 Author: Roseanna M. White Genre: Historical Romance Pages: 368 Release Date: July 7, 2026 Publisher: Tyndale Fiction Marseille, France, 1941 Zelie Bellerose never fit the mold of an army officer’s wife. She was too passionate in her convictions, too indifferent to societal expectations. After her husband is killed in the war, Zelie focuses on securing a brighter future for her children, hoping to help free her country from the Nazi regime by joining the Resistance. She is soon one of the most trusted operatives in Alliance, and when their leader is imprisoned, she takes command, hiding her identity from all but a few. With enemies closing in, Zelie must earn the trust of her network and prove herself to those who doubt a woman’s place at the helm of France’s largest spy ring. Marcel Laurent was a renowned concert pianist before joining the French army and being sent to a POW camp. Freed in a prisoner exchange by a wealthy businessman with ties to the Resistance, Marcel agrees to spy for Alliance by conducting a youth orchestra, gathering intelligence from patrons who are loose-lipped Nazi sympathizers. Marcel’s weekly radio broadcasts introducing the orchestra’s performances give him the perfect cover to send coded messages over the airwaves. As Zelie and Marcel grow closer through their shared love of music, she begins to rely on him. But betrayal from within Alliance puts everything they’ve fought for at risk. When a double agent infiltrates their ranks and the two are captured, their bond faces its greatest test . . . and any misstep could jeopardize not only Alliance but the very outcome of the war.
 Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise “Music could have a more profound effect on people than a bullet.” “There was still joy, even in a world of sorrow. Still light, even in a world of darkness. Still music, even in a world of silence.” An entrancing story of espionage and courage set in occupied France in 1941. I love how music was woven into every aspect of this story. Zelie is a widow who is self-sacrificing and unique as the leader of The Alliance, a secret group of loyal Frenchmen getting information and passing it to MI 6. Marcel, a famous pianist who is set free from prison, joins the team to lead a youth orchestra. He is in the coveted position of passing information via code in the weekly orchestral broadcasts. This story is based on a real female spymaster and is packed with historical details. Ms. White has taken these fascinating facts and crafted a story of romance and intrigue. She put me right into the story as the characters faced danger and relied on their faith in God to lead them in their worthy endeavors. This author has proven once again that she is a star and shines at telling history in an engaging and inspiring way. I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the publisher and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone. Reviewer: Mindy Houng “How foolish he’d been, to think God had been trapped in those fences too.” Roseanna M. White is indeed a master of espionage and romance in historical fiction. I loved her WWI spymasters in Shadows Over England and The Codebreakers, her Edwardian spymasters in The Imposters, and her American spymasters in The Culper Ring. This book brings us the spymasters of the French Resistance during WWII as they dodge, outsmart, and outplan the enemy during the long years between 1941 and 1944. The author has a gift for enfolding the reader into her setting and atmosphere, where befriending the characters is a true pleasure, rooting for them is second nature, and reading beyond bedtime to find out what happens to them is a necessity. Zelie was a complex and wonderful heroine. She was a combination of a fierce leader with keen intelligence, a devoted mother whose sole purpose was her children’s safety and freedom, a widow with a bruised heart and confidence, and a talented musician who has had her wings clipped. Zelie was a fascinating puzzle of strength, vulnerability, determination, tenderness, cunning, innocence, stubbornness and humility. Marcel was the perfect Roseanna M. White hero the author is known for: not physically intimidating, but full of charm, intelligence, giftedness, faith, integrity, loyalty, and heart. Marcel won me over with his musical prowess and dedication to Zelie. Every time Marcel played piano on the pages, I could actually hear him. That has how good the descriptions of his playing were. I loved watching him conduct the youth orchestra and mentor the young men under his direction. There were plenty of plot twists, with betrayals upon betrayals, and fast-paced action that kept the plot moving at a good pace. Marcel’s rock-solid faith was incredible, and Zelie’s moment of surrender was real and raw. If you enjoy WWII historical fiction, you will absolutely love this book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own. Reviewer: Katelyn Sponaugle A new WWII novel (or any novel) by Roseanna M. White? I’m first in line! This book hit all the right notes for me. A beautiful tale from start to finish. A marvelous orchestration of immersive history, the ripple effect real everyday people can have on circumstances bigger than they are, and the portrayal of the personal way God works in our lives. The Spy Keeper of Marseille is sweet and tender, yet exciting and engaging. There are many interesting characters and an endearing sense of community, paired with elements of purpose, danger, and love. I loved Marcel from the start. God’s guidance in Zelie’s life was so well done; authentic and natural, not contrived. It brought a special depth and substance to the story. I enjoyed it very much and am happy to recommend yet another book by Roseanna M. White! I was provided a complimentary ARC copy of the book from Tyndale Publishers via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Reviewer: Jeanette Durkin
Wow! More than 5 stars for this incredible book! I don’t know how she does it, but every book by Roseanna White gets better and better! I was drawn into the story from the very beginning and I couldn’t stop reading until I found out what would happen. The characters are written brilliantly! I connected with them all and became invested in their lives as if they were my own family or very dear friends. Zelie is AMAZING! She’s a master of disguise and a brilliant mastermind at gathering intelligence and running her spy network. Her passion for a free France is as strong as her desire for her children to live in freedom. Marcel is Oh la la!!!!!! His overall personality is one of gentleness and compassion. But, he’s also strong, a survivor, and a protector! His love language is music. He “composes” his thoughts and actions to the beat of music. The rest of the crew are amazing men and women who daily risk their lives for the cause. I love that Roseanna always incorporates faith in God in her books! Marcel is very firm in his faith, but Zelie is struggling. Marcel never pushes his faith on her. He lets his actions and his music speak for him. “But the notes Marcel played seemed to say, believe. Believe in a God who was good, who preserved them even in the face of treachery. Believe in a God who loved freedom even more than they did, but who defined it, perhaps, differently. Believe in a God who, even when He didn’t spare someone from death, offered life anew in that far-off heaven.” I was provided a complimentary ARC copy of the book from Tyndale Publishers via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Leave a Reply. |
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