Cards on the table here - I've been a longtime fan of Ellie Midwood's and I gobble up each new book she writes, like manna. Her latest work, The Indigo Rebels takes her World War II genre, out of Germany and into occupied France.
The Germans have entered Paris as conquerors, with the French army decimated and in tatters. Many of the Parisians have fled the city, south to the Free Zone, but not sisters Giselle and Kamille. The character of Giselle is beautifully worked and developed by Midwood. She is a feisty, socialite, author who has come up from moderate poverty and plans to never return there. She is arrogant, narcissistic and comfortable with her role in Society. Her new lodger is the Gestapo Chief for all of Paris, but to Giselle, he represents nothing more than a chance to take a new, different lover and to develop material for her next novel.
Sister Kamille, however, is the antithesis of Giselle. Quiet, timid, and shy, Kamille has been released from a loveless marriage when her husband is killed on the front and she sees her lodger, an officer in the Wehrmacht as a chance for the long overdue love, she has been craving all her adult life.
The brother, Marcel has deserted the French Army and is carrying an enormous weight of guilt over his cowardice in the face of action. Seeking redemption he has joined a Communist Resistance Cell.
Midwood, beautifully weaves these three disparate siblings together in that noblest of all causes of the time - the Liberation of "La Belle" France from the pernicious jackboot of Nazi domination.
As always, I lapped up one of Midwood's historical novels and couldn't put it down. Another triumph for this incredibly talented author. Now, I must sit back and wait for her next gem to appear. It could never be less than five-stars for this author. Kudos to her.
The Germans have entered Paris as conquerors, with the French army decimated and in tatters. Many of the Parisians have fled the city, south to the Free Zone, but not sisters Giselle and Kamille. The character of Giselle is beautifully worked and developed by Midwood. She is a feisty, socialite, author who has come up from moderate poverty and plans to never return there. She is arrogant, narcissistic and comfortable with her role in Society. Her new lodger is the Gestapo Chief for all of Paris, but to Giselle, he represents nothing more than a chance to take a new, different lover and to develop material for her next novel.
Sister Kamille, however, is the antithesis of Giselle. Quiet, timid, and shy, Kamille has been released from a loveless marriage when her husband is killed on the front and she sees her lodger, an officer in the Wehrmacht as a chance for the long overdue love, she has been craving all her adult life.
The brother, Marcel has deserted the French Army and is carrying an enormous weight of guilt over his cowardice in the face of action. Seeking redemption he has joined a Communist Resistance Cell.
Midwood, beautifully weaves these three disparate siblings together in that noblest of all causes of the time - the Liberation of "La Belle" France from the pernicious jackboot of Nazi domination.
As always, I lapped up one of Midwood's historical novels and couldn't put it down. Another triumph for this incredibly talented author. Now, I must sit back and wait for her next gem to appear. It could never be less than five-stars for this author. Kudos to her.
I implore you to please check out Midwood's amazing portfolio of Historical Novels. You will not regret it.
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