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Women of the Resistance #2
A Call to Service: An engrossing, powerful and heart-breaking WW2 novel
Her country needs her. But her heart is elsewhere.
After fleeing German-occupied Paris, Alix is back in her home in Belgrade, hoping to finally reunite with her parents. But while Alix has been fighting her own battles with the Resistance, her parents have too fled with King Peter to ensure his safety. As Alix decides to find her parents with her father’s deputy steward, Drago, they are derailed and forced to reside in the Serbian country home.
But all is not lost when Alix finds Nikola in the city - the man her father said she was to marry before war broke out. She finds she has more in common with him than ever expected, and together with Drago they join a new Resistance.
But Alix hasn’t forgotten about Steve, the handsome American pilot she fell in love with back in France, whom she last heard was harmed in battle. When a chance meeting brings Alix and Steve face to face once again, she must decide where her heart truly is…
Fans of Suzanne Kelman and Fiona Valpy will love this captivating, globe-trotting, deeply rich historical fiction set in World War Two.
Praise for Holly
‘So well written… felt so real. Everything about it made for a great read. I recommend this and give it 5 stars.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘A fantastic story … The characters capture your attention right from the very first page.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘The story had me hooked from the beginning … highly recommend’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘Great book by this author … felt like I was in the story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘A brilliantly written and well researched book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘Holly’s storytelling is amazing, you feel you are actually there.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘Holly Green’s research and delivery of her stories gives readers a glimpse of the reality of war.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
After fleeing German-occupied Paris, Alix is back in her home in Belgrade, hoping to finally reunite with her parents. But while Alix has been fighting her own battles with the Resistance, her parents have too fled with King Peter to ensure his safety. As Alix decides to find her parents with her father’s deputy steward, Drago, they are derailed and forced to reside in the Serbian country home.
But all is not lost when Alix finds Nikola in the city - the man her father said she was to marry before war broke out. She finds she has more in common with him than ever expected, and together with Drago they join a new Resistance.
But Alix hasn’t forgotten about Steve, the handsome American pilot she fell in love with back in France, whom she last heard was harmed in battle. When a chance meeting brings Alix and Steve face to face once again, she must decide where her heart truly is…
Fans of Suzanne Kelman and Fiona Valpy will love this captivating, globe-trotting, deeply rich historical fiction set in World War Two.
Praise for Holly
‘So well written… felt so real. Everything about it made for a great read. I recommend this and give it 5 stars.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘A fantastic story … The characters capture your attention right from the very first page.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘The story had me hooked from the beginning … highly recommend’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘Great book by this author … felt like I was in the story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘A brilliantly written and well researched book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘Holly’s storytelling is amazing, you feel you are actually there.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘Holly Green’s research and delivery of her stories gives readers a glimpse of the reality of war.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2024
47 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Holly Green
28 books1,446 followersPen name for author: Hilary Green
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Holly Green writes historical sagas about love and war, and her books are inspired by the stories she heard from her parents when she was a child. Her father was a professional singer with a fine baritone voice and her mother was a dancer, but they hd to give up their professions at the outbreak of World War II.
Holly is from Liverpool and is a trained actress and teacher - her claim to fame being that she gave Daniel Craig his first acting experience!
Holly is married, and enjoys spending time with her two delightful grandchildren.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Holly Green writes historical sagas about love and war, and her books are inspired by the stories she heard from her parents when she was a child. Her father was a professional singer with a fine baritone voice and her mother was a dancer, but they hd to give up their professions at the outbreak of World War II.
Holly is from Liverpool and is a trained actress and teacher - her claim to fame being that she gave Daniel Craig his first acting experience!
Holly is married, and enjoys spending time with her two delightful grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 23, 2024
Book 2 in a series but easily read as a standalone, A CALL TO SERVICE, by Holly Green, is well researched. It’s also heavy with characters and events but good organization makes the reading experience manageable.
Each chapter is clearly marked with a location and date. The story begins on 6 April 1941 and ends, temporarily, in December of 1943 with a brief Epilogue. There’s no doubt about the fact that there is another book to follow for the primary characters.
I was struck by the fact that both primary female characters had traditionally male names. Mom, Lenora, was referred to as “Leo” and daughter, Alexandra, was called “Alix”. It took me a while to remember these were women. Even tho’ they were members of the aristocracy, they had no qualms about getting involved and literally getting down and dirty. Both women played key roles in securing freedom from the Nazi invasion, assisting all people, regardless of class, and often put their own lives in danger to further advance the interests of others.
Busy is a good way to describe the storytelling style of this book. Author, Holly Green, seesaws back and forth between mother and daughter who never come together in this volume. Each chapter is about a month long and features one of the two women. More action is associated with the Alix storyline and more intrigue with Leo. It feels a bit like a dual timeline story except that the time period is the same. The locations over lap and secondary characters flow between them but the two heroines remain independent from each other. Their coming back together will be a key element for the next installment, presumably.
It was obvious that a good deal of research went into this story. Many of the characters and events were familiar to me and the enhancements done by Green were appropriate for time and place. Make sure to read her notes in the back of the book. In fact, it might be best to read them before starting the book as it will provide a good context.
For those who are concerned, the violence level is modest without much descriptive prose - 3/10. Language rates about the same - 1 fbomb, and a collection of soft expletives with only one divine epithet; not bad for a story that’s heavily placed during active warfare. Romance is very different between the two storylines. Neither contains anything descriptive or graphic. One borders on sweet with temptation and moral considerations while the other has options and more options but decisions are swayed by too many and too much of everything. The best part about those arcs is that they don’t take over the story.
A bit of a slog in the middle but an otherwise good story, especially for those who like historical fiction that’s strong on small scale military action and realism📚
Read and reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks.
Each chapter is clearly marked with a location and date. The story begins on 6 April 1941 and ends, temporarily, in December of 1943 with a brief Epilogue. There’s no doubt about the fact that there is another book to follow for the primary characters.
I was struck by the fact that both primary female characters had traditionally male names. Mom, Lenora, was referred to as “Leo” and daughter, Alexandra, was called “Alix”. It took me a while to remember these were women. Even tho’ they were members of the aristocracy, they had no qualms about getting involved and literally getting down and dirty. Both women played key roles in securing freedom from the Nazi invasion, assisting all people, regardless of class, and often put their own lives in danger to further advance the interests of others.
Busy is a good way to describe the storytelling style of this book. Author, Holly Green, seesaws back and forth between mother and daughter who never come together in this volume. Each chapter is about a month long and features one of the two women. More action is associated with the Alix storyline and more intrigue with Leo. It feels a bit like a dual timeline story except that the time period is the same. The locations over lap and secondary characters flow between them but the two heroines remain independent from each other. Their coming back together will be a key element for the next installment, presumably.
It was obvious that a good deal of research went into this story. Many of the characters and events were familiar to me and the enhancements done by Green were appropriate for time and place. Make sure to read her notes in the back of the book. In fact, it might be best to read them before starting the book as it will provide a good context.
For those who are concerned, the violence level is modest without much descriptive prose - 3/10. Language rates about the same - 1 fbomb, and a collection of soft expletives with only one divine epithet; not bad for a story that’s heavily placed during active warfare. Romance is very different between the two storylines. Neither contains anything descriptive or graphic. One borders on sweet with temptation and moral considerations while the other has options and more options but decisions are swayed by too many and too much of everything. The best part about those arcs is that they don’t take over the story.
A bit of a slog in the middle but an otherwise good story, especially for those who like historical fiction that’s strong on small scale military action and realism📚
Read and reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks.
September 28, 2024
Book two starts with a literal bang. Alix has returned to Belgrade only to arrive at the worst time. The Germans are invading and bombing the city. She just misses her parents, who are hauled off to England to be with the king. Alix finds herself joining Tito's communist resistance along side childhood servant and friend Drago and her would be fiance Nikola who is a manipulative gaslighting asshole. Nikola believes they are engaged and at one point basically tricks her into agreeing to it even though Alix cannot stand him. He is a whiny little bitch throughout most of the book. Not even a serious injury stops his assholery but makes it worse. Steve is working with another resistance movement that has the backing of the king. Only his leader Mihailovic doesn't want to do anything and seems to be siding with the enemy. Alix and Steve meet twice in the book. The first time they don't recognize each other, the second time Nikola brings out all the abusive tactics and Sen Steve off. The rest of their story is like a rom com with little things happening to keep them out of contact. Alix gradually becomes a hardened fighter and sadly Nikola is still alive by the end of the story but with one more book to go I have hope he won't be for much longer. Leo and Sasha end up in London where Sasha is in charge on the very young king. Leo is sent by SOE to Cairo where she becomes awfully close to a coworker. But based on some of Sasha's behaviour especially toward the end of the book who could blame her. Overall a solid installment in this trilogy. Usually book two is the weakest but this was quite good. Lots of suspense and drama as Alix and her team carry out secret missions to oust the Ustace, who are horrifically brutal. As always you both loved and hated some characters, well one at least, Sasha. I hated Nikola from the first page he showed up on and was glad he got injured. Alix and Leo are both very likeable as are Steve and Bill and you want to know more about them. The pacing of the story was good. You didn't feel annoyed when they switch from one storyline to another and I'm excitedly awaiting the final book to see what happens to everyone.
February 13, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Publishing for an ARC of this book to read and review.
This is the second book in Holly Green’s « Women of the Resistance » trilogy. The first, A Call to Courage, introduced the main characters, the Baron Sasha Malkovic, his wife, British-born Lady Leonora (Leo), and a few of their friends and allies in their involvement in the 1934 coup that secured the Yugoslav throne vacated due to the King’s assassination for his son Peter, barely 11 at the time. That instalment started in 1939, when Lady Leo escorted their daughter Alexandra (Alix) to Paris. Alix enrolled at the Sorbonne, became involved with a group of young Communists, and joined the Resistance as the Nazis occupied Paris. They are re-introduced as this volume opens.
That’s a very bare-bones summary for an epic historical novel, and volume two is, if anything, even more so, because it focuses on internal politics in wartime Yugoslavia. The Malkovic family is back in the thick of the action, although they are kept apart by necessity or just plain bad luck for much of the period covered. Presumably the years from 1943, when this book concludes, to the war’s end, are the subject of the final instalment.
This story begins with the massive Nazi bombardment of Belgrade on Easter Sunday 1941, prior to any declaration of war. The Malkovics’ first duty is to get the Prince safely to sanctuary in London, along with some senior advisers, including Sasha, who will serve as his government in exile. While they attend to this perilous mission, young Alix makes her own dangerous flight from the Nazis back to the family estate. With her parents gone, and no one really knowing where they are, and as determined and reckless as ever, she sets out to find them. Throughout her wartime travails, she is accompanied by the stalwart estate manager, Drago, with whom she has always enjoyed a little sister relationship, despite the vast gap in rank between them. Also omnipresent is the annoying Baron Nikola, ostensibly her « true » protector and still adhering firmly to the engagement her father had arranged—why she escaped to Paris.
Although the Nazi invasion and the Prince’s plight are obviously important, « epic » comes in with the gradual introduction of a huge cast and a wide-flung territorial base. There are old nations of eastern-central Europes, nations that came into being after the Great War, nations that use this war to ré-fight old battles and declare new boundaries and a new independence. There is Britain and its colonies, the Soviet Union and its satellites, the United States. The Nazis receive support, at least in principle, from the Italian fascists, and the Croatian Ustace, but even among the « bad guys » there are divisions and no real commitment to the German Reich.
Yugoslavia, meanwhile, its Royal Army in collapse and its rulers in exile, becomes a battleground of internal defenders, divided by class, region, language and ideology. The only resistance group that makes headway is the one everyone fears—the Communists under Josip Broz, the charismatic leader known as Tito. British forces, American, SOE. And of course, despite all odds against him, it is Tito who will come out ahead at the end.
This is not a read for the weak-hearted—there is a lot of violence, including depictions of the hideous mass murders among their own people carried out by the Ustashe. These are historic events, however. Among the good guys, the fictional aristocracy comes across the worst, despite the author’s attempts to make them heroic. Lady Leo, the Baron Sasha, and Alix, are certainly willing to risk all to save Yugoslavia. But they continue to enjoy many of the rights and privileges of the ruling class, even as the world collapses around them. Alix, who is directly in the line of fire, as she joins Tito’s fighting forces, still manages to get upgrades in food and accommodation and even arms and munitions, compared to the peasant women among them.
There is no question that the author has done much research, which is explained in her « Letter from Holly » at the book’s end. The incidents she describes so strikingly are true to the historical record. To her credit, despite the extensive list of characters, locations, events, issues, and their frequent interactions, she keeps the story moving. The internal conflicts are certainly realistic and eye-opening. Volume 3, A Call to Duty, will let readers know what happened to the main characters, both fictional and historic. Most of us know how the war ended for Yugoslavia and its aristocracy, as well as Tito and the peasants and workers. The human impact, through the eyes of those who were there, even if fictional characters, is the most fascinating part of this story.
This is the second book in Holly Green’s « Women of the Resistance » trilogy. The first, A Call to Courage, introduced the main characters, the Baron Sasha Malkovic, his wife, British-born Lady Leonora (Leo), and a few of their friends and allies in their involvement in the 1934 coup that secured the Yugoslav throne vacated due to the King’s assassination for his son Peter, barely 11 at the time. That instalment started in 1939, when Lady Leo escorted their daughter Alexandra (Alix) to Paris. Alix enrolled at the Sorbonne, became involved with a group of young Communists, and joined the Resistance as the Nazis occupied Paris. They are re-introduced as this volume opens.
That’s a very bare-bones summary for an epic historical novel, and volume two is, if anything, even more so, because it focuses on internal politics in wartime Yugoslavia. The Malkovic family is back in the thick of the action, although they are kept apart by necessity or just plain bad luck for much of the period covered. Presumably the years from 1943, when this book concludes, to the war’s end, are the subject of the final instalment.
This story begins with the massive Nazi bombardment of Belgrade on Easter Sunday 1941, prior to any declaration of war. The Malkovics’ first duty is to get the Prince safely to sanctuary in London, along with some senior advisers, including Sasha, who will serve as his government in exile. While they attend to this perilous mission, young Alix makes her own dangerous flight from the Nazis back to the family estate. With her parents gone, and no one really knowing where they are, and as determined and reckless as ever, she sets out to find them. Throughout her wartime travails, she is accompanied by the stalwart estate manager, Drago, with whom she has always enjoyed a little sister relationship, despite the vast gap in rank between them. Also omnipresent is the annoying Baron Nikola, ostensibly her « true » protector and still adhering firmly to the engagement her father had arranged—why she escaped to Paris.
Although the Nazi invasion and the Prince’s plight are obviously important, « epic » comes in with the gradual introduction of a huge cast and a wide-flung territorial base. There are old nations of eastern-central Europes, nations that came into being after the Great War, nations that use this war to ré-fight old battles and declare new boundaries and a new independence. There is Britain and its colonies, the Soviet Union and its satellites, the United States. The Nazis receive support, at least in principle, from the Italian fascists, and the Croatian Ustace, but even among the « bad guys » there are divisions and no real commitment to the German Reich.
Yugoslavia, meanwhile, its Royal Army in collapse and its rulers in exile, becomes a battleground of internal defenders, divided by class, region, language and ideology. The only resistance group that makes headway is the one everyone fears—the Communists under Josip Broz, the charismatic leader known as Tito. British forces, American, SOE. And of course, despite all odds against him, it is Tito who will come out ahead at the end.
This is not a read for the weak-hearted—there is a lot of violence, including depictions of the hideous mass murders among their own people carried out by the Ustashe. These are historic events, however. Among the good guys, the fictional aristocracy comes across the worst, despite the author’s attempts to make them heroic. Lady Leo, the Baron Sasha, and Alix, are certainly willing to risk all to save Yugoslavia. But they continue to enjoy many of the rights and privileges of the ruling class, even as the world collapses around them. Alix, who is directly in the line of fire, as she joins Tito’s fighting forces, still manages to get upgrades in food and accommodation and even arms and munitions, compared to the peasant women among them.
There is no question that the author has done much research, which is explained in her « Letter from Holly » at the book’s end. The incidents she describes so strikingly are true to the historical record. To her credit, despite the extensive list of characters, locations, events, issues, and their frequent interactions, she keeps the story moving. The internal conflicts are certainly realistic and eye-opening. Volume 3, A Call to Duty, will let readers know what happened to the main characters, both fictional and historic. Most of us know how the war ended for Yugoslavia and its aristocracy, as well as Tito and the peasants and workers. The human impact, through the eyes of those who were there, even if fictional characters, is the most fascinating part of this story.
January 25, 2024
A Call To Service follows Alix, a brave woman caught in the middle of conflicting loyalties and passionate desires.
During World War II, the story picked up shortly after Alix's escape from German-occupied Paris. Going back to her home in Belgrade, she wanted to reunite with her parents, who had fled with the Serbian King for his safety.
The relationships between the characters were beautifully woven into the story, providing more depth to the story. Alix's chemistry with both Nikola and Steve was palpable, and their interactions were laced with both heartache and hope.
The pacing of the book was steady. The plot was intertwined with personal stories and the larger historical side, I remained engaged and eager to uncover the characters' fates.
During World War II, the story picked up shortly after Alix's escape from German-occupied Paris. Going back to her home in Belgrade, she wanted to reunite with her parents, who had fled with the Serbian King for his safety.
The relationships between the characters were beautifully woven into the story, providing more depth to the story. Alix's chemistry with both Nikola and Steve was palpable, and their interactions were laced with both heartache and hope.
The pacing of the book was steady. The plot was intertwined with personal stories and the larger historical side, I remained engaged and eager to uncover the characters' fates.
January 28, 2024
I will preface this by saying I didn't realise this was book 2 until I read the authors notes at the end of the book.
I almost didn't finish this book. I found the information at the start very hard to follow as with the characters. That said, I have no previous knowledge of WWII in any of the south eastern countries that are featured in this book.
I learnt so much about the war in this part of the world.
At about half way the writing flowed with ease and I found it to have some exciting moments especially in battle. What a brave person Alix is.
I thoroughly enjoy the snippets of Leonora and wanted to hear more from her.
Thanks to #netgalley for kindly gifting this ARC to me.
I almost didn't finish this book. I found the information at the start very hard to follow as with the characters. That said, I have no previous knowledge of WWII in any of the south eastern countries that are featured in this book.
I learnt so much about the war in this part of the world.
At about half way the writing flowed with ease and I found it to have some exciting moments especially in battle. What a brave person Alix is.
I thoroughly enjoy the snippets of Leonora and wanted to hear more from her.
Thanks to #netgalley for kindly gifting this ARC to me.
February 19, 2024
This is a beautiful historical novel detailing the life of a young woman named Alix who is caught between duty and personal desire when World War Two uproots her life and the stability of her existing relationships. It’s a story of struggle, conflict, recompense, and love. The book is peppered with historical facts of Yugoslavia, delighting history buffs and bibliophiles alike. Although it is the second book in a trilogy, it can stand on its own.
January 31, 2024
A call to service by molly green i found this book very enjoyable to read if sometimes confusing .the story was really good but sometimes had to read previous page to remind myself what was happening.took me longer to read than it normally takes me to read a book .i do hope theres a follow up book as it would be nice to know how and where the storyline takes some characters.i given 4 stars .
January 25, 2024
A wonderful story of romance, adventure, and resistance. I can’t wait to read the next book! I want more!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews