Book Review with Featured Author: The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan

The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan

 

 

Publisher & Release: Thomas Nelson, March 15, 2022

Setting:  1946-1947, Vienna, Austria

Genre: Historical Fiction

Length: 367 Pages

Rating: 3.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

No matter how you might try to hide in a war to escape your past, it is always close at hand.

Lady Sophia Huntington Villiers is no stranger to intrigue, as her work with Alan Turing’s Bombe Machines at Bletchley Park during the war attests. Now, as part of Simon Barre’s covert team in post-war Vienna, she uses her inimitable charm and code name Starling to infiltrate the world of relics: uncovering vital information that could tilt the stakes of the mounting Cold War. When several influential men charge her with finding the death mask of Mozart, Sophie wonders if there is more than the composer’s legacy at stake and finds herself drawn to potential answers in Prague.

Simon Barrington, the illegitimate heir of one of Sussex’s oldest estates, used the previous war to hide his insecurities about his past. Now, he uses his high breeding to gain access to all four allied quarters of the ruined city in an attempt to slow the fall of the Iron Curtain. He has been in love with Sophie Villiers since the moment he met her, and a marriage of convenience to save Simon’s estate has always kept her close. Until now, when Sophie’s mysterious client in Prague forces him to wonder if her allegiance to him—and their cause—is in question. Torn between his loyalty to his cause and his heart, Simon seeks answers about Sophie only to learn that everything he thought he knew about his involvement in both wars is based on a lie.

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Mozart-Code-Rachel-McMillan-ebook/dp/B08BYZ8VNJ

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mozart-code-rachel-mcmillan/1137257379

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-mozart-code-1

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rachel_McMillan_The_Mozart_Code?id=tdTtDwAAQBAJ

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Mozart-Code-Audiobook/0785253416?qid=1647308391&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=E2FQTATM34FY6M4VFK8R

 

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54350812-the-mozart-code

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-mozart-code-by-rachel-mcmillan

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book by publication. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.

 

The Mozart Code is a well-researched novel set in the aftermath of WWII. As the British and American fight Russia’s determination to spread communism across eastern Europe. Austria is teetering on the edge and must be saved. The characters are intriguing, and the plot is complicated. 

 

Unfortunately, the tale is so enmeshed in historical details in the first half of the book and told without enough emotion, I almost gave up on it. I’m glad I continued reading. The second half of the book is much better. The pacing picked up and drew me into the story, and I became vested in the characters.

 

Sophie Huntington Villiers is a complex character. Her parents only see her as a pawn in their game, wanting her to marry someone who would raise their social standing. Her grandmother made her vow to never give her heart. That caused her to deny her love for Simon.

 

Simon Barrington is our hero and spymaster of this tale. He’s loved Sophie for years and when they marry, he means every word he pledges, but he realizes he must not let Sophie know. I enjoyed his emotional struggle.

 

The romance between Sophie and Simon is strong, and I wanted them to find their happy ending. However, this novel is not supposed to be a romance, but historical fiction with plenty of espionage and suspense. For me that fell short until the last quarter of the book. I’m a true lover of history and have become entranced with WWII novels, so I’m surprised I didn’t become drawn into that aspect of the book. 

 

If you enjoy well-researched historical fiction set in the aftermath of WWII as the allies race to stop Russia from increasing their stranglehold on Europe, then The Mozart Code may be the book for you. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

Rachel McMillan is the author of The Herringford and Watts mysteries, The Van Buren and DeLuca mysteries, The Three Quarter Time series, The London Restoration and The Mozart Code. Her non-fiction works including Dream Plan Go: A Travel Guide for Independent Adventure and A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide. Rachel lives in Toronto, Canada and is always reading.

 

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachkmc1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachkmc

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rachel-mcmillan

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14165949.Rachel_McMillan

 

Book Review with Featured Author: The Secrets of Latimer House by Jules Wake

The Secrets of Latimer House 

by Jules Wake

 

Publisher & Release: One More Chapter, Harper Collins, August 30, 2021

Setting:  WWII 1943, England

Genre: Historical Fiction

Length:  Full Length

Rating: 3.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

In the war against Hitler every secret counts…

 

Society heiress Evelyn Brooke-Edwards is a skilled interrogator – her beauty making her a non-threat in the eyes of the prisoners.

Farm girl Betty Connors may not be able to type as she claimed, but her crack analytical skills soon find her unearthing covert connections.

German ex-pat Judith Stern never expected to find herself listening in to German POW’s whispered conversations, but the Nazis took her father from her so she will do whatever it takes to help the Allies end this war.

Billeted together in the attic of Latimer House – a place where secrets abound – Evelyn, Betty and Judith soon form a bond of friendship that carries them through the war. Because nothing is stronger than women united.

Tucked away in the Buckinghamshire countryside, Latimer House, a grand country estate, stands proudly – a witness to some of greatest secrets of WW2.

Used by the SOE to hold Nazi prisoners of war, this stunning historical novel is inspired by the untold story of the secret listeners of ‘M Room’ who worked day and night to help the Allies win the war. A must-read for fans of Dinah Jefferies, Fiona Valpy, Elaine Everest, Jean Fullerton and Deborah Burrowes.

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Secrets-Latimer-House-gripping-historical-ebook/dp/B093D2DCJ7

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secrets-of-latimer-house-jules-wake/1139348297

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-secrets-of-latimer-house

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jules_Wake_The_Secrets_of_Latimer_House?id=qAkrEAAAQBAJ

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Secrets-of-Latimer-House-Audiobook/B09DGNX2PW?qid=1630325006&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=GV9V35GFCMG55SX1864Y

 

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58181149-the-secrets-of-latimer-house

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-secrets-of-latimer-house-by-jules-wake

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of The Secrets of Latimer House by Jules Wake. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this novel prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.

 

The Secrets of Latimer House is a well written novel, and the central theme is based in part on a true historical fact regarding the “M Room”, and I enjoyed that. However, the execution of this was a bit superficial. The basis of the story is the friendship between three young women and how the war affected them with a great deal of emphasis on their love life.

 

Whenever multiple characters are primary, the depth of them is less than what is found in most novels, whether they are historical fiction or romance. It becomes a bit convoluted to follow multiple characters. It helped that the three women come from vastly different backgrounds.

 

While I enjoyed the romantic elements involving the three women, there wasn’t as much heart pounding action I’ve come to expect in most of the WWII novels I read, and I’ve read quite a few of them this year.

 

If you enjoy historical fiction set during WWII with engaging characters and an interesting plot, then you will like The Secrets of Latimer House. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Wake, and from what I can tell, her other works are romances, which explains why this novel leans heavily on that aspect of the story. I love romance, but the book description is a bit misleading since it focuses on the women and their work at Latimer House. Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable read, and I will check out the author’s other books. Several of the book descriptions sound delightful. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 

Jules Wake's earliest known declaration that she planned to be a writer came at the age of ten. Along the way she was diverted by the glamorous world of PR and worked on many luxury brands, taking journalists on press trips to awful places like Turin, Milan, Geneva, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam and occasionally losing the odd member of the press in an airport. It gave her the opportunity to eat amazing food, drink free alcohol as well as providing opportunities to hone her writing skills on press releases and to research European cities for her books.

Eventually the voices in her head persuaded her it was time to sit down and write the novel she'd always talked about. Her debut novel in 2014, was quickly followed by the bestselling From Italy With Love, published by One More Chapter, HarperCollins, which reached number 1 in the Amazon Kindle charts. 

 

Social Media:

Website: http://juleswake.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jules.wake

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Juleswake

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/juleswake/_saved/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jules-wake

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7289627.Jules_Wake

 

Book Review with Featured Author: The Mothers of Victory Street by Pam Howes

The Mothers of Victory Street 

by Pam Howes

 

Publisher & Release: Bookouture, July 23, 2021

Setting:  Aftermath of WWII, England

Genre: Historical Fiction

Length: 203 Pages

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

1946, Liverpool. Bella Harrison cannot believe the devastating war that stole the lives of her father and sister is truly over at last. She wonders how they will ever rebuild Victory Street with the city in ruins, and half their neighbours gone. But for now, she and her childhood sweetheart Bobby are happy newlyweds, doting on Bella’s little son, her child with black American pilot, Earl Franklin Junior.

With the other members of Bella’s wartime singing trio, The Bryant Sisters, busy starting families of their own, Bella focuses on recording and writing songs with her husband. Everything seems to be falling into place until they get a surprising letter: Earl is moving to England and wants to see them.

Earl arrives and is delighted to see that his son is well and happy. He joins them as a singer and together, they start recording songs. But one night as Earl leaves the recording studio, a racist gang brutally attacks him and sets the place alight, leaving Bobby trapped inside. Meanwhile, Bella is at home, waiting to tell Bobby a devastating secret…

With peace in Liverpool at last, Bella had hoped for a brighter future. But as she faces her life being ripped apart once again, can she rediscover the strength that carried her through the war?

A totally unputdownable, heart-wrenching historical novel, packed with family secrets, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Diney Costeloe and Nancy Revell.

 

 

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Mothers-Victory-Street-absolutely-heartbreaking-ebook/dp/B093HJ9J95

 

FREE on Kindle Unlimited

 

Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57975845-the-mothers-of-victory-street?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=6DBRIihvi1&rank=1

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-mothers-of-victory-street-an-absolutely-heartbreaking-historical-family-saga-the-bryant-sisters-book-3-by-pam-howes

 

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thank go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of The Mothers of Victory Street by Pam Howes. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.

 

The Mothers of Victory Street is a well written novel with amazing characters and an emotionally charged plot. The pacing pulled me in from the beginning and kept me riveted until the end. Ms. Howes kept me on the edge of my seat worried about what might happen next.

 

Bella Harrison has married her childhood sweetheart, Bobby, and together, they’re raising her little son, Levi. She is still close to Fran and Edie as the Bryant Sisters move beyond the war now that it’s ended. Fran’s dreams of a happy life with Frankie had not gone as she expected, and she leaves him and files for divorce. Edie and Stevie are happy awaiting the birth of their first child.

 

Bobby’s mum even finds love with Basil. Then divorced Earl Franklin Jr., his daughter and his sister Ruby move to England. This created anxiety for Bella and Bobby, but it goes much better than they had feared, and Earl joins them in their musical endeavors.

 

Just when they believe life is going well, things take a terrible turn. There is such a foreshadowing of what might happen, I held my breath, praying everyone would survive. It takes great talent for an author to keep the tension going without it becoming frustrating!

 

If you enjoy historical fiction with wonderful characters, and a plot that will pull at your heartstrings, then you will love The Mothers of the Victory Street as much as I did. Ms. Howes is fast becoming an auto-buy author for me. Happy reading!

 

 

Author Bio:

 

Pam Howes was born in Cheshire. She is an ex-Interior Designer who began writing seriously in the mid-nineties. The idea for her first novel, set in the sixties, was inspired by her time as a teenager, working in a local record store and hanging around with musicians who frequented the business. 

 

That first novel evolved into a series set in the fictional town of Pickford, based on her hometown of Stockport. Three Steps to Heaven; 'Til I Kissed You; Always On My Mind; Not Fade Away, and That'll Be The Day, follow the lives and loves through the decades of fictional Rock'n'Roll band The Raiders. Pam is a big fan of sixties music and it's this love that compelled her to write the series. 

 

A stand-alone true-life romance, Fast Movin' Train, set in the nineties, was published in early 2012. Pam is mum to three adult daughters, grandma to seven assorted grandchildren, and roadie to one musician partner.

 

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pam.howes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PamHowes1

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pam-howes

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4097443.Pam_Howes

 

 

Book Review with Featured Author: The Truth of the Matter by Leigh Fleming

The Truth of the Matter by Leigh Fleming

 

 

Publisher & Release: Envisage Press, LLC, June 5, 2021

Setting:  1877, Philadelphia

Genre: Historical Women’s Fiction

Length: 372 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

On a cold night in 1877, Laurel Whitman’s father flies into a rage and throws her into the street. His behavior isn’t unusual; he has ridiculed her for years, and Laurel doesn’t understand why. All she knows is that his vitriol has something to do with her grandmother, a woman shrouded in mystery. 

 

Laurel goes on a harrowing journey from her home in Philadelphia to Maryland only to discover that her grandmother is on death’s door. She is welcomed with open arms by her extended family but receives a chilly reception from her grandmother who seems suspicious of Laurel’s arrival.

 

Over the next few weeks, her grandmother recovers and her distrust begins to thaw as she tells Laurel stories of her abusive first husband, the young immigrant whom she came to love, and the birth of her two illegitimate children. Laurel learns the secrets of her family’s fractured past, a story of resilience, deception, and forbidden passion that forces Laurel to confront the truths in her own heart. But will unearthing long-buried secrets heal the rift between Laurel and her father, or will the past haunt the present and the future forever?

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Truth-Matter-Leigh-Fleming-ebook/dp/B08YRYFHRP

 

FREE on Kindle Unlimited

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57434188-the-truth-of-the-matter

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-truth-of-the-matter-by-leigh-fleming

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks goes to Leigh Fleming for bringing her book, The Truth of the Matter, to my attention. I borrowed it through the Kindle Unlimited program. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.

 

The Truth of the Matter is a well written novel with engaging characters and an intriguing plot. There are several suspenseful scenes that had me flipping the pages on my Kindle as quickly as possible, breathlessly wanting to know what would happen next. It’s clear Ms. Fleming did a lot of research on this period of the world, which added greatly to my enjoyment. 

 

Laurel Whitman is the heroine, and she’s a strong independent woman who hasn’t let her abusive father break her spirit. I quickly became vested in her character, and I admired the steel in her backbone. Now her stubborn side leads her into a horrifying situation that could have left her a broken woman, but fortunately, she manages to escape with the help of her friend.

 

Cillian O’Brien is the hero, and I loved his character, He refuses to give up on Laurel, even though she is so determined to find her grandmother on her own and thank goodness he does, or Laurel would have been hurt badly. I admired his steadfastness and devotion to her.

 

This is a family saga with complex relationships and some of them caused a great deal of pain. The grandmother’s choices had a huge impact on her son, Laurel’s father, which explains why he was so hard on Laurel. 

 

I was glad Laurel learned her grandmother’s secret because she would have always been baffled by her father. This book shows that there are always two sides to every story, and that’s it’s important to dig beneath the surface.

 

While there is a love story, it isn’t the central theme of the plot, but I did want to see Cillian get the girl. I loved his style and loyalty to Laurel, and even though, her father is terrifying, he did not back down. That earned him a special place in my heart.

 

If you enjoy historical fiction with a strong female protagonist and compelling secondary characters, then you will love The Truth of the Matter as much as I did. While this is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Fleming, it will not be the last. Happy reading!

 

 

Author Bio:

 

Leigh Fleming is an award-winning author of romantic suspense and has published contemporary romance. The Truth of the Matter is her first work of historical women's fiction. 

Leigh lives in West Virginia with her husband and her deaf French bulldog. When not writing, she enjoys reading, travelling, scrapbooking, and spending time with friends.

 

Social Media:

Website: https://leighfleming.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leighhfleming1

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cottagelady/_saved/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/leigh-fleming

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7696506.Leigh_Fleming

 

Book Review with Featured Author: The Girls from the Beach by Andie Newton

The Girls from the Beach by Andie Newton

 

 

Publisher & Release: Aria, July 8, 2021

Setting:  WWII, Germany & France

Genre: Historical Fiction

Length: 261 Pages

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

In 1944, four American nurses disappeared for five days. No one knew what happened to them. Until now. 

 

When Kit and Red set foot on French soil during the Normandy landings, they know they have to rely on each other. As they head for the battlefield, their aim is simple: save lives. But when they're called away on a top-secret mission to patch up a few men behind enemy lines, everything changes.

Alongside fellow nurses, Roxy, and Gail, they're told to prepare for the worst, trading in their nurses' fatigues for civilian clothes and hiding medical supplies under their skirts. But it's a lie. Their real mission tasks them with the impossible – to infiltrate the Reich and steal something the Nazis desperately need to win their losing war.

In an ultimate test of courage and comradeship, each woman must decide what she is prepared to risk and what she has to live for.

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Girls-Beach-emotional-historical-bestselling-ebook/dp/B08QBYD575

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-girls-from-the-beach-andie-newton/1139345967

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-girls-from-the-beach

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Andie_Newton_The_Girls_from_the_Beach?id=oTAOEAAAQBAJ

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56797882-the-girls-from-the-beach

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-girls-from-the-beach-by-andie-newton

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of The Girls from the Beach by Andie Newton. I voluntarily agreed to read and review by release day. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.

 

The Girls from the Beach is a riveting historical fiction novel set during WWII and follows four American nurses who are given a top-secret mission. Ms. Newton’s vivid descriptive writing had me glued to my Kindle, breathlessly waiting to see if they would survive. There’s no doubt that Ms. Newton is a true historian because she manages to make the history in this novel exciting!

 

Kit and Red are a team, and both show immense courage and determination. They literally put their lives on the line on numerous occasions as they make their way into enemy territory. It’s easy to understand the close bound they share.

 

Roxie and Gail are the other duo, and they too show amazing courage and will do what they must to not only survive but complete their mission. I thoroughly enjoyed the friendship that develops between them. What a horrifying ordeal they go through! I adored the amazing ending.

 

If you enjoy tale with strong female protagonist and a nail-biting plot, then you will love The Girls from the Beach as much as I did. While this is the first book, I’ve read by Ms. Newton, it will not be the last. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 

Andie Newton is the USA Today bestselling author of The Girl from Vichy.

All her books are fast-paced female-driven spy stories set in WWII. The Girl I Left Behind was her debut, and her forthcoming release, The Girls from the Beach, will be released in July 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History and a master’s in teaching. Andie lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, her two boys, and one very lazy cat.

 

Social Media:

Website: https://andienewton.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndieNewton

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/andie-newton

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19387576.Andie_Newton

 

Book Review with Featured Author: The Girl from Venice by Siobhan Daiko

The Girl from Venice by Siobhan Daiko

 

Publisher & Release: BooksGoSocial, June 29, 2021

Setting:  WWII, Italy

Genre: Historical Fiction

Length: 223 Pages

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

From Siobhan Daiko, international bestselling author of The Orchid Tree, comes an epic new novel of love, betrayal, and finding where you truly belong. Set in Italy during World War II and the present day.

Perfect for readers of Dinah Jefferies, Kate Furnivall and Rhys Bowen.

Lidia De Angelis has kept a low profile since Mussolini's laws wrenched her from her childhood sweetheart. But when the Germans occupy Venice in 1943, she must flee the city to save her life.

Lidia joins the partisans in the Venetian mountains, where she meets David, an English soldier fighting for the same cause. As she grows closer to him, harsh German reprisals and Lidia’s own ardent patriotic activities threaten to tear them apart.

Decades later in London, while sorting through her grandmother’s belongings after her death, Charlotte discovers a Jewish prayer book, unopened letters written in Italian, and a fading photograph of a group of young people in front of the Doge’s Palace.

Intrigued by her grandmother’s refusal to talk about her life in Italy before and during the war, Charlotte travels to Venice in search of her roots, There, she learns not only the devastating truth about her grandmother’s past, but also some surprising truths about herself.

 

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Girl-Venice-heart-breaking-page-turner-actual-ebook/dp/B093SRRM5D

 

FREE on Kindle Unlimited

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58013905-the-girl-from-venice

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-girl-from-venice-a-heart-breaking-page-turner-based-on-actual-events-in-italy-during-word-war-ii-by-siobhan-daiko

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the author and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of The Girl from Venice by Siobhan Daiko. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this outstanding novel prior to publication. Sorry I missed that date, but life happens. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.

 

The Girl from Venice is a well written novel set during WWII and Germany’s occupation of Venice and in current times in 2010. The pacing pulled me in from the first page and kept me enthralled to the last. I enjoyed reading about this period of Italy’s history, and it’s clear Ms. Daiko did a tremendous amount of research.

 

Lidia De Angelis is the central character, and I enjoyed the steel in her backbone that helps her survive against all odds. Her determination to fight with the resistance is admirable, and her softer side comes through when she saves two young boys. What she suffered at the hands of the brown shirts is horrific, but she does not let it destroy her.

 

Charlotte is another primary character. She is Lidia’s granddaughter and is fascinated when she finds a Jewish prayer book and unopened letters, along with a photo of her grandmother and her friends, while going through Lidia’s belongings after her death. She’s as fiercely determined as her grandmother and sets out on a journey of discovery when she travels to Venice to learn why Lidia never talked of her experiences during WWII and her life in Venice.

 

While this is not a romance, it does have two emotional love stories interwoven through the plot, and I enjoyed both. Ms. Daiko’s writing is vivid and detailed. I could feel Lidia’s pain and anguish throughout her part of the story. I also enjoyed Charlotte’s character growth.

 

It you enjoy historical fiction set during WWII and like learning of another part of the devastation caused by Natzi Germany and Mussolini’s Fascist regime, then you will love The Girl from Venice as much as I did. I highly recommend this amazing novel. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 

Born in Hong Kong, Siobhan Daiko is a British author and lover of all things Italian, She lives in the Veneto region of northern Italy with her husband, a Havanese puppy and two rescue cats. When not writing or researching historical fiction, Siobhan spends her time travelling around Europe whenever possible and enjoying the local food and wine. 

 

 

Social Media:

Website: https://siobhandaiko.org/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/siobhandaiko

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siobhandaiko_asolandobooks/?hl=en

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.it/SiobhanDaiko/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/siobhan-daiko

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7091256.Siobhan_Daiko