Until Leaves Fall in Paris

This book didn't "grab" me at the very start but as I kept on reading, yes, then it did. What I totally loved in the beginning, was Lucie the "ballerina" bookshop keeper. Why, because I could totally relate as she did her dance positions at the bookstore. I have a dancer daughter, and no matter where we went, she was in a dance position! I could almost see her as Lucie! Well, this was a very good book. I loved the resistance group that she became aware of and her part she played. I totally loved the Paul and Lucie romance that blossoms and little Josie who adds so much to the book. This WWII story was excellent. All the books I have read from this author have just blown me away. So real, so good and so believable. I felt like I was there. I had to keep reading to see what is going to happen. Can't put this book down! Nope, not at all. The danger aspect in the book kept me on the edge of my seat. OK, now you have to get your copy! You will not regret it! I received an ebook copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Green Leaves Bookstore. Exciting, Romantic and page turning can describe this book. It kept me reading way into the night as I just wanted to read one more chapter. A young ballerina, a bookstore, and an automaker and his daughter all play a part in this story. Lucie, a ballerina, has danced with the Paris Ballet for ten years, she has lived in Paris since she was nine years old. She lived with the owners of Green Leaf Bookstore so she could study Ballet in Paris. Her parents live in New York. She is American, but she feels that Paris is her home. When the Nazi's close in on Paris she quits the ballet and buys the bookstore so the owners can escape to America. She becomes involved with the resistance movement as a place they can safely leave messages for each other. Paul makes trucks, he is an automaker. He runs a factory in Paris. His wife died in a car crash a year ago and left him with a young daughter. He wants to take his daughter back to America but the U.S. Army wants him to stay in Paris and provide them information on the Nazi's. Lucie and Paul meet at the bookstore and Lucie is attracted to him until she finds out that he is a collaborator and works with the German's selling them trucks from his factory. He cannot tell her the truth or it will endanger his mission and possible both their lives. This book will keep you entertained as you follow the story of Lucie and Paul and their lives under the cruel laws of the Germans. I loved the little girl and her stories about the Rock Monsters and also the unselfish decision that Lucie made that almost cost her life. What a courageous character. I enjoyed reading this book, and I would recommend it. Thanks to Sarah Sundin for writing a great book, to Revell Press for Publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.

DAZZLING! Award-winning author Sarah Sundin is one of the most important and accomplished voices in writing WWII historical war romances. Her novels are based on meticulous research, have substantial, realistic plots, and are filled with characters that come alive and live in your mind long after you have finished reading the last word. Her latest release, Until Leaves Fall in Paris, is another DAZZLING example of her excellence in sharing a story. This story is set in 1940 as the Nazis continue their march to Paris. Sundin shares the lives of American ballerina Lucie Girard and widower Paul Aubrey, an industrial engineer factory owner and his precious little girl, Josie. Lucie is struggling to keep her beloved Green Leaf Books (English language bookshop) open. Paul is struggling with being a single parent as well as not letting his company be taken over by the Nazis. Each of them wants to be a part of the resistance but the risks are enormous. Lucie decides to allow her Bookshop to be used clandestinely and Paul agrees to work with the US Army through his factory. During these perilous times, the children seem more vulnerable than ever before. Lucie and Paul have met and it becomes clear that they are kindred spirits but they live in fear of being able to trust anyone for any reason. Lucie begins The Children's Hour where she reads stories, has a puppet show and play games with the children. This hour proves to be a turning point in the lives of Josie, Lucie and Paul. Lucie can incorporate her creative gifts of writing, dance, drama, and her compassionate spirit to guide Josie’s own story from the darkness of life. Sundin paints exquisite word pictures to describe the growing relationships between these three characters and it is a beautiful and reverential telling. Sundin will leave readers dazzled with this story! I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.