Book Review and Giveaway Info: Chasing Mona Lisa

I am having a little trouble getting back into blogging, mostly due to family life, but I am trying.  I have been migraine free the past few days and all 4 kids are no healthy (I hope it stays that way), so I am hoping to get back on regularly soon.  Here is a book review and giveaway information to hold you over until I return.

 

About the Book

It is August 1944 and Paris is on the cusp of liberation. As the soldiers of the Third Reich flee the Allied advance, they ravage the country, stealing countless pieces of art. Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring will stop at nothing to claim the most valuable one of all, the Mona Lisa, as a post-war bargaining chip to get him to South America. Can Swiss OSS agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler rescue DaVinci's masterpiece before it falls into German hands?

With nonstop action, Chasing Mona Lisa is sure to get readers' adrenaline pumping as they join the chase to save the most famous painting in the world. From war-ravaged Paris to a posh country chateau, the race is on--and the runners are playing for keeps.

My thoughts

This book was unlike any other I have ever reviewed.  I do have to warn my readers that some of the violence in the book does get a bit graphic.  However, please do not let that stop you from reading this.  I was riveted from the beginning.  The setting covers a part of World War II that is seldom covered, the Nazi occupation of Paris and the underground movement that took place there.  In this book, it particularly covers the artwork, mainly the Mona Lisa, and how the employees of the Louvre protected it from theft by the Nazi's who had already stolen many of their masterpieces.  While I am very familiar with the Mona Lisa, I am not an art student by any means.  As I read, I kept my iPod nearby so I could look up the paintings that were mentioned.  I love learning new things when I am reading fiction, and this is probably why I particularly enjoy historical fiction. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story.  It will be of particular interest to those who enjoy reading about France, World War II, art, and/or romance stories (though the romances are a minor part of the story).

About the authors

Tricia Goyer is the coauthor of The Swiss Courier as well as the author of many other books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW's Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her family in Arkansas. www.triciagoyer.com
Mike Yorkey is the author or coauthor of dozens of books, including The Swiss Courier and the bestselling Every Man's Battle series. Married to a Swiss native, Yorkey lived in Switzerland for 18 months. He and his family currently reside in California. www.mikeyorkey.com

About the giveaway
Chasing Mona Lisa is the continuing tale of Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler (first introduced in The Swiss Courier). This time the duo are on a relentless quest to save the most famous painting in the world  - the Mona Lisa. You can help Gabi and Eric with your very own spy pack when you enter The Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway!

One passionate protector will receive:

• iTouch (The must-have device for any spy. Camera, Maps & Music.)
• Starbucks Gift Card (For all those late nights.)
• Moleskin Notebook (For those important notes.)
• Invisible Ink Pen (Don’t want anyone reading those important notes.)
• Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey (Great handbook and intriguing tale for any spy-in-training!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on January 31st. Winner will be announced at Chasing Mona Lisa Facebook Party on 1/31. Tricia and Mike will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from Tricia's website) and giving away copies of their books and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club AND a LIVE Author Chat for your group with Tricia and Mike.)
So grab your copy of Chasing Mona Lisa and join Tricia and Mike on the evening of the 31st for an author chat, spy training (How much do you know about WWII?) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

 

*Disclaimer*

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group and the authors for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes. My opinion is my own and was not influenced by anyone else.