Book Synopsis:
In 1944 in war-torn Dubrobvnik Branko Milisic holds his newborn daughter Safranka and wishes her a better future. But while the Nazis are finally retreating, the arrival of the partisans brings new dangers for Branko, his wife Dragica and their new baby…
As older sister to two half-siblings, Fran has always known she has to fit in. But now, for the first time in her life Fran is facing questions about who she is and where she comes from.
All Fran knows about her real father is that he was a hero, and her mother had to flee Dubrovnik after the war. But when she travels to the city of her birth to uncover the truth, she is devastated to discover her father was executed by the partisans in 1944, accused of being a collaborator. But the past isn’t always what it seems…
My Review:
I’m a huge fan of this author so you can imagine my excitement when I was invited onto the blog tour for this her latest book. Once again the author has written an emotional, absorbing read that I really enjoyed.
Firstly one of the things I always love about this author is her way of describing the locations she sets her books in. The descriptions are always so vivid and really allow me to see the setting in my mind’s eye. I hadn’t heard much about Croatia so enjoyed visiting it alongside the characters. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction set in the second world war, especially if it teaches me something new about the period, so I knew straight away I was going to love this book. It was very interesting learning more about the history of Croatia and what happened there during the war.
The story is told in two timelines one set in 1944 and the other 2010. I loved following Fran as she tries to discover more about her father and what happened to him during the war. She was such a real character and I warmed to her instantly, wanting her to succeed. The author doesn’t hold back from telling the truth about the reality of war which helps bring the story to life and make it seem more realistic.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from this author. I was quickly drawn into the story and into the lives of the characters. There always seemed to be something happening to keep my interest and I soon found it hard to put down as I cared about the characters. The two timelines compliment each other really well and I liked how the reveals happened naturally without any huge leaps. I loved the ending and closed the book sad to leave the wonderful characters behind. I definitely want to visit Croatia soon.
Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Welcome to my author page and thank you for taking the time to visit. I love to write emotional women’s fiction inspired by beautiful places and the stories they hide. My passion is to travel (when possible, of course), but luckily I find inspiration can strike just as well at home or abroad.
My last holiday before lockdown was a trip to Croatia, and the country’s haunting histories and gorgeous scenery have proved fertile ground, driven by my friendship with a tour guide I met there. His wartime story provided the inspiration for The Olive Grove and his help in creating a realistic portrayal of Croatian life has proved invaluable. My second and third novels set in the country, An Island of Secrets and The Collaborator’s Daughter are dual timelines looking back to World War 2. My books are published by One More Chapter, a division of Harper Collins.
I am also inspired by the work of my own favourite authors, who include Victoria Hislop, Rosanna Ley, Angela Petch, Jenny Ashcroft and Elizabeth Buchan.
Although I am Welsh I am now happily settled in Cornwall, and I’m lucky enough to have been married to the love of my life for more than twenty-five years. I also write as Jane Cable.
Over The Rainbow Blog 