Thursday, October 8, 2026

SECRETS OF THE DESERT ROSE by Marilyn Turk, reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

PAULA'S REVIEW:

Exceptional story of adventure during WWII in a setting that I have not read a lot about, Algiers, French Africa.

Based the journals of real women who experienced a war-torn era, this story opened my eyes to a time long past. 

Monique and Audrey were friends as teens when their families met in Algiers. This story chronicles how they stayed in touch even though each helped the Allies in very different ways. Written in an engaging way, this story schooled me on history as I rapidly turned pages. It is interspersed with a great-granddaughter going to Algiers as part of an archeological dig and trying to discover what the desert rose means to her 100 year-old Mimi. 

Fascinating facts about the culture and history were riveting. Woven throughout is the solid faith of the Claremont family and themes of bravery in trying situations were shown. 

Recommended for fans of WWII stories in unusual settings.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4.5 stars and a solid faith thread
 

BackCover Blurb:
A Dual Time Novel

Three Women. Two generations. Their friendship survived the war. Their secret survived even longer.

Monique and Audrey, one French and one British, grow up in French Algiers on the coast of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Best friends, they keep each other’s secrets into adulthood when World War II changes their world and Algiers sides with the Hitler-based Vichy government. Audrey joins Charles DeGaulle’s resistance army, the French Foreign Legion, while Monique stays to work in the underground resistance aiding the Allied invasion of North Africa.

In present day, American born great-granddaughter Nicole, a graduate student in archaeology, goes to North Africa for an internship. The now centenarian Monique (Mimi), debilitated by a stroke, urges her to find the Desert Rose. Nicole finds different types of desert roses, but none are the right one until she stumbles onto information that hints the desert rose might not be a flower after all. While Sami, her instructor in Algiers, helps her find the desert rose, he also has to protect her from people who want the heirloom ring Nicole wears which has its own secret.

Will Nicole find the secret before it’s too late? 

Winged Publications, February, 2026 
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook 
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