Chateau of Secrets

GIVEAWAY

DOBSON,MELANIE
CHATEAU OF SECRETS

A courageous young noblewoman risks her life to hide French resistance fighters; seventy years later, her granddaughter visits the family’s abandoned chateau and uncovers shocking secrets from the past.

Gisèle Duchant guards a secret that could cost her life. Tunnels snake through the hill under her family’s medieval chateau in Normandy. Now, with Hitler’s army bearing down, her brother and several friends are hiding in the tunnels, resisting the German occupation of France.

But when German soldiers take over the family’s château, Gisèle is forced to host them as well—while harboring the resistance fighters right below their feet. Taking in a Jewish friend’s baby, she convinces the Nazis that it is her child, ultimately risking everything for the future of the child. When the German officers begin to suspect her deception, an unlikely hero rescues both her and the child.

A present day story weaves through the past one as Chloe Sauver, Gisèle’s granddaughter, arrives in Normandy. After calling off her engagement with a political candidate, Chloe pays a visit to the chateau to escape publicity and work with a documentary filmmaker, Riley, who has uncovered a fascinating story about Jews serving in Hitler’s army. Riley wants to research Chloe’s family history and the lives that were saved in the tunnels under their house in Normandy. Chloe is floored—her family isn’t Jewish, for one thing, and she doesn’t know anything about tunnels or the history of the house. But as she begins to explore the dark and winding passageways beneath the chateau, nothing can prepare her for the shock of what she and Riley discover…

With emotion and intrigue, Melanie Dobson brings World War II France to life in this beautiful novel about war, family, sacrifice, and the secrets of the past.

My Review:

What a tumultuous read! I had dreams about this book! Chateau of Secrets captivated me that much! Exceptional writing and an intricate plot consumed me. The story goes back and forth between Gisele's life in German occupied France and her granddaughter's experiences in present day. The way the author weaves their stories back and forth, slowly meshing the pieces together as we head to a crescendo of a climax -- well, breathtaking doesn't begin to describe the kind of read this is. Honestly, I'm gobsmacked.

A masterful tale that includes a different spin on the World War II theme. An emotion filled, complicated story that, while painful at times, is ultimately uplifting. Dobson has done a tremendous job of capturing the courageous spirit of some incredible people. She turns despair into hope and breathes new life into a timeless tale of sacrifice. A book that truly honors the heroes of our past.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Chateau of Secrets please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 30 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!