An Act of Love

An Act of Love

A sweeping and evocative love story about bravery and courage in our darkest hours

Summary

Be swept away with this breathtaking and beautifully written wartime romance set deep in the French Alps, from the bestselling author behind Channel 5's Carol Drinkwater's Secret Provence

'A moving story of love and friendship' KATE MOSSE
'Each sentence shimmers' MY WEEKLY
'A virtual hug of a tale' JOANNE HARRIS
'Exciting, evocative' DAILY MAIL
'Emotional and moving' FIONA VALPY
'A beautiful book' WOMAN & HOME, Historical Novels of the Year
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France, 1943.


Forced to flee war ravaged Poland, Sara and her parents are offered refuge in a beautiful but dilapidated house in the French Alps. It seems the perfect hideaway, despite haunting traces of the previous occupants who left in haste.

But shadows soon fall over Sara's blissful summer, and her blossoming romance with local villager Alain. As the Nazis close in, the family is forced to make a harrowing choice that could drive them apart forever, while Sara's own bid for freedom risks several lives . . .

Will her family make it through the summer together?
And can she hold onto the love she has found with Alain?

By turns poignant and atmospheric, this is the compelling new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Carol Drinkwater about the power of first love and courage in our darkest hours.
________

'Romantic, evocative, and pulse racingly dramatic' WENDY HOLDEN

'
A moving story of love, friendship and bravery that simply races along' WOMAN'S WEEKLY

'A terrific story . . . skilfully written and heart-rending' MIRIAM MARGOLYES

'I love Carol Drinkwater's writing . . . So evocative of the south of France - you can almost smell the maquis . . . Engrossing' Reader Review

'Carol skilfully draws us in to the beautiful Alpes Maritimes region of France to tell the story of Sara . . . the writing is evocative and Sara's story is both moving and inspiring' Sheila O'Flanagan, bestselling author of The Women Who Ran Away

'Great storyline, great characters. A thoroughly enjoyable read' Reader Review

'I enjoyed it very much . . . it's her best' Elizabeth Buchan, author of The Museum of Broken Promises

'A wonderful, enjoyable novel with courage and survival at its heart' Elizabeth Chadwick, author of The Wild Hunt series

'One not to be missed ... tells a part of history that should never be forgotten' Shirley Dickson, author of The Lost Children

Praise for Carol Drinkwater:


'I was hooked from the start' Dinah Jefferies

'Carol Drinkwater's writing is like taking an amazing holiday in book form' Jenny Colgan

'Beautifully woven and compelling' Rowan Coleman

'Secrets, tragedy, hidden pasts and family secrets - I loved this' Santa Montefiore

Reviews

  • A lovely novel. A moving story of love and friendship with a wonderful sense of place
    Kate Mosse

About the author

Carol Drinkwater

Carol Drinkwater is a multi-award-winning actress who is best known for her portrayal of Helen Herriot in the BBC television series All Creatures Great and Small. Her quartet of memoirs set on her olive farm in the south of France have sold over a million copies worldwide and her solo journey round the Mediterranean in search of the olive tree's mythical secrets inspired a five-part documentary film series, The Olive Route. She is also the author of novels The Forgotten Summer, The Lost Girl and The House on the Edge of the Cliff. She lives in the south of France.
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