Audrey BlakeBesprekingen

Yvonne Rudellat is a divorced woman with a grown daughter with nothing to do to help the war effort until she is approached to help with explosives in France.

We follow Yvonne through her training and her bravery as one of the only women in this special operations group.

Of course, the men thought she wouldn’t be capable of doing the same job they do, but she proved them wrong.

It did get a bit confusing and dragged at times because there were so many characters and because of the back and forth and the details about the operations.

It was well written but didn’t really hold my interest even though it got more personable toward the end and less about the operations even though it was based on real people.

Even though it was not an enjoyable read for me, we do need to thank these brave men and women for their unwavering efforts to fight for France and risk their lives as they resisted the Germans.

THE WOMAN WITH NO NAME will be enjoyed by historical fiction fans, fans of strong women based on a real person, and details about war operations. 3/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Yvonne was a fortyish year old woman in 1942 when she was flown into France as an espionage agent who was charged with helping the French resistance. She was estranged from her daughter and husband and their home in London had been decimated by a bomb during the Blitz. When she was recruited as Britain's first female sabotage agent, expectations were low because she was older but everyone thought it would be easier for her to do things in France without raising the suspicion of the Germans because of her age. But to get there, she had to learn to shoot and become an expert on explosives and how to hide herself in plain sight. The men in England and in the resistance didn't believe that she could make a difference but they hadn't given her enough credit. She was tenacious and brave and willing to do things that no one else would or could do. Life got even more dangerous for her when the Germans started looking for her but it didn't make her stop doing what she could to end the German occupation of her beloved France.

Even though I've read numerous books about the French resistance, I've never read about a character like Yvonne. She was older than most of the resistance fighters and no one felt that she would be able to do the job. She was strong enough to be able to prove them wrong. It's apparent that the author did extensive research on life in the Resistance in occupied France.

Yvonne is divorced and raising a young daughter. She is determined to help with the war effort. Because of her age, she is having trouble finding a cause who will let her help. So, when the war takes a turn for the worse, Yvonne ends up being a famous demolition expert.

This story is a bit drawn out and can get a bit slow, especially during all the different operations. But, I did enjoy Yvonne. She is tough, intelligent, and strong. I love that the author uses a real person. It always makes the story more personable and has me researching.

The narrator, Amy Scanlon, did a good job. There are quite a few characters and she had a voice for every one.

Need a novel based on a true story…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I have loved every book I have read by Audrey Blake, but this one not so much. It was certainly well written with an inspiring subject, but I just couldn’t get into it. Even though it was clearly factionalized, it read more to me like a biography—a list of events and situations. I hate to leave a review like this about one of my favorite authors, but it would be even harder for me to be dishonest.

Maybe it was just the wrong book at the wrong time for me. I hope so, and I certainly look forward to reading this author’s next book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.½

WWII story based on the real life of Yvonne Rudellat.

Yvonne feels that after the destruction of her home and the separation from her husband and daughter, there is nothing left for her in life. After many failed attempts, she finally gets the chance to take part in the war. She becomes a secret agent under the false name of her daughter Jacqueline. Yvonne undergoes intensive training in France and is sent on a great mission to Germany. Together with her network people, she detonates explosions, bombs places and carries out many other dangerous missions. Despite the danger that threatens her, she fights the enemy.

Jacqueline was a hard worker and overcame all obstacles, even the ones she feared the most, to become one of the best saboteurs. Her determination and courage had a profound influence on other French Resistance fighters. It was the story of a warrior and hero who never betrayed her people and remained faithful to her mission until the end.

Most of the characters in this book were real. The same goes for events. I felt the authors' passion for this book, showing people who changed the world by fighting for freedom.

I'm very glad that this wonderful writing duo continues to write great books based on true facts. I can't wait for their next story.

The year is 1942 as this story begins and we are in England, which is being bombed daily, and really not doing well against the evil that in invading Europe.
This is the story of Yvonne Rudellat, a mother of a grown woman, and now a divorcee, but feeling very lost and wanting to do her part. When the opportunity is presented and she goes above and beyond in her training.
Soon we follower her and others that use their training to thwart the enemy, and we are there with as they come of the enemies radar, but that doesn’t stop them!
Be sure to read the author’s notes, these people actually did these efforts, so this is a true story, and we are there through the gift of the author to see what they accomplished!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Sourcebook Landmark, and was not required to give a positive review.

I highly recommend this book. There was only one thing that threw me off occasionally. it was not written linearly. Bouncing back and forth with different dates made it more difficult to follow.

Other than that her story of courage shown through. She was born in France and married to escape her disapproving mother. They separated. and when Germany invaded France she became depressed. She was suicidal but changed her mind, wanting to fight for France.

She was the first female agent of U.K's Special Operations Executive (SOE) organization in World War II. She had to prove that a woman could do the job, her code name was Jacqueline Gautier. Gautier was a common French name and Jacqueline was her daughter's middle name. She lied about not having any family left. The house that she lived in was bombed which was true but she said that her daughter was killed in the bombing. In truth, her daughter worked in the Auxilary Territorial Service doing war work.

What she did was extraordinary. She trained in explosives and developed rat bombs. I cannot tell you more without revealing too much.'

I have a deep admiration for her and also amazement.

I loved this story, the fact that most of the characters are real people is just icing on the cake! The courage of the French resistance members was portrayed exceptionally. Getting a look at the inner workings of the resistance fighters, and their support system makes for a great story. Relatable characters just make this story that much more compelling.

This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and never let go. I was fully invested in both of Yvonne's storylines: her search for purpose and her training with SOE and later her resistance work in France.

Usually, when a book has two separate timelines that are both centered on the same character, it doesn't work for me and I end up feeling the overall story would have worked better if presented chronologically. This book was a rare exception. The action in one storyline paralleled or provided necessary information for the other. Additionally, this format gave the ending added resonance, poignancy, and (despite the subject matter) a sense of triumph.

Another thing I don't usually appreciate in books is chapters that are told from the point of view of villains. In this case, some chapters were from a Nazi's viewpoint, but, again, I found that this made the overall story stronger.

I appreciated the authors' notes and the fact that they seemed to try to keep the story as close to reality as possible.

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and to NetGalley for the early read.

I was already hooked after reading just a few sentences in the prologue.

Story takes place in London in 1800s when it was illegal for women to practice medicine. They had to do it anonymously or in the shadow of husbands or other close family male member.
This story was about Nora Beady. Her whole family died during the cholera pandemic. When Dr. Horace Croft found Nora in her family house, she was very sick but still alive. She recovered and Dr. Croft together with his housekeeper decided to raise her. Thirteen years later, Nora was helping Dr. Croft in the clinic. Nobody knew about her involvement in surgeries. Her knowledge about scientific medicine was better than some of the doctors in London but her talent had to be kept in secret. They were careful not to reveal Nora's involvement until that one emergency that had happened which could bring huge changes in the medical field. And Nora was involved in it.

One of the top best books I've read this year. Brilliantly written. Beautiful historical fiction about strong and talented woman. This was the book that I couldn't put down. The plot was very engaging and reading about medical experiments, surgeries and scientific researches performed at that time of the history was extremely interesting. I truly believe that most people would like this book.
I highly recommend it.

This book is the sequel to "The Girl in His Shadow" and whilst it can be read alone there are some references to its precursor. I wasn't as enamoured with this historical novel primarily set in a medical school in Italy; this one I found to drag on quite a bit and didn't find the story as interesting. 3.25/5

I found this to be an engaging story largely due to the quirky characters and their desire to continuously learn and advance medical science. 4.25/5

Interesting story with medical accuracy but at pg 300 I could foresee the melodrama of the supervillian was taking over the narrative. DNF

I liked the first book better. This one had more romantic pining - probably unavoidable with the forced long-distance relationship, but it would have been more interesting with more focus on the studies and challenges Nora faced, the other doctors and nurses she was learning from, and the discoveries she wanted the chance to make - and less reliance on the "Oh, I can't burden the person I love with anything I'm struggling with" cliche.

This author was new to me but I'm so glad I took a chance and read this book. I was immediately sucked into the story as the main character, Eleanor, loses her entire family but it taken in by the doctor who attempts to treat them. She's already survived cholera, now she must survive living in a doctors household with all manner of gruesome things - severed fingers in jars and the like - scattered about. She ends up not just surviving but thriving as she discovers she has an aptitude for medical work. However it is the mid-1800's and in England it is illegal for woman to practice medicine so she has to keep her efforts a secrets. But then a new apprentice doctor arrives to live with them and Eleanor wonders if she will able to keep her talents a secret - or if she even wants to.
I loved the historical details, the strong female character who defies societies conventions, and the realistic interpersonal relationships depicted in this book. There is also a sequel, which I hope to read soon!

I thoroughly enjoyed the historical nature of this book and loved the two very strong female characters, Nora and Dr. Marenco. The story is set in 1847 when Nora is struggling to study medicine in England, which was prohibited for women in those times. She leaves her mentor, boyfriend, and home in England to travel to Bologna, Italy where she’s been accepted at a prestigious medical school. Her plan is to get her medical license and then return to England and join her mentor’s medical practice. Upon her arrival in Italy, while her presence in the medical school is accepted, she is shunned and treated with open hostility.

She finds an advocate in one male professor and learns much from him but later finds his interest in her is more than academic. While initially dismissed as incompetent by the only female doctor (Marenco), Nora later develops a close relationship with her and is captivated by Dr. Marenco’s groundbreaking steps in performing Cesarean sections. And since Nora has her own expertise in using ether, she shares that knowledge with Dr. Marenco.

The medical procedure details and historical background were especially captivating and I love that much of the background (medical cases in particular) were based on real events.

I was not aware this was a sequel (although The Surgeon’s Daughter certainly stands alone) and wish I had read The Girl in His Shadow first.

The Girl in His Shadow tells the story of Nora Beady, orphaned by a pandemic and taken in by a quirky but skilled doctor. He functions more as mentor than father for his ward, and she quickly gets involved in his work with both live and dead people. When Dr. Croft takes on an assistant, Nora must figure out how to continue her work, some of which is illegal. All three of them end up in trouble, in the end, but we also see how the world is changing in its attitudes even as some would drag their feet. Author Audrey Blake is a pseudonym of Jaima Fisxen and Regina Sirois. I picked it up as it is part of the Big Library Read happening now until July 27.

The authors created rich historical fiction that celebrates the pioneers in medicine--women like Nora who hear the calling and ignore convention and men like Croft who are willing to learn and experiment, both opening themselves to criticism and even professional censure. The authors have written a second volume, The Surgeon's Daughter, as Nora continues her pursuit of medicine. I am looking forward to reading it.

The Surgeon's Daughter is the historical fiction tale of Nora Beady who is the only female student at a medical school in Bologna, Italy. This is the 19th century and women were supposed to stay at home in the kitchen and have babies.

Because of these stuffy ideas by men, Nora has a difficult time, not learning to be a doctor but overcoming the male attitude. She is ridiculed wherever she goes in school. She wants to become a licensed physician so she can practice with her boyfriend in England. She was not allowed to attend medical school there.

She wants to graduate sooner than planned and is told that she needs to study under Magdalena Morenco the only female doctor on staff. With Magdalena's help, she learns about performing the c-section on women who are having a hard time delivering the normal way. Nora is also an expert on the use of ether.

This book focuses on the lengths that Nora will go to to be acknowledged as the fine doctor that she aspires to be.

We also learn of Nora's boyfriend, Daniel who is also a doctor and is having difficulties with the head of the hospital on how to treat diphtheria children. This story explores the times with the pressures on women to do what is expected of them.

I love a good story about strong women and this one is definitely that. How a young woman rises to the top of her class of skeptical men. I really enjoyed it.

I give it 4 stars.

This is the Ark and Dove Book Club selection for October 2022.

Too much surgical info that was not necessary. Too much back and forth. Ending was abrupt.

The sequel to The Girl in His Shadow, The Surgeon’s Daughter by Audrey Blake (a nom de plume used by the writing team of Regina Sirius and Jaima Fixsen) follows Eleanora Beady’s move to Italy to study medicine at the University of Bologna, having been refused the opportunity in England.

As the only woman in the class, Nora has few allies among her classmates and professors, but is determined to prove herself in an accelerated program and return to England with her medical license so that she can practice alongside her guardian, Dr Horace Croft, and her paramour, Dr Daniel Gibson. Nora is excited when she finds a mentor in Dr. Magdalena Morenco, whose study of caesarean birth procedures dovetails neatly with Nora’s interest in anaesthesia, though her goal is nearly thwarted by a jealous professor.

Though Nora ultimately returns to London triumphant, she discovers Croft and Gibson are under pressure due to the actions of a vindictive colleague, ill-health, and financial stress. With the viability of their Great Queen Street clinic in question, when Nora is asked by a heavily pregnant Lady Woodbine to perform a caesarean, she is all too aware that failure to save both mother and baby could end not only her own fledgling career, and the careers of those she loves, but also the future of women in medicine.

The Surgeon’s Daughter is a reminder of how primitive surgical treatment was in the mid 19th century, with the survival of patients often due more to good luck than good management. Drawing on medical case studies from the era, Blake offers vivid descriptions of injuries and illnesses, and the often barbaric processes used to treat them. It was difficult to read about children suffocating from Diphtheria, and as someone who gave birth via an emergency caesarean section, the thought of enduring the surgery, and recovery, without anaesthetic and pain management is horrifying, and the only alternatives then available to save mother or child (rarely both), no less so.

Naturally, Blake explores the barriers women faced in pursuit of higher learning in a period when their role in society was very narrowly defined by marriage, and motherhood. Only a handful of European institutions would accept women who wanted to study medicine, and even then they were rarely welcome. Nora’s experience of exclusion, sexism and misogyny was common (and barely improved for a century), and England’s first female doctors all gained their licence to practice from overseas institutions, as they were refused entry in England.

I wanted to understand more about Nora’s student experience though, other than just being a target of misogyny, and perhaps see some character change, or growth. I thought the pace of Nora’s narrative was uneven, and some crucial elements, particularly the period where she was under the tutelage of Moreno, felt underdeveloped. Though I was engaged by the action and tension in Croft and Gibson’s chapters, I also felt that it pulled too much focus from Nora’s story.

As a well researched piece of historical fiction, I found The Surgeon’s Daughter to be interesting and enjoyable.

If you can get past the gorier details, you’ll learn a bit about 19th century medicine and better yet, get to know Nora. ;

Nora Beady is the ward of a famous, eccentric surgeon, Dr. Horace Croft, in 1840s London.
She has an unconventional upbringing for a woman of her time.
Her quest to further her medical and scientific endeavors comes up against the prejudices and biases of the period.
That from the blurbs let's you know some of the facts. The story was pleasant enough, like an early version of watching Virgin River, especially the character of Nora who lost her parents to cholera and became a skilled surgeon under the tutelage of Dr. Croft. Of course she falls in love with the new assistant that comes to work with him and the new use of ether as an anesthetic was interesting, but overall I wouldn't look to read the sequel to this, which incidentally picks right up where this leaves off. This is the joint venture of two writers under the name of Audrey Blake.

.4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Before starting my review I want to make it clear that this is the 2nd in the Nora Beady series, The Girl in His Shadow being the first. I point this out because I had no idea! Due to Ms. Audrey Blake’s excellent writing skills Nora’s past is seamlessly woven into the narrative. I never felt like I was missing a piece of the story!
I loved this novel. The story, the strong female protagonist and the descriptions of early medical practices combined into an engrossing tale that had me hooked from the very beginning!
It’s the mid 19th century. It’s a time when gently raised young women,ie wealthy or upper middle class, were expected to be demure and submissive to the will of first their fathers and then their husbands. Their role is to be mere adornments for the men. The activities they were permitted to pursue were the genteel arts of watercolors, painting, knitting and all forms of needlework. Definitely NOT anatomical dissection and drawing from corpses and the pursuit of medicine or surgery as a career! Of course in real life there were a handful of courageous and impressive women who did just that and succeeded! It is these women that Ms Blake honors with her book.
We meet Miss Eleanora Beady (Nora for short) in Bologna,Italy. She is from England and is in her second year studying medicine and surgery at the prestigious University of Bologna. A degree from them just might help her practice in England where the guilds block women from joining. She has given up a lot to come here. Mainly leaving 2 men behind that are important to her for three years while she studies. The first is the famous Dr. Horace Croft, Nora’s guardian and mentor. He took her in at a young age when her parents died and introduced her to and induced in her a love of medicine. The second is Dr. Crofts’ young associate Dr. Daniel Gibson her boyfriend and hopefully future husband.
It does not come as a surprise when Nora faces bigotry and discrimination from most of her professors and fellow students. Though more knowledgeable and talented than most, she is seldom selected for procedures and often derided when she advocates for herself. This begins to change when Dr. Magdalena Morenco, returns from a trip to Cairo. Dr. Morenco is a pioneer of Caesarian sections. This procedure so common and safe today was at that time considered barbaric and gruesome. It also had a low success rate. Dr. Morenco plans to change that. Soon Nora is working with her and has found in her a mentor.
Though it sounds like I have given away the whole story in truth I’ve only scratched the surface. It’s a wonderful historical fiction with some romance and even some suspense replete with a villain.
I do have to place a caution here though. The subject matter contains many descriptions of medical procedures that today are seen as brutal. But remember the medical field truly was in it’s infancy. Doctors were just beginning to use Ether as an anesthesia, prior to this, as described in the book, nothing was used. Pain management wasn’t even thought about let alone practiced. And the use of sterile technique was years away from discovery as was the knowledge that microorganisms caused disease and infection. The book describes much of this and though I personally found it all fascinating not all will.
Though I cannot praise the writing skill enough I do have one small complaint about some of the terminology used. For example, the book describes a late term abortion of a fetus to save the mothers life as a craniotomy I can find no such reference in my personal library of medical history books or on the internet. I believe the proper term is cranioclast. It is for this and several other inconsistencies that I have dropped a half a star.
I do not know if this will be an ongoing series but if so I will definitely continue. I will also be reading the first book and will probably reread this one after.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, RB Media and NetGalley. This fact in no way influenced my review.½

2022 pandemic read. Read as part of a one city one book type event. Some interesting history about women in medicine in a given period, but I found myself put off by the ending, which clearly indicated it wasn't an ending but the end of part of a series. The story didn't grab me enough to envision myself reading more in the series.