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historical fiction

The Poppy Sisters: Step into the past with this captivating historical novel, filled with heart-wrenching moments and unforgettable characters

375 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK

Phoebe is a volunteer nurse at a Base Hospital in Étaples, France, treating men who’ve served on hte Western Front. Their courage and resilience inspires her, and though she’s meant to keep her distance, Captain Archie Bailey soon captivates her heart.

Her younger sister Celia is a nurse at a POW camp on the island of Jersey. These men fight for the forces that bombed her brother and parents, but long hours spent healing them shows her they aren’t the monsters she expected.

Despite the miles between them, both Celia and Phoebe come to see the commonality in their experiences – the sense of community and friendship, the unexpected moments of love and laughter, and a bond so strong that even war can’t break it…

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoyed this historical fiction book and found it interesting and informative.

Phoebe, volunteer nurse at a Base Hospital in Étaples, France. Matron does her best to keep the nurses minds occupied with just nursing but there’s no counting on where the heart will lead. Phoebe soon finds herself falling in love with patient Captain Archie Bailey. Planning a life together after the war when he’s well enough he gets sent to the frontline then goes missing in action, presumed dead.

Celia is a nurse at a POW camp on the island of Jersey. She knows the men she is nursing back to health are from the same unit that killed her brother and parents. After getting to know these men she realizes they are just regular men with hopes, dreams and fears just like all of us. Falling in love with one of them shouldn’t have happened, but it has.

Phoebe and Celia are sisters with many similarities, they understand what the other is going through and know the fears they face. Heartbreaking……. there are no real winners in war, it just causes some to die earlier than others. Kept my attention as you can only pray for the best. The author writes such realistic work I could vividly imagine the scenes playing out as I read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Deborah Carr is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical fiction. She was born and lives on the island of Jersey, in the Channel Islands where she sets most of her books.

Her first book, Broken Faces was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition in 2012 giving her the confidence to keep going. Her WW1 novel, The Poppy Sisters was an Amazon First Reads Editor’s Pick and The Poppy Field and An Island at War were USA TODAY bestsellers.

The Channel Islands was the only place in the British Isles occupied by German forces during WW2. This dark time in the island’s history is the setting for her latest novel, Neighbours at War. An Island at War and part of The Beekeeper’s War was also set during the Jersey Occupation.

She is the author behind the Mrs Boots trilogy inspired by Jersey woman, Florence Boot, the woman behind the Boots empire.

Deborah lives near the beach and begins each day walking by the sea with her three rescue dogs before sitting down to write.

Thank you for stopping in.

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The Sisters of Sea View (On Devonshire Shores #1)By Julie Klassen, Charming start of a new series-Review

About The Book

Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own . . .

When their father’s death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.

Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family’s new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth’s many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars–both visible and those hidden deep within–and her cloistered heart will never be the same.

Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.

Grab A Copy Here

My Thoughts

This is Inspirational Regency fiction at its absolute best!

The Sisters of Sea View was a wonderful book.
I have been reading this authors’ books since she has started writing and I don’t plan on stopping. I love how well researched her books are, you truly feel as though you are right here in the setting with the characters experiencing it all.


The setting is mostly at Sea View, a large home in Devonshire. After the unexpected death of the father, the ailing mother is unable to work so the four sisters devise a way to bring in money to save the house from being sold. They turn Sea View with its gorgeous view of the sea from its bedrooms into a home taking in boarders.
It takes a while to set up all the characters as there are many, the new boarders, the townspeople, people off visiting, hired help and more.


Once we get past all of this the books goes at a smooth pace.
There are four sisters and each one is lovely and has a unique place in the book.
This book has the four sisters present but concentrates on the story of one of them more than the others. If I had a guess I would say, each sister has her own story.
It was pleasing to see a sister who didn’t enjoy mixing in company because of what she thinks is a deformity that she keeps covered become less self-conscience and sure of herself.


There are characters staying at the house when it becomes a boarding house, some definitely a little quirky. We get somewhat of a backstory of these characters, and I think we’ll see more of them in future books.
One thing is for sure, I would love to visit Sea View and go into the sea there. It sounds so peaceful and relaxing there.
I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. It will be hard to wait.

Pub Date 06 Dec 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

ulie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit http://www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.

Have you read other Julie Klassen books? What makes you want to read this book? Do you have a favorite regency author to read?

Thank you for stopping by today. Enjoy your weekend.

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Frost Falls at the Potting Shed (The Potting Shed #1) by Jenny Kane-Review

Today I am delighted to post my review of a new series I’ve discovered that is so much fun. Come join me.

About the Book

Frost Falls at The Potting Shed: An absolutely heart-warming and feel-good read to cosy up with this Christmas!

From the author of the bestselling Mill Grange series a new exciting series perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Jo Thomas and Trisha Ashley!

It has always been Maddie Willand‘s dream to take over her father’s plant nursery. But after his sudden death, she is devastated to discover that she might lose The Potting Shed forever.

Maddie’s bossy older sister, Sabi, is joint owner of the nursery, and she’s convinced that the best thing for both of them would be to sell up. Determined to keep the business going, Maddie can’t afford any distractions, but staying focused might be harder than she thinks when – after a major garden centre chain puts in an offer – her search for legal advice throws her into the path of attractive lawyer Ed

As frost begins to fall over The Potting Shed, will Maddie find the strength to save her father’s legacy and open herself up to new beginnings?

Readers love Frost Falls at the Potting Shed!

My Thoughts

Frost Falls at the Potting Shed is the start of a brand-new series, The Potting Shed, #1.
I really enjoy gardening and even though it’s Fall here in the states and the only gardening I’m currently doing is watering house plants I really enjoyed it.
Maddie Willand and her bossy, older sister Sabi are devastated by the sudden and unexpected death of their father. The Potting Shed was their father’s whole life, he put everything he had into it and his daughter Maddie still does as well. Looking at the books after his death she’s devastated to learn the shop is badly in the red. Maddie and Sabi are co-owners of the shop but having totally different outlooks on life makes for an incompatible relationship. Maddie is desperate to keep the shop running and honor her father’s memory and she plain just loves the shop with all the family memories it holds. Sabi doesn’t put any stock into sentimental memories and is ready to sell it out from under Maddie. She even goes as far as making devious plans to try to get it sold. Try as she may to hold onto the shop Maddie knows it may all be futile in the end if something doesn’t come up and quickly at that.
This is such a feel-good sentimental journey. It’s not only charming but there is a sweet Christmassy vibe intertwined within the pages as well. I loved the descriptions in the potting shed, Christmas trees, mistletoe, poinsettia and hot chocolate. Throw in the distraction of a sweet new romance and what more could you need?
A definite must read!

Grab A Copy Here

About The Author

Usually to be found within range of plate of hot buttered toast, a huge mug of black coffee, and a with a bar of emergency chocolate tucked in her jacket pocket, Jenny Kane spends her days in her local café typing away…

Inspired by everything and anything, Jenny combines her past experiences as an archaeologist, university tutor, cheese seller, newsagent, Welsh hat maker, Robin Hood obsessive, and data clerk, with the sights and sounds of everyday life, to weave tales of relaxingly relatable romance.

Look out for the brand new #MillGrange series – including Midsummer Dreams at Mill Grange – and the forthcoming, Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange and Spring Blossom at Mill Grange.

Jenny’s Cornish novels – A Cornish Escape and A Cornish Wedding have received fabulous reviews and her romcom, Another Cup of Coffee, was a long-time bestseller – as were its sequels – Another Cup of Christmas, Christmas in the Cotswolds, Christmas at the Castle and Another Glass of Champagne.

Jenny also writes historical mysteries under the name of Jennifer Ash.

Find out more at http://jennykane.co.uk

What makes you want to read Frost Falls at the Potting Shed?

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