Tag: France

The Secret Orphanage by Barbara Josselsohn

Publication August 15, 2025-Bookouture-Historical Fiction-272pp

Book Summary

“Nobody outside the village knows the orphanage exists, Celina. We’re hidden by the mountains and everyone is sworn to secrecy. Please don’t give the soldiers a reason to come here…” 

1944-In a quiet village in German-occupied France, schoolteacher Celina ushers young Jewish children into her classroom. Watching their bright smiles as they learn how to write, she and sweet, handsome Remy promise to protect them. Every day she pretends to send them home, waving at the local police roaming the streets, as instead they sneak away to hide upstairs.

But Celina can’t stop thinking about the note left on her bedside table last night. Written in the secret code used by the Resistance, it told her a baby she’s sheltering could be reunited with its mother. Will Remy ever forgive her if she attempts to take the baby home? If she’s caught, they could discover the orphanage…

New York, present day. Haunted by a loss he refuses to speak about, Rachel’s grandfather is slowly losing his memories. Then Rachel finds a name scribbled into the old children’s book he used to read to her, which leads her to a French village with a dark and dangerous past. Nothing can prepare Rachel for what she finds behind the orphanage’s crumbling façade. But as her own future becomes entwined with her grandfather’s wartime secrets, she will learn just how much courage it takes to follow your heart. A breathtaking, emotional historical novel that will sweep you away to World War Two France, to the dangers of Nazi occupation, and the hope that prevailed in the darkest of times. For fans of Victoria Hislop, Soraya Lane and Fiona Valpy.

Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

After a trip to France Barbara Josselsohn was inspired to write about the courageous people who risked their lives to save Jewish children during the Nazi occupation. At the heart of this novel is a secret orphanage disguised as a school. The dual timeline alternates between a small village in the French mountains, 1942 and New York, 2018.

The aspect I enjoyed most was that the main characters in each timeline are connected by a children’s book, The Little Lost Fish by C. Tuilleur. Brielle Aimee, the name on the book’s dedication page, is the mystery that transports readers from the village where the orphanage is located, Paillettes au Sommet, the glittering summit, to a memory care center in New York.

The children’s book is about a lost baby fish searching for his mom. It connects readers to so many emotions of the main characters, Celine and Rachel. Celine’s World War II story of wanting to be a mother, a teacher, and protector, is filled with suspense and fear as she struggles to blend into a Nazi occupied village. Rachel, following a lead to discover her roots, is filled with doubt and wonder about her grandfather’s involvement in Brielle Aimee’s story. Her quest is to find the story behind the dedication page with her mom’s name on it. The constant strain of alluding the questioning police officers, searching for information and uncovering secrets adds to the novel’s suspenseful pace.  As the mystery unfolds readers wonder who is leaving clues on the pages of The Little Lost Fish? Who will stop the escape to Switzerland?

This is a book of stories and how our stories and our history tie us all together. Read The Secret Orphanage to find out -who is brave and who is a hero?  Order Here: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Orphanage

With a talent for blending history and human drama, Barbara’s novels explore complex themes of love, loss, resilience, and the enduring power of secrets. Her storytelling often spans generations, drawing readers into a tapestry of personal and historical struggles. Known for her lush descriptions and evocative prose, Barbara has garnered praise for her ability to bring history to life while crafting deeply emotional, character-driven narratives.

From The Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser

Publication June 2025-Bethany House-Historical Fiction-400pp.

Book Summary

In the heart of war-torn France, Isabelle Seauve’s resolve is tested after her father sacrifices his life to protect her involvement in the
French Resistance. Heartbroken, Isabelle becomes more dedicated to hiding Jewish children in and near the village of Sisteron despite the growing danger when she discovers a traitor within the Resistance ranks. As the shadow of betrayal looms, Isabelle’s world collides with that of US Army Chaplain Peter
Christensen, who carries emotional scars from his first position in Kentucky and his service in North Africa. Together, they face the brutal reality of war as the second D-Day–the Allied invasion of
Provence–unfolds. Fifteen-year-old René Amblard narrowly escapes a devastating German attack that claims the lives of his mother and their fellow Maquis fighters. With a Jewish orphan girl at his side, René seeks out his cousin, Isabelle, for refuge while he contemplates revenge. When the bombs of Operation Dragoon begin to fall, this unlikely group of heroes must find freedom in their souls before they can rebuild what has been destroyed.

Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab-First Published in Historical Novels Review Magazine August 1, 2025, for The Historical Novel Society

From The Valley We Rise, a Resistance story set in Provence, France, recounts the rebuilding of Sisteron after the Allied invasion known as “Operation Dragoon,” August 1944. Told in four parts with suspenseful plot twists and the search for a traitor, Musser’s main characters represent vital parts of the Resistance helpfully explained in an opening Lexicon.  Isabelle hides Jewish children with the assistance of her father’s expertise in forgery. Peter, a Protestant chaplain whose parents were missionaries in Algeria, serves as emotional and prayer support for the soldiers.  Real-life René Amblard is the lone survivor of a German attack on his farmhouse as he strives to protect young Delphine, formerly Sarah Levy. She represents orphaned Jewish children, names changed for protection, who were adopted and hidden by French families.

            Musser has lived in Provence for many years, providing authentic research and depictions of the Citadel, cliffs, and caves of Sisteron from personal experience. The networks of “ordinary citizens with extraordinary courage” who hid Jewish children are highlighted along with the undeniable bravery and determination of the French Resistance fighters, the Maquisard. The intriguing plot is filled with complicated personal relationships impacted by guilt, anger and fear as Peter and Isabelle compare stories of childhood and the plight of loveable, discerning Delphine and René is revealed. The high stakes relationship between Isabelle and German Tomas adds tension and suspense, while Musser’s epilogue ten years later provides a satisfying resolution to the lives of the Resistance fighters.

            Themes include finding courage, recognizing fear, and forgiving oneself to find hope and deepen trust in God.  Elizabeth Musser builds this suspenseful novel of the Resistance “one stone at a time” leading to an emotional conclusion.  From The Valley We Rise. Highly recommended for book club discussions.  For a signed copy: https://entertainmentwithasoul.square.site/product/from-the-valley-we-rise-signed-edition-/26 

ELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. For over thirty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’ work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.

Daughter of Snow and Secrets Defying the Crown Series-Book 3 by Kerry Chaput

Publication March 21, 2024-Black Rose Writing-318pp

https://www.kerrywrites.com/

Book Summary

1681. Isabelle lives safely in Geneva but travels to the French countryside along secret Huguenot trails to rescue Protestants from the king’s vicious dragonnade program. She protects her family from the dangers of battling the Royal Army, but her wild daughter Elizabeth has other ideas. Eager to prove herself, Elizabeth attempts a solo rescue that goes horribly wrong. Isabelle comes out of hiding and travels to Paris while all of France wants her dead.

On a dangerous mission to Versailles, old enemies threaten to tear her family apart. She must rely on surprising allies and the daughter she’s fought to protect to keep them alive and rescue every Protestant in France.

In the final installment of the award-winning Defying the Crown trilogy, Kerry Chaput takes readers on another thrilling adventure through the outlandish world of Paris and Versailles. Daughter of Snow and Secrets immerses you in a breathless tale of danger with a cast of brave, fierce women as they fight for love and freedom. You won’t want to miss the stunning conclusion to this riveting historical fiction series.

Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab First Published-May 2024 Issue-Historical Novels Review Magazine

Daughter of Snow and Secrets is the final adventure in the award-winning series Defying the Crown by Kerry Chaput.  Isabelle’s journey begins in Daughter of the King as she flees from France to Canada, denying her Protestant beliefs to escape persecution of the Catholic King in 1661. In book two, Daughter of the Shadows, Isabelle is leading a double life as a spy travelling from Quebec to Paris to challenge King Louis XIV in 1667. In Daughter of Snow and Secrets, Chaput masterfully weaves the tangled threads of Isabelle’s childhood persecution and early marriage to a Catholic soldier with the Protestant Resistance in 1681, as she tenaciously leads Huguenot’s through the French countryside to safety in Geneva.

Isabelle’s thoughts, dreams, and memories give readers a glimpse into her plans creating anticipation and injecting suspense into the fast-paced plot. After rescuing Huguenot families and killing many of the king’s dragoons, Isabelle, a warrior, fighter, becomes known as the Red Fox.  The loss of a long-time friend and the need for revenge forces Isabelle’s return to Paris. Humorous banter with a rescued Duke adds levity to the decision as readers are whisked to the ornately ostentatious Palace of Versailles and its labyrinth of gardens. Vivid details of the nobility, their dress, and activities pale in comparison to the elaborate scheme Isabelle and her family have concocted to defy the king.  From poisoning guards to the stench of the mirrored halls, Chaput creates impassioned escapades that fill readers and guests with desperation and fear as word spreads that the infamous Red Fox is indeed inside the palace.

This thrilling series conclusion demonstrates how after years of preparation fierce women must choose between survival instincts and personal convictions to keep their cause alive. Series highly recommended.

All my stories explore the journey of young women, found family, and first love. I blend history, adventure, and magic into my own version of historical fantasy. I believe in inclusion and exploring the broad range of experiences with young women so my readers may see how truly diverse women’s history is. ​Born a California girl, I now live in Bend, Oregon where I can be found hiking and enjoying the amazing trails of the Pacific Northwest. I live with my husband, two children, and two dogs, sharing the love of Oregon and finding inspiration in the world around me.  I hope you enjoy my stories as much as I love writing them. https://www.kerrywrites.com/kerrychaputbio

The Trilogy and Reviews

Book 1
https://gratefulreader.home.blog/2021/12/06/daughter-of-the-king-by-kerry-chaput/
Book 2
https://gratefulreader.home.blog/2023/08/14/daughter-of-the-shadows-defying-the-crown-series-book-2/
Book 3

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles

Publishes April 30, 2024-Atria Books-Historical Fiction-336pp

Book Summary

A brilliant new novel based on the true story of Jessie Carson—the American librarian who changed the literary landscape of France.

1918: As the Great War rages, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library to work for the American Committee for Devastated France. Founded by millionaire Anne Morgan, this group of international women help rebuild devastated French communities just miles from the front. Upon arrival, Jessie strives to establish something that the French have never seen—children’s libraries. She turns ambulances into bookmobiles and trains the first French female librarians. Then she disappears.

1987: When NYPL librarian and aspiring writer Wendy Peterson stumbles across a passing reference to Jessie Carson in the archives, she becomes consumed with learning her fate. In her obsessive research, she discovers that she and the elusive librarian have more in common than their work at New York’s famed library, but she has no idea their paths will converge in surprising ways across time.

Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

An homage to librarians, this novel based on the true story of Jessie Carson, recruited to serve with the American Committee for Devastated France in 1917, highlights how sharing the love of reading changes the lives of children and families. The abbreviation for the group in French is CARD, so the women called themselves Cards. Jessie’s courage to leave the New York Public Library and serve in France is captivating.

Readers sink into the 1918 war zone through descriptions of the devastation and mindboggling courage of the Cards. Charles captures the haunting aura of the demolished castle in Blérancourt, now CARD headquarters, along with breathtaking accounts of Cards navigating minefields, searching for orphaned children hiding in caves, and rebuilding bombed villages. The bonds of respect forged between the millionaire Anne Morgan, Anne Murray Dike, “Kit” Carson and “Brecki” create the undying support needed for families and businesses to return to Blérancourt at the end of the war. The adoption of separated pets, socials for soldiers, and creative puns; calling Cards or my favorite, report Cards, lighten the novel’s somber mood as villagers are extended a lifeline through mobile libraries and books.

The dual timeline Charles maps into the plot routes readers back to the New York Public Library in 1987. She creates tension down in the Remembrance Department between aspiring writer Wendy Peterson and fellow librarian Roberto as they comb through microfiche; older readers will know this antiquated technology. Charles laces their long hours of research with flirty banter and catchy Jeopardy questions as readers root for Wendy’s writing career. Wendy endures condescending Professor Hill, a well-drawn, extremely maddening, unlikeable character, and determines to find the elusive Jessie Carson.

I highly recommend this impressive novel and my favorite section, the Author’s note, filled with the history of librarians in France during World War I. Janet Skeslien Charles reminds us “books are a lifeline.” 

Use your library Card and check it out!

The chateau at Blérancourt, France

https://museefrancoamericain.fr/en/anne-morgan-and-world-war-i-1917-1924

Anne Morgan- (July 25, 1873 – January 29, 1952) was an American philanthropist who provided relief efforts in aid to France during and after World War I and II

Anne Murray Dike -(1878-1929) was an American doctor, chair of the American Committee for Devastated France from 1917 and recipient of the Croix de Guerre and member of the Legion of Honour. [1]

The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher

Published January 11, 2022

“My first novel, The Kennedy Debutante, came out in 2018, and my second in 2020: The Girl In White Gloves: A Novel of Grace Kelly. My third, The Paris Bookseller, about trailblazing entrepreneur Sylvia Beach and the original Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, is coming in early 2022.  I’ll also have another historical novel coming your way from Berkley in 2023, a fact that makes me feel incredibly lucky and grateful after spending so many years (and years!) writing and working on the craft.”

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

“An English language bookshop in France?”

Kerri Maher’s The Paris Bookseller is the story of American Sylvia Beach, expatriate living in Paris, who opened Shakespeare and Company in 1921. She subsequently published the Irish author, James Joyce’s Ulysses, though banned in the U.S. and Britain.  This novel is especially for bibliophiles who will understand Sylvia’s sentiment to “help them find the exact book they were looking for, the volume they had no idea they needed but that might just change their lives.” This is what led Sylvia to open an English language bookshop and the courage to publish Joyce’s book in France. She wanted “to do something to rebel against the stodgy, censorious forces at work in America,” in the early 1920’s. Maher’s research includes details, accounts of the visits, and sentiments of many famous clientele, from Gertrude Stein to Ernest Hemingway. Readers will sense the angst and lack of confidence that Sylvia feels in her personal relationship with Adrienne Monnier and the extreme difficulty she has separating the feelings for her bookshop from the needy, sometimes annoying Joyce. What would Shakespeare and Company be without the famous author? Maher takes readers on the perilous journeys of finding love, being true to oneself, parental influence, the ins and outs of publishing, legal battles, and finance, all while maintaining sanity. Maher’s goal to “imagine the roller coaster ride of pride, joy, and anguish” is accomplished in The Paris Bookseller.  

James Joyce (1882 – 1941) is one of Ireland’s most influential and celebrated writers. His most famous work is Ulysses (1922) which follows the movements of Leopold Bloom through a single day on June 16th, 1904. Ulysses is based on Homer’s The Odyssey. Some of Joyce’s other major works include the short story collection Dubliners (1914), and novels A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916) and Finnegans Wake (1939) https://jamesjoyce.ie/

Sylvia Beach, an American, founded the first Shakespeare and Company in 1919.

Located in Paris at 12 rue de l’Odéon, the shop was half bookstore and half lending library. It attracted the great expat writers of the time—Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Eliot, Pound—including some of the century’s most compelling female voices: Djuna Barnes, Gertrude Stein, Janet Flanner, Kay Boyle, and Mina Loy. https://shakespeareandcompany.com/35/history/95/sylvia-beachs-shakespeare-and-company-1919-1941

Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig

“A group of young women from Smith College risk their lives in France at the height of World War I in this sweeping novel based on a true story—a skillful blend of Call the Midwife and The Alice Network—from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig.“

Watch a brief video of author Lauren Willig: Showing the ruined chateau at Grécourt, France, the historic gates of Smith College, pictures of the Smith College Relief Unit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzNAq7cwkn4&feature=youtu.be

Lauren Willig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. Her works include The Other Daughter, The English Wife, The Forgotten Room (co-written with Karen White and Beatriz Williams), and the RITA Award winning Pink Carnation series. An alumna of Yale University, she has a graduate degree in history from Harvard and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Check out this FABULOUS READER’S GUIDE! It includes discussion questions, maps and diagrams drawn by the young women, recipes, and reading resources.

https://laurenwillig.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Band-of-Sisters-Book-Club-Kit.pdf.

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

Overcoming personal fears and differences to bring “hope to the hopeless” – This is the goal of eighteen young American women from Smith College; the “Band of Sisters,” who are crossing the Atlantic in August of 1917. The Smith graduates are heading to Grécourt, France; a village that has been left in ruins by German bombings.  Lauren Willig opens each chapter with excerpts from the girls’ letters home to husbands, parents or friends. These are based on actual correspondence from her impeccable, extensive research which is evident on every page.

The Smith graduates are making the crossing carrying immature grudges built while in college along with idealistic expectations that their charitable settlement work would prepare them for war. The eighteen characters that begin the crossing are whittled to much fewer so that readers may focus on background and personal struggles; gathering emotions of angst to adoration as personalities and skill sets emerge.

When they finally arrive in Grécourt, September of 1917, the young women and their director find themselves ministering to approximately 2000 villagers -mothers, children and the elderly; scattered for many miles around Grécourt.  Three of the young women are closely tied by bonds of friendship and family. Emmie Van Alden- “plain as shoe leather,” always trying to please her mother, has wonderful people skills with children and adults, but has committed “sins of omission” involving best friend Kate. Kate Moran- has always felt inadequate and not “one of the girls,” due to her background, is also an extremely bored teacher at a girl’s school who can drive and speak French! Dr. Julia Pruyn-Emmie’s cousin, a classic beauty, harboring her own secrets, is one of the two medical “wonders” in the unwieldy group. Which one of these three will discover the secret to winning over the villagers?

The girls’ skills include carpentry, sewing, mechanics, cooking, medicine, teaching children to “play again;” along with hosting American engineers and Canadian foresters who joined in at Grécourt dinners, movies and dances. Do not be fooled by these activities! Between the love interests, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations prepared from rations, these courageous women were performing acts of daring and bravery on a daily basis-no matter how close to the front lines, bombings and fighting or how much rain or snow, heat or mud.

The young women arrived in France as a disjointed gang: some haughty or humble, some beauties or bumbling, some sarcastic or skillful. Readers will not forget these charming young women who Lauren Willig has skillfully molded into a “Band of Sisters.” Five “Croix de guerre!”