Kirjahaku

Hiding the worn piece of paper among her father's watch deliveries, her eyes fill with tears at the memory of her brave friend walking towards the Nazi soldiers, and the sharp sound of gun fire. Her friend sacrificed herself so that she could deliver this message. But if she hands it over, the love of her life will die... 1942, Geneva: As her radio crackles with heart-breaking news from occupied France, Val rie Hallez gazes towards the snow-covered Alps after a long day helping her father, a local watchmaker. With a Nazi invasion looming, she is sick with worry for the future of her country, and for Philippe, her childhood sweetheart with soft brown eyes. Val rie might not be able to join the army like him, but she is determined to play her part in the fight against evil... In defiance of her father, Val rie helps the French Resistance by smuggling messages among her father's watch deliveries. And when darkness falls, she risks everything to hide Jewish refugee children in his old workshop. Philippe fears for her safety, as her work for the Resistance could come with a heavy price. But nothing will stop her delivering vital information and getting terrified children to safety before they are sent back to the Nazis. But when Val rie is entrusted with an urgent letter for the Allies, she finds herself in an impossible position. The information it contains could alter the course of the war. But if she hands over the message now, it will cost Philippe his life. With Nazi spies closing in on her, Val rie must act now... But can she really trust the man she loves, and will she find a way to save both him and her country before it's too late?An utterly gripping and heart-breaking novel about love and bravery in a time of terrible danger. Fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and We Were the Lucky Ones will be swept away by The Watchmaker's Daughter.Readers absolutely love The Watchmaker's Daughter: 'Heart pounding... will have you feeling all of the emotions from happy to sad to fear, with each turn of the page.' Spooky's Maze of Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'My heart was pounding and I'd resorted to nail-biting before chapter one was finished The author immediately put me right in the midst of the action and I became part of the Resistance for the duration of the novel... incredible.' Goodreads reviewer'Completely gripping and heart-wrenching... It's a page-turner, for sure ' Goodreads reviewer'Such an emotive read... truly heartbreaking and yet also inspiring.' Goodreads reviewer

1943, Nazi-occupied France. Clinging to her little girl's hand, a young woman runs through the forest and stumbles in the dark. Behind her there are angry shouts in German and shots ringing through the pine trees. Her heart in her mouth, she prays desperately that her husband and son are safe, and that they will see each other again... As the mountains come alive with bright alpine flowers, Jewish families flee into Switzerland from Nazi-occupied France. Young Resistance fighter Val rie Hallez has hidden Pierre and his little son in the dusty attic of her mother's bookshop. At night, by flickering candlelight, Pierre tells Val rie of his fear that his precious wife and daughter have been captured. And as they both look to more hopeful days ahead, Val rie writes letters to her soldier fianc Philippe, dreaming of the day when they can be safely reunited. With the police going door to door hunting refugees, Pierre and his son must go further into Switzerland before they are caught. But Pierre will not leave without his wife and daughter, and nobody in the Resistance knows what has happened to them. Desperate to reunite the family, Val rie puts herself in more and more danger. But when Philippe discovers that the Germans have her listed as a key Resistance fighter, he begs her not to go back to the border. If she does, he might never see her again. Val rie knows the Nazis will kill her if they find her, but she cannot bear to abandon the mother and child. Breaking her promise to Philippe, she crosses over into France to look for them. But one of Val rie's friends in the Resistance is betraying secrets to the Nazis, and her life is in terrible danger. When Philippe hurries to save her life, will they both survive? And will Val rie's efforts to reunite the family be in vain?A completely unputdownable and heart-wrenching novel about a woman who risks everything to reunite a family torn apart by war. Fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and We Were the Lucky Ones will be swept away by Under a Brighter Sky.What readers are saying about Dianne Haley: 'My mind is blown... I have a new favourite author... I was hooked... The laundry could wait. Take away instead of cooking was the choice of the day... I didn't stop thinking about the story... had me devouring pages... My heart beat loudly.' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Heart pounding... will have you feeling all of the emotions from happy to sad to fear, with each turn of the page.' Spooky's Maze of Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Unputdownable... kept me hooked...I absolutely loved this.' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I cannot recommend this book enough... heart-breaking... dramatic... I couldn't have enjoyed it more ' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Please, you must get Clara out of France ' cried the woman, her voice breaking in desperation. 'She's only thirteen and her parents have been taken to a death camp. Can you save her before it is too late?'1943, Nazi-occupied France: Val rie Hallez clings to the hope that she will soon reunite with her beloved fianc , Philippe, fighting the Nazis in Italy. Until that day comes, she risks her life helping Jewish children flee across the border with the resistance, but each tear-stained face breaks her heart a little more. So, when she learns of little lost Clara, an orphan whose family has been torn apart by the German occupation, and is asked to rescue her, she jumps at the chance to save another innocent life. But she isn't the only one searching for the young girl...Because brave Clara is carrying a crucial Nazi document. And the secrets it holds could change the course of the war forever.Frantically trying to stay one step ahead of the Gestapo, Val rie traces Clara to an isolated children's home - but she is too late. German soldiers have already raided the building. Her relief when she hears that Clara escaped is short lived, as there's not a whisper of her whereabouts. And just when she's about to start on her search, devastating news reaches her about Philippe. Shattered by the thought that Philippe may never come home, Val rie tries to pull the pieces of her broken heart back together. She knows there's a little girl lost out there who needs her. So, she must make the hardest choice of all. Even if she can't save her dearest love, can she save poor Clara - and help her end this terrible war?A totally unputdownable and heart-wrenching wartime story about love, bravery and sacrifice. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and The Alice Network. A Light to Guide Us Home can be read as a standalone.