Readers will devour each moment leading up to the satisfying ending. – Publishers Weekly
As shells explode over Nazi-occupied France, American music student Claire Baudin is trapped behind enemy lines, struggling to protect her identity. Singing as a barmaid while she plans her escape, a handsome Third Reich captain threatens everything she knows to be true about the enemy.Nazi Captain Michael … the enemy.
Nazi Captain Michael Reiner isn’t who he claims to be. A British language expert turned spy, he discovers the truth about Claire, but he knows the importance of a secret. Struggling to resist his
attraction to the songbird, he’s determined to complete his assignment, no matter the cost. His cover is threatened when a ruthless female Gestapo officer arrives, hunting Resistance fighters. The raid forces Michael’s hand: complete the mission or save Claire.
As the war threatens to tear them apart, they must rely on each other for survival. Is there hope—and a future—for an American songbird and a British spy?
Written for the General Market (G) (I): Contains little or no; sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language. May also contain content of an inspirational nature.more
J’nell Ciesielski second novel showed the horrors of World War II wrapped in a love story and filled with history. With a number of research elements, Ciesielski crafted a story showing the highlights of spies during World War II. She does a wonderful job at bringing France during World War II to life. The romance between Michael and Claire moved into like quickly than jumped into love not long after. Claire is a strong heroine who just wants to travel home but accomplishes what she needs to survive. Michael is a strong hero who sacrifices his comforts and his identity to save the woman who has captured his heart. The only problem I had with the plot was the idea of taking Claire to Ireland and leaving her there while Michael returned to the front and continued the war work. It didn’t seem to fit the novel storyline and appeared disjointed from the main plot up to the point in the story.
Overall, Songbird and The Spy by J’nell Ciesielski should thrill World War II fiction fans. With the amount of research, Ciesielski displayed a story worth devouring with a hint of romance and plenty of danger. I believe fans of Sarah Sundin, Tricia Goyer, and Jaqueline Winspear should pick up Songbird and the Spy.
I received a complimentary copy of Songbird and the Spy by J’nell Ciesielski from the Celebrate Lit tour program, but the opinions stated are all my own.
During WWII Churchhill put together a secret spy ring from some of the British soldiers. They were trained in various aspects. In this novel the character Michael learned how to secretly decode messages from the Germans. He infiltrated the German army as a captain, a spy for the allies. He could have been caught at any moment and killed for what he was doing so it kept my heart pounding with each mission he undertook.
Claire was a music student and took a break to visit relatives in France that she had never met. The Nazis took her family while she hid in the barn. Left alone she packed up and started walking through the countryside trying to reach freedom in unoccupied France. She was found by a man and given shelter and a job in a small town pup. Serving liquor and beer and singing at night gave her the title Songbird.
That’s where she met Michael and despised him right at the start for being a Nazi.
But their “adventures” don’t stop there.
So much happens, good and bad and I was taken in and captured by the suspense and espionage within this novel. So much of this really happened to real people and I am more in awe of our allied soldiers that served during this war, including my father-in-law.
I am convinced that this should be made into a movie! This is the first novel I’ve read by this author but I will be seeking out others.
I received an ebook from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
Beautifully written, The Songbird and the Spy is an excellent novel of Europe, especially occupied France, in WWII and how people are affected through the shattering events. It is riveting from the first page throughout. The author shares engaging characters, action, and historical and geographic information.
Claire Baudin dreams of becoming a concert violinist when she graduates from a music conservatory in France. Far from the Virginia farm where she grew up, this talented young lady had a full scholarship there. During a break from classes, she goes to visit her father’s cousin and family when cars on her train are blown up by enemy forces. A very handsome gentleman helps her get free from where her foot was trapped so she can escape the train. Emile and Helene, with their daughter Maurelle, drive to where the explosion was to pick up Claire.
Eleven months later, she is still at the Boudin’s farm. She has not been allowed to leave occupied France, and wants to find a smuggler to help her get back to the school if not back home. Nazi soldiers came to the farm. Emile sent Claire to the haymow while he spoke with them, and they departed with Emile, his wife, and daughters. Claire grabbed a few necessities and food and ran, hoping to find her own way to the border. Days later, with an injured ankle, she is found by Giles, who with his sister Pauline runs The Three Buckets tavern. He helps her to the tavern and she rests, hoping to leave soon.
As Claire begins to stand again, she helps with chores at the tavern. One night she looks at the piano and tunes it. Customers ask her to play, then to sing. She meets several German soldiers, including the handsome Captain Michael Reichner. He is a spy for the British SOE, transmitting plans secretly from the communications decoding department he oversees in occupied France. They fight the attraction, Michael to protect his cover and Claire as he is the enemy, but they are unable to stay away from each other. When undercover Gestapo officer, Captain Ilsa von Ziegler, arrives and is fed suspicious info from Michael’s sergeant, Ilsa far overstays her welcome. Jealous of Claire, she also wants to find what is going on between them. Ilsa has many tricks up her sleeve and works to get the better of Michael and Claire. The Songbird, then the spy, are at her mercy, and Ilsa always gets what she wants.
Claire and Michael are very likable, as are Giles and Pauline. Claire is characterized through her thoughts, actions, and conversations; Michael is to a lesser degree. Those who are striving against them are defined as necessary to give the true feel for their duplicity and hatred; there is even an actress I pictured playing the part of Ilsa! Claire, Michael, and their families are folks I would enjoy reading more about!
The plot is very well written, at times exciting and at times feeling the Claire and Michael’s fear. I learned more about life during the war and occupation, the Resistance, and those waiting on the home front. This novel is fast-paced, with time flying nearly as fast as the pages! Every WWII novel has something new and different to offer, and this is no exception. The outcome was uncertain, the suspense builds, and risks are high! It is an excellent, clean read, and I highly recommend it to fans of the author, of WWII fiction, and Europe during German occupation.
From a grateful heart: I received an e-ARC of this from the publisher through a CelebrateLit Celebration Tour.
Wow, this was one incredible story! I tend to read a lot of historical fiction including many that are set during WWII. Even though they tend to break my heart, the perseverance and hope that the characters cling to engrosses me in their stories. The Songbird and the Spy has a unique storyline which is just one of the reasons I couldn’t put it down.
Claire is an American who found herself in the wrong place when the war broke out in Europe. Trapped in a country that’s not her own with no one beside her, she stumbles upon a couple that are willing to take her under their wing. They are the owners of the local bar and teach her how to work in it while being fiercely protective of her despite the company that enters their establishment. It doesn’t take long for them to be more like family than mere friends. In a time where people were frightened into suspicion of anyone and everyone, it was touching to be able to see a relationship like this develop in spite of the terror around them.
I loved Michael’s character. I won’t lie that I often wondered how he wasn’t discovered to be a spy, but I didn’t envy him for the position he was in. As someone with a level of command over enemy soldiers, he had to make his role believable while sharing their secrets as a spy. Dealing with all of that while falling in love with a mysterious barmaid certainly makes for an interesting story.
Not to say that it’s enjoyable to read about war shootings, but the events in this story felt more real because of how they played out. The concept of “only kill if you have to” was mixed with the duty to protect. Often when reading Christian fiction, authors will avoid killing from the protagonists’ side at all costs. While it’s a nice thought, it simply wasn’t a reality. It wasn’t glorified, but there were a few scenes that involved gunfire from both sides. I appreciated the author’s willingness to go down the difficult road of reality while remaining sensitive to a hope for less violence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it! The setting and characters were well developed, and the unique storyline was highly captivating. This was the first book that I read by this author, but I certainly plan to read more from her in the future!
*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
I was so surprised at how wonderful this book was that I went out and got her previous book and loved that one equally! J’nell does a fine job of bringing people and their predicaments to life, really!
New to me author, J’nell Ciesielski, is another name to add to the list of my go-to historical fiction authors. While I have read several books set during WWII, a well-written novel can keep this setting from growing old. Caught behind enemy lines, an American music student is faced with danger and subterfuge as she tries to find her way out of war-torn France. While there are several tense moments in this well-paced plot, I loved the romance that develops between Cieslieski’s brave heroine and swoon-worthy hero.
The author brings to life the hardships faced by a conquered people who are trying to stay alive while the enemy is living in their midst. Reading well-researched fiction, brings to life some details that I have read in history books, allowing me as the reader to appreciate the sacrifices made by the real-life heroes who stories remain untold.
Cieslieski’s ability to pen a well-researched story, filled with enough danger, intrigue and a dash of romance will have me looking forward to reading more of her books in the future. I highly recommend this story to historical fiction fans, it is a page-turner that will keep you happily reading from the first page to the last.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through CelebrateLit. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Softly at first, then shock. An American girl in France, studying music, as Germany invades. On a train with a blue eyed man. Which characters as she goes along will be of significance? Where does safety lie? Multi layered identities in a time of war and unprecedented evil. Luckily there ARE good people in the world who will help you, but then there are some who will turn on you too.
Claire is shifted out of her comfort zone and forced to run, and she’s a bit sloppy about it. But she lands at a bar with a piano while she tries to find her way out of the country. Michael has more layers to his life and personality than most anyone you’ll meet. Ideal for a British SIS agent posing as a German Captain in charge of deciphering communications behind enemy lines.
This expertly told story brings you to the harsh reality of Nazi occupied France, folding you in right from the first few pages. If you’ve ever seen a movie or learned about that time and place, you’ll be like me, tense, waiting for the net to drop any time. Innocent people were forced to do things they never would dream of, were killed, tortured, made slaves. Everything taken, sometimes people too. Very well told, enthralling, a mystery to the end.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#TheSongbirdAndTheSpy #JNellCiesielski #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout
‘And now go and set Europe ablaze.’ – Winston Churchill, 1940
A variety of skills and knowledge of different areas allowed many ‘experts’ to help with the war effort. This was known as Churchill’s Sabotage Organization or secret army. While many did not survive, their service was invaluable and gave the Allies a great advantage
William, a language expert, was stationed in rural France. Masquerading as a Nazi captain, he decodes radio transmissions and sends vital information on to the Allies.
Claire, a young American music student, gets caught up in the horrors of war, surviving however she can.
A sweet historical romance with lots of suspense and intrigue, you won’t want to put down until you find out if they make it safely home!
I received an ARC through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.
Romance with a healthy dose of intrigue that will keep you turning the pages. A young American music student is caught behind the lines in occupied France during WWII. Her French relatives try to shield her, but she winds up alone and afraid until a kindly brother and sister take her into their home. They run a local pub, and she sings for her supper–literally. They pass her off as a French girl. When a certain German captain catches her eye, she does everything in her power to avoid him, but he won’t go away. The German captain isn’t what he seems either, and that revelation starts a whole new round of tension, conflict, and danger. A wonderful story by the same author as “Among the Poppies.” Well worth reading!