A prostitute, a spy, and the liberation of Paris.Sold by her parents to settle a debt, Rolande Bisset is forced into prostitution. Years later, shunned by her family and most of society, it’s the only way she knows how to subsist. When the Germans overrun Paris, she decides she’s had enough of evil men controlling her life and uses her wiles to obtain information for the Allied forces. Branded a … Branded a collaborator, her life hangs in the balance. Then an American spy stumbles onto her doorstep. Is redemption within her grasp?
Simon Harlow is one of an elite corps of American soldiers. Regularly chosen for dangerous covert missions, he is tasked with infiltrating Paris to ascertain the Axis’s defenses. Nearly caught by German forces moments after arriving, he owes his life to the beautiful prostitute who claims she’s been waiting for the Allies to arrive. Her lifestyle goes against everything he believes in, but will she steal his heart during his quest to liberate her city?
Inspired by the biblical story of Rahab, Love’s Rescue is a tale of faith and hope during one of history’s darkest periods.
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No little girl thinks “I want to be a prostitute when I grow up.” We’d rather save the world. So how is it that between reading Love’s Rescue and watching a high school production of Les Miserables in the last two weeks, I “met” so many French prostitutes? Both stories exposed the awful circumstances that bring women into that “profession.” And once they are there, they’re stuck. In survival mode. In those days, even if you got “out,” no one would hire you legitimately, no one would marry you. It was so powerful to see, side by side, two stories where these women experienced some level of compassion and grace (with very different outcomes! Love’s Rescue has a much happier result than Les Mis). And I loved the way that one of these women, least likely to save the world, gets to play the heroine.
Love’s Rescue is the story of Rahab from the Bible (Joshua 4 & 6), set in the Second World War. So I guess it was God’s idea to let the downtrodden prostitute save the world (or at least be a hero to a small part of it!). I love a good World War II spy story.
Along with the Cold War, there are some of my favorites. And I really enjoyed this one too. The characters were engaging. I found myself tasting the bad coffee (and I don’t even like coffee!) in the army camp with Simon, and feeling the scorn Rolande felt by everyone in her life: her “customers,” her fellow Frenchman who viewed her as a collaborator, the German soldiers who viewed her as nothing, her contact with the Allies, who viewed her as trash, and even her own family.
I love the way that Simon acted like Christ. He acted the way all Christians should when he saw Rolande as she was. Precious gift, daughter of God, broken woman, beautiful in God’s eyes even though the world saw her as “a woman of ill repute.” A hero soldier, sent in to prepare the way for Allied troops to liberate France. But though he came to France to save the world, his greatest act is loving Rolande when the world despises her. I love the forgiveness that we see in this story. I love Rolande’s courage. I love the way redemption played out. And the Rahab theme was fun too.
The way the romance happens, with a few short meetings, not a lot of time to get to know you, fits very well with wartime brides, even though it feels strange to us. I do remember that the end felt very rushed. Everything resolved almost all at once, almost too fast. But other than that, I really enjoyed Love’s Rescue and would definitely recommend it.
I received a review copy of this book; all opinions are my own.
This is a story of survival, and you will be quickly reaching the end but this story rings so very true, I read it in one evening, and it is about a time that we need to never forget, and the theme of forgiveness resonates here.
Paris is about to fall as the story opens and we follow here until it is rescued, and see people up close that gave their all for freedom.
When you read the author’s notes at the end you can see how she came to this novella, and it really makes sense.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
This author is fast becoming one of my favorites. She has a keen eye for detail and her historical facts make the story realistic. I loved meeting Rolande and feeling her love for Christ. The book takes us to Paris in 1944. There is danger all around as Germany tries to take over France. My heart broke for Rolande as she is labeled a prostitute. No one knows that she is really gathering vital information that will help the Resistance. The author does a great job of developing her character and lets us see into her heart as she cries out at night for God to forgive her.
Simon has been assigned a very dangerous mission and his life is put in danger. His job as a spy for the Americans will find him dodging bullets and curious observations by German soldiers. It must have been very difficult to pretend you are a German soldier knowing at any minute your secret could be found out..
The story is very close to the biblical story of Rahab. I remember reading this story and thinking how powerful it was. Rolande is ridiculed for her sin but there is someone that sees past that and sees her inner beauty. Her comfort is in God and her goal is to save herself and her family from the war. I loved reading how Simon was able to have compassion for Rolande and know that she is a woman worthy to be loved. The relationship between them is slow and I liked how they each had to learn how to trust each other.
It was hard to put the book down and I was anxious as the war became more dangerous. The story makes you feel right there as Rolande tries to convince her family to trust her. She wants to save them but will they trust her? The ending is powerful and a great lesson in forgiveness, trust and judging others.
I received a copy of this book from the Celebrate Lit.. The review is my own opinion.
This is the first book by Linda Matchett that I’ve read. Really enjoyed it!!
This book is about God’s mercy and grace. In the most dire of circumstances, having faith in God’s plan is so important. There is redemption for all whom sin, no matter what the sin. God will forgive and save. This story is based during WWII and is a great read!
Love’s rescue
Set during WWW two in Paris, 1944. Rolande ( a very unique name, love it) is separated from her family. She is trying to help keep her family safe. Her brother and father both had rejected her.
This is book two of a series but is a stand alone. I did not read the first book. You don’t have to read the first one to enjoy this one.
The book involves forgiveness, between family and the Lord. It was a blessing to read.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
How far would you go in order to protect your loved ones? It’s 1944 in Paris and the Germans are taking over everything. Rolande has fallen into a life of ill repute through no choice of her own. Trying to make the best of a horrible situation, she gleans information from the German officers and brings it to the resistance. Will the Americans come to help defeat the Germans and restore the city to the French people? Realizing that only God will help, she begins to pray and listen for His voice. Rescuing some American spies, she is promised safety when they come. Can she really believe that in spite of her reputation, someone will care enough to help her?
I received this ARC through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.
Linda Shenton Matchett masterfully writes a retelling of the Biblical Story of Rahab. Love’s Rescue is set in occupied France in 1944. Rolande is a prostitute and Simon is a First Lieutenant in the American Army. Through salvation and God’s mercy and grace Rolande and Simon find love in the midst of war. I loved Love’s Rescue and highly recommend it!
Author Linda Matchett always writes about historical experiences that few people are aware of. I never knew about the prostitutes that worked for the resistance during WWII. What an interesting story of survival. But even more than history, this novella is a great reminder of God’s love. That no matter how far we stray or how bad we believe our sin to be, He is full of mercy, forgives us, and welcomes us Home.
Because this book is a novella it moved quickly and I read it in one sitting, but I still got to know the characters and their struggles. A retelling of the story of Rahab, I found it to be true to the time frame of its telling and highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.