Welcome to my tour stop! Read and excerpt and enter the giveaway below...
Paris in Ruins
By M.K. Tod
Adult Historical Fiction
Paperback & ebook, 370 Pages
March 30, 2021 by Heath Street Publishing
Summary
Paris 1870. Raised for a life of parties and servants, Camille and Mariele have much in common, but it takes the horrors of war to bring them together to fight for the city and people they love.
A few weeks after the abdication of Napoleon III, the Prussian army lays siege to Paris. Camille Noisette, the daughter of a wealthy family, volunteers to nurse wounded soldiers and agrees to spy on a group of radicals plotting to overthrow the French government. Her future sister-in-law, Mariele de Crécy, is appalled by the gaps between rich and poor. She volunteers to look after destitute children whose families can barely afford to eat.
Somehow, Camille and Mariele must find the courage and strength to endure months of devastating siege, bloody civil war, and great personal risk. Through it all, an unexpected friendship grows between the two women, as they face the destruction of Paris and discover that in war women have as much to fight for as men.
War has a way of teaching lessons—if only Camille and Mariele can survive long enough to learn them.
Praise for the Book
"The story of two women whose families were caught up in the defense of Paris is deeply moving and suspenseful." -Margaret George, author of Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero
"Tod is not only a good historian, but also an accomplished writer … a gripping, well-limned picture of a time and a place that provide universal lessons." -Kirkus Reviews.
"M.K. Tod's elegant style and uncanny eye for time and place again shine through in her riveting new tale, Paris in Ruins." -Jeffrey K. Walker author of No Hero’s Welcome
Excerpt
A minute later, a dark-haired beauty dressed in black emerged from a doorway, and although Camille could not see her face clearly, she knew from the mass of curls and statuesque posture that she was about to meet Sarah Bernhardt.
“Yes?” Bernhardt said. “If you are an actress, the theater is closed because of the war. I cannot help you. Life is difficult for anyone in the theater. You will have to make do, just as I am, as there are more important matters at hand.” She arched her dark eyebrows and tilted her head as if expecting Camille to leave.
“My name is Camille Noisette, Madame, and I’m not an actress. However, I’ve heard you may soon open the Odéon as a hospital for our wounded, and I would like to help.”
Bernhardt frowned and moved closer to Camille. “Where did you hear such a rumor?” The tone was dismissive, but the voice was pure as crystal.
“It’s not true?” Camille asked.
“I didn’t say that. I merely asked where you heard the rumor.”
“I . . .” Was truth the right strategy? Would Sarah Bernhardt be offended if told of the gossip at Madame Lambert’s salon? The actress’s reputation held her to be impetuous and demanding, a woman of powerful connections and great willpower who was capable of daring risks to have her way. There was no point in lying. “I heard it at an evening salon. One of the gentlemen in attendance speculated that the Comte de Kératry would willingly help you.”
Bernhardt laughed—a deep, throaty sound accompanied by a toss of her head. “Yes. That’s exactly what people would say about me. And they’re right. I am planning to open a hospital here, and I saw the comte yesterday. He is being most generous.” The last sentence was accompanied by a sultry look.
“Well, I would like to help,” Camille said. “I believe you will need volunteers, and although I’m not trained to nurse, I’m sure I can be useful.”
Sarah Bernhardt tapped an index finger against her lips while surveying Camille from head to toe. “You don’t look useful. You look like a young society woman accustomed to having others wait on her. Why would I need someone like that? You’d only get in the way. And I’m having enough difficulty as it is. Both the French Society for Aid to Wounded Soldiers and the French Army medical corps are in hopeless disarray.”
It hadn’t occurred to Camille that her station in life would be a reason for refusal, and for a moment she searched for an adequate reply. “I can . . . I can read to wounded soldiers,” she said. “Or write letters. I can fetch supplies, fold linens, and spoon soup into the mouth of someone too weak to feed himself. I’m not afraid of hard work.”
“Hmm. You’re right. Those tasks might be useful. Do you know anyone who could provide supplies?”
“Such as?”
“Food, medicines, fuel, coffee, clothing, blankets. The hospital will need all sorts of things if we are to treat the wounded and help them heal. The Comte de Kératry told me definitively that they are expecting thousands of casualties, possibly tens of thousands. Many will die before they can be treated, but others we will save. They will all need to eat and drink and be kept warm.”
“Tens of thousands, Madame? But how can that be? Paris is completely fortified.”
Sarah crossed her arms. “Yes, but we can’t defeat our enemy by hiding within the city walls. Our military will have to act. Casualties are inevitable. Even if we have some successes, the Prussian army has artillery that can reach greater distances than ours. Once they are ready, they will bombard our forts and, unless we surrender, the walls of the city will also be attacked.”
“Surely, our army will retaliate.”
“The comte says that General Trochu is a strategist, not a man of action. So, you see, Mademoiselle, we will need many supplies.”
Camille thought of her father. He seemed to have connections in almost every line of business. “I might be able to secure some supplies.”
“Excellent. I have meetings planned with several of my friends who have remained in Paris, but I could see you again on Wednesday, late afternoon—perhaps five o’clock—and if everything is satisfactory, we can make an agreement.”
“Thank you, Madame. Five o’clock on Wednesday.”
“Au revoir, Mademoiselle Noisette. Your visit has been most interesting.”
About the Author
Paris In Ruins is M.K. Tod’s fourth novel. Mary began writing in 2005 while living as an expat in Hong Kong. What started as an interest in her grandparents’ lives turned into a full-time occupation writing historical fiction. Her other novels are Time and Regret, Lies Told in Silence, and Unravelled. Beyond writing novels, Mary’s award-winning blog, www.awriterofhistory.com features the reading and writing of historical fiction. When she’s not writing, or thinking about writing, you can find her hiking, golfing, traveling, or hanging out with friends and family. Mary is married and has two adult children and two delightful grandchildren.
For more information visit M.K. Tod's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Tour Schedule
Guest Post at Novels Alive
Wednesday, March 31
Review at Passages to the Past
Thursday, April 1
Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Friday, April 2
Excerpt at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Sunday, April 4
Review at Carole's Ramblings
Monday, April 5
Review at Madwoman in the Attic
Tuesday, April 6
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy
Wednesday, April 7
Review at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals
Thursday, April 8
Feature at Mia Reads
Friday, April 9
Review at Bibliostatic
Saturday, April 10
Review at Girl Who Reads
Monday, April 12
Review at Reader_ceygo
Tuesday, April 13
Interview at Reader_ceygo
Wednesday, April 14
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Excerpt at Wishful Endings
Thursday, April 15
Review at Unabridged Chick
Review at Books, Writings, and More
Friday, April 16
Interview at Unabridged Chick
Monday, April 19
Excerpt at Bookworlder
Tuesday, April 20
Review at A Darn Good Read
Review at The Enchanted Shelf
Review at Library of Clean Reads
Review at With a Book in Our Hands
Tour-Wide Giveaway
The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on April 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Paris in Ruins
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