Winter Wishes for the East End Girls - Jean Fullerton - blog tour!

Jean Fullerton's new book is Winter Wishes for the East End Girls. This is the second entry in the this series. What is it about?

"East London, 1942: With the war still raging, can the East End Girls help bring comfort and joy to their friends and neighbours this Christmas?" 

This is a time I love to read about - 1942. The middle of a war. Life, death, sacrifice, love, loss and 'just keep showing up''. I like to see how they 'make do' and use what they can find.

Now, there's so much more to this story. You'll find a lot of characters  - some to like and some to dislike.

It's a wonderful read and I look forward to catching up with the East End Girls. (Perfect for a Christmas gift!)

Hello and a warm welcome!

I’m Jean Fullerton, and I’m so pleased you’ve found your way to my website. I hope you’ll have a good browse and discover more about me and the stories I love to tell.

A little about me:

I was born into a big, bustling East End family and grew up in the lively streets around the Tower of London. That rich background is at the heart of my novels, bringing real East London spirit and authenticity to every page.

I absolutely adore my native city—especially the East End—and it’s a joy to write stories that celebrate its warmth, grit, and charm.

Thanks Jean! See what others think on the Blog Tour!

A Baby for the Home Front Girls - Susanna Bavin

A Baby for the Home Front Girls is the fifth and final book in Susanna Bavin's wonderful series. You could read this as a stand alone as well.

Manchester. 1942.

Sitting down with one of Bavis’s books feels like getting caught up with your friends. A core group have been in every book and some come and some go. But each one has their own story to tell. In this book, a blanket is found on the steps of a building. With a small infant inside….

The war is still raging and again Bavis details the bombings the crashes and so much more. The war is a character on its own.

I’m fascinated by how women made something last a little longer, come up with recipes to fit what they do have to eat and amongst all this, they have fun. Keep Calm and Carry On.

I’m sad that the series is ending, but I’m looking forward to Bavis’s next series. A Bookworm's World was one of today's tour stops. See below for what other bloggers thought. 

Murder on Stage - F.L. Everett - Blog tour

A Bookworm's World is a stop on today's blog tour for F.L. Everett's new book - Murder on Stage. 

This is the third entry in the Edie York series. I've grown quite fond of Edie and her cohorts and was eager to see what this latest would bring.  I settled in with a pot of tea, a dog and a blanket on the sofa - must haves for reading cosy English mysteries.

Edie is out with friends for a night at the theater when the lead actor falls to the floor. There's that moment - is it part of the show? Or is he..

Edie writes obituaries for the local newspaper, but she really wants to be a crime writer. She's friends with DCI Louis Brennan, who is calling on Edie's skillset to help with this case. There's a large group of suspects in the troupe to question. And as actors, it might be hard to tell who is lying. I really enjoy this style of investigation. Answers, clues, secrets and more are found by interviews, conversations, hunches and instinct. So much more interesting than DNA matches etc. 

I quite enjoy cosy mysteries. Why you ask? Well, the keep calm and carry on attitude, a plucky female protagonist, a mystery, a crime, an excellent crew of supporting characters - and a dog. And....a slow building romance. I like that the personal lives of the regular group of players moves forward. 

I love the amount of detail Everett has used - the setting, the shortage of food, clothing, the bombing, the war going on around them and so much more. 

The door is shut on this case - but I'm sure there will be a fourth entry. I'll be watching for it!

Murder in a Country Village - F.L. Everett

Murder in a Country Village is the second book in F.L. Everett's wonderful Edie York Mystery series.

What makes it such a wonderful series? Well, all the elements that I quite enjoy are there. Set in the years of WWII, the keep calm and carry on attitude, a plucky female protagonist, a mystery, a crime, an excellent crew of supporting characters - and a dog.

Manchester, London England. Edie is the local newspaper's obituarist. Which is good, but what she'd love to be is a crime reporter. On a ramble with her friend Ethel, they come across a body - and it's someone Ethel knows. Accident or deliberate?

Edie just can't help herself - she starts asking questions. And soon enough, DCI Louis Brennan is called upon. 

I really enjoy this type of investigation. Answers, clues, secrets and more are found by interviews, conversations, hunches and instinct. So much more interesting than DNA matches etc. 

Edie is such a great lead character and the reader can't help but behind her. Urging her on and sometimes shaking your head at some of her choices. But, it's her curious nature, her kindness and zest for life that makes her such a great protagonist. The supporting cast from the first book return - Lou, Annie her roommate, Lou's friend Arnold and Marple the dog. Everett gives her players personal lives that move forward. Yes, there's some romance afoot for some. 

Everett has done a really good job of bringing her setting to life. She gives us detailed locales, food, businesses, the war and much more.

The first book, set the place and introduced the characters. With this second entry there's much more to the crime, the investigation and the characters. See for yourself - read an excerpt. I will be watching for the third book! 

Mrs. Potter Calling - AJ Pearce

I absolutely adore AJ Pearce's Emmy Lake chronicles. The third entry - Mrs. Potter Calling - has just released.

What's to love?

The characters! Pearce has created an absolutely delightful character in Emmy. She's plucky, irrepressible and so darn likeable. The supporting cast includes her best friend Bunty, and the magazine staff who are just as well drawn. Additional players have been added on with every book, including this latest. I've become quite invested in the storyline of each and every player.

What magazine you ask? Well, it's called Women's Friend. Emmy started out as a junior and is now taking a larger role in the day to day duties of the magazine. But dearest to her heart is the "Yours Cheerfully" advice column. But, Women's Friend has a new owner - the Honorable Mrs. Potter. And although she comes across as upbeat and personable...well, you'll see.

British magazines in this vein are still printing today - I've read more than one myself. Pearce took her inspiration for these books "when I came across a 1939 copy of a women's magazine. It was a wonderful find - a glimpse into an era and world where I could read about everything from recipes for lamb's brain stew to how to knit your own swimwear."

The books are set in the WWII years in London, England. Pearce captures the heartache, the danger as well as the flip side - the 'can do' effort, the 'keep calm and carry on' attitude, the making do, the joy in camaraderie and simple things. 

Although you could read this as a standalone, I encourage you to read the first two books - they're just as delightful as this latest. 

I chose to listen to Mrs. Potter Calling. The narrator was Anna Popplewell and she was the perfect choice. Her voice embodied the mental image I had created for Emmy. Popplewell also voiced the first two books and the continuity is appreciated. She has a lovely rich British accent that is very pleasant to listen to. She enunciates well and speaks at a good speed. Her voice has movement, rising and falling as she narrates. She easily captures the emotions of the characters, the tone of situations and the action of the book with her voice. And the voice for Mrs. Potter is fabulous! An excellent performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Mrs. Potter Calling.

An five star tale and a five star performance. Absolutely one of my favorite series. I hope you enjoy them as well.

Good Night, Irene - Luis Alberto Urrea

Good Night, Irene is the latest book from Luis Alberto Urrea. Fans of WWII fiction will want to pick this one on your TBR list.

1943. Urrea introduces the reader to our protagonist, Irene Woodward, a young women who is determined to leave her abusive fiancée. She wants to get far way from her family and join the war effort. Dorothy Dunford is also running - from loneliness. She has no family left and has lost the farm. Joining the war effort seems like a good deal to her. Dot's story is on par with Irene's, but I found Dot to be the character I bonded with the most.

What do the women end up working at? Through the Red Cross, the two are with an elite group - the women who drive the Clubmobiles, bringing a smile, donuts and coffee to servicemen.

In the beginning as they learn the ropes, Irene and Dot are light hearted and enjoying themselves, even if they're tired 24/7. As they start to travel, they find themselves closer and closer to the danger of the front lines. What seemed like it would be a lark is no longer. The war will change both of their lives forever.

Urrea brings in a number of varied supporting characters, all with their own addition to the narrative. Throughout the book, the 'can do' attitude is shown over and over again. When you read this type of story, it makes you truly think about the sacrifices made. Urrea takes his own Mother's Red Cross service as inspiration for Good Night, Irene. 

Friendship, loss, love, grief, anger and the cost of war is seen with women's eyes and woven into this tale. And I'm still on the fence about the ending. Yes, it's satisfactory, but the time line doesn't sit well with me. I imagined something a bit different I know, I've being obtuse but I don't to spoil this lovely read for anyone. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Good Night, Irene.

One Woman's War - Christine Wells

It was the subtitle of Christine Wells' new book One Woman's War that caught my eye. 'A Novel of the Real Miss Moneypenny'. Uh huh, I was curious too. With so many WWII books being penned now,  I find am getting a bit choosy on which one I choose to listen to. 

Here's the facts...

"Dame Victoire Evelyn Patricia Ridsdale, Lady Ridsdale, DBE (née Bennett; 11 October 1921 – 16 December 2009), known as Dame Paddy Ridsdale, was a British secretary and intelligence operative. She was author Ian Fleming's secretary during World War II and was the model for the character Miss Moneypenny, being M.'s loyal, long-suffering secretary, who is smitten with James Bond."Isn't that fascinating? 

Wells builds her story on a actual event that took place in WWII. I'm going to let you discover what that is on your own. Wells adds a fictional twist to that event with the addition of a double agent with their own agenda. I quite enjoyed the subterfuge on both sides. 

But it's not all spy stratagem. Wells gives the main characters rich personal lives as well, making them easy to imagine.

Wells' settings are wonderfully depicted through her descriptions of offices, restaurants, dance clubs, homes, food, clothing, social expectations and more. 

I liked how Wells took these factual bits and actual events to bring us an entertaining and realistic look at the past. 

I chose to listen to One Woman's War. The choice of narrator was another reason I chose to listen.  Saskia Maarleveld is an award winning narrator and a favorite reader of mine. Her voice is pitch perfect for this story. She has a rich, lower toned voice that is easy on the ears and well enunciated. The accents she provides for the characters are real and easily identify the players. Her reading has lots of movement, easily capturing the tone and action of the events and the feelings of the characters. Another excellent performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of One Woman's War.

The School for German Brides - Aimie K. Runyan

There’s a wealth of World War II fiction just waiting to be read these days, told from many different points of view. Land girls, air taxis, nursing, codebreakers and more. Aimie K. Runyan gives us another view point in her latest historical fiction novel - The School for German Brides. 

What's different you ask? The book takes us to 1938 - 1939 Germany and is told from the sympathetic view of three young German women. One of them, Tilde, is Jewish. She and her mother make a living as seamstresses. Hanna has been sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Berlin. Her aunt is determined that Hanna will marry well. Hanna has other ideas, but her future is already written when an SS officer takes an interest in her. The third woman is Klara and her future looks just like Hanna's. I quite liked all three women and thought they were well drawn. The reader can't help but behind them. And of course there are those on the other side of the equation. Just as well done and you can't help but dislike them!

Now, about the School for German Brides. There actually were Bride Schools that taught the skills needed to be the (supposedly) perfect SS wife. Runyan has also woven historical figures and settings into her novel. 

Runyon does a great job of giving us an inside view of Germany at this time. She makes it personal as we see it through the girls' eyes. Their stories build towards an inevitable meeting of the three. Lives hang in the balance and their bravery, sense of rightness and their own ideals are called upon. There’s love, loss and hope and an ending is satisfying. 

Fashion funnily enough plays a large part in uniting these three women. I really enjoyed the descriptions of fabrics, patterns and the dresses worn. 

WWII fiction fans, this one's recommended for you. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The School for German Brides.   #BooksofHCC   @harpercollinsca

The Kew Gardens Girls at War - Posy Lovell

The Kew Gardens Girls at War is Posy Lovell's new novel. I can't seem to get enough of  WWII historical reads. 

Settling in, I thought that Lovell might have already written a book set in Kew Gardens. I did a quick check and saw that yes, she has written one set in the WWI years at the Gardens. (I've added it to my teetering TBR pile.) But there's no need to have read that book before reading The Kew Gardens Girls at War.

I liked the premise - which is based on historical fact. ("Kew Gardens is now officially home to the largest living plant collection on earth.") In the war years, a showpiece Victory Garden was grown, showing how even a small patch could feed a family year round. But, I didn't know about the County Herb Committees which were nationwide medicinal plant collecting committees. I really liked the descriptions of the gardens and the veggie plots. A great setting. Lovell's descriptions of war torn London also brought the setting to life.

But, the best bit of all is the characters. Daisy and Beth are our leading characters. They're both from very different backgrounds, with different goals and are at different stages of life. But they hit it off and become fast friends. The supporting cast brings in a number of strong personalities, who change the narrative with their actions as well.

Lovell captures the Keep Calm and Soldier On attitude of the Brits in wartimes. Needs must and you just have to get on with things. But there are wounds don't show as well. Lovell brings some serious issues into her story, including shell shock and racism. 

The Kew Gardens Girls at War is a warm, caring, comfortable read that celebrates family, fortitude, friends and yes, romance.  See for yourself - read an excerpt.

The Diamond Eye - Kate Quinn

Kate Quinn's previous book The Rose Code was my favorite historical read last year. When I heard she had a new book coming out I wondered - could she match that fantastic read? Well, the answer is a resounding yes! The Diamond Eye has just released and it too is a fascinating blend of fact and fiction.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Mila Pavlichenko. You’ll recognize the first name, but most likely not the second. Pavlichenko was a Russian sniper in WWII who came to be known - and feared - as Lady Death. 

Quinn brings Mila to life in the Diamond Eye. We meet her as a young mother, a hard worker, a loyal patriot, and a historical librarian student. When the Germans declare war, she immediately steps up to defend her country. She’s such a great lead character, strong, feisty, determined and clever. She’s also a woman and a mother and Quinn explores and depicts those facets of her life as well. She faced great deal of adversity on all fronts. Not everyone thinks Mila should be the sniper she is, or the face of the Russian soldier. There’s lots of action, danger and a mystery woven into The Diamond Eye.

I chose to listen to the The Diamond Eye. The reader was one of my favorites -  the very talented Saskia Maarleveld. She has the most wonderfully expressive voice. Her voice is rich and full with a gravelly undertone. She provides different voices for each of the characters that very much suited the mental images I created for each. Mila's voice is so strong and absolutely brought her to life. And yes, her Russian accent was realistic and consistent. There are many male characters as well and the voices and tones Maarleveld provided were also believable. She captures the plot of Quinn's work easily with her voice. As well as the emotions and settings. Her voice is easy to listen to, well enunciated and the pace is just right. I've said it before and I'll say it again - when listening to a book, I find I am much more immersed in the story and that was definitely the case with The Diamond Eye. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Diamond Eye.

A Sunlit Weapon - Jacqueline Winspear

A Sunlit Weapon is the 17th entry in Jacqueline Winspear's long running and much loved Maisie Dobbs series. Picking up the latest in this series feels like settling in with an old friend to catch up.

I appreciate that Winspear keeps the narrative moving forward. We’ve been with  Maisie through her younger years through to the current time period - 1942 WWII. She's gone from a servant on an estate to now being a licensed psychologist and private investigator with her own office.

Winspear takes historical events and weaves them together with a mystery in each book. I really enjoy the historical bits. A Sunlit Weapon uses the air ferry women as a basis for one of Maisie's cases.

While the plotting and mysteries are always excellent, it is the characters that have me coming back for each new book. Maisie is a great lead - calm, thoughtful, somewhat impulsive and curious. Winspear has kept the personal lives of all the characters moving forward as well. I've become quite invested in their lives and what might be next for them all. Maisie's assistant Billy Beale is a perennial favorite supporting character. He and Maisie work well together. All of the characters have suffered some loss over the years - which mimics life. But, they continually put one foot in front of the other and move forward - can do, keep calm and soldier on. 

The latest case is a complicated one and as things progress, two of Macy’s cases seem to have something in common. I appreciate the way the cases are solved with leg work, conversations and slowly piecing together clues and observations. And with Maisie there's also that extra little bit intuition. 

The settings have always been a character in these books as well - each described so well that I can picture them. (I'd love to be in the car with Maisie, motoring down a country road.

Excellent plotting, wonderful characters and prose add up to another satisfying tale. But I knew it would be! If you love historical fiction and you haven't read Jacqueline Winspear you're missing out on an excellent series. See for yourself - read an excerpt  Sunlit Weapon.

The Postmistress of Paris - Meg Waite Clayton

There are many, many WWII novels written from a woman's perspective and/or featuring a role in the war performed by women. Bombgirls, landgirls, codebreakers and more. 

Meg Waite Clayton's new novel, The Postmistress of Paris is part of that more, bringing in another perspective. Her main character is Naneé, a wealthy American living in Paris who decides to join the French resistance. Her wealth and American passport allow her to move about freely, delivering messages to those in hiding. She's a great lead character - brave, daring and charming with a strong sense of right and wrong and duty.

She meets photographer Edouard and his young daughter Luki at a gathering of artistes. Edouard has escaped from Germany, but still must try to hide from the Vichy government. It is after this meeting that Naneé decides she must help artistes to escape and to preserve their work.

Now, here's the really neat part - Naneé is based on the life of Mary Jayne Gold, a Chicago heiress, who helped American journalist Varian Fry smuggle well-known artists and intellectuals out of France.

The book's opening chapters introduce us to the two main players, the sparks that fly between them, as well as the artistic setting/element of the book. I must admit, I did find this went on a bit too long for me. I wanted to dive right into the 'action' of the book. The hiding, the subterfuge and the danger. That does come, but Waite Clayton also stops along the way to explore other themes such as the love between a parent and child, the loss of loved ones and the sacrifices made. Different views are provided with Luki having her own chapters, as does Edouard. There are many supporting players, all just as determined with the same goal. I did find one character to be quite detestable as he plays 'games' at the house that the group shares. I thought there would be a reason he was included, but never found a meaning for his inclusion and ugliness. But he is tempered with the addition of a dog to the tale - named Dagobert.

A good addition to the WWII fiction list. Waite Clayton is a talented wordsmith and I did enjoy this novel. However, I did find it to be a bit of a slow burn for me and it felt a repetitive at times.

I chose to listen to The Postmistress of Paris. The readers were Imani Jade Powers and Graham Halstead. Powers has such a rich, melodious, honeyed tone to her voice. It's very pleasant to listen to and easy to understand. The voice for Naneé, absolutely captured the character as I had imagined her. Her speaking speed was just right. There are many French language bits to the story and I found both her pronunciation and accent to be believable. Her performance did justice to Waite Clayton's book. I've also listened to Graham Halstead in the past. He has a very resonant tone to his voice that draws the listener to him. He too speaks clearly and is easy to understand. I like his voice very much, but it wasn't quite what I imagined for Edouard. I had a softer, more continental voice in mind.That being said, he does do a fine job with his narration. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Postmistress of Paris. Length is 13 hours, 10 minutes.

Death at Greenway - Lori Rader-Day

Death at Greenway is Lori Rader-Day's latest book. 

WWII books are all the rage right now. Rader-Day has come up with a unique and different take on this genre. 

I was immediately intrigued when I read this descriptor from Harper Audio: "...a captivating suspense novel about nurses during World War II who come to Agatha Christie’s holiday estate to care for evacuated children, but when a body is discovered nearby, the idyllic setting becomes host to a deadly mystery."

I know what you're thinking - and of course I had to know. Christie did own a home called Greenway. And yes, children from London were evacuated to Greenway. There were two nurses to look after the children - and here's where Rader-Day makes the story her own. (Note that Christie's involvement in this book is very minor)

Bridey made a horrible mistake in her former hospital setting and has been terminated from her nurse trainee program. She is determined to make this posting a success, so she may reapply. But she hasn't shared that information with her employers. The other nurse is Gigi and she seems as lackadaisical as Bridey is devoted. She too seems to be harboring secrets. 

They're an odd pairing and Bridey is fascinated by Gigi. As a listener, I had my suspicions about her. Rader-Day slowly ekes out details about each woman's life, weaving a wide net that slowly grows smaller. When a body washes up on the shore near the house, it's deemed a murder, not a war casualty. And suspicions grow...

Rader-Day tells the story from not just Bridey and Gigi, but also from others living in the house - the nurses' employers, the Arbothnots, the butler and his wife and even one of the children. There are other village residents that make appearances and there was more than one I was suspicious of as well. The atmosphere is worthy of a Christie book, even more as we hear from those different points of view.

The mystery of the dead body is only one facet of a multi-layered story. Rader-Day provides lots of twists and turns on the way to the final chapters. And while I had guessed correctly at some of the outcomes, I was happily surprised by the others. Subplots include searching for a sense of self, relationships and friendships.

I chose to listen to Death at Greenway. The reader was Moira Quirk and she was an excellent choice. She created the perfect voices for each character and it was very easy to identify who was speaking. Bridey's starts off somewhat hesitant and unsure, but grows as the book progresses and she becomes more confident. Gigi's voice had a rich accent, dripping with ennui. When Gigi wants or needs something or someone, she uses her voice and her words to manipulate situations and people - and Quirk does a great job of bringing that to life. Quirk infuses each voice with lots of inflection. The voice for Mr. Arbuthnot, a self centered blowhard, is spot on. Mrs. Arbuthnot's supercilious tones aptly capture her high self regard. Quirk's speed of speaking is just right, she's easy to understand, has a lovely accent and enunciates clearly. I'm always amazed who a conversation is carried out between two or more characters by one reader. Quirk never misses and I would swear I was listening to more than one person. Quirk interpreted Rader-Day's work very well and turned in an excellent performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Death at Greenway.

Yours Cheerfully - AJ Pearce

I absolutely adored AJ Pearce's debut novel, Dear Mrs. Bird. I was thrilled to find she had written a second book featuring the indomitable Emmy Lake. Yours Cheerfully is newly released - and it's just as wonderful as the first book!

1941 Britain. Emmeline Lake works for Women's Friend magazine. She's now in charge of the advice column, Yours Cheerfully. Her role expands even further when women's magazines are asked to help recruit female workers to the war effort, such as working in munitions factories.

What has endeared this series to me? Pearce has created an absolutely delightful character in Emmy. She's plucky, (don't you love that descriptor?) irrepressible and so darn likeable. The supporting cast includes best friend Bunty, the magazine staff, the women in the factories and more and are just as well drawn. I easily became invested in their stories.

Pearce has captured the stalwart attitude of the Brits in the war years, the 'can do' attitude, the camaraderie of the women and their determination to help the war effort. Her plotting is based on historical happening. Her detailed descriptions paint vivid mental images of wartime Britain. And I quite liked the features, stories and letters from the magazine.

Pearce also weaves romance into her books, both found and lost. Again, all capturing the time period. The social mores, the joy in simple things, the making do and more. And more is what I want! Pearce is working on the third book and I can't wait to see what's next for Emmy and et al. Absolutely recommended! 

I chose to listen to Yours Cheerfully. The narrator was Anna Popplewell and she was the perfect choice. Her voice matched the mental image I had created for Emmy. Popplewell also voiced the first book and the continuity is appreciated. She has a lovely rich British accent that is very pleasant to listen to. She enunciates well and speaks at a good speed. Her voice has movement, rising and falling as she narrates She easily captures the emotions of the characters, the tone of situations and the action of the book with her voice. An excellent performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Yours Cheerfully.

Radar Girls - Sara Ackerman

Land Girls, Bomb Girls and now from Sara Ackerman, a new WWII novel - Radar Girls.

Radar Girls is based on reality. The Women's Air Raid Defense was created in the Hawaiian Islands following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Stations were formed on every island and the women staffing them were local, military wives and recruits from the mainland. This is a fascinating piece of history and Ackerman does a wonderful job bringing it alive.

Daisy Wilder is the protagonist in Ackerman's novel. A native islander, she has been making her living as a horse trainer when she is recruited for the WARDs. Having dropped out of school in grade ten, she's determined to prove to herself, and to the other women, that she can do this. She's very likable. I'm always looking forward to meeting the supporting cast in these WWII novels - having a team is (IMO), a mandatory element. Ackerman's supporting group of 'gals' is perfect. (There are some mean 'gals' too, but isn't there always?) I admit to having a soft spot for the bubbly Fluff. I think it's the 'can do' attitudes, the camaraderie of the women and their determination to help the war effort that really appeals to me. There's a romantic storyline as well for Daisy, but it doesn't overwhelm the work these trail blazing women are doing. Many of the other women also have their own matters of the heart. 

There's lots of detail about how the radar actually worked. It seems so rudimentary compared to today's technology. But it worked and saved many lives. As well, her descriptions of the beaches had me wanting to visit Hawaii! The other settings are just as well drawn and I was able to easily imagine them.

I chose to listen to Radar Girls, especially after seeing that it was read by one of my favorite narrators - Cassandra Campbell. Her voice is quite pleasant to listen to - she has a smooth polished tone to her voice. Her speaking is well enunciated, easy to understand and the pacing is just right. She captures the female characters with different voices that perfectly suited each one. Daisy's voice was a little hesitant in the beginning, but as she builds her confidence it get stronger. The voice for Fluff was fun and sassy. She does male voices very well too, lowering the tone and cadence. The male voice for Daisy's love interest is believable. I've said it before and I'll say it again - listening to a book completely immerses me in the story. An excellent performance from Campbell - here's an audio excerpt. 

 Radar Girls is an excellent entry in the WWII fiction genre and one I would easily recommend! Well done Sara Ackerman!

The Clockmaker's Wife - Daisy Wood

WWII fiction is all the rage these days. And if you're a fan of historical fiction, you're going to want to add Daisy Wood's new novel, The Clockmaker's Wife to your TBR list.

Nell and Arthur Spelman and their wee daughter Alice are living in London in 1940. With the blitz hitting too close to home, Nell and Alice go to live with her parents in the country. But, Arthur's job is too important for him to leave - he is a clockmaker who keeps the iconic Big Ben chiming.

Fast forward to present day America. Ellie finds a beautiful but broken watch in her mother Alice's belongings. It once belonged to - yes, you guessed it - Alice's mother Nell. Ellie knows nothing of her grandparents and her mother doesn't have much to offer her either. Ellie is determined to find her history for both herself and her mother. But what she finds isn't what she expected.

I love stories like this that go back and forth from past to present. I was initially caught up short when a crucial piece of Nell's life is presented very early on. But once I discovered this bit, I realized it wasn't a spoiler, and instead I became very curious.

I loved the 'past' chapters so much - characters that 'just got on with it', the sense of community, camaraderie and stalwartness. Wood did an admirable job creating wonderful characters that I easily engaged with. The settings were just as well drawn to with detailed descriptions that created vivid mental pictures. I loved Nell - and her love for Arthur. Nell's got gumption, smarts and a strong sense of duty to her country. The supporting cast is just as well drawn.

Ellie in present day was just as engaging. She's curious, kind and determined as well. I enjoyed the romantic thread woven into this narrative. What Ellie finds in Britain isn't what she had expected. She continues to search for bits of Nell's life even as the reader become privy to what happened to Nell in the past. The lead up to the final answer is action filled. The ending to the present day thread is perfect. Of the two timelines, I have to say I was drawn more to the war years. 

The Clockmaker's Wife was a wonderful read and I recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Clockmaker's Wife.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars - Kristin Harmel

I've been enjoying the myriad WWII books that are popping up everywhere. My latest listen is The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel.

Inga is only two when she is stolen from the home of her parents by an old woman. Things get a bit mystical here as the old woman takes Inga (now known as Yona) to live in the forest and teaches her how to survive. She also tells Yona that she has a very important purpose to fulfill. The two are alone for almost twenty years, until the old woman's death. And now Yona is alone. And the war has begun...

The premise intrigued me...what is Yona's purpose? Will she make contact with other people? How will the war tie in? Is she going to be safe? The connection with others is one the first questions answered. Can you imagine having seen only one person in twenty years and having no concept of what the 'real' world is like, despite being taught?

The scenes and the events in the forest are based on real events. Harmel provides a detailed author's note at the end, giving us the real accounts of the Jews who survived by hiding and living in the forest for years. It's quite fascinating. Gentle readers, Harmel's recounting of this piece of history also contains descriptions of atrocities committed by the Germans.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars is also a search for meaning, purpose, faith, relationships and yes, romance for Yona. I liked Yona and her inner strength. There are a large number of supporting characters as well. A few of these felt like caricatures, there for a specific purpose. Zus however was well drawn and I found him to be quite believable. And full of hard earned wisdom. "Your identity isn’t determined by your birth. All that matters is what we make ourselves into, what we choose to do with our life".

The reader was Madeleine Maby. She has an well modulated voice and her speaking speed is good. Her tone is somewhat 'full' if that makes sense. It's not as crisp as I prefer. Her voice is expressive, rising and falling to illustrate the tension and events of The Forest of Vanishing Stars. She captures Yona's innocence with her voice and it grows stronger as Yona does. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Forest of Vanishing Stars.

The Paris Library - Janet Skeslien Charles

I kept hearing and reading wonderful reviews of  Janet Skeslien Charles' new novel, The Paris Library, and knew it was one I wanted to listen to.

There's a real surge in wartime historical fiction, especially WWII. The Paris Library is that, but it's a little bit more as well. The Paris Library is also based on fact. 

"...the incredible true story of the librarians who stood up to the Nazi “Book Protector..."

Janet Skeslien Charles actually worked at The American Library in Paris. The details, settings and atmosphere benefit from that first hand knowledge. I could imagine the smell of the library, the feel of a book, the taste of a café au lait, the cobbled lanes and so much more.

Charles tells her story in an absolutely perfect back and forth, past and present narrative. The bridging character is Odile, a young librarian at The American Library in 1939 and a reclusive neighbor of young Lily in 1983 Montana. The two end up bonding over their love of books and language. As a devoted reader, I loved the references to the Dewey decimal system, the turn of a phrase, choosing a book, the joy of the written word, getting lost in a tale and and so much more. 

The Paris Library is a love letter to libraries and books, but it's also a story of love lost, love found and love betrayed. Romantic, familial and friendship. And betrayal, also on so many levels.

As present day readers, we are aware of history and know what is going to happen. Charles does such a great job, bringing the past to life as Odile, her family and counterparts live through this horrific time. But it is done from such a unique and more personal perspective. Charles has included actual staff of The American Library as characters in The Paris Library. Their lives are truly remarkable.

The story in 1983 Montana is just as well written. Charles has also lived in Montana, and the place and time also benefits from that personal knowledge. Lily is also an engaging character. Her story too is a tale of relationships, with love and loss on the table.

I chose to listen to The Paris Library. A cast of three brought this book to life. I was happy to have multiple readers - Nicky Diss, Sarah Feather and Esther Wane. I'm not sure who did what part, but they were all very good. The voice for Odile in France was perfect - the accent rang true and was believable. The accent stayed with her as she spoke English as well. Other characters from the Paris setting were just as well done with each character being easily identifiable. The emotion was translated from the written word to the spoken and for me, this brought the book to life. That also goes of for the voice of young Lily - believable as a teenager and capturing the ups and downs of her life. All voices were clear, easy to understand and pleasant to listen to. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I find listening to a book immerses me in a novel. This was very much the case with The Paris Library. The cast has done an admirable job. And I enjoyed the notes from the author as well.

An easy five star listen. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Paris Library.

Unsinkable - James Sullivan

Perseverance, endurance, bravery, tenacity. All of these describe those who fought in WWII. James Sullivan's latest book is Unsinkable: Five Men and the Indomitable Run of the USS Plunkett.

What first drew me to Unsinkable? The personal stories - the best tales in life are the true ones. And Sullivan has done a fantastic job bringing these five men's stories to life. Their families, homes, hopes, desires, fears, strengths and more are detailed. Sullivan has drawn from many sources such as diaries, reports, interviews and a family member. Rather than just an annotation in a dry history book, Sullivan's writing made them 'real' for me as he takes us from enlistment to war to final days.

While I am familiar with the battles of WWII, I learned so much from Unsinkable. Sullivan's descriptions of the Plunkett's role is comprehensive and again, well detailed. Unsinkable takes the listener inside the battles and puts us on the destroyer.

An excellent book, honoring those who fought for our freedom and the ship that carried them. The title is perfect, referring to both ship and men. 

I chose to listen to Unsinkable. I find listening to a book immerses me in the story. Even more so for this book. The reader was a favorite of mine - Jacques Roy. His voice is clear, easy to understand, well enunciated and pleasant to listen to with a gravelly undertone. Its calm and suits the subject matter. But, his voice does rise and fall with the emotions and actions. The speed of reading is just right, allowing the listener to take it all in. Listen for yourself - here's an audio excerpt of Unsinkable.

Come From Away - Genevieve Graham

Genevieve Graham's latest novel, Come From Away, takes us back to the small fishing outport of East Jeddore, Nova Scotia - also the setting for her previous book, Tides of Honour. (my review)

Tides of Honour was a historical piece set in WW1 featuring Danny and Audrey. I was thrilled to see that Come From Away continues the story of the Baker family with the next generation. It is now 1942 and war is yet again raging. The three Baker sons have headed off to fight, leaving sister Grace at home to help her parents and work in the village.

Here's the facts - German U-boats (submarines) did in fact patrol along Canada's East Coast - and sunk over 44 Canadian ships, including the SS Caribou, a passenger ferry. But, here's the absolutely fascinating bit - Come From Away is based on a local legend that is very possibly quite true. In 1942, a small group of German soldiers attended a local Christmas dance in East Jeddore. And it is this incident that is the inspiration for Graham's latest novel. What a great premise!

Where to start? I love the setting. Having visited this area, I was able to easily visualize the village, the sea, the landscape and the beauty of this part of Canada. Graham captures the tone and timbre of those war years, detailing everyday life, the difficulties and heartbreak that war brings but juxtaposing that with the perseverance, community spirit and strong family ties of these Nova Scotians.

But it is the characters and their lives that make the books for me. I loved revisiting - it felt like catching up with old friends. But this book belongs to Grace - and her love story. 

Could this have really happened? I like to think so. Come From Away is a lovely story. If you enjoy historical fiction with a strong helping of romance, you're going to want to read Genevieve Graham. Read an excerpt of Come From Away.

And the title? Come From Away is a traditional term used for anyone who wasn't' born there.

You can connect with Genevieve Graham on her website, like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.