Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Call number
F DOB
Publication
Howard Books
Description
Gis�le Duchant guards a secret that could cost her life. Tunnels snake through the hill under her family's medieval chateau in Normandy. Now, with Hitler's army bearing down, her brother and several friends are hiding in the tunnels, resisting the German occupation of France. But when German soldiers take over the family's chateau, Gis�le is forced to host them as well-while harboring the resistance fighters right below their feet. Taking in a Jewish friend's baby, she convinces the Nazis that it is her child, ultimately risking everything for the future of the child. When the German officers begin to suspect her deception, an unlikely hero rescues both her and the child. A present-day story weaves through the past one as Chloe Sauver, Gis�le's granddaughter, arrives in Normandy. After calling off her engagement with a political candidate, Chloe pays a visit to the chateau to escape publicity and work with a documentary filmmaker, Riley, who has uncovered a fascinating story about Jews serving in Hitler's army. Riley wants to research Chloe's family history and the lives that were saved in the tunnels under their house in Normandy. Chloe is floored-her family isn't Jewish, for one thing, and she doesn't know anything about tunnels or the history of the house. But as she begins to explore the dark and winding passageways beneath the chateau, nothing can prepare her for the shock of what she and Riley discover...… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member passionforbooks
Betrayal, Family, and Secrets!
If you like excitement, mystery, thrills, secrets, and enjoy historical novels, this book is for you. This is the first book I have read by author Melanie Dobson. In a word, Wow! I am looking forward to reading more books by her.
I loved how the story goes back and
Chloe Sauver is the granddaughter of Gisele. Her life isn’t a bed of roses either, far from it. A betrayal from her fiance sends her to her grandmother’s Chateau in search of Adeline, a girl from Gisele’s past and to be interviewed by a filmmaker who is doing a documentary about Jews serving in Hitler’s army. Chloe is surprised to find what she uncovers while living in the Chateau during her stay.
This storyline is so fascinating. While I wanted to uncover all the secrets, I wanted to savory this story as long as possible. The twists, turns, and surprises will thrill you, stun you, and perhaps even cause you to say, Wow! Have you guessed by now that I loved this book?
I highly recommend this book. It is worth five stars many times over.
I wish to thank Howard Books and the author for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
If you like excitement, mystery, thrills, secrets, and enjoy historical novels, this book is for you. This is the first book I have read by author Melanie Dobson. In a word, Wow! I am looking forward to reading more books by her.
I loved how the story goes back and
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forth between two main characters. Gisele Duchant is on a mission to hide her brother and others who are resistance fighters against Hitler and his army. Their hiding place happens to be in tunnels that are underneath her home Chateau d’ Epines. The excitement begins and builds as the pages turn. I was enthralled with this book and read it slowly to take everything in. The author paints beautiful pictures of Gisele’s Chateau and the surrounding property. It is written so vivid that I felt I was actually there with Gisele. Gisele’s very life is at stake many times and as a reader I had many heart stopping moments!Chloe Sauver is the granddaughter of Gisele. Her life isn’t a bed of roses either, far from it. A betrayal from her fiance sends her to her grandmother’s Chateau in search of Adeline, a girl from Gisele’s past and to be interviewed by a filmmaker who is doing a documentary about Jews serving in Hitler’s army. Chloe is surprised to find what she uncovers while living in the Chateau during her stay.
This storyline is so fascinating. While I wanted to uncover all the secrets, I wanted to savory this story as long as possible. The twists, turns, and surprises will thrill you, stun you, and perhaps even cause you to say, Wow! Have you guessed by now that I loved this book?
I highly recommend this book. It is worth five stars many times over.
I wish to thank Howard Books and the author for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
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LibraryThing member Robin661
Chateau of Secrets
Melanie Dobson
Book Summary: A courageous young noblewoman risks her life to hide French resistance fighters; seventy years later, her granddaughter visits the family’s abandoned chateau and uncovers shocking secrets from the past. Gisèle Duchant guards a secret that could cost
Book Review: This is a book that sticks you! I spend days after finishing this book wishing there was more to read of it. I loved the moving back and forth between World War II and present day. I loved both the stories. I never wanted either to end. It was a spectacularly written, very believable and such a tender story of redemption. I once read a book similar in nature but this story fulfilled everything that other story could not. It was a private wish of mine to read a story developed as Melanie Dobson did. I laughed, I cried and I lived every moment of the story. I can not thank the author enough for writing this moving piece of fiction that was thread around the true events of World War II and the beauty of God within those horrific events. Gisele’s story was wrapped in the gospel of Christ who is greater than any tragedy man can think up. I love secret tunnels and rooms. A mystery of how things really were versus what people tell. These are the things that make a good mystery.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Howard Books for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
Melanie Dobson
Book Summary: A courageous young noblewoman risks her life to hide French resistance fighters; seventy years later, her granddaughter visits the family’s abandoned chateau and uncovers shocking secrets from the past. Gisèle Duchant guards a secret that could cost
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her life. Tunnels snake through the hill under her family’s medieval chateau in Normandy. Now, with Hitler’s army bearing down, her brother and several friends are hiding in the tunnels, resisting the German occupation of France. But when German soldiers take over the family’s château, Gisèle is forced to host them as well—while harboring the resistance fighters right below their feet. Taking in a Jewish friend’s baby, she convinces the Nazis that it is her child, ultimately risking everything for the future of the child. When the German officers begin to suspect her deception, an unlikely hero rescues both her and the child. A present day story weaves through the past one as Chloe Sauver, Gisèle’s granddaughter, arrives in Normandy. After calling off her engagement with a political candidate, Chloe pays a visit to the chateau to escape publicity and work with a documentary filmmaker, Riley, who has uncovered a fascinating story about Jews serving in Hitler’s army. Riley wants to research Chloe’s family history and the lives that were saved in the tunnels under their house in Normandy. Chloe is floored—her family isn’t Jewish, for one thing, and she doesn’t know anything about tunnels or the history of the house. But as she begins to explore the dark and winding passageways beneath the chateau, nothing can prepare her for the shock of what she and Riley discover… With emotion and intrigue, Melanie Dobson brings World War II France to life in this beautiful novel about war, family, sacrifice, and the secrets of the past.Book Review: This is a book that sticks you! I spend days after finishing this book wishing there was more to read of it. I loved the moving back and forth between World War II and present day. I loved both the stories. I never wanted either to end. It was a spectacularly written, very believable and such a tender story of redemption. I once read a book similar in nature but this story fulfilled everything that other story could not. It was a private wish of mine to read a story developed as Melanie Dobson did. I laughed, I cried and I lived every moment of the story. I can not thank the author enough for writing this moving piece of fiction that was thread around the true events of World War II and the beauty of God within those horrific events. Gisele’s story was wrapped in the gospel of Christ who is greater than any tragedy man can think up. I love secret tunnels and rooms. A mystery of how things really were versus what people tell. These are the things that make a good mystery.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Howard Books for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
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LibraryThing member Sarah_Gruwell
I’m a bit ambivalent on the dual storyline in this one. On the one hand, I can say this is one of the rare works where I enjoyed both threads equally. I was as drawn into Gisele’s struggle against her country’s invaders as I was with Chloe’s search for family roots. Both women are very well
Yet, I think this novel was damaged in the format in which it was written. Chapters were extremely short, average about 4-5 pages. The POV between the two women also switched with each chapter. So once you’re getting engaged in one storyline, you’re yanked from that one to the other. As a result, I didn’t feel as enthralled with both storylines as I might have been. Longer chapter length or same POV for even a few consecutive chapters might have helped this flaw.
I do commend the author on her research and her choice of storyline. It’s based off the exploits of a true individual, Genevieve Marie Josephe de Saint Pern Menke, which makes it more real for me, personally. The small details of living in Nazi-occupied Normandy and the interactions between conquerors and conquered felt very real and rang with vivid truth. I also liked how the author showed that not everyone who wore the uniform of the Wehrmacht were evil. There were individuals, be they half-Jews tricked into serving or regular Germans, who stood up for what was right and paid the price for their actions.
Despite some issues with formatting and switching POV too often, this novel is an enjoyable read. Both story threads are equally engaging and both women are as well realized in their characterizations. That’s a big plus in novels with this story format as it’s not always the case. Research makes this novel very vibrant in its world building and overall storytelling. Check this book out if you’re looking for an enjoyable dual experience.
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characterized and their stories well realized in equal measure.Yet, I think this novel was damaged in the format in which it was written. Chapters were extremely short, average about 4-5 pages. The POV between the two women also switched with each chapter. So once you’re getting engaged in one storyline, you’re yanked from that one to the other. As a result, I didn’t feel as enthralled with both storylines as I might have been. Longer chapter length or same POV for even a few consecutive chapters might have helped this flaw.
I do commend the author on her research and her choice of storyline. It’s based off the exploits of a true individual, Genevieve Marie Josephe de Saint Pern Menke, which makes it more real for me, personally. The small details of living in Nazi-occupied Normandy and the interactions between conquerors and conquered felt very real and rang with vivid truth. I also liked how the author showed that not everyone who wore the uniform of the Wehrmacht were evil. There were individuals, be they half-Jews tricked into serving or regular Germans, who stood up for what was right and paid the price for their actions.
Despite some issues with formatting and switching POV too often, this novel is an enjoyable read. Both story threads are equally engaging and both women are as well realized in their characterizations. That’s a big plus in novels with this story format as it’s not always the case. Research makes this novel very vibrant in its world building and overall storytelling. Check this book out if you’re looking for an enjoyable dual experience.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Wanda_Barefoot
"Courage doesn't mean you stop being afraid." He kissed her cheeks. "It means you continue to fight, even when you're terrified." - Michel Duchant
Chateau of Secrets and the main character Gis'ele Duchant, is loosely based on the life of Genevieve Marie Josephe de Saint Pern Menke, a French survivor
Meanwhile, her granddaughter Chloe Sauver was fighting a battle of her own. After finding out her fiancé, soon to be Virginia Governor Austin Vale, was cheating on her, Chloe flew to France to share her grandmother's story with filmmaker Riley Holtz. Riley planned to make a documentary about the Jews who became German soldiers and the events that happened during the time of the war. Chloe soon began to uncover devastating family secrets and Riley soon began revealing secrets of his own.
This book was overflowing with Characters that displayed amazing strength. Gis'ele Duchant was a woman of faith, a brave woman who risked everything to save those around her despite the fact that it could mean her very life. Chloe Sauver faced humiliation by the media for walking away from her soon-to-be marriage, but her strength and determination wouldn't allow her to give up. Two amazing women. One fought for her freedom, while the other fought for her future. Michel Duchant, Gis'ele's brother, fought with the French Resistance and risked his life on a daily basis to help bring freedom to his country. Josef Milch, half German and Jew, joined the German army in order to save the life of his mother, save orphans and help the Allies. And even Riley Holtz showed strength by facing his past and asking for forgiveness from those he had hurt the most.
I have never seen such an amazing and inspiring heroine or a story that touched me as deeply as this one did. It shifted between Gis'ele's story in the 1940's and Chloe's story in the present day and the transition was so flawless and smooth. I have read books that switched from present to past and they often felt as if they should have been written as two separate books. This one, however, was done beautifully. I can really tell the research that went into writing this book, also. The attention to detail and the historical facts drew me in until I felt as if I were part of the story. As if I were the strong and fearless Gis'ele Duchant hiding in an underground tunnel while aeroplanes passed overhead and bombs exploded around me. Faith was a big part of this story as well. The characters, especially Gis'ele, often prayed for safety, guidance and wisdom. Hope poured from every page despite the feelings of despair they each sometimes felt. And the entrance to the underground tunnels was hidden inside the chapelle!
I have always held a sadness in my heart for the people that were tortured or killed during the holocaust and their surviving families. The Diary of Anne Frank really opened my eyes to the travesties that happened during that time and I have thought about them often since. This book is one of the best written, mostly fictional accounts I have had the pleasure of reading. It's a novel of epic proportions that I would love to see as a movie. It's exactly what I have come to expect from Melanie Dobson. She is an amazing writer that takes every aspect of a story and blends them together flawlessly to leave you satisfied and well entertained. I LOVE her books and Chateau of Secrets is my ultimate favorite! I couldn't put it down and I am anxiously awaiting her next book! If you like war-torn stories with characters of amazing strength and faith you'll love it as well. I can't recommend it enough!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone. I received no compensation for this review.
Chateau of Secrets and the main character Gis'ele Duchant, is loosely based on the life of Genevieve Marie Josephe de Saint Pern Menke, a French survivor
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of World War II. Gis'ele Duchant worked in secret to help the Jews and the Allies by hiding them from the German soldiers in the secret passageways under her family home, Chateau de 'Epines. The Germans confiscated her home to use as their headquarters and forced Gis'ele to feed them during their stay but they didn't know she was also slipping away to feed her brother, Michel, and other members of the French Resistance. Gis'ele lost almost everyone she cared about to the Germans but she never gave up in her fight for freedom.Meanwhile, her granddaughter Chloe Sauver was fighting a battle of her own. After finding out her fiancé, soon to be Virginia Governor Austin Vale, was cheating on her, Chloe flew to France to share her grandmother's story with filmmaker Riley Holtz. Riley planned to make a documentary about the Jews who became German soldiers and the events that happened during the time of the war. Chloe soon began to uncover devastating family secrets and Riley soon began revealing secrets of his own.
This book was overflowing with Characters that displayed amazing strength. Gis'ele Duchant was a woman of faith, a brave woman who risked everything to save those around her despite the fact that it could mean her very life. Chloe Sauver faced humiliation by the media for walking away from her soon-to-be marriage, but her strength and determination wouldn't allow her to give up. Two amazing women. One fought for her freedom, while the other fought for her future. Michel Duchant, Gis'ele's brother, fought with the French Resistance and risked his life on a daily basis to help bring freedom to his country. Josef Milch, half German and Jew, joined the German army in order to save the life of his mother, save orphans and help the Allies. And even Riley Holtz showed strength by facing his past and asking for forgiveness from those he had hurt the most.
I have never seen such an amazing and inspiring heroine or a story that touched me as deeply as this one did. It shifted between Gis'ele's story in the 1940's and Chloe's story in the present day and the transition was so flawless and smooth. I have read books that switched from present to past and they often felt as if they should have been written as two separate books. This one, however, was done beautifully. I can really tell the research that went into writing this book, also. The attention to detail and the historical facts drew me in until I felt as if I were part of the story. As if I were the strong and fearless Gis'ele Duchant hiding in an underground tunnel while aeroplanes passed overhead and bombs exploded around me. Faith was a big part of this story as well. The characters, especially Gis'ele, often prayed for safety, guidance and wisdom. Hope poured from every page despite the feelings of despair they each sometimes felt. And the entrance to the underground tunnels was hidden inside the chapelle!
I have always held a sadness in my heart for the people that were tortured or killed during the holocaust and their surviving families. The Diary of Anne Frank really opened my eyes to the travesties that happened during that time and I have thought about them often since. This book is one of the best written, mostly fictional accounts I have had the pleasure of reading. It's a novel of epic proportions that I would love to see as a movie. It's exactly what I have come to expect from Melanie Dobson. She is an amazing writer that takes every aspect of a story and blends them together flawlessly to leave you satisfied and well entertained. I LOVE her books and Chateau of Secrets is my ultimate favorite! I couldn't put it down and I am anxiously awaiting her next book! If you like war-torn stories with characters of amazing strength and faith you'll love it as well. I can't recommend it enough!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone. I received no compensation for this review.
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ISBN
9781476746111