REMEMBERING NOVEMBER 11.2015

Remembering . . .

via November 11. 2015

~ "In Flanders Fields" is a rondeau w

​

ritten

​ in Belgium 2015​

 during the First World War by Canadian physician, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCra

​e, following the death of his close friend. ​  Read MORE history on this centenary ...

Lest We Forget

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BOOK REVIEW: HOPE AT DAWN by Stacy Henrie

HOPE AT DAWN [OF LOVE AND WAR #1] by Stacy Henrie

IN A TIME OF WAR,
LOVE IS THE INSPIRATION

With her brothers away fighting the Great War overseas, Livy Campbell desperately wants to help her family. Her chance comes when she meets a handsome stranger who lands her a job as a teacher in a place far from her parents' farm. But the war casts a long shadow over the German-American town that Livy now calls home-and the darkness will test everything she thought she knew about family and love . . .

More than anything, Friedrick Wagner wants to be part of his adopted country's struggle for peace. But when the bitter animosity between Germans and Americans soon turns citizens against newcomers, friend against friend, he will do whatever it takes to protect Livy from the hysteria that grips their town. As tragedy-and dark secrets from the past-threaten their future,
Friedrick and Livy have one chance to stand up for what's right . . .
and one chance to fight for their love.

* Pages: pb/kindle 384 pgs Published: June 24.2014 Publisher:  Forever [Grand Central Publishing] * My Thoughts? ~ Captured by the evocative cover,  I was pleased to discover content offered as captivating a story.
March 1918, we meet Livy waiting to celebrate her 20th birthday at the town dance. The promised date with her boyfriend, Robert, never materializes.  And Livy has good reason to know why.  A soldier, returned wounded from the Great War, chooses the company of alcohol over her and their anticipated future.  So when a handsome young man notices her tears and takes the opportunity to invite Livy to the dancefloor, she decides against her original regrets and allows him to escort her to the floor. Thus begins the enchanting story of Hope at Dawn.  * Through this meeting with Friedrick, Livy has a teaching job connection and independence in a new community.  When government laws are introduced that jeopardize the German American inhabitants of that community, the fragility of life and relationships come to the fore.  A horrifying and unknown component of the cost of war as Ms Henrie so aptly describes this aspect of the American homefront. * The entire story is gripping with romantic tension, wartime realities, and social injustices. First in the series Of Love and War, readers are introduced to the Campbell family members via Livy's story.  We are made aware of  two brothers away on the warfront, one of whom features in book 2, Hope Rising based in WWI France, and due to release December 2014. Book 3, A Hope Remembered, to release March 2015. * I am anticipating more exquisite reading, having completed this beautifully written first entry Of Love and War.  Hope at Dawn has certainly lived up to its theme. I full heartedly recommend Stacy Henrie's series to wartime romance fans everywhere. A story and characters you'll remember long after you've reached 'The End' ... *

* Author Bio:
Stacy Henrie has always had an avid appetite for history, fiction and chocolate. While she had a goal to write and publish a book one day, she turned her attentions first to graduating with a bachelor's degree in public relations. Not long after, she switched from writing press releases and newsletters to writing inspirational historical romances as a stay-at-home mom.  Stacy loves reading, romantic movies, and most of all, laughing with her husband and three kids. She appreciates the chance to live out history through her characters, while enjoying all the modern conveniences of life in the 21st century.  Stacy  is a road trip enthusiast and a novice interior decorator besides writing fantastic novels.

* Find Stacy online : StacyHenrie.com on twitter @StacyHenrie 
Click to Order HOPE AT DAWN  and HOPE RISING pre-order A HOPE REMEMBERED [no delivery charges at Book Depository] * *Appreciation to Forever [Grand Central] for providing an ecopy to read and review without cost or compensation. * Shared With ~
* Lavender Cottage Mosaic Monday * * Book Nook * * FIND MORE FHC on
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NEW RELEASE; HOPE RISING by STACY HENRIE 16.12.14

Today I'm excited to introduce Stacy Henrie's newest WW1 novel, HOPE RISING Book 2 Of Love and War series Released TODAY!

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With warm CONGRATULATIONS ! 
and Every Wish for your Continued Writing Success, Stacy! * We're sharing the Celebration by joining TUESDAY INTROS ~
First Chapter, First Paragraph hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea and  TUESDAY TEASERS hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading
* The HOPE RISING story begins.... * "Afternoon." Evelyn whirled around to find an American soldier watching her from a few feet away.  He wasn't overly tall, less than six feet, but his handsome face, broad shoulders, and dark eyes were an impressive combination and made Evelyn's pulse skip from more than being startled. "I didn't mean to disturb you."  He smiled, looking anything but apologetic.  "Beautiful view." The way he said it, she knew he wasn't talking about the ocean.  * ~ from the Prologue * Today's Teaser Tuesday ? * She removed a match from the box on top of the dresser and headed down the stairs.  Outside the afternoon sun shone warm on her back as she stepped quickly toward the forest.  Beneath the trees, she slowed her footsteps and followed the sun-strewn path. When she felt certain no one from the hospital could see her, Evelyn stopped.  She placed the crinkled paper on the ground and struck the match against a nearby tree trunk.  The tiny flame lapped at the pile of letters as she crouched beside them.  Once the paper caught fire, Evelyn dropped the match onto the pile and watched with satisfaction as her letters burned.  Her secret was safe --  for now. * Are you as intrigued as I am ?
Here's the storyline...

In France at the height of World War I,  American nurse Evelyn Gray is no stranger to suffering. She's helped save the life of many a soldier, but when she learns her betrothed has been killed, her own heart may be broken beyond repair. Summoning all her strength, Evelyn is determined to carry on-not just for herself and her country, but for her unborn child.

Corporal Joel Campbell dreams of the day the war is over and he can return home and start a family. When a brutal battle injury puts that hope in jeopardy, Joel is lost to despair . . . until he meets Evelyn.  Beautiful, compassionate, and in need of help, she makes an unconventional proposal that could save their lives-or ruin them irrevocably.  Now, amidst the terror and turmoil of the Western Front, these two lost souls will have to put their faith in love to find the miracle they've been looking for.

* Heartfelt writing producing authentic characters with authentic life struggles in the midst of the horrors,  losses, and grieving of wartime.
Ms Henrie is a sure win with the Of Love and War series.
* It's been my pleasure to introduce Stacy Henrie's new novel, HOPE RISING and to offer other readers many hours spent with Evelyn, Joel Campbell and their world in Wartime France.  Thank you for this opportunity Stacy, Julie, and Forever [Grand Central Publishing] !
*

About Stacy Henrie:

Stacy has always had an avid appetite for history, fiction and chocolate. While she had a goal to write and publish a book one day, she turned her attentions first to graduating with a bachelor's degree in public relations. Not long after, she switched from writing press releases and newsletters to writing inspirational historical romances as a stay-at-home mom. Stacy loves reading, interior decorating, romantic movies, and most of all, laughing with her husband and three kids. She appreciates the chance to live out history through her characters, while enjoying all the modern conveniences of life in the 21st century.

Find Stacy online at StacyHenrie.com  @StacyHenrie on twitter and on FB

A HOPE REMEMBERED,the final book in Stacy's sweeping Of Love and War trilogy brings to life the drama of battle torn Europe with emotion, faith, and of course, romance.

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Expected publication: March 31st 2015 by Forever

Click to Order [without delivery fees via Book Depository]

HOPE RISING and A HOPE REMEMBERED  and HOPE AT DAWN

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by 

MizB of Should Be Reading. 

Anyone can play along!  Join us?

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! 

(make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! 

You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

and at Bibliophile by the Sea, every Tuesday Diane hosts  First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros,  where she shares the first paragraph or (a few) of a book she's reading or thinking about reading soon. 
Feel free to join in and post the Intro from  one of your reads by linking up.

* Shared with - * Sincerely, Paula *

* FIND MORE FHC on PINTEREST | TWITTER | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | NETWORKED BLOGS

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TUESDAY TEASERS & INTROS: HOPE AT DAWN by Stacy Henrie 10.6.14

Welcome to this June 10th Teaser Tuesday at MizB's shouldbereading and 1st Paragraph 1st Chapter - Tuesday Intros
at Diane's Bibliophile by the Sea  * Here's mine ~ Iowa, March 1918 "Of all the birthdays Livy could recall, this one would certainly go down as the most memorable - but for all the wrong reasons. Ironic, she thought, smoothing the skirt of her blue silk taffeta dress for surely the hundredth time.  I always thought turning twenty would be special."
Opening paragraph - HOPE AT DAWN [Of Love & War #1] by Stacy Henrie {releasing June 24th}

In a Time of War, Love is the Inspiration.With her brothers away fighting the Great War overseas, Livy Campbell desperately wants to help her family. Her chance comes when she meets a handsome stranger who lands her a job as a teacher in a place far from her parents' farm. But the war casts a long shadow over the German-American town that Livy now calls home—and the darkness will test everything she thought she knew about family and love . . . [click cover photo for GIVEAWAY !] * Looking forward to your Tuesday teasers and intros!

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Find and follow FHC online:
@_eHope - Goodreads - Facebook - 
- Pinterest - GFC  -  bottom of page
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Adding a brief heads up for readers who've mentioned interest in Julianna Deering's 'Drew Farthering' mystery series - The first 2 books are on today for 1.99 as kindle ecopies!! I know. Amazing. Enjoy.

THE BEST OF DAUGHTERS: by Dilly Court [ WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH ]

Posting the 4th book review in this March series for  Women's History Month - For this story, we enter the era leading up to,  then WWI itself.   author Dilly Court paints main character, Daisy Lennox,  as a strong willed young woman  unwilling to settle for the status quo. Her interest in the suffragettes is just the first of unusual involvements Daisy pursues. Her sense of justice informs her life decisions and path she chooses. Well drawn and well researched, Dilly Court, reveals unique moments in Women's History.



Published: March 18.13 Pages: 448 Publisher: RandomHouse UK-North America * THE BEST OF DAUGHTERS  by DILLY COURT

Despite her privileged upbringing, Daisy Lennox has always longed 

to make something of her life. 

She is drawn to the suffragette movement, but when her father faces ruin they are forced to move to the country and Daisy's first duty is to her family. 

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Here she becomes engaged to her childhood friend - a union both families have dreamed of.
But, on the eve of their wedding, war is declared, 

and Daisy knows her life will never be the same again.

* My Thoughts?
Likeability of our MC, Daisy Lennox, is established early on in this story. Her attitudes and actions to those less fortunate are skillfully contrasted with the stiffly ruled and regulated uppercrust of her mother's society.  Daisy's adventurous spirit in willingly assisting a young suffragette ends in a misadventure that entwines the two for the rest of the novel.  A saga covering a lengthy time span from 1912 to 1917. 
Daisy's discontent with the status quo leads her to pursue involvement, first with the  suffragette movement - highly criticized for their use of vandalism - followed by introduction to the FANYS.  Organized for women to train as nurses for the unwanted yet inevitable WWI, Daisy finds purpose beyond the expected round of socializing,  partying, and entertaining of a woman of her societal class.
When it is realized her father's business partner has absconded with the profits, the family is reduced to selling their London property, liquidating assets, and relocating to their rural summer home.  Which just happens to neighbour lifelong family friend's property.  An advantageous move for the family finances in general, for Daisy in particular.  And for Daisy's young suffragette friend, who is hired as maid of all work.
For Daisy it's a direct connection with her childhood friend who wants more than friendship. The rest of the story unfolds beautifully for the remainder of the novel. Court has a particular warmth in her writing style - a caring for the characters - that kept me involved through tragedy and triumph.  War descriptions preceding, during, and following, are authentic and emotionally involving.
Particulars of this period of history are well researched.  As is the wealth of information on the FANYS written into the story without any sense of documentary.
It is an excellent story of love's endurance and  redemption.
Important topics of marriage, class distinctions, romantic and familial relationships,
pregnancy, wartime, and personal values, are written with serious consideration. My appreciation to Dilly Court for sharing her creation of Daisy's story with us. * About this author: 

Dilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.

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Dilly says, "Pacy stories, full of nostalgia and great plucky heroines set in turn-of-the-twentieth century London.  I spend a long time researching my novels and fully enter the world when I am writing ... "
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Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author in the UK, Dilly has sold over a million books to date. 

Find Dilly on twitter: DillyCourt   Online at DillyCourt and at GreatBritishReads Ms Court is one of several British authors whose ebooks were made available in the US, with pb available as well in Canada and AU for the first time in 2013 as part of Random House UK's international marketing.



* *Appreciation to RandomHouse UK-North America for providing an ecopy for reading and reviews without compensation or obligation. *

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