About the Book
Product Details
ISBN-13:9780800741860 Publisher: Baker Publishing Group. Publication date:02/04/2025 Pages:384
To escape the Nazis, she must become a spy. To save the Allied cause, must he betray his heart?
The only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the German occupation of the Netherlands is to do the unthinkable–become a spy for the Nazis in Britain. She soothes her conscience with a plan to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. Her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.
But perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence sends her to Scotland to radio misleading messages to Germany, messages about the naval base at Scapa Flow to be crafted by Lachlan. At the station in the lighthouse at Dunnet Head, Lachlan and Cilla must work together if the war is to be won. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy–a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?
My Thoughts
The latest historical fiction novel by Sarah Sundin takes the readers to the Scottish shore during WWII. The story is fascinating, with meticulous details about the part Scotland played in the war as well as about several actual historical figures written into the plot. Cilla Van der Zee is a citizen from the Netherlands who plans to escape the Nazi oppression there by pretending to be a spy for them and by taking a U-boat to the Scottish shore. Unfortunately, she is apprehended by Lachlan, a young naval officer there, and then Cilla is forced to become a double agent instead of going to live with her aunt as was her original plan. The legend of the selkie which is woven into the story was completely engrossing. This novel was addictive and unputdownable, keeping me up late into the night since I was engrossed by the nail-biting suspense and the escalating tension as Cilla faces prison time or worse. The developing romance between Lachlan and Cilla is warm and believable, told with humorous banter between the two who start out as enemies and slowly become friends. The plot is deeply immersive, with historical details that enrich the story with their authenticity and made me want to know more, which the author nicely provided in an afterword that added to my enjoyment of the story. The author infuses the entire story with spiritual truths that include forgiveness, mercy, grace and compassion. I really liked the sibling rivalry between Neil and Lachlan that formed an intriguing sub-plot as well as the cameo appearances of characters from a previous book. This book is a compelling read that was brilliantly written with a strong message of fortitude, clever plot twists and a remarkable attention to realism. I learned a lot about Scotland as I read and grew to appreciate the landscape, the use of lighthouses and the heroism of local people who just wanted to protect their homeland.
Disclaimer
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. (Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”)
Sarah Sundin is the bestselling author of Embers in the London Sky, The Sound of Light, Until Leaves Fall in Paris, and When Twilight Breaks, as well as the popular WWII series Sunrise at Normandy, among others. She is a Christy Award winner and a Carol Award winner, and her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Sarah lives in Southern California. Visit SarahSundin.com for more information.
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