GIVEAWAY & REVIEW of The Girl Who Fought Napoleon: A Novel of the Russian Empire by Linda Lafferty

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

In a sweeping story straight out of Russian history, Tsar Alexander I and a courageous girl named Nadezhda Durova join forces against Napoleon.

It’s 1803, and an adolescent Nadya is determined not to follow in her overbearing Ukrainian mother’s footsteps. She’s a horsewoman, not a housewife. When Tsar Paul is assassinated in St. Petersburg and a reluctant and naive Alexander is crowned emperor, Nadya runs away from home and joins the Russian cavalry in the war against Napoleon. Disguised as a boy and riding her spirited stallion, Alcides, Nadya rises in the ranks, even as her father begs the tsar to find his daughter and send her home.

Both Nadya and Alexander defy expectations—she as a heroic fighter and he as a spiritual seeker—while the battles of Austerlitz, Friedland, Borodino, and Smolensk rage on.

In a captivating tale that brings Durova’s memoirs to life, from bloody battlefields to glittering palaces, two rebels dare to break free of their expected roles and discover themselves in the process.

my thoughts:

The older I get the more interested I am in historical fiction novels.  They are simply the best - a combination of fact and fiction melded into one fascinating tale about a different time and place. Not only do I learn something new, but I get to be swept away into the dramas and romances of the past.  Its time travel in book format - how awesome is that?!  So, you can imagine my excitement when I was offered the chance to read Linda Lafferty's latest novel, The Girl Who Fought Napoleon.  Russia during the 1800s - count me in!!

Nadezhda Durova's story is interesting, refreshing, and inspiring.  A young woman who defied convention to become part of the Russian cavalry who fought Napoleon.  How cool is that?! I just loved getting to know her.  She was a complicated woman who was strong, smart and determined to succeed.  Lafferty does an amazing job of bringing her to life.  In fact, she used Nadya's memoirs as part of her research when penning this fantastic novel.  I think knowing that Nadya was an actual person enriches this story tenfold.  Not only do we get her personal account of what transpired, but its authentic.  Yes, I know that Lafferty fictionalized parts of the book, but that is what makes this story such an unputdownable read.  You can't help but get caught up in Nadya's story, but you also can't help but get mesmerized with Lafferty's storytelling.  I found myself reading, reading, and reading until the wee hours of the morning.  I just loved the superb writing, the real and flawed characters, and the attention to details.  And Lafferty's use of alternating narrators was great - I loved the time jumps and variety of perspectives (Nadya, Alexander I, and Napoleon).  What an excellent story!!

I would happily recommend The Girl Who Fought Napoleon to fans of Lafftery's works, fans of Russian history and fans of historical fiction - you will LOVE this book!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Girl Who Fought Napoleon

GIVEAWAY:  Thanks to the publisher I am able to give away one (1) copy of this book! All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave me a comment. Don't forget to include your email address - that way I can contact you, if you win the book.  Last date to enter is October 10th.  US/Canada residents only.  Good luck!!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!