Landing by Moonlight: A Novel of WW II

American Spy Sisters #1

by Ciji Ware

Ciji Ware - NY Times & USAToday bestselling author presents A NOVEL INSPIRED BY TRUE STORIES OF EXCEPTIONAL AMERICAN WOMEN & MEN WHO VOLUNTEERED AS SECRET AGENTS, PARACHUTING INTO OCCUPIED FRANCE DURING WW II.

The year is 1942, and American secret agent Catherine Thornton has no idea whether she will be dropped behind enemy lines in an inflatable raft launched from a submarine or be flung through the moonlit sky from a low-flying British Halifax. Either way, the young embassy wife and erstwhile journalist knows there’s always the chance she’ll be picked off by German sharpshooters, although nothing in her imagination prepares her for the trial-by-fire to come.

Only she understands why she volunteered for such “unwomanly warfare” and the secret reasons she joined a handful of female American spies destined to risk her gilded life on French soil--yet former Vichy diplomat Henri Leblanc, code name Claude Foret, thinks he knows the answers.

As Catherine’s missions grow more harrowing each day, and she fears she’s fallen in love with a captured fellow agent, the German SS begin to close in on the world of Madame “Colette Durand” and her Résistance network embedded in coastal cities along the French Riviera—an exposure that could threaten the Allied victory itself.

And hanging in the air like a half-opened parachute is the life-or-death question: Who is the betrayer and who will be betrayed in this, their finest hour?

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and Emmy Award-winning former broadcast journalist Ciji Ware once again displays her extraordinary talent for weaving historical fact into compelling fiction to produce novels so engaging that one reviewer warned of her work: “…do not start unless you want to be up all night.”

“Thoroughly engaging” - BOOKLIST

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Ebooks, Historical Romance

486 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2019

About the author

CIJI WARE is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling novelist, an Emmy-award winning television producer, reporter, writer, lecturer, and host. Her latest work, THE SPY WORE LONG WHITE GLOVES (Book 4, American Spy Sisters series), published October 14, 2025 , was inspired by the exceptional American women who volunteered as "Churchill's Angles"--secret agents during WW II, fighting enemy infiltration within Britain, as well as parachuting into occupied France to fight the Nazis. As with her other novels, author Ware invites her readers to view her research photos at www.pinterest.com/cijiware/the-spy-wo...

Ware's Four Seasons Quartet "THAT..." series includes stand-alone titles set in CORNWALL, EDINBURGH, VENICE and PARIS that were released betweeen 2013-2017. A novella "The Ring of Kerry Hannigan," part of the RING OF TRUTH anthology with novelists Diana Dempsey and Kate Moore, was released as a single title in the spring of 2015.

Ware has won numerous awards for her 15 works of fiction, including the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence; the 'Golden Quill' award for Historical Fiction; 'Best Fictionalized Biography' for her 18th c. historical novel, ISLAND OF THE SWANS. For the latter work, she was bestowed in Edinburgh the honor of FSA Scot, of which she is exceedingly proud. Another historical novel, A RACE TO SPLENDOR, debuted in April, 2011 on the 105th anniversary of the devastating 1905 San Francisco Earthquake and Firestorm and was short-listed for the WILLA (Cather) Literary Award in 2012.

In 2015, Ware was named to the Martha's Vineyard Writers-in-Residence program where she began a long-term project: REINVENTING...ME, a memoir of her years in all aspects of media. Currently, she is working on the second of two novels in her Spy Sisters series set in WWII based on the lives of several American women secret agents in the armed conflict.

Ware's most recent nonfiction, RIGHTSIZING YOUR LIFE: Simplifying Your Surroundings While Keeping What Matters Most, was named by the Wall Street Journal as "One of the Top 5 Books on Retirement Issues." She is at work on a sequel, SIMPLIFYING FOR SENIORS: Decluttering, Divesting, and Downsizing. She continues to lecture extensively on the subject of domestic downsizing for people age 50+ as she relates her own journey from 4000sq. feet of living space in Beverly Hills and Santa Barbara, down to a "cottage by the sea" of around 1000 square feet in the San Francisco Bay Area--and loving it! She is also the author of JOINT CUSTODY: Making Shared Parenting Work.

For eighteen years, Ware was heard daily as a commentator on ABC Radio & TV in Los Angeles. During her noted career as a broadcaster, she has worked as a reporter or anchor for PBS and all three major network affiliates, covering a wide range of topics in the areas of health, consumer, lifestyle and women's issues.

Ciji Ware is also a sought-after event speaker, print journalist, (AARP, Travel & Leisure and other national magazines) and has the distinction of being elected as the first woman graduate of Harvard College to serve as President of the Harvard Alumni Association, Worldwide. The author is married four decades+ to Internet marketing executive, Tony Cook. The "Cook-Wares" have a son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.

Visit Ciji's website at www.cijiware.com; her Facebook page: Ciji Ware, Novelist
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ciji-Wa... and her Pinterest page at http://pinterest.com/cijiware/

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really excited to receive a copy of this book, since I had read books about Vera Atkins, Violette Szabo and other S.O.E agents, about Julia and Paul Child's time in the O.S.S., as well as books about events, that happened in France, during WWII. This novel did not disappoint.

From the first chapter, when Catherine and Henri broke into a safe in his French embassy to find codes to help Allies track the German Navy, I was caught up in the story. Both Catherine and Henri are in unhappy marriages and decide to join the S.O.E. to help Henri's native France to overthrow the Nazis. Both Catherine and Henri had to deal with rumors, that Henri was a double agent and actually a spy for the Vichy government, Germany's ally. Although, they were sent on separate missions, Catherine in the South of France and Henri in Paris, they never stopped thinking, if the other was safe. Both go through harrowing adventures, do meet up once and reaffirm their love, only to separate once again and be captured by the enemy. If you want to find out, how their story ends, you will have to read the book!

Not only was this novel well written, with an exciting plot, the author researched, thoroughly, the time period and the actual settings in various parts of France. By adding real personages and events, that happened, Ciji Ware added to the enjoyment of the novel.

I recommend this novel to anyone, who is interested in this time period, and loves spy stories.

https://francebooktours.com/2020/01/1...

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ciji Wave always writes superb fiction, expertly weaved into history but I feel that she's really outdone herself this time. I'm the proud owner of every one of her books, many of them read multiple times and I can say that I believe this may just be her best. I'm always impressed with her talent for research, undoubtedly a product of her background in news. Mix her astounding ability to put you right in the middle of WW II history plus the character development in this book, and Ciji has a truly memorable piece of work.

Pieces of this book that stood out to me -

1. All her works are interesting but at times this book is a edge of your seat page turner. I can't remember any of other books keeping me from sleeping because I was so keyed up from reading. Put aside some time to read this one. It'll be worth it!
2. The evolution of the main character as the war dragged on. I could feel her weariness coming off the page.
3. The detail, the detail, and the detail. I'm a history addict and Ciji never disappoints.
4. Her highlighting how different types of women, at different levels in society chose to support (or not) the war effort.
5. All the background, behind the scenes, historical 'dirt' on the resistance and the SOE.

I always recommend Ciji's books to my friends, because they're always enjoyable but this one is a must read whether you're a WW II historical fiction junkie like I am or not.

[MaryJane Rings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like a book that starts mysteriously and then just pulls the reader into the story and all of a sudden you can't put it down. That is what happened to me with this new book by Ms. Ware. The research and documentation of actual events were amazing. The countryside of southern France was beautifully described and I could see Collette Durand on her bicycle cycling through the small towns. She was so well depicted that I could see her blending in with the locals. No one suspecting her mission. The book gets really intense when the nighttime landings start and the sacrifices of the locals to help in the war effort. Their courage was admirable. I couldn't put the book down. It was intensively interesting, factual and full of suspense. I have read all of Ms. Ware's historical fiction novels. They are all so well written but this one had so much suspense in addition to an underlying love story. It was an awesome read and I highly recommend it.

[P.R. Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This novel has a great plot. The author has an ability to make you believe something only to find out later that you were wrong. There are a few things that bothered me. The author has a writing style the us sometimes confusing and I had to re-read passages at time to figure out what she was saying. Also, I thought that she was too wordy at times which was distracting. However, the plot and story overcomes all my negatives. A must read.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a TON of books set in the World War II era, many of which centered on the little acts of resistance performed by ordinary people who were not going to stand for Hitler and ‘foreigners’ taking over their country, their heritage or their land. With some stories resonating in my head from an Uncle who worked in the Resistance during the war, much of the information, facts and imagined conversations have only served to fuel my own interest in people acting for the best in the worst of times. In this story, we are following Colette, and her work for the allies during the war. From simply carrying messages via bicycle as she travels from town to town, to her struggles with confidence, the secrets she bears, and even the weariness of the never-ending stress that living in constant fear of discovery engenders, the story moves quickly from moment to moment.

From simple transport of messages and information through to the ‘night drops’ of infiltrated agents, supplies and other items needed by the forces on the ground, the risks of discovery and death, not to mention the struggles and suspicions as neighbors start to ‘turn’ on one another for small conveniences and a sense of ‘protection’ from the Nazi occupation forces, the struggles and the emotions are real and grab readers’ attention, even if many of the small villages and towns are not familiar. From bringing the countryside to life in the contrast of heinous acts in scenery that is take-your-breath-away gorgeous, the tensions keep readers intrigued and wondering if Colette will survive each trek, or will someone or something give her away.

There are pieces of actual known history mixed in with the story, allowing a grounding in the reality of the war that spurs and speaks to the tensions and dangers that Colette and others face, and those bits of history fill out a story that could exist at any time, in any effort to ‘act against’ an aggressor that is both unwelcome and inhuman. A lovely story and the first I’ve read from this author – it is certain to not be the last.

I received a copy of the title from the author via France Book Tours for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

[meghann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the Nook serial read for January of 2022. This is not a subject I usually gravitate towards, but I am so glad I read this book. I really enjoyed following Catherine's journey as a secret agent from her fight to have her skills recognized and utilized to her realization that war was so much more than she thought. But through it all she stayed true to herself and fought to create the life she wanted. There was a great cast of characters, and I'm excited that book two centers on one of my favorite characters. There were some really hard things to read about in this, especially knowing all this awful actually happened. I wasn't sure if this could have a happy ending, but I was really please with how everything wrapped up.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a serial read through Nook and I admit that it took me a while to get engaged in the story. I don't know if that is because of being given a few chapters to read each day or because of the book itself.

I enjoyed reading about WWII spies, especially since the focus was on a specific female spy. But, I was distracted by the numerous aliases that the characters used and found myself lost at times as to who was who. Also, the book focused a lot on the romantic aspect of the heroine (a little too much in my opinion). And, the story jumped around a lot between characters and events, which I also found distracting.

Still, the story was interesting and overall, I enjoyed the book.

[Craig Leimkuehler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much name dropping for my taste. It all seemed too soap opera-ish. And it seemed to go on forever.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ciji Ware's latest novel Landing by Moonlight delves into the thrilling lives of WWII spies, in particular, women intelligence agents who were able to get information by using skills in ways men could not. It's a memorable tale, filled with heroic moments and interspersed with sadness and the horrors of an unforgettable war.

Our main character is Catherine Thornton, a wealthy American journalist who craves to follow in her late father's footsteps rather than lead a pampered life in which she is miserable. Catherine is beautiful, intelligent, quick-witted, bold, daring...and not healed from a young life of trauma. It's perhaps this combination that makes her a fascinating character. She is quite fearless and confident, not dwelling on her past, a strong woman that throws herself into danger to save others.

From the beginning, Catherine has an adulterous affair with Henri LeBlanc, and she's almost too blasé about their relationship which made me slow to warm up to her, until I got to know her story better, including her past. Eventually the two fall in love, but they are both spies in a vicious war that takes them apart time and again. I'm glad the author kept their relationship real while focusing primarily on Catherine's work as a spy. There were times, though, that I did want more of an exploration into her psyche - how her past traumas affected her. I wanted to see more of her inner turmoil. She was almost too perfect and got over traumatic events too easily. But on the other hand, perhaps this is how she was meant to be seen, as someone that could move on and do what needed to be done when the going got tough, part of what kept her alive.

I was transported to several places in Europe but loved France best, where Catherine did most of her work with her comrade in arms, Sean Eisenhower, and the network of other spies and members of the French Resistance. This part of the novel was filled with dangerous missions, life in the small towns that were invaded by the German Nazis, descriptions of the Resistance movement, and how war affected all those that experienced it. It's clear that Ciji Ware has done her research and deftly interwoven historical figures with true events into her story.

Fans of WWII stories will be left satisfied as they read about men and women who sacrificed everything to help win the war. According to the author's notes, I was happy to learn that this is the first book in the Spy Sisters Series. I'll definitely look for the next book, and eagerly anticipate learning more about the women who made a difference during WWII.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Ciji Ware has crafted a well-researched and thrilling historical fiction novel of WWII. Landing by Moonlight has the kind of characters that grow on you and become people that you worry about chapter after chapter. And worry I did! This story focuses on a piece of WWII history not really familiar to me. I’ve read some about the undercover men and women working right under the noses of the Nazis but they were always secondary characters to the hero or heroine. Here, they are front and center.

This story immerses you in the constant danger they had to have been under at all times and made for a tense, and exhilarating, reading experience. The mantra, “Trust no one,” was really brought home for me. Not even knowing who among your old friends and acquaintances were working for the Nazis, maybe just to get food for their children, was terrifying.

Besides the constant threat of exposure, the characters are out in the field accomplishing the big tasks that helped turn the tide of war in favor of the Allies – tasks that someone really had to do – exhilarating when successful and exhilarating when it was over. Characters need to blow off a little steam and relieve the pent-up tension so there are sexual relationships and well-written scenes of a sexual nature.

Another aspect of this book I enjoyed were the various settings. The characters move around from location to location and each time this author made me see and feel the time and the place. My favorite had to be the setting in the south of France. I could almost feel the sun, see the old boats, and taste the ‘new’ red wines.

I recommend this book to historical fiction readers, especially those that want a pretty immersive tale. This one so very well done.

I received a copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book the further and further I got into it. Early on I was annoyed by the fact that the main character relied heavily on using seduction and sex to achieve the objective of the mission, but after reading the whole novel I realize that female spies were also entrusted with larger missions than just missions involving their looks/body. I liked how the author leaked bits and pieces of the main character’s past throughout the novel, which helped to explain some of her decisions, actions, and motives. The book did get a little repetitive, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. There were also a lot of characters and code names, which were a little difficult to keep straight at times. I really enjoyed the love story that was blossoming in the background throughout the story. Overall, I would recommend this book to others and will be placing the next book in the series on my need to read pile!

[Colleen Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a college classmate of mine. Her husband is a high school classmate (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 1960). They met independently of me.

This novel is not great literature but it is an engaging and even gripping story of WW II. It starts out in Washington DC where the main character, Catherine and her French boyfriend, Henri, manage to smuggle Vichy codebooks out of the French Embassy, where the codebooks were copied by the Americans and then return them to the safe in the French Embassy without being detected.
Next we know Catherine and Henri are in France. They get separate assignments and Catherine has to parachute into Gibralter. She spends the rest of the war in S. France and doesn't meet Henri again until after the war is over.

[patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this on my Nook readouts serial read for January. At first I wasn't so sure I would like it. As Landing by Moonlight progressed it got better. Ciji Ware pays homage to the women and men of SOE. There were American volunteers serving. Catherine first works with Frenchman Henri in Washington DC. Both train as SOE agents. Catherine ends up in the south of France with another SOE agent. Each day becomes more dangerous. Henri is working out of Paris. The two have fallen in love. They only met once during their time in France. By the end both have been arrested and I could not wait for the next day's chapter. A look at the harrowing times in occupied France and the dangerous work of Churchill's spies. Loved the poetic justice of the epilog.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Not quite riveting enough to keep me turning pages … I just felt compelled to finish it since it was a limited-time-only freebie from Barnes & Noble. 😃

I can’t imagine the horrors and anxieties living daily in a war zone - the nerve-wracking moments of espionage.

But - as Catherine mentions at the end - she deals with the harrowing memories by being grateful for having found and kept love though it all, and even after the war. And realizing that other honorable servants of the war effort likewise found their own versions of happily ever after.

[Willie. Van Den Hoek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story

This is such a good book I could not put it down,had to finish it. Having lived in the Netherlands as a young girl I so remember all the war happenings. This is about the brave woman and men who worked as spies in different occupied contries. Very courageous and thrilling to hear about all their stories and dangerous circumstances. Very well written and entertaining and the characters were well chosen and very strong people who were willing to share their lives together helping others.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, but it didn’t grab me. I liked the characters, and the setting made the story a lot more interesting, but the smaller conflicts didn’t add anything to the overall story. By the end of the book, it felt like the story went on for a little too long. The characters were very likable, and it was nice reading a WW2 story where you knew everything was going to end in a “positive” way for the characters. Overall, it was good, but the story never grabbed me in a way that made me love it.

[Mary Kay Wooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Female Spy in France

This is the first novel I have read that tells the story of a female espionage parenThetical in World War II France. It is fiction based on historical fact with both fictional & historical characters. It is an exciting read, one that I truly enjoyed. It has excitement, betrayal, romance. What more can you ask for! I highly recommend this book.

[Fiona Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

so so story

This novel is ok but it’s nothing startling. It tries to combine various SOE stories and throw in a couple of new characters. Next time check the info about Sherlock Holmes as it’s incorrect unless Arthur changed his name to Robert and moved 200 doors down Baker Street

[Janet Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the serial read for the nook from Barnes & Noble for this month. This was an interesting book about the people who worked with the French to help the Allies during WWII. It was exciting, and well written. Detailed and it held my interest throughout. I don' want to give away any of the overall plot. I don't want to ruin the story for you. It's a must read. Highly recommended.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK as historical fiction/romance. At least the women are smart and adept. Even though the end, or general concept of the end, is predictable, the path to the end has enough twists and turns, including downturns, to keep it interesting and not overly saccharine. I read this as a Nook serial Readout for the month.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction about the trials of female spies during WWII France. I was amazed at all of the things women were asked to do and accomplished. It surprised me that they were often attacked by people in the US - especially women - who accused them of "sleeping with the enemy" and did not realize all of the other things that they did and endured.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best WWII stories I've read... different from most that have been written. It was about secret agents dropped into France during the war. The two featured were both Americans that entered the conflict before the U>S< did. Thought it was a brutal genuine picture of what was happening during the time.

[ROCKY · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book & just what I expected from Ciji Ware!!! I love her books & she never let's me down!! Can't wait to read her next book #2!!!

[Sandy L Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Righteous

I keep reading these accounts of the ladies who worked for the SOE. It is fascinating! I recommend all of them.

[JoAnn Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good character builds, somewhat predictable overall with interesting changes.

[Sherry Snyder-keath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t usually the type of book I read… but this was an amazingly good read

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

B & N serial read - January

[Nancy Rushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good WWII book. Enjoyed it.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

BN serial read for January 2022. Enjoyed aspects of the story (female spy in occupied WWII France) but at times was a bit slow.

[Christina Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

.