Ace, Marvel, Spy, Jenni L Walsh
Ace, Marvel, Spy, Jenni L Walsh
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Ace, Marvel, Spy
A Novel of Alice Marble

Author: Jenni L Walsh

Narrator: Gail Shalan

Unabridged: 9 hr 24 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Harper Muse

Published: 01/14/2025


Synopsis

"Jenni L. Walsh captures the thrill of being on the court in a vivid and detailed portrayal of Alice Marble's rise to sporting greatness, as well as her struggles to fulfill her dreams both on and off the court. Ace, Marvel, Spy is a smashing success!" --Billie Jean King, sports icon and equality champion"All's fair in love and war--and tennis!--in Jenni L. Walsh's latest page-turning historical novel . . . Readers can't help but be inspired by this unflinching portrayal of a true American icon." --Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling author of A Happier LifeTrailblazer, superstar, activist, and spy: Alice Marble is a true American icon.Alice strives to have it all.At seventeen, Alice Marble has no formal tennis skills and no coach. What she does have is an ability to hit the ball as hard as she can and a strong desire to prove herself. With steadfast determination and one sacrifice after another, Alice plays her heart out on the courts of the rich and famous, at national tournaments, and—the greatest of them all—at Wimbledon, rising to be one of the top-ranked players in the world.But then her world falls apart.With the outbreak of war with Germany, Alice’s tennis career and life come to a screeching halt, and for the first time, she is forced to confront who she is without tennis. As she seeks to understand her new place in the world and how she can aid in the war efforts, a telegram arrives with devastating news from overseas. Heartbroken and lost, she feels like she can only watch as the war wreaks havoc in every area of her life.Until an unexpected invitation arrives.Alice is given the chance to fight back when the US Army sends her a request: Under the guise of playing in tennis exhibition games in Switzerland, she would be a spy for them. Alice aches for nothing more than to avenge what the war has taken from her and to prove herself against this new opponent. But what awaits her might be her greatest challenge yet.From her start as a promising athlete with worn-out shoes to her status as a glamorous international star, Alice Marble’s determination to control her own life and destiny fuels a story of achievement, discipline, loss, and love.Jenni L. Walsh’s Ace, Marvel, Spy brilliantly showcases the life of Alice Marble, a real-life tennis sensation known for her extraordinary talent and indomitable spirit. This fast-paced and action-packed historical novel spans multiple international settings and is perfect for fans of Carrie Soto Is Back or any book by Kate Quinn.

About Jenni L Walsh

Jenni L. Walsh worked for a decade enticing readers as an award-winning advertising copywriter before becoming an author. Her passion lies in transporting readers to another world, be it in historical or contemporary settings. She is a proud graduate of Villanova University, and lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband, daughter, son, and various pets. Jenni is the USA TODAY bestselling author of historical novels Becoming Bonnie, Side by Side, A Betting Woman, The Call of the Wrens, Unsinkable, and Ace, Marvel, Spy. She also writes books for children, including the nonfiction She Dared series and historical novels Hettie and the London Blitz, I Am Defiance, By the Light of Fireflies, Over and Out, and Operation: Happy. To learn more about Jenni and her books, please visit jennilwalsh.com or @jennilwalsh on social media.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Christy on November 25, 2024

'It's funny, in tennis, love means nothing. But in life, love is everything. And Alice has loved fiercely - people, moments and a game'. Alice Marbel, picked up a tennis racket at the age of 15 - after her brother advised her it was more ladylike than baseball. Soon, thacking that tennis racket as po......more

Goodreads review by Karren on November 22, 2024

Alice Marble lives in San Francisco, California, she’s a tomboy and likes sports and her brother Dan suggests she plays tennis instead of baseball. At fifteen Alice enters her first tournament and against girls whose families have money and no poor like hers. Alice is determined to succeed, one day......more

Goodreads review by Mandy on January 24, 2025

Alice Marble was an incredible woman. A remarkable tennis player in the 1930’s and 40’s that I had never heard of. She blitzed her opponents on court with her determination to win and proved herself to the world. When the war comes and all professional tennis is halted she wants to help in anyway sh......more

Goodreads review by Caitlin on November 13, 2024

Until reading this book, I'd never heard of Alice Marble or any of her story. I loved how the author took this real-life account of Alice Marble and turned it into fiction, which made the character more personable and her story all the more riveting experiencing each scene through the characer's per......more

Goodreads review by Susan Z (webreakforbooks) on November 12, 2024

Ace, Marvel, Spy took my breath away. It is absolutely magnificent. The story follows tennis legend Alice Marble (who I've never heard of) from the early 1930s to the 1940s when she sett he world on fire as a tennis star. I absolutely loved the relationship between Alice and her coach, aka Teach. Te......more


Quotes

'All's fair in love and war--and tennis!--in Jenni L. Walsh's latest page-turning historical novel. Champion, editor, widow, and spy Alice Marble is a remarkable woman full of grit, determination, and unfathomable fortitude who made her mark on the world in irrevocable ways. Readers can't help but be inspired by this unflinching portrayal of a true American icon.' Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling author of A HAPPIER LIFE

'Best-selling author Walsh (UNSINKABLE, 2024) delivers a page-turning delight starring tennis ace Alice Marble, who came from a modest background to reach the top of her sport . . . Whether Alice is in a nail-biting tennis match or in a tight spot with her mission, this book will have readers on the edge of their seats. Be sure to read the author's note about the fascinating, real Alice Marble.' Booklist

'Jenni L. Walsh captures the thrill of being on the court in a vivid and detailed portrayal of Alice Marble's rise to sporting greatness, as well as her struggles to fulfill her dreams both on and off the court. ACE, MARVEL, SPY is a smashing success!' Billie Jean King, sports icon and equality champion

'The strength of this novel is its deep exploration of Alice's motives and emotions. The intensity and determination to pull through injuries and heartaches, to finish and excel at every task, and to assert her independence in a man's world, are evident . . . Recommended for readers wanting to learn more about a multi-talented tennis legend.' Historical Novel Society