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Behind The Clouds
Adrian and Gabrielle, stuck in a cold, empty marriage, are in Belgium as the dark clouds of World War One loom over Europe. Their life of wealth and privilege disappears when they are thrust into a nightmare of betrayal, lies and treachery. Not knowing who to trust they flee for their lives with the brutal German forces hot on their heels determined not to let them escape. Living on their wits, and narrowly avoiding capture and death, love rekindles, while unbeknown to them the treachery has spread its tentacles to England. Will the love they found in war torn Belgium survive charges of treason, more lies and a woman who will stop at nothing to see Adrian dead?
316 pages, Paperback
Published November 11, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 2, 2017
If all books in the romance genre were as brilliant as Behind the Clouds by Jan Selbourne, I'd become a huge fan of this type of novel. Romance is usually at the bottom of my list of choices, along with historical fiction. So I am doubly in awe that Behind the Clouds kept me up reading until 4:30 am this morning and I couldn't wait to get back to finish it today. Jan Selbourne is a marvellous writer.
Behind the Clouds opens with a couple of detailed and sensuous love-making scenes between three different couples. These well-done scenes are an unexpected, but naturally engaging beginning to a very intricate plot that thrusts 5 of the 6 people in those scenes into the bloody madness of WW1.
Events unfold rapidly as German soldiers pursue Adrian and Gaby, the estranged couple at the center of the story, for murder. To tell you how this couple who have two children, but cannot tolerate each other's presence, suddenly find themselves depending on each other for survival and nearly die in the process would be to spoil your enjoyment of this marvellous story. But I will tell you that Behind the Clouds does everything a good novel should: it keeps you engaged page after page; the characters are as real as it gets; events are realistic; unexpected twists abound; the battle of good against evil is constant; the ravages of war are perfectly and sadly captured; and the ending draws to a most satisfying and credible close that will have romantic fiction devotees smiling.
What was particularly enjoyable was how the two main characters learned more about themselves in the four years of the war than they had in eight years of marriage. Gaby and Adrian are members of the upper class, used to having money and servants to look after their every need. As they run for their lives, hiding in cellars, sleeping under carts, watching innocent people being killed because of them, and living in fear of themselves being shot at any moment, they must face the truth about who they really are. What they learn is life-changing. Ah! This is such excellent writing Jan Selbourne.
The publishers of Behind the Clouds, write on their website that the books they seek are by "authors who take something ordinary and make it extraordinary. We want stories with well-developed, multi-dimensional characters with back-stories, a high degree of emotional impact, with strong sexual tension between the heroine and hero, and stories that contain strong internal conflict."
Well they certainly got all of that and the some in Behind the Clouds by Jan Selbourne. This book deserves to be a best seller. Don't hesitate to pick it up. And good luck trying to put it down. I certainly couldn't!
Viga Boland
No Tears for My Father: A true story of incest
Don't Write Your MEmoir without ME!
Behind the Clouds opens with a couple of detailed and sensuous love-making scenes between three different couples. These well-done scenes are an unexpected, but naturally engaging beginning to a very intricate plot that thrusts 5 of the 6 people in those scenes into the bloody madness of WW1.
Events unfold rapidly as German soldiers pursue Adrian and Gaby, the estranged couple at the center of the story, for murder. To tell you how this couple who have two children, but cannot tolerate each other's presence, suddenly find themselves depending on each other for survival and nearly die in the process would be to spoil your enjoyment of this marvellous story. But I will tell you that Behind the Clouds does everything a good novel should: it keeps you engaged page after page; the characters are as real as it gets; events are realistic; unexpected twists abound; the battle of good against evil is constant; the ravages of war are perfectly and sadly captured; and the ending draws to a most satisfying and credible close that will have romantic fiction devotees smiling.
What was particularly enjoyable was how the two main characters learned more about themselves in the four years of the war than they had in eight years of marriage. Gaby and Adrian are members of the upper class, used to having money and servants to look after their every need. As they run for their lives, hiding in cellars, sleeping under carts, watching innocent people being killed because of them, and living in fear of themselves being shot at any moment, they must face the truth about who they really are. What they learn is life-changing. Ah! This is such excellent writing Jan Selbourne.
The publishers of Behind the Clouds, write on their website that the books they seek are by "authors who take something ordinary and make it extraordinary. We want stories with well-developed, multi-dimensional characters with back-stories, a high degree of emotional impact, with strong sexual tension between the heroine and hero, and stories that contain strong internal conflict."
Well they certainly got all of that and the some in Behind the Clouds by Jan Selbourne. This book deserves to be a best seller. Don't hesitate to pick it up. And good luck trying to put it down. I certainly couldn't!
Viga Boland
No Tears for My Father: A true story of incest
Don't Write Your MEmoir without ME!
January 26, 2018
As with her other books were sharp and to the point. Reading the details of the cruelty of the German army help me to understand the hatred my mother felt for the Germans,some she was a small child in Czechoslovakia during World War One. Her characters are well defined and relatable. d
I find the authors books both informative and entertaining. I would recommend these books to a variety of readers. I look forward to her next book!
I find the authors books both informative and entertaining. I would recommend these books to a variety of readers. I look forward to her next book!
January 10, 2018
Crime of Passion
I am a sucker for historical romances, and this really hit the spot. With great characters, this story is filled with lessons in love, foolish betrayal and a desperation to survive. As the book unfolds we are taken on a ride of mixed emotions with passion and greed fighting for control. Highly recommended!
I am a sucker for historical romances, and this really hit the spot. With great characters, this story is filled with lessons in love, foolish betrayal and a desperation to survive. As the book unfolds we are taken on a ride of mixed emotions with passion and greed fighting for control. Highly recommended!
June 4, 2018
I read this book last year and it was awesome! I just ordered her next book Lies of Gold and can't wait to get started.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews