Stormy Waters at Harbour House - Fenella J. Miller

 

Stormy Waters at Harbour House

Wivenhoe February 1940

As the war clouds gather over Europe, the Roby family are thankful to have started their new life in Wivenhoe safe from German bombs…for the moment at least. And with the safe arrival of baby Grace, family life at Harbour House seems to be settling down.

But Emily Roby finds life stifling. She’s not keen on her new baby sister, doesn’t like her new school and feels as though sometimes her parents still treat her as a baby, but also a grown up when it suits them! Emily’s only friend is Nancy, the new girl working at Harbour House.

Nancy loves working at Harbour House, but war has brought many changes and she begins to wonder if there’s another life for her away from Wivenhoe. Her young man, Dan Brooks, is keen for them to get married and start a family, but at only eighteen, Nancy feels too young to settle down.

As a bargeman working on the river, Dan is often away for days and weeks on end, but Nancy knows he will always come home to her. But with the Germans U-boats turning their eyes to Britain’s waters, Dan’s job suddenly become more dangerous than ever before.

Suddenly there are troubled waters ahead for everyone at Harbour House and the future looks unsettling for everyone.

 A gripping and authentic tale of courage, duty and bravery, perfect for fans of Lizzie Lane, Patricia McBride and Rosie Clarke.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/StormyWaters

My Review:

Fenella J. Miller’s Stormy Waters at Harbour House is an engaging, heartfelt tale that keeps you hooked from start to finish. This is the second book of this series and it follows the lives of the residents of Harbour House, weaving together love, secrets, and the trials of living through WWII.

I am a huge fan of Miller’s books, the characters are well-written and relatable, with emotional journeys. I really felt we got to know more about the characters this time compared to the first book, it had a different feel to it and I hope that we learn more with the next.

The relationships in the novel are particularly well-explored—both romantic and platonic—adding depth to the story and making the reader care deeply about the characters’ fates. Nancy is a girl with gumption and I really liked her character, she showed determination, consideration for others and I was keen to see all work out well for her.

Overall, Stormy Waters at Harbour House is an extremely enjoyable and satisfying read. It’s perfect for those who love this genre – war time/ family saga; a book with a mixture of romance, personal growth, and family bonds not always being blood relatives. A great addition to Miller’s collection of heartwarming novels.

Author Bio:

Fenella J. Miller is the bestselling writer of over eighteen historical sagas. She also has a passion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to great acclaim.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: @FenellaJMiller

Twitter: @fenellawriter

Instagram: @fenellajmiller

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Bookbub profile: @FenellaJMiller

Hard Times For The East End Library Girls - Patricia McBride

 

As the war hits London, they’ll band together…

War strikes close to home for chief librarian Cordelia when her flat is bombed, and her beloved Robert is called up and sent abroad. Fortunately, her colleagues Mavis and Jane can help see her through hard times.

The three friends find purpose in making the Silvertown library a friendly sanctuary for their deprived and devastated community. But sinister forces, from callous bureaucrats to crafty criminals, still lurk among the stacks. Worse, Jane’s soldier husband is injured and suffers both physically and mentally.

With so many struggles Cordelia and her friends might need more than books to survive war's shadow. Can they find light in the darkness?

A captivating tale of resilience and determination, perfect for fans of Lizzie Lane, Elaine Roberts and Lesley Eames

 

My Review:

Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book of the series, I had been looking forward to this next instalment.

Whilst I love the characters, their spirit and the storylines; I enjoy how we learn more about life in the East end at the worst of times, enjoy is possibly the wrong word but this period fascinates me and no matter how much you read of the atrocities and how awful things were, you cannot helped but be moved by reading stories depicting how peoples lives were affected.

The book takes us through a year; and we see just how important the library was within the community. The characters are all brilliant, I love how they are so different but compliment each other. Each has their story to tell but are so dedicated their jobs. We have a fourth member of staff this time around, Tom, who is a welcome addition to the team. Whilst the concerns about his beliefs worry some, he is a great asset to the library and proves this time and time again.

Patricia McBride has created characters we truly care about and has delicately balanced the devastation and difficulties, written with great care, with heartfelt moments.

A brilliant read, and the fact it only spans one year gives me hope for further books in the series. I shall look forward to seeing the characters again and learning more about East End spirit. 

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/hardtimeseastendsocial

Author Bio:

Patricia McBride is an author of heartwarming World War II sagas featuring fierce female friendships. She resides in Cambridge, England with her husband. When not writing, Patricia enjoys curling up with a cup of tea and books about strong woman in war time. Patricia's latest series follows the adventures of three librarians living and working in London's impoverished East End during the Blitz. The first book, The Library Girls of the East End, introduces posh Lady Cordelia Carmichael, bold Mavis and more timid Jane. Despite their differences, the three band together to keep their beloved library running amidst food rationing, air raids, and family troubles. And of course, romance.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.mcbride.106

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tricia.mcbride.writer/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/PatriciaMcbridenews

Bookbub profile: Patricia McBride Books - BookBub

The Library Girls of the East End - Patricia McBride

 

1940, London

When Cordelia accepts the post of head librarian in Silver Town Library, her mother is more than a little disapproving. The East End has high levels of poverty and illiteracy, and her mother says it’s no place for a woman of her status.

But Cordelia is determined to make a difference in these times of strife, and along with her colleagues, Jane and Mavis, she begins to help the local community, making sure everyone knows what the library can offer them.

And maybe even a romance will blossom, giving Cordelia the strength to make it through the chaos and destruction that constantly threatens their livelihood.

Against a background of war, air raids and rationing, it becomes clear the library is more than a building filled with books - it is the beating heart of a community refusing to be torn apart.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/LibraryGirlsSocials

My Review:

A very entertaining read from a new author to me. It’s the start of a series so I’m already looking forward to what is to come.

Cordelia has taken on the job of Head Librarian at an East End library, much to the disdain of her mother, who believes she shouldn’t lower herself and be amongst the poor. She meets her new library assistants, Mavis and Jane and soon set about making their library a thriving hub for the community. Set during the war, we discover how the characters ensure the library is a place where people can escape, take their minds off their problems but they can also find support for their problems too if they wish.

I loved the three characters, each very different but that’s what probably makes their friendship work so well. I only hope this friendship continues going from strength to strength. The more I learned about their backgrounds the more I took each girl to heart. They have had their work cut out for them to ensure the library can continue as it is but through their determination it proved to be an asset to the local area.

A story that was really easy to read yet entertaining, nothing too heavy or heart breaking but characters written with depth and warmth so you care about each. With many books set in war time, it is good to see a different perspective. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. 

Author Bio:

Patricia McBride is the author of the very popular Lily Baker historical saga series. She is now writing a new WW2 series for Boldwood, based in the East End of London during the Blitz, the first title of which, The Library Girls of the East End, will be published in November 2023.

Social Media Links: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriciamcbrideauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tricia.mcbride.writer/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/PatriciaMcbridenews

A Sister’s Destiny - Rosie Clarke

 

As war looms in Europe, 18-year-old Jane Shaw, runs the household as an unpaid servant on a meagre budget.

When tragedy strikes and she loses her beloved younger brother in suspicious circumstances, Jane takes a position in service looking after Ned, a troubled young boy. Here she meets dashing David Heron, Neds Uncle and they form an immediate attachment until she is dismissed after being accused of stealing a piece of jewellery.

Returning home, Jane and her sister, Melia are soon orphaned and left at the mercy of their Aunt Alice. When War breaks out Jane decides to strike out on her own and do her bit for King and Country in the Nursing Corp. Here, despite the terrible conditions she finds her true vocation and her one true love. But Jane’s destiny has many more twists and turns to come.

Will Jane ever find her peace and get her happy-ever-after? and where does her destiny lie and with whom?

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/sistersdestinysocial

My Review:

As huge fan of this author, I was very excited to read A Sisters Destiny – it did not disappoint. I was hooked from the start and what an emotional rollercoaster it took me on.

Jane Shaw, a young woman who shows compassion, is determined, hard working, willing to do anything she can for those that need her and a girl that is more than happy to make sacrifices for the good of her family.

My heart broke for Jane time and time again in this book, her mother depends on her yet treats her badly, her father gets himself into a state and cannot figure out how to rectify things, she’s treated atrociously by so many people, I despaired on her behalf. I couldn’t believe how much poor luck and sheer grief one young woman could endure, yet Jane seems to do so. She is determined her sister completes her education and goes further than she did.

Janes story is indicative of the time period in many ways, sometimes it is hard to put yourself in that situation as I kept thinking she should stand up for herself more etc.

As the story moved on, Jane found times of joy, found a profession and also found love. Jane found herself cared for by many people, and it showed that sometimes family is who you chose it to be.

A saga full of angst and drama. Rosie's writing, as always, was brilliant and engaged me from start to finish. Brilliant! 

Author Bio:

Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose most recent books include The Mulberry Lane series. She has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is a RNA Award winner. She lives in Cambridgeshire.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rosie-clarke-119457351778432/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnneHerries

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/RosieClarkeNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rosie-clarke

REVIEW: Girls on the Home Front (Factory Girls #1)

Available here

August 1941: As war sweeps across Britain and millions of men enlist to serve their country, it’s up to the women to fight the battle on the home front.

Fran always thought she would marry her childhood sweetheart and lead a simple life in Massingham, the beloved pit village she has always called home.

But with war taking so many men to the front line, the opening of a new factory in the north-east of England presents an opportunity for Fran to forge a new path.

Against her father’s wishes and with best friends Sarah and Beth by her side, Fran signs up to join the ranks of women at the factory. It’s dangerous work but as the three friends risk life and limb for their country, they will discover that their lives are only just beginning…

My Review:

This is the first in a ‘Factory Girls’ set of books by Annie Clarke and what a wonderful start. This book is a brilliant look at a time that women were inspirational and supported men in the fight for victory. Full of spirited characters that I think other readers will really like and want the best for.

Girls at the Home Front is about some women from the pit village of Massingham, who work hard to support their families often by risking their lives as well as dealing with their personal problems. I particularly like how the characters in this book are normal, realistic people – making mistakes and having problems that aren’t easily rectified. I always enjoy this genre as women as often portrayed as determined, little forces to be reckoned with.

I really liked learning about Fran, Sarah, Beth and their families, as the book progressed, I found myself unable to put it down as I was invested in their lives.  Other characters all play their role and are wonderful additions to the book, although I think anyone that reads this can agree that Ralph is the villain of the piece.

I enjoyed this book, a heart-warming, nostalgic saga with community at its heart. I must admit it took me a while to get into it, and I struggled understanding all the local dialect, but I persevered and found it easier the more I read. It definitely opened my eyes in what communities and families had to go through during the war. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.