The Secret Society of Salzburg + Giveaway

Based on true event, this is a gripping and heart-wrenching story of two very different women united to bring light to the darkest days of World War II

London, 1933

At first glance, Austrian opera singer Elsa Mayer-Braun has little in common with the young English typist she encounters on tour. Yet she and Hattie Featherstone forge an instant connection — and strike a dangerous alliance. Using their friendship as a cover, they form a secret society with a daring goal: to reduce as many Jews as possible from Nazi persecution.

Though the war’s outbreak threatens Elsa and Hattie’s network, their efforts attract the covert attention of the British government, which offers more opportunities to thwart the Germans. But Elsa’s growing fame as Hitler’s favourite opera singer and her secret Jewish ancestry make her both a weapon and a target — until her future, too, hangs int he balance.

From the glamorous stages of Covent Garden and Salzburg to the horrors of Bergen-Belsen, two ordinary women swept up by the tide of war discover an extraordinary friendship — and the courage to save countless lives.

My Review:

I’m emotionally wrung out after this kind of read, but filled with hope too. Because people like Elsa and Hattie actually lived and risked their own lives to stand up against the horrors of Hitler’s regime. I always come away humbled after reading about ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the greater good. And, okay, you might not classify a famous opera singer as ‘ordinary’ but Elsa’s immense talent only masks the vulnerability and tender heart of this very real, flawed woman.

I was intrigued to learn that the author’s inspiration for this story comes from real-life sisters, Ida and Louise Cook, British citizens who rescued 29 Jews from the Nazis through out the 1930s. There’s even a book about them which I’ve put on hold from my library. Love, love, love when fiction inspires me to do some research!

Renee Ryan has brought something fresh to the World War II genre. I’m not an opera fan at all(!) but this book almost makes me want to revisit that opinion. Elsa’s life on the stage contrasted with Hattie’s more ordinary existence which created extra depth and breadth to the story. And a lot happens in both women’s lives since this book spans more than a decade!

The story starts in 1943 with an ominous foreshadowing scene, then goes back to the 1930s and progresses chronologically with occasional leaps back to the crucial event in 1943. So, in a way this could be considered a dual timeline story, though both are historical and only years apart. It’s very artfully done and makes for a compelling read.

Rich characterization, heart wrenching stories and even a gentle romance all contribute to make this an incredible unputdownable read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Secret Society of Salzburg, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you leave an email in your comment remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easier to spot your entry. Draw will held and winner announced on Saturday February 18 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

33 thoughts on “The Secret Society of Salzburg + Giveaway”

  1. Real history bits in fiction always fascinates me! The (sorta) dual-timeline interests me, and a gut wrenching emotional story definitely makes me want to read this. Wonderfully powerful review as always, Kav! I don’t know how you do it with books like this….but whatever it is, it’s magical 😊

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Trixi! Here’s an interesting research rabbit hole I went down while reading this book: I researched the Cook sisters who inspired the author and discovered that Ida Cook was one of the earliest Mills and Boons authors, writing as Mary Burchell and her royalties helped finance their rescue work for Jewish refugees! How cool is that? Good luck, Trixi.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Oh wow!! How cool is that?? See what I mean by learning history through fiction….Mind. Blowing! And I wonder, my grandma’s maiden name was Cooke (with an “e”) if that’s any relation?? Wouldn’t that be a fun coincidence?

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Thanks for the great review, Kav! Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and I love it when the stories are based on true stories and happenings. I agree with the emotional wringer, though. I just finished The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin. I loved it, but parts are hard to read. This book sounds right up my reading alley!

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oooh, I’m so looking forward to reading The Sound of Light! I like to space these emotional wringers out between more light-hearted reads like a rom/com or Regency Romance. Good luck, Winnie!

      Like

      Reply

  4. WOW! The cover grabbed me. The storyline intrigued me. And your review sinched it. This is a must read book for me.

    First thing, I’m fascinated with this era to start with, but the military/war aspect makes it more so. My Dad was a career Army man serving in WWII at the start of his career going on to serve in Korea and during Vietnam. This all means it has an added layer of desire to read.

    Second, I’m always drawn to the stories of those that were willing to put their lives on the line to help those being sought after on no fault of their own but being born.

    Thank you for the fabulous chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. WoW! You’ve done it again! Brought unknown stories to the front to explore those before us who really lived ~ and lived for others. Thank you again. What a week! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com

    Like

    Reply

    1. Yes, a string of fantastic books this week…well for me it was a week or so ago. 🙂 And I discovered this one during a Reader’s Choice Week so hooray you y’all recommending books to me. Good luck, Kathleen!

      Like

      Reply

  7. I’ve always been partial to WW2 stories for some reason. Bodie and Brock Thoene wrote a series that I loved. It sounds like this one will be just like those. Renee Ryan is a new author for me as well.
    rrwalter34ATgmailDotcom

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m drawn to them too — especially the ones that feature ordinary people discovering their inner hero. I have never read anything by Bodie and Brock Then though I think I might have seen their books at my library. Must check them out. Good luck, Becky!

      Like

      Reply

  11. The Secret Society sounds fascinating! And I do the same thing with interesting historical fiction, checking out the resources used and then searching my library holdings. Ida and Louise Cook came to my attention a couple of years ago as I was reviewing The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of The Women Who Changed the Course of WWII.

    My thoughts from review: Among my favorite stories was one perhaps more unexpected and sometimes humorous. Ida and Louise Cook were rather nondescript, older British sisters who were frequently overlooked by the Nazis as they smuggled out jewelry, thought by guards to be paste, to help immigrating Jewish refugees.

    Thanks for the review and for encouraging further learning! No surprise since you are a librarian!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. I really enjoy WWII historical novels with an occasional WWI novel tossed in for good measure. I’m not familiar with the author but the storyline sounds both fascinating and heart wrenching at the same time. I would have to counter it with something a bit more light hearted as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Renee Ryan is an author I should try to catch up with too. She doesn’t have as long a backlist as some so there’s still hope for me to catch up. lol And yes, I find it so important to balance out my reading between genres and subject matter plus I throw in quirky cozies as well. Good luck, Perrianne!

      Like

      Reply

  15. I cannot imagine what the people went through under Hitler’s rule and how they risked their lives.
    Since it is based on a true story, it will make the book even more special.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment