** Blog Tour ** The Last Train from Paris- Juliet Greenwood

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘The Ladt Train from Paris.’

For Iris, each visit to her mother in St Mabon’s Cove, Cornwall has been the same – a serene escape from the city. But today, as she breathes in the salt air on the doorstep of her beloved childhood home, a heavy weight of anticipation settles over her. Iris knows she’s adopted, but any questions about where she came from have always been shut down by her parents, who can’t bear to revisit the past.

Now, Iris can’t stop thinking about what she’s read on the official paperwork: BABY GIRL, FRANCE, 1939 – the year war was declared with Nazi Germany.

When Iris confronts her mother, she hits the same wall of pain and resistance as whenever she mentions the war. That is, until her mother tearfully hands her an old tin of letters, tucked neatly beside a delicate piece of ivory wool.

Retreating to the loft, Iris steels herself to at last learn the truth, however painful it might be. But, as she peels back each layer of history before her, a sensation of dread grows inside her. The past is calling, and its secrets are more intricate and tangled than Iris could ever have imagined.

The year is 1939, and in Paris, France a young woman is about to commit a terrible betrayal…

A beautifully written and addictively compelling historical novel about the terrible choices ordinary people were forced to make in the horrors of World War Two. If you loved The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Nightingale, you will devour this book.

What readers are saying about Juliet Greenwood:

“This was fantastic! Perfect for a Kate Morton or Lucinda Riley hangover, this book will draw you in and won’t let go until you’ve read the last page. This book was unputdownable – fascinating characters, excellent writing, and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. I loved every second of it.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I found myself reading chapter after chapter, unable to put it down. A first-time read by this author but certainly not the last.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“For readers of Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley, this book will be one of your favorites… A historical novel that will keep you reading until the end.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“An absolutely brilliant read. I could not put it down…I loved how the war changed everyone and it was a gripping story… I really loved it. Cannot recommend it enough.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Did everything that I was looking for… it left me wanting to read more from Juliet Greenwood.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Purchase Link – https://geni.us/290-al-aut-am

Author Bio –

Juliet Greenwood is a historical novelist, now published by Storm Publishing. Her first novel was a finalist for The People’s Book Prize and two of her books reached the top 5 in the UK Kindle store.

Juliet has always been a bookworm and a storyteller, writing her first novel (a sweeping historical epic) at the age of ten. She lives in a traditional cottage in Snowdonia, North Wales, set between the
mountains and the sea, with an overgrown garden (good for insects!) and a surprisingly successful grapevine.

Social Media Links –

Storm: https://stormpublishing.co/

Website: http://www.julietgreenwood.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliet.greenwood

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julietgreenwood

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julietgreenwood/

Review-

Regular readers of my blog will know how much I love a good historical fiction novel, particularly those set in and around World War II.

This one was utterly captivating from the outset. There were several moments where I held my breath as I read as the human perspective of war was so eloquently described from the viewpoint of those left behind to deal with the horrors of daily life away from the battlefields.

The characterisation is undoubtedly one of the strengths of the narrative as, due to the uncertainty of war and Hitler’s ideology, people are forced to make almost impossible choices in the face of adversity. It’s impossible not to empathise wholeheartedly with Sabine at the station as she has to make a split second decision that could change both her life and that of her daughter forever.

What is apparent throughout is the strength of character and determination shown by people during the atrocities of war. The female protagonists in this novel demonstrate incredible fortitude and the characters of Sabine, Nora, Meme and Miss Maltby in particular, are heroic in their efforts to protect those around them.

In contrast, the odious characters of Emil and Karl help to accurately convey those who allowed ego, ambition and selfishness to chip away at any semblance of humanity or compassion for others. It was refreshing to see the introduction of Professor Jackson later in the story who provided the antithesis to their singleminded brutality.

The real beauty of this book is in those tender moments of humanity and compassion for fellow human beings, even when they are sometimes pitted against each other, while there are also inexplicably cruel twists of fate juxtaposed alongside moments of providence which allow characters to continue along their journeys.

The attention to detail with regards to historical facts lent a real gravitas to the storyline and I particularly liked the inclusion of details of those seeking refuge as opposed to the more commonly known horrors of the Nazi regime and its‘ policies.

I’ve read some wonderful books this year across a range of genres but this is definitely up there as one of my favourites. I couldn’t bring myself to put it down!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Further stops can be found here: