

EC:  What was the role of Dr. Sebastian Kapsky?

PK:  He was a carryover from the previous novel. In the first book, The Devil’s Weapons, Canidy and Fulmer rescued him.  He had encrypted the notebook so anyone who had it would need him to decipher it. I wanted the reader to think there was something in the notebook that could change the direction of the war and possibly giving the advantage to whoever possessed that information.

EC:  Next books?

PK:  It will not be a W.E.B. Griffin but one of my own, titled The Black Russian.  It is about a defector from Russia, Putin-like most reliable assassin. He comes to the US and offers his services to the CIA.  The President wants to use him but no one trusts him.  A former Navy SEAL is assigned to be his watchdog. The plot is based on if the protagonists do not prevail the world will come to an end. They are trying to prevent a nuclear Armageddon. The next Griffin book is a question mark if I will write it.

THANK YOU!!

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BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: Echoes of Us by Joy Jordan-Lake

Book Description

In the midst of World War II, a Tennessee farm boy, a Jewish Cambridge student, and a German POW forge a connection that endures—against all odds.

But now everything that Will Dobbins, Dov Silverberg, and Hans Hessler fought for is at risk as their descendants clash for control of the corporation they founded together. In an attempt to remake its tattered corporate image, the firm hires event planner Hadley Jacks and her sister Kitzie to organize a reunion for the families on St. Simons Island, Georgia, the place that changed all three men’s lives forever.

As Hadley and her sister delve into the friends’ past, they uncover the life of the courageous young woman who links them all together…and the old wounds that could tear everything apart.

Told in dual timelines spanning World War II and the present, Echoes of Us follows the ripple effects of war, the bonds that outlast it, and the hope that ultimately carries us forward.

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Elise’s Thoughts

Joannie’s disappearance and a mysterious older woman who lives on the Island during the present day makes the story suspenseful.

It seems there is an unlikely friendship between an English Jewish instructor, Dov, a Tennessee farm boy, Will, and a German submarine POW, Hans, who deserted.

In the present day, 80 years later, everything that Will Dobbins, Dov Silverberg, and Hans Hessler fought for is at risk as their descendants’ clash for control of the corporation they founded together. To remake its tattered corporate image, the firm hires event planner Hadley Jacks and her sister Kitzie to organize a reunion for the families on St. Simons Island, Georgia, the place that changed all three men’s lives forever. As Hadley and her sister delve into the friends’ past, they uncover the life of the courageous young woman, Joanie, who links them all together.

It is the story of love, courage, friendship, and resilience set on St. Simon’s Island within the backdrop of WWII. The mystery is center stage and very compelling. The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, leading to an ending that is as surprising as it is satisfying. 

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Author Interview

Elise Cooper: Idea for the setting?

Joy Jordan-Lake: My family has been connected to where the story takes place, St. Simon’s Island off the coast of Georgia, which was my dad’s favorite place in the world.  I knew a lot of the history of the Island, but nothing about the WWII history until after they built the Homefront WWII Museum. It is incredibly well researched and allows viewers to see what it was like to be on an aircraft carrier, working on the radar station, a fighter pilot, or someone at home. 

EC:  How did you realize that there were German submarines on America’s East Coast?

JJL: When I first walked into the museum, I saw the story of someone killed on the East Coast by a German submarine. In 1942 a German sub was lurking off the coast of St. Simon’s Island and ended up sinking a couple of ships and killing a bunch of people. This is where the novel starts. Some of the characters are based on actual people. All the fictional characters are based on actual people and actual events. 

EC: How would you describe Joanie?

JJL: Quick-witted, fiery, courageous, and has guilt at times. She became a WASP, Women Air Force Service Pilot. Joanie has the name of one of my cousins that grew up on the Island.

EC:  What did the WASPs do during the war?

JJL:  They flied planes for their country. Joanie is based on a compilation of the WASP women. They are brave women. They ferried planes here in the US. They flew every single type of plane used during WWII.  They had to fly with unbelievable conditions: very little rest, really hard conditions, and unable to cleanse themselves. It was anything but glamorous. In the early days they came from money and learned to fly, while others were taught by their father, or a brother. They had a love of flying. Some were fashion models, farm girls, schoolteachers, and so on.

EC:  How did Joanie’s relationship with her twin brother, Sam, affect her?

JJL: He is someone Joanie can connect with and share her feelings about the mental and emotional loss of her father just as my father who died of Alzheimer’s. 

EC:  How would you describe Dov?

JJL:  He is the Jewish character. He has integrity, regrets not being in combat, and is very tender.  He is a compilation of characters. He is partly based on a real person who taught at the radar training school on the Island. I interviewed someone who helps to run the museum.  She commented that there was an instructor at the radar training school who was upset that he was here teaching while those he taught would be under terrible dangers and stress.  They had to decide if the plane approaching was a friendly or enemy that needs to be shot down. In the actual person’s letters, he was contemplating going back into the fighting arena. Dov represents this ethical struggle.  The allies decided to have their very best pilots become instructors. He was made British because there was a Brit who was sent to the Island by the English to train Americans.

EC:  How would you describe the German POW, Hans?

JJL:  He was drafted into the Nazi Navy. He chose to desert. I wanted to show how Dov and Hans were suspicious of each other, wary of each other, and even had hatred. He is partly based on the Captain of a German U-Boat that was on the coast of the Island who did not desert. I did the research on what would happen if someone deserted from the German military.

EC:  How would you describe William, the Merchant Marine?

JJL: I grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee so I made him a Tennessee farm boy.  He quotes Shakespeare and has an artistic soul. He is brilliant.  He becomes a friend with Joanie and Dov.

EC: Next book?

JJL: It is set in the North of Italy.  It has some flashbacks to 1969 but is set mostly during present day. The plot has the Mafia involved in a theft.  The working title is Outrageous Fortune.

THANK YOU!!

***

BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Book Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: The Sicilian Secret by Angela Petch

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for THE SICILIAN SECRET by Angela Petch on this Bookouture Books-On-Tour book tour.

Below you will find a book description, my book review, and the author’s bio and social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Description

Italy, 1943. With war raging across the rugged cliffs and turquoise waters of his beloved Sicily, Savio’s pen scrawls desperately across the page. His letter must be sent in secret – or his life will be in terrible danger…

England, present day. Paige is devastated when her reclusive but beloved Aunt Florence dies – the only family she’s ever known. Inheriting her crumbling cottage, Paige finds an unfinished note. ‘I am sorry, Paige. It’s time to tell you everything. It all began in Sicily…’

Beside the note is a faded envelope – addressed to a woman called Joy – with an Italian postage stamp from 1943. The letter inside is made up of Roman numerals and snippets of sentences written in Italian. But who is Joy? Was someone sending a coded message? Paige is desperate to piece together the truth. But she soon discovers it will change everything she’s ever believed about her aunt, and her family history.

1943. Lady Joy Harrison may have grown up in a manor house, but she’s determined to fight for what’s right and use her fluent Italian to help the Allies. Breaking code on a long night shift, Joy reads a secret message that makes her whole body shake. A dark-eyed young man she once loved is in terrible danger on the shores of Sicily. Was the message sent by him? And will she ever see him again – or will the war tear them apart for good?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210235667-the-sicilian-secret?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=lPlvqI4CTC&rank=4

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

THE SICILIAN SECRET by Angela Petch is a captivating dual timeline historical fiction with protagonists in both the 1970’s and 1940’s that had me engrossed from beginning to end. This is a new-to-me author, and I will be checking out her back catalogue that I am surprised I have not read before.

In the 1940’s timeline, Lady Joy Harrison is determined to help in the war effort. When she trains for secret service, she meets an unlikely confidant. Savio is British born, but because of his Sicilian parents, they are gathered up and incarcerated. He is now training for service also. They fall in love but are separated without notice. Joy is sent to and works at Bletchley Park and Savio is sent to be a part of the invasion by the allies on Sicily.

 In the 1970’s timeline, Paige is devastated when her Aunt Flo, the person who raised her, is killed in a traffic accident. As she is cleaning her aunt’s room, she discovers a box left for her with a mysterious amulet and an unfinished note telling her she has a secret to tell her, but it is unfinished. There is also a cryptic message in some sort of code and post marked from Sicily. After being shocked by what she learns at home in England, she is off to Sicily to hopefully discover more.

I loved this story so much even when I was crying. This author was able to emotionally connect me with all the protagonists in each timeline. I also liked that the plot was written in a way that was not only believable but also plausible. The research is obvious and extensive, from the internment camps on the Isle of Mann to the allied campaign in Sicily. All the plotlines intertwine and seamlessly reveal the plot secrets and heartbreaks. This is a historical fiction story that has everything I enjoy reading in this genre of book and it is beautifully written.

I highly recommend this beautiful and emotional historical fiction story.

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Author Bio

Author bio:

I’m an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem.

Every summer I move to Tuscany for six months where my husband and I own a renovated watermill which we let out. When not exploring our unspoilt corner of the Apennines, I disappear to my writing desk at the top of our converted stable.

In my Italian handbag or hiking rucksack I always make sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas.

The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of our family live. When I’m not helping out with grandchildren, I catch up with writer friends.

Social Media Links

Website: https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com/?fbclid=IwAR3BvI72dioapF_Nf7Ad74ZhkTWvGBrqZcjq5NoGREVb24D7srv5ZmyDOcU

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Angela_Petch

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angela_maurice/

Newsletter: https://www.bookouture.com/angela-petch

Purchase Link

https://geni.us/B0CYQTW8KKsocial

Book Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Adiel and the Fuhrer by Elyse Hoffman

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for ADIEL AND THE FUHRER (Project 613 Series Book #4) by Elyse Hoffman on this Black Coffee Book Tour.

Below you will find a book summary, book review, an about the author section, and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Summary

Adiel Goldstein has a good life. Despite the anti-Semitism he faces as a German Jew, he has everything he wants. A dream job as an art professor, good friends, a loving father, and a precious nine-year-old daughter, Kaia. But his life is about to be upended. An old comrade from his time fighting in the Great War is gaining power: a man named Hitler. Adiel’s father insists that they need to leave the country before Hitler becomes the leader of Germany.

Adiel and his family plan to move to America, but before they can even pack their bags, he and Kaia make a shocking discovery. Adiel’s father, Natan Goldstein, is from the future. A Holocaust survivor who lost his family to unspeakable tragedy, Natan was given the chance to go back in time and take the life of Adolf Hitler. But when he failed to kill the future Führer, he devoted himself to his new family and awaited the inevitable.

Natan can’t face the Holocaust again, but Adiel’s unique connection to Hitler means he might be able to succeed where his father failed. Adiel now has a choice: escape as planned and let history repeat itself, or sacrifice everything to stop the Holocaust before it can begin.

Award winning author Elyse Hoffman has crafted a thought-provoking and daring work of historical fiction which will tug at your heartstrings.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195794644-adiel-and-the-f-hrer?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=vAHG18yrBj&rank=1

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Check the book on Amazon here.

My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

ADIEL AND THE FUHRER (Project 613 Book #4) by Elyse Hoffman is another fascinating addition to the Project 613 series of historical fiction books set during WWII. They are not only historical fiction though, because they also contain folklore, spiritualism, time travel, alternate history and a cast of memorable characters either caught up in the horrors of the war or seeking redemption for their part in it. While you do not need to read all the previous books, some characters are carried over from the third book in the series, The Black Fox.

Adiel Goldstein has been raised in a loving Jewish home in Germany, but with the rise of the Nazi Party, his father has been helping friends and family to immigrate to the United States. When Adiel’s daughter, Kaia stumbles across an old chest, he learns his father and mother are from the future and they have been keeping a secret that could change the course of the Holocaust.

This alternate history story has so many twists and turns in an intricate plot of “what if”. It begins with the main characters planning their immigration from Germany as the Nazis make life unbearable for its Jewish citizens. Then the story takes a huge turn when the chest is discovered with things from the future, but it is not a surprise to Natan, Adiel’s father. This is when every decision from this point on is calculated to change the future that Natan and his wife came back to the past to change; to kill Hitler.

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. The life changing choices that are made in all the main characters lives and the death of a character I came to love had me pulling out the tissues. I was very impressed with how Ms. Hoffman was able to intertwine real historical facts with the alternative history and make it all appear seamless. This story had me captivated from beginning to end, but I also cannot share too much without giving spoilers, which I will not do.

I highly recommend this thought-provoking alternate history/historical fiction addition to the Project 613 series. The entire series is at times hard to read but also fascinating in its worldbuilding!

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About the Author

Elyse Hoffman is an award-winning author who strives to tell historical tales with new twists. She loves to meld WWII and Jewish history with fantasy, folklore, and the paranormal. She has written six works of Holocaust historical fiction: the five books of The Barracks of the Holocaust and The Book of Uriel.

Social Media Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20851312.Elyse_Hoffman

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elyse-hoffman

Book Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: The Wartime Vet by Ellie Curzon

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for THE WARTIME VET (A Village at War Book #3) by Ellie Curzon on this Bookouture Books-on-Tour book tour.

Below you will find a book synopsis, my book review, an about the author section and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Synopsis

England, 1941. Dedicated local vet Laura cares for the farm animals of the little village of Bramble Heath. But falling bombs aren’t the only danger as the war hits close to home…

Despite everyone telling her it’s not a suitable career for a woman, Laura has worked hard to become a successful livestock vet. And she’s not afraid to serve her country in the village of Bramble Heath, where she and the land girls care for animals and protect the crops everyone relies on during the darkest days of the war. But, just when the country is most in need of food, the farms of the village come under attack…

Desperate to figure out who among the villagers could be doing such terrible things even while German bombs rain down, Laura is relieved when the Ministry respond to her requests for help. But the man they send isn’t what she expects. Commander Alastair Seaton is quiet, with a soft, kind smile. And she can’t help but be drawn to his shining brown eyes.

But as they start to open up to each other about past heartbreak, disaster strikes. A farm has been set alight. While Laura hurriedly gathers water to fight the flames, Alistair rushes into the burning barn to make sure no one is trapped inside. Will Alistair make it out alive? And can Laura figure out who is behind these attacks before they threaten the outcome of the war?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200823577-the-wartime-vet?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=GhPDoRcriQ&rank=1

Purchase Link: https://geni.us/B0CLYN5DQXsocial

A VILLAGE AT WAR

The Ration Book Baby

The Spitfire Girl

The Wartime Vet

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

THE WARTIME VET (A Village at War Book #3) by Ellie Curzon is a captivating mash-up of a historical fiction book which includes a cozy mystery and sweet romance all intertwined. This book features a female vet during WWII who moves from Coventry to use her training to help with farm animals in the countryside as service to her country. This is the third book in this series, but it is easily read as a standalone story.

Veterinarian Laura Fellgate survived the devastating German blitz on Coventry and decides to work as a vet for farm animals in the countryside as service to her country. She ends up in the small town of Bramble Heath working with the local vet. Besides assisting with the farm animals, Laura trains the Land Girls on how to take care of their animal charges. It is the Land Girls who call Laura out several times when animals on several farms appear to be poisoned. When the vet she works for dismisses her fears, she goes over his head and writes to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Commander Alastair Seaton appears in Bramble Heath and lets Laura know he believes in her suspicions and the two begin to investigate not only the poisonings, but a fire set on one of the farms. As the saboteur escalates, so does the danger which brings Laura and Alastair personally closer too. Will they discover who is endangering the farms of Bramble Heath?

I really enjoyed this story. It is easy to read, has many interesting historical facts, an intriguing cozy mystery, and a touch of sweet romance. Though it does not shy away from dangers of the period with the descriptions of the Blitz, sabotage on the home front, and the “cracked nerves” (PTSD) suffered by soldiers. Both Laura and Alastair are survivors of tragedies and still healing but are also strong in the way they move forward by sharing and believing in each other even when they do not believe in themselves. All the main characters are fully developed and endearing, especially the young evacuee, Sarah. I am looking forward to going back and checking out the previous books in this series since I enjoyed this one so much.

I recommend this engaging historical fiction that is so much more and look forward to more books in this series.

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About the Authors

Ellie Curzon is the pen name of Catherine Curzon and Helen Barrell. Catherine and Helen began writing together in the spring of 2017 and swiftly discovered a shared love of the past and a uniquely British sort of story. They drink gallons of tea, spend hours discussing the importance of good tailoring and are never at a loss for a bit of derring-do.

Social Media Links

Website: https://elliecurzon.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadameGilflurt

Newsletter: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/ellie-curzon

Book Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: The Girl with the Red Hair by Imogen Matthews

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for THE GIRL WITH THE RED HAIR (The Dutch Girls Book #2) by Imogen Matthews on this Bookouture Book Tour.

Below you will find a book description, my book review, an about the author section and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Description

1942, Amsterdam. The Nazi occupation has shattered the lives of inseparable best friends Hannie and Sonja. The canals and rainy cobbled streets they once strolled down are now patrolled by soldiers day and night, who arrest people at will and beat those who resist.

Hannie can’t stand by and watch the lives of the innocent be destroyed by the evil occupiers. At great danger to herself, she joins the underground resistance, where she meets the charming and mysterious Jan. She covers her bright red hair to avoid detection by the Nazis while distributing fake IDs. And she makes a promise to Sonja and her little sister Maya, who are Jewish – she will hide them and keep them safe, no matter the cost.

But as the German grip on the country tightens with each passing day, Sonja’s worst fears come true when members of her family are taken prisoner. With Jan by her side, Hannie goes undercover as a nurse to try to free them. But she’s devastated when she discovers they’ve been taken to a concentration camp in the isolated far east of the country. Is she too late to save them?

And when Sonja goes missing, Hannie is terrified the worst has happened – has someone betrayed her best friend? Hannie knows her most dangerous task is now ahead of her. Can Hannie save Sonja, and will she have to make the biggest sacrifice of all to bring her home?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203483078-the-girl-with-the-red-hair?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=XhizhKFUBu&rank=2

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

THE GIRL WITH THE RED HAIR (The Dutch Girls Book #2) by Imogen Matthews is a heart-wrenching historical fiction novel set in Nazi occupied Amsterdam in 1942 featuring two best friends, one a law student who joins the Dutch resistance and the other a Dutch Jew. Even though this is the second book in the Dutch Girl series, it is easy to read as a standalone.

Hanni and Sonja are inseparable best friends who find their lives slowly changed as the Germans invade and begin to impose their laws against the Jews as they did in Germany. Hanni witnesses many injustices imposed on Sonja for being a Jew and refuses to just stand by. She joins the Dutch resistance and vows to help her friend. When Sonja goes missing, Hanni is willing to sacrifice anything to bring her home.

This story is well written and researched with interesting information about the counterfeiting of documents and the sacrifices made by Dutch resistance fighters. The story demonstrates the heroism and selflessness of people during the worst of times vs. the depravity and cruelty of others. This is an emotional story, and while I enjoyed it, it did not have for me the depth of fear, believable emotional reactions, or pull me in as other historical fiction books I have read. I do believe this would be an excellent story for YA readers of this genre though.

Overall, an intriguing historical fiction story.

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About the Author

Imogen Matthews writes novels based on true stories about the Netherlands during the German occupation in World War 2. Some stories she discovered by chance, others are based on her Dutch mother’s own experiences of hardship and survival during the Hunger Winter of 1944-45.

Her first novel, The Hidden Village, is set in the Veluwe woods, a beautiful part of Holland that Imogen has visited frequently over the past 30 years. It was in these woods that she discovered the story of the real hidden village which provided shelter in underground huts for Jews during WW2. Imogen retells the story of the hidden village with characters drawn from real life and from her imagination.

Within weeks of publication in 2017, The Hidden Village became an international bestseller, ranking at the top of a number Amazon’s most-read book lists.

Following on from The Hidden Village comes Hidden in the Shadows, which has the pace of a thriller yet is also a love story. It tells the story about two young people who are brutally torn apart and must find a way to be together against all odds.

The Girl Across the Wire Fence, is set in Amersfoort, Netherlands, and is based on the unforgettable tale of two young lovers who risked everything to keep hope alive in the very depths of hell – the little known Dutch concentration camp called Kamp Amersfoort.

The Boy in the Attic is a dual timeline novel in which Anna discovers a bent sixpenny coin on a silver chain amongst her father’s possessions that leads her on a journey to discover the grandmother and grandfather she didn’t know she had in wartime Holland.

The Dutch Girls is a new series based on the true story of three female activists who worked in the Dutch resistance. The Girl from the Resistance is the first to be published in October 2023.

Imogen’s WW2 novels are published by Bookouture, a digital imprint of Hachette.

Social Media Links

Website: www.imogenmatthewsbooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImogenMatthewsBooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ImogenMatthews3

Author email sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/imogen-matthews

Learn more about Imogen’s story in this video: https://youtu.be/2YO0IWJSjj0