Ciji Ware – NY Times & USAToday bestselling author presents A NOVEL INSPIRED BY TRUE STORIES OF EXCEPTIONAL AMERICAN WOMEN & MEN WHO VOLUNTEERED AS SECRET AGENTS, PARACHUTING INTO OCCUPIED FRANCE DURING WW II TO JOIN THE RESISTANCE AND WIN THE WAR.The year is 1942, and American secret agent Catherine Thornton has no idea whether she will be dropped behind enemy lines in an inflatable … inflatable raft launched from a submarine or be flung through the moonlit sky from a low-flying British Halifax. Either way, the young embassy wife and erstwhile journalist knows there’s always the chance she’ll be picked off by German sharpshooters, although nothing in her imagination prepares her for the trial-by-fire to come.
Only she understands why she volunteered for such “unwomanly warfare” and the secret reasons she joined a handful of female American spies destined to risk her gilded life on French soil–yet former Vichy diplomat Henri Leblanc, code name Claude Foret, thinks he knows the answers.
As Catherine’s missions grow more harrowing each day, and she fears she’s fallen in love with a captured fellow agent, the German SS begin to close in on the world of Madame “Colette Durand” and her Résistance network embedded in coastal cities along the French Riviera—an exposure that could threaten the Allied victory itself.
And hanging in the air like a half-opened parachute is the life-or-death question: Who is the betrayer and who will be betrayed in this, their finest hour?
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and Emmy Award-winning former broadcast journalist Ciji Ware once again displays her extraordinary talent for weaving historical fact into compelling fiction to produce novels so engaging that one reviewer warned of her work: “…do not start unless you want to be up all night.”
“Thoroughly engaging” – BOOKLIST
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A fascinating, compelling novel of WW II, about an adventure-loving American woman who goes undercover in France and risks her life for the Allied cause. Based on the true stories of American heroines! Dig in – you’ll love it.
I was really excited to receive a copy of this book, since I had read books about Vera Atkins, Violette Szabo and other S.O.E agents, about Julia and Paul Child’s time in the O.S.S., as well as books about events, that happened in France, during WWII. This novel did not disappoint.
From the first chapter, when Catherine and Henri broke into a safe in his French embassy to find codes to help Allies track the German Navy, I was caught up in the story. Both Catherine and Henri are in unhappy marriages and decide to join the S.O.E. to help Henri’s native France to overthrow the Nazis. Both Catherine and Henri had to deal with rumors, that Henri was a double agent and actually a spy for the Vichy government, Germany’s ally. Although, they were sent on separate missions, Catherine in the South of France and Henri in Paris, they never stopped thinking, if the other was safe. Both go through harrowing adventures, do meet up once and reaffirm their love, only to separate once again and be captured by the enemy. If you want to find out, how their story ends, you will have to read the book!
Not only was this novel well written, with an exciting plot, the author researched, thoroughly, the time period and the actual settings in various parts of France. By adding real personages and events, that happened, Ciji Ware added to the enjoyment of the novel.
I recommend this novel to anyone, who is interested in this time period, and loves spy stories.
Well-researched, thrilling, and tense!
Author Ciji Ware has crafted a well-researched and thrilling historical fiction novel of WWII. “Landing by Moonlight” has the kind of characters that grow on you and become people that you worry about chapter after chapter. And worry I did! This story focuses on a piece of WWII history not really familiar to me. I’ve read some about the undercover men and women working right under the noses of the Nazis but they were always secondary characters to the hero or heroine. Here, they are front and center.
This story immerses you in the constant danger they had to have been under at all times and made for a tense, and exhilarating, reading experience. The mantra, “Trust no one,” was really brought home for me. Not even knowing who among your old friends and acquaintances were working for the Nazis, maybe just to get food for their children, was terrifying.
Besides the constant threat of exposure, the characters are out in the field accomplishing the big tasks that helped turn the tide of war in favor of the Allies – tasks that someone really had to do – exhilarating when successful and exhilarating when it was over. Characters need to blow off a little steam and relieve the pent-up tension so there are sexual relationships and well-written scenes of a sexual nature.
Another aspect of this book I enjoyed were the various settings. The characters move around from location to location and each time this author made me see and feel the time and the place. My favorite had to be the setting in the south of France. I could almost feel the sun, see the old boats, and taste the ‘new’ red wines.
I recommend this book to historical fiction readers, especially those that want a pretty immersive tale. This one so very well done.
I received a copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Landing by Moonlight: A Novel of WW II is another great read by Ciji Ware. It is based on true historical events during the second world war. I love that the main character is a female secret agent. Catherine gets caught up in a lot of action and adventure. I admired her bravery and courage. Readers need to get ready to hold on their seats because this book is one thrilling ride. I could not help to keep turning the pages continuously. I had the whole book read in one sitting. The author did a great job with the historical details that made me feel like I was part of the story.
I am giving Landing by Moonlight a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy World War II era novels. I loved it! I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I greatly enjoyed reading this book and enthusiastically recommend it to others. It has all the elements of well researched and commandingly written historic fiction, while also including compelling well-developed characters with interesting histories, personalities, challenges and love lives. I really got to know and care about the main protagonists, and found myself rooting for them through their many exploits conducted against tremendous odds. We lived in Washington, DC for a time, and have visited Paris and the South of France, so I can confidently report the settings of the book’s action are both accurately and beautifully described. You really feel like you are there! Equally impressive is the author’s attention to detail in building composite characters that embody the actual histories, personalities and bravery of those very real and very patriotic women and men who voluntarily risked their lives as secret agents behind enemy lines to fight the Nazis and liberate France. Finally, I appreciate that in addition to being a book filled with compelling adventure, moving romance, and world-changing events, the author helped those of us wanting to know more by including a research bibliography, links to research photos, and a reference list of both the real and fictional characters included in the book. I’m very impressed!
I like all of Ciji Ware’s books but I think this might be her best one. She tells about the role of women in the spy world and in the French resistance during World War II. We are also told of what women spies were asked to do and how some people treated them because of it after the war. Underlying all the terrors of the resistance and spying is a beautiful love story. A very good book and history lesson about women’s role in the resistance.
Ciji Ware is one of my favorite authors. Landing by Moonlight is brilliant.
A fantastic novel about brave American women who fought in the French resistance. A not to be missed adventure you’ll not soon forget!