Welcome to my tour stop! Read my review and enter the tour giveaway below...
The Songbird and the SpyAdult Historical Romance, Suspense
Paperback & ebook, 329 Pages
February 19th 2019 by Smitten Historical Romance
Summary
Readers will devour each moment leading up to the satisfying ending. - Publishers Weekly
As shells explode over Nazi-occupied France, American music student Claire Baudin is trapped behind enemy lines, struggling to protect her identity. Singing as a barmaid while she plans her escape, a handsome Third Reich captain threatens everything she knows to be true about the enemy.
Nazi Captain Michael Reiner isn't who he claims to be. A British language expert turned spy, he discovers the truth about Claire, but he knows the importance of a secret. Struggling to resist his
attraction to the songbird, he's determined to complete his assignment, no matter the cost. His cover is threatened when a ruthless female Gestapo officer arrives, hunting Resistance fighters. The raid forces Michael's hand: complete the mission or save Claire.
As the war threatens to tear them apart, they must rely on each other for survival. Is there hope—and a future—for an American songbird and a British spy?
My Review
THE SONGBIRD AND THE SPY is a story of conflict, survival, and love amidst war. Historical romance readers, especially those who enjoy wartime novels, will fall in love with these characters and cheer them on as they try to survive their enemies and a race to safety. Highly recommended!
I adored these characters! Michael is smart, tough, and plays his part well. He also is a gentleman with a soft heart, particularly for Claire. Claire is naively optimistic, but genuinely charming. She's got a huge heart and some American spunk. The two of them were really just too perfect for each other, especially as Michael tries to control everything and Claire wrecks havoc on his plans.
Even more than these characters, I loved how the author put so many things into perspective. The balance in this story between the bad and the good, the greedy and the innocent, the Germans and the Allies, the violence and the humor and romance... it was done rather well. I could picture the setting, the people, and their daily hard-fought battles. The stark realities of war are definitely present, but are countered by this very sweet, swoon-worthy romance as well as the people's persistence to survive and live what happiness they could.
My one complaint, and it's a small one, was that I felt Claire was a little too naive and unreserved in her words and behaviors in some places for the situation. That would be it. And it didn't affect my enjoyment of this story.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This story is definitely one not to be missed by WWII and historical romance readers! Wonderful characters, a complex and dangerous setting, and a charming romance are sure to be a delight. I loved it from beginning to end!
Content: Some war violence and innuendo, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.
About the Author
Believing she was born in the wrong era, J’nell Ciesielski spends her days creating heart-stopping heroes, brave heroines, and adventurous exploits in times gone by. Winner of the Romance Through the Ages contest and Maggie Award, J’nell can often be found dreaming of a second home in Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. Born a Florida girl, she now calls Virginia home, along with her very understanding husband, young daughter, and one lazy beagle. Find out more at www.jnellciesielski.com.
More from J’nell
The most popular question an author is asked is where did the inspiration come from. Most of the time, if not always, my inspiration comes from a trifecta of resources: movies, music, or books. A single song lyric, or secondary character, or novel setting can trigger a whole world of possibilities that has to be explored. In the case of Songbird and the Spy, it was a movie. A Quentin Tarantino movie to be exact set during WWII where one of the characters is a British officer posing as a Nazi meets up with other spies in a French bar. Another character was a Jewish woman posing as a theater owning Frenchwoman. My brain immediately tingled with ideas. What if identities were all in question? What if you fell in love with the wrong person? Not just the wrong person, but the enemy? The drama and tension in such a situation would be unbelievable!
And that is how Songbird was born.
Here are a few bits of trivia for you:
- Songbird was originally titled Iron Shepherd for Michael’s call sign.
- There have been three or four different endings written.
- Michael Reiner was based off of Michael (see what I did there?!) Fassbender’s character in Inglorious Basterds. The actor was born in Germany to German and Irish parents, and later grew up in Ireland J Art imitating life.
- Music always makes its way into my stories and here it takes center stage.
- I’ve always wanted to write a USO story so the ending was my perfect chance to squeeze it in.
- Ilsa von Ziegler was based off of Elsa Schneider from Indiana Jones.
- There was a scene showing Michael at SOE training in Scotland, but it was later cut.
- Nazi headquarters in Paris really was located on Foch Ave. The building is still there.
- The molten lead that Michael’s new assistant talks about is a German New Year’s tradition to divine fortune in the coming year. A small bit of lead or tin is melted, and then dropped in water. The form created by the metal predicts the future.
- Chanteuse is a female singer. Edith Piaf, the most famous French singer of all, was known as The Little Sparrow. Songbird and chanteuse are both used to reference Claire and pay homage to Piaf.
Tour Schedule
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 2
For Him and My Family, April 2
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Where Faith and Books Meet, April 3
Wishful Endings, April 4
Carpe Diem, April 4
Connect in Fiction, April 5
Emily Yager, April 5
Through the Fire Blogs, April 6
The Christian Fiction Girl, April 6
Hallie Reads, April 7
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Genesis 5020, April 8
All-of-a-kind Mom, April 9
Godly Book Reviews, April 9
Stories By Gina, April 10
Maureen’s Musings, April 10
Carla Loves To Read, April 11
Mary Hake, April 11
Inklings and notions, April 11
Inspired by Fiction, April 12
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 12
Bigreadersite, April 13
As He Leads is Joy, April 13
Texas Book-aholic, April 14
The Becca Files, April 14
janicesbookreviews, April 15
A Reader’s Brain, April 15
Tour-Wide Giveaway
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!
Do you enjoy reading WWI or WWII stories? Any thoughts on this one?
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