She wants to do her part. He’s just trying to stay out of the stockade. Will two agents deep behind enemy lines find capture… or love?1942. Emily Strealer is tired of being told what she can’t do. Wanting to prove herself to her older sisters and do her part for the war effort, the high school French teacher joins the OSS and trains to become a covert operative. And when she completes her … her training, she finds herself parachuting into occupied France with her instructor to send radio signals to the Resistance.
Major Gerard Lucas has always been a rogue. Transferring to the so-called “Office of Dirty Tricks” to escape a court-martial, he poses as a husband to one of his trainees on a dangerous secret mission. But when their cover is blown after only three weeks, he has to flee with the young schoolteacher to avoid Nazi arrest.
Running for their lives, Emily clings to her mentor’s military experience during the harrowing three-hundred-mile trek to neutral Switzerland. And while Gerard can’t bear the thought of his partner falling into German hands, their forged papers might not be enough to get them over the border.
Can the fugitive pair receive God’s grace to elude the SS and discover the future He intended?
Spies & Sweethearts: A WWII Christian Romance is the first book in the gripping Sisters in Service historical romance series. If you like faith in motion, suspense in action, and devotion put to the test, you’ll adore Linda Shenton Matchett’s soaring story.
Buy Spies & Sweethearts to crack love’s code today!
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Love finds a way
Even when trekking across war torn France, love finds a way to bloom in this face paced, sometimes heart pounding story. These two didn’t stand a chance once the laws of attraction went to work. And the hand of God. They had to rely on each other to escape the Nazi’s that were hot on their trail, which only seemed to ignite the flame.
It was those little moments in between the running and walking that made Spies & Sweethearts fun. Like little breaths of joy in the middle of turmoil. Gerard would tease Emily, Emily would tease Gerard as they tried to have moments of normal. That is where attraction turned to love.
Now, even when Gerard and Emily were sure the Nazi’s would capture them, God provided ways of escape. Those were nice to read as well. It was those moments that the author used so that one of the characters could see the hand of God move on their behalf. Sometimes it was small things, others is was using the enemy to escape. The take away? God will use what ever He wants to show His children that He is there in the midst of the storm.
I found this story to be simply enjoyable. Not entirely nail blighting like the last WW2 novel I read, but easy paced and tender. The threat was always there for the characters, but what the author showed us was even when the world around us is crazy, God still moves on our behalf.
***I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through CelebrateLit Publicity. Thoughts expressed are entirely my own and a positive review was not required
An American high school teacher moves her energy, time, and life directly into the American cause in France during WWII. Can anyone really be trained as a spy? So many unknown variables. But sometimes we are called to do the imperceivable, the impossible. God in His wisdom does not reveal the outcome. But He does promise to be with us on the journey.
It’s hard to put myself in the path of danger in WWII occupied France. But Linda successfully places me there. I face each page ready to fight for freedom and justice. My days—my life—are tame compared to dodging SS guards, hunger, danger, bullets…Each WWII book I read exposes another element or angle of this historical era. Spies and Sweethearts carries the reader on a journey for truth and forbidden love. All in the guise of espionage!
FYI: I am a high school French teacher! I could not have turned my knowledge into being a spy. Or could I?
I do enjoy war stories because you never know what will happen except at the end! Interesting look at what had to be endured.
This Christian historical novel unfolds a different tale than many about World War II. School teacher Emily Strealer seeks a more meaningful life and goes for training to serve America in some secret service effort. Her challenging experiences there make her wonder if she could ever succeed in the field. Her toughest instructor, Gerard Lucas, has also come to the school to escape his problemed past. Now they’re thrown together to help in the war. Danger, duplicity, doubts, and potential death dog their lives. The characters in this action-packed story seem quite realistic as do the various settings and events portrayed. Readers get the sense they travel the adventures with the couple and learn what it was like to live through such harrowing situations as they attempt to stop the Nazis. I think the author keeps improving with each book. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
What a fun novel! I have loved every book I have read by this author and I particularly love that they are set in the WWII era. That makes them come to life as the era is one that we reenact so it’s a particular favorite of mine.
I loved reading this novel. The characters felt real and were very fun to get to know. Emily and Gerard are going undercover. Deep undercover that is into occupied France with a radio. But they’re going as a married couple. That could be interesting as they’re not sure they can even trust each other let alone stand each other.
The book read super fast. I got tangled up in the characters and the suspense and they wouldn’t let me go. Emily does a lot of growing and changing as the book progresses. The couple has lots of near misses as well. And their fake marriage becomes a real one to help them avoid being caught.
This is a wonderful book and I’m loving everything by this author so definitely check out this book and anything by her.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
The beginning of Sisters in Service series, Spies and Sweethearts, is my first introduction to Linda Shenton Matchett. It is most definitely not going to be the last. I thought this was a great read. I enjoyed the romance, the adventure, the action, and the history. I was intrigued from the very first page and my attention up until the last page. I could not put it down. I had no issue having the whole book read in one sitting. Emily and Gerard were fabulous characters.
I am giving Spies and Sweethearts a very well deserved five plus stars. I am looking forward to the next installment from the Sisters in Service series, The Mechanic & The MD, to find out what happens next. I highly recommend this one for readers who enjoy clean and well written historical fiction.
I received Spies and Sweethearts from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I will try not to gush too much in my review. There has only been a handful of authors that write historical books that I always read. This author is definitely on the list. From the sweeping land of France comes a story of two highly trained people who will try to beat the odds and succeed in their mission as spies. Their mission is very dangerous and with all the training that Gerald and Emily have, will it be enough?
Emily won my heart with her determination, faith and compassion. I love strong female characters and Emily is very outspoken at times. She can hold her own with Gerald as is evident on their first encounter. I loved reading about the training Emily went through and how she never gave up. The first part of the book prepares the characters for their mission and I couldn’t wait to join them.
There is intense danger as they enter into situations that put their lives in danger. I held my breath a few times wondering how they would escape. The author does an excellent job of blending historical details in the story which highlights the danger people in France were in as Nazis tried to take over. The faith element was very well written in the story and I appreciate how the characters turn to God during trying times.
Emily becomes more sure of herself as she outsmarts the enemy during a very difficult situation. I think Gerald at times was a bit arrogant but I grew to love him as his heart softened. The story is a wonderful account of what it was like during a time when enemy invasion was prevalent . We get a front row seat to watch as Emily and Gerald’s adventure to serve their country becomes treacherous at times. I was curious to see if these two characters would fall in love, but you will have to read the book to find out.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
This is an excellent novel of World War II!. The faith demonstrated by one of the protagonists is amazing, and her faith and the man she is on a mission with in Occupied France are blessed in incredible ways. The characters are defined as well as needed for their roles, and the settings in the mysterious training grounds and in Europe sounded appealing. I had a hard time putting this down once I started it!
Emily is the youngest of three sisters; she teaches French in high school. The expectations of her mother for propriety and for marrying a guy from the right family were not her priorities. No, Emily wanted to live, to contribute to the world and the Allies. She took tests to join the war effort, thinking that being bilingual and having firsthand knowledge of France and its culture would be beneficial and was accepted. Her family was very unhappy that she was leaving home and would not even be able to have contact by mail with family at least until her training was complete.
They met on the plane to Washington, D.C. Gerard Lucas had made himself disreputable in the air force. Not on purpose, but because it was the kind of guy he was. Because of his penchant for not showing suitable respect for higher-ranking officers and “swimming against the tide”, he was being transferred to intelligence. He sat next to her on the plane, and neither were terribly impressed with the other. Then Emily went to her first class in the most demanding five weeks of her training that included physical fitness, survival, and evading capture. For one of the top students in this training class, this was the hardest part, but Gerard finally found himself helping her learn enough to be fit for duty.
Gerard and Emily were sent on a mission together to Occupied France. Their cover story would be that of a husband and wife, newlyweds. While it started well, they began to imagine what it would be like to be really be married to the other. Then their cover was blown, and they had to go on the run while being chased by the SS. What they learn about God, each other, and themselves while trying to survive long enough to get out of the country was far beyond their expectations.
I was surprised to see how in-depth the training was for a radio operator with a short life expectancy in the field! The author brought home the point that even the non-military women who went to Europe to serve in the war did not know if they would be returning. Emily feels that she already trusts in God and learns a new level of following God’s direction. I was stunned at the miracles taking place every place they went. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from start to finish, and highly recommend it to those who appreciate well-written Christian WWII stories for women with challenges of faith, and extreme, high-energy survival tactics.
From a thankful heart: I received an eARC of this from Celebrate Lit, and this is my honest review.
Life can be tough when you are the youngest – somehow you never seem to measure up to your older siblings. Emily had excelled in school, becoming fluent in French, and working as a high school French teacher. But surely there was more that she could do for the war effort than be a plane spotter. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) agreed with her.
Gerard had moved up the ranks in the military only to be pushed into an assignment he really did not want, but deserved due to insubordination. Now he was to go undercover as the husband of a former French high school teacher now radio operator. All he wanted was revenge for his brother’s death. Could they learn to work together, trusting God with their lives?
What a fabulous story of survival, adventure and rescue by two spies sent from the US to France. The author has done a great deal of research into how the resistance worked during the war. Their willingness to step out and do what they could was a real eye-opener. I have to wonder if we would be available to do the same if we were in the same situation.
This ARC was received through Shortwave Press, BookFunnel and CelebrateLit. The impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.
Author Linda Shenton Matchett pens an inspirational World War II novel filled with action, adventure, and romance.
In Spies & Sweethearts, Emily Strealer wants to do more for the war effort than just teach high school French. The youngest of three sisters, twenty-six year old Emily joins a government program, in spite her family’s protests that her job as a teacher and her volunteer work are sufficient.
On her way to training school, she meets former military pilot Gerard Lucas, also on his way to the OSS training facility. They do not hit it off, and things don’t improve when Emily realizes he is one of her new instructors.
After training as a radio operator, she is partnered with Gerard in Nazi-occupied France where they pose as newlyweds. It isn’t long before they are discovered and are on the run with the SS on their trail. Can they make it to safety?
Matchett is an excellent storyteller; her action-packed book is filled with historical detail and a clean romance. Both Emily and Gerard grow over the course of the book — sensitive Emily grows in her knowledge of her capabilities, and Gerard goes from being a selfish man to one who thinks about others.
The faith element is evident but not overwhelming; Emily’s faith is stronger and it sparks Gerard to think more about his. The relationship between them is clean, even when they get married “for real” to strengthen their cover. They fall in love and try not to let the other one know. War details are appropriate but not overly detailed, and the story has plenty of plot twists.
Fans of World War II fiction will enjoy this book, as well as the other two books in this series: The Mechanic and the MD (Book 2), and The Widow & the War Correspondent (Book 3). Her next book (another WWII romance), Love at First Flight is being published by Shortwave Press and coming out in the fall of 2020.
Disclaimer: Book reviews are written for books I either purchased or received free of cost from the publishers, publicists, or authors. I voluntarily reviewed.
I found this book to be an interesting read. It was attention-grabbing and pretty fast moving.
This was a quick “one night read” for me. I very much enjoyed the story, the nuance of the relationship and the time in history is one of my favorites.
I adore World War II stories. Something about the bravery of this generation really captures my attention and allows me to struggle and survive with them. When Celebrate Lit offered Spies and Sweethearts, I thought I would give Linda Shenton Matchett a try. She understands the concept of Deep point of view and diving into the character’s thoughts and emotions. She has a good grasp on how to create conflict and keep building in in the plot. Must have your character’s squirm on the page, so readers will want to follow. While these are her strong points, Matchett also has some not-so-good points. First, I really didn’t like the heroine. She is flat and keeps whining about no one understanding her until she understands she can do things without the approval of others. It was really annoying. As for the hero, he didn’t have many redeeming qualities either. He just roamed around the pages of the story. The plot. My main issue with it was the goal. What was the heroine and hero’s goal in France? They parachuted in and then went to a house. A radio. But really nothing was shown of why they were there and what they were trying to accomplish. Next thing I know, they were on the run from the Germans. Then they would find a safe house. Hang around for a couple of weeks to “rest” and then have to be on the run again. I didn’t buy this either. The romance wasn’t believable either. I have read stories set in World War II where characters had to fake a marriage to survive, but nothing as extreme as this marriage. Overall, Matchett had some redeeming qualities in her story; however, the downfalls hurt the overall delivery of her story.
I received a complimentary copy of Spies and Sweethearts by Linda Shenton Matchett through Celebrate Lit Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Matchett’s newest release, Spies & Sweethearts, drew my attention bc of its WWII setting and interesting plot. I also identified somewhat with the heroine who is a French teacher (which could come in handy on the war front) as I am a Spanish teacher. The characters were well developed, although with very opposite personalities who of course clash from the beginning. The likelihood of a relationship between the two seems slim, but as fate would have it, they must marry to keep their cover. Realistic? Probably not, but this is a romance novel, after all.
There were parts of the book that seemed to drag and lost my attention, while other parts were more exciting and readable. There was a strong underlying Christian theme of trusting God and relying on His help through tough times. Overall, a good book for light reading.
*I received a free copy of this book. All reviews and opinions are my own.
Linda Shenton Matchett does an excellent job showing the love God has for His children throughout this novel. I enjoy reading about the WWII time period, and it was interesting to read about the spies during this time. The main characters got into many binds, but as I prefer in this genre, there is a happily ever after. I also love the cover! I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.