Tour Review - - The Keeper of Hidden Books

The Keeper of Hidden Books

by Madeline Martin

Publisher: Hanover Square Press

Release Date: August 1, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

All her life, Zofia has found comfort in two things during times of hardship: books and her best friend, Janina. But no one could have imagined the horrors of the Nazi occupation in Warsaw. As the bombs rain down and Hitler’s forces loot and destroy the city, Zofia finds that now books are also in need of saving.

With the death count rising and persecution intensifying, Zofia jumps to action to save her friend and salvage whatever books she can from the wreckage, hiding them away, and even starting a clandestine book club. She and her dearest friend never surrender their love of reading, even when Janina is forced into the newly formed ghetto.

But the closer Warsaw creeps toward liberation, the more dangerous life becomes for the women and their families – and escape may not be possible for everyone. As the destruction rages around them, Zofia must fight to save her friend and preserve her culture and community using the only weapon they have left - literature.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've read a fair amount about the effects of WWII on the populace of France, Italy, England, etc. What I don't know as much about is what happened during this time in Poland. Or, I didn't, until reading Madeline Martin's The Keeper of Hidden Books. What an intense, inspiring, heartbreaking, hopeful, poignant story, authentic story about a group of Poles (both Christian and Jew) working together to fight their Nazi occupiers in a courageous effort to protect the treasures of Poland: her citizens, her history, her cultural heritage, the knowledge of her leaders (doctors, lawyers, scientists, etc.), and perhaps most important of all, her humanity.

This book was almost impossible to put down. The characters are so incredibly well developed and complex. They put a human face on a devastatingly difficult time in our world's history, immersing me in their lives in a realistic and relatable way that left me in tears more than once. Martin doesn't shy away from the heart-wrenching realities of the Nazi regime. That, and her impeccable research, bring an authenticity to the events in the book that affords intimate insight into Zofia, Janina, their family, and friends. It's that intimacy that brings these characters to life as they risk everything to protect all they hold dear, including one another.

As a lover of books and a staunch believer that all books should be available to all people, I was especially impressed to learn that this book is based on actual people who risked everything during WWII to preserve and protect the libraries of Warsaw and the books housed within. It speaks to the knowledge to be found in books, to the free thought, ideals, patriotism, and resistance within. To the empathy that occurs from learning about and understanding other people, religions, and cultures rather than attempting to homogenize a populace by denying access to any book that goes against the government's chosen ideals. It's no wonder the Nazis were determined to ban and then destroy the literature of Poland. There's a lesson there that all generations should take to heart.  

The Keeper of Hidden Books is a powerful, thought-provoking, beautifully-written story. I highly recommend it. 

  

Madeline Martin Winner

The randomly chosen winner of a copy of

Highland Spy by Madeline Martin is:

cheryl c

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Today's Special - - Madeline Martin Highland Spy Blog Tour

I'm delighted to welcome Madeline Martin back to The Romance Dish today. Her newly released book, Highland Spy, checks all the boxes on my Medieval era, historical romance reading list. I read it in one day and am already eagerly anticipating book number two! Madeline is a USA Today Bestselling Author who lives in Jacksonville, FL (shout out to my former home city! with her two daughters and menagerie of pets. Her hobbies include rock climbing, running to Mud Runs, and just about anything exciting she can do without getting nauseated. She grew up in Europe and still enjoys traveling overseas whenever she can find time to get away. Her favorite place to visit thus far: Scotland. Prior to Highland Spy, she authored three Scottish Historical novels: Deception of a Highlander, Possession of a Highlander, and Enchantment of a Highlander. Visit her website at www.madelinemartin.com and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter. 

Welcome, Madeline! Congratulations on your new book! I’m a huge fan of Medieval romance stories, especially when set in Scotland which, of course, has me very excited about this new series. What would you like readers to know about your Mercenary Maidens and their journeys to love?

 

Thank you so much for having me here today, PJ! J And thank you for being so excited about my upcoming series. I think the most important thing I want people to get out of the Mercenary Maidens series is that these are ordinary women who face extraordinary circumstances and get a second chance at life. Through the education of their skills, they find something many of them were lacking before going to Kindrochit Castle for training – their confidence. They’re empowered not only by what they’ve learned externally, but what they’ve discovered internally. I feel like that’s so indicative of us as women. Hard times can bring difficult lessons, and we typically emerge tougher and with a stronger knowledge of who we are – and we’re better for it. These girls are all the same.

What was your inspiration for these female warriors?

My initial inspiration was Mariel Brandon - the heroine from my debut release, Deception of a Highlander. I enjoyed writing her character as a spy so much, I was craving to write another series about a group of women who were all spies. After that, I did some research on female spies in history and came up with some pretty incredible women to inspire me. There have been so many women through history who have sacrificed so much – their families, their freedom, even their lives – for their countries and/or what they believe in. It was easy to write strong women with such shining examples.  

Highland Spy (Jan. 10) kicks off the series. What should readers expect from Ariana and Connor’s story?

            A lot of action, adventure, and a love that builds as two lost souls come to fully appreciate and             really understand one another. Also, some really kickass women. ;)

You visited Scotland last year. (I loved following along via your videos!) What was your favorite part of the trip? Will we see any of the places you visited in your upcoming books?

Thank you so much! The trip was just amazing. I got so many wonderful ideas, not just for

Findlater Castle

the Mercenary Maidens series, but also for the idea brewing in my mind for my next series, the Jacobite Jezebels (yeah, I have a thing for alliterations).

My favorite part of the trip was going to Findlater Castle – it’s a ruined castle set on the coastline. We were cautioned to not bother wasting our time because it was ‘just a pile of rocks’. Well, that pile of rocks ended up being the coolest thing ever.

From far away, it was nothing to look at, true – but after following a narrow path down one very steep hill and climbing up the cliff, I found the pile of rocks were the still-intact walls of the castle. And further inspection found gaping holes in the back of the castle so I could climb down inside it. Seriously – it was my Indiana Jones moment. The ten year old in me was in the middle of Goonies crawling around down in those buried rooms, going down to the floors buried beneath the rubble and peering into rooms long since abandoned. It was the most amazing experience ever and made me so glad we’d gone to see that pile of rocks. ;)

One of the places we visited was Urquhart Castle, which you will definitely see in Highland Spy. It’s Connor’s family home, and one he hopes to recover.

I enjoyed watching Ariana discover her inner warrior. What new skill(s) would you choose to be inside you, awaiting discovery?

Oh, that’s a great question. I think I’d love to learn how to shoot a bow. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but is something I’ve never had the opportunity to try.

Your Highland Spy is on my 2017 Most Anticipated Books list. What books are you looking forward to reading this year?

Thank you so much – I’m honored to have made that list! J I confess due to my lack of free time, I listen to all my books. So the books I’m most looking forward to listening to in 2017 are: The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer, Right Behind You by Lisa Gardner, Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, The Map of Bones by Francesca Haig.

I don’t make resolutions but I do set goals at the beginning of each year. What are your goals for 2017?

I actually do something similar – goals are so much more quantitative and easily broken down than a blanket statement to alter something about ourselves. I have a spreadsheet of goals, but I’ll just highlight the main ones. First of all, I want to get control of my health again in 2017. After a very busy 2016, I found myself giving me permission to skip gym workouts and not eat as healthy as I was used to. I didn’t like the results. My goal for 2017 is to stay on top of my health with eating healthy and sticking with a stricter gym regimen I’ve implemented most of my adult life.

Regarding my books, I’ll be in three anthologies in 2017, so I’ll be writing and releasing those all in 2017. Additionally, I’m hoping to write the first two Jacobite Jezebels stories, and hopefully release at least two of my Mercenary Maidens books.

Any big trips planned for this year?

Yes! I’m so excited! I’m going to be one of the guest authors at the Historical Romance Retreat in Spokane, WA. I’ve already started shopping for historical gowns for it! Registration opens on January 10^th for people who want to attend – more info can be found here: http://www.historicalromanceretreat.com

I’m also planning to attend the RWA National conference as well as RT in Atlanta. Also, the minions and I want to go to Asheville, NC to check out the Biltmore – we recently read Serafina and the Black Cloak and can’t wait to check out the estate!

What’s next for your Mercenary Maidens? Do you have a scheduled release date for Book #2?

There will be three books in total for the Mercenary Maidens (Highland Spy, Highland Ruse, Highland Wrath). I’m not sure on the release date for the second book yet. I actually just finished the third book – it’s with my beta readers and will soon be delivered into my publisher’s hands once I finish beta reader edits/suggestions. 

It’s been a pleasure visiting with you, Madeline. Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Thank you so much for having me, PJ – it’s always a pleasure to be here. J 

I’d love to hear from your readers about what they think their most empowering strength is. J

Readers, Madeline's publisher is giving away one print copy of Highland Spy to a randomly chosen person leaving a comment on today's post before 11:00 PM, January 13th. 

Connor Grant is in search of a lady. Not a bride, but a woman to become a skillful and seductive spy in the service of King James. In addition to being the King's personal assassin, Connor heads a group of female spies who aid him in his work, women with nothing left to lose. 

Ariana Fitzroy is the perfect mark. Destitute, orphaned, and completely alone, she's missed her chance at an advantageous match at court and cheats at cards to survive. When Connor catches her in the act, he threatens to expose her, unless she joins his elite roster of spies. 

She agrees and is whisked away to a deserted Scottish castle to begin her training. Ariana quickly takes to her lessons in seduction, deception, and hand-to-hand combat, but less easy to fight are her feelings of lust toward the ruggedly handsome Connor, feelings she suspects may be reciprocated. 

When Connor recruits her help on a mysterious task, the pair must work together to track a dangerous target. But Ariana suspects Connor isn't telling her everything — not just about the mission, but also about his past. Will the secrets between them threaten their mission? And will they be able to fight their attraction as they wonder who they can trust? 

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Today's Special - - Madeline Martin

I'm delighted to welcome historical romance writer Madeline Martin to The Romance Dish today. A 2015 debut author, Madeline now has three published books under her belt. Her latest, Enchantment of  Highlander was released last week and is another winner. I've enjoyed all three books and am excited to see what she brings us next. When Madeline isn't busy writing, working or mothering, she can often be found, as she puts it, "engaging in workouts that keep my life exciting." She has completed a 50 mile mountain bike ride and annually runs a local 10k mud run to support MS research. You can find Madeline online at the following locations:

Twitter (@MadelineMMartin) 
Facebook  http://on.fb.me/1ByLMIy  
Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12062937.Madeline_Martin

Please give Madeline a warm welcome!

Almost every time I ask my readers what they want to know, I get requests to know more about me and my daily life as an author. Well, prepare to be entirely underwhelmed by the daily life of this writer.  (Warning: contains no glamor)

Before we can get into it, I have to introduce the cast of characters:

Me – I’m heating up the Highlands with my Scottish set historical romance. I love my minions, Mr. Awesome and all the goofy fun we have together. I’m president of my local writing chapter, First Coast Romance Writers, and love to bring authors and readers together with my weekly giveaway on my FB page, Free Book Friday (https://www.facebook.com/MadelineMartinAuthor)

Mr. Awesome – He helps me mitigate the crazy and has an incredible ability to keep me from going all Chicken Little when schedules get tight. I swear the man has the patience of a saint and is my personal hero.

OldestMinion – A sweetheart with an artist’s soul and a penchant for starting fights with her younger sister. No, I have not given in to the temptation to let them death match it out. Yet.

YoungestMinion – A hard core Momma’s girl (she’s asked if she can go back in my stomach so we can be together all the time – I know, creepy cute, right?) who thinks her sister is a goddess among men and has more sass than I can sometimes handle.

Now – a typical day:

4:30AM: Wake up and hit start on my beloved Keurig. Correction: Fill Keurig (because those things are always empty) then hit start.

4:33AM: Write/Edit

6:00AM: Present minions with ten and five minute wake-up warnings before sweetly luring them from bed with breakfast. That failing, issue warnings until they finally acquiesce and come downstairs.

7:30AM: Drop off minions at school and go to corporate America job where I pull report with SQL code and make pretty charts in Excel. On my breaks, I reply to FB posts, e-mails and make a to do list for the evening.

11:30AM: Go to the gym. Sometimes the A/C is broken, but that just means I sweat out more toxins,

right??? (Note: If I’m behind on my writing/editing schedule, I’ll do that on my lunch break instead)

4:30PM: Get off work and collect the minions from school before honorably (ie: refraining from cussing) fight through traffic to get home.

5:00PM: Make dinner and help the minions with homework while researching said homework (PS Common Core, I hate you)

6:30PM: Eat dinner together as a family, because I will always believe in the value of that.

8:00PM: Tuck the minions into bed with back scratches, songs and kisses. Then while Mr. Awesome reads them a book (cuz he really is that awesome), I catch up on that to do list I made earlier.

9:00PM: Meet up online with other writers for writing/editing sprints.

10:00PM: Spend quality time with Mr. Awesome and usually head to bed around 11 or so to do it all again the next day.

Friday nights we do Family Fun Nights, which usually consists of a variety of any of the following items: dance-a-thons, junk food, board games, family friendly movies we can all enjoy (Barbie not included – my brain will automatically reject any Barbie movie)

Confession: I remember(ish) almost everything for home and work and school and writing and family with a confetti of post it notes scattered around my world and detailed, color-coded excel spreadsheets. Included in this is a weekly goal spreadsheet where I track what needs to be done in all aspects of my life to ensure what’s important stays forefront.

In between all the times listed above is a bunch of snuggles, kisses, crazy jokes, random silliness and showers (because while I didn’t list it, I swear I do make time to take a shower every day).

Yes, it is a busy schedule, but it’s one I happily do as it’s filled with love and all my dreams come true. 

Readers, tell us about your typical day. Or tell us about your favorite kind of historical romance. 

Do you enjoy highland romances? Madeline writes highlander heroes worth swooning over! 

I have a signed, print copy of Madeline's second book, Possession of  Highlander for one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's post. (U.S. addresses only)

Alec MacLean returns home after a decade to find his recently deceased father has let his inheritance fall to ruin. As the new laird, it’s Alec’s responsibility to rebuild the castle and restore the lands. He must also regain the people’s trust after having abandoned them so long ago, a feat not easily done when he fears he’s plagued with the same darkness as his father. 

Celia escaped the North Berwick witch trials at a young age, surviving because of the sacrifice of her beloved caretaker. She’s made a life for herself in the wilds of Scotland where no laird rules, a life where she heals for coin, a life without love so she can never feel the hurt of loss again. 

When the new laird comes back to claim his land, his determination to restore order threatens everything Celia has worked so hard to gain, especially with the undeniable attraction sizzling between them. Together, they will face all challenges, from the tangle of their own damaged pasts to the fire-fueled witch hunts sweeping the Isle of Mull. Together, they will find that the best way to overcome darkness and war is through the undeniable light of love.

Madeline Martin Winner

The randomly chosen winner of an e-copy of 

Deception of a Highlander by Madeline Martin is:

Quantum

Congratulations!

Please send your email address and preferred e-book format to us at 

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Today's Special - - Madeline Martin

I'm so very happy to welcome Madeline Martin to the blog today. I first met Madeline three years ago at the Georgia Romance Writers Moonlight and Magnolias conference. Since then I've followed her writing journey and was excited to pick up a copy of her debut historical romance, Deception of a Highlander when it was published last week. It has everything I look for in a Scottish historical romance! 

You can find more information about Madeline and her books at her website and connect with her online at Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.  

Take it away, Madeline!

Everyone knows hurt and, unfortunately, everyone knows darkness.

Three years ago, I went through the greatest hurt of my life. The kind that’s deep and awful and sucks at your soul until it seems like all your insides crumple against one another and it hurts too much to even breathe.

Divorce.

Shared custody.

Loneliness.

I was in a world to which I’d never belonged, a world I’d never wanted to be in. A world where I didn’t even feel like I existed.

But I had a reprieve. I had already signed up for the Georgia Romance Writer’s Moonlight and Magnolia’s conference. I went and it was a blast. I reconnected with old friends, met new ones, participated in author events – for that one brief moment, I got to put all the hurt and ache on hold and just live again.

All good things must come to an end though, and as the conference drew to a close, I felt the press of depression weighing on me. I’d been surrounded by happiness and love. All that waited for me at home was dark nothingness. No one who’d missed me, no strong arms to embrace me, no one to shriek their excitement that Mommy’s home or cover me with sticky kisses.

Nothing.

I’d participated in the raffle, but only put one ticket into the biggest basket. I’m a numbers girl and knew statistically there would be more entrants and fewer winning chances. The baskets were raffled off the last night and I didn’t win. Which is fine – I think most of the fun is watching the reaction of the people who do win. Confession: I love the squealers the best.

The following morning before I drove home, however, there were additional raffles done on the baskets – the ones that never got picked up.

And I WON!

I didn’t just win, I jackpot won – I got the biggest basket, brimming with books and all kinds of goodies, the one I’d only deposited ONE of my tickets into. It was a fabulous way to end a conference.

But it was so much more than that.

I realized on the way home, I was looking forward to getting there. To flicking on the lights in that dark house and unwrapping my motherload basket. The nearer I got, the more excited I was.

Yes, excited.

I didn’t come home to a family, but I did have a wonderful welcome with the basket.

I don’t think I’ve ever unwrapped something with such reverence, with such care. I unfurled the bow, carefully peeled down the petals of cellophane and took out one book at a time. I admired the cover, read the back, touched the glossy, raised title, then moved on to the next one. There were also cooking utensils, which my minions and I still use when making chocolate chip cookies, as well as a journal and a beautiful tray.

It was the most special present I’d ever gotten and meant more to me than words could ever express. And as much as I talk, that’s saying something!

But words are still important. So, I reached out to the woman who’d assembled the basket – PJ Ausdenmore - to thank her profusely and explained to her (with probably way TMI) how much it truly meant to me. I found out recently (when I was congratulating her on winning herself a motherload basket) that she’d kept my message – and that made me love her even more. J

Sometimes the kindness of others translates even more powerfully than they could ever anticipate – I feel like PJ’s basket is a prime example of this. So, if you are considering raffling off anything for your local writer group or any other event, please keep this story in mind and know your basket might be the beautiful light they need in the darkness they’re staggering through.

Though I’ve said it many times over, thank you, thank you, thank you, PJ, for being so genuinely sweet and giving.

Readers, have you ever won something that came just when you needed it most?

Have you checked out Deception of a Highlander yet? 

What do you look for in a Scottish historical romance?

Madeline is giving an e-copy of Deception of a Highlander to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's blog. 

Scottish Romance doesn’t get much steamier—or more dangerous—than a spy hunting her quarry, and losing her heart to him instead.

To pay a seemingly impossible debt, Mariel Brandon has become a spy for Aaron, one of England’s deadliest minds. Aaron’s latest mission for the sharp-witted and daring Mariel is to find two people in a heavily fortified castle on the Isle of Skye, a castle headed by the clan MacDonald and the powerful Kieran. Mariel is to seduce Kieran and get him to take her to Skye. If she succeeds, Aaron promises to let Mariel’s young brother go, and to free both of them from their debt.  If she fails, her brother will die. 

What she doesn’t count on is craving Kieran MacDonald almost immediately upon meeting him. Now Mariel must keep a secret from Kieran—one that could get them both killed—as she tries to form a plan that will save her brother, get her out from under Aaron’s thumb once and for all, and keep her in Kieran’s strong arms forever.  

Here's what I (PJ) wrote in my Amazon review of Deception of a Highlander. 

A woman forced to spy - and more - to keep a loved one safe. An honorable man who never aspired to be laird, now tasked with keeping those within his care safe. Mariel is ordered to find two people on Skye by convincing Kieran MacDonald to take her with him when he leaves London to return home. With this final mission, she hopes to clear her debt and secure her young brother's release from the dastardly Aaron. Get in, find the targets and get out but things don't go according to plan. The people she's seeking are not what she expects. Neither is Kieran MacDonald. Before long, she stands in danger of losing her heart to the man she's been sent to deceive. If her mission succeeds, innocents could die. If Kieran uncovers her plot, it could mean her death and that of her brother. But can she trust him with the truth when no man has ever given her reason to do so?

Deception of a Highlander by Madeline Martin has everything I enjoy in a Scottish historical romance. With her well-developed characters, tightly-woven, fast-paced plot, and range of emotion, Martin writes more like a seasoned veteran than a debut author releasing her first book. This is an author to watch.

Possession of a Highlander, the second book in Martin's series will be released in August. I've already marked my calendar! 

Love can be the greatest possession.

Brianna Lindsay’s grip on the inheritance that is rightly hers hangs by a thread. If the town finds out her father has died, Brianna will be forced into marriage with her loathsome cousin, Lord Robert, and will lose all of Edzell Castle and its lands. To protect her home, she’ll have to trust a complete stranger, a brooding Highland barbarian who sweeps into Edzell with a small retinue and insists on replacing her Captain of the Guard. He proves his worth by defeating her men and she has no choice but to accept his offer.

Though his motives are suspect, Colin MacKinnon has nobility in his blood and good intentions in coming to Edzell. He seeks his own kingdom, one to rival his father’s, and sets out to conquer Brianna in the best way he knows how—with seduction.

Brianna never thought of all the wealth she protects, the one thing she has left completely vulnerable is her heart. Colin never thought that of everything he stands to achieve, he might have to face the unexpected pain of loss. Together, they must navigate a treacherous world of spies and intrigue, of legacy and fidelity, of love and betrayal, to find what is truly worth possessing.