Lone Star Book Blog Tour: Dragonfly by Leila Meacham (Review)

DRAGONFLY

by
LEILA MEACHAM
Genre: Historical / WWII / Espionage
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing 
Date of Publication: July 9, 2019
Number of Pages: 576
Scroll down for giveaway!

From the New York Times bestselling author of Roses comes a gripping new novel about five young spies embedded among the highest Nazi ranks in occupied Paris
At the height of World War II, a handful of idealistic young Americans receive a mysterious letter from the government, asking them if they are willing to fight for their country. The men and women from very different backgrounds-a Texan athlete with German roots, an upper-crust son of a French mother and a wealthy businessman, a dirt-poor Midwestern fly fisherman, an orphaned fashion designer, and a ravishingly beautiful female fencer-all answer the call of duty, but each for a secret reason of her or his own. They bond immediately, in a group code-named Dragonfly. 
Thus begins a dramatic cat-and-mouse game, as the group seeks to stay under the radar until a fatal misstep leads to the capture and the firing-squad execution of one of their team. But…is everything as it seems, or is this one more elaborate act of spycraft?

PRAISE FOR DRAGONFLY:
“Meacham’s impeccable pacing and razor-wire tension evoke the daily drama of life under a Reich whose French reign might have lasted little more than four years but felt like the thousand years that it threatened to endure.” ―Bookpage
“Meacham’s nail-biting tale will please fans looking for an intricate story of spycraft and deception.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Meacham ratchets the suspense ever tighter, while providing fascinating backstory on the intrepid five [American spies] as well as delivering a detail-rich portrait of Paris during the Occupation.” ―Booklist
“Complex, epic, and rich in historical detail-an uplifting story of finding friendship behind enemy lines.” ― Kirkus
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon◆ Barnes & Noble
IndieboundWalmart ◆   


“No one completes their missions with clean consciences.
Dirty dealing is part of the job.”

Dragonfly by Leila Meacham is a literary gem that must not be missed. The writing, the storytelling, the characters, and the plot are all deeply exquisite and will remain with you for a long time.

The five young Americans operating under the code name Dragonfly have willingly chosen to live and work in occupied Paris as spies to help thwart the dastardly efforts of Hitler and his evil regime. These five agents have been trained and given code names, and they know next to nothing about each other for safety reasons. Yet the bond they form during their training is unbreakable and timeless and absolutely beautiful. These characters often seem too good to be true, too perfect perhaps, yet that works well here because their wholesomeness and kindness are brilliantly juxtaposed with the horrors of war and the despicable actions of the Nazis and others claiming loyalty to Hitler. That contrast strengthens the idea that good really does eventually prevail and rise from the ashes of hate and misery.

The three men and two women that form Dragonfly are tasked with pulling off a feat that involves cunning, courage, subterfuge, an ingenious way to communicate with each other, and the willingness to choose death rather than betray their country, the members of Dragonfly, or the man who handpicked them for this mission, Alistair Renault. The reader knows from the beginning that one of the five is executed, but which one and why? What really happened that day when three of the other four witnessed the apparent fall of one of their own? There is more here than meets the eye, and the story that unfolds across the many chapters is a journey like no other. The characters are beguiling as the author brings them to life and makes you care about them and about several other characters orbiting around them. As the five become entrenched in their separate yet somewhat linked missions, the inevitable fate of their best laid plans starts to appear.

 “Gradually, the cards begin to fall.”

And when that house of cards begins to crumble for Dragonfly, the danger and the action become almost too overwhelming, yet closing the book is not an option until that final chapter is devoured. Yes, Dragonfly is lengthy, but the story never feels too slow or even too long. The characterization drives this literary masterpiece, and the author weaves a tapestry of words that will pull you in, fully capture your heart and imagination, and then take your breath away.

Historical fiction bookshelves are filled with war stories about spies and espionage and daring escapades, and Dragonfly has all of that and more. But this story is a bit different in that while WWII is the main backdrop, the overall focus here is more on relationships, betrayal, unlikely allegiances, and hope. These young agents are engaged in a covert and treacherous battle for secrets and survival, and trust is a luxury that they can ill afford. But what if trust is the only thing that can save them?

You seriously do not want to miss this one, so pick up your copy today, or enter the giveaway below between August 7 and August 17, 2019, for a chance to win a hardcover copy of Dragonfly by Leila Meacham.



Leila Meacham is a writer and former teacher who lives in San Antonio, Texas. She is the author of the bestselling novels Roses, Tumbleweeds, Somerset, and Titans.



GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

TWO SIGNED COPIES OF DRAGONFLY

August 7-17, 2019
(US ONLY)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

8/7/19 Excerpt Texas Book Lover
8/7/19 Review Reading by Moonlight
8/8/19 Review Nerd Narration
8/9/19 Guest Post The Page Unbound
8/9/19 Review Momma on the Rocks
8/10/19 Review Carpe Diem Chronicles
8/10/19 BONUS Audio Review Hall Ways Blog
8/11/19 Audio Review Forgotten Winds
8/12/19 Author Interview All the Ups and Downs
8/12/19 Review Bibliotica
8/13/19 Guest Post Chapter Break Book Blog
8/13/19 Review StoreyBook Reviews
8/14/19 Audio Review Sydney Young, Stories
8/15/19 Guest Post Missus Gonzo
8/16/19 Review Max Knight
8/16/19 Review Book Fidelity
   blog tour services provided by
  
Follow me on social media

2 Replies to “Lone Star Book Blog Tour: Dragonfly by Leila Meacham (Review)”

    • Thank you! Yes, this book is fantastic. I love everything about it. That trust factor really stood out for me. It plays a heavy role throughout the entire book.