The Tobacco Girls by Lizzie Lane- Historical (war) fiction       

Maisie lives with her family and is delighted to have a job offer, received with

the help of her teacher, to be a maid in a country house. On announcing this

her father tells her “ that she’ll do no such thing” and that she will go and work

in the tobacco factory as he can then get free cigarettes and take her wages.

This is Bristol in 1939 on the verge of yet another war. Once there Maisie meets

Phyllis and Bridget. Phyllis is engaged to a man who is also telling her what she

can and can’t do. She only realises this when others show her kindness.

Bridget is from a large family and having seen the horrors of childbirth and

miscarriage she is determined that is the last thing she wants and takes steps

to avoid a relationship at all costs. When war breaks the girls are part of the

backbone of the country- the men having been called up or volunteered.

I'm not usually into historical fiction but the war stories always pique my

interest. It's a great way to learn social history and although fiction, to

discover a little of what went on behind the scenes as many of this type

of book are very well researched. This has great characters which you

can't help but feel for. Maisie is only 15 and yet her father is happy to

pretty much sell her to the highest bidder. A thoroughly enjoyable read

and a little learning along the way. Of the good of human nature in troubled times.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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The Tobacco Girls 'A gripping saga and a storyline that will keep you hooked.' Rosie Goodwin The start of a thrilling new series, from bestselling author Lizzie Lane which follows three friends through thick and thin. Bristol 1939.School leaver Maisie Miles suspects her father, a small-time crook, has an ulterior motive for insisting she gets a job at the W. D. & H. O. Wills tobacco factory but keeps it to herself. She's befriended by effervescent Phyllis Mason and kind-hearted Bridget Milligan who take pity on her and take Maisie under their wing. But beneath their happy go lucky exteriors they all harbour dreams and worries about what the future holds. Engaged to be married Phyllis dreams of romance and passion but when it comes there are dire consequences. Bridget seemingly the level headed one harbours a horror of something unspeakable that she cannot easily come to terms with. There's great comradeship at the tobacco factory, and with the advent of war everything is about to change and even the closest friendships are likely to be strained.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/2IT11Kv Author Bio – Lizzie Lane is the author of over 50 books, a number of which have been bestsellers. She was born and bred in Bristol where many of her family worked in the cigarette and cigar factories. This has inspired her new saga series for Boldwood The Tobacco Girls, the first part of which will be published in January 2021. Social Media Links – Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/LizzieLaneNewsletter http://twitter.com/baywriterallat1 http://instagram.com/baywriterallatsea http://bookbub.com/authors/lizzie-lane https://www.facebook.com/jgshaddick