Tag: Historical Fiction

My Review

I have loved reading about the Brogan family and this visit was no exception, throughout this saga we have learnt snippets about the matriarch of the family Queenie and we get to learn more about her life before she came to London as she has to decide whether to tell her family something that could change them forever.

As the end of the war approaches we spend time with all of the Brogan children and get to see how their lives have changed throughout the course of the war, we see their joys and challenges as they prepare for life post war.

I absolutely love historical fiction and saga’s based in London during WWII are my absolute favourite. The Brogan family have felt like family and I have loved getting to know these wonderful characters and will miss them as we conclude the final book in the series.

Book Blurb

Jean Fullerton, the RNA-shortlisted queen of the East End, returns with the final nostalgic and heart-warming story of the Brogan family.
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In the final days of war, only love will pull her through . . .

Queenie Brogan wasn’t always an East End matriarch. Many years ago, before she married Fergus, she was Philomena Dooley, a daughter of Irish Travellers, planning to wed her childhood sweetheart, Patrick Mahone. But when tragedy struck and Patrick’s narrow-minded sister, Nora, intervened, the lovers were torn apart.

Fate can be cruel, and when Queenie arrives in London she finds that Patrick Mahon is her parish priest, and that the love she had tried to suppress flares again in her heart.

But now in the final months of WW2, Queenie discovers Father Mahon is dying and must face losing him forever. Can she finally tell him the secret she has kept for over fifty years or will Nora once again come between them?

And if Queenie does decide to finally tell Patrick, could the truth destroy the Brogan family?

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

Born and bred in East London Jean is a District Nurse by trade and has worked as a NHS manager and as a senior lecture in Health and Nursing Studies. She left her day job to become a full-time writer in 2015 and has never looked back.

In 2006 she won the Harry Bowling Prize and now has seventeen sagas published over three series all of which are set in East London.

She is an experienced public speaker with hundreds of WI and women’s club talks under her belt, plus for the past fifteen years she has sailed all over the world as an enrichment speaker and writing workshop leader on cruise ships.

Social Media Links

Website: http://jeanfullerton.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jean-Fullerton-202631736433230/?ref=bookmarks 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/JeanFullerton_ 

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Thanks for visiting Love the Smell of a Book today and I hope you have a great day!

Daisy & Kel x

My Review

After stumbling across Anna Stuart a couple of years ago, I am always excited to hear she is releasing a new book and this one appealed instantly as I have always had a fascination with all things in relation to World War ll.

We meet sisters Ashleigh & Robyn shortly before the death of their beloved Grandmother Ginny, who has left them a treasure hunt in order to learn more about her life during World War II when she was at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Robyn and Ashleigh both return to Honolulu after the funeral to complete the trail that has been left by Ginny.

I really enjoyed the dual timeline in this book and found it fascinating to find a story written from the perspective of an American who was at Pearl Harbor in December 1941 when they entered into the war as majority of the books I have read about World War II are set in wartime London. This story was fascinating with Ginny being both a pilot and an instructor which was unusual during this time and I loved how refreshing the attitude was to women working alongside men in these roles.

The lead characters are a total contrast to each other and this was apparent from the first few chapters, with Ginny being a vibrant character compared to her bristly Granddaughter Ashleigh who had suffered a major trauma 8 years previously and never moved past it.

Another superb story by Anna Stuart that was a book that kept me intrigued and keen to keep reading as we got to know both the sisters better and their beloved Grandmother.

Book Blurb

Ninety-eight-year-old Ginny McAllister’s last wish is for her granddaughter to complete a treasure hunt containing clues to her past. Clues that reveal her life as one of the first female pilots at Pearl Harbor, and a devastating World War Two secret.

1941, Pearl Harbor: On the morning of December 7th, Ginny is flying her little yellow plane above the sparkling seas when she spots an unknown aircraft closing in on her. She recognises the red symbol of the Japanese fighter planes almost too late. Somehow, she manages to land unscathed but the choices she is forced to make in the terrible hours that follow have tragic consequences…

2019, Pearl Harbor: Heartbroken RobynHarris is reeling from the death of the strong, determined grandmother who raised her. Her only comfort is a letter written in Ginny’s distinctive hand which details a treasure hunt, just like the ones she used to set for her as a little girl. Except this time, the clues are scattered across the beautiful island of Hawaii. Despite her grief, Robyn finds herself intrigued as she follows the trail of letters, revealing the truth about Ginny’s service during the Second World War.

But Robyn’s whole world is turned upside down when she’s faced with a shocking secret which has the power to change the course of her own life…

Inspired by true events, this is a heartbreaking and unforgettable WW2 novel about love, loss and bravery. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and Kathryn Hughes.

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge university, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers. You can reach her on Facebook @annastuartauthor or Twitter @annastuartbooks.

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Daisy, Jacks & Kel x