Tag: resiliance

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Blog Tour For The Paris Spy’s Girl: An utterly breathtaking and heartbreaking World War II novel, inspired by true events by Amanda Lees

ABOUT THE BOOK

Paris, 1943. I stare at Charlie across the crowded room. Working deep undercover, we’re surrounded by Nazi high command. Slowly, he smiles at me and my breath catches. I have to trust him, or we’re both dead…

As war rages across France, English exile Christine has become the most deadly asset the British Secret Service has in occupied Paris. But when Suzanne, her best friend and the sole agent who knows the details of the top-secret D-Day landings, is betrayed to the Nazis by someone at the heart of their spy network, she is devastated. Going undercover with Charlie – a handsome but elusive American spy with an agenda of his own – is her only chance to catch the traitor in their midst.

Pretending to be not only Nazi collaborators but lovers too, they must save Suzanne from almost certain death and prevent the D-Day landing plans from ending up in the wrong hands. But as Christine and Charlie’s pretend desire turns to true love, her past – and the real reason she had to leave England forever – puts their whole mission in terrible danger.

With the Nazis closing in and Suzanne’s life on the line, Christine is forced into one last, desperate act: heading back into deepest, darkest enemy territory, knowing her disguise could have been exposed. With even her trust in Charlie shaken, will Christine have to choose between her love for him, her best friend’s life, and freedom for France? And who will pay the ultimate sacrifice…?

MY THOUGHTS

I catch my breath every time I read a historical fiction book by Amanda Lees. I love the fact that they are based on actual events and characters. The intense research the author has done has me appreciating her time. I was truly lost in the story vividly imaging the goings on while reading.


Set in wartime Paris, Christine, working as an agent for the British Secret Service knows how to hide in plain sight. She also knows who to associate with and who to avoid. Filled with wartime tension, I always hold my breath reading these types of books because the spies no matter how good they are at times their senses fail them and they are double crossed thinking they can trust someone, and they are on the other side.

I think Christine is my favorite character, she uses her beauty to seduce men to give up their secrets as they are convinced, she is part of the Nazi collaborators. She is strong, brave and doing what she feels is her part by staying one step ahead of the Nazis.

I think I fell a little in love with Charlie, Christine’s love interest. She is not sure if he can be trusted at first, he is an American spy, she is with the British Secret Service they must lay aside doubts and form a trust as they become Nazi collaborators and eventually lovers.


This book is gripping and when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. Unputdownable, you’ll feel the tension rising off the pages. Don’t read this at bedtime if you want to get any sleep. This book brought me to tears more than once. Heartbreaking and realistic we see that light shining at the end of the tunnel.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

A totally compelling, page-turning historical novel of love, bravery and sacrifice in the darkest of times. Set in wartime Paris, this is an utterly gripping and tear-jerking read perfect for readers of Kate Quinn, Rhys Bowen and Mandy Robotham.

Buy link: https://geni.us/B0CLKV2LPVsocial

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda Lees is an author, broadcaster and an actress. She has written for, or contributed to, the Evening Standard, The Times, US Cosmopolitan and Company Magazine, as well as numerous online publications. Amanda appears regularly on BBC radio and LBC and was a contracted writer to the hit series Weekending on Radio 4.

As well as her new World War Two romantic thriller series, she has published two bestselling satirical fiction novels, a YA thriller trilogy and a number of non-fiction titles including The Dictionary of Crime.

Author social media:

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amandalees.com

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https://www.facebook.com/AmandaLeesAuthor

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This Is Where It Ends by Cindy K. Sproles, Award-Winning Author Pens a Unique Southern Tale

274 pages Publish date June 27, 2023 Revell publisher

About The Book

When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just 14 years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her was filled with gold. And when he died 50 years later, he made her promise to keep his secret. She is to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contains.

Now 94, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she’s kept that secret. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more of her story. His friend who joins him only wants to find the location of the gold. Neither of them knows quite who they’re up against when it comes to the old woman on the mountain.

As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. After all, how long is one bound by a promise? But the truth of what’s really buried in the box may be hidden even from her.

mountain wisteria vines

My Thoughts

This Is Where It Ends is an exceptionally amazing book. Told through the eyes of our main character Minerva Jane Jenkins at 94 years of age. Living in the hills of Appalachia Kentucky she married a man at 14 years old, he was only 17. Married for about fifty years as her husband lays dying, he makes her promise to keep his secret and also never share with anyone the contents of a box he carries around with him, she does. In my opinion Minverva doesn’t get a fair shake in life, high up on a hill she is lonely for friends and neighbors and her marriage isn’t how she would have planned it to be.
She lives a simple life living off the fruits of the land. She is a simple woman and knew this going in she just never expected her life to be quite like this.
So lonely after her husband dies. she manages with the occasional visit from a neighbor when they bring some type of food, she’s unable to grow.
There’s been a rumor that her husband years ago had gold hidden away on their homestead but looking at her little run down falling apart cabin it would make you wonder,
When a reporter gets word of this gold he goes to visit and she thinks he’s there because of the rumor of the gold. She’s hesitant to trust him, as most hill people are apt not to trust outsiders.
The more they talk and get to know each other the more she lets her guard down and begins to trust him. She’s been so lonely is this God’s way of bringing help and a friend into her life?
Days turn into weeks that turn into months as he stays and helps her with repairs that have needed done for years. It really warmed my heart to see such a bond forming between the two characters.
I really felt authenticity with the dialect, setting, foods and descriptions of the character’s actions.
I really felt as though I have gotten to know Minerva through this book. She was a unique and quite special person. This book is a real treasure. Get to know the elderly and form a bond with them.
This book will stay with me for quite some time!

Pub Date 27 Jun 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Grab A Copy Here

About the Author

Cindy K. Sproles is an author and speaker. Raised and living in the mountains of East Tennessee, she spins tales of life in the deep crevices of the Appalachian mountains. Cindy is proud of her mountain heritage and her desire is to see this culture live on in history. “Children aren’t taught in school about the innovation and determination of the mountain people or about the heritage that is richly embedded in them. These are the people who helped forge America and these are the people who have the brawn and guts to stand by their families, heritage, and beliefs.” Cindy’s desire is to continue to weave the stories, despite their hardships, that show the resilience of the Appalachian culture. Being raised in these mountains and having family who practiced the old ways, Cindy writes from a deep love and experience of the mountains of East Tennessee. Who better to pen the stories of the people, than someone who knows it first hand.?

Aside from her writing, Cindy co-founded ChristianDevotions.us and served as managing editor for SonRise Books and Straight Street Books, imprints of Iron Stream Media. She teaches at Christian Writers Conferences and ladies retreats and ladies conferences across the country. Her devotions are heartfelt and honest. Edgy and inviting. Cindy serves as the executive editor of ChristianDevotions.us, a writing mentor, and life coach. She shares mentoring with Lori Marett at Writing Right Author Mentoring Service. Author of four non-fiction books, Cindy’s fiction debut novel, Mercy’s Rain(Kregel Publishing), won book of the year and her second novel, Liar’s Winter has won numerous awards. Cindy’s 3rd Appalachian Novel, Revell Publishing, What Momma Left Behind, also received a gold medal in the national Illumination Awards and was named Christian Market Novel of the Year. She has contributed to CBN.com and InspireaFire.com and serves as the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Visit her at http://www.cindysproles.com or contact her at cindyksproles@gmail.com

Cindy is available for speaking events by contacting her at cindyksproles@gmail.com.

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