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Luc & Lisette #1
The Lavender Keeper
Are you German or are you French? Are you working against Germany or for it? Are you telling me the truth, or are you a very accomplished liar?'
Lavender farmer Luc Bonet is raised by a wealthy Jewish family in the foothills of the French Alps. When the Second World War breaks out he joins the French Resistance, leaving behind his family's fortune, their home overrun by soldiers, their lavender fields in disarray.
Lisette Forestier is on a mission of her own: to work her way into the heart of a senior German officer � and to bring down the Reich in any way she can. What Luc and Lisette hadn't counted on was meeting each other.
When they come together at the height of the Paris occupation, German traitors are plotting to change the course of history. But who, if anyone, can be trusted? As Luc and Lisette's emotions threaten to betray them, their love may prove the greatest risk of all.
From the fields of Provence to the streets of wartime Paris, The Lavender Keeper is an extraordinary, moving story of action and adventure, heartbreak and passion, devotion and treachery from an internationally bestselling author.
Lavender farmer Luc Bonet is raised by a wealthy Jewish family in the foothills of the French Alps. When the Second World War breaks out he joins the French Resistance, leaving behind his family's fortune, their home overrun by soldiers, their lavender fields in disarray.
Lisette Forestier is on a mission of her own: to work her way into the heart of a senior German officer � and to bring down the Reich in any way she can. What Luc and Lisette hadn't counted on was meeting each other.
When they come together at the height of the Paris occupation, German traitors are plotting to change the course of history. But who, if anyone, can be trusted? As Luc and Lisette's emotions threaten to betray them, their love may prove the greatest risk of all.
From the fields of Provence to the streets of wartime Paris, The Lavender Keeper is an extraordinary, moving story of action and adventure, heartbreak and passion, devotion and treachery from an internationally bestselling author.
461 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2012
350 people are currently reading
3,668 people want to read
About the author
Fiona McIntosh
82books1,855followersFiona writes best selling historical adventure-romance alongside the heroic-romantic, often brutal, fantasy she built her career upon. She lives in Australia but frequently roams the world meticulously researching the locations and gathering material for her historical novels that have international settings. Her books are published worldwide and in various languages.
Her most recent historical fiction has gathered such a following that she is now hosting a tour in 2014 to Paris and Provence so eager readers can walk in the footsteps of her characters.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the ŷ database with this name.
Her most recent historical fiction has gathered such a following that she is now hosting a tour in 2014 to Paris and Provence so eager readers can walk in the footsteps of her characters.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the ŷ database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
June 22, 2023
Luc Bonet, lavender farmer living with his grandmother in the small village of Saignon in the foothills of the French Alps was shocked when his good friend Laurent arrived, panting from his race up the hill, to tell Luc his family had arrived from Paris. His father, mother and sisters had all fled Paris because of the German occupation and what had started happening to the Jews. Luc was saddened when he saw each family member, gaunt and thin, but was determined to care for them all, feed them up to make them strong again. But within a matter of days an informer had reported their arrival in Saignon - the military police arrested them all, except Luc as he was tending to his lavender. The horror he felt, plus not being able to go to their aid, saw Luc join the Maquis of the area, filled with rage and determined to make a difference.
Lisette Forestier was living in London, her only family left, her grandparents. She had been sent from France with her parents to follow, but the night they were to leave they'd been killed in a car accident. Lisette was shattered, and with the war upon them, when she was approached about becoming an agent, going to France and infiltrating a senior German official's life, she didn't hesitate. The weeks of training were brutal, but she knew she was ready. Her arrival in Paris and meeting of the German went well. But with the Gestapo on the streets, the Nazis continuing their brutal arrests and murders, Lisette knew she had to take care. Would they be able to change the course of the war? Could they take out the Germans one by one?
The Lavender Keeper is the 1st in the Luc & Lisette series by Aussie author Fiona McIntosh and I loved it! The author always impresses me with her research, her imparting of the story, her characters who find their way into my heart. I've had this book on my shelf since March 2013, more than 10 years, and I'm really glad I've finally read it. I won't wait so long to read #2, . Highly recommended.
Lisette Forestier was living in London, her only family left, her grandparents. She had been sent from France with her parents to follow, but the night they were to leave they'd been killed in a car accident. Lisette was shattered, and with the war upon them, when she was approached about becoming an agent, going to France and infiltrating a senior German official's life, she didn't hesitate. The weeks of training were brutal, but she knew she was ready. Her arrival in Paris and meeting of the German went well. But with the Gestapo on the streets, the Nazis continuing their brutal arrests and murders, Lisette knew she had to take care. Would they be able to change the course of the war? Could they take out the Germans one by one?
The Lavender Keeper is the 1st in the Luc & Lisette series by Aussie author Fiona McIntosh and I loved it! The author always impresses me with her research, her imparting of the story, her characters who find their way into my heart. I've had this book on my shelf since March 2013, more than 10 years, and I'm really glad I've finally read it. I won't wait so long to read #2, . Highly recommended.
December 25, 2016
This book featured everything I love about fiction: romance in wartime and a strong female protagonist among other things. I thought the story was inspired; set in Nazi occupied France as tension mounts and civilians band together to join the resistance against Hitler's regime.
Lavender farmer Luk conspires with others to defeat the German occupation of his beloved country and is thrown together with Frenchwoman Lisette, who has been living as a Londoner for the duration of the war until she is spotted by recruiters and trained as a spy.
There is a lot that happens in this novel, which requires a deal of concentration by the reader, but I enjoyed it all. The author paints a vivid picture of France at war, from the relative security of the rural lavender farm right into the centre of Paris. She has clearly done a great deal of research for her book.
Overall, a brilliant example of historical fiction works and I wouldn't hesitate to read more by this author. This book had the ability to keep me thinking about its characters long after I had had to put it down, which is a rare accomplishment these days.
Lavender farmer Luk conspires with others to defeat the German occupation of his beloved country and is thrown together with Frenchwoman Lisette, who has been living as a Londoner for the duration of the war until she is spotted by recruiters and trained as a spy.
There is a lot that happens in this novel, which requires a deal of concentration by the reader, but I enjoyed it all. The author paints a vivid picture of France at war, from the relative security of the rural lavender farm right into the centre of Paris. She has clearly done a great deal of research for her book.
Overall, a brilliant example of historical fiction works and I wouldn't hesitate to read more by this author. This book had the ability to keep me thinking about its characters long after I had had to put it down, which is a rare accomplishment these days.
June 5, 2017
3.5 stars. I've been reading so much about war this year, but all the books have been a little bit different. This one was about a half French, half German woman, Lisette, who becomes a British spy on a mission in Paris during WW2. Upon arrival in France at the start of her mission, she is assisted by members of the Resistance, including Luc, the lavender keeper of the title. There's a bit of romance, a bit of intrigue and a bit of anguish.
This is my 2nd book this year, and if I was to compare I would say the other one was better. This was enjoyable, but I thought it rambled a bit. And there kind of wasn't any real climax to the story - unless you count the liberation of France (NOT a spoiler!). Nevertheless, I look forward to reading the sequel before too long.
This is my 2nd book this year, and if I was to compare I would say the other one was better. This was enjoyable, but I thought it rambled a bit. And there kind of wasn't any real climax to the story - unless you count the liberation of France (NOT a spoiler!). Nevertheless, I look forward to reading the sequel before too long.
February 6, 2023
2.5 stars
This is the second book I’ve read by Fiona McIntosh and I plan to read them all though, perhaps not her war tales. As much as I enjoyed Luc and Lisette’s story I’m a bit over WWII stories, or any war story for that matter. The reason being the “true facts� woven into a story, specifically a war story bothers me, are they truly accurate! The last 3 years have shown me you can’t believe everything you read.
This story focuses on the French Resistance.
A Love triangle (nicely done I might add)
A Nazi general
A French rebel
A British spy
Suspense, adventure and intrigue.
I will read the sequel as it’s set in postwar Paris and Australia.
I listened to the audio version via the BorrowBox app, published by Bolinda audio, read by Madeleine Leslay.
Duration: 15 hours, 30 minutes.
This is the second book I’ve read by Fiona McIntosh and I plan to read them all though, perhaps not her war tales. As much as I enjoyed Luc and Lisette’s story I’m a bit over WWII stories, or any war story for that matter. The reason being the “true facts� woven into a story, specifically a war story bothers me, are they truly accurate! The last 3 years have shown me you can’t believe everything you read.
This story focuses on the French Resistance.
A Love triangle (nicely done I might add)
A Nazi general
A French rebel
A British spy
Suspense, adventure and intrigue.
I will read the sequel as it’s set in postwar Paris and Australia.
I listened to the audio version via the BorrowBox app, published by Bolinda audio, read by Madeleine Leslay.
Duration: 15 hours, 30 minutes.
April 15, 2012
Save a couple of days for this book as when you pick it up, it's hard to put down. I really enjoyed The Lavender Keeper. This book is so much more than just a wartime book - it is filled with adventure together with romance and edge of the seat action. The Lavender Keeper is set during WW2 during the Nazi occupation of France. Fiona captures the reader from the very beginning and you develop feelings for the main characters throughout the book. And how thrilled was i to find at the end of the book that we get to follow Luc and Lisette again on the next part of their journey - will be keeping an eye out for the sequel that's for sure! Closer to 4 1/2 stars......
March 6, 2014
I very much enjoyed this book but agree that it would be best read in a few days as it needs to be followed carefully to keep up with all that is going on. I did think it got off to a rather slow start and didn't get a good grip on it until about 50 pages in, but given the size of the book and it's subject matter I think it was necessary to cover that ground. Once I got into it though, it was hard to put down.
I look forward to to follow up book titled "The French Promise" , which the Author promises should follow soon on the heels of this one. A sneak preview is included in the back of The Lavender Keeper.
August 1, 2013
It was the cover of the book that first enticed me. I could almost smell the power of the lavender! On turning the cover over, I read that that this book is set World WarII - Paris, Provence and London - with 'action, adventure, heartbreak, passion, devotion and treachery.'
Yes, definitely my type of book - and it did not let me down in any way! The characters of Lisette, Luc and Kilian are very real, very strong, and very impressive. They are faced with situations that none of us would envy. Intense pressure sometimes means that they have to make decisions we may find abhorrent - but mostly necessary for the parts they play in gaining peace. We do actually feel that we are with them, such are the descriptions of the characters, and the war torn cities and places.
It is good to know that Lisette and Luc's story continues in Luc's Promise. Surely they deserve to find some peace - along with the perfume of lavender fields!
Yes, definitely my type of book - and it did not let me down in any way! The characters of Lisette, Luc and Kilian are very real, very strong, and very impressive. They are faced with situations that none of us would envy. Intense pressure sometimes means that they have to make decisions we may find abhorrent - but mostly necessary for the parts they play in gaining peace. We do actually feel that we are with them, such are the descriptions of the characters, and the war torn cities and places.
It is good to know that Lisette and Luc's story continues in Luc's Promise. Surely they deserve to find some peace - along with the perfume of lavender fields!
March 30, 2012
It's likely I wouldn't have chosen to read The Lavender Keeper because I am not a huge fan of historical novels, particularly those that feature war, but this showed up on my doorstep (courtesy Penguin Australia) so I added it to my reading list. I am glad I did as I enjoyed The Lavender Keeper very much.
A blend of action, adventure, romance and intrigue, The Lavender Keeper is set during WW2 during the Nazi occupation of France. Luc Bonet, a lavender farmer, joins the Resistance when his family is dragged away by Nazi collaborators and their farm in Provence is seized. His life is lived in the shadows sabotaging German forces, the threat of capture and execution ever present. Lisette Forestier, a French native with a facility for languages, is recruited by the London Home Office tasked to infiltrate the Reich and aid the downfall of the Nazi regime. Luc, known as Faucille amongst the Marquis, is Lisette's escort upon her clandestine arrival in France and they are both shocked by their immediate attraction. War calls for sacrifices though and the pair have a mission to accomplish, to free France and bring the German war machine to its knees.
The growing horror of World War Two pierces the hills of Southern France when Luc's family returns from Paris to their lavender farm, dispossessed, dispirited and branded by yellow stars. Still the terror of the Third Reich seems a distant threat until with the arrogance of youth, Luc unwittingly condemns his family to the Nazi camps. Swearing vengeance on the German regime and its supporters, Luc becomes involved in the Resistance working against the occupied forces. I felt for Luc who mourns his family terribly and must live with the dark shadow of guilt. McIntosh briefly sketches Luc's life before the war portraying a young confident man devoted to his family and proud of the high quality lavender farms the family cultivates. Luc is almost crushed when he learns the true circumstances of his birth, both a blessing and a curse in such tumultuous times. There isn't a lot of information about his actions once he becomes a member of the Marquis, though it can be inferred from hints about his reputation. Luc isn't a terribly complicated character but he is appealing.
I really admired Lisette, no stranger to tragedy, she overcomes her natural reticence to join the London Home Office, putting herself at risk as a spy amongst the German. McIntosh gets the balance of Lisette's trepidation and excitement just right and Lisette proves to be resourceful, smart and quick thinking. She is committed to ending the war even when complications arise as she grows closer to her target, a high ranking German officer. The conflicts and dangers Lisette faces are emotional rather than physical threats. Her concern for those that help her, even unwittingly, her attachment to Markus and her strong feelings for Luc are all features of the story.
Lisette has the larger role in the novel but the romantic attraction between Luc and Lisette ensures he is always an integral part of the narrative. Their relationship is not a traditional one, they spend more time apart than they ever do together but the link between the two is ever present.
McIntosh captures the details of the period and settings well. The tragedy of the death camps is touched on, as is the violence of battle and Hitlers bizarre policies but the focus of the story is on the protagonists experiences as she explores themes of trust, identity and patriotism.
The Lavender Keeper is a wonderfully entertaining story that is a surprisingly quick read. I believe that the author is currently working on a sequel and while this story has a satisfying ending there is certainly the scope for McIntosh to continue Listette and Luc's story. I know I won't be overlooking it.
A blend of action, adventure, romance and intrigue, The Lavender Keeper is set during WW2 during the Nazi occupation of France. Luc Bonet, a lavender farmer, joins the Resistance when his family is dragged away by Nazi collaborators and their farm in Provence is seized. His life is lived in the shadows sabotaging German forces, the threat of capture and execution ever present. Lisette Forestier, a French native with a facility for languages, is recruited by the London Home Office tasked to infiltrate the Reich and aid the downfall of the Nazi regime. Luc, known as Faucille amongst the Marquis, is Lisette's escort upon her clandestine arrival in France and they are both shocked by their immediate attraction. War calls for sacrifices though and the pair have a mission to accomplish, to free France and bring the German war machine to its knees.
The growing horror of World War Two pierces the hills of Southern France when Luc's family returns from Paris to their lavender farm, dispossessed, dispirited and branded by yellow stars. Still the terror of the Third Reich seems a distant threat until with the arrogance of youth, Luc unwittingly condemns his family to the Nazi camps. Swearing vengeance on the German regime and its supporters, Luc becomes involved in the Resistance working against the occupied forces. I felt for Luc who mourns his family terribly and must live with the dark shadow of guilt. McIntosh briefly sketches Luc's life before the war portraying a young confident man devoted to his family and proud of the high quality lavender farms the family cultivates. Luc is almost crushed when he learns the true circumstances of his birth, both a blessing and a curse in such tumultuous times. There isn't a lot of information about his actions once he becomes a member of the Marquis, though it can be inferred from hints about his reputation. Luc isn't a terribly complicated character but he is appealing.
I really admired Lisette, no stranger to tragedy, she overcomes her natural reticence to join the London Home Office, putting herself at risk as a spy amongst the German. McIntosh gets the balance of Lisette's trepidation and excitement just right and Lisette proves to be resourceful, smart and quick thinking. She is committed to ending the war even when complications arise as she grows closer to her target, a high ranking German officer. The conflicts and dangers Lisette faces are emotional rather than physical threats. Her concern for those that help her, even unwittingly, her attachment to Markus and her strong feelings for Luc are all features of the story.
Lisette has the larger role in the novel but the romantic attraction between Luc and Lisette ensures he is always an integral part of the narrative. Their relationship is not a traditional one, they spend more time apart than they ever do together but the link between the two is ever present.
McIntosh captures the details of the period and settings well. The tragedy of the death camps is touched on, as is the violence of battle and Hitlers bizarre policies but the focus of the story is on the protagonists experiences as she explores themes of trust, identity and patriotism.
The Lavender Keeper is a wonderfully entertaining story that is a surprisingly quick read. I believe that the author is currently working on a sequel and while this story has a satisfying ending there is certainly the scope for McIntosh to continue Listette and Luc's story. I know I won't be overlooking it.
April 24, 2014
This novel tells the story of Luc, the Lavender keeper and Lisette, a British spy in France during WWII. Luc, an orphan with German heritage was adopted by a French Jewish family and spent a happy childhood growing up and learning to farm in their lavender fields. When his grandmother is killed by the french police and the family is rounded up and sent to a concentration camp, Luc manages to escape and join the Maquis, the French underground. As a keepsake he wears a small bag of wild lavender seeds around his neck, which belonged to his beloved grandmother which he vows he will plant as soon as he can return home after the war.
Lisette, born in France moved to England to live with her grandparents after the death of her French/English mother and German father in a car accident when she was 17. Now working and living in London, she sees her best friend killed in the Blitz and is subsequently recruited to be trained to parachute into France to spy on a German officer in Paris. Luc is charged with getting her to Paris from the south of France and even though they only spend two days together, they are both deeply attracted to each other.
Working for a German friend of the family in his bank, Lisette soon contrives to meet the German officer, Markus Kilian, and works at becoming his lover. Luc has meanwhile got a job as a driver for the German officers and unknown to Lisette is keeping a watch on her.
As the story evolves, both Luc and Lisette are put at risk of having their covers blown. Lisette also begins to care for Markus who she has come to realise is essentially a good man who hates what the Nazis are doing and is caught up in a war he wants to end. As the war starts to turn against Germany following D-day and the impending liberation of Paris, life becomes even more dangerous for Luc, Lisette and Markus and the story moves towards an exciting climax.
Although the writing was patchy in parts and the story somewhat predictable, this was a very easy, enjoyable novel to read.
Lisette, born in France moved to England to live with her grandparents after the death of her French/English mother and German father in a car accident when she was 17. Now working and living in London, she sees her best friend killed in the Blitz and is subsequently recruited to be trained to parachute into France to spy on a German officer in Paris. Luc is charged with getting her to Paris from the south of France and even though they only spend two days together, they are both deeply attracted to each other.
Working for a German friend of the family in his bank, Lisette soon contrives to meet the German officer, Markus Kilian, and works at becoming his lover. Luc has meanwhile got a job as a driver for the German officers and unknown to Lisette is keeping a watch on her.
As the story evolves, both Luc and Lisette are put at risk of having their covers blown. Lisette also begins to care for Markus who she has come to realise is essentially a good man who hates what the Nazis are doing and is caught up in a war he wants to end. As the war starts to turn against Germany following D-day and the impending liberation of Paris, life becomes even more dangerous for Luc, Lisette and Markus and the story moves towards an exciting climax.
Although the writing was patchy in parts and the story somewhat predictable, this was a very easy, enjoyable novel to read.
April 23, 2013
The Lavender Keeper is a wonderfully entertaining book. Having had the pleasure of hearing Fiona Mcintosh speak recently, I will repeat her words, that it is ‘a romantic story but not a romance� and this is true. It is so much more than a romance, it is a chronicle of the lives of the three main characters during the second World War, with most of the action taking place in France during the Nazi occupation.
It tells the story of Luc Bonet, a young man who grows up believing himself to be French, adopted and brought up by a loving Jewish family who own a lavender farm in rural France. When the family is threatened by Nazi sympathisers, Luc is given his birth certificate, proving he is actually of German parentage, which will help to give him safety. Shocked by the news, he nevertheless escapes when his family is taken away by Nazi sympathisers,and the farm is confiscated. Grieving terribly for his family and vowing vengeance he joins the Maquis, the French resistance and spends the rest of the war sabotaging the German war effort in any way he can.
Lisette Forestier is a young French woman living in England after losing bother parents in an accident. Speaking fluent German, she is recruited, with much reluctance, by the Home Office as a spy to attempt a secret mission � to become close to a specific German officer and relay any information she can glean back to England. Her genuine French background gives her a perfect cover and after intensive training she is dropped into France.
Luc is her escort on the way to Paris and, almost immediately, the attraction between the two is strong. But it is war time, and both have missions to accomplish, and they are kept apart for long periods.
When Lisette meets Markus, the German officer who is her target, she finds he is much different to her preconceived ideas of him. She must reconcile her duty with her personal feelings, and always the memory of Luc is with her.
A little of the savagery of the war is shown, of the confusion of Hitler’s wild orders in the last days, and of how the civilians in Paris coped with the deprivations of wartime, in their different ways. It is a story of intrigue, love and adventure. But mainly it is about relationships, about personal integrity, and the tug of duty beyond personal desire.
I loved this book, and am looking forward to the sequel. I can only hope it will be as good as this one,which I am giving five stars.
It tells the story of Luc Bonet, a young man who grows up believing himself to be French, adopted and brought up by a loving Jewish family who own a lavender farm in rural France. When the family is threatened by Nazi sympathisers, Luc is given his birth certificate, proving he is actually of German parentage, which will help to give him safety. Shocked by the news, he nevertheless escapes when his family is taken away by Nazi sympathisers,and the farm is confiscated. Grieving terribly for his family and vowing vengeance he joins the Maquis, the French resistance and spends the rest of the war sabotaging the German war effort in any way he can.
Lisette Forestier is a young French woman living in England after losing bother parents in an accident. Speaking fluent German, she is recruited, with much reluctance, by the Home Office as a spy to attempt a secret mission � to become close to a specific German officer and relay any information she can glean back to England. Her genuine French background gives her a perfect cover and after intensive training she is dropped into France.
Luc is her escort on the way to Paris and, almost immediately, the attraction between the two is strong. But it is war time, and both have missions to accomplish, and they are kept apart for long periods.
When Lisette meets Markus, the German officer who is her target, she finds he is much different to her preconceived ideas of him. She must reconcile her duty with her personal feelings, and always the memory of Luc is with her.
A little of the savagery of the war is shown, of the confusion of Hitler’s wild orders in the last days, and of how the civilians in Paris coped with the deprivations of wartime, in their different ways. It is a story of intrigue, love and adventure. But mainly it is about relationships, about personal integrity, and the tug of duty beyond personal desire.
I loved this book, and am looking forward to the sequel. I can only hope it will be as good as this one,which I am giving five stars.
March 1, 2017
*sigh* Where to start? I think many of my issues can be traced back to inaccurate expectations. The synopsis of this book is very vague and leaves out some crucial details. It fails to mention that Lisette is recruited by the British government and trained to become a spy. She goes through training like learning to lay bombs and kill a man. And then for the majority of the book her mission is just to "get close" (sleep with) a German officer. Who she falls in love with. Even though she had previously fallen in love with a resistance fighter. So...LOVE TRIANGLE!
The synopsis didn't even mention the German officer by name even though he is one of the narrators! The person who wrote the synopsis should be fired. I never would have picked this up if I knew some of these details.
Anyway, beyond the synopsis we also basically have instalove and stalking by the hero. Which is all really disappointing because the first half was pretty good. But the second half just fell apart and went to shit.
The synopsis didn't even mention the German officer by name even though he is one of the narrators! The person who wrote the synopsis should be fired. I never would have picked this up if I knew some of these details.
Anyway, beyond the synopsis we also basically have instalove and stalking by the hero. Which is all really disappointing because the first half was pretty good. But the second half just fell apart and went to shit.
December 24, 2012
One of the best reads for 2012, very strong storyline, WW2 is always a popular topic and is romanticized in many books, Fiona bring an honesty to her writing that is sometimes forgotten in books. With a bady that you end up falling in love with, The Lavender Keeper will keep you turning the pages and will stay with you long after you have finished the book, I love how Fiona has branched out and really is a writer with something for everyone.
May 17, 2013
Loved this book! Loved it! Its the story of French resistance fighters in the Second World War, and their loves and fears and betrayals. I believe there's a sequel coming out - I can't wait.
April 17, 2012
Luc Bonet is a lavender farmer. Although he’s always known he was adopted, he was raised as an integral part of his adopted family and has the lavender growing in his blood. He automatically knows when it’s time to harvest and he plans to take over from his father and take the farming to the next level. But the Bonets are Jews and this is World War II in France. It’s not a good time to be a Jew and the Germans are everywhere in the country, rounding up the Jewish population and taking them to camps.
Luc’s adoption saves his life. He is of German extraction and looks it � assuming his birth name after his family are taken, Luc goes underground, becoming a member of the French Resistance. They work not to confront the German’s directly, but to make life difficult for them, blowing up bridges, railway lines, signals, anything that may inconvenience the intruding force or slow them down. This is his purpose now, to rid his country of the Germans and then he can take revenge for the loss of his family.
Lisette lives in Britain but she’s of French and German heritage. Her affinity for both languages is absolutely flawless and she is soon hunted as an intelligence officer for the British. Her job is to get close to a high-ranking German officer who has been shuffled to a desk job due to his lack of support for the Fuhrer’s policies. It’s believed he will be a perfect target given his lack of satisfaction with those in charge in Germany and Lisette is considered the perfect candidate to get close to him and bring down the Reich from the inside. She goes through rigorous training and is then parachuted into France to begin her mission. Members of the French Resistance assist in getting her around the country to where she needs to be � and one of those members is Luc Bonet.
Both Luc and Lisette have their missions but they hadn’t counted on encountering each other and the connection that develops between them. Their time together is all-too brief and fraught with emotion before they go their separate ways. Lisette has her mission and she is determined that she will succeed at it, made all the more easier when she discovers the German officer is charismatic and intelligent with views far outside the power-mad German regime. But she is still unable to forget Luc and the brief time they shared together
I really enjoyed parts of this novel, most notably the characterisation. Luc is a complex character, struggling with his heritage and acceptance of it and himself. Born and raised as French, although also fluent in German, he has no idea that he actually is German until the height of German occupation when his looks and knowledge of language and German heritage save his life. Reverting back to his birth name allows him to escape being rounded up as a Jew and he goes deep underground into the French Resistance. He carries a lot of hatred around inside of him and also a lot of guilt that his whole family were taken, were victims of war and prejudiced but by accident of birth he was able to survive.
Lisette has no family left either, having lost her parents in a car accident some years ago. Her affinity for languages is remarkable and she speaks three with no discernible accent. She is flattered to be chosen as an agent and tasked with something important and it seems that she’s quite aware that she may have to do certain things in order to complete her mission. The fact that she can do these things did disconnect me from her slightly because I found it hard to put myself in her shoes or understand her position because I’m not sure I could’ve done what she did. But I’d make a terrible spy and by all reports, Lisette was rather a good one! But at times it was very hard to relate to her because of her actions and the fact that she could swing between two men (often from one day to the next) deceiving both. I didn’t always like her as such, but I did find her probably the most interesting.
I’m not a big fan of love triangles usually and this is particularly true to YA fiction where it’s quite common. I haven’t come across too many in adult fiction in recent times. This book does involve a love triangle but the way in which it is written is more palatable to me as a reader (despite my issues with Lisette above) because both of the male characters are written in believable and sympathetic ways. Whilst there is a clear outcome that you can see, because this book is the story of Luc and Lisette, there’s no designated ‘evil� or ‘bad� character making up the third participant. In fact I found the German officer very likable and perhaps felt sorry for him for the way in which he was used. I would’ve liked a little more focus on him to further flesh him out but I found him interesting � a progressive man in a very restrictive regime where individualism usually resulted in meeting a firing squad. I very much enjoyed the role he played in the book, even though I knew his end was most likely not going to be happy!
I’ve mentioned before that my historical knowledge is relatively appalling. I didn’t take history in school and our only compulsive history was Australian history in very early high school. So this book certainly had things to teach me and gave me the groundwork for further research so I do appreciate that. But ultimately there were two things in this book that bothered me just a little bit. It’s very, very slow, particularly in the beginning when we are introduced to Luc and learn all about his background and the lavender. I know the lavender is important, it forms a very important part of Luc’s heritage and character. But that section of the book positively crawled for me and several times I almost gave up. Then I got to the section that detailed Lisette’s introduction to working undercover and I felt that it picked up. But at almost 500 pages (I was reading this on my Kindle, so I didn’t know how many pages it was, just that it was taking me an awfully long time to read it and I’m a fast reader) it drags in many places. There are times when it feels like the characters have endless conversations but nothing actually happens. It’s unevenly paced and too long. And I read that the author couldn’t finish the story and will be putting out a sequel, so clearly there was a lot of material. It does end quite abruptly.
Overall this story had its engrossing, entertaining parts and some interesting and multi-layered characters but there were times I found my attention wandering, even when I was on a plane and basically there was nothing else for my attention to wander to. Will I read the sequel? I think so…I do really want to know what becomes of Luc and Lisette now that her mission is complete, the occupation in France is coming to an end/is at an end. Despite their attraction they are not together for a large portion of this book so I would like to witness them as a proper couple, making a life together.
Luc’s adoption saves his life. He is of German extraction and looks it � assuming his birth name after his family are taken, Luc goes underground, becoming a member of the French Resistance. They work not to confront the German’s directly, but to make life difficult for them, blowing up bridges, railway lines, signals, anything that may inconvenience the intruding force or slow them down. This is his purpose now, to rid his country of the Germans and then he can take revenge for the loss of his family.
Lisette lives in Britain but she’s of French and German heritage. Her affinity for both languages is absolutely flawless and she is soon hunted as an intelligence officer for the British. Her job is to get close to a high-ranking German officer who has been shuffled to a desk job due to his lack of support for the Fuhrer’s policies. It’s believed he will be a perfect target given his lack of satisfaction with those in charge in Germany and Lisette is considered the perfect candidate to get close to him and bring down the Reich from the inside. She goes through rigorous training and is then parachuted into France to begin her mission. Members of the French Resistance assist in getting her around the country to where she needs to be � and one of those members is Luc Bonet.
Both Luc and Lisette have their missions but they hadn’t counted on encountering each other and the connection that develops between them. Their time together is all-too brief and fraught with emotion before they go their separate ways. Lisette has her mission and she is determined that she will succeed at it, made all the more easier when she discovers the German officer is charismatic and intelligent with views far outside the power-mad German regime. But she is still unable to forget Luc and the brief time they shared together
I really enjoyed parts of this novel, most notably the characterisation. Luc is a complex character, struggling with his heritage and acceptance of it and himself. Born and raised as French, although also fluent in German, he has no idea that he actually is German until the height of German occupation when his looks and knowledge of language and German heritage save his life. Reverting back to his birth name allows him to escape being rounded up as a Jew and he goes deep underground into the French Resistance. He carries a lot of hatred around inside of him and also a lot of guilt that his whole family were taken, were victims of war and prejudiced but by accident of birth he was able to survive.
Lisette has no family left either, having lost her parents in a car accident some years ago. Her affinity for languages is remarkable and she speaks three with no discernible accent. She is flattered to be chosen as an agent and tasked with something important and it seems that she’s quite aware that she may have to do certain things in order to complete her mission. The fact that she can do these things did disconnect me from her slightly because I found it hard to put myself in her shoes or understand her position because I’m not sure I could’ve done what she did. But I’d make a terrible spy and by all reports, Lisette was rather a good one! But at times it was very hard to relate to her because of her actions and the fact that she could swing between two men (often from one day to the next) deceiving both. I didn’t always like her as such, but I did find her probably the most interesting.
I’m not a big fan of love triangles usually and this is particularly true to YA fiction where it’s quite common. I haven’t come across too many in adult fiction in recent times. This book does involve a love triangle but the way in which it is written is more palatable to me as a reader (despite my issues with Lisette above) because both of the male characters are written in believable and sympathetic ways. Whilst there is a clear outcome that you can see, because this book is the story of Luc and Lisette, there’s no designated ‘evil� or ‘bad� character making up the third participant. In fact I found the German officer very likable and perhaps felt sorry for him for the way in which he was used. I would’ve liked a little more focus on him to further flesh him out but I found him interesting � a progressive man in a very restrictive regime where individualism usually resulted in meeting a firing squad. I very much enjoyed the role he played in the book, even though I knew his end was most likely not going to be happy!
I’ve mentioned before that my historical knowledge is relatively appalling. I didn’t take history in school and our only compulsive history was Australian history in very early high school. So this book certainly had things to teach me and gave me the groundwork for further research so I do appreciate that. But ultimately there were two things in this book that bothered me just a little bit. It’s very, very slow, particularly in the beginning when we are introduced to Luc and learn all about his background and the lavender. I know the lavender is important, it forms a very important part of Luc’s heritage and character. But that section of the book positively crawled for me and several times I almost gave up. Then I got to the section that detailed Lisette’s introduction to working undercover and I felt that it picked up. But at almost 500 pages (I was reading this on my Kindle, so I didn’t know how many pages it was, just that it was taking me an awfully long time to read it and I’m a fast reader) it drags in many places. There are times when it feels like the characters have endless conversations but nothing actually happens. It’s unevenly paced and too long. And I read that the author couldn’t finish the story and will be putting out a sequel, so clearly there was a lot of material. It does end quite abruptly.
Overall this story had its engrossing, entertaining parts and some interesting and multi-layered characters but there were times I found my attention wandering, even when I was on a plane and basically there was nothing else for my attention to wander to. Will I read the sequel? I think so…I do really want to know what becomes of Luc and Lisette now that her mission is complete, the occupation in France is coming to an end/is at an end. Despite their attraction they are not together for a large portion of this book so I would like to witness them as a proper couple, making a life together.
January 3, 2020
Brilliant. You have to read this heart wrenching story set in France during the second world war. Spies and intrigue, love deep and passionate, loss of life ripping families in two, deep heartache and revenge. Germans and the French. marquisard, collaborators, resistors, Gestapo, SS and the Fuhrer. An excellent read
February 12, 2015
I wasn't initially keen to read this book, it was a gift, and I was put off by the cover and the name (too romantic?) but I am so glad that I did at the persuasion of others. I shouldn't have done the old cliche and judged the book by it's cover. I loved this story. I enjoy anything to do with the war, and this story struck a cord with me. The terrors and injustice of war and the abhorrent treatment of the Jews. The courage of the French resistance and the allied spy's. And central to the book a love story. I found myself feeling sad, angry, courageous, heart warming. I really enjoyed the writing style which was mature and it gave real depth to the characters, who were strong and gave you hope. (Although it was definately easy reading). Some of the love story was a bit tedious but I enjoyed going back in time. I have started the sequel and the first chapter left me with tears streaming and such a sad sad heart, but I love that an author can invoke such emotion and give us a glimpse into our history and ensure we remember that this can never happen again.
April 9, 2015
I'll be entirely honest when I say that this book is not a literary masterpiece. Some of the dialogue made me cringe and if you read the synopsis, then you know that there is romance involved. Not necessarily a bad thing, but a bit too much sentimental romance for my liking. It also churns out a lot of irritating cliches about the various nationalities.
So why give it 5 stars? Because the story itself is absolutely brilliant. This is a fast-paced, very gripping plot packed with suspense and this more than compensates for my above gripes. It is a real page-turner. To use a cliche myself, I really was on the edge of my seat a lot of the time. It's more than 500 pages long - admittedly, part one was a bit slow - but I managed to get through this in less than two days. Looking forward to the sequel!
So why give it 5 stars? Because the story itself is absolutely brilliant. This is a fast-paced, very gripping plot packed with suspense and this more than compensates for my above gripes. It is a real page-turner. To use a cliche myself, I really was on the edge of my seat a lot of the time. It's more than 500 pages long - admittedly, part one was a bit slow - but I managed to get through this in less than two days. Looking forward to the sequel!
October 27, 2013
Loved this book. Compelling reading. Fiona McIntosh has done so much research and woven it into a seamless plot . Finely crafted novel.
May 17, 2021
This is not a book I normally would have chosen for myself (it was gifted to me) and based on the title and cover, apprehension about myself enjoying it was an understatement. I should not have judged a book by its cover as it was an enjoyable read.
It is definitely shmultzy in places but was readable and enjoyable. I was giving 4 stars but the shmultzy last page made me reduce it to 3.7/5.
I was also gifted the sequel so am glad that this was enjoyable.
It is definitely shmultzy in places but was readable and enjoyable. I was giving 4 stars but the shmultzy last page made me reduce it to 3.7/5.
I was also gifted the sequel so am glad that this was enjoyable.
Read
February 12, 2025DNF - this was so boring it put me in a reading slump. No offence to Fiona Macintosh, I just couldn’t get into it
April 23, 2013
I enjoy Historical novels. Fiona McIntosh has provided us with The Lavender Keeper and it is an excellent historical novel with a love triangle to keep the interest rolling along.
Set in the beautiful Provence region of Occupied France in the 1940’s, we meet Luc Bonet, a lavender farmer, a man of the land living his life by the seasons. Life has not yet been interrupted by the cruelty of the war. However, within the space of a week his world is shattered. He learns that his adoption at a young age has a bizarre twist. Born of a German/French couple he is German living in France with a Jewish family. Suddenly his family is wrenched from him to be sent to a Labour camp, his beloved grandmother is murdered and in desperation he leaves his farm and he joins the Marquis as a resistance fighter for France.
At the same time an orphaned young girl, Lisette Forester is coming to terms with the complications of being French and living in Britain. Lisette too, has a French/German parentage and her fluency in both languages has made her an attractive recruit for the espionage network of Britain. Following her training she is sent to France with the mission to attract the attention of Colonel Markus Kilien, highly respected German officer who has become dis-affected with Hitler’s war. In the process of travelling to Paris she crosses paths with Luc and an immediate attraction has occurred. They fall in love, but both have a mission in this terrible war and they part.
Lisette did not reckon the colonel being a charming and attractive man and before long she is in love with him too! Fiona has cleverly focused on the love triangle of Luc, Lisette and Markus, with the backdrop of the German Armies grip on Paris and France weakening, the imminent arrival of the Allied forces and the wrath of the French population. The ending is a twist and has ingeniously left the door open for a sequel.
The story and plot have been well crafted and has great depth revealing the pain and suffering experienced by the Occupied countries of Europe during that vicious war. I found the characters well developed and with an appealing insight into their personas. I particularly empathised with Luc and the terrible tragedies that he experienced during this conflict. He is portrayed as a strong, deeply complex and caring man who is asked to shoulder an enormous burden. Lisette on the other hand had a dominant pragmatism which perhaps prevented me from embracing her character.
An excellent book which has left me wanting to read the sequel.
My copy from Holdfast Bay Library. Adelaide
Available: Amazon � Kobo � Bookworld.
Set in the beautiful Provence region of Occupied France in the 1940’s, we meet Luc Bonet, a lavender farmer, a man of the land living his life by the seasons. Life has not yet been interrupted by the cruelty of the war. However, within the space of a week his world is shattered. He learns that his adoption at a young age has a bizarre twist. Born of a German/French couple he is German living in France with a Jewish family. Suddenly his family is wrenched from him to be sent to a Labour camp, his beloved grandmother is murdered and in desperation he leaves his farm and he joins the Marquis as a resistance fighter for France.
At the same time an orphaned young girl, Lisette Forester is coming to terms with the complications of being French and living in Britain. Lisette too, has a French/German parentage and her fluency in both languages has made her an attractive recruit for the espionage network of Britain. Following her training she is sent to France with the mission to attract the attention of Colonel Markus Kilien, highly respected German officer who has become dis-affected with Hitler’s war. In the process of travelling to Paris she crosses paths with Luc and an immediate attraction has occurred. They fall in love, but both have a mission in this terrible war and they part.
Lisette did not reckon the colonel being a charming and attractive man and before long she is in love with him too! Fiona has cleverly focused on the love triangle of Luc, Lisette and Markus, with the backdrop of the German Armies grip on Paris and France weakening, the imminent arrival of the Allied forces and the wrath of the French population. The ending is a twist and has ingeniously left the door open for a sequel.
The story and plot have been well crafted and has great depth revealing the pain and suffering experienced by the Occupied countries of Europe during that vicious war. I found the characters well developed and with an appealing insight into their personas. I particularly empathised with Luc and the terrible tragedies that he experienced during this conflict. He is portrayed as a strong, deeply complex and caring man who is asked to shoulder an enormous burden. Lisette on the other hand had a dominant pragmatism which perhaps prevented me from embracing her character.
An excellent book which has left me wanting to read the sequel.
My copy from Holdfast Bay Library. Adelaide
Available: Amazon � Kobo � Bookworld.
July 8, 2014
I found this book on the shelf of the Paris apartment we rented for 2 weeks in September. I kept looking at the spine and finally picked it up off the shelf to see what it was all about. Intrigued by the story, I thought I'd see how much I could read before vacation was over. It was a great read and I read well into the night a couple of times, not wanting to put it down and in making sure I could finish it before we left. I didn't have to worry, it was finished long before we went home. I can hardly wait for the sequel to pick up Luc and Lisette's contiuing story. However, this was released by Penguin in Australia and I am back in the US. I HAVE to figure out how to get my hands on the sequel when it is released.
February 9, 2015
WW2 - French Lavender Farmer with Jewish family and Anglo French girl fight in the resistance. Pretty gory detailing of Jewish persecution. A good read, with a couple OMG moments. Nice take on the German SS Officer who you actually end up quite liking. The end is fairly predictable but there is enough drama leading up to this to keep you satisfied. Read this straight after the Postcard and there are a number of similarities. The Lavender Keeper is far better.
Read
May 28, 2012Unrealistic the characters had no depth, descriptions of scenery limp and uninspiring. Wartime France was sanitised the true horror of life as a Jew under the Nazis was never really explored. Neither was the life of the Maquis. Did not bother to finish it. This is not a book for adults and I am sorry I wasted my money.
February 18, 2013
This is the first of McIntosh’s books that I’ve picked up and I’m so glad I did. I kept turning the pages, never having to skip a dull paragraph (a rare thing), and enjoyed how the author includes historical detail in a natural way. Well written with a consistent voice and enjoyable characters.
April 6, 2013
Loved this book & am since looking forward to The French Promise.
January 17, 2013
Synopsis
“Are you German or are you French? Are you working against Germany or for it? Are you telling me the truth, or are you a very accomplished liar?�
Lavender farmer Luc Bonet is raised by a wealthy Jewish family in the foothills of the French Alps. When the Second World War breaks out he joins the French Resistance, leaving behind his family’s fortune, their home overrun by soldiers, their lavender fields in disarray.
Lisette Forestier is on a mission of her own: to work her way into the heart of a senior German officer � and to bring down the Reich in any way she can.
What Luc and Lisette hadn’t counted on was meeting each other. When they come together at the height of the Paris occupation, German traitors are plotting to change the course of history.
But who, if anyone, can be trusted? As Luc and Lisette’s emotions threaten to betray them, their love may prove the greatest risk of all.
Overview
Times of war can make people reckless, and so it is that fate sets these people on a journey towards one another - paths that are destined to cross
Set against the backdrop of World War Two at the height of the German occupation in France, we are introduced to Luc Bonet, a Lavender farmer. Luc has always been aware that he was adopted, but after learning from his father the real circumstances surrounding his birth and adoption as well as bearing witness to the harsh arrest of his family from a distance, and the cruel murder of his grandmother, he joins the French Resistance in the hopes of exacting revenge against the perpetrators. The Maquis generally don’t carry out their revenge in the form of murder, but rather attempt to inhibit all means of communication, transport and the like in order to hinder the Germans in their quest to gain full occupation of France.
Meanwhile, amidst the same destructive war, but across the channel in Britain, lives a girl by the name of Lisette Forestier, daughter of a French mother and German father, who is extremely intelligent and more than competent in speaking both languages. We learn that Lisette, with a somewhat tragic past, shows no fear and has taught herself to live in the moment. It is both her affinity for languages and her displays of fearlessness which brings her to the attention of the War Office through her waitressing job at the Lyons Corner House where she comes into contact with both celebrities and soldiers. After her initial meeting with a Mr Collins, she is interviewed by the War Office and then recruited and trained as an agent. Both her path and mind are set as she clandestinely makes her way to France, where she is required to carry out her mission, one which requires her to get close to a German officer and thus assist in bringing down the Reich.
Lisette meets Luc who, as a member of the Maquis working in cahoots with the War Office, is tasked with assisting her to get to the other side of France in order for her to carry out her mission. On their journey across the war-torn country, it is inevitable that they should become closer and, whilst not meant to, begin to share personal details. Alas, she, as is Luc, are very aware that their separate but very important missions need to be accomplished and, if she is to successfully infiltrate the life of the Colonel, she will need to compartmentalise her life and try not to taint what she and Luc have begun to feel for one another.
With a love triangle threatening everything they believe in, tensions mounting amidst the first of the Allied forces landing at Normandy, the final scenes playing out amidst the celebrations of liberation and the traumatic events of the aftermath, will these two people emerge unscathed and once again find each other in order to fulfil promises made?
My Thoughts
This is the first book I have read by and I’m so glad that the publisher afforded me the opportunity of discovering this great storyteller.
Although I tend not to read too many historical novels, what with my high school history lessons on the Second World War and everything in-between being pretty much boring, between Fiona and another author I have recently had the pleasure of reading, I think I am hooked.
Fiona’s sense of place is truly amazing and goes a long way to supporting the characters and plot along with providing the reader with a full range of sensory information, and I constantly found myself surrounded by the smell of lavender.
The story has great depth, created by well-rounded characters whose emotions are brought to life as they bear witness to the atrocities which the Germans carry out on the Jews in war-torn France during World War Two. And, whilst the war is the backdrop to this story, Fiona has quite capably managed to keep her focus on her characters. We see Luc, in particular, struggling with his hatred of the German army and the resulting treatment of his family and fellow man, whilst harbouring a lot of anger for the loss of that family, but at the same time, the feelings invoked by his love for a woman who appears to be just beyond his reach. Lisette, of course, whilst endeavouring to physically and emotionally distance herself from Luc in order to carry out her mission, doesn’t expect the Colonel to arouse such strong feelings within her, and her moral ethics come into play when she is torn between her love for these two men.
This book has earned 5 Stars from me and I wish to thank both the publisher, Penguin Group Australia and The Reading Room for providing me with a hard copy for review. I am now eagerly waiting to sink my teeth into the sequel, , due to be released in 2013.
A Bit About the Author
was born in England, spent her early childhood in West Africa and has lived in Australia for the past three decades. She worked for many years in the travel industry but after her shift to full-time writing she roams the world researching and drawing inspiration for her novels. Adelaide is her home base, which she shares with her husband and twin sons, but Fiona does most of her writing from the peace of southern Tasmania. To date she has written 23 adult novels across various genres and six novels for children.
“Are you German or are you French? Are you working against Germany or for it? Are you telling me the truth, or are you a very accomplished liar?�
Lavender farmer Luc Bonet is raised by a wealthy Jewish family in the foothills of the French Alps. When the Second World War breaks out he joins the French Resistance, leaving behind his family’s fortune, their home overrun by soldiers, their lavender fields in disarray.
Lisette Forestier is on a mission of her own: to work her way into the heart of a senior German officer � and to bring down the Reich in any way she can.
What Luc and Lisette hadn’t counted on was meeting each other. When they come together at the height of the Paris occupation, German traitors are plotting to change the course of history.
But who, if anyone, can be trusted? As Luc and Lisette’s emotions threaten to betray them, their love may prove the greatest risk of all.
Overview
Times of war can make people reckless, and so it is that fate sets these people on a journey towards one another - paths that are destined to cross
Set against the backdrop of World War Two at the height of the German occupation in France, we are introduced to Luc Bonet, a Lavender farmer. Luc has always been aware that he was adopted, but after learning from his father the real circumstances surrounding his birth and adoption as well as bearing witness to the harsh arrest of his family from a distance, and the cruel murder of his grandmother, he joins the French Resistance in the hopes of exacting revenge against the perpetrators. The Maquis generally don’t carry out their revenge in the form of murder, but rather attempt to inhibit all means of communication, transport and the like in order to hinder the Germans in their quest to gain full occupation of France.
Meanwhile, amidst the same destructive war, but across the channel in Britain, lives a girl by the name of Lisette Forestier, daughter of a French mother and German father, who is extremely intelligent and more than competent in speaking both languages. We learn that Lisette, with a somewhat tragic past, shows no fear and has taught herself to live in the moment. It is both her affinity for languages and her displays of fearlessness which brings her to the attention of the War Office through her waitressing job at the Lyons Corner House where she comes into contact with both celebrities and soldiers. After her initial meeting with a Mr Collins, she is interviewed by the War Office and then recruited and trained as an agent. Both her path and mind are set as she clandestinely makes her way to France, where she is required to carry out her mission, one which requires her to get close to a German officer and thus assist in bringing down the Reich.
Lisette meets Luc who, as a member of the Maquis working in cahoots with the War Office, is tasked with assisting her to get to the other side of France in order for her to carry out her mission. On their journey across the war-torn country, it is inevitable that they should become closer and, whilst not meant to, begin to share personal details. Alas, she, as is Luc, are very aware that their separate but very important missions need to be accomplished and, if she is to successfully infiltrate the life of the Colonel, she will need to compartmentalise her life and try not to taint what she and Luc have begun to feel for one another.
With a love triangle threatening everything they believe in, tensions mounting amidst the first of the Allied forces landing at Normandy, the final scenes playing out amidst the celebrations of liberation and the traumatic events of the aftermath, will these two people emerge unscathed and once again find each other in order to fulfil promises made?
My Thoughts
This is the first book I have read by and I’m so glad that the publisher afforded me the opportunity of discovering this great storyteller.
Although I tend not to read too many historical novels, what with my high school history lessons on the Second World War and everything in-between being pretty much boring, between Fiona and another author I have recently had the pleasure of reading, I think I am hooked.
Fiona’s sense of place is truly amazing and goes a long way to supporting the characters and plot along with providing the reader with a full range of sensory information, and I constantly found myself surrounded by the smell of lavender.
The story has great depth, created by well-rounded characters whose emotions are brought to life as they bear witness to the atrocities which the Germans carry out on the Jews in war-torn France during World War Two. And, whilst the war is the backdrop to this story, Fiona has quite capably managed to keep her focus on her characters. We see Luc, in particular, struggling with his hatred of the German army and the resulting treatment of his family and fellow man, whilst harbouring a lot of anger for the loss of that family, but at the same time, the feelings invoked by his love for a woman who appears to be just beyond his reach. Lisette, of course, whilst endeavouring to physically and emotionally distance herself from Luc in order to carry out her mission, doesn’t expect the Colonel to arouse such strong feelings within her, and her moral ethics come into play when she is torn between her love for these two men.
This book has earned 5 Stars from me and I wish to thank both the publisher, Penguin Group Australia and The Reading Room for providing me with a hard copy for review. I am now eagerly waiting to sink my teeth into the sequel, , due to be released in 2013.
A Bit About the Author
was born in England, spent her early childhood in West Africa and has lived in Australia for the past three decades. She worked for many years in the travel industry but after her shift to full-time writing she roams the world researching and drawing inspiration for her novels. Adelaide is her home base, which she shares with her husband and twin sons, but Fiona does most of her writing from the peace of southern Tasmania. To date she has written 23 adult novels across various genres and six novels for children.
July 31, 2022
Skaičiau ne vieną romaną apie Prancūzijos okupaciją. Šiuo metu mintys sukasi apie labiausiai įstrigusius: Lakštingala, Prarasta žmona, Lauksiu tavęs Paryžiuje, Alisos tinklas ir kt.
Prarastų svajonių dvelksmas - ne išimtis. PradžIoje knygos skaičiau ir galvojau:
-Bus geriausia mano šių metų skaityta knyga (praeitais buvo Lakštingala)!
Ir visgi baigiant skaityti knygą man šiek tiek pritrūko iki 5�
Pradžioje viskas labai įtempta, jaudina ir verčia širdį plakti stipriau. Lizetė sutinka Liuką, vėliau tampa slaptąja agente, gauna slaptą misiją. Čia man ir pritrūko įtampos. Misija mano nuomone buvo gana nuobodi, mažai pavojaus ir įtampos. Skaitydama negalėjau nelyginti su Lakštingala ar Alisos tinklas.
Nepaisant to knyga man labai patiko, tikrai ilgai ją prisiminsiu ir rekomenduosiu draugėms❤️
Prarastų svajonių dvelksmas - ne išimtis. PradžIoje knygos skaičiau ir galvojau:
-Bus geriausia mano šių metų skaityta knyga (praeitais buvo Lakštingala)!
Ir visgi baigiant skaityti knygą man šiek tiek pritrūko iki 5�
Pradžioje viskas labai įtempta, jaudina ir verčia širdį plakti stipriau. Lizetė sutinka Liuką, vėliau tampa slaptąja agente, gauna slaptą misiją. Čia man ir pritrūko įtampos. Misija mano nuomone buvo gana nuobodi, mažai pavojaus ir įtampos. Skaitydama negalėjau nelyginti su Lakštingala ar Alisos tinklas.
Nepaisant to knyga man labai patiko, tikrai ilgai ją prisiminsiu ir rekomenduosiu draugėms❤️
March 4, 2021
I’ve heard this book being labelled as a romantic story that’s not a romance. And I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment!
I’ve been wanting to read a Fiona McIntosh book for a while now, but find that Historical Fiction is really hit and miss with me, though I do enjoy reading stories set during WWII so this was naturally an ideal choice to get into McIntosh’s work.
Excellently written and full of wonderfully crafted characters, The Lavender Keeper is not just historical fiction, there’s a little something for everyone: suspense, history, espionage, rebellion, and love.
I could picture myself in any of the settings or places visited, and I was drawn to the people, invested in their fates.
I look forward to continuing the story in the future!
I’ve been wanting to read a Fiona McIntosh book for a while now, but find that Historical Fiction is really hit and miss with me, though I do enjoy reading stories set during WWII so this was naturally an ideal choice to get into McIntosh’s work.
Excellently written and full of wonderfully crafted characters, The Lavender Keeper is not just historical fiction, there’s a little something for everyone: suspense, history, espionage, rebellion, and love.
I could picture myself in any of the settings or places visited, and I was drawn to the people, invested in their fates.
I look forward to continuing the story in the future!
April 30, 2018
Simply - I loved this book. I loved the characters, the suspense, the romance and the balanced approach to the impact on some Germans who didn't necessarily support Hitler and his ideology.
No twists or surprises at the end just a thoroughly absorbing story and a good read.
No twists or surprises at the end just a thoroughly absorbing story and a good read.
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