Review: Josephine: Singer Soldier Dancer Spy by Eilidh McGinnis

Josephine: Singer Soldier Dancer Spy by Eilidh McGinness

Publication Date: December 1, 2019

eBook & Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

Josephine Baker is born into poverty in racially segregated America. Desperate to escape she flees to France where she embraces the hedonistic lifestyle on offer for those who dare, in the Paris of the Roaring Twenties.

Hitler's rise to power in Germany forces her to face her true self. Determined to protect the Liberty Equality and Fraternity she has found in France, she becomes an 'honorable correspondent' for the French Secret Service. So, beginning a journey which will take her from the Red Cross Shelters in Paris to the cruel deserts of North Africa. She will find love and enduring friendship but she must also face dangers which will threaten not only her life but all she holds dear.....Can she find the courage to fight for what she believes in....no matter what the cost?

Available on Amazon

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I've been fascinated with Josephine Baker ever since I saw the 1991 movie, The Josephine Baker Story starring Lynn Whitfield, so I was super excited to pick up Eilidh's book.

The book is split into two parts - Singer Dancer and then Soldier Spy, which I thought was a clever way to break up her story. Another unique aspect of the book is that it's told almost like vignette-style vs. a continuous story. The chapters jump periods in time. I admit it took me a bit to get used to but it didn't bother me too much.

From her childhood in a big and extremely poor family, we follow Josephine's life as she breaks out to become the dancer and entertainer she always knew she wanted to be. I love how determined she was to fight for France, the country that finally accepted her and allowed her to be free in a world dominated by racism and prejudice.

Determined, strong, talented, and fascinating to no end - this book is a great look at Josephine Baker and her life. Highly recommended!

About the Author

Eilidh was born and brought up in the Highlands of Scotland. She studied law at Aberdeen University. She practiced as a lawyer for twelve years, latterly specializing in criminal defense. Eilidh then moved to South West France with her then husband and four children. She established an independent estate agency business which she ran for twelve years before concentrating on writing- a long held dream. Eilidh has always been fascinated by history and ordinary people who achieve extraordinary things.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 30
Review at Books and Zebras

Thursday, January 2
Review at Liberty's Literary Loves

Friday, January 3
Feature at Comet Readings

Monday, January 6
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Tuesday, January 7
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, January 8
Review at Reader then Blogger

Thursday, January 9
Feature at Just One More Chapter

Saturday, January 11
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Monday, January 13
Feature at I'm All About Books

Tuesday, January 14
Feature at BookNook 2020

Wednesday, January 15
Review at Passages to the Past

Thursday, January 16
Interview at Passages to the Past

Friday, January 17
Feature at View from the Birdhouse

Saturday, January 18
Feature at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Sunday, January 19
Review at YA, It's Lit

Monday, January 20
Review at Nursebookie

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of Josephine: Singer Soldier Dancer Spy! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on January 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Josephine