I am delighted to feature the first in a brand new historical saga series by Rosie Clarke, War Clouds over Blackberry Farm. It was published by Boldwood Books on 4th November.
Cambridgeshire - March 1939
As the clouds of war begin to gather in Europe, the Talbot
family of rural Blackberry Farm will be torn apart, just as so many families
all over the world will be. Life will never be the same again.
Whilst in London, the Salmons family will feel the pain of
parting and loss.
Brought together by war, the two families become intertwined
and, as the outlook looks bleak, they must draw on each other’s strength to
fight through the hard times.
Lizzie Johnson and Tom were sweethearts until a mistake
caused a terrible rift. Lizzie takes herself off to London to heal the pain in
a glamorous new job but she still loves Tom. His pride has been hurt – but deep
down inside Tom still cares. Can they find happiness before their chance is
gone and the whole word is swept into the terrible madness of war?
My Thoughts
I loved this opening book in a new historical saga series and was quickly interested in the different family members who are introduced. It absolutely captures the feel of the time as the threat of war gets ever closer and then finally arrives. I enjoyed how the period details were woven into the descriptions. London in 1939 seems so different to the rural Cambridgeshire where most of the action happens. Still, the effects of the war are profound even there as the farm workers are gradually replaced by the newly formed Land Army.
This first book focusses on Tom and Lizzie's story and they both emerges as believable characters. The changing role of women at the time is illustrated through the ambitions of the younger characters and the expectations of their family about the value of their work and education. You also are shown different attitudes towards family and marriage. Not all parents are caring and not all spouses are living in harmony. One or two characters are quite menacing and give the story a latent feeling of threat. I am looking forward to the next installment in the saga. This is a very promising start.
In short: plenty of action and well drawn characters in this opening to a new series.
About the Author
Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose most
recent books include The Shop Girls of Harpers and The Mulberry Lane series.
She has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is an RNA Award
winner. She lives in Cambridgeshire.
You can read my review of Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls here, an extract from Wartime Blues for the Harper Girls here and my review of A Reunion at Mulberry Lane here
You can follow Rosie here:
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