Showing posts with label WW1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WW1. Show all posts

Sunday, November 17, 2024

The Liberty Scarf by Aimie K. Runyan; J'nell Ciesielski; Rachel McMillan

 


A Story of Three Women, One War, and a Scarf That Binds Them Together

A treasure of a book. Brilliantly and beautifully written, gently woven together. Three special and unique couples to get to know and love in stories taking place during WW1. Heart melting and heartbreaking, a lovely scarf and its design lightly tie them together. This is a keeper, should be a classic, would make a lovely and thoughtful gift.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheLibertyScarf #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #AimieKRunyan #JnellCiesielski #RachelMcMillan #HistoricalFiction #HarperMuse #HarperCollinsFocus

About the book

In the midst of a seemingly endless war, a scarf connects three women in the cold winter of 1917 . . .

London: As an ambitious scarf maker, Iris Braxton spends her days surrounded by color and luxury not often seen during the dark days of war that promised to be over by Christmas. That promise has come and gone for three years with still no end in sight and her days continue in a monotony of rations and threads while she spins a dream of becoming Liberty's first female pattern designer. She hasn't the time or interest in rakish soldiers, but the temporarily-on-leave Captain Rex Conrad is persistent--and before long his charm wins her over. But war is cruel and all too soon Conrad leaves once more for the Front, but not before vowing to meet again in Strasbourg, France, the most magical of Christmas cities. Iris begins stitching small messages into each of the scarves she makes in hopes that one will find a way into Rex's hands to let him know she's thinking of him. And when she receives word that he's wounded in Strasbourg, she rushes to his side. Along the way, she passes a woman wearing one of her scarves . . .

Maine: Genevive Tremblay, a French-Canadian immigrant, is a telephone operator living in Lewiston, Maine. Her beau is a member of a prominent family who has helped to Americanize her in a community often unfriendly to Canadians. As part of this effort, she enlists in the US Army Signal Corps to serve as a bi-lingual operator. Along the way, she meets a French officer who makes her question whether losing her identity is too heavy a price for acceptance.

Belgium: Clara Janssens, a Flemish Nurse, and Roman Allaire, an Alsatian violinist, connect in a Brussels palace-turned-hospital far beyond their routine provincial and countryside lives--and the expectations in those towns. Their love of music creates a spark between them, but the destruction of battle and the transient nature of their relationship threatens the bond they have built. Still, the appearance of a kind stranger and the unexpected gift of a treasured scarf bind them long beyond their stolen moments and offer them a future brighter than they could have even hoped.

Synopsis

From acclaimed authors Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan comes an evocative, three-part novel about a thread of connection during World War I--a single scarf that links three extraordinary women, each battling societal expectations, enduring the devastations of war, and striving for personal growth amidst the chaos. The Liberty Scarf is a testament to the resilience of women and the enduring power of hope and unity in the harshest of times.

In the midst of a seemingly endless war, a scarf connects three women in the cold winter of 1917 . . .

London: As an ambitious scarf maker, Iris Braxton spends her days surrounded by color and luxury not often seen during the dark days of war that were promised to be over by Christmas. That promise has come and gone for three years with still no end in sight, and her days continue in a monotony of rations and threads while she spins a dream of becoming Liberty's first female pattern designer. She hasn't the time or interest in rakish soldiers, but the temporarily-on-leave Captain Rex Conrad is persistent--and before long his charm wins her over. But war is cruel, and, all too soon, Conrad leaves once more for the Front, but not before vowing to meet again in Strasbourg, France, the most magical of Christmas cities. Iris begins stitching small messages into each of the scarves she makes in hopes that one will find a way into Rex's hands to let him know she's thinking of him. And when she receives word that he's wounded in Strasbourg, she rushes to his side. Along the way, she passes a woman wearing one of her scarves . . .

Maine: Genevi ve Tremblay, a French-Canadian immigrant, is a telephone operator living in Lewiston, Maine. Her beau is a member of a prominent family who has helped to Americanize her in a community often unfriendly to Canadians. As part of this effort, she enlists in the US Army Signal Corps to serve as a bi-lingual operator. Along the way, she meets a French officer who makes her question whether losing her identity is too heavy a price for acceptance.

Belgium: Clara Janssens, a Flemish Nurse, and Roman Allaire, an Alsatian violinist, connect in a Brussels palace-turned-hospital far beyond their routine provincial and countryside lives--and the expectations in those towns. Their love of music creates a spark between them, but the destruction of battle and the transient nature of their relationship threatens the bond they have built. Still, the appearance of a kind stranger and the unexpected gift of a treasured scarf bind them long beyond their stolen moments and offer them a future brighter than they could have even hoped.

The Liberty Scarf is more than a piece of fabric--it's a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity in the face of war, binding these three women together in an indelible bond. Experience their stories of love, sacrifice, and survival in this captivating novel from Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan.


My reviews

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

The Poppy Sisters by Deborah Carr

 

Somewhat predictable, but the characters are so endearing that you enjoy making the journey with them to see what actually happens. You have to love these people. Orphaned sisters are both nurses, serving in different places during WW1. They both fall in love with patients, which is forbidden to do in both places. But that's what makes it so interesting to read. Love it!! Hard to put down all the second half.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ThePoppySisters #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #HistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks #DeborahCarr

My reviews
BarnesAndNoble

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

The Call of the Wrens by Jenni L Walsh

 




Marion's story spanned both WW1 and WW2. Evelyn's story was in WW2. Both served as motorcycle dispatch riders for the British Women’s Royal Naval Service or Wrens. Their stories go deep for each. Marion wants to fit in, Evelyn wants to prove herself. Each is handicapped in their own way. Marion grew up in orphanages, Evelyn was brought up in a wealthy family and sheltered. They each had wonderful men in their lives. It's easy to get attached to these characters and find yourself rooting for them, holding your breath and at the edge of your seat at times for each. I found it interesting that lives of real Wrens had influenced the writing, real life situations during war. The excellent writing kept me engaged to the very end. Inspirational.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheCalloftheWrens #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #JenniLWalsh #WW2  #WW1

My reviews

Friday, February 4, 2022

Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

 




Such a fabulous read! I usually read for a couple of hours before going to sleep, to relax. Not with this book! It's breath taking and so very hard to put down, especially as the story builds. It's 1940 Paris where Lucie is in the ballet. Born American, she is staying with friends of her family, had been for years, studying ballet, living above their American bookstore. Then the occupying Germans made the Jews leave. The family friends were Jews. So Lucie bought the bookstore from them and left the ballet to run it. Paul is also an American, their family making luxury automobiles, but forced by the Germans to convert their factory to making trucks. Both have to adjust their way of life as the Germans cut back and restrict everything. Their loyalty to America, ideals and the people around them, plus being willing to sacrifice themselves to help defeat the Germans is basically the same. But they don't know it, until little by little. A huge last quarter of the book will leave you breathless and unable to put it down. When you try you can almost feel the action and danger pulsing, waiting to be picked up again. Such torture! But if you're like me you wouldn't have it any other way. As always a fabulous author, this is amazing Sarah!
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 
#UntilLeavesFallinParis #NetGalley.

My reviews:

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M. White

 




A masterpiece of mystery, danger and intrigue. In 1918 WW1 London, Lily is a talented photographer who can alter photographs by hand, way before Photoshop was even thought of. Zivon is a Russian codebreaker who escaped from his country, barely, with his life. He was separated from his brother by a train wreck and accidentally exchanged bags. Bags with very important information for all sides of the war. Very tense, deeply loving and heartbreaking story with a satisfying ending. Christian lessons and life's wisdom throughout, with astute sight and clarity. Beautifully done! Riveting, very hard to put down, especially in the last quarter as everything moves so fast. If I wasn't already a fan of Roseanna's, I would be now. Needs more than a 5 star rating.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 
#APortraitofLoyalty #NetGalley

My Reviews

Friday, January 21, 2022

Hope in the Valleys by Francesca Capaldi

 




This takes place in a small community in Wales, around the middle of WW1. (It's a continuation of a series, but it makes sense without reading the others first.) The war has everyone's lives running differently than what they had before the war. Women had to fill positions for those fighting and gone, many men from this town were able to stay to work the mines. This story has many of the people from the village, but Gwen and Elizabeth are more of a focus. Elizabeth, daughter of the man running the mine, would like to do more with her life. She is somewhat looked down on by the upper class that her mother is always trying to push her into yet she isn't really trusted by the workers and their families. Gwen works at the munitions plant, loving the good pay, but she is turning yellow skinned and getting sick. The entire town is unsure of their future, but you get to see closer into these two girls' lives and the lives of the men they are drawn to. Interesting, long read. Realistic of wartime pressures and social divides, personal struggles, trying to see their futures and trying to find love and happiness with family and with friends. 
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 
#HopeintheValleys #NetGalley

My Reviews
Goodreads

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin

 




Her daring bid for freedom could be her greatest undoing. 

Murder, mystery, sabotage.  Set towards the end of WW1, England to Scotland. Rose is being forced to marry an abusive man, by her abusive Uncle. She's allowed to work at the munitions factory, and with the help of her friend she is given a chance to live life differently, after her friend is killed in the explosion where she works. She goes to Scotland near where she grew up before she lost her parents, getting a job at another munitions factory. Pretending to be someone else isn't always easy for her, and little by little she realizes that there was a lot about her friend that she never knew. She becomes close to the family she's staying with, so the lies get more difficult. And she's always looking over her shoulder that she won't be found out.
Alex is sent to secretly search out and prevent another explosion at the munitions plant near his family home. He's following the intelligence they have learned, some of the facts hidden and twisted. There are many twists and turns to this story. Tugs on the heartstrings for the characters and the tension that builds make it a real page turner. It's hard to put down! It's interesting to learn more about the munitions factories and what the women workers went through. The explosion and other events are based on real life. 
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #AsDawnBreaks #NetGalley.

My Reviews:

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Yours Is the Night by Amanda Dykes

 



A story set in the last days of WW1, in France near and in the Argonne Forest. Bringing together a few people, quite different from one another, yet whose lives become entwined. A girl has been living in the forest, raised by her Father and Grandfather, who were escapees from another previous conflict. Found by a few soldiers, all vastly different men, now coming together, each with their own strengths and weaknesses to help her get to Paris and her family's great home. What a journey and learning of people, growing in strength and love, much because of their bond with one another.
"We’d scorned one another and needed one another and had left that battle-gouged land with battle-gouged hearts."
Deep, heartfelt lessons of life and faith, building of personal strength from shared experience and support. 
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#YoursIstheNight #NetGalley

My reviews:
Barnes and Noble

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin

https://www.amazon.com/Far-Side-Sea-Kate-Breslin/dp/0764217828/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=far+side+of+the+sea&qid=1551489774&s=gateway&sr=8-1https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/far-side-of-the-sea-kate-breslin/1128873080?ean=9780764217821#/https://www.christianbook.com/far-side-of-the-sea/kate-breslin/9780764217821/pd/217821?product_redirect=1&Ntt=217821&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCPhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40390335-far-side-of-the-sea?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.powells.com/searchresults?keyword=far+side+of+the+sea

Spies. Mystery. War torn France and Britain in World War One. Christian historical fiction. Twists and turns leaving you wondering who to trust. After her mother dies during resistance fighting in Ireland, Jo searches in France for her father and the sister whom she had just learned about. Colin, a British soldier, had been wounded in France and was hidden and cared for by Jo's sister Jewel. Jo contacts Colin for help to find Jewel, knowing he had pledged to go back for her.

Colonizing a foreign country with enemy spies was an established practice (and is actually still done today). In this story Jo and Jewel's father was a notorious spy for Germany while living in France. The story wraps and folds around these facts, with help from British and American agents. It keeps you off kilter, while the growing relationship of trust between Jo and Colin keeps you rooting for them.

An interesting facet added to the story is the use of carrier pigeons for intelligence communication. Numerous accounts of heroism have been linked to these little birds, as the author had researched. She wound them into the story, with a particular little hero's real story.  Christian historical that is incredibly real.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

#FarSideOfTheSea #KateBreslin #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
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From the Publisher:
In spring 1918, Lieutenant Colin Mabry, a British soldier working with MI8 after suffering injuries on the front, receives a message by carrier pigeon. It is from Jewel Reyer, the woman he once loved and who saved his life--a woman he believed to be dead. Traveling to France to answer her urgent summons, he desperately hopes this mission will ease his guilt and restore the courage he lost on the battlefield.

Colin is stunned, however, to discover the message came from Jewel's half sister, Johanna. Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence, found Jewel's diary and believes her sister is alive in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Colin is skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust begins to grow between them.

When their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot, danger and deception turn their search for answers into a battle for their lives.