Based on the incredible true story of two unsung heroines who defied the odds to save countless lives, this powerful novel reveals how acts of extraordinary courage by ordinary women saved so many in the countdown to WW2. Connie Fitzwalter never imagined that her passion for music would lead her into a world of danger and intrigue. When her old family friend, Stephen, who works for the foreign office, tells Connie the true scale of the violence against Jewish people in Germany and Austria, she can stand aside no longer. Together, Stephen and Connie devise a daring and perilous mission to help innocent families escape the clutches of Nazi persecution. Under their cover as music enthusiasts travelling to high-society concerts in Europe, Connie and her sister Dottie begin by smuggling money and valuables for desperate families over the border. Before long they’re arranging safe passage for vulnerable children and escorting families to safety into England. As the sisters travel into the heart of Nazi Germany, defying the border guards, patrols and Gestapo agents takes every ounce of courage they have. Connie soon realises the enormity of the danger they face, and Stephen, whose support has begun to mean more to her than she ever thought possible, begs her to take care. One misstep, one whisper of suspicion, and they could lose everything—their freedom, their futures, and even each other. A Song of Courage is a testament to the unbreakable bond of sisterhood and the strength of the human spirit. Fans of When We Were Brave, The Alice Network and Beneath a Scarlet Sky will be changed forever by this unputdownable story.
Author
Rachel Wesson was born in Kilkenny, Ireland but considers herself to be from the capital, Dublin as that's where she spent most of her life. Her dad brought Rachel and her two sisters out every Saturday to give their mother a break. He took them to the library and for ice-cream after. It took a long time for her sisters to forgive her for the hours she spent choosing her books! She grew up driving everyone nuts asking them questions about what they did during the War or what side they were on in the 1916 rising etc. Finally her Granny told her to write her stories down so people would get the pleasure of reading them. In fact what Granny meant was everyone would get some peace while Rachel was busy writing! When not writing, or annoying relatives, Rachel was reading. Her report cards from school commented on her love of reading especially when she should have been learning. Seems you can't read Great Expectations in Maths. After a doomed love affair and an unpleasant bank raid during which she defended herself with a tea tray, she headed to London for a couple of years. (There is a reason she doesn't write romance!). She never intended staying but a chance meeting with the man of her dreams put paid to any return to Ireland. Having spent most of her career in the City, she decided something was missing. Working in the City is great but it's a young person's dream. Having three children you never see isn't good for anyone. So she packed in the job and started writing. Thanks to her amazing readers, that writing turned into a career far more exciting and rewarding than any other. Rachel lives in Surrey with her husband and three children, two boys and a girl. When not reading, writing or watching films for "research" purposes, Rachel likes to hang out with her family. She also travels regularly back home - in fact she should have shares in BA and Aerlingus.
