Review: There'll Be Blue Skies By Ellie Dean

Series: Beach View Boarding House - Book #1
Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Random House UK
Publication Date: August 1, 2011
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0099560461

When 16-year-old Sally is evacuated to the English south coast, she is terrified by what lies ahead of her. All she knows are the sights and sounds of London's East End—but Sally swallows her tears as they leave the familiar landmarks behind, knowing that she has to be a Grown-Up Girl and play mother to her six-year-old brother Ernie. Playing mother is nothing new for Sally—their real mother Florrie, a good-time girl, hasn't even come to the station to wave them off and Ernie, crippled at an early age by polio, is used to depending on his older sister.

When they arrive in Cliffehaven, they're taken to live at Beach View boarding house, where they're welcomed by the open-hearted Reilly family headed up by warm, loving Peggy, and life begins to improve. Sally gets a job in a uniforms factory to help pay her way—and to pay for Ernie's expensive medicines—but then Florrie arrives in Cliffehaven, bringing disaster with her. And Sally is forced to work out where her true loyalties lie...

My Thoughts:

I was first introduced to Ellie Dean's Beach View Boarding House Series this past summer when I was presented with an advance reader's copy of Book #9, Sealed With A Loving Kiss, and I was immediately captivated by the endearing cast of characters as well as Dean's emotionally compelling writing style.  Although it read well as a stand alone novel, I immediately knew I had to go back a begin with the first book in this series and I was not disappointed in the least!  This first installment is set against the early days of World War II and the children of London are being evacuated to the countryside.  As a mother, I can't even begin to imagine what this must have been like, however, for Sally and Ernie, their mother doesn't seem to be particularly bothered at all and fails to even see her children off.  At sixteen years old, Sally has had to grow up quickly and has become her brother's primary care provider while their father serves his country.  Fortunately, Peggy Reilly has enough love in heart and a room to spare, and quickly embraces these young Londoners.  Filled with love, hope, and the endearing bonds of friendship amid the onset of war, "There'll Be Blue Skies" is a compelling story that has left me anxious to continue on to the next book in this series!  Keep the box of tissue close at hand; this one is sure to tug at your heart! FIVE stars.
 

These titles are also available as Audiobooks from Audible.com.  I listened to a couple of samples and I'm quite tempted to try a couple of these in audio format as well. (I'm quite smitten with the accents of the British narrators which only brings these novels to life even more!)

Review: Keep The Home Fires Burning By Anne Bennett

Paperback, 554 pages
Publisher: Harper Torch
Publication Date: January 1, 2011
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0007359195

A moving and gripping drama as one family struggles to survive through the strains of the Second World War The year is 1940 and Bill and Marion Whittaker live happily with their five children in a terraced house on Albert Road in Birmingham. But when Bill enlists to fight in the Second World War, the family are plunged into poverty. Marion is forced to pawn all her worldly possessions and decides to take in two lodgers, Peggy Wagstaffe and Violet Clooney. These two lively girls bring some light relief to the family and bring with them Peggy's handsome brother Sam - who catches the eye of Marion's sixteen-year-old daughter, Sarah. 1944 and the war grinds on. Disaster strikes with an explosion at the local munitions factory, leaving Sarah badly disfigured. Then news arrives that Sam has been blinded in action. Can these two injured souls help each other to repair not only their physical but emotional scars? And will Bill return to the safety of family and home?

  My Thoughts: 

This was one of my many online purchases from the Book Depository in the U.K.(yes, they offer free world wide shipping too!)  As a fan of the PBS series, Home Fires, I've been constantly searching for similar books set against the backdrop of World War 2 Britain.  In "Keep The Home Fires Burning," Anne Bennett has  created a remarkably gripping story of one family's struggle to survive and persevere during the war years.  The author has certainly done her research and brings a great deal of historical accounts into the story that swiftly takes the reader back in time to that particular period filled with apprehension, fear, and the will to keep moving forward.  She also provides the reader with the perspective of being a devout catholic family living in Britain during this period as well.  The Whittaker family will capture your heart and stay with you long after the last page has been read as the experience the tragedies of war and the ever-present love that holds them together throughout the years.  "Keep The Home Fires Burning" is an emotionally charged story with well-developed characters and a gripping plot...keep the tissues near by!  I enjoyed every page of this and I'm looking forward to reading other novels by this amazing author! FIVE stars.

Review: London Belles By Annie Groves

Series: Article Row Book #1
Print Length: 451 pages
Publisher: Harper; Reprint edition
Publication Date: March 31, 2011
Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0007361505

London Belles is a tale of four very different young women thrown together by war. Finding freedom and independence – as well as love, passion and heartbreak – for the very first time, a unique bond is formed as the hostilities take their toll on Britain.

Four lives. One war that will change them all.

When tragedy strikes, Olive is forced to seek lodgers. Three girls come knocking at her door, each in need of a roof over their heads.

Sally has left Liverpool to work as a nurse in London and when she arrives she is a shell of her former self. Where once stood a vivacious, sociable girl, now stands one plagued by homesickness and a betrayal that is devastatingly fresh in her mind.

Dulcie is living the high life in the West End, a world away from her home in Stepney. Working at Selfridges gives her access to the most fashionable clothes and makeup, but at home she is the black sheep of the family; always second to her sister. So she decides it's time to make a bid for freedom.

Agnes grew up in an orphanage, having been left on the steps as a new-born baby. But with war looming, and the orphanage relocating to the country, she must now seek out a job and lodgings. But with change comes exciting new opportunities, worlds away from the life she's known…

As the women prepare for war, all of their futures hang in the balance. Soon their lives will change irrevocably and the home that binds the London Belles is no longer the sanctuary they once sought.

My Thoughts:

Fans of the PBS series, "Home Fires: and "Mr.Selfridge", are sure to be delighted with this first installment of Annie Groves' "Article Row" series!  As Britain begins to prepare for the inevitable invasion of German forces, Olive and her daughter, Tilly, find themselves taking in boarders in order to make ends meet.  With the addition of Sally, Dulcie, and Agnes, number 13 Article Row quickly becomes more than a boarding house as Olive proves there is love in her heart for just one daughter. As each young woman struggles with her own personal issues, they are quickly bonded by the threats of war.  Annie Groves is an amazing storyteller and manages to capture the reader with extremely well-developed characters. I was immediately captivated by this cast of characters who soon felt more like old friends.  The insight into the preparations for war and everyone doing their bit to assist in the efforts makes for an intriguing and emotional journey into the past.  Keep in mind this is just the first novel in the series, so don't expect the story to come full circle by novel's end...after all it's really just the beginning and what a beginning it is!  I can't wait to read the next installment, "Home For Christmas".  A wonderful beginning to what is sure to be a wonderful series! FIVE stars.

Books In This Series: