Today, we're getting between the epages of a Historical Fiction novel that reminds us that while we look towards the future with hope and love, we should never forget the past or the lessons learned. So, if you're a fan of the genre and fancy a trip back to WWII, join me as we discover more about today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...
Spring Breeze
by
Angela Barton
About the book...
Paris, June 1940. The enemy has entered the city and Matilde Pascale hopes to sink into the shadows for the entirety of the war. However, when tragedy strikes it changes everything and Matilde focuses on revenge in order to fight back against the Nazis and their heinous crimes against humanity. But life sometimes takes a bizarre twist and it seems that love has a way of infiltrating the most impenetrable of boundaries. A common purpose drives two enemies into each other’s arms and together they discover the capacity of their combined strength.
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No matter how many times I read stories that take us back to those nightmarish times in our history, it never fails to leave me amazed on so many levels. Each story is so very different, so personal, despite all taking place in the same time period. Each cast of characters you meet brings something unique to the story, and yet never seems to repeat. Each trial gone through, each effort made in defiance of the regime, each moment of hope stolen from the enemy gleams like a captured star, leaving me lost in the moments, saddened by that past, and hopeful for the future.
You can't read a story like this and not be affected. From the moment we meet Matilde to the second her life changes forever, the time we glimpse Hans to the minute he realizes his new acquaintance has altered his life's course, and every moment of human suffering and triumph in between, you will be moved emotionally, mindfully, and in the deepest corners of your heart. The things people went through at the hands of the enemy, the things people did to their own countrymen in the name of saving themselves, the atrocities committed against man, woman, and child, it's heart breaking...and yet, there were still moments that were worth their weight in gold. Each person they saved, each time they procured information valuable to their cause, each moment they managed to see another day, each second they made room for hope, light, and love...those times, however short, were what kept them afloat. Through the starvation, through the torture, through the separations, and humiliations, the better tomorrow, the salvation of their fellow men and women were what they were fighting for.
All in all, this was a remarkable story, that has to not only be read, but felt. I held Matilde in the utmost regard, even if her initial reaction was to stand down. Sometimes one has to see the forest for the trees and that even if no one is there to hear it, realize if one fell, it would still make a sound. Hans I was of two hearts over, and I shan't say more for fear of ruining the revelations, but suffice it to say, he is one to watch as things progress. There are so many other souls worthy of mention, but between the pages of this story is the best place to meet them, so I leave it to you to discover their names, faces, and stories...and once you have, tell me you haven't been changed in some way.
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About the author...
Angela Barton was born in London and grew up in Nottingham. She has three grown up children and loves to spend time with her eight-year-old twin granddaughters and a new baby granddaughter born Christmas 2021.
Angela is passionate about writing both contemporary and historical fiction and loves time spent researching for her novels. She lived in France whilst writing Spring Breeze and explored Paris and its catacombs for Spring Breeze.
In 2018 Angela signed publishing contracts for three of her completed novels. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, a reader for their New Writers’ Scheme, a member of the Society of Authors and also Ellipses and Ampersands’ fiction critique group.
Angela is busy writing her fifth novel set in France during WW2. Her next story takes us away from the capital to the Pyrenees bordering Spain.
In addition to writing, Angela also relaxes by making landscapes using free motion sewing on a machine and has a small online gift business at www.buttonmooncreations.com
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~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN...
...A Parisian tote bag, a Spring Breeze notebook and Hotel Chocolat Pink Champagne chocolates!
(Open to Europe Only)
*Terms and Conditions –European entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
Thank you very much for your support and kind review. It means a lot. Ange xx
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