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Secrets of the Desert Rose
Three Women. Two generations. Their friendship survived the war. Their secret survived even longer.
Monique and Audrey, one French and one British, grow up in French Algiers on the coast of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Best friends, they keep each other’s secrets into adulthood when World War II changes their world and Algiers sides with the Hitler-based Vichy government. Audrey joins Charles DeGaulle’s resistance army, the French Foreign Legion, while Monique stays to work in the underground resistance aiding the Allied invasion of North Africa.
In present day, American born great-granddaughter Nicole, a graduate student in archaeology, goes to North Africa for an internship. The now centenarian Monique (Mimi), debilitated by a stroke, urges her to find the Desert Rose. Nicole finds different types of desert roses, but none are the right one until she stumbles onto information that hints the desert rose might not be a flower after all. While Sami, her instructor in Algiers, helps her find the desert rose, he also has to protect her from people who want the heirloom ring Nicole wears which has its own secret.
Will Nicole find the secret before it’s too late?
Monique and Audrey, one French and one British, grow up in French Algiers on the coast of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Best friends, they keep each other’s secrets into adulthood when World War II changes their world and Algiers sides with the Hitler-based Vichy government. Audrey joins Charles DeGaulle’s resistance army, the French Foreign Legion, while Monique stays to work in the underground resistance aiding the Allied invasion of North Africa.
In present day, American born great-granddaughter Nicole, a graduate student in archaeology, goes to North Africa for an internship. The now centenarian Monique (Mimi), debilitated by a stroke, urges her to find the Desert Rose. Nicole finds different types of desert roses, but none are the right one until she stumbles onto information that hints the desert rose might not be a flower after all. While Sami, her instructor in Algiers, helps her find the desert rose, he also has to protect her from people who want the heirloom ring Nicole wears which has its own secret.
Will Nicole find the secret before it’s too late?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
366 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 15, 2026
I loved the concept for this novel, and especially the historical thread, but I had a very hard time pushing through to finish it, because I had an incredibly difficult time feeling any connection to the characters or invested in the plot. The contemporary thread, after reading the whole book, felt unimportant and mostly used to share random historical & geographical details that weren't relevant to the actual plot.
Watching Audrey and Monique's unique bond develop as children was lovely, but as they aged, the story seemed to zoom out and give an overview of events instead of diving into the dialogue, thoughts, and the feelings they had in each moment. We didn't get to fall in love as Audrey did--we just knew she was in love. We didn't experience the heart-pounding terror she underwent on a daily basis, or her grief with her constantly changing companions. And as a WWII novel with a focus on the Jewish persecution in Algeria, I was very disappointed that a Jewish friend wasn't introduced until RIGHT before things got dark for them--it would have been so much more compelling if Sarah had been part of the story from the beginning.
Beyond that, there were quite a few typos and missing punctuation marks that pulled me out of the story, as well as a lot of redundant statements. And once we hit a lot of the action in the historical thread, it became a lot of telling instead of showing, which was disappointing. For me, it would need some significant developmental and line edits to get a four or five-star rating, but the concept definitely grabbed me! I just wish it had been more fully fleshed out to reach its full potential.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Watching Audrey and Monique's unique bond develop as children was lovely, but as they aged, the story seemed to zoom out and give an overview of events instead of diving into the dialogue, thoughts, and the feelings they had in each moment. We didn't get to fall in love as Audrey did--we just knew she was in love. We didn't experience the heart-pounding terror she underwent on a daily basis, or her grief with her constantly changing companions. And as a WWII novel with a focus on the Jewish persecution in Algeria, I was very disappointed that a Jewish friend wasn't introduced until RIGHT before things got dark for them--it would have been so much more compelling if Sarah had been part of the story from the beginning.
Beyond that, there were quite a few typos and missing punctuation marks that pulled me out of the story, as well as a lot of redundant statements. And once we hit a lot of the action in the historical thread, it became a lot of telling instead of showing, which was disappointing. For me, it would need some significant developmental and line edits to get a four or five-star rating, but the concept definitely grabbed me! I just wish it had been more fully fleshed out to reach its full potential.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
May 1, 2026
I’m always pulled to stories with great covers, synopses featuring parts of the world on my bucket list, and narratives that promise deathbed requests and secrets. Marilyn Turk’s dual-timeline historical fiction explores the power and the enduring nature of secrets. Her story doesn’t just revisit the 1930s wartime period; it also exposes its silences.
I enjoyed this North African journey of discovery; both timelines were equally compelling. I was caught up in a narrative about pursuing hidden truths and was invested in the uncovering of layers of deception and mystery.
It was interesting seeing the far-reaching effect of the few years these girls spent together and how their secret survived.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I enjoyed this North African journey of discovery; both timelines were equally compelling. I was caught up in a narrative about pursuing hidden truths and was invested in the uncovering of layers of deception and mystery.
It was interesting seeing the far-reaching effect of the few years these girls spent together and how their secret survived.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
March 27, 2026
A sweeping, emotional tale of friendship, sacrifice, and secrets that span generations.
From WWII Algiers to a modern-day mystery, the story beautifully weaves history with heart.
Evocative, compelling, and rich with intrigue—I couldn’t put it down. If you love exotic adventures, this is for you!
From WWII Algiers to a modern-day mystery, the story beautifully weaves history with heart.
Evocative, compelling, and rich with intrigue—I couldn’t put it down. If you love exotic adventures, this is for you!
May 16, 2026
If you love historical fiction with a good mystery, you need to add Marilyn Turk’s Secrets of the Desert Rose to your reading list. I just finished it, and the way it connects three generations of women across time completely pulled me in.
The story jumps between World War II and 2019, both set in Algiers. Honestly, I fell in love with the rich descriptions of the scenery. The author does an amazing job making the setting feel so alive, such as the vibrant colors of the Mediterranean coast, the dusty archaeology digs, and the North African heat, which are described beautifully.
In the wartime chapters, we meet two best friends, Monique and Audrey, who get sucked into the French underground resistance. Audrey actually joins Charles de Gaulle’s French Foreign Legion, while Monique risks everything locally to help the Allies and her Jewish friends. Their timeline showcases such powerful stories about raw bravery and the immense sacrifices regular people made during the war, especially women.
Then, in the modern day, we follow Monique’s American great-granddaughter, Nicole. She goes to Algiers for an archaeology internship but is also on a secret mission for her aging great-grandmother to find a mysterious heirloom called the "Desert Rose." She teams up with her instructor, the handsome Sami, to crack the clues on an old ring that belongs to Monique. They soon realize they're being followed by some really dangerous people who want it too. Prepare to be thoroughly unsettled by some spine-chilling moments. The suspense will leave you breathless.
What I loved most about this novel was how inspiring it was to see the powerful stories of female courage. It also shows you how bravery looks different for every generation. Plus, the book has a really beautiful underlying message about faith, prayer, and how deep friendships can survive literally anything. It’s got the perfect mix of history, suspense, and heart. Historical Fiction readers will love this novel.
The story jumps between World War II and 2019, both set in Algiers. Honestly, I fell in love with the rich descriptions of the scenery. The author does an amazing job making the setting feel so alive, such as the vibrant colors of the Mediterranean coast, the dusty archaeology digs, and the North African heat, which are described beautifully.
In the wartime chapters, we meet two best friends, Monique and Audrey, who get sucked into the French underground resistance. Audrey actually joins Charles de Gaulle’s French Foreign Legion, while Monique risks everything locally to help the Allies and her Jewish friends. Their timeline showcases such powerful stories about raw bravery and the immense sacrifices regular people made during the war, especially women.
Then, in the modern day, we follow Monique’s American great-granddaughter, Nicole. She goes to Algiers for an archaeology internship but is also on a secret mission for her aging great-grandmother to find a mysterious heirloom called the "Desert Rose." She teams up with her instructor, the handsome Sami, to crack the clues on an old ring that belongs to Monique. They soon realize they're being followed by some really dangerous people who want it too. Prepare to be thoroughly unsettled by some spine-chilling moments. The suspense will leave you breathless.
What I loved most about this novel was how inspiring it was to see the powerful stories of female courage. It also shows you how bravery looks different for every generation. Plus, the book has a really beautiful underlying message about faith, prayer, and how deep friendships can survive literally anything. It’s got the perfect mix of history, suspense, and heart. Historical Fiction readers will love this novel.
March 31, 2026
Secrets Of The Desert Rose by Marilyn Turk is a powerful Christian dual timeline novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The novel is set in 2019 America and Algeria, and during World War II in Algeria. The time periods are linked by a great grandmother and her great granddaughter as the latter wants to step into her great grandmother’s wartime footsteps.
We see that friendships formed in the early 1930’s between English Audrey and French Monique have strong bonds. They both share a secret which they keep for many years.
The two women are more like sisters than friends. Audrey spent years searching for love from her cold-hearted parents. It is in Monique’s family that she finds love.
Audrey is the more adventurous of the two. Monique prefers to watch from the sidelines. Monique’s family are wealthy. During the 1930’s there were many parties with a common goal “to find a husband.” This changes with the advent of war. Both women fight two very different wars but both are very brave.
In both time periods we hear of the archaeological digs and the landscape of Algeria. It is vibrant and comes to life under the author’s descriptive pen.
We see the importance of prayer. “Grand Mere used to say she prayed about important decisions before she jumped into them.” It is always best to pause and pray before decision making. Prayer is conversing with God and can be done anywhere. “Pray? Out here? She’s thought prayers were only done in church… What should she say?” Prayer should be as natural as breathing. “Praying naturally like he was talking with God.”
When we pray, we need not worry. “Praying is a good idea. So, let’s not worry.” We know that “The Lord will take care of us.”
All the characters were well drawn and believable. They were easy to empathise with.
I thoroughly enjoyed Secrets Of The Desert Rose. It was a powerful tale that educated me as I read.
The novel is set in 2019 America and Algeria, and during World War II in Algeria. The time periods are linked by a great grandmother and her great granddaughter as the latter wants to step into her great grandmother’s wartime footsteps.
We see that friendships formed in the early 1930’s between English Audrey and French Monique have strong bonds. They both share a secret which they keep for many years.
The two women are more like sisters than friends. Audrey spent years searching for love from her cold-hearted parents. It is in Monique’s family that she finds love.
Audrey is the more adventurous of the two. Monique prefers to watch from the sidelines. Monique’s family are wealthy. During the 1930’s there were many parties with a common goal “to find a husband.” This changes with the advent of war. Both women fight two very different wars but both are very brave.
In both time periods we hear of the archaeological digs and the landscape of Algeria. It is vibrant and comes to life under the author’s descriptive pen.
We see the importance of prayer. “Grand Mere used to say she prayed about important decisions before she jumped into them.” It is always best to pause and pray before decision making. Prayer is conversing with God and can be done anywhere. “Pray? Out here? She’s thought prayers were only done in church… What should she say?” Prayer should be as natural as breathing. “Praying naturally like he was talking with God.”
When we pray, we need not worry. “Praying is a good idea. So, let’s not worry.” We know that “The Lord will take care of us.”
All the characters were well drawn and believable. They were easy to empathise with.
I thoroughly enjoyed Secrets Of The Desert Rose. It was a powerful tale that educated me as I read.
May 3, 2026
This was an interesting dual-timeline story that really made French Algiers come alive! I could picture the sights and hear the sounds as Nicole gets to finally travel there and experience the place Mimi told her stories about. I liked following Nicole and Sami from place to place as they explore but I thought there would have been more research or investigation to her quest. Monique and Audrey's stories were interesting as they both want to help win the war but in different ways. They experienced a lot of excitement and challenges. I really enjoyed learning about what was going on during World War II in this part of the world and how they were affected. Monique had a close family that faith was a big part of while Audrey had distant parents and struggled to understand Monique's faith. There didn't seem to be much character development; it felt like Monique and Audrey were the same people they were when they were kids. This was more of an action story where it felt like the three ladies were always on the go. I was also surprised by a twist and felt like there wasn't really any closure or big reveal to a secret or to what's next for Nicole. There was some romance. Overall, this was an interesting story and a very interesting setting I enjoyed learning more about.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions are my own.
May 10, 2026
Nicole has been chosen to head to North Africa for an internship on an archaeological site, she can hardly believe it! She will be going to where her grandmother is from meanwhile doing what she loves. When her grandmother asks her to find the Desert Rose, she knows this is a priority when she gets there. She must do this one last thing for her grandmother, but the mystery only seems to deepen as she digs into this desert rose and she seems to keep striking out. Meanwhile Mimi's story unfolds and we find out what her life was life before, during and after the war. The friendships, romance and places she loved and lost along the way. But there's also a well kept secret that's been intact for decades, just what is the Desert Rose and why is it so important to Mimi? As Nicole and her instructor Sami continue their search, they also become a target. The heirloom ring that Nicole has always worn is at the center of a mystery that's hundreds of the years in the making and might just cost her, her life. I really enjoyed all the various storylines and how they wound together. I really enjoyed all the historical places and the history of them that was explained as well as the adventure that Nicole was on to visit all of these places. There was mystery, secrets and history which are my favorite things to read about. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
April 24, 2026
What a fascinating dual-timeline tale! Secrets of the Desert Rose by Marilyn Turk is an engaging read that is part historical fiction and part contemporary novel with lots of history and hints of mystery and romance woven in.
The novel is centered primarily around Algiers and follows the story of three women: Monique, born and raised in French Algiers before and during World War II; Audrey, British-transplant and Monique’s best friend; and Nicole, an American graduate student in archeology studying abroad in her great-grandmother’s beloved country.
The two storylines are not only interesting, but they are also woven together so beautifully. Together, they tell a poignant tale that highlights the beautiful bonds and legacy of friendship and family.
Unfamiliar with the history of Algiers prior to reading Secrets of the Desert Rose, I was fascinated by all the meticulously researched history included in this novel. Additionally, the vivid descriptions—particularly in Monique and Audrey’s portion of the story—make the places and peoples of Algiers come alive in the reader’s imagination.
FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are solely my honest opinion.
The novel is centered primarily around Algiers and follows the story of three women: Monique, born and raised in French Algiers before and during World War II; Audrey, British-transplant and Monique’s best friend; and Nicole, an American graduate student in archeology studying abroad in her great-grandmother’s beloved country.
The two storylines are not only interesting, but they are also woven together so beautifully. Together, they tell a poignant tale that highlights the beautiful bonds and legacy of friendship and family.
Unfamiliar with the history of Algiers prior to reading Secrets of the Desert Rose, I was fascinated by all the meticulously researched history included in this novel. Additionally, the vivid descriptions—particularly in Monique and Audrey’s portion of the story—make the places and peoples of Algiers come alive in the reader’s imagination.
FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are solely my honest opinion.
April 1, 2026
Two young girls meet in 1931 and become fast friends. They could not be more unalike. Audrey is headstrong and impetuous, always looking for adventure. Monique is the daughter of a French army officer and lives in Algiers. She never realized what a good life she had with her wealthy, loving family. There is scant affection in Audrey’s family.
Audrey’s father sends her to France to be a professional tennis player, but the friendship survives the separation. When World War II begins, Audrey finds more adventure than she hoped for in French Africa.
The war is hard on Algiers under Vichy French rule. Monique, once envious of Audrey’s spirit, finds her own backbone.
In a dual time line, great-granddaughter Nicole goes to Algiers on an archaeological dig and to find the desert rose Monique told her about. What she finds is not what she expected.
April 6, 2026
This book is about the deep bonds of friendship, long-held secrets, and the ties that bind families together across time and space. Dual timeline books are my favorite, and this one contains all the elements of intrigue I enjoy. The characters are real and relatable, the mystery unravels slowly but with purpose, and at the end of the book I felt as if I experienced the highs and lows of the characters’ lives with them. As a bonus, while devouring this novel I learned a whole lot about the history of North Africa, including fascinating facts about the beautiful landscape and rich culture! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good Christian fiction with a twist of mystery.
May 10, 2026
If you love historical women's fiction and WWII era novels, you'll enjoy this new novel by award-winning author Marilyn Turk. My favorite parts were learning about Algerian and Amazigh cultures, how WWII affected North Africa, the Vichy French rule of Algiers, the life-threatening mystery around one character's ring, the bond of two friends different from one another, the mystery of the Desert Rose, and the dual timeline. Be patient with the slow start and you will be rewarded with mystery, adventure, and surprises. A clean read.
FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary book received from the author. Views expressed are solely my own.
FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary book received from the author. Views expressed are solely my own.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews