From USA Today Bestselling author Kathryn Gauci comes a thrilling and emotional story of bravery and self-sacrifice, heartbreak, and revenge, set in one of the most dangerous and difficult of WWII escape routes.

A compelling portrait of life, love, courage, and retribution.

“A beautiful dark-haired woman dressed in the latest Parisian fashion stepped onto the platform. She was holding a small boy in one arm and her small suitcase and false documents in the other. A girl, about six years old, stood by her side clinging to her mother’s skirt and clutching a doll with blonde curly hair. Justine felt a surge of pity. They didn’t look strong enough for the journey ahead of them.”

When France declares war on Germany, the villagers of the sleepy village of Mont-Saint-Jean have no idea how much their lives will be impacted. At first they find themselves helping a trickle of British soldiers and airmen heading into Spain, but within months, that trickle has turned into a never-ending flow. Desperate French and foreign Jews, together with ordinary men and women evading Vichy’s harsh laws in search of freedom, either attempt to flee and join de Gaulle’s Secret Army in North Africa, or hide and regroup in readiness for D-Day. Before they know it, they are drawn into the shadowy world of escape networks in one of France’s harshest and most dangerous mountainous terrains, where at every turn they face deportation or death if caught.

Rich in detail and based on true events in Occupied France, In the Shadow of the Pyrenees weaves together a powerful and vivid tableau of characters, a tortured love affair, and the heroism of countless helpers. It is a story that conjures up the voices of the past and will take you on a journey in which the ensuing upheavals continue to resonate in the villagers’ lives long after the war has ended.

"A remarkable and moving story of true courage" — JJ Toner, author of The Black Orchestra.

"Gauci's beautiful, poetic prose drew me into the story from page one. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. Beyond a moving, wonderful tale, In the Shadow of the Pyrenees brings WWII fiction lovers to yet another region of the world impacted by the war. Thoroughly researched and told through the eyes of memorable characters, this book is a satisfying MUST-READ!" — Alexa Kang, USA Today bestselling author of the Rose of Anzio series.

"In the Shadow of the Pyrenees by Kathryn Gauci is an extraordinary tale of bravery, love, and sacrifice heightened by the historical backdrop of World War II. Using first-person eyewitness accounts by some major characters to describe key events, the author keeps the reader focused on how extraordinary events affect the actions and motivations of ordinary people. You care about Justine, the daughter of Armand, who risks her life to help the many seeking escape through an arduous and dangerous route through the Pyrenees to avoid Nazi troops. The writing is crisp and clear and keeps the reader engaged. In the Shadow of the Pyrenees is historical fiction at its best." - Editorial Review. Reader's Favourite

"The characters in this novel experience horrors that stand in stark contrast to the picturesque snow-capped mountain ranges, rivers, and forests. Many are fleeing from the worst of humanity, but nature only adds to their struggle. Despite the fear of being discovered and the treacherous his novel remains grounded in historical fact. Gauci's ability to bring history back to life is remarkable, and despite being fiction, this story holds numerous truths, resulting in a captivating and thought-provoking read.
In the Shadow of the Pyrenees: The Freedom Trail to Spain by Kathryn Gauci is a historical fiction novel that will captivate your heart and earn a cherished place on your bookshelf. I Highly Recommend." - Review by Mary Anne Yarde, The Coffee Pot Book Club

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