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Behind the Enemy
Along with many others, from many nations, Louis Anderson is a young Englishman swept into the war in September 1939. Volunteering for his father’s old regiment, the Royal Artillery, he finds himself in the British Expeditionary Force in France in 1940, experiencing the Phoney War as a Lance-Bombardier.
Seconded to a concert party, the able gymnast finds the audiences of soldiers aren’t interested in watching feats of physical skill, preferring instead to ogle an attractive girl. However, real girls aren’t permitted close to the potential front line, so, being slight in stature and able to pass as an attractive female, he is persuaded to alter his act to that of a female vocalist. He is completely convincing, which causes a few problems, not least to Louis himself.
No one took into account the speed of the German Blitzkrieg, or Louis’s hidden nature. A chance meeting with an elderly Romany woman leaves him with a strange ring and a very different future, particularly after the Germans’ rapid advance cuts off the party’s escape route to Dunkirk. Forced to dump their trucks and uniforms, the party don civilian attire to pose as a travelling troupe of players in an attempt to find a route through to the coast and escape. However, the invading Germans have other ideas, and require the troupe to entertain a Panzer Regiment.
Louis, with no male civilian attire, finds himself in an awkward predicament. At that moment, Louis ceases to be, and Louisa takes over, but for how long?
Seconded to a concert party, the able gymnast finds the audiences of soldiers aren’t interested in watching feats of physical skill, preferring instead to ogle an attractive girl. However, real girls aren’t permitted close to the potential front line, so, being slight in stature and able to pass as an attractive female, he is persuaded to alter his act to that of a female vocalist. He is completely convincing, which causes a few problems, not least to Louis himself.
No one took into account the speed of the German Blitzkrieg, or Louis’s hidden nature. A chance meeting with an elderly Romany woman leaves him with a strange ring and a very different future, particularly after the Germans’ rapid advance cuts off the party’s escape route to Dunkirk. Forced to dump their trucks and uniforms, the party don civilian attire to pose as a travelling troupe of players in an attempt to find a route through to the coast and escape. However, the invading Germans have other ideas, and require the troupe to entertain a Panzer Regiment.
Louis, with no male civilian attire, finds himself in an awkward predicament. At that moment, Louis ceases to be, and Louisa takes over, but for how long?
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2011
About the author
Tanya Allan
88 books65 followersTanya Allan is a prolific writer of various works, including novels, short stories and poetry. Some of her work, relating to transgender issues, may be familiar to those who feel that perhaps life would have been easier had they been born with a body and mind of the same gender. She is in the process of publishing all other work under the same name.
Tanya is now settled in the southern half of the United Kingdom (sometimes known as England). Born and educated in Scotland, and having experienced well over a half-century of life, in a myriad of guises, mostly involved keeping the realm safe and secure from enemies, both domestic and foreign, Tanya has a more sedate life now, concentrating on grandchildren, dogs, travel and writing.
Tanya is now settled in the southern half of the United Kingdom (sometimes known as England). Born and educated in Scotland, and having experienced well over a half-century of life, in a myriad of guises, mostly involved keeping the realm safe and secure from enemies, both domestic and foreign, Tanya has a more sedate life now, concentrating on grandchildren, dogs, travel and writing.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 31, 2025
It’s a wonderful book I need to read book 2 to see what happens to Louisa and Kurt. I love Tanya writing it’s based on historical facts, which is rare in transgender romance novels. I feel very blessed that I was able to find her books
December 25, 2025
Excellent as usual
A storyline that gripped me from start to ending. Looking forward to book two. The character developed was so good that I could easily identify and cheer our protagonist’s on.
A storyline that gripped me from start to ending. Looking forward to book two. The character developed was so good that I could easily identify and cheer our protagonist’s on.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews