Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Lies Told In Silence by M.K. Tod [Book Review & Giveaway]

02_Lies Told in Silence CoverPublication Date: June 29, 2014 Tod Publishing
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction

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In 1914 Paris half the city expects war while the other half scoffs at the possibility. With knowledge gained from his role at the War Department, Henri Noisette fears that Germany may soon attack Paris. He therefore sends his wife, mother and two younger children to Beaufort, a small village in northern France. By late 1914, instead of a safe haven, Beaufort is less than twenty miles from the front. As war unfolds, Henri’s daughter, Helene, grows up quickly and in 1917 falls in love with Edward Jamieson, a young Canadian soldier. The novel examines love and loss, duty and sacrifice and the unexpected consequence of lies.



Praise for Lies Told in Silence

‘Dramatically depicts the horror and heartbreak of war, while also celebrating the resilience of the human spirit.’ - SHARON KAY PENMAN author of A King’s Ransom

'An intricate, well-researched novel of life forever changed by WWI yet still sweet with the tender innocence of the age.’ - DONNA RUSSO MORIN author of The King’s Agent

‘M.K. Tod is a powerful new voice in the historical fiction genre.’ - AMY BRUNO Historical fiction blogger at Passages to the Past

‘An absorbing and rewarding historical read .. depicting the ruinous impact of war on human lives across the generations.’ - MARGARET EVANS PORTER author of The Proposal

‘A compelling read right up to its taut page-turning ending.’ - RICHARD LEE founder of the Historical Novel Society



  Ahhh, an historical fiction novel... Yes please. 

I went into this novel with some expectations. Since I am a long time lover of the genre, I anticipated really enjoying this book about a French family caught in the middle of the first World War. M.K. Tod DID NOT disappoint!  This novel reminded me a lot of "Gone With The Wind." The characters, places, historical background and the flawless plot all made me feel as if I was reading a companion novel of the classic. Although the storyline is much different, the telling of the events that started the war and the devastation that plagues the family, is a great remembrance of the novel. 
But if I enlist now, I'll have better opportunities. Better opportunities! She threw the words back at him. What possible opportunity could come from your enlistment? An earlier opportunity to die or to kill men from another country? A better opportunity to watch the horror unfold? A chance to see your friends disfigured, their lives forever altered? Tell me, what opportunity, Guy?
The language of this novel is very reminiscent of the old days. "Maman" is used for mother, the respect that young people have for their parents is so refreshing, I just fell in love with the writing from page one. The detail that was put into explaining the different places was exquisite.

This novel takes a look at WWI from the viewpoint of Helene a young girl who is shipped off to a far off country town before the war even starts. Her Maman, grandmere, and younger brother occupying her to Beaufort. Helene is not happy at all. Coming from Paris where all the excitement is, she can't imagine leaving all her friends and starting over in this "poe dunk town" but she goes anyway. While there, the bonds that are forged between three generations of woman is remarkable. The three women really help each other out. They get better acquainted and make the best of this horrible situation.
No, she thought, war is for history books, not for us to experience firsthand. It's for faraway places known only on maps.
If you are a fan of historical fiction as I am, you simply MUST pick this book up and give M.K. Tod the opportunity to "wow' you as she has me. I will soon be picking up "Unraveled" the companion novel to this one. I can't wait to read more from this writer.

Buy the Book

About the Author

03_M.K. Tod
M.K. Tod has enjoyed a passion for historical novels that began in her early teenage years immersed in the stories of Rosemary Sutcliff, Jean Plaidy and Georgette Heyer. During her twenties, armed with Mathematics and Computer Science degrees, she embarked on a career in technology and consulting continuing to read historical fiction in the tiny snippets of time available to working women with children to raise.

In 2004, she moved to Hong Kong with her husband and no job. To keep busy Mary decided to research her grandfather’s part in the Great War. What began as an effort to understand her grandparents’ lives blossomed into a full time occupation as a writer. Her debut novel is UNRAVELLED: Two wars, Two affairs. One Marriage. LIES TOLD IN SILENCE, her second novel, is set in WWI France and tells the story of Helene Noisette who featured in Unravelled. Mary has an active blog - www.awriterofhistory.com - which discusses all aspects of historical fiction and includes author and reader interviews. Additionally, she is a book reviewer for the Historical Novel Society. Mary lives in Toronto where she is happily married with two adult children.

Connect with M.K. Tod on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Lies Told in Silence Blog Tour & Book Blast Schedule

Monday, July 28
Review at Unshelfish
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Book Blast at Our Wolves Den

Tuesday, July 29
Review at Just One More Chapter
Book Blast at Book Babe
Book Blast at A Book Geek
Book Blast at Mel's Shelves

Wednesday, July 30
Review at Bookish
Guest Post at Just One More Chapter
Book Blast at Passages to the Past

Thursday, July 31
Book Blast at Royalty Free Fiction

Friday, August 1
Book Blast at Back Porchervations
Book Blast at So Many Books, So Little Time

Saturday, August 2
Book Blast at Mythical Books

Monday, August 4
Review & Guest Post at A Bookish Affair
Book Blast at Historical Tapestry

Tuesday, August 5
Book Blast at Layered Pages
Book Blast at Princess of Eboli
Book Blast at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, August 6
Book Blast at Literary Chanteuse
Book Blast at Caroline Wilson Writes

Thursday, August 7
Review at The Book Binder's Daughter
Book Blast at Kinx's Book Nook

Friday, August 8
Book Blast at The Maiden's Court

Monday, August 11
Review at Dianne Ascroft Blog
Book Blast at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Tuesday, August 12
Book Blast at Book Nerd
Book Blast at The Bookworm

Wednesday, August 13
Review at The Writing Desk

Thursday, August 14
Book Blast at Words and Peace
Book Blast at CelticLady's Reviews

Friday, August 15
Review at Lost in Books
Book Blast at The Mad Reviewer

Sunday, August 17
Book Blast at Brooke Blogs

Monday, August 18
Review at The Librarian Fatale
Review at Historical Fiction Notebook

Giveaway

To win a copy of M.K. Tod's Lies Told In Silence please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Giveaway is open internationally!

Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on August 18th. You must be 18 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on August 19th and notified via email. Winner have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.




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