A historical fiction book written during a time period where a lot of historical fiction takes place, but this one has the chance to stand out from the crowd as it is told through the perspective of Genevieve Dumont who has become a star and while she sings in many different venues across Paris, she is also sharing secrets of the Nazis to the Resistance. Her mother is captured by the Nazis and Genevieve's mission becomes very personal.

A hefty book at well over 400 pages, this book did linger in a few places where I would have sped up, but once you hit the race to save Lillian this book really is a sprint to the end!

I have read a few books that hint at the existence of the Resistance, but I loved reading a whole book that focuses on them and shares with the readers all the ways that information was passed to and fro and how much organization was behind it all was just beyond fascinating.

I always love when a historical fiction book teaches me something and I learned quite a bit of the behind the scenes of a whole group of people who were trying to collapse the Nazi regime in this book.

This was my very first Karen Robards fan and I was completely unaware of her huge backlist until I finished and am intrigued to read more by her, where should I go next?

Sisters, parents, spies, deprivations, German officers and suspicion all play a part in this story set during World War II and focused on two major players: Genevieve and Lillian. Unbeknownst to everyone, while Genevieve is accumulating the acclaims of the occupiers as a singer of great skill and beauty while gathering information and providing her manager, Max, an OSE officer with a cover story: Lillian and her husband Paul, the Baron de Rocheford are leading a cell of Resistance fighters and working to secure the upcoming allied invasion on the coast near their chateau.

There is no way to explain more of the plot or the twists it contains without spoilers, but the story, one telling of the war years in and around France from the viewpoint of players in the game: the deprivations and atrocities seen, the nerves and dangers faced down, and even the personal and deep-seated struggles that the players encounter that put them into this place in time is a gripping and compelling read. We meet Lillian: determined, forthright and a true partner to her husband. Her struggles, her history and knowledge of the area around the chateau and her determination to do what must be done, while protecting the information she knows is an edge of the seat sort of story. Contrasting nicely with Genevieve and the ‘perks’ she receives as a famous favorite of the occupation force, and her unwitting (at first) helping her new manager, Max, with his efforts as a member of OSE working with the Resistance.

From first page to last, after getting hooked into the book and the multiple questions that arose, I was unable to put it down. Just as I thought the plot was allowing for a break – the tension and danger amped up and I had to keep on. Unique in the telling, allowing readers into a perspective of ‘perceived collaborator’ from one who isn’t and is jeopardized by both sides, to the closer look at the ‘security measures’ enacted by active participants in Resistance cells, the story demands your attention and pushes you to see the changes in people because of the war and the ‘new attitudes’, as you wonder who will survive to find peace after.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aKc /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher! Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Black Swan of Paris

Author: Karen Robards

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 3.5/5

Recommended For...: history lovers, WWII, resistance, romance

Publication Date: June 30, 2020

Genre: Historical Fiction

Recommended Age: 17+ (romance, violence, slight gore, resistance, and war)

Publisher: MIRA

Pages: 400

Synopsis: Paris, 1944

Celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont is both a star and a smokescreen. An unwilling darling of the Nazis, the chanteuse’s position of privilege allows her to go undetected as an ally to the resistance.

When her estranged mother, Lillian de Rocheford, is captured by Nazis, Genevieve knows it won’t be long before the Gestapo succeeds in torturing information out of Lillian that will derail the upcoming allied invasion. The resistance movement is tasked with silencing her by any means necessary—including assassination. But Genevieve refuses to let her mother become yet one more victim of the war. Reuniting with her long-lost sister, she must find a way to navigate the perilous cross-currents of Occupied France undetected—and in time to save Lillian’s life.

Review: I really loved this book! I thought the writing was beautiful and well done. The book was about the French Revolution, which I don’t know a ton about and I thought it gave me some insight into the historical movement. The book had very well developed characters and the world building was also very well done.

However, I felt like the middle of the book slowed down in pacing. It was extremely long and almost made reading it feel like crawling through mud. However, the ending was good and it was worth the read in my opinion.

Verdict: Recommended!!

The Black Swan of Paris took me by surprise. I really didn't expect to like it as much as I did. The story is full of intrigue and danger as I would expect from the time, but there are so many more layers to this one. It is a book about the perils of Paris during the war, but it's also about family, specifically mothers and daughters, loyalty, friendship, and love. The story is very well written, and the time Karen Robards has taken with research shows in the wonderful descriptions throughout. Then we have the well-drawn characters to draw us in and hold on tight. Everything just comes together for a solid read in the genre, and this is one author I will be reading again.

This book was so good! I’ve read quite a few WW2 books lately and this is one of the best! It had espionage, it had romance and lots of adventure. I enjoyed the story. It’s a page turner! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

A cabaret singer, Genevieve, who is loved by the Nazi is really fighting for the resistance. Her mother, Lillian, is captured by the Nazi and Genevieve along with the resistance is afraid secrets will be spilled. The resistance wants Lillian dead or alive. A great novel about the consequences of war, family ties, and love of life.

Another book on WWII.
This time a plot involves an entertainer in Paris!
The book was interesting enough to spike my interest of finishing it.
Did I like it? Yes I did.
I did like the fact that Karen Robards wrote it and it was quite different too.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. I was not able to connect to the story but I appreciate the chance to read this.

This historical fiction novel is by a successful American author better known for thrillers and romance. This one is set mostly in Paris during the months before the D Day invasion in 1944. Genevieve is a famous singer known as The Black Swan Of Paris. What is not known is that together with her manager Max she is working for the resistance and what Max does not know is that she is the estranged daughter of a Baron and Baroness. When she overhears that her mother has been captured by the Nazis and will be tortured to get information relating to the upcoming invasion, she reunites with her sister to try to rescue her. This is a book that is a great recommendation for fans of The Nightingale or The Alice Network, but it should be noted it is a little more intense than many other books in this genre.

I love this book. There, I said it, the secret is out. Although I don’t really want to keep it a secret because I want everyone to read this book. Now. Go get it and read it because it’s amazing. So detailed, with spectacular characters and such richness to the plot it makes me unbelievably happy.

Genevieve. Uh what a heroine. So spunky, resilient and tenderhearted. I loved her instantly and only grew to adore her more with each chapter. She had such tenacity with every challenge she faced over the course of her life, rising to become the star she did under the pressure that was put on her. I empathized with her need to bury the pains of her past so she could continue on with life and watching her deal with the resurfacing of those painful memories and emotions pulled at my heart. She was a character that made it easy to root for her as she fought for what she knew was right against seemingly impossible odds.

And Max, oh Max. His commitment to his cause made him admirable, but his devotion to Genevieve despite the risks is what made him truly stand out as a man of honor. They were like lightning in a bottle. Excellent chemistry from the start that only continued to build and become better throughout. Max could appear distant, calculated and singularly focused on his mission as his desire to end the war is a large part of what drives him but his softness towards Genevieve was a real gem in this book. Their tender moments together were so well done and exemplified the idea that their shared fear of vulnerability crumbled when they were with one another. Their relationship felt real as it unfolded, giving a sense that while these two were driven together by circumstance they were meant to find one another all along.

Lillian, Emmy, Otto and Berthe were just as enjoyable characters as these main two. Genevieve’s mother Lillian’s POV was a good addition to show another side of the narrative, even though it was fairly heartbreaking at times. And I liked how Emmy showed real growth as she and Genevieve reconnected and rediscovered the sisterly bond that still bound them together. Berthe and Otto were little hidden surprises of characters, both being the silent partners of Genevieve and Max respectively. Otto’s care for Genevieve is sweet throughout the book even though it’s plain that he won’t compromise Max despite his genuine friendship with her. Berthe was such a good companion to Genevieve and I was surprised at her connection to Max, but I won’t say any more for fear of spoiling things.

Now the plot of this book. So phenomenal. The sheer amount of detail and description still amazes me. Nothing was left out, no piece of information or scrap of narrative that needed to be filled in. I never felt lost for a second in this book. For locations, descriptions of people, time or places. All of it came alive so vividly in my imagination as the words flowed on the pages. The writer did such a great job bringing to life the setting of this period in France, what life was life during WWII, the hardships, the fear. And then adding on top of that the fictional elements of Genevieve’s life and those working around her to achieve their end goals. It all wove together so perfectly I would’ve thought this was a non-fiction book and not historical fiction. It felt as if I were being told a dramatized version of an actual person’s life at times, not a fictional story. It was easy to get so immersed in Genevieve’s world of espionage, performance and living during such a chaotic time that I believed it could be real. The depth of the narrative and the way the book was paced really gave time to connect to the characters and what was happening to them. By the end I was so invested that it felt almost personal when something happened to the characters.

Overall this was a dazzling read. I could see it being turned into a miniseries it’s just that detailed and entertaining. It’s absolutely a favorite for me and I recommend it highly to anyone looking for a book filled with plenty of realism, tension-laced romance and bittersweet triumph.

A WWII Romance in Occupied Paris

In 1944 Paris was a very dangerous place. The Nazis were being pushed back, and it was rumored that and Allied invasion was immanent. Genevieve Dumont is a celebrated singer and toast of the Nazis, which allows her to move about the city freely even at night. However, Genevieve is also allied with the Resistance through her agent Max Bonet.

Genevieve has been estranged from her family for years and has even changed her name, but when she receives word that her mother Lillian the Baroness de Rocheford has been captured because the Nazis believe that she has information about the Allied Invasion, Genevieve knows she has to act to save her mother, even if it means revealing her true identity.

This story is rather more fantasy than the average WWII story, but it does have realistic background including the torture conducted on supposed spies and Resistance workers by the Nazis. Sometimes it’s hard to read moving from the fantasy portrayal of Genevieve’s fame to the harsh reality of life under the Nazi regime.

Genevieve and Max are brave characters risking their lives to save France. They are also attracted to each other, but it’s a romance that doesn’t interfere with the objectives of the Resistance and winning the war.

This story not only explores the war, but also the bonds that hold families together even in the worst circumstances. It raises the novel above just another romantic WWII adventure story.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Robard balances the glitz and glamour of famed Paris nightlife with the tension and danger of being part of the Resistance in the midst of Occupied Europe. Opulence is countered with uncertainty, daring with danger. This novel is a bit of a slow-burn that will keep you fascinated from the very first chapter. The intricate story lines crisscross to create a beautifully crafted novel rife with romance, intrigue, heartbreak, and hope.

It was not as thrilling as other WWII novel’s I’ve read – the identity of the Black Swan in the novel also lends a layer of protection and benefits to the heroine that play very much into the pace of the story itself. Her celebrity affords a perfect veil and she becomes a ticket to move in circles otherwise inaccessible – but with this level of security also comes a risk that seems to be less intense (though no less real or relevant) than perhaps communicated in other characterizations found in this genre. When I say thrilling, I suppose I refer to pace. It’s very much engaging, but the excitement comes in to play well after you’ve begun to know the key players and care about them. Overall, it was a touching, engaging piece of fiction with a beautiful cadence and voice – reader discretion advised mostly for some grisly scenes.

My thanks to my friends at Mira Books (Harlequin) and the author for the complimentary copy of this title and chance to share my thoughts as part of the 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour. This is a great sunny day on the deck or lounging in a hammock read.

Lately, I’ve read quite a few books in this genre. Though this is a very long story, by a quarter of the way through I was completely feeling the setting. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to live through that time of fear and uncertainty.

Genevieve Dumont is a singer who is loved by the Nazis. When Max Bonet becomes her manager the two are allowed to move about freely without raising suspensions as she entertains at various cities. This works to Max’s benefit since he is using the title of a manager as a cover for his real activities. And when Genevieve discovers some important information about her mother and sister, she has an agenda of her own.

As I said above, at times this story feels so real that it’s extremely hard to read. I had to take it in pieces and parts occasionally. It wasn’t a book that I could whip right through. It was a very emotional and touching story that I read at different speeds.

What Concerned Me
This author does an incredible job of bringing this intense time to life. So much so that it’s possible it might bother those who are sensitive. Yet, the story is also filled with many positive factors, so don’t shy away too quickly.

What I Liked Best
History buffs will love Robards's attention to details and the depth this WWII story takes. It is filled with so many emotions. Fear, suspense, love, and romance, fill the pages causing them to flip faster at times and slower at others. I definitely slowed to take in the descriptions of what was happening in and around the streets. And for me, a few times I had to stop and take a breather because of the harshness inflicted by the Nazis.

Lots of history and details are woven into a moving WWII story.

My thanks to #NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC and the ability to leave a review of my opinion.

What a great cover for spies! Genevieve Dumont is the Black Swan, a talented and beautiful singer with perfect cover to travel all over Europe during the war with few questions asked. Whle she didn't originally volunteer to work for the Resistance (as she laments in her head over and over - she was TRICKED), it's better than being a genuine collaborator.

Her manager, Max, is actually a British soldier in disguise. He tells her as little as possible about their illicit activities to keep her safe. Her job is to sing, and occasionally pass on a playbill or sign something special as an autorgraph - all messages she doesn't even understand.

But Genevieve begins to care a bit more about beating the Germans when she hears news about her family. Even Max doesn't know Genevieve's true identity. She travels now as a new person after walking away from her first life in response to a tragedy. When Max and Genevieve tell each other the truth and work together with other spies in their networks, can they successfully complete their missions and survive to dream about life after the war?

This book had a little of everything. Spies and intrigue, war dramas, romance, and well researched telling of the allies landing at Normandy. It definitely sounded well researched and inspires me to look further and see what was history, and what was fiction. Overall I'd give this book 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for those who enjoy historical fiction.

This is the story of an entertainer during WW2 whose associates are almost all working in some way for the resistance. Her manager Max is, and asks her to dine with an interested Nazi to get information from him. She gets much more than she bargained for...

I have read countless historical fiction books over the last couple of years, and I would say this book by Karen Robards is by far one of the best ones that I have ever read. We have two primary protagonists. One a spymaster and one a well regarded singer recruited to the resistance during WWII.

Genevieve Dumont is loved by the Nazis and has fairly free range to travel just about anywhere possible to perform. Max Bonet becomes her manager and the pair become far more involved than performing. Traveling from place to place they are able to get past the Germans time and again. But eventually the question remains whether or not the Germans would ever catch on to what was really going on.

Meanwhile, Genevieve’s mother was being held by the Germans. Held and tortured. This was not for the faint of heart. Instead it was a portrayal of the brutal realities of a war in which the Germans would use any means necessary to ferret out information by any means necessary from anyone that was opposed to them.

While both Max and Genevieve work side-by-side, Genevieve has her own agenda - that of locating and freeing her mother. Genevieve has reasons of her own as far as not revealing to Max as to who her mother is. Estranged for years, not only from her mother, but also from her sister Emmy, Genevieve‘s heart remains pure when it comes to genuine love and concern for her mother and her sister. Can Genevieve And Emmy find a way to work together in order to rescue their mother?

This remarkable story is equally heartbreaking and touching. The romance in the story was incredibly touching. While it may have developed at a very slow ebb, when it came to fruition it was well worth the wait The emotion left me completely wrecked at times. All the while, the danger never let up. Reading of that terrible time in history is always difficult, but this book was so well-written and managed to capture my attention from beginning to end.

Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Book: The Black Swan of Paris
Author: Karen Robards
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Mira Books, for providing me with an ARC.

This one actually ended up surprising me. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I was fully engaged in the plot and the characters. There were some parts in the middle that went on too long for my liking, but, other than that, I really did enjoy this one. This is one of those books that pulls you in and makes it very difficult to get out.

So, this is set in France during World War II. We follow a group of musicians as they preform for both the common people and the Nazis. However, they are actually part of the French Resistance. They put their lives at risk with the hopes of bringing down the Nazis. Karen did an amazing job at writing the tension and the fears that the characters went through. We see them go through a lot rough bits. We had a lot of pretty intense scenes. No, the book is not all about the war. We get to see a lot of family bonds and romantic bonds form. I really enjoyed these little normal moments woven in. It gave us some kind of hope-even when things were really bad.

Yes, this book is about the French Resistance, but there is also a lot of mother-daughter stuff woven throughout it. The main focus of the book is that Genevieve’s, our main character, mother has been taken captive by the Nazis and the main goal is to save her. (Lillian, the mother, is also a part of the Resistance.) Now, the problem is that Genevieve really hasn’t had any contact with her family for awhile now. You see, she got pregnant at sixteen and didn’t give the baby up, which caused a big blowup. To make matters worse, Max, a British solider working as part of Genevieve’s troupe, has been ordered to silence Lillian by any means possible. You see they kind of don’t want the Germans to find out about the upcoming invasion. So, this puts Genevieve in a race against time to attempt to save her mother.

Emmie, Genevieve’s sister, also comes back into the picture. Like with her mother, the relationship between the two sisters really isn’t all that great either. They are forced to put their differences aside in order to save their mother. Now, this is actually their last attempt to save their family as well. Their family is messy, but these things are going to cause them to grow stronger. To see the two sisters reunite is great and is probably my favouirte moment in the book.

Now, the romance between Max and Genevieve was actually pretty enjoyable. It’s kind of a slow burn, friends to lovers kind of thing. I’m not sure if it actually falls under that troupe, but we’re going to work with it. I like that Karen took the time to actually develop their relationship and characters. I know some people are probably going to complain about how long it took them to get together, but I found the slow burn to be rather enjoyable.

So, why four stars? Well, as I said at the start of the review, there were some parts in the middle that went on a little bit too long for my liking. I did almost give it a five star, but them I remembered that little bit of a slough in the middle.

Anyway, this book comes out in June 30, 2020.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/iOKHx0BBQQw

Wow! That’s a great book to read...it was excellent! Really enjoyed it very much...

Can’t believe that happened in the war of 1944 in Paris, poor peoples during the horrible raids...Genny lost her daughter so she trying to save her from the window and I feel bad for her..

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy...

This book grabbed me, I could almost smell the fear and see the horrors that were being perpetrated on Europe and in this book France during this terrible time in history.
The author gives us a young woman struggling with her grief, and thrown into the limelight as a star the German Regime enjoys seeing. As her manager is a man with many personas, and at times I wondered if Max was really for or against Genevieve. Well, we sure are given a lot of action and found myself looking for answers here.
This is a world at war time, and we don’t know from beginning to end who will survive the horrors that are executed here, and I found myself holding my breath during parts of this read. Praise that we really know how the war ends, but this puts you right in the heat of battle, and lets you know about those behind the scenes who helped at great costs, to bring victory.
We put faces on some of these people and the author did a great job of bring alive this part of a dark time in history.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher MIRA, and was not required to give a positive review.

Genevieve Dumont, 25, is a beautiful and famous singer in Paris, France during WWII. The Nazis love her. Her fame gives her access to the men in power, and she filters any information she discovers to her friends in the resistance.

I am a big fan of historical fiction, especially of the WWII portion of the genre. The Black Swan of Paris was a so-so read for me. I realize from the other reviews on the book, that I am swimming against the current with my rating, but so be it. Exercise is good for you, and we shouldn't let the opinion of others change our own.

The first half of this book is slow; far too easy to pick up and put down again. This probably hampered my ability to get attached to the characters or care about them. The second half picked up, but didn't overcome my detachment from the characters.

Karen Robards is an author I have enjoyed before and plan to read again. For whatever reason, this was just not a good match for me.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Harlequin Mira for allowing me to read a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions stated herein are my own.