Foc aprins

by Julianne MacLean

Tradata de barbatul pe care il iubeste, Gillian Gibbons simte nevoia sa se refugieze in casa familiei sale, dar acolo viata i se complica si mai mult, cand descopera o fotografie veche in care bunica ei se afla in bratele unui ofiter nazist. Tulburata, Gillian incearca sa descopere adevarul din spatele fotografiei, pornind intr-o calatorie memorabila in trecut…

Anul 1939 - Anglia este in pragul razboiului. Tanara Vivian Hughes se indragosteste de un barbat fermecator care face parte din guvernul britanic, dar viata lor fericita va fi distrusa iremediabil de bombardamentele din razboiul care tocmai a inceput. Nu inainte insa ca Vivian sa faca orice ii sta in putinta ca sora ei geamana, April, sa fie in siguranta…

Pe masura ce Gillian afla tot mai multe despre tineretea bunicii sale si povestea capata contur, apar alte si alte intrebari. Confruntata, in final, cu un adevar total neasteptat, ea incearca sa descifreze nu numai misterele din trecutul familiei sale, ci si propriul ei viitor.

O saga minunata despre secretele pe care le pastram si minciunile pe care le spunem ca sa supravietuim. Cu personaje fascinante si situata pe fundalul teribil de realist al Londrei si Europei din timpul celui de-Al Doilea Razboi Mondial, cartea lui Julianne MacLean isi tine cititorii in suspans pana la sfarsit. Mi-a placut! - Victoria Connelly, autoarea bestsellerului The Rose Girls

Foc aprins de Julianne MacLean este o poveste minunata si profunda despre dragoste, curaj, secrete de familie si iertare, pe care nu o poti lasa din mana. - Jane Healey, autoarea bestsellerului The Saturday Evening Girls Club

Cautarea unei tinere de a descoperi adevarul despre trecutul bunicii ei da la iveala actiuni secrete din cel de-al Doilea Razboi Mondial, false identitati si o inlantuire labirintica de dragoste, indoieli si minciuni. Foc aprins este un roman captivant si sincer, care ii tine pe cititori in suspans pana la ultima pagina. O carte ce combina multe dintre temele mele preferate - secrete vechi de familie, personaje surprinzatoare si femei puternice care lupta pentru dragoste. - Lynda Cohen Loigman, autoarea romanului The Wartime Sisters

Traducere din limba engleza de Mihaela Doaga.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Historical, Book Club, Audiobook, Romance

496 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2019

About the author

Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven Series. Readers have described her books as “breathtaking,” “soulful” and “uplifting.” MacLean is a four-time RITA finalist and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers’ Best Award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been published in over a dozen languages.

MacLean has a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. MacLean currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter.

For more information about Julianne and her writing life, please visit her website at www.juliannemaclean.com. Be sure to follow her on Bookbub to be notified whenever her ebooks are offered for FREE or 99 cents. (www.bookbub.com/authors/julianne-maclean) and chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JulianneMacLeanRoman...), Twitter (@JulianneMacLean), and Instagram (@JulianneMaclean).

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like historical fiction, mystery, suspense and family drama, you will want to read "A Fire Sparkling"!
This novel put me in the throes of World War II with Vivian, a young woman with many secrets.
I could not stop reading until her skeletons were out of the closet. It kept me in suspense all the way until the very end of this book.
Told in the present and then back to 1939, this is one amazing journey.
It is like nothing I have read.
The transition from timelines is so smooth, and the story so well plotted; that it makes for a wonderful, detailed, story of love, anger, endurance and hope.
Truly 10 stars!

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook... narrated by Rosalyn Landor, and Sarah Zimmerman:
....the best $1.99 Audible blind faith choice.
This was my first Julianne MacLean novel.... a Canadian author...
I liked it all.....the story... the writing... the voice narrator.

In the past...
Vivian Hughes was a young woman during WWII....in London during the Blitz.
She was married to a British official when German bombs started dropping.

Present day....
Gillian Gibbons, Vivian’s granddaughter, discovered heartbreaking news by the man she was in love with.

A duel timeline story... taking place in London, Europe, ( the resistant movement in occupied Europe), and present day America.

With outstanding atmosphere...it feels like we are thrown into wartime drama.
The story is equally portrayed during present day.

I was completely engaged with both of these timeline stories... and the way they merged together.

History, love, loss, tragedy, lies, fears, horrors, sacrifice, assumptions, thwarted expectations, tears, pain, intimacy, motherhood, long buried secrets, ( past and present)...bravery, forgiveness, with likable characters....
A very engaging novel..
Perfect listening companion.

I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You create your own universe as you go along." (Winston Churchill)

Especially if there are long winding threads linking you to the past.

Gillian Gibbons tries to keep her eyes on the road through the blur of frustrated tears. She walked in on something that she wishes she could erase from her memory. Her fiance, Malcolm, was caught in a deep position with another woman. Gillian is now headed to the harbor of her grandmother's home. It's there that she will find comfort along with the droplets of some long buried family secrets that will come to the surface.

Her father found a miniature chest with a key dangling from its lock in the attic. Upon opening it, he shared some photos taken of Gillian's grandmother during World War II. Both Gillian and her father approach Grandmother Vivian for some long overdue answers.

Julianne MacLean switches gears back to England in 1939 during World War II. Vivian and her twin sister, April, were big band singers appearing in nightclubs. April had moved to France and lost touch with Vivian. Vivian fell in love and married the well to do Theodore. Eventually, April shows up on Vivian's doorstep and they are reunited.

MacLean takes us through the relentless bombings during the blitz in Britain. Communities were held in darkness in bomb shelters and underground tunnels for safety. It was during one of these bombings that Vivian's house was destroyed with Theodore and her sister as casualties. Vivian will come to live with Theodore's parents. But the story will dig its heels in deeper and deeper.

As the story unfolds, we will come to find that Vivian will be called upon to undertake a role that life never prepared her for. MacLean injects her storyline with unexpected twists and turns. Vivian will step forward to assist in the war effort in ways never imagined.

Julianne MacLean presents a widespread story from the early years of Vivian and April to an electrified conclusion. She's done her research and its apparent. Her characters and dialogue are reflective of the time period and the events are historically accurate as a backdrop. This is an entertaining read with a split screen of the past and the present and MacLean does it well.

Check it out and be as pleasantly surprised as I was.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2011, Gillian catches her boyfriend cheating, she's very upset, and she's goes to visit her dear dad Edward. She has no idea that he's just found a mysterious box filled with old photographs of his mother Vivian and she's standing next to a man who's dressed as a Nazi officer? Edward is very confused, he's been told his dad Theodore died during WW II during the blitz in London, and why is his mum standing next to a German soldier and he's now worried this mysterious man might really be his father?
The story has a dual timeline that seamlessly blends the past with the present.

Vivian is now in her ninety's, she begins by explaining to her son Edward and her grand daughter Gillian why she's in the photograph, what happened to her in the past and during WW II. Soon your swept way in a dramatic heartfelt tale about lost love, romance, secrets, mystery, and danger that all takes place during the war. I loved A Fire Sparkling, I'm a fan of WW II historical fiction and I gave the book fours stars. I have posted my review on Goodreads, Australian Amazon, Twitter, Barnes & Noble, NetGalley and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall: A dual time period, character-driven story set with the backdrop of WWII. A story of conflict, family, love, betrayal, acceptance, and love. The book had potential to be more but is still enjoyable. I would recommend to fans of historical fiction especially WWII but note that this is much easier reading than many similar books within this genre. 6.5/10 or 3.5/5

Summary: This book has three main character and is told from third person (Vivian), and dual first person (Gillian and April) using present day (2011) and memories from the past (1939-1945). Gillian is our heroine in present day and after a crushing betrayal by her boyfriend she flees to her family home. While home, she comes across a photograph of her grandmother (Vivian) in the arms of a Nazi. Gillian and her father confront Vivian (grandmother) about this and so begins out story… In 1939, England is on the brink of war and the story follows Vivan and April who are twin sisters.

The Good: I really liked the characters and this was the heart of the book for me. All the characters were likeable and I could relate to them in some way. Nice writing and a quick plot grabs and holds onto you in for the duration of this book. Easy reading on an interesting topic with some emotional complexity.

The Bad: This book could have been a lot more but I feel it only scratched the surface. Quite superficial, lacked depth in some key areas, and very predictable. I enjoyed the story of Vivian and April much more than the present day story. If you like this book then I suggest the following: The Nightingale, The Alice Network, Beneath a Scarlet Sky, and The Huntress.

[Debra Slonek · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent novel filled with romance, heartache, betrayal, loyalty, danger, secrets, suspense, adventures and a cast of unforgettable characters. As you begin reading this book, prepare to be swept away...

The scenes are so vividly painted. I felt as though I was walking the streets of London right along with the characters who were deeply developed and very well connected. Easily, I became immersed into their lives. I rejoiced at their good news and felt their sadness at other times. As secrets became burdens, the tension was palpable. As characters agonized over difficult decisions, I worried with them. Heart wrenching betrayals became very real possibilities.

There is so much uncertainty with war. The one certainty is that war changes things and people. War destroys buildings and changes lives and relationships. War forces people to change how they live, love, survive and make decisions. Some of these decisions have life long and life altering consequences. Decisions which become consequences can then become closely guarded secrets. Some secrets get carried to the grave, while others get discovered in unusual, unexpected ways.

So many choices to make. Duty or honor? Truth or lies? Loyalty or treachery? Can any of these opposites coexist?

Many secrets and stories will be revealed as Vivian is enjoying her golden years and suddenly, her son and granddaughter want answers to questions she had been hoping to never have been asked.

As Vivian recounts her story, we learn of complicated family conflicts and loyalties. We learn that a tragic ending can actually become a fresh, new beginning. We learn that sometimes, there are very compelling reasons for keeping secrets. Vivian’s life underwent many changes, and with each change, she was required to wear a new mask. The wearing of all these masks prepared Vivian for each of her next realities.

I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent book. I felt many emotions while reading it. At times it caused me to gasp and other times, I shed tears. So very well done and so very much enjoyed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Mary Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Update 23/08/2019: After reading some other one and two star reviews, I skimmed through the rest of the book. A few readers said the second half was an improvement on the first, especially with regard to Gillian's story line. I don't agree, and I stand by everything I wrote below.

22/08/2019
This may be one of the worst reading experiences I've had in a long time. It was either a Kindle First Read or bonus of some kind; fortunately I paid nothing for it. I had hopes for it since WW II, anti-Nazi resistance, and the role of women in that conflict are among my favorite themes. I tried to finish but just had to quit at about the halfway mark. The plot, if one can call it that, is contrived, predictable, and implausible; the major "twist" of the plot was immediately apparent to me from the very beginning though the author spins it out for several more endless chapters. The cardboard characters, from major to minor, have neither depth nor hint of complexity. The dialogue is trite, almost embarrassingly banal. Goodreads categorizes the book as historical fiction, but the thin veneer of historical events is only a mask for what I would call not-very-good romantic fiction. A complete
waste of time.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fire Sparkling has a dual timeline that seamlessly blends the past and with the present.

In 2011, Gillian catches her boyfriend cheating, she's very upset, and she's goes to visit her dad. She has no idea that he's just found a mysterious box filled with old photographs of his mother Vivian and she's standing next to a man who's dressed as a Nazi officer?

Edward is very confused, he had been told his dad Theodore had died during WW II during the Blitz in London, why is his mum standing next to a German soldier and he's now worried this mysterious man might be his father?

Vivian is now in her 90's, she begins the story by explaining to her son Edward and her grand daughter Gillian why she's in the photograph, what happened to her in the past and during the war.

Soon your swept way in a dramatic heartfelt tale about lost love, romance, secrets, mystery, and danger that all takes place during the Second World War. I loved A Fire Sparkling by Julianne MacLean, I'm a fan of WW II historical fiction and I gave the book fours stars.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fire Sparkling will leave you breathless...it is that good! I am not going to rehash the synopsis because I don’t want to inadvertently give any spoilers. Julianne MacLean has written a story that spans WWII years with lessons that carry into the present for the families of those who lived, those who died and those who loved. She paints a poignant picture of life as Britain is drawn into war with Germany. She writes about the bond between sisters and the bond between friends. She writes about bravery in the face of evil and the effects of secrets that finally come to light. This is a book that should not be missed! I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book. Most highly recommend.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from page one.
Alternating between 2011 America and 1939 England’s WWII years I am pleased to say that it is the 1939 chapters that are the heart of the story.
While it is not a murder mystery or a thriller it certainly is a page turner with enough character twists and turns to engage the reader.
As much historical fiction as I read I found April’s story line quite original.
Vivian was ok but only up to a point.
I disliked Gillian, she did come across as a bit silly for someone of her age, but she wasn’t the major character of the story so she didn’t take up much space in my reading.
In an effort not to give spoilers I prefer not to say much more about the plot.
However, I must say I have no idea what the title and the cover art has to do with the story and it certainly did not do justice to this wonderful book.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This multi-generational, dual timeline story is a unique twist on WWII historical fiction. The plot was fantastic, the character development authentic and timely, and the plot twists unexpected and well planned. This book is on the larger side but I blew through it in two days, completely caught up in this beautiful story. This was spectacularly written, the author clearly put a lot of time and energy into her research. I absolutely loved this novel and give it the full 5⭐️’s! Thank you @amazonpublishing for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

[Katie (katieladyreads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF made it until 250 pages in but couldn’t take the characters anymore and the old fashioned language was insufferable

[Meagan✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ 5/5 stars ✨

Finished this book in one day lol. Had me in a chokehold. Haven’t been this excited about a book in a long time

I was completely immersed in this story- the dual timeline pulled me in from page one and refused to let go. A Fire Sparkling weaves together two unforgettable eras: present day and World War II London, where secrets, betrayal, and love collide in the most heartbreaking ways.

The story follows Gillian, who returns home after a devastating breakup and discovers an old photo that unravels her grandmother’s mysterious past. What unfolds is a beautiful exploration of courage, sacrifice, and how far we go for the people we love. 💔

Julianne MacLean captured everything I love in a historical fiction- emotion, depth, and that slow-burn unraveling of truth. I found myself completely lost in both timelines, equally invested in the past and present.

If you love The Nightingale, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. 🕯️📖

[Stephanie Anze · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sometimes you think you know someone, but maybe it's imposible to really know everything about a person, even someone you love. Maybe good people - the very best people - are just better at keeping secrets."

Gillian Gibbons returns to her childhood home after discovering something quite troubling about her boyfriend. Seeking a respite, she is shocked when her father delivers some troubling news of his own. He reveals to Gillian that he found photos of his mother (Gill's grandmother) with a Nazi officer hidden in the attic. When Gill sees the pictures, she is taken aback as her grandmother looks happy in them. In a much mor different time, Vivian Hughes was a young woman living in London during the Blitz, where she had to make tough decisions to save her family.

Last year, I began to broaden my horizons and read more historical fiction books that were not WWII and/or Holocaust-related (as there is an abundance of books on this subject matter). As such, I am more picky with the WWII books I do choose to read. A Fire Sparkling is definitely worth the read. Gillian is going through tough times and decides to return home for a respite. Instead, Gill is welcomed with shocking news: her grandmother may have been involved with a Nazi during the war. Under the impression that their family is from England, Gill and her father confront Vivian with the photos. Vivian Gibbons thus begins to tell a story that she has kept a secret since she arrived to America after the war. Its one of pain, sorrow, and survival. For the first third of the boook, this read like a standard WWII narrative. From that point on though, MacLean added details that made it stand-out. Granted, a few elements were predictable but as a whole this book has a good prose, good characterization and a heartfelt story. I enjoyed the way in which the narrative progressed and the pace was on point. While there is limited room to be surprised with a narrative like this one, there were reveals that actually did manage to surprise me. All and all, this is a well-rendered story of a woman that refused to give up and had to make tough choices to survive.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I've read by this author and also the third one I've given 5* to. I'm at a loss, really, as to why she's not mentioned as much nor afforded the publicity other authors seem to get, as she always does a superb job, both with her storytelling AND presentation.
I picked this particular one from a Kindle First selection this month. I knew I'd be onto a good thing as she has never let me down before. I always greatly enjoy dual timeline stories, too. This tale centres around the discovery of an old photo of Gillian's grandmother with a Nazi officer. It is chock full of twists 'n' turns you don't see coming and secrets from the wartime years. I was totally fascinated with it. I do think she could have maybe made the second part of the story into a follow-up book in its own right, as a sequel, and fleshed it out more.....I'd have been happy for a continuation.
I did like this passage in particular that I highlighted, "Women should steer clear of men who charm them. If you're charmed, then you're under some kind of spell, and women need to stay sharp." There were lighthearted moments and there were also tears from this reader at one point.....
The only odd errors I spotted were all missed-off apostrophes, but I guess I can't be faulting her for this since pretty much every single book I've read as a digital version is the same. The cover on this is a beaut as well.
An often overlooked author but one I highly recommend.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Love is smoke rais'd with the fume of sighs; being purg'd, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes..."
- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

A FIRE SPARKLING by Julianne MacLean is an emotionally charged novel about one woman's love, loss, and courage during wartime. The cover is gorgeous and the story is a masterpiece! I felt as though I was rushing to a bomb shelter in London, England during the Blitz of World War II.

This multigenerational saga was a page-turner. It grabbed me from the start and didn't let go. There were several intertwined stories with twists and turns and surprises in this realistic and entirely plausible novel. I was so involved with the characters, the relationships between them, and the scenarios and situations, that I read it in one setting. This is a must read for fans of historical fiction such as The Nightingale. A FIRE SPARKLING is my new favourite book!
5+ brilliant stars⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️

Special thanks to author Julianne MacLean, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of A FIRE SPARKLING which allows me to write an unbiased review.

[Kerrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fire Sparkling by Julianne Maclean is the second World War II and modern-day dual timeline story I have read recently. In both this novel and The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer, an American granddaughter travels back to Europe in search of her grandmother’s past during World War II. Both grandmothers had dark secrets that were not revealed until the modern-day time. Both books discuss the effects of those secrets on subsequent generations. Both books involve children who did not know who their real fathers were. If I were to recommend one over the other, it would be The Things We Cannot Say.

In A Fire Sparkling, Gillian Gibbons catches Malcolm, her rich boyfriend in the act of cheating on her. She grabs a few clothes from their penthouse and heads to her father and grandmother Vivian’s house in Connecticut. Gillian’s father had been rummaging in the attic and found an old seaman’s chest belonging to Vivian. Inside the chest were pictures of Vivian and a German officer with a date about the time Gillian’s father would have been conceived. Once confronted with the photographs, Vivian tells the long-held secrets of her World War II past. In the modern-day story Gillian most decide whether to go back to Malcolm, who had begged her to come back and proposed to her. During her emotional recovery from the break-up, she travels to London and Berlin in search of answers to what happened to the people mentioned by her grandmother.

A Fire Sparkling is full of twists and turns. All of the secrets from Vivian’s life surprised me, but the events in Gillian’s life did not. The book discusses the effect of long-held secrets, parentage, guilt, heroism, survival, and true love. I think I am getting tired of reading dual timeline stories. I listened to the Audible version. 4- Stars.

[Karen McQuestion · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fire Sparkling is a beautifully-written, moving novel that seamlessly interweaves the story of a family over three generations. The core of the story belongs to Vivian Hughes and her experiences as a young woman during WWII in Great Britain. MacLean gives just enough detail to provide an authentic sense of time and place. Reading this book was a completely immersive, emotional experience for me, with twists and turns that left me reeling. In my opinion, this novel is a literary masterpiece, one I’m sure to read again; a book I’ll recommend to friends, certain they’ll love it too. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this novel.

[Nicole*bookaholic* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book right here is why my favorite genre to read is historical romance. Especially ww2 era. This was beautifully written. Such a beautiful story. It had me on the edge of my seat. Tears in my eyes. I had the biggest smile on my face at the ending. Well done.

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazing!
======================


The story of the book alternates between the present and the past. At present we have our heroine, who returns home after being cheated by her two-year-old boyfriend.
In the past we have the story of her grandmother and facts that occurred during World War II and that were unknown to the family.
The story is very well crafted and captures the reader's attention from start to finish.
Prepare the tissue paper to wipe away the tears that will surely occur during the events of the war.
A story of love, courage and decisions made in difficult times that lead to new hope.
I recommend reading.
Love it!

[Jill Miclean · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book covered every event in WWII. You name it, it was mentioned. Like the author had a check list she was using to make sure she hit all the popular stories. The blitz: check. Secret agents: check. Spies: check. The resistance: check. D-day: check. Singing to the troops: check. Jumping out of planes: check. Concentration camp: check. Jewish soldier in German army: check. Nazi soldier with the heart of gold: check. Assumed identity: check. Downed planes: check. Hiding in the forest check. It just kept going on and on.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and author for A free ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

A Fire Sparkling by Julianne MacLean is not what I expected and yet so so much more than I expected!! Twists and turns that dropped my jaw! I couldn't put the darn book down it was so good!
Gillian's story begins with her long time boyfriend breaking her heart, which leads her to head home to her father and grandmother to lick her wounds. A shocking find by her father adds to her confusion, and takes them back to her grandmother Vivian's past during WW2. What the family had though was her story turns out to be a fabrication and with the find from her father, her grandmother is confronted and compelled to explain. What comes out turns out to be a heartbreaking and shocking story of her true life during WWII.
The writing was phenomenal! I fell into the pages from the beginning of the story. I loved the complex complete characters. I cared about what happened to them and was involved in their story.
I fully recommend this wonderful
historical fiction/ romance / suspense! 5 stars!
Expected publication: August 1st 2019 by Lake Union Publishing

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new novel is a blend between history and romance, between present day and WWII. it's a book about family and love and forgiveness all put together with lots of research and likable characters. It's well written and one of my favorite books of the year.


The story - especially during the war is so well written that you feel like you are in London during the Blitz. The author did an excellent job of showing what life was like in London during this time. The characters were very likable and their fear was deeply felt. The dual time line plot was well done and I enjoyed both the present day story and the historical story. The author did a lot of research on what life was like in England and France during this time period and it made the story so much more realistic.

This is a story of love and forgiveness, family and friendship. It has romance, mystery, bravery, danger and most of all love. I read a lot of WWII historical fiction and this one ranks near the top of the list.

Thanks to the publisher a for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[Christine Nolfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brimming with twists, secrets, and romance, A Fire Sparkling carries the reader back to WWII Europe as modern-day woman Gillian Gibbons unravels the past kept hidden by her grandmother for decades. This is author Julianne MacLean’s most ambitious work to date, a heartfelt and remarkable tale of courage, secret identity, and the deep, unbreakable bonds of family. Highly, enthusiastically recommended.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another grandmother with secrets, leading to a dual timeline, to discover what actually happened. A couple of interesting features of this one, for one the grandmother is alive to tell her own tale in pieces, and doesn't expire leaving the secrets to be found. Instead, Gram tells her own story throughout. I almost kept expecting her to expire so the granddaughter would be forced to travel the world looking for the secrets. She doesn't travel until the end. It was nice to actually here the grandmother tell her story. The book was mostly focused on her tale, there wasn't as great a focus on the current timeline, which I rather liked. But her story did help shed some light on current situations and led to a nice resolve.

The story involved a pair of twins, and some identity swap. But at the heart of it, was love. And what makes a person trustworthy and deserving of love. While I never connected to the title, (a borrow from Shakespeare), I rather liked it. It was a worthy enough read.

[Dr. Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have I now read too many Historical Fiction books written in the time frame of WWII? It remains my favorite period in history and will, of course, remain my favorite time for selecting memoirs and historical fiction. But I felt like there was nothing new here based on fact. My mom and dad came of age quickly during this war, and I remain mesmerized by tales of how this war was won. My dad was in the D-Day parade! I tell you this so that you will realize how hard it was for me to give this low rating to one of these books. “A Fire Sparkling” had a great plot with many twists and turns that kept me reading, but the plot seemed “made up” because there were no characters based on fact — at least none that the author revealed. The only thing that made it feel “historical” was, of course, the setting of the novel. It was truly a romance novel based in the WWII time frame. I will continue to love to read about the British during the war and will continue to admire them greatly and be in awe that they survived as a nation. I just wish there had been a disclaimer stating that this particular book was a romance novel based during the war. Another problem with the book for me was the voice from chapter to chapter. Gillian’s chapters were written in a simple first person conversational style. Vivian’s chapters were omniscient (and I can see now that this might have been for a reason), and April’s chapters were a mix from sticking to the facts (like the people hearing the story were not in the room) and then a switch to conversational like we were back in time with her. On the whole, the writing style was just too simplistic for me. If you read romance novels regularly, or love twists and turns in a plot, read this one and let me know what you think.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book for free as part of the Amazon FirstReads program for July 2019.

Perhaps I have read too many WWII-era books, but I felt like I had already read this book several times. There were several story lines that I'd felt I'd already encountered in other books -- the assumed identity, the airdrop into France as a resistance fighter and spy, the lifetime of lies and secrets only revealed at the end of the main character's life. It all felt a little too familiar. Though the writing wasn't great, it was an enjoyable enough read until I got the end and discovered that the author had decided to make her Nazi character good, a secret spy on the inside. It just didn't feel right to me; while there were "good" Germans who were opposed to the Nazis, I've yet to hear a true story of any of them who elected to join the party and help the Resistance from within. I know this is fiction, but historical fiction is meant to be grounded in actual events.

[Landpomeranze (so much to read - so little time) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quit after 5 chapters. I just could not take those cheesy and stilted dialogues anymore. Although the "heroine" was beaten and almost choked to death by her father the author failed to evoke in me even the slightest hint of compassion. No need to go on, it can't get better.

[Dalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poate că nu e o carte așa de rea dar nu mă mai impresionează genul acesta de cărți cu secrete de familie, cu surori gemene , scrise parcă toate după rețetă. Pas!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful story filled with love, loss, betrayal and atonement.