Thrilling yet surprisingly deep, Code Name Edelweiss is a gripping read full of compelling characters based on real people, unexpected twists you don’t see coming, and poignant themes you’d expect to see in a historical fiction novel.

Best of all, it’s based on true events, leaving you eager to dive back into your history books as you follow Jewish lawyer Leon Lewis and his ring of heroic spies as they fight the rise of Nazism in Los Angeles.

Characters:

I fell in love with Liesl almost from the first page. I wasn’t expecting her to be such a traditional character, but I found her a refreshing change from the stereotypical “spy girl.” She felt real and down to earth, and I could relate to her desire for order and neatness and control. And I’m always a fan of the reluctant heroine.

Her perspective as a single mother added an interesting element to the story, giving more stakes and depth that compelled me to keep reading. I felt deeply for her as she was burdened with being the main provider of the home.

My heart broke for the losses she endured, but I admired her courage. I thought it was realistic how she was drawn in by the Friends’ overt kindness at first. And I loved watching her grow as a person over the course of the story as she began to make the spy mission her mission, and not just a job.

While I didn’t find Wilhelm to be particularly complex as a character, I did admire his reliability and his dedication to doing the right thing no matter the cost. His protectiveness of Liesl and their growing romance was adorable. They really were perfect for each other!

Plot:

While the plot was slower-paced than you would expect from a typical spy novel, there were still some twists that hit me out of nowhere—in a delightfully surprising way. My favorite being that Wilhelm was Agent 13. For some reason, I never made the connection, but it made for a very fun surprise! The only drawback was that I found some of the time shifts confusing.

The author’s prose was smooth and easy to read, the world of early 20th century film production bursting to life through her skillful pen. It’s a world I was unfamiliar with, so I found the story a fascinating, insightful look into the historical events and atmosphere leading up to World War II.

Theme:

I wasn’t expecting the Christian undertones, but they surprised me in the best way possible. I thought they were handled in a tastefully subtle way, while still clearly present. The theme of fighting for what’s right even when it’s costly is certainly relevant for our time.

All in all, Code Name Edelweiss is a surprising, riveting, yet deeply emotive story that ends in a truly spy-novel-worthy conclusion. It’s one you won’t be able to put down!

Nazis in Hollywood? It really happened. In America’s backyard.

Stephanie Landsem’s upcoming historical fiction is set in 1930s Los Angeles and is based on a true and little-known story of the rise of Nazism in America.

Code Name Edelweiss is a fictionalized account of how a Jewish lawyer, Leon Lewis, and his private network of Christian spies foiled Hitler’s plans to take over Hollywood. It’s amazing to think that despite the authorities not taking Leon’s warnings seriously, he bolstered enough courage to assemble a group to thwart Nazi terror. Hitler had wanted to gain control of the Jewish-run Hollywood movie studios in order to spread his anti-Semitic propaganda. Lewis’ network infiltrated the growing fascist groups and worked together to stop the Nazi plans.

You’ll love Liesl Wiess and her courageous steps to uncover the Nazis infiltrating her German community in Los Angeles. She’s a single mother of two children and is struggling to support her family, her outspoken mother and her troubled brother. Not only that, her husband is missing. When she becomes jobless and has no money to support them, she’s forced to join forces with Leon. I loved the portrayal of this mother, felt her anxiety and wrestled alongside her as she faced her fears head-on.

You’ll be amazed at how a group of amateur people, a wonderful mix of Jewish and Christian German Americans, worked together for democracy.

In this clean read, Landsem explores grace, trust, and abandonment and showcases brotherly Christian love in the face of fear.

“We must not meet that fear with anger, no matter how angry we are, for that only fuels the fire. Perhaps only love can change their minds.”

You’ll be in awe of the gorgeous cover!

I was gifted this copy by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

It will never cease to surprise me that with all the reading of historical fiction and non-fiction I do, there are still whole chunks of history I knew nothing about...until some brilliant novelist came along and wrote a story about them. For instance... Did you know a group of Jewish-American and German-American spies worked together to thwart Nazi plans to take over Hollywood in the 1930’s? Neither did I. Until I read Code Name Edelweiss, by Stephanie Landsem (out March 7!).

Liesl Weiss, a German single mother whose husband has gone missing, takes on spying work to support her family and soon comes to realize how insidious the Nazi’s plans actually are. At the same time, she sees the deep ways in which the German community in America and abroad had been hurt since the Great War, leading them to accept or even crave anything posing itself as justice.

The plot of the story is full of action, but my favorite part was the portrayal of Liesl’s motherhood—very tender and loving, but also full of stress and perfectionism and worry. I also enjoyed that there’s just a *hint* of romance, but that any romantic storyline plays second fiddle to the action plot and other character development.

There was a moment or two where I questioned a plot point, but overall I was swept into the story and deeply enjoyed the ride. Good, clean adult fiction that will leave you thinking (and probably delving into some research of your own).

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The author gives a story of some very brave people, yes these are fictional, but the story is based on fact, and that is scary!

So much hate for a group of people, and the evil in Europe has infiltrated the US shores. This story takes place in 1933 Los Angeles, CA, but as we read it is happening in other cities!

The author gives us people. some by accident, that end up infiltrated these radicals, and we are there to hope they are able to thwart the evil.

What a page turner this read was, and often with my heart in my throat, but I was looking for answers. and they do come, but are they the way you want them to turn out?

So glad to read this story, and hopefully it will wake people up! We need never forget! Thank you Stephanie Landsem I will be looking for more reads from you!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Tyndale, and was not required to give a positive review.

Hollywood Glamor in the 30s

Liesl Weiss loves her job as a typist in MGM’s secretary pool, but she doesn’t love how men treat an honest woman trying to support her family. But as the Great Depression tightens its grip on America, Liesl knows speaking out could lose the family’s main source of income. As cutbacks hit the studios, Liesel’s worst nightmare comes true—she gets laid off.

Finding a new job looks hopeless because more and more employers will only hire men. But Liesl has two young children, an aging mother, and an irresponsible brother to support. She’ll do just about anything to feed her family. Even spy.

When Jewish lawyer Leon Lewis sends a request to an employment agency, he has specific qualifications. And the young woman who shows up at his office doesn’t meet those qualifications. But when she confesses to getting the interview dishonestly, Lewis sees her potential as a spy.

Because while Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist Party seems only to have a grip on Germany, Lewis has evidence Hitler plans to expand his party’s reach to the United States. If Lewis can place a spy in the Friends of New Germany office, he may find evidence to present to the police.

An Unlikely Spy

Liesl takes the job as a spy, even though she doubts the need. Hitler lives on another continent, and no one in Hollywood believes his drivel—do they? But the more involved in the Friends of New Germany Liesl becomes, the more she questions her convictions. And the more she worries about Wilhelm Otto, the enigmatic sidekick of her new boss at Friends of New Germany. Does he threaten her safety, or can she depend on him in a crisis?

Why I Loved this Book

Landsem’s historical research and details make this novel come alive. The protagonist lives in limbo—unsure of her husband’s fate. She knows she must carry on, or their family will end up on the streets—the nightmare of Liesl’s childhood.

In an era when leaders want to make America hate again, this timely tale of Hitler’s rise to power hits home. Liesel faces the same dilemma many Christians struggle with today: Should we follow the rhetoric of hate if it seems to bring us closer to our righteous ends?

Readers who love spy novels and reading about the underbelly of the glamorous Hollywood of the 30s will love this book.

I am newer to the historical fiction genre but it is slowly becoming a favorite of mine because of books like this. I found this story so compelling and interesting, even though this time period is often overdone and I find myself shying away from it. I know many that would enjoy this book!

Code Name Edelweiss is a fabulous read written by the talented author, Stephanie Landsem. I thought it was great. I loved getting to know Liesl and Leon. I was captivated with their story from start to finish. I had no problem have the whole book read in one sitting. It was fabulous.

Code Name Edelweiss will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading well written clean historical fiction. I would love to read more books like this from Stephanie Landsem in the near future. She has earned herself a new fan.

I received a digital copy of Code Name Edelweiss from netgalley, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

So good! This was a long book, a little slow to start, but worth it to keep reading to the end. Sometimes it felt like I was reading about today’s societal issues and prejudices, and I wonder if that was purposeful. I appreciated the way the author showed grace to each character’s journey, knowing that we are all capable of being caught up in something of which we have very little knowledge or belief. I highly enjoyed this book!

Quite the spy novel! Tense. A scary premise. Suspenseful. Good characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance e-copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This was one of the best books I've read this year! (And that's saying a lot considering that I am writing this review in December!) I absolutely loved everything about this book - plot, characters, writing style, historical basis, and setting. I did not know that this book was based on a true story and so reading this amazing account of the bravery of Leon Lewis and his agents made their courage all the more astounding. This is a powerful read that calls into question many of the big themes of this time, summed up by this quote from the book: "if not me, who? if not now, when?"

The pacing of this book is well-done and I absolutely adored the element of intrigue and surprise that Landsem chose with the mysterious Agent Thirteen, and Liesl's own involvement in the spy ring as Edelweiss. All of the characters and their dynamics with one another were very well written, particularly Liesl's friend Miriam and the German-Jewish dynamics there.

This is such a wonderful read and I will be sure to read more from Landsem in the future. The end of Code Name Edelweiss seemed to potentially allude to an upcoming sequel... which I would definitely be in favour of, and I will be looking forward to!

Thank you so much to Tyndale House, and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.

This book was my first by Stephanie, and maybe one of the first I've read set in that time period on American soil. What hooked me enough to get me reading was that it is based on a true story. Americans serving as spies to prevent Hitler from controlling Hollywood? That sounds like something out of a novelist's imagination, not history books. I appreciated getting to read a different scene during those pre/early years of WW2, and the author did an excellent job in her research and historical accuracy of the time period as well as the particular story. The slow reveal was just right to keep you reading.

Code Name Edelweiss is heavy on the suspense and intrigue, light on the romance, and nails the characters and their realistic story arcs. Great ending too!

“I can only tell you what I believe, and in the words of a rabbi, translated and interpreted over centuries: If not me, who? If not now, when?” ~ Leon Lewis

If not me, then who? If not now, when? Those are bold, brave, potentially powerful words when acted upon. Words that have been thought or spoken throughout history, by men and women who have taken a stance against evil. It only takes one drop of water to create a ripple. That is what Leon Lewis did. And this is the story of how he helped to thwart that evil in America.

Listen up! This book, y’all! The frightening history, the hard truths, the necessary lies, the realization of how evil was/is all around us, how close our own country was to falling into this darkness; the bravery, loyalty, and compassion of those who would fight the good fight no matter the cost. All of it laid out in this mesmerizing, suspenseful tale of trust and mistrust, sacrifice and service.

I was so engrossed that when the twist came I was awestruck. I mean it hit me like a freight train, and I wasn’t hurt one bit by it 😏 and then the worst thing possible could happen… I had to quit reading to do some “Adulting”…ugh. Talk about frustration!

These characters, both factual and fictional, are phenomenal. You will love some, you will hate some, your heart will bleed for some.

Put this one on your radar, it is a can’t miss read! I will buy the paperback for my keeper shelf. I only have one complaint. I wish there was an epilogue, that’s all I’m going to say about it.

Thanks to Netgalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.

@stephanielandsem #codenameedelweiss #historicalfiction #christianhistoricalfiction #ww2fiction #christianmystery #netgalley

WOW!
This book pulled me in right from page one. It’s a story about how fascism ran rampant in Los Angeles, pre-WW2 when Hitler first gained power in Germany. The New Friends of Germany claim to be friends of all Germans living in America, to protect them as the motherland would, but in reality they were driven by the same agenda Hitler pushed in Germany.
Code Name Edelweiss is based on a true story about the early spy network efforts of a Jewish lawyer, Leon Lewis. Liesl is the perfect-looking Aryan, who is struggling to get by. Fired from her job at MGM, she’s desperate to find something else and ends up at Leon’s office to apply for a job.
There’s a lot to like about this story – the characters, the setting, the detailed research that went into creating an accurate story reflective of the time. There’s intrigue, intense situations, joyful moments and everything in between.
I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from author Stephanie Landsem.
I received an ecopy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

CODE NAME EDELWEISS by STEPHANIE LANDSEM is based on what happened in 1933 in San Fransisco when the Nazis tried to take over the Hollywood studios in order to advertise anti Semitism and literally take over America for Hitler. Most Americans at the time were more worried about survival and the effects of the Great Depression than what was going on in Europe, and many chose to look the other way.
Leon Mayer was a Jewish lawyer who chose to do something about the situation. His motto was adopted from the sayings of a Jewish rabbi, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” He and his group of spies infiltrated Nazi strongholds such as the Friends of New Germany, showing extraordinary courage.
The story starts with Liesl Weiss, who literally grew up at the MGM studios, losing her job as a secretary there. She is desperate to find employment and accepts a job spying for Leon Lewis, working as a secretary at the Friends of New Germany, where she works for the lecherous Hermann Schwinn, his wife Thekla, Hans Winterhalder and the enigmatical Wilhelm Otto, whose military bearing really scares her. Her code name is Edelweiss and it is her job to look for evidence of treason whilst keeping up a facade of loyalty to the cause. We also follow another spy who goes by the code name Thirteen…….
Liesl is ashamed of her treatment of her best friend Miriam Stahr and her family, and hates being alienated from them. She is lonely and feels abandoned by her husband Tomas who disappeared without a trace, leaving her to support their two children, her mother and rebellious younger brother Fritz. I like to see her growing faith as she cries out to the Lord, and how she chooses to put others before herself.
This story about the incredible courage shown by a small group of people really touched me, and I cannot recommend this excitng and inspirational book highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

It is rare that I give a five star rating, but this was phenomenal. So well done! The author did her research and built a highly engaging fictional story based on historical events. The connection between Nazi Germany and Hollywood was fascinating to learn about. Leisl was a well developed character - struggling to support her family (including a deadbeat brother and her sometimes difficult mother) after her husband left her and she was unfairly let go from her job. In her desperation, she dishonestly comes by another job and ends up working as a spy. She has reservations that the people she is supposed to spy on aren't really bad at all, but little by little becomes aware of their Nazi affiliations and prejudices. She is on the brink of being found out, but clever thinking and help from an unlikely source get her back in their good graces. The combination of her intense work life and dealing with family hardships make this a really powerful story - add in the suspenseful and action-packed takedown of two major threats near the end, and its just WOW! Highly recommend and I will be reading more by this author.

Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem, an intriguing title and synopsis, but ultimately failed for me, just not in the style I would have preferred. Well written, and I do think others will enjoy it. Thank you for giving me a chance with this book.

Code Name Edelweiss
by Stephanie Landsem
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Series: None
Rated: 5
Obtain: Borrow or buy
Back of the Book: “’What I am looking for—what I desperately need, Mrs. Weiss—is a spy.’
Adolf Hitler is still a distant rumble on the horizon, but a Jewish spymaster and his courageous spies uncover a storm of Nazi terror in their own backyard.
In the summer of 1933, a man named Adolf Hitler is the new and powerful anti-Semitic chancellor of Germany. But in Los Angeles, no-nonsense secretary Liesl Weiss has concerns much closer to home. The Great Depression is tightening its grip and Liesl is the sole supporter of two children, an opinionated mother, and a troubled brother.
Leon Lewis is a Jewish lawyer who has watched Adolf Hitler’s rise to power—and the increase in anti-Semitism in America—with growing alarm. He believes Nazi agents are working to seize control of Hollywood, the greatest propaganda machine the world has ever known. The trouble is, authorities scoff at his dire warnings.
When Liesl loses her job at MGM, her only choice is to work with Leon Lewis and the mysterious Agent Thirteen to spy on her friends and neighbors in her German American community. What Leon Lewis and his spies find is more chilling—and more dangerous—than any of them suspected.
Code Name Edelweiss is based on a true story, unknown until recent years: How a lone Jewish lawyer and a handful of amateur spies discovered and foiled Adolf Hitler’s plan to take over Hollywood.”

Impressions: You will not want to miss reading this book if you enjoy history, suspense, and a bit of romance in your reading. The characters were ordinary people who allowed themselves to be used for good and for bad. I loved how well this book showed the progression of thought into the Nazi regime and the revelation of thought into the truth. Time has not changed the fact that we all have an inter struggle in our lives to be selfish or selfless. No matter the gravity of the situation we all have the choice to make a difference by choosing to love or hatred. I think this book painted a very potent picture of how this can be played out in life. On a side note, I recently watched the show, Ridley Road, which related to the spy elements in this book. Once you’ve finished reading this book and need a brain break, perhaps you might enjoy this show.

Quotes: “’ It has been said that for evil men to accomplish their purpose it is only necessary that good men should do nothing.’- Charles Frederic Aked” - How true this is.

“Good Christian folk. From what he figured, the Nazis liked to toss the C-word around for the public, but their idea of God was the fatherland and they worshiped at the altar of Adolf Hitler.” - How often do you hear, “Good Christian folk,” tossed around in conversation? Politics love to use this phrase. What does it mean to you? I would much rather compare a person to Jesus himself, who the word Christian comes from, to compare the character of someone.

“Somebody needed to tell those kids the real enemies weren't the Jews or the Catholics or Negroes, like the Klan and the National Socialists wanted them to believe. The real enemies were poverty and injustice and ignorance- and hate.”

“We must not meet that fear with anger, no matter how angry we are, for that only fuels the fire. Perhaps only love can change their minds.”

“’ There are those who say, ‘Of course, I don’t agree, but who am I to tell others?’ These people are, in effect, taking the side of the oppressor. Silence is oppression in itself, although not perhaps as egregious.’”

“’ Sow confusion, then give the people the answers they seek in a way that is simple and easy to understand.’” -This strategy has been proven over and over to be effective. Have you seen this play out in the media recently? Probably.

“’ Who’s a real friend? Somebody who goes along with what’s wrong? Or somebody who wants better for you- and tells you so?’” -Always something to consider in relationships.

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem promises to be an interesting take on the Nazi’s during World War II, but on American soil. Even in the heart of Hollywood. The cover is fascinating, and the writing is top-notch. My imagination flew away with the characters as they struggled through this trying time in the world’s history. Readers are introduced to Liesl who is brave, cunning, and intelligent right from the first chapter. Liesl wants what is best for her children, brother, and mother, so she is willing to do basically anything to make sure their basic needs are met. Liesl has a pretty harsh background that makes readers empathize with her plight. Similarly, the readers are introduced to “Thirteen” and watch his interactions with other characters and the setting. Readers will discover his backstory as they read the story. Landsem did a wonderful job at crafting the Hollywood world of the late 1930’s. It was nice to be “walking” through the sets and watching the actors walk through the lots. While Landsem did deliver what she promised, the plot does get a little dry in the middle of the story when Liesl is tasked to do somethings. Even though this did happen, it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. I learned something new about the Nazi’s terror on the American soil. Overall, Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem is a different World War II story, which I love the idea and enjoyed the execution of the plot.

I received a complimentary copy of Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

I loved every minute of this book!
So much so that I finished it in one day! Just wow!
Yes, this book was very informative and interesting! I learned quite a bit. Everything in this novel seemed spot on. I did find myself looking up certain things from this story.
Liesel and Leon were definitely an interesting couple. Liesel in my opinion got the short end of the stick it seems because of her heritage.
I admired Liesel and Leon for many reasons. Their bravery and their belief for doing the right thing even though at times it was hard and sometimes impossible.
I love reading anything about the 30's. I think this time period along with the Civil War is my favorite.
I really enjoyed this story and didn't want it to end. Lots of fascinating things going on in this book!
5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow! Is the only way I could think of to start this review. As a lover of historical fiction this one hit the mark on so many levels and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it.

Set in the 1930's in LA and based on a true story that has only come to light recently and is a story of war, spies, people and life in a time of uncertainty. Liesl and Leon are the perfect characters for this story and they are so well written they really do bring life to this story.

The book has the history, intrigue and mystery you want as well as the trueness of past events. There is a very real and human aspect that brings the relationships to the fore. Just the right length with just the right mix to make it a fabulous read.