Previously published under the pen name Lisa Gregory. PARIS, 1940. As the world hovered on the edge of destruction, American Alyssa Lambert found passion in the arms of a stranger. But Philippe Michaude held a dark secret that would soon tear them apart. When the Germans moved in and the City of Lights was plunged into darkness, Alyssa was forced to flee France, heartbroken at the treachery of … the treachery of the man she loved. Now, she has returned.
In Nazi-occupied Paris, she joins the French Resistance, transmitting coded messages to the Allies. Disguised, she must live and work in the darkest shadows of the city. But no disguise can hide her from the eyes of Philippe Michaude.
Will her love save him from the darkness or will he betray her completely?
“You broke my heart, destroyed every illusion I had. But somehow I can’t stop loving you.”
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This story just blew me away! Before the Dawn by Candace Camp is truly amazing and a must read. I am hoping that Candace will write more about WWII. I am usually a regency and highlander reader but as a fan of Candace’s I could not resist and I am so glad I did. Candace has such a creative mind and this spy story was like something that I have never read before. I could not put this book down because you never knew what was going to happen next. The characters are just wonderful and their story is sad. This story has spying, lies, forever friends, understanding, misunderstandings, death, injuries, secrets, kindness and yes love. I highly recommend this book… you won’t regret it!
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Before the Dawn by Candace Camp is a wonderful story set during World War II. I absolutely couldn’t put this book down. I was hesitant to read it at first. I have loved Camp’s regency romances. But this book held me captive. I loved the characters in the story. The relationship between Alyssa and Philippe is electric. I hope Camp rights more during this setting. I was given a copy of this book.
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-10B
Three women from boarding school will form a friendship that will last a lifetime, and their activities during WWII will further bond them together. It’s been about ten years since their school days, and American Alyssa Lambert is visiting her English friend, Jessica Townsend before attending the wedding of their friend, Claire. Jessica has been happily married for seven years to Alan, the man she’s loved since she was a young girl. Claire’s husband-to-be is Ky, who escaped from Poland. The war hasn’t yet come to England or France, so Alyssa travels to Paris after the wedding.
Alyssa is stunningly beautiful, which seems to affect men in one of two ways. They are either too intimidated to even approach her, or they are so dumbstruck by her looks that they become stupid in her presence. Philippe Michaude is extremely handsome in his own right, generally a suave and smooth man, but Alyssa’s looks seem to drive all intelligence from his body. His clumsy attempts to push intimacy with her on their first date have Alyssa sending him on his way like a scolded puppy. His attempts to make up for his bad behavior convince Alyssa to give him another chance. Within a very short time, they become lovers, sharing a passion unlike either of them has known before. It’s not too much longer before that passion develops into a deep and strong love.
The war is progressing, and the unthinkable happens – Germany has invaded France and has control of Paris. Philippe insists that Alyssa leave the country for her own safety. She refuses, unless Philippe will come with her. To her utter shock, Philippe declares that he intends to stay, and furthermore, will cooperate and work with the Nazis in order to keep his business interests safe. Alyssa is horrified that she could have been so mistaken in a person’s character, and leaves Philippe, with both of their hearts shattered.
The war escalates, with England now being regularly bombed. Alyssa briefly went back to America, but returns to England to join Jessica and Claire to aid the Allies’ effort. Heartbreakingly, Jessica’s husband, Alan, who became a pilot in the RAF has been shot down, is missing and presumed dead. Alyssa has had occasion to see Philippe, looking very well off, in the company of his German friends, which feels like a knife in her still injured heart.
BEFORE THE DAWN is an amazingly well written book, interspersing the human stories that occur against the horrific backdrop of a world war. The romance, heartbreak, espionage, deceit, secrets, and brutality all intertwine to form a story that’s compelling, breathtaking, emotional, and ultimately satisfying. The bravery of the women, their strength in dealing with their new reality is awe inspiring, especially when you realize that these types of events really happened. Philippe is also not just a black and white character, as things are not always as they seem. I’m a fan of Candace Camp, but I believe this book, which was previously released under another name, is her finest work, and truly one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Before the Dawn by Candace Camp was an absolutely fantastic and incredibly written story. I generally don’t read stories set during WWII but there isn’t anything Candace could write that I would not read. I love the emotion and depth and just all around brilliance that she brings and this story has a lot of it! It really gets you thinking about the horrors and atrocities people suffered. I would highly recommend this story.
Where to start about this amazing story that took my breath away? From the prologue alone, the tenseness started and the emotions were coming off the page. Candace Camp has a gift with her words that brings the surroundings and characters alive and makes you see everything unfolding perfectly.
I love historical romances of almost any timeframe but the time of WWII in Europe just before France and England became fully involved was new to me. It brought it eerily alive and I say that because I think we have all read of the horrors of the war, but this made it more personal with the lives of these women and men.
Three women who had met at school when they were younger and maintaned their friendships. Alyssa Lambert, an American actress who comes to visit her friend Jessica and attend their third friend Claire’s wedding. Then Alyssa goes to Paris to visit her father, who is an advisor to Roosevelt.
Alyssa meets Philippe Michaud on her first night there and their story begins!
Prepare to take a journey that will pull at all of your emotions, with falling in love, heartbreaking loss, intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat, light moments of humor and strong convictions that move the story forward.
Candace Camp has written a story that will be read well into the future and looked upon as an amazing slice of history when romance still survived amid what seemed like an impossible time.
Brilliant.