The Paris Housekeeper + Giveaway

From the author of The Secret Society of Salzburg comes a powerful and moving story of bravery and resilience in World War II Paris and one woman who must face impossible choices to survive …

Paris, 1940

German tanks rumble through the streets of Paris, forcing frightened citizens to flee. But not everyone has the luxury to leave. Camille Lacroix, a chambermaid at the world-famous Hôtel Ritz, must stay to support her family back home in Brittany. Desperate to earn money, Camille also acts as a lady’s maid for longtime guest Vivian Miller, a glamorous American widow—and a Nazi sympathizer.

Despite her distrust of the woman, Camille turns to Vivian when her friend and fellow hotel maid Rachel Berman needs help getting out of Paris. It’s then that Camille discovers that Vivian is not what she seems… The American has been using her wealth and connections to secretly obtain travel papers for Jewish refugees.

While they’re hiding Rachel in an underground bunker under a Nazi’s nose, a daring escape plan is hatched. But as the net grows tighter, and the Germans more ruthless, Camille’s courage will be tested to the extreme…

My Review:

I think the core strength of this story can be found in this message:

“If you think one person can’t make a difference in the fight against tyranny, I’m here to tell you you’re wrong. This woman is a testament to what happens when a single brave soul does the right thing.” (p 360)

And, mercy, but isn’t that what we need to hear – and remember – in the chaotic upheaval of this 21st century world?! And Ryan conveys it so well in this quiet-ish story featuring three women in war-torn Paris. The choices they make. The consequences that follow and the fragile thread of hope that pulls them together. All told in well executed prose that made everything feel so real.

“Frustration propelled her out into the morning air that still held the stench of petrol, German haughtiness, and French despair.” (p 58)

I was appalled and enthralled and committed right through to the exquisite epilogue.

Of note: while published by Love Inspired Trade, I would not categorize this book as Christian Fiction though it definitely includes inspiring and encouraging themes and it is a clean read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Paris Housekeeper , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 3 2024.

30 thoughts on “The Paris Housekeeper + Giveaway”

  2. “The Paris Housekeeper” is already on my TBR list and I can’t wait for the opportunity to read it. Thank you for your review and reaffirming my great desire to read it. As they say, you can’t hope to do better in the future if you refuse to examine the past and learn from their mistakes. Think we all need a story that shakes us to the core reminding us of the horrors of the past. This book sounds like it not only does that, but is just an awesome book to read in itself.

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

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  5. Have read several fiction and non-fiction books which mention or feature the Ritz during that time period along with the espionage and double-dealing with various guests and employees. Was headquarters for some high-ranking German officers. Fascinating! Found previous books from this author to be good. Enjoyed your review!

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  8. *Don’t even, not sure I want to read it, LOL, still avoiding war stories. I read her Love Inspired series Thunder Ridge in November/December. I enjoyed them. They were my first introduction to her works. This does not look like a Love Inspired book, it’s funny.

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    1. Love Inspired Trade books are a new thing. They are longer — like a regular trade paperback — and lean more towards Women’s Fiction with a sideline of romance, usually. They come in a mix of genres — suspense, historical…not sure if there’s been a contemporary. Only one book published every couple of months, so pretty low key. I’m taking it you’re not wanting to be entered in the draw? If I read that wrong, let me know. Totally understand reading comfort zones.

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      1. I haven’t come across a Love Inspired Trade book yet, will have to see if my Library carries them. You are correct, please don’t enter me. If I decide I want to read it, I will find it later. Right now I am still avoiding any wartime books.

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      2. tMollie Rushmeyer’s The Lost Manuscript and The Bookshop of Secrets were really good. They are contemporary and Linda Goodnight has a historical Claiming her Legacy which I enjoyed as well. And Jessica Patch has two suspense books with Love Inspired Trade but they were too spooky for me. 🙂 Plus there are a few Amish stories by Jo Ann Brown. Those are some of the ones I’ve read.

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    1. Yes…there was inspiration there, but none of the characters Jewish or not had any kind of faith which was really disappointing given it’s a Love Inspired book. It would have just as easily fit their HQN line. Still, I see we’re book twinning again!

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  10. I had this on our quarterly want-to-read listings. Thanks for a second offering of this novel for me. My favorite genre, as you know, historical!
    Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com

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      1. Author names get muddled for me too — especially during Reader’s Choice week. Oy — and when I’m bouncing between the different genre days and start to get confused over which genre I’m recording entries for. 🙂 This would be a great introduction to Renee Ryan’s writing. Good luck, Tammy!

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