"The Hidden Palace," by Dinah Jefferies

 "The Hidden Palace," by Dinah Jefferies

1925. Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of the tiny island of Malta, strangers slip into the shadows and anyone can buy a new name. Rosalie Delacroix flees Paris for a dancer’s job in the bohemian clubs deep in its winding streets.

A sister with a secret
1944. Running from the brutality of war in France, Florence Baudin faces a new life. But her estranged mother makes a desperate request: to find her vanished sister, who went missing years before.

A rift over generations
Betrayals and secrets, lies and silence hang between the sisters. A faded last letter from Rosalie is Florence’s only clue, the war an immovable barrier – and time is running out…

This is the second book in The Daughters of War series. This book is as fast paced as the first one.  Florence is the star of this book and you can't help but fall in love with her.  You are rooting for her to find her aunt Rosalie in Malta.  However, Rosalie's story is equally as interesting.

The book goes back and forward between Florence and Rosalie's stories and the description's with both are equally as interesting.  I love how the author describes each place the characters with such detail, you can more or less smell the flowers.

I will say I would love to visit Malta after reading this book.  Without giving away the story, this story shows how love can divide a family.

Stars out of 5 : 5 As good as the first book in the series.  I have the third book on order from the library.  These books should be read in order of publication for them to make sense, as one story sort of follows on from the other.

I borrowed this book from the library.  All the words are my own in this book review.

"Daughter's of War," by Dinah Jefferies

 "Daughter's of War," by Dinah Jefferies

Deep in the river valley of the Dordogne, in an old stone cottage on the edge of a beautiful village, three sisters long for the end of the war.
 
Hélène, the eldest, is trying her hardest to steer her family to safety, even as the Nazi occupation becomes more threatening.

Elise, the rebel, is determined to help the Resistance, whatever the cost.

And Florence, the dreamer, just yearns for a world where France is free.

Then, one dark night, the Allies come knocking for help. And Hélène knows that she cannot sit on the sidelines any longer. But secrets from their own mysterious past threaten to unravel everything they hold most dear… 

This book is set in rural France, during the Spring and Summer of 1944.  The Nazi occupation is coming to an end and the three sisters are being drawn into the war, whether they like it or not.

The detail in this book is so very interesting, the things they cooked, the way they adapted to shortages etc.  It also highlights the cruelties that the Nazi's were famous for.  However, it also highlights the strengths, the bravery and the sacrifices the civilians of France went through during this time.

I was hooked on this book from the get go and I just wanted to keep on reading.  I am a fast reader and it took me just over two days to read this book as there is over 500 pages in it.  Yes, I got very little else done while reading this!!

I didn't realize this was the first book in a series of three from this author.  The book was that good, I immediately ordered the next two books from the library.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Each sister was as interesting as the other was.  The way the author wound their stories and lives together but still making each sister's character as important as the other, made reading this book very enjoyable.  I can't wait to start the next book in the series.  Really, really good book and well worth reading.

I bought this book for my own enjoyment and these words are my own.

"The Last Time I Saw Paris," by Lynn Sheene

 "The Last Time I Saw Paris," by Lynn Sheene

May 1940: Fleeing a glamorous Manhattan life built on lies, Claire Harris arrives in Paris with a romantic vision of starting anew. But she didn't anticipate the sight of Nazi soldiers marching under the Arc de Triomphe. Her plans smashed by the German occupation, the once-privileged socialite's only option is to take a job in a flower shop under the tutelage of a sophisticated Parisian florist. 

In exchange for false identity papers, Claire agrees to aid the French Resistance. Despite the ever-present danger, she comes to love the enduring beauty of the City of Light, exploring it in the company of Thomas Grey, a mysterious Englishman working with the Resistance. Claire's bravery and intelligence make her a talented operative, and slowly her values shift as she witnesses the courageous spirit of the Parisians. 

But deception and betrayal force her to flee once more--this time to fight for the man she loves and what she knows is right. Claire just prays she has the heart and determination to survive long enough to one day see Paris again...

If you enjoy books from World War II, set in France involving the French Resistance this book is for you.  Add in fast paced action, a lead character who you instantly fall in love with because you know she goes above and beyond what's needed.  Sprinkle in a romance and bravery and you have the perfect book.

This book is a page turner, as it goes from one dramatic plan to another.  You are sat on the edge of your seat at times as you just don't know if Claire is going to be found out.  And despite living a more glamourous lifestyle, she never forgets her roots and how she grew up in a poverty stricken house.  

One good thing about this book, is that you got right to the nitty gritty of the book after only a couple of chapters.  Some books take forever with the background before you get to the actual story.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Loved the book.  The only thing I would change/add was an epilogue as I would have loved to know what happened to some of the characters in the book after the war.  Overall a book well worth reading.

I purchased this book for my own reading, and the book review are my own words.