As the summer holidays are approaching you might want to find a good book that you can read in the pockets of resting you get between trying to keep your family occupied. I like to read books during the summer when I feel like things have started to slow down a little, I get a chance to take some time away from work and just relax a little. But sometimes finding the right book can be tricky. You need one you can pick up and put down, and not lose where you’re at. So having a good author is important as it is the best way to be sure you have a great book.
In our latest book review I have been newly introduced to Rosie Clarke, who is already an established author, has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and four others as part of this collection of books called Harpers Emporium series. She has set this series in Wartime Britain and has an all-female lead. It covers stories of the lives of people connected to the Harper Girls and has a soap opera style format. If you want to know what I thought of this ebook keep reading…
What I thought of the book
The eBook begins in 1917 at the precipice of the war in London England. It follows the lives of the collective of people linked to Harper’s a store much like Selfridges would have been at the start of its popularity. The two focal characters are the Harper girls, one is Sally Harper wife of Ben Harper and Jenni Harper his sister who together (Ben and Jenni) co-own the store. But those aren’t the only girls at Harpers, there are several more that you will hear about along the way and all of which have a story to tell.
But what I loved about this ebook is it’s the stories that are told around Harpers Emporium, that make the novel what it is. You have a whole host of characters each with a unique story to tell, and each captivating in their own way. Some of the stories were simple, but still have their equal measure of drama. As per usual with all my reviews I don’t like to ruin the story. And typically for me, it took a little while to navigate through the people in the ebook, especially considering the number of characters, and how each play an important role in the narrative. But once I had remembered who did what and which person was married to whom, or was the love interest or relative of whom, I was able to stop and start the ebook with ease.
Initially, the eBook seems to take you through the places where the War felt less affected, in the large store where people were busy with stock takes and shop windows and ensuring there were enough goods inside to sell to the customers, but then as each story developed the War intertwined with each of their tales and each person and their counterparts had their own issues that were either worsened or bettered by what was going on around them at the time.
The eBook has a steady momentum and allows you to really get to know each of the characters well, which is important as it means you are quite impacted by each of their sometimes upsetting accounts. At points what was a strange and unsavoury connection was the reference to the fever, which I can only think maybe the link to the Spanish flu. It feels strange reading about an occurrence that took place 100 years ago that could so unknowing connect with us here today, as we are beginning to emerge from the end of this pandemic.
Where can you get your eBook?
You can get the eBook on Amazon here.
How much is the eBook?
It is currently priced at £3.99. Do check the website for the latest pricing as this may change.
About the Book
Title : Wartime Blues For The
Author : Rosie Clarke
ASIN : B08WX1FGJ8
Publisher : Boldwood Books
File size : 1156 KB
Format : Kindle/eBook
Print length : 259 pages
About Rosie Clarke
Clarke has written under many pseudonyms and is fairly secretive, so there isn’t much to tell other than she is from Cambridgeshire and is a prolific writer of Saga Novels, and has published the majority of her books with Boldwood Books publishing House. She tends to write Historic Dramas set in between the 1900-1950s, and is a distinguished writer with a longstanding history of published novels. So, if you like one of her books you will more than likely find others you like from one of her many other series that you’d enjoy too.
Review by Lex Ward
You may also want to read:
eBook Review: The War Girls by Rosie James
eBook Review: The German Nurse, by M.J Hollows
eBook Review: After the Storm by Isabella Muir
eBook Review: The Girl with The Silver Bangle
* Disclaimer: We were given a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
20 comments
I love reading historical fiction – fingers crossed for some time to read this summer holidays!
This is the perfect summer read. Enjoy the book if you do download it
I think the fact the stories are around the store workers makes it more interesting. A good read for those into historical novels.
Absolutely spot on and good luck with downloading a copy
This sounds like a really interesting book. I quite like books where a number of different stories go on rather than just one major plot line. I’ll check it out for my summer reading list.
The two timeline is such a great idea indeed
I love books that are set in the early 1900s. I need to pick this one up!
Hope you do Jennifer
I still haven’t got round to reading the last few chapters of my current book, mum life! , but will definitely add this one to my book list
Hope you do Kira, enjoy reading this
I always love your book reviews, as it makes my life easier, because your recommendations help me to compile my must read lists. this one is going on my list thanks x
Thank you for your lovely comment Melanie, this is a fab novel to read
It’s good that despite all the numerous characters it didn’t get complicated or too overwhelmig. Sounds like an interesting read x
It is a fabulous read indeed Rhian
This sounds like an interesting read that I would like to enjoy in the sun. I have started to read more as well. I find it that I read so much more when I sit in the garden, in the sun.
It is a fab read Joanna
I love having different yet related character stories intertwined! This sounds like a neat book.
A fabulous book indeed, I enjoyed reading it
I am so proud of myself because I have been reading more lately. It’s so lovely to relax with a book.
So glad to hear that, this is a great book to relax with