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Under a Spanish Sky by T A Williams #Review

  Under a Spanish Sky by T A Williams was published by Boldwood Books on September 26th. It has   previously been  published as Chasing Shadows   Out of darkness, light will shine... Amy Hardy once lived a life full of colour, but a tragic accident has turned her world to shadows. Determined to embrace her new life, Amy sets off on the famous Compostela pilgrimage, hoping to find light in the darkness and a new path. Accompanying her on her journey is Luke Patterson a man whose own troubled past casts dark shadows over his life. He’s hoping that guiding Amy will be a distraction from his own troubles. But as Luke and Amy travel through the stunning scenery of Northern Spain, following in footsteps of those travellers before them, they feel a connection to each other. And as their bond grows, a love story from the distant past emerges before them, forcing them to confront their own secrets, pain and feelings for each other. Can a story of courage and bravery...

Great Western Railway Girls Do their bit by Jane Lark #Review

 

Happy Publication Day to Jane Lark for her latest in the Great Railway Girls series, The Great Western Railway Girls Do Their Bit  which is published today by Boldwood Books.

 

1940 - As the Nazi invaders race across Europe, the women of the Great Western Railway works pull together like never before.


Catherine wrestles with self-pity after a machine-shop accident. With her fiancé and brothers on the front lines in France, she must find a new way to fight on the home front.


At her side are her steadfast GWR friends, among them Maggie, facing the loss of her father and family home, and Lily, desperate for news of her childhood sweetheart. All are determined to keep morale high and do their bit to win the war.


Amid blackout nights and rationed days, as the war creeps closer to home, these resilient women forge deeper bonds of sisterhood, confronting heartache and embracing joy. Standing up and volunteering to do even more, when hundreds of thousands of exhausted and wounded troops are rescued from Dunkirk and arrive in Dover. Britain’s ships and small boats saved them, now the trains must move them to safety and the women need to help to keep them alive...


An inspiring story of friendship, courage and women’s strength on the home front.

My Thoughts

Having enjoyed the first in this series, I was keen to read another. The lives of the characters has moved on to 1940, with many of the young men now away in Europe. The young women of Swindon who work at the Great Western Railway have taken over many of their jobs and are showing determination and grit. Catherine is coming to tewrms with the loss of her right hand but is still very keen to do some sort of work to help the war effort. 

    The group of friends are all trying to carry on despite the constant worry of the war. Maggie has to face moving from her family home and Lily is desperately missing her great friend and loved one. The lives of the community are all impacted by events in the war over in France and real historical events loom large. Through them, you see the spirit and the fear of those at home  and also in some cases, the terrible effect the fighting is having on the young men who are fighting. There is sadness and romance in this story which any lover of second world war fiction will become hooked in and keen to find out what happens in book 3.

In short: vividly written 

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.

 

 

 

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