Linda Shenton Matchett: Spies and Sweethearts

By Kelly Bridgewater

Title: Spies and Sweethearts

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Historical Romance

Publication Date: April 15, 2020

A secret mission. A fake bride. A run for their lives.

According to the OSS training manual, the life expectancy of a radio operator in Nazi-occupied France is six weeks. Partnered with one of the agency’s top spies, Gerard Lucas, newly-minted agent Emily Strealer plans to beat those odds. Then their cover is blown and all bets are off. The border to neutral Switzerland is three hundred miles away-a long way to run with SS soldiers on their heels.

Will Emily and Gerard survive the journey and get home?

And what about their hearts? Nothing in the manual prepared them for falling in love.

From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I adore World War II stories. Something about the bravery of this generation really captures my attention and allows me to struggle and survive with them. When Celebrate Lit offered Spies and Sweethearts, I thought I would give Linda Shenton Matchett a try. She understands the concept of Deep point of view and diving into the character's thoughts and emotions. She has a good grasp on how to create conflict and keep building in in the plot. Must have your character's squirm on the page, so readers will want to follow. While these are her strong points, Matchett also has some not-so-good points. First, I really didn't like the heroine. She is flat and keeps whining about no one understanding her until she understands she can do things without the approval of others. It was really annoying. As for the hero, he didn't have many redeeming qualities either. He just roamed around the pages of the story. The plot. My main issue with it was the goal. What was the heroine and hero's goal in France? They parachuted in and then went to a house. A radio. But really nothing was shown of why they were there and what they were trying to accomplish. Next thing I know, they were on the run from the Germans. Then they would find a safe house. Hang around for a couple of weeks to "rest" and then have to be on the run again. I didn't buy this either. The romance wasn't believable either. I have read stories set in World War II where characters had to fake a marriage to survive, but nothing as extreme as this marriage. Overall, Matchett had some redeeming qualities in her story; however, the downfalls hurt the overall delivery of her story. 

I received a complimentary copy of Spies and Sweethearts by Linda Shenton Matchett through Celebrate Lit Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Purchase Spies and Sweethearts

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is also a trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived i

n historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

 

More from Linda

Dear Reader,

 Take a moment to travel back to an era when ordinary women did extraordinary things. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, stalwart American gals stepped out of their comfort zone to take jobs never before held by women…sometimes dangerous jobs. Jobs in which they could lose their lives.

 As a docent at the Wright Museum of WWII, I meet people from all walks of life who lived and served during the second “war to end all wars.” Many of these people haven’t shared their stories with loved ones for myriad reasons, but when they arrive at the museum, the floodgates of memories open, and words begin to pour out.

I’ve listened as ladies shared the stress of working outside the home, and juggling finances and childcare issues while their husbands were away in the armed forces. I’ve heard some speak about the excitement of learning new skills and gaining confidence. However, others were not as forthcoming because what they did was not only perilous, but secret. Fortunately, in the last few years, documents been declassified to shed light on the undercover work and projects performed during the war.

It is my hope that Spies & Sweethearts, book one in my Sisters in Service trilogy, will honor these brave women in some small way.

 Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

Blog Stops

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deb’s Book Review, September 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 17

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Betti Mace, September 18

Emily Yager, September 18

Texas Book-aholic, September 19

The Book Chic Blog, September 19

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Artistic Nobody, September 24 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 24

Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 25

Connect in Fiction, September 25

Connie’s History Classroom, September 26

Mary Hake, September 26

Blossoms and Blessings, September 27

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, September 27

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 28

Life, Love, Writing, September 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of Spies & Sweethearts, an autographed copy of WWII Word Find, hand cut wood fleur de lis earrings, pewter Eiffel tower ring holder, and a fleur de Lis Coaster!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/100e4/spies-sweethearts-celebration-tour-giveaway