Crossings

Crossings is a World War II-era romance novel set against the backdrop of trans-Atlantic voyages and international diplomacy. The story centers on Liane de Villiers, a young American woman married to an aging French ambassador, as she navigates personal relationships and global conflict. The narrative follows multiple characters whose lives intersect on the luxury ocean liner Normandie during its journey between Washington D.C. and France. Among them is Nicholas Burnham, the head of a steel company, whose path crosses with Liane's as Europe moves toward war. The plot spans several years and locations, from the diplomatic circles of pre-war Washington to the complexities of life in German-occupied France. Steel's novel explores the choices people make when caught between duty, love, and survival. This historical romance examines themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the impact of world events on personal relationships. The ocean liner serves as both a literal vessel and a metaphor for the crossings people make between different worlds and lives.

Readers describe Crossings as a departure from Steel's typical romance formula, focusing more on World War II history and espionage. Many found the wartime setting and French Resistance storyline compelling. What readers liked: - Historical accuracy and research - Complex character development - Balance between romance and historical drama - References to real WWII events What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Repetitive descriptions - Less romance than expected from Steel - Some found the ending rushed Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) BookBrowse: 3.5/5 Sample reader comments: "A refreshing change from her usual billionaire romances" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much setup before getting to the action" - Amazon reviewer "The WWII details felt well-researched but the love story fell flat" - BookBrowse reviewer

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🌟 The SS Normandie, the ship featured in the novel, was the fastest and most luxurious ocean liner of its time, setting multiple speed records for Atlantic crossings 🌟 Danielle Steel has written over 190 books, with 22 being adapted for television, making her one of the world's bestselling authors with over 800 million copies sold 🌟 During WWII, over 6,000 women served as diplomats' wives, playing crucial unofficial roles in wartime diplomacy and intelligence gathering 🌟 The SS Normandie tragically capsized in 1942 while being converted into a troopship, ending its brief but legendary career as a luxury liner 🌟 Steel writes her novels on a 1946 Olympia typewriter, completing most books in under 3 months, often working on multiple books simultaneously