Today we are heading back to 1914 fpr the 3rd in Rosie Clarke's Welcome to Harpers' Emporium, Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls. It was published by Boldwood Books on June 2nd.
Hard times ahead for the Harpers girls...
It is two years since Harpers opened in Oxford Street and
Ben is planning to expand the premises.
Life is good for Sally and Ben as they look forward to their
first child and hope for a prosperous future. Beth is settling into married
life with Jack, gradually recovering from her aunt’s tragic death, though still
unable to conceive a child.
New girls have joined Harpers and Marion, Janice and Becky
all become a part of the daily life at the busy store. Rachel is undecided
whether to marry a man she isn’t sure she can trust, while Minnie meets an old
love.
The sun is shining in English streets but on the horizon
dark clouds gather over Europe and war looms
threatening bringing rainy days for the Harpers girls…
My Thoughts
With Britain on the brink of the First World War, this is a rich seam of history to set this saga in. You are taken beautifully through the changing times, from peaceful life, through the first doubts of unrest, to the attitude that it will be all over by Christmas, then to the awful realisation that this is going to be long haul. You get to follow the lives of different levels of society but a feeling of solidarity and common goals emerges.
Whilst the life in the Department store goes on, you are shown some great details about daily life in the capital. I particularly enjoy the social history of the time and the attitudes of men and women shown towards the Suffragette cause. You also get to learn about the treatment some men suffered when given the white feathers to signify cowardice and to shame people into enlisting. This is a skilful blending of historical detail, social and political issues and personal stories of family life.
In short: Families at war.
About the Author
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.
You can follow Rosie here:
Thanks to Rosie Clarke, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Follow the rest of the tour!
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