Book Review: The Lipstick Bureau by Michelle Gable

About the Book: 1944, Rome. Newlywed Niki Novotná is recruited by a new American spy agency to establish a secret branch in Italy’s capital. One of the OSS’s few female operatives abroad and multilingual, she’s tasked with crafting fake stories and distributing propaganda to lower the morale of enemy soldiers. Despite limited resources, Niki and … Continue reading Book Review: The Lipstick Bureau by Michelle Gable

Book Review: Return to Valetto by Dominic Smith

About the Book: A nearly abandoned Italian village, the family that stayed, and long-buried secrets from World War II. On a hilltop in Umbria sits Valetto. Once a thriving village-and a hub of resistance and refuge during World War II-centuries of earthquakes, landslides and the lure of a better life have left it neglected. Only … Continue reading Book Review: Return to Valetto by Dominic Smith

Book Review: The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre by Natasha Lester

About the Book: Lavish and compelling, this is the story of a young woman trying to forget her devastating part in the war. 1943. After spearheading several successful advertising campaigns in New York, PR wizard Alix St Pierre comes to the attention of the US government and finds herself recruited into a fledgling intelligence organisation. Enlisted as … Continue reading Book Review: The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre by Natasha Lester

Book Review: Dancing with the Enemy by Diane Armstrong

About the Book: From the bestselling author of The Collaborator comes a compelling story of betrayal, collusion, revenge, and redemption set in German-occupied Jersey during World War II. June 1940. ‘It was a perfect June evening that began with hope and ended in despair.’ So begins the journal of Hugh Jackson, a Jersey doctor, whose … Continue reading Book Review: Dancing with the Enemy by Diane Armstrong

Book Review: The Family by Naomi Krupitsky

About the Book: A captivating debut novel about the tangled fates of two best friends and daughters of the Italian mafia, and a coming-of-age story of twentieth-century Brooklyn itself. Two daughters. Two families. One inescapable fate. Sofia Colicchio is a free spirit, loud and untamed. Antonia Russo is thoughtful, ever observing the world around her. … Continue reading Book Review: The Family by Naomi Krupitsky

#BlogTour #BookReview: Echoes of War by Tania Blanchard

About the Book: Set in Mussolini’s Italy amid great upheaval, this is the story of one woman’s determination to find her place in a world that men are threatening to tear apart. Another heart-rending novel inspired by a true story from Australia's bestselling author of The Girl from Munich. Calabria, Italy, 1936 In a remote … Continue reading #BlogTour #BookReview: Echoes of War by Tania Blanchard

Book Review: Sisters of the Resistance by Christine Wells

About the Book: Paris, 1944: The war is nearly over, but for members of the Resistance in occupied France, it is more dangerous than ever before. Twenty-five-year-old Gabby Foucher loathes the Nazis, though as the concierge of 10 rue Royale, she does her best to avoid conflict—unlike her bolder sister Yvette, who finds trouble at … Continue reading Book Review: Sisters of the Resistance by Christine Wells

Behind the Pen with Michelle Wright

Today I warmly welcome Michelle Wright to Behind the Pen, chatting about her debut novel, Small Acts of Defiance. Michelle Wright is an award-winning writer who brings to life a remarkable range of characters, winning many awards, including The Age short story competition. Her collection of short stories, Fine, was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier's … Continue reading Behind the Pen with Michelle Wright