Summer of Fire

Seagrove & Raven #1

by Rachel Henke

Summer 1940

Upon the sudden fall of France, Lizzie Beaumont’s idyllic life is shattered when her family leaves Jersey before the Nazis invade the Channel Islands.

In wartime London, she excels in her work as a French translator. Soon she’s spotted by the Special Operations Executive, the new espionage organisation, and summoned to a secret interview.

Sparks fly when the enigmatic British intelligence agent, Jack King, initially rejects Lizzie as unsuitable to operate behind enemy lines. His blunt dismissal awakens a fierce determination to prove him wrong.

Whilst the skies of Britain burn and Hitler’s evil regime casts a dark net over Europe, Lizzie parachutes into Northern France by moonlight, where Gestapo lurk on every corner. Her mission—to retrieve vital intelligence from a missing Jewish Resistance agent.

When the mission goes badly wrong, Jack rescues Lizzie and a dangerous passion erupts between the two.

Forbidden love or sworn duty. One choice could be fatal.

A heart-pounding historical romance of passion and defiance, where the flame of hope burns brightest in love's darkest hour.

Genres: Historical Fiction

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 26, 2024

About the author

Rachel Henke’s novels are historical romantic adventures about strong women and tortured heroes, destined to be together against all odds.

She dreamt of being a novelist since she was seven years old and her dream came true at fifty!

Rachel lives with her real-life romantic hero in the beautiful Surrey town of Weybridge, where the Rivers Wey and Thames meet. She spends her days drinking excellent coffee, telling tales, and meeting the incessant demands of their bossy toy poodle.

Rachel also writes as R.A. Henke where she crafts captivating contemporary billionaire romance novels in the Rochesters series, delivering intensely emotional stories that explore the redemptive power of love.

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, looked at different aspects of the SOE.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I'd hoped that this story would have more about the German occupation of Jersey, it turned out to be a fascinating look at the beginning of the SOE. The plot is well-paced and I could feel the desperation to put agents on the ground in France to foil the expected German invasion of Britain in 1940. The bravery of the English agents dropped behind enemy lines as well as the French Resistance members who worked with them was mind-boggling. I look forward to more nail-biting adventures in France with Lizzie and Jack when the next book is released in January. If you like World War II historical fiction with smart heroines, you'll enjoy this one.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an avid reader of WWII historic fiction and found this book I had purchased some time ago. It was fantastic and I will be moving in with the rest of the series for sure. Rachel and her family leave the Isle of Jersey early in the war and move to London for her dad’s job in the war department. She ends up being tapped for the SOE given her skill in languages and knowledge of France. Sent in to Reims with a mission, she finds herself very suited to the clandestine work. An added bonus is her boss, Jack. It’s filled with adventure, danger hope and love.

[JUDITH Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Resistance is the star

Anyone who knows the history of World War II is aware that the brave men and women, mostly French and British, who fought their own successful war against the Germans. Their collaboration helped the French reclaim their country and the British to prevent Adolph Hitler from advancing into the British Isles. This is the tale of just a handful of the brave. Henke throws in a poignant love story for interest. Engrossing read. K

[Pat Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

makes you want to read more

The characters really come to life so you feel the plot is really happening . I could imagine what it must have been like in France in WW2 and I so wanted everything to turn out well for Jack and Lizzie . Can’t wait for their next adventure

[peter walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this WW2 resistance novel , that sees a young girl from Jersey become a trained SOE agent and see that the evil Nazis are beaten by goodness from both the Allies and [especially] by the equally brave people of France. THANKS FOR A VERY THIS BOOK.

[Sandra Zeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

This is an excellent book filled with intrigue and a love story. The characters are wonderful set in the circle of the SOE and their missions to undermine the Germans.

[Cyril Cave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping story

This book has my complete attention from beginning to end . It was impossible to out down in case I missed even a few words .I was delighted with the ending but disappointed that there was no more.Amazon .Amazon good read.

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The research for this story really comes through. I loved the characters, each was so well described that I had a picture of them in my mind, along with their facial expressions. This is a fast paced story that really holds your attention! The story is very well written and very enjoyable.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read, draws you in straight away

[Amy Tardiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started off a bit slow. But once the plot got going, I found it hard to stop reading. Looking forward to reading the second book!

[HattieB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really engrossing historical fiction read.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Emmy Mangham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to get into it but it was just too slow and I got bored I did give it a chance but then gave up

[Douglas W Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Story and Background:

Story was well told but with a little too much revisiting things that happened and covered previously to fill space.