Tuesday, February 9, 2021

"The Girl from the Channel Islands"--by Jenny Lecoat--inspired by true events, the riveting story of a young Jewish woman trapped on the occupied island of Jersey during World War II

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The Girl from the Channel Islands

An extraordinary story of triumph against impossible odds...

The year is 1940, and the world is torn apart by war. In June of that year, Hitler’s army captures the Channel Islands—the only part of Great Britain occupied by German forces. Abandoned by Mr. Churchill, forgotten by the Allies and cut off from all help, the Islands’ situation is increasingly desperate.

Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish girl who fled Vienna for the island of Jersey two years earlier during the Anschluss, only to find herself trapped by the Nazis once more—this time with no escape. Her only hope is to make herself invaluable to the Germans by working as a translator, hiding in plain sight with the help of her friends and community—and a sympathetic German officer. But as the war intensifies, rations dwindle and neighbors are increasingly suspicious of one another. Hedy’s life is in greater danger every day. It will take a definitive, daring act to save her from certain deportation to the concentration camps.

A sweeping tale of bravery and love under impossible circumstances, Hedy’s remarkable story reminds us that it’s often up to ordinary people to be quiet heroes in the face of injustice.

Reviews

 

THE GIRL FROM THE CHANNEL ISLANDS is an unforgettable tale of friendship, love, courage and survival. I loved every word of this fantastically engrossing novel. Jenny Lecoat is an author to watch!--New York Times bestselling author Kelly Rimmer

“A riveting story of survival against all odds, told by a masterful storyteller who also happens to be a fresh new voice in the genre. I absolutely loved The Girl From the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat and recommend it highly, not just to fans of historical fiction, but to lovers of good books everywhere.” - Karen Robards, NYT bestselling author of The Black Swan of Paris
 
"A harrowing tale of a young woman using her wits, courage, and an unlikely relationship to stay alive on a Nazi occupied island. Lecoat weaves a story of strength and bravery from the first exciting scene to its satisfying conclusion." —Bestselling author Noelle Salazar

"The Girl from the Channel Islands springs to life with cinematic clarity. With the story's every dramatic turn, Lecoat raises profound questions about our understanding of trust, friend, and foe."--Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife

"A captivating story of trust and betrayal, courage, survival and forbidden love."--Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan

"An evocative and emotive telling of the starkness of war in a stunning landscape." —USA TODAY bestselling author Mandy Robotham

“Lecoat capably combines historical fact with the fictional narrative, and offers a cast rich with multidimensional characters. Readers will be riveted.”--Publishers Weekly

"Lecoat's debut is based on true events, which will make readers even more curious about the backstory and motivations of Hedy, Kurt, and the somewhat enigmatic Dorothea. The unique Channel Island setting may intrigue readers of WWII-set women's fiction."--Booklist

“A vividly evoked story of love surviving, even triumphing, over oppression.”—Sunday Times

"This gripping tale of forbidden love and survival will leave you breathless" - Sunday Post

“Thrilling and deeply moving.”—Jersey Festival of Words

"A strong story of a small island in the battle of WWII with characters you root for and a love story that makes you happy."--Red Carpet Crash
 

 

Jenny Lecoat

Jenny Lecoat author photo 

Born in Jersey, Channel Islands, Jenny Lecoat's parents were raised under German Occupation, and both families were involved in resistance activity. Lecoat moved to England aged 18, where, following a drama degree, she spent a decade on the alternative comedy circuit as a feminist stand-up. She was nominated for a prestigious Perrier Award in 1986. She also wrote for newspapers and women's magazines (Cosmopolitan, Observer) and presented TV and radio shows, before focusing on screenwriting from sitcom (Birds of a Feather, Sometime Never) to sketch shows (The Catherine Tat).

https://www.jennylecoat.com/  

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