📖 Hist Fic Saturday ~ The Surplus Girls' Orphans by Polly Heron

 

On Hist Fic Saturday

Let's Go back to Manchester...1922

Corvus
2021

Book #2 

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

Manchester, 1922

Molly Watson has had enough. Engaged for the last three years to a penny-pinching pedant, she finally decides she'd rather be a surplus girl than marry a man she doesn't truly love. Aware of the need to support herself if she is to remain single all her life, she joins a secretarial class to learn new skills, and a whole world opens up to her.

When she gets a job at St Anthony's Orphanage, she befriends caretaker Aaron Abrams. But a misunderstanding leaves them at loggerheads, and damages her in the eyes of the children she has come to care so deeply about. Can she recover her reputation, her livelihood, and her budding friendship, before it's too late?

📖 My Thoughts..

Those who have read the first book in The Surplus Girls' series will be entirely familiar with the notion of those women who, after the loss of so many young men during WW1 now find, in the 1920s, that there is, quite simply, not enough eligible men to go around, and faced with the prospect of life as single women they need to find a way to support themselves.

As with the first book, this second story brings alive the impact of living through times of social inequality, especially for women who were still very much seen to be of value only if they were wives and mothers. Independent women were classed as something of an oddity, however, this stalwart group of women certainly lead the way for change, but, that doesn't mean that these changes came about easily, or without high personal cost.

From the very start of the novel I hoped that Molly Watson wouldn't just settle for second best and that she would strike out for independence. I needn't have worried as Molly decides that life as a Surplus Girl is infinitely preferable to spending the rest of her life with her penny pinching fiancé. Leaving behind her sheltered life and taking up employment with the newly formed Board of Health opens up new horizons and leads Molly into a job at St Anthony's Orphanage.

There's a definite sense of social deprivation in this novel, especially for the orphans at St Anthony's who, although, by the standards of the day, are reasonably well cared for, they do lack emotional warmth from some of the care givers. However, children are very much at the heart of the story, not just about what happens for those at the orphanage but also for those who linger in the shadows.

The Surplus Girls' Orphans is both heart breaking and heart warming in equal measure and was everything I wanted in a continuation of this excellent historical series. I raced through the story hoping that everything would eventually come right for those characters I had quickly come to love. Beautifully written and imaginatively described The Surplus Girls' Orphans once again brings the northern spirit alive so in many different ways. The early part of the twentieth century, with its multifaceted shades of light and dark, infuses the story with so much character that following Molly Watson's journey through this time in history has been such a joy to read.  

For those who are interested the next book in the series is available Christmas with the Surplus Girls is published by Corvus and is out now. And just to remind you that they are all perfectly readable as standalone stories.

Corvus
October 2021

About the Author

Polly Heron is a historical saga writer living on the North Wales coast. She is originally from Manchester, which is where her books are set.

 

Twitter @Polly_Heron #TheSurplusGirlsOrphans #SagaSaturday

Website

@CorvusBooks

📖 Blog Tour ~ The Railway Girls in Love by Maisie Thomas

 

📖 Thrilled to be part of this Blog Tour 📖

Arrow
15 April 20201

Railway Girls #3

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book
and the invitation to the blog tour

Love is in the air, and together the railway girls can overcome even the hardest of times.

Mabel has finally put the past behind her, and her relationship with the dashing Harry is stronger than ever. That is, until an old flame shows up, leaving Mabel questioning her future.

Meanwhile Joan has made amends with Bob - if only she could do the same with Gran. And there's still that family mystery she wants answer to, isn't there?

As a mother and grandmother, Dot Green has always put her family first. Her job as a parcels porter has brought new purpose to her life, so is it finally time to start following her heart . . .

Life as a railway girl is busy but as war rages on and air raids disrupt daily life, the women realise they need each other more than ever, especially when there might be wedding bells on the horizon.

📖 My thoughts...

This is the third book in The Railway Girls series of historical novels and it continues to focus on the lives of Mabel, Joan and Dot as they go about their lives working on the railways during WW2. In this latest novel, the girls are working just as hard, helping to keep the railway network running, but with the effects of war biting ever harder, the women need to pull together even more. The support that each of the women give to each other is what makes this series so special.

There's a lovely familiar feel to the story, and returning to Manchester, in 1941, is like coming home, especially as we have grown to love and admire both the stoicism and northern good humour of this group. Meeting again with Mabel, Joan and Dot is just such a delight, especially, as in this novel, we look more at their personal relationships, and with a hint of love and marriage on the horizon for one of the characters, it shows off the wonderfully warm camaraderie which has developed between these lovely women. Simple survival on the home front is very much in evidence and the author writes with a lovely light touch, showing what life was like during the early years of the war when our towns and cities were a target for German bombers. 

There's a great deal of research needed to maintain a successful historical series and the author does a great job at bringing wartime Manchester to life. Like all towns, Manchester had its share of war time tragedy and I think this stoicism in making do and mending is what comes across so beautifully in The Railway Girls in Love, as even on a bad day when things are going wrong for them, they simply get up, and with strength and humour, they carry on with their lives.

Whilst it is perfectly possible to read The Railway Girls in Love as a standalone saga, as with all series, it is better if you start at the beginning in order to appreciate this author's skillful ability to bring place and people alive, and enjoy getting to know, and love, The Railway Girls.

About the Author

Maisie Thomas was born and brought up in Manchester, which provides the location for her Railway Girls novels. She loves writing stories with strong female characters, set in times when women needed determination and vision to make their mark. The Railway Girls series is inspired by her great aunt Jessie, who worked as a railway clerk during the First World War. Maisie now lives on the beautiful North Wales coast with her railway enthusiast husband, Kevin, and their two rescue cats. They often enjoy holidays chugging up and down the UK’s heritage steam railways.

Twitter @MaisieThomas99 #RailwayGirlsinLove

@arrowpublishing

Book Review ~ His Castilian Hawk by Anna Belfrage

 

Published 2020

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale.

Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control.

Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family—lost her Castilian mother as a child and is left entirely alone when her father and brother are killed. When ordered to wed the unknown Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply.

Two strangers in a marriage bed is not easy. Things are further complicated by Noor’s blood-ties to the Welsh princes and by covetous Edith who has warmed Robert’s bed for years.

Robert’s new wife may be young and innocent, but he is soon to discover that not only is she spirited and proud, she is also brave. Because when Wales lies gasping and Edward I exacts terrible justice on the last prince and his children, Noor is determined to save at least one member of the House of Aberffraw from the English king.

Will years of ingrained service have Robert standing with his king or will he follow his heart and protect his wife, his beautiful and fierce Castilian hawk?

What did I think about it...

Robert Fitzstephan is rewarded for his loyalty to his King when he is given the plentiful lands that surround Orton Manor, but it's not just the manor he receives, Robert also gets to marry the manor's custodian, the beautiful, Eleanor d'Outremer. However, the relationship is difficult from the beginning, as not only does Robert have to come to terms with an arranged marriage to a teenager he didn't need, or plan for, but he must also try to keep his temperament mistress under control.

What then follows is a lively medieval adventure which takes us from the border lands of Wales, to the sumptuous, and often brutal, court of King Edward I. The thirteenth century world comes gloriously alive as all the difficulties of a King at odds with his  people comes sharply into focus. The ferocity of Edward I's campaign against the Welsh is well documented as is the King's quest to eradicate all evidence of Welsh ancestry. 

In this authentically portrayed story, the plight of the Welsh is described in a forceful and realistic way which doesn't shy away from describing the brutality of a medieval war. However, His Castilian Hawk is not all about war, politics and power, there's also a sparkling love story at its heart, which has its fair share of delicious passion, insane jealousy and deep seated resentment. 

The story has everything I have come to expect - thwarted romance, passionate response, and more than enough medieval politics to keep me enthralled and totally involved in a medieval world of danger and intrigue, a world which this clever storyteller recreates so beautifully.

Beautifully written and impeccably researched, His Castilian Hawk is the start of a passionate medieval adventure which has all the trademarks of this talented author's love for the medieval world. The story is set to continue with The Castilian Pomegranate in 2021 - I can't wait to find out more about Robert and Eleanor's passionate adventures.😊

About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. 

More recently, Anna has published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients. While she loved stepping out of her comfort zone (and will likely do so again ) she is delighted to be back in medieval times in her September 2020 release, His Castilian Hawk. Set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales, His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love.

Twitter @abelfrageauthor

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Review ~ Anna of Kleve : Queen of Secrets by Alison Weir

Anna of Kleve : Queen of Secrets is published May 2nd 2019 by Headline Review 

Headline
2 May 2019

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

Bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir tells the little-known story of Henry VIII’s fourth wife, as a grieving king chooses a bride sight unseen in the fourth novel in the epic and intrigue-filled Six Tudor Queens series.

Newly widowed and the father of an infant son, Henry VIII realizes he must marry again to insure the royal succession. Now forty-six, overweight and unwell, Henry is soundly rejected by some of Europe’s most eligible princesses, but Anna of Kleve—a small German duchy—is twenty-four and eager to wed. Henry requests Anna’s portrait from his court painter, who enhances her looks, painting her straight-on in order not to emphasize her rather long nose. Henry is entranced by the lovely image, only to be bitterly surprised when Anna arrives in England and he sees her in the flesh. She is pleasant looking, just not the lady that Henry had expected.

What follows is a fascinating story of this awkward royal union that had to somehow be terminated tactfully. Alison Weir takes a fresh and surprising look at this remarkable royal marriage by describing it from the point of view of Queen Anna, a young woman with hopes and dreams of her own, alone in a royal court that rejected her from the day she arrived.

My thoughts..

This is the eagerly expected fourth volume of Alison Weir's epic series of novels about the six wives of Henry VIII. Anna of Kleve is perhaps the least well known of Henry's Queens as she was neither as sexy, nor as tragic, as his other spouses.

Any woman who accepted marriage to Henry VIII did so, in the knowledge of what had happened to her predecessors and I think the author shows the natural reticence of Anna of Kleve, especially in the way that she was manipulated by the men in her life, and yet, with an almost quiet determination, she succeeds where Henry's other Queens sadly didn't.

Realising the royal marriage wasn't working Anna was canny enough to understand that in order to keep her head and maintain a comfortable lifestyle she needed to submit to Henry's demands for a divorce. Of course, it wasn't all as straightforward as that and this book goes into intricate detail about Anna's life, from her young adulthood, at home in Kleve, to her short time as Henry's wife and her subsequent bizarre relationship as the king's 'beloved sister'.

As always the author writes with great authority and uses her considerable knowledge of the Tudor period in order to bring this enigmatic woman to life in a very believable way. The  hint of scandal in Anna's past, which the author alludes to,  is one that I wasn't overly familiar with, however, the author puts forward a very interesting interpretation of Anna's life which I found entirely plausible.

This has been such a fabulous series so far, and I think that this fictional version of Anna of Kleve's life has been absolutely fascinating. Her ability to survive and thrive and yet, always to keep on Henry's good side makes for compelling reading.

I have enjoyed this series about the first four wives of Henry VIII, and I'm already looking forward to reading of the life of, perhaps, Henry's most duplicitous Queen, Katheryn Howard.

About the Author

Alison Weir is the top-selling female historian (and the fifth-bestselling historian overall) in the United Kingdom, and has sold over 2.7 million books worldwide. She has published eighteen history books, including her most recent non-fiction book, Queens of the Conquest, the first in her England’s Medieval Queens quartet. Alison has also published several historical novels, including Innocent Traitor and The Lady Elizabeth. Anna of Kleve: Queen of Secrets is Alison Weir’s ninth published novel and the fourth in the Six Tudor Queens series about the wives of Henry VIII, which was launched in 2016 to great critical acclaim. The first three books in the series – Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen, Anne Boleyn: A King’s Obsession and Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen were all Sunday Times bestsellers. Alison is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an honorary life patron of Historic Royal Palaces.

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Anna of Kleve : Queen of Secrets is published May 2nd 2019 by Headline Review 

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Review ~ The Golden Lynx by C P Lesley

Five Directions Press
2nd edition : July 2018
Legends of Five Directions #1

My thanks to the author for my ecopy of
of this book

What's it all about..

Russia, 1534. Elite clans battle for control of the toddler who will become their first tsar, Ivan the Terrible. Amid the chaos and upheaval, a masked man mysteriously appears night after night to aid the desperate people. 

Or is he a man? 

Sixteen-year-old Nasan Kolychev is trapped in a loveless marriage. To escape her misery, she dons boys' clothes and slips away under cover of night to help those in need. She never intends to do more than assist a few souls and give her life purpose. But before long, Nasan finds herself caught up in events that will decide the future of Russia. 

And so, a girl who has become the greatest hero of her time must decide whether to save a baby destined to become the greatest villain of his time.

My thoughts..

My knowledge of this period in world history has been woefully neglected so I came into The Golden Lynch knowing absolutely nothing about the Tatars and the Russians and where they were at this point in their collective history.

The story has a dramatic opening chapter which introduces us to sixteen year old Nasan Kolychev who witnesses a terrible tragedy which, despite her yearning for adventure, will chart the path of her life forever. Terrible consequences arise from this tragedy and Nasan, caught between two worlds has to try and make sense of what is happening around her, especially in light of her loveless marriage to one of her family's enemies. Making sense of the ever changing world around her is important to Nasan and she is something of a feisty heroine especially when her life, by her own choosing starts to become more adventurous. 

The story has a really authentic feel to it and, despite my lack of knowledge about the history of the time, I was very quickly drawn into the whole adventure and, to the author's credit there is a lot of information, but all is easily readable and not at all over complicated.

The Golden Lynx is the start of  a whole series of historical adventures, which I am sure are all  written with this author's enthusiasm and keen eye for historical accuracy.

    

 

About the Author

C. P. Lesley is the author of eight novels, including Legends of the Five Directions (The Golden Lynx, The Winged Horse, The Swan Princess, The Vermilion Bird, and The Shattered Drum), a historical fiction series set in 1530s Russia, during the difficult childhood of Ivan the Terrible. Find out more about her at http://www.cplesley.com.

You can read an interview with the author by clicking here 

Hist Fic Saturday ~ The Turn of Midnight by Minette Walters

On Hist Fic Saturday

Let's go back to ...medieval England

The year is 1349 and time is running out..

Black Death #2
Allen&Unwin
4 October 2018

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

What's it all about...

As the year 1349 approaches, the Black Death continues its devastating course across England. In Dorseteshire, the quarantined people of Develish question whether they are the only survivors.

Guided by their beloved young mistress, Lady Anne, they wait, knowing that when their dwindling stores are finally gone they will have no choice but to leave. But where will they find safety in the desolate wasteland outside?

One man has the courage to find out.

Thaddeus Thurkell, a free-thinking, educated serf, strikes out in search of supplies and news. A compelling leader, he and his companions quickly throw off the shackles of serfdom and set their minds to ensuring Develish's future - and freedom for its people.

But what use is freedom that cannot be gained lawfully? When Lady Anne and Thaddeus conceive an audacious plan to secure her people's independence, neither foresees the life-threatening struggle over power, money and religion that follows...

My thoughts about it...

In 1348/49 the worst pandemic in history continues to make its presence felt. For those who try to survive in the demesnes of Develish in Dorseteshire, life, despite the plague, is, thanks to their gracious benefactor, Lady Anne, safely maintained. When clandestine news arrives from their erstwhile steward, Thaddeus Thurkell, that there are little survivors throughout the area, plans are made to bring in whatever food and livestock is available in order to ensure the survival of Develish. However, danger is never far away, and Thaddeus and his young companions need to keep their wits about them as they venture into dangerous territory.

There is no doubt that the author has created a very believable and almost dystopian medieval world. Fourteenth century Dorset is a place where all hope of charity is abandoned and the old feudal way of life is forever changed. Survivors of the plague look for guidance from their lords and priests but finding nothing worthwhile challenge authority on every level. Lawlessness is one step ahead of terror and Thaddeus and his companions need wit and guile and also a plausible reason for travelling the land, and so, with the collusion of Lady Anne, an audacious plan is set in place which will either see the success of Develish or its demise.

Thanks to the undeniable skill of the author I have been immersed in a dark medieval world, traversing a countryside destroyed by the ravages of a deadly disease which ravaged communities. The old remnants of a feudal system is in disarray and the country is a lawless place were bodies lie unburied and livestock roam untended. However, if people are to survive, plans have to be made, and both serfs and freemen must work together in order to survive, and for some this is the chance of a lifetime to make something of themselves.

The Turn of Midnight brings this dark world to life in glorious detail, concentrating more on what is going on in the wider community than at Develish, the story is no less compelling. The characters we got to know so well in The Last Hours continue to have a starring role in this story but with greater emphasis placed on Thaddeus and his young companions who he has trained into a strong band of followers. 

As there is a seamless continuation from the first book to this second story, I feel that readers coming  new to The Turn of Midnight will have missed far too much and whilst I'd like to say this story works as a standalone, I don't think it does, as this really is one of those series which you should read in book order.

Alive with menace from the start, The Turn of Midnight is a vivid recreation of medieval life and one of the best historical fiction series I have read in a long time. I do hope that there's going to be at least one more book as the ending in this one certainly lends itself to a continuation...

About the Author

©Vicky Fry

Minette Walters is one of the world's best-selling crime writers. She is the author of twelve novels, winning the CWA John Creasey Award for The Ice House, the Edgar Allan Poe Award in America for The Sculptress and two CWA Gold Daggers for The Scold's Bridle and Fox Evil. The Last Hours and The Turn of Midnight mark an exciting new direction for Minette. She lives in Dorset with her husband.

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Twitter #TheTurnOfMidnight

Blog Tour ~ Hope on the Waterways by Milly Adams

📖 Jaffareadstoo is delighted to host today's stop on the Hope on the Waterways Blog Tour 📖

Arrow
20 September 2018

My thanks to the publishers for the invitation to be part of this tour
and for my copy of the book

What's it all about...

January 1945, West London

Sylvia Simpson is flourishing in her role aboard the Marigold and has quickly established herself as an invaluable member of the crew. But as the V-I and V-2 rockets draw closer, someone from her past is about to burst into their lives. Now Sylvia must choose between keeping the promises she has made, and remaining loyal to the people she loves the most. 

Polly and Verity are still waiting for their sweethearts’ safe return, and soon find they have their own battles to fight on the home front. It will take all their resolve to keep their heads above water, but as long as they stick together there will always be hope.

Here's what I thought about it...

Hope on the Waterways sees a welcome return to the feisty group of young women who work the British canal system during the Second World War. It's now 1945 and Polly, Verity, Sylvia and their beloved, Dog, put their lives on the line as they attempt to move goods along the Grand Union Canal. With the added danger of V-1 and V-2 rockets exploding all around them, there is no doubt that there is never a moment when they at not at risk.

Filled with the usual blend of excitement and camaraderie, the boating community plays a very strong role in the story and the love and affection which is shown to the girls as they face their toughest challenge is written so beautifully that there were moments when I had a little tear in my eye. As always, the characters really make the story come alive, not just in the way they all interact and pull together, but also in the emotional attachment of the girls to each other. The way they support each other through all their individual troubles is portrayed realistically with humour and a great deal of affection.

I've followed this story from the beginning, which started in 1943, when the three girls were first introduced to each other, and it's been really lovely to have been on an exciting journey with them through the latter years of the war. There's a certain amount of tying up of loose ends, as this book sees the conclusion to the trilogy, it's been interesting to see how the author brings everything to a lovely, natural ending.

In The Waterway Girls series the author has created a really lovely set of stories which are all perfectly possible to read as standalone and yet, like all trilogies they really should, for greater enjoyment, be read from the very start with book one.

  

About the Author

Milly Adams lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband, dog and cat. Her children live nearby. Her grandchildren are fun, and lead her astray. She insists that it is that way round.

Website

Twitter @Milly_Author #HopeOnTheWaterways

@arrowpublishing

His Fic Saturday ~ The Cold Light of Dawn by Anna Belfrage

On Hist Fic Saturday

Let's go back to ...14th Century, England

Troubadour
February 2018

My thanks to the author for sharing her novel with me

The Cold Light of Dawn is now the fourth, and possibly the last, book in this epic historical saga which brings the medieval world of Edward III so vividly to life. 

In this latest adventure we meet up again with Adam and Kit de Guirande as they flit between their countryside manor house, at Tresaints, and the Royal court. As in previous novels, their life is just as eventful and, as they immerse themselves in the scheming and political manoeuvrings of the Edwardian court, so they find that, as always, danger is never very far away.

With Edward II believed dead, the English court is very much at the centre of controversy, and even as the new young King, Edward III, starts to flex his political muscles, there are still courtiers who gravitate towards Queen Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer. With his allegiance to his young king stretched to breaking point, Adam de Guirande, once again finds that his loyalty towards his mentor, Mortimer, will be tested to the absolute limit of even his, considerable, endurance.

It goes without saying that I am greatly enamoured of Adam de Guirande, who is fast becoming one of my favourite literary heroes. I love his ability to be at the heart of the action, whilst at the same time keeping his integrity intact. Adam and Kit's ardent love for each other shines like a beacon throughout, and the moments spent with them in the quiet of their bed chamber adds a really delicious blend of passion and spice to the story.

'Real life' historical personalities truly come to life in the hands of this skilful writer and by the end of this novel I really felt as though I had walked in the shadow of Roger Mortimer and, whilst not always in tune with his actions, by the end of the story, I had come to respect his ability as a political operator, and will, most certainly, miss his commanding presence. That there was also another sad departure of a character I had grown to love took me completely by surprise and, it must be said, that I shed a little tear and mourned his loss rather more than Mortimer's.

There is something rather wonderful about this exciting historical series which, with every successive story, grows in depth and complexity, and which offers a fascinating glimpse into life at one of the most controversial royal courts. The historical aspect is beautifully researched and, whilst the author takes one or two liberties, there is always a real sense of authenticity which captures perfectly the sights, sounds and sensations of a busy medieval world.

Steeped in history and alive with all the brilliance of a medieval court at the height of its power, The Cold Light of Dawn commands your attention. The story glitters and swirls around those vibrant personalities who made their mark on history and whose exciting stories deserve to be retold.

That the author feels this could be the end of The King's Greatest Enemy series is something I feel I must challenge, as to be without Adam de Guirande in future stories is not something I wish to contemplate. 

More .....please 😊

About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a professional time-traveller. As such a profession does not exists, she settled for second best and became a financial professional with two absorbing interests, namely history and writing.

When Anna is not stuck in the 14th century, chances are she’ll be visiting in the 17th century, more specifically with Alex and Matthew Graham, the protagonists of the acclaimed The Graham Saga. 

Visit Anna's website and her blog

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