Amber Leigh Williams – Madame Rebelle

Today, author Amber Leigh Williams is guesting. She’s talking about her latest release, Madame Rebelle, a historical romance. Be sure to read my review. And don’t forget to enter the King Sumo giveaway.

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Topic: Tell us about the research you had to do to write this novel.

Believe it or not, my research for Madame Rebelle began twenty-six years ago when I was assigned to read The Diary of Anne Frank in middle school. From that point on, my interest in the lives of everyday people living in Europe during the time of World War II was piqued. I was especially interested in the lives of women at the time and how they resisted their oppressors.

I fell down a rabbit hole of firsthand accounts of the war by Gerda Weissman Klein, Agnes Humbert, Pearl Witherington Cornioley, and others. I read about the women of British Special Operations Executive F Section who parachuted into occupied France with the objective of sabotaging German troops on the ground. I learned of the women who ran escape lines throughout France to help refugees and Allied soldiers escape. I read about French winemakers who played a role in the French resistance as well as ordinary citizens who risked their lives to falsify identification papers for Jewish refugees and saved countless lives by doing so.

War has a way of revealing people’s true nature. Each character from Madame Rebelle responds differently to the struggles they endure. Though my work on Madame Rebelle has been complete for some time, I still have not emerged from my rabbit hole because I am endlessly fascinated by the sacrifices and risks people took to do what was right.

If you’re interested in reading more on this subject, I recommend referencing the complete reading list from my research listed on my website. Visit the Extras page at www.amberleighwilliams.com. Sources include both primary sources and secondary sources. You’ll find them listed in full at the bottom of the Maps & Timeline feature: https://amberleighwilliams.com/madame-rebelle-maps-timeline/

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Title: Madame Rebelle
Series: N/A
Author: Amber Leigh Williams
Genre: WWII Historical Romance
Length: 326 pages
Release Date: May 26, 2025

Rebel. Smuggler. Spy.

Champagne, France 1943

Blurb: Meet Madame Rebelle. Edmee Guillon is a smuggler. She hides people from the German troops surrounding her ancestral home. When a dying man in a German uniform seeks refuge at Maison Boutet, Edmee struggles to believe his claims that he is French. Her life, the maison and the people she loves are already at stake. Can she take the chance that this mysterious spy is who he says he is? And which side of this war is he really on?

Christian Vovk has been betrayed by someone inside his resistance organization. He knows asking the striking young war widow to hide him will put her in certain danger. However, Christian can help Edmee save as many refugees as she can. Falling in love with her will hinder his duty to the operation that brought him to her doorstep in the first place. When love and duty become inevitably tangled, will Christian sacrifice one for the other?

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“You’ll need to look as normal as possible.”

“What do I know of normal?” Edmée asked. “I’m tall. I have bright red hair. And I have this.” She waved at the mark on her chin.

The birthmark was unfortunate. Not because it was unpleasant to look at. It made an already interesting face fascinating to look at. It was unfortunate because it would be easy to remember. She was memorable. Christian wondered how long after they parted in Franche-Comté he would think about Edmée Guillon. “Do you think this is something you can do?” he asked.

She crossed to the table. Linking her hands on its surface, she gathered herself. “The hardest part will be convincing my uncle to let me go.”

“Use the same story we practiced,” he advised. “Practice it again. Your first pass at it can be with your uncle as your audience. You’ll gain confidence if he buys it.”

Her eyes circled his features. “You’ve trained other people to do this before.”

She was skilled at reading people. Reading him. He wasn’t an open book. But she saw him. He tried not to think about the growing admiration behind his regard for her. Leaning toward her in the halo of light from the lantern between them, he said, “You’re going to do fine, Edmée.”

“I hope so.”

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Historical romance is my fave genre to read and review. When I realized this was a WWII romance, I was in, and the author did not disappoint.

As stated in the blurb, Edmee is a smuggler. This woman is dedicated to helping others, or is the secret about her deceased husband’s death her motivation? It makes you think and wonder upon learning the truth, and why she is determined to help. Many helped during this time, and if not for their help, many more others would have perished at the hands of the Nazis.

Then there is Christian, a man also determined to help. He is shrouded in mystery and the author does a great job of unravelling the mystery throughout the story.

As for the romance, there is an instant connection between the two. Both are extremely alike in many ways, but also very different. I enjoyed their little battles as they grew to trust one another.

But this is so much more than a romance. The author takes you through France during the Nazi occupation. The rations, the papers, the takeover of their homes, the mistrust built—you are dropped deep into a place of hopelessness, yet many struggle to find hope in such a desolate place.

The research is impeccable. The author doesn’t give you lengths of details but builds her research into Edmee’s journey.

Some characters do the unthinkable while others find their courage to help. I did my best to not judge those who did the unthinkable because so much is lost during this trying time. Everyone is in survival mode, and the author paints their desperation with words and action.

The writing is beautiful. The author excels with words and dialogue that brings the characters to life. You really believe you are in WW II France.

As for the plot, I enjoyed Edmee and Christian’s journey to try and reach a HEA. The author had me wondering if they would, and I won’t share if they do or not. If you enjoy historical romance that reads more like historical fiction, this is the book for you. It’s a deep and thought-provoking read that takes you back in time to the hardships and terror of war.

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Amber Leigh Williams writes pulse-pounding romantic suspense, historical fiction, and contemporary romance. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling and being outdoors with her family and dogs. She is fluent in sarcasm and is known to hoard books like the book dragon she is. An advocate for literacy, she is an ardent supporter of libraries and the constitutional right to read.