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Master of Illusion #4
Guardian Angel
From the award-winning historical fiction author, Anne Rouen, comes the World War II romantic drama, Guardian Angel.
Feted and cosseted all his young life by legions of adoring fans, ten-year-old French singer Nicolas de Beaulieu seems to have it all in the rigours and depression of the 1930s: money, social status, fame. But he grows up no stranger to grief and loss, and during his teen years, jealousy rears its ugly head, keeping his minders hard-pressed to protect him from a stalking evil. Able to choose from thousands, at eighteen, Nicolas falls in love with fellow musician, Natalie: fiery, independent—a socialist unimpressed by his lineage and stardom. He has never met a girl like this.
World War II begins and Nicolas finds himself in deadly peril, hunted by the Nazis. His complex relationship with the girl he loves takes another direction when France surrenders to Germany and they have to fight a different kind of war. They join the Resistance in the Paris underground, but the hunt for Nicolas intensifies. When a childhood friend turned enemy surfaces as an officer of the Gestapo, Nicolas is in more danger than ever, and he and Natalie are spirited out of Paris to vanish, with the help of colleagues, into the countryside.
Hidden in the fastness of their mountain stronghold, every day is a battle of wits, courage and endurance as they fight to survive and undermine the overwhelming might of the Nazi war machine. As the years of the war play out with no sign of retreat on the part of the enemy, Nicolas's group, the Belvoir Maquis, grit their teeth and hold on, sabotaging their invaders whenever they can.
The Nazis appear to be gaining the upper hand, as one by one the members of the Maquis fall to their brutal methods, until salvation comes from an unexpected source ...
Feted and cosseted all his young life by legions of adoring fans, ten-year-old French singer Nicolas de Beaulieu seems to have it all in the rigours and depression of the 1930s: money, social status, fame. But he grows up no stranger to grief and loss, and during his teen years, jealousy rears its ugly head, keeping his minders hard-pressed to protect him from a stalking evil. Able to choose from thousands, at eighteen, Nicolas falls in love with fellow musician, Natalie: fiery, independent—a socialist unimpressed by his lineage and stardom. He has never met a girl like this.
World War II begins and Nicolas finds himself in deadly peril, hunted by the Nazis. His complex relationship with the girl he loves takes another direction when France surrenders to Germany and they have to fight a different kind of war. They join the Resistance in the Paris underground, but the hunt for Nicolas intensifies. When a childhood friend turned enemy surfaces as an officer of the Gestapo, Nicolas is in more danger than ever, and he and Natalie are spirited out of Paris to vanish, with the help of colleagues, into the countryside.
Hidden in the fastness of their mountain stronghold, every day is a battle of wits, courage and endurance as they fight to survive and undermine the overwhelming might of the Nazi war machine. As the years of the war play out with no sign of retreat on the part of the enemy, Nicolas's group, the Belvoir Maquis, grit their teeth and hold on, sabotaging their invaders whenever they can.
The Nazis appear to be gaining the upper hand, as one by one the members of the Maquis fall to their brutal methods, until salvation comes from an unexpected source ...
ebook
Published February 14, 2018
About the author
Anne Rouen
7 books45 followersAnne Rouen—the nom de plume of Lynn Newberry—is the award-winning author behind the successful historical fiction series, Master of Illusion and, more recently, a set of standalone contemporary historical fiction romance and suspense novels set in the Australian Outback, starting with Winter at Medora Downs.
Lynn is a retired Australian country woman, currently living in the North-West region of New South Wales. A graduate of the University of New England, she is a former teacher, dressage rider and cattle breeder. A life on the land, including eleven years in Outback Queensland, has mixed nicely with her penchant for writing romantic suspense in historical settings.
Lynn has recently exchanged her farm for a delightful small acreage on the edge of a village, where she writes full time. As horses and writing are her greatest passions, Lynn now embraces an idyllic lifestyle, since she has time to delve into the historical research she so loves.
Writing as Anne Rouen, Lynn self-published her historical romance/mystery series Master of Illusion with great success, winning four literary awards across the entire set. Book I (Master of Illusion Bk I) and Book III (Angel of Song) achieved Silver (2014) and Bronze (2016) respectively in the Global Ebook Awards for Modern Historical Literature Fiction. Book IV (Guardian Angel), the final in the series, was awarded Silver (2018) in the same category and Bronze (2018) for the Global Ebook Awards Best Ebook Cover.
Lynn has seen continued success with the Global Ebook Awards in 2022 with her Australian Outback cosy romance, Winter at Medora Downs, where she achieved a Gold Medal for the Best Ebook Cover, Silver for Best Suspense Fiction and Bronze for Best Modern Historical Literature Fiction in a contemporary setting.
Lynn also achieved a Highly Commended in the 2011 Rolf Boldrewood Literary Awards for her short story The Scent of a Criminal and a Commended in the 2018 Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Fiction for The Min Min Light.
You can find more information about Anne Rouen and read her blog at www.annerouen.com.
Lynn is a retired Australian country woman, currently living in the North-West region of New South Wales. A graduate of the University of New England, she is a former teacher, dressage rider and cattle breeder. A life on the land, including eleven years in Outback Queensland, has mixed nicely with her penchant for writing romantic suspense in historical settings.
Lynn has recently exchanged her farm for a delightful small acreage on the edge of a village, where she writes full time. As horses and writing are her greatest passions, Lynn now embraces an idyllic lifestyle, since she has time to delve into the historical research she so loves.
Writing as Anne Rouen, Lynn self-published her historical romance/mystery series Master of Illusion with great success, winning four literary awards across the entire set. Book I (Master of Illusion Bk I) and Book III (Angel of Song) achieved Silver (2014) and Bronze (2016) respectively in the Global Ebook Awards for Modern Historical Literature Fiction. Book IV (Guardian Angel), the final in the series, was awarded Silver (2018) in the same category and Bronze (2018) for the Global Ebook Awards Best Ebook Cover.
Lynn has seen continued success with the Global Ebook Awards in 2022 with her Australian Outback cosy romance, Winter at Medora Downs, where she achieved a Gold Medal for the Best Ebook Cover, Silver for Best Suspense Fiction and Bronze for Best Modern Historical Literature Fiction in a contemporary setting.
Lynn also achieved a Highly Commended in the 2011 Rolf Boldrewood Literary Awards for her short story The Scent of a Criminal and a Commended in the 2018 Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Fiction for The Min Min Light.
You can find more information about Anne Rouen and read her blog at www.annerouen.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 1, 2018
Anne Rouen
Another addictive drama by Anne Rouen!
Guardian Angel is set in World War II France. It continues on from the previous books in the Master of Illusion series (although you could definitely pick it up and read it without reading the other books first). This time, we follow the life of the previously introduced character, Nicolas de Beaulieu, (son of Angelique - the Angel of Song).
Nicolas faces a lot of challenges and ups and downs as a superstar singer in 1930s France. His life switches from amazing highs to scarring lows, which truly challenge his resolve. As fate would have it, Nic falls in love with the one girl who isn't falling all over him. But the challenge to win Natalie over is just one of many - including the grief of losing loved ones, dealing with attempted murder and some pretty serious backstabbing by some of his supposed closest allies.
Nicolas grows up in a world with increasing political tension and can't escape the impact Hitler is having in Europe. His life is completely changed by the war as he is personally targeted by the Gestapo. He and his true allies join the resistance in order to fight for their beloved country, France.
It looks as if all hope is lost, but their luck changes thanks to a mysterious and supernatural force.
Once again, a five-star read! I found it similar in style to Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale and The Lost Wife by Alyson Richmon.
It has to be one of my favourite World War historical fiction novels, which are always on my to-read list. It is historically informative, dramatic, suspenseful and entertaining.
Another fabulous instalment in the ongoing saga that is the Master of Illusion series.
Love it.
Another addictive drama by Anne Rouen!
Guardian Angel is set in World War II France. It continues on from the previous books in the Master of Illusion series (although you could definitely pick it up and read it without reading the other books first). This time, we follow the life of the previously introduced character, Nicolas de Beaulieu, (son of Angelique - the Angel of Song).
Nicolas faces a lot of challenges and ups and downs as a superstar singer in 1930s France. His life switches from amazing highs to scarring lows, which truly challenge his resolve. As fate would have it, Nic falls in love with the one girl who isn't falling all over him. But the challenge to win Natalie over is just one of many - including the grief of losing loved ones, dealing with attempted murder and some pretty serious backstabbing by some of his supposed closest allies.
Nicolas grows up in a world with increasing political tension and can't escape the impact Hitler is having in Europe. His life is completely changed by the war as he is personally targeted by the Gestapo. He and his true allies join the resistance in order to fight for their beloved country, France.
It looks as if all hope is lost, but their luck changes thanks to a mysterious and supernatural force.
Once again, a five-star read! I found it similar in style to Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale and The Lost Wife by Alyson Richmon.
It has to be one of my favourite World War historical fiction novels, which are always on my to-read list. It is historically informative, dramatic, suspenseful and entertaining.
Another fabulous instalment in the ongoing saga that is the Master of Illusion series.
Love it.
May 4, 2018
This is the first book I have read by this author but will not be my last. Wonderful storyline
February 22, 2018
I finished reading Guardian Angel last night and I can’t express how much I loved it! I have to say I feel bereft today not having the book to dive into. I was torn between wanting to speed read to find out what happened and not wanting to run out of chapters. Very satisfying conclusion and clever as the story could continue, as well. The evidence of research into the war must've taken years as it includes so many factual events.
It was inspirational, intriguing, and very sensitively written with such strong characterisation you can’t help but fall in love with the characters, even if you don’t always like them or their behaviour. There is much more to this novel than historical romance; there is intrigue, passion, murder and mystery: the romance is just a beautiful side story.
Wow, Anne Rouen, you do just keep on getting better. I did not think it possible as I am a huge fan of MOI Books 1 & 2 as well as Angel of Song.
It was inspirational, intriguing, and very sensitively written with such strong characterisation you can’t help but fall in love with the characters, even if you don’t always like them or their behaviour. There is much more to this novel than historical romance; there is intrigue, passion, murder and mystery: the romance is just a beautiful side story.
Wow, Anne Rouen, you do just keep on getting better. I did not think it possible as I am a huge fan of MOI Books 1 & 2 as well as Angel of Song.
May 28, 2018
Recommended read
Loved this book. Started so bit slow for me but when it started to move I could not put it down. Wonderful reading about the French resistance . The characters are so interesting. Read it and you will really enjoy the story
Loved this book. Started so bit slow for me but when it started to move I could not put it down. Wonderful reading about the French resistance . The characters are so interesting. Read it and you will really enjoy the story
May 17, 2018
Review to follow.
July 14, 2019
My very favorite!
Of all the books in this series, this one was my very favorite! It’s no wonder it won awards. Sprinkled with history that lends it an air of authenticity and written in Rouen’s charming writing style, this book was difficult to put down! I loved the characters, and their development over time shows the power of time and personal growth.
I can’t say too much more without giving too much away, but I also liked the supernatural aspect to it as well. An interesting touch, I thought, and a great way to connect this book with previous ones.
Of all the books in this series, this one was my very favorite! It’s no wonder it won awards. Sprinkled with history that lends it an air of authenticity and written in Rouen’s charming writing style, this book was difficult to put down! I loved the characters, and their development over time shows the power of time and personal growth.
I can’t say too much more without giving too much away, but I also liked the supernatural aspect to it as well. An interesting touch, I thought, and a great way to connect this book with previous ones.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews