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A Fresh Start for the Country Nurse by Kate Eastham #Review

  I am delighted to introduce a new series by Kate Eastham. A Fresh Start for the Country Nurse was published by Boldwood Books on 7th March. Call the Midwife meets All Creatures Great and Small in this first of a heart-warming series about a country nurse and midwife. July, 1936 After an unexpected heartbreak and a nasty accident on a busy Liverpool street, Lara Flynn is desperate to start afresh and leave painful memories behind her. She takes on a new job as a district nurse and midwife at a country practice, in the remote Lancashire village of Ingleside. But instead of the friendly rural idyll she pictures, Lara finds she must cycle vast distances to visit locals who harbour an innate suspicion of a newcomer from the city ā€“ as well as dealing with unpredictable livestock, an erratic senior doctor and often challenging medical cases. She also rubs up against handsome local vet, Leo, when she helps to deliver a calf! With time, Lara learns that healing is a two-way s...

The Great Western Railway Girls by Jane Lark #Review #TheGreatWesternRailwayGirlsBook1

 

I am delighted to introduce Book 1 in a new series by Jane Lark, set in the Second World War. The Great Western Railway Girls is published today by Boldwood Books.

 
September, 1939.

When war is declared, Lily sees an opportunity to escape her domineering father: she will join the Great Western Railway factory to win her financial independence and move out of home.

Maggie doesnā€™t want to simply follow in her sistersā€™ footsteps and work in the laundries at the GWR. So, when the chance comes to volunteer for menā€™s work in the machine shop, sheā€™s the first to raise her hand.

Catherine, a clerk in the GWR office, has been helping with Londonā€™s evacuation efforts, organising trains to move children out of the city. But when her task is completed, will she defy her family and fiancĆ©ā€™s wishes and sign up for a more dangerous role?

Taking on demanding new duties, Lily, Maggie and Catherine ā€“ and others ā€“ develop an unexpectedly close bond.

But will friendship be enough to carry them through the ups and downs of life at war?

The first instalment in a brilliant new wartime series set in Swindon's Great Western Railway works.

My Thoughts

 I loved this opening to a new series. It was full of period detail and conjured up the start of the Second World War beautifully. There are so many lively characters to follow. As you follow their lives and see the different decisions they are making,you get involved in their lives. Family and friendship are most important to keep everyone going and the ties they gorge at work shine through. You certainly believe that they are all working for the war effort but struggling to keep going at times. 

    It is fascinating to see the different lives of the classes with a strict pecking order shown through their clothes and home lives. The role of women are central to the story and you can sense that there are big shifts coming in the attitudes, particularly towards married women working. In the early days of the book, women are looked down on at work, paid less and assigned more menial work but you can see their capabilities coming through, Not all families are happy with instances of neglect and brutality hiding behind the curtains. However, there are also kind and close families looking out for each other. I am looking forward to Book 2 to see where the GWR Girls go next in propping up the Home Front.

In short: great historical fiction

About the Author

Jane Lark is an internationally bestselling author of both historical fiction and psychological thrillers. She has twice been shortlisted for the RNA Awards. The first in her new wartime saga series, The Great Western Railway Girls,will be published in February 2025

You can follow Jane here:  

Facebook: @Janelarkauthor

Twitter: @JaneLark

Instagram: jane.lark

Bookbub profile: @janelark

Book links 

Thanks to Jane Lark, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources  for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Look out for the rest of the tour!
 

 

 



 

 

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