Wordless Wednesday

Book Review: Madame Fiocca by Suzy Henderson

Author: Suzy Henderson
Title: Madame Fiocca
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: ebook
Pages: 425
Published:  December 13th 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)



A gripping tale of love and espionage in Occupied France, based on true events.

February 1933: When her aunt gifts her two hundred pounds, twenty-year-old Nancy Wake embarks on a world cruise. Afterwards, she becomes a journalist and finds work in Paris. The city is glamorous, brimming with journalists, artists, and refugees.

While travelling across Europe on assignments, she catches the eye of wealthy industrialist Henri Fiocca, and destiny intervenes.

But as clouds of war swarm over Europe, German troops are on the march. Horrified when she witnesses Nazis whipping Jews on Vienna’s streets, Nancy vows to stop them if she ever has the chance.

When Paris falls, an encounter with a British officer draws her into the heart of an escape network. Soon she is caught in a deadly game of espionage.

As the iron fist of the enemy tightens, Nancy and Henri face a heart-breaking decision.

What happens when doing right is the road to ruin?

I couldn't resist this one. First the cover and then the story itself. 

The story follows Nancy Wake who started out as a traveler and journalist. She catches the eye of the wealthy industrialist Henri Fiocca and they eventually marry. As the clouds of war start to swarm over Europe and Paris falls, Nancy finds herself being drawn into the heart of an escape network and plays the deadly game of espionage. 

I had heard of Nancy Wake but I really didn't know much and any real details. I was excited to read this and then do some googling afterward ;) 

Part 1 was okay (a little slow paced - if I am to be honest here), but part 2 was AMAZING. I was hooked and couldn't put this down.I had no idea how this was all going to end. I was so worried about all of Nancy's friends, hubbie, and her little dog. It took all my power not to look at google and find out the answers before finishing this. LOL. 

This was well written and seemed well researched. Lots of details and lots of info. Sometimes it felt a little like a history book here and there. However, I did really like this and I was hooked. I do want to read more by this author! 

I loved Nancy. She is a true hero! I really enjoyed her story and I want to read more/watch about her. Made me tear up a couple of times.

Can I just say how beautiful this cover is??? Lovely!

Overall, I really adored Nancy and her story. She is a real hero! This was well written and it seemed pretty well researched. Made me curious to learn more about Nancy! I'll stamp this with 3 stars.  

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Poppy War by RF Kuang

Hardcover, 530 pages
Published May 1st 2018 by Harper Voyager
Series: The Poppy War #1
Fantasy
Own

I did not know what to expect from this one. I started with a girl trying to find a way out of an arranged marriage, she will take this exam and go to the best school in the country! Luckily she is smart, but she is also desperate. Then she gets to the school, and there she is just a peasant while everyone else has the best connections and bloodlines.

But Rin is desperate and does everything to get ahead, I mean that one thing, dang girl!

I really can't say a lot more, she makes enemies, she makes one friend, she gets a teacher that sees her potential, one who sees her danger.

But I really want to talk about the coming war, shit gets dark as f. What we have here is a fantasy China in whatever age it is. Lurking across the sea is fantasy Japan. Then the war starts, there is a "rape of Naijnking" story and all the horrible stuff they ever did during the war, such gruesome cruelty that it hurts your eyes seeing it. It all builds up to making Rin so filled with revenge and anger that, oh I can't say but it does follow what happened during WWII.

Because there are others powers at play, there are Gods, there are shamans, there is power beyond your imagination.

I liked the book, and I do want book 2, but I mean, such darkness. She will destroy the world as she is at it. I do wonder how she can rein it it 

When Rin aced the Keju — the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies — it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard — the most elite military school in Nikan — was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power — an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive — and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away.

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity ... and that it may already be too late.

Audiobook Review: Acer by Lilly Atlas

Author: Lilly Atlas 
Narrator: Noah Michael Levine , Erin DeWard 
Title: Acer
(No Prisoners MC #3)
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Set
Format: Audiobook 
Pages: 366 
Published: January 31st 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



After one unforgettable night with a dangerous outlaw, Fia knows she must limit contact with the kind of man who could never fit in her wealthy circle. Unfortunately, she can't keep their brief but passionate encounter far from her thoughts. When she seeks him out for reasons unrelated to their chemistry, the worst happens, and Fia is attacked by a madman. With her life turned upside down, she seeks help from the one person she can’t get out of her mind.

Betrayed by someone he should have been able to trust above all, Acer spends the next two decades of his life avoiding entanglements that have any chance of ending with a knife in his back. The MC life provides a safe way to have personal connections and loyalty due to its simple rule: betray the club and punishment will be severe. Still, he keeps a large part of himself locked away inside, hidden even from his MC brothers. When the woman who’s been messing with his head for months reappears in his life needing sanctuary, Acer jumps to her aid. He’s committed to help her reclaim her life, but determined to keep her at arms-length in the process.

As Acer and Fia fight their growing feelings, his club is in danger from a new and different kind of enemy. Will his refusal to put his full trust in anyone, including the woman he’s falling for, end up destroying more than betrayal ever could?

Book 3! I've been curious about Acer finding love. He is mysterious for sure. 

The story follows Acer and Fia. They both are misfits in the world of wealth. Acer's father betrayed him so he took off and found a better family with the MC group. Fia just wants to run her own business, but her parents want her to marry and just be a trophy wife. Terrible parents they both have so they both have issues with trust. They meet at a charity event and they have a one night stand. Some time goes by and Fia learns something that could endanger the club. She goes to Acer to tell him...but the unspeakable happens and Fia is attacked by a madman. With her life upside down, she seeks helps from the one man she feels she can trust. 

This was good. It had a different format then the others. There is insta-lust and mutual fondness between them. They are both misfits in their world and they find each other. They have a crazy night of sex and then part ways. They come together again months later when Fia finds out that Acer's father is up to something dangerous that could endanger Acer and his gang. Something horrible happens to Fia and Acer helps her find herself again. It was very sweet. The love takes time even though we all know it is there. They care for each other. 

Poor Fia. I had a hard time getting through the terrible events. Luckily it wasn't over detailed so it made it easier, but I adore Fia so it made it hard. I kept screaming "ACER FIND HER! SAVE HER! HURRY!" Poor girl. 

I loved that the majority of the book was about Acer helping Fia get through her trauma. He totally didn't have to, because they weren't an item, but he cared enough about her to get her through it all. Bless his heart. I adore him too. 

I loved the ending. It was beautiful and made me tear up a little bit. 

The narrators were fantastic again. They work so well together. I'm so glad they decided to do 2 narrators again!

Overall, this was really good. I adored Fia and Acer both. There was insta-lust and the love was buried in there but was present the whole time even though they didn't want to admit to each other. Very sweet. I'll give this 4 stars.

Challenge(s):

- #21 for Audiobook Challenge

- #4 on THE BAD BOYS OF ROMANCE challenge