There's something glamorous about USO tours. The women entertaining our men serving in WWII. The way they went anywhere and endured all sorts of hardships and dangers. Amy Green has brought that vividly to life in this wonderful ensemble cast story. I thoroughly enjoyed each page and found myself sneaking away to read one more page whenever I could. It's a wonderful step back in time with characters who are richly layered and complex. I enjoyed it immensely.

The Foxhole Victory Tour takes us on a journey through the non-celebrity entertainment offered for the enlisted troops during WWII and provides two fascinating heroines as a focal point for that trip.

Trumpet player Maggie McCleod has never met a rule she didn’t want to break. Her latest bit of bother has found her unemployed yet again, fired from the Swinging Sweethearts, a wartime orchestra in the style of Glenn Miller but made up of pretty young women. It had been Maggie’s dream job, but her free spirit, coupled with her big mouth, ensured that this latest escapade into the working world ended in failure, too. Maggie is, therefore, deeply surprised when a man approaches her in the lobby after her last performance, offering her a position with the USO. She doesn’t even have to think about it and signs up on the spot. She is equally surprised when co-worker Catherine Duquette, the beautiful chief violinist and star of the Sweethearts, overhears the conversation and asks to join as well. The two have never been friends - Catherine is by-the-book perfection, whereas Maggie is a funny, scrappy mess - but maybe that will change on the tour.

Eh, maybe not. Catherine didn’t sign on in a burst of camaraderie or patriotic fervor. Her wealthy, influential parents' contentious divorce has placed her in an impossible situation between them, with her mother wanting her to join the Philharmonic and her father wanting her to settle down and marry the man he plans to have run his company. Catherine wants to earn her place in a prestigious orchestra, not have her mother’s contacts give it to her, and she is in love with a handsome pilot who went to fight in North Africa and hasn’t written since. Maybe this tour will give her the chance to find out what has happened and why he’s not writing. It will at least give her a respite from the emotional war her parents have dragged her into.

Eh, maybe not. The strangers who join Maggie and Catherine on the tour are acrimonious. Judith, the blues singer, is determined to be the star. Howie the tap-dancer, a widower, is aging out of the business and struggling with concerns about what to do next. Gabriel, the handsome, surly magician, has a chip on his shoulder and is none too fond of Maggie’s brash ways. The situation is worsened when they learn Bob Hope is looking to their manager for a recommendation for his own tour. Only one of them can have the coveted position, and each of them is determined to be that person.

Adding to the stress is the fact that life on the road isn’t pretty. Their unit visits soldiers who are combat adjacent - the USO isn’t being sent to the front lines, but they are being sent to the bases and places where the men are either on their way to active battle or just returning from it. Bathing has to be done with river water out of a helmet. Their transports break down on the regular, and the accommodations can be pretty uncomfortable. But the work they do matters, and the soldiers they perform for are beyond grateful for it. Will their little troupe come together as friends, becoming comrades in arms as they serve their country? Or will they remain fighting for the top position, unable to recognize the importance of unity in the face of war?

I think we all know the answers to those questions. As they travel from England to Tunisia and struggle through bombings and crash landings, this disparate group slowly learns each other’s stories. And what they learn helps them to realize that everyone has depth and value. Maggie and Gabriel initially have an especially hard time with this as they spar almost constantly. It takes a while to break through the surface tension and realize they each have a reason for what they do.

The story is told from both Catherine's and Maggie’s viewpoints. This works really well since the rich, sheltered Catherine and the street-wise, bold Maggie truly experience the exact same things differently. Maggie knows how to take care of herself, she knows what she wants from life, and she knows, essentially, her own worth. What she doesn’t know is how to get on with people - she always seems to rub those in authority the wrong way - nor how best to serve God. Her family are all in the Salvation Army, but Maggie doesn’t feel called to that. She wants to bring glory to God through her music and life but hasn’t been shown how that can be done outside of full-time ministry.

Gabriel is another conundrum for Maggie. He seems to single her out, wanting to be in her company one moment, picking a fight (or so it seems to her) the next. He flat-out tells her he is not interested in love or marriage, but everyone else on the tour is convinced he’s courting her. It seems her first taste of romance is proving as disastrous as her work history.

Catherine loves music, but her family can’t understand that. Her mother sees it only as a means to an end - climbing as high as she can via her career and social status. Her father sees it as an impediment to what she should be doing - marrying the man of his choice. Her naïveté has her struggling to circumnavigate the real world without their help. A good example of this is her love affair with a brash pilot whom Maggie swears isn’t what he claims to be. The tour has been a good training ground for Catherine to learn how to live life on her own terms, but it just might prove a disaster for her romantic dreams.

This novel is published by Bethany House, which raises expectations of a strong Christian theology in the narrative, but the author handles this portion of her story with an extremely light hand. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being a high level of religiosity and 1 being zero mention of God, I would rank the story a 4. Maggie would appear to be the only devout Christian in the troupe, and her struggle, as mentioned above, is how best to serve Him. The author handles this arc very well and I enjoyed watching Maggie grow in her faith.

There is a romance here, but the focus of The Foxhole Victory Tour is finding your place in the world and the people you are meant to share it with. I appreciated the author showing us the seriousness of war while still focusing on the light within those tumultuous shadows. In fact, the book’s only flaw is that everything works out perfectly for everyone. That said, I found the novel a quick, enjoyable read with a fascinating look at the history of the USO and how it worked. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction.

I do love my Historical Fiction and I especially enjoy stories about WWII.

This was something new and I loved reading this book about the entertainment shows for soldiers.
The book is based on true facts and the author has done her research. The look ‘behind the scenes’ was very interesting and highly entertaining.
It was beautifully written in dual POV, which was brilliantly done.
The characters were likeable or not likeable at all, but they all had their own personality and I truly enjoyed it. The character development was spot on and makes you invested in them, whether you like them or not. The bravery and courage it takes to bring some joy and entertainment to servicemen and women in such dangerous places warmed my heart, even though they probably weren't fully aware of it by signing up for the Tour.
The travel across North Africa was really nice as the scene settings are changing. The world-building was great and it was like I was there and part of the story.
I highly recommend this book, I just loved it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Bethany House for this ARC.

When it comes to historical fiction, those stories set during or around WWII tend to be some of my absolute favorites and as such, I've read many of them. Still, I believe this is the first I've read that centered around the USO tours. And I absolutely adored it.

There are several characters introduced in this story as part of the troupe, so I'll admit it took me a little bit to keep the characters and their various personalities and talents straight. Once I figured it all out, I found myself really enjoying all of them. While we might think of celebrities when we think about USO tours, this troupe is made up of everyday entertainers simply doing their part to keep up spirits among the servicemembers they perform for. It's certainly not the glamourous story that many might expect. With beautifully written characters, the hardships of war and a little competition thrown in, this story kept me absolutely intrigued from start to finish. This definitely had a bit of a found family feel to it, and I absolutely loved it.

If you enjoy historical fiction, this is definitely a beautiful read you'll want to check out.


**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

I love the movie Casablanca. It's one of my favorites. While it didn't inspire this book, and only features in a couple of side remarks throughout the story, the whole book has a real Casablanca feel to it, largely due to its geographic and historic setting as well as the characters themselves. It's told from three perspectives: Catherine, the socialite who runs away to find herself; Maggie, the scrappy girl who can dish it out and take it; and Douglas, the tour's organizer, who tells his story via letters. All three, as well as the others on tour, are facing their own demons and coming to terms with both wartime reality and themselves. The inspirational elements are understated, with themes of faith being really subtle yet woven into the very fabric of the story. It's got some mystery, some romance, travel, war, history...it's got all the things that make this a must-read for your new 2024 bookshelf!

A compelling, fascinating story about a handful of real-to-life, complex people on a USO tour during World War II. Each character is complex and relatable in their own way, and the conflicts are real and engaging. Kept me engaged throughout. Catherine, Maggie, Gabriel, Howie, and even Judith will stick with you long after you read the last page. A great read!

4 Stars
Is anyone else fascinated with the history of the USO? I have always been intrigued by the tours and danger that the performers were in at times. And to do it to help the morale of the troops. <3 Needless to say I was immediately drawn to this newest release by Amy Lynn Green!

The story gives you two points of view--

Maggie a girl known for "moxie" who is a killer trumpet player and rather funny--but who has a problem with rules and definitely doesn't need help from anyone to do anything. And since she grew up poor, she can handle just about anything anyone dishes out. It's just too bad her dad can't understand that music moves her. it's not all of the devil!

Catherine--a rich society girl. Gorgeous. Who also is a genius with her violin. Usually a people pleaser--caught up in the middle of the nasty divorce between her parents. FAther just wants her to do her duty and get married to someone of his choosing and forget this stupid music stuff. Mother who is a musician herself and wants to see Catherine's name in lights. But Catherine just wants to play the music her way and figure out where she belongs. And see if she can find her pilot Leo who suddenly stopped writing her. Is he dead? a POW?

Both girls have one thing in common--they are trying to figure out who they are and both come from families that don't approve of their choices----which leads them both to leave their jobs touring the US with their all female band and accept the job touring as a variety group with the USO overseas.

I really liked how we got to see each girl morph and change because of the events of their tours. How Maggie had to learn that she couldn't do it all and that her worth wasn't in being able to do everything. Catherine learned how to do what SHE loved and felt was right--not what her parents told her was right.

Main con:
This is listed as a Christian fiction--but once again...no faith message in the forefront.
The characters don't even go to church regularly or even try to go to church. And other then a brief mention of the shortness of life and the power of the hymn...I honestly wouldn't even call this a Christian fiction. Just a clean read.

4 Stars because it was interesting and I liked the characters. The author really had a lot of moments to bring the faith element to the forefront--especially with the topic of finding your worth or value.
But sadly it wasn't taken.

*I received this as a complimentary ARC from the publishers and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all ideas and opinions are 100% my own.

The Foxhole Victory Tour is the story of a group of unknowns who, for a variety of reasons, have joined the USO and who find themselves reexamining their futures after facing the realities of war.

This was a fun story. Told in a dual POV with interjections via letters from, the storylines follow Maggie McCleod, a spunky tomboy who wails on the trumpet and always speaks her mind, and Catherine Duquette, a socialite with overbearing parents and an uncertainty of what she wants out of life. Both women are well-developed characters, and their stark contrasts create a great friendship while also naturally providing moments of tension. Maggie and Catherine are joined by several others in their USO group, and these secondary characters are also great, providing additional contrasts as well as alternate experiences and points of view regarding the war, society, and life in general.

Green also does a wonderful job of creating realistic settings and situations. From the history and beauty of Casablanca to the heat, sand, and vastness of the Sahara desert to the fear of hiding in a wine cellar or a ditch as bombs drop around them, the descriptions of the group's travels make their performances and the war overall come to life. Likewise, Green vividly describes the trials the group is forced to deal with, both in their performances and in their personal lives. Despite the perceived glamour of the USO, the performers have a tough time, and the hardships force the group to rethink what they find important.

The Foxhole Victory tour is a wonderful story of historical fiction with great characters, vivid descriptions, and some tough truths that will make readers reflect on their choices and their priorities.

Author Amy Lynn Green has created an entertaining and exciting novel in The Foxhole Victory Tour, and I found it hard to put down.

Her cast of characters jumped off the page, each one as real and vibrant as a next-door neighbour. Each character has a reason for joining the USO tour, and each is so unique that you are immediately caught up in the story.

Green's ability to transition between character voices is seamless and not confusing at all. It reads like a movie playing out, and that, in my opinion, is the best type of book to read. I felt like I was there, watching this little band of performers as they risked their lives to bring some joy to the soldiers.

If you love WWII stories with a hint of romance, you will enjoy The Foxhole Victory Tour. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.

The Foxhole Victory Tour
by Amy Lynn Green
Pub Date 23 Jan 2024
Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance


Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley sent me a copy of The Foxhole Victory Tour to review:


Worlds collide when performers from all over the United States come together for a tour of North Africa in this musical based on true stories of the USO variety shows during World War II.


The vibrant and scrappy Maggie McCleod tried hard not to get fired from her wartime orchestra, but her sharp tongue got her in trouble, so an overseas adventure with the USO's camp show promises a fresh start. A rich and elegant Catherine Duquette signs up for the USO to leave behind her restrictive life of privilege and find out what happened to the handsome pilot whose letters mysteriously stopped coming.



The two women are joined by an eclectic group of performers--a scheming blues singer, a veteran tap dancer, and a brooding magician--but the harmony between their troupe is short-lived when their tour manager announces he will soon recommend one of them for a coveted job in the Hollywood spotlight. There's a reason behind each of the five members wanting the contract, and they'll do whatever it takes. Getting closer to the dangerous battlefront in Tunisia, personal crises and wartime dangers only intensify, putting not only their careers, but also their lives at risk.


I give The Foxhole Victory Tour five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

THE FOXHOLE VICTORY TOUR by AMY LYNN GREEN is a WW11 story about six people who join the USO as travelling entertainers on the Foxhole circuit. It is a story about courage and sacrifice as they undergo danger and hardship in the warzones of North Africa to give the soldiers “something to smile about” as they lay theit lives on the line.
Each member of the team has a reason for joining the USO. Even Floyd Douglas, their leader, has an ulterior motive in that he wants to reach out to his son with whom he has parted on bad terms. His team is made up of the following six artists who not only make an influence as they travel through the war zones, but are themselves deeply influenced by the experience……
Outgoing Maggie McCleod, who has been raised by her preacher father, playing her trumpet in the Salvation Army band, and lives for music, longs for a career in music, especially after being sacked from the Swinging Sweethearts;
Shy Catherine Duquette, a beautiful violinist, who has spent most of her life doing what others wanted, wants to get away from her manipulating and warring parents, and follow her own path;
Howie Jones, a veteran of WW1, who is a tapdancer amongst other things, wants to honour his dead wife and make a career comeback;
Gabriel Kaminski, a magician with a limp who longs to become as good as his father, a famous magician, is quite used to being mocked for being unable to join up because of his condition, and psays philosophically to Maggie when she tries to stand up for him, “ Most of the boys are too busy fighting and dying, I expect, to wonder why I’m not”:
and snarky and ambitious Judith Blair is desperate to make a comeback before it is too late……..
When Douglas is asked by Bob Hope to choose one member of the team to join his prestigious show and tells them of the competition, their relationships are threatened……
This novel is not only interesting and well researched, it is a picture of how ordinary people cope in hard and unfamiliar situations and how they emerge on the other side.
I highly recommend The FoxholeVictory as a really great and inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Fans of WWII stories with human interest will want to grab this one. An enjoyable story with characters that seemed to step right off the page. It pulled me in more and more as they faced dangers and grew through the months on the road with the USO.
A hint of romance, but not the focus. The author did a good job of developing the different characters, showing how they grew from being self-centered to serving others. I especially liked Maggie's spunk and wit that sometimes landed her in trouble, but drove her to help others, and to be brave. The spiritual aspect to her struggle was touching and inspirational. Love the swing era, jazz, and big band music mentioned; it made me want to watch old movies like White Christmas and Glen Miller's Story.
Loved the ending too, which was unexpected and hopeful.
Recommend! 4.5 stars

The Foxhole Victory Tour
by Amy Lynn Green
Publisher: Bethany House Publishing
Series: None
Rated: 5
Obtain: Borrow or buy
Back of the Book: “Based on true World War II stories of life in the USO variety shows, worlds collide when performers from around the United States come together to tour North Africa.
Vibrant and scrappy Maggie McCleod tried not to get fired from her wartime orchestra, but her sharp tongue landed her in trouble, so an overseas adventure with the USO's camp show promises a chance at a fresh start. Wealthy and elegant Catherine Duquette signs with the USO to leave behind her restrictive life of privilege and to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of the handsome pilot whose letters mysteriously stopped arriving.
The two women are joined by an eclectic group of performers--a scheming blues singer, a veteran tap dancer, and a brooding magician--but the harmony among their troupe is short-lived when their tour manager announces he will soon recommend one of them for a coveted job in the Hollywood spotlight. Each of the five members has a reason to want the contract, and they'll do whatever is necessary to claim it. As their troupe travels closer to the dangerous battlefront in Tunisia, personal crises and wartime dangers only intensify, putting not only their careers but also their lives on the line.”

Impressions: I appreciated this new angle of WW2 hero’s. I’ve not put much thought into what the tours to the troops might have experienced. I can see now how challenging this might have been. I enjoyed the different personalities on this tour as well as the relationships that were formed. This was a drama packed adventure with a charming romance brewing along the way.

Quotes: “But remember, we’re only on this earth for a short time. Why not do something that matters?”

“If God called you here, and he gave us to you, then maybe he called us here too.”

“Maybe we all understand God better through the pursuit we’re most familiar with.”

“Her father had taught her to always look the people they serve in the eye. ‘Everyone deserves the simple human dignity of being seen.”

“We sing to God, of course, but we also sing to each other. When we’ve almost forgotten what we believe, the words of the songs remind us.”

“Which would she regret more, leaving or staying?”

“‘Your value isn’t in what you accomplish, Maggie. If you place your worth there, you’ll live just short of satisfied and die tired. But when you give it up’-she held up her teacup aloft and smiled- ‘you learn how to rest.’… ‘There’s a difference between sleep and rest. That’s the secret behind the Sabbath. It’s not about rules of what ought or ought not to be done. It’s meant to be one day a week where you contribute nothing at all to the world. Where you’re not expected to produce anything, work hard, or prove yourself.’”

“She might have saved a man’s life, all because when it counted, she’d chosen what was brave instead of what was easy.”

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

Historical fiction readers will love this book. Based on the lives of USO performers during WWII, readers will travel along with them as they tour Northern Africa. The hardships and experiences the actors had comes to life during this enjoyable story. Very realistic! Love the characters! Hard to put down. Highly recommended!

This was completely fascinating. Before I read this book I knew nothing about the USO tours during World War 2. I enjoyed reading about the lives of two women (Maggie and Catherine) who stepped up as performers to bring entertainment to the war front.

Maggie is a witty and brave trumpet player, and Catherine is a violinist and the daughter of a wealthy socialite and musician who just wants to make her own way in the world. They join a group of performers and the book tells of their self made competition for a job offer in Hollywood.

Overall, the book was enjoyable and I learned a lot from it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. A positive review was not required.

I’ve read and enjoyed all of Amy Lynn Green’s books but this one might just be my favorite next to Things We Didn’t Say! I loved the plot of this book! I didn’t know much about the USO variety show so I found it really interesting.

I loved the characters in this story! We follow the POV of two women in show business, outspoken Maggie McCleod and shy Catherine Duquette. These two are complete opposites in pretty much every way. I really enjoyed getting to know both of them as well watching their character growth throughout the story. I loved reading about Maggie’s act as a comedian and trumpeter as well as Catherine’s act as a violinist.
I also loved getting to know the other character that were on the tour with them— the magician Gabriel, the tap dancer Howie, and the blues singer Judith. Even serious Mr. Douglas was interesting. They were all unique and interesting characters that brought a lot of life to this story.

I loved watching these characters grow to be friends, despite their differences and the competition. The themes of friendship in this book were wonderful.
I also loved how these characters found a greater purpose in the tour. It was really inspiring.
The faith is this book was subtle but I really enjoyed when it was present.

Another unique thing about this book is that the setting changes frequently as the character’s travel from place to place in North Africa. I found that element to the story neat!

In conclusion, I really enjoyed this book! It was fun, humorous, original, and touching all at once. I loved the characters, the plot, and the history. If you love books set in the 1940s with themes of friendship, light romance, and history, I think you’ll really enjoyed this book!

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions are my own.

"Your value isn't in what you accomplish. If you place your worth there, you'll live just short of satisfied and die tired. But when you give it up, you learn how to rest."

Amy Lynn Green's lyrical voice will transport you to 1943 North Africa where war rages and a group of entertainers strives to keep up the troop's morale. The author is a masterful storyteller, engaging all of our senses as she takes us from Minnesota to NYC, Morocco, Algeria and back stateside. You can taste the thrills, victories, danger, hardships, and losses felt among the six members of the group. I learned a lot about USO Foxhole Circuit, which was quite intriguing.

The six characters who make up the variety troupe are unique and memorable characters - a straight-laced workaholic manager, an insecure and jaded singer, an impulsive yet practical trumpeter/comedian, a naive socialite violinist, a widowed veteran vaudeville performer, and a crippled philosophical magician. Though Maggie and Catherine have the biggest voices in the storyline, each character grows and matures through their shared experiences. Their friendship and camaraderie are rewarding - for the characters and the readers. Funny jokes, moving musical pieces, deep spiritual lessons, and harsh realities of war mingle in perfect parts to create this lovely tribute to those who served by tending to the spirit of the soldiers.

Unfortunately I did not fully connect with any of the characters. I found Floyd too buttoned up, Judith annoying and cloying, Maggie too brash and headstrong, Catherine clingy and pampered, Howie a little invisible, and Gabriel aloof and somewhat difficult to figure out. The golden opportunity that the performers were competing for at the end of their tour felt somewhat contrived; this subplot didn't quite fit into the story, though it did lead to a nice tidy ending. This being said, the story is totally worth your while and I recommend it to any historical fiction fan.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Baker House Publishing via Interview & Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Bethany House and NetGalley for my advanced electronic copy.

Maggie McCleod is touring with an all-girl band, entertaining on the home front during World War II while the men are away. But when her sharp tongue gets her in trouble she takes a job with a USO touring group to prove that she can do something that matters. Her bandmate, sheltered and wealthy Catherine Duquette, jumps at the chance to escape her overbearing, selfish parents and joins up too. Their troupe barely begins to work together when their manager announces the chance of a lifetime--a shot at a position with a big-time USO touring group to the performer he feels is most worthy at the end of the tour. Will they be able to pull together to support not only the troops in North Africa, but each other too? Or will the pressures and dangers of war be the end of them?

I appreciated the dual point of view we got between the two dissimilar women. It offered a broader view of the time, the war, and the USO. Women played an important role in the war effort at home and abroad, and this story brought so many different of those roles to life, including that of entertainer (to boost morale). We see vignettes on a journey of growth and discovery for both women and their motley crew of performers in the crucible of war. I was impressed with how much Green was able to pack into the story and still keep it cohesive and natural. I ended up loving all the characters and their story arc, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Green's work.

I surely enjoyed this novel.
I couldn't put the book down once I started it.
I.think my favorite character is Maggie. With her spunk and sassy ways she is what truly made this story.
This book truly in my opinion deserves 5 stars because it's so well written. I love reading anything by this author and this one didn't disappoint.
Lots of goings on in this adventure!
I think the one characters that I really didn't like were Huey and Catherine.
I didn't like how Huey done his troupe.
Catherine because she was a spoiled brat and went about everything the wrong way.
But Catherine does give us a wonderful surprise somewhere along the line. I won't say I'll let y'all read it for yourself, but you will like it.
Her father wasn't any better. Being "protective " controlling is what i
I call it; It can go too far at times.
This was an outstanding read.
For most of the side characters I did love.
Forgiveness is the theme. Forgive others before it's too late. Because you never know if that person will be there tomorrow. Tomorrow's never promised.
Again, I just want to say how much I enjoyed this novel. It touched my heart to the very core.
A quote from the vook from Catherine
Father always said his business was built on trust, and I’ve given my word to the USO. I know this can’t last forever, but for another few weeks, I really feel I ought to and I feel like she was going to say stay.
Trust and forgiveness and hope. Maybe some light at the end of the tunnel.
Here's another one;
“Yes, I’m a regular red bombshell.” Catherine said
“Who called you that? Arthur scoffed No offense meant, of course he added quickly.
I highly recommend it.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Another satisfying and illuminating work of historical fiction from Green, who is on my auto-read list.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.