Wednesday 21 April 2021

 



Beyond This Broken Sky by Siobhan Curham historical fiction (WW2)

Set in two time lines from 1940 and 2019 onwards this tells the story of two

women. Ruby is in 1940 and has had a privileged upbringing never having

had to work. With war upon the country there is a need for help and she

and Joseph- someone who lives in the same house which is divided up into

flats) volunteer as ambulance drivers. Joseph is a conscientious objector

but feels helping the injured is a step forward. Ruby has been able to

drive for many years but come the ambulance test she is given a massive

lorry to drive. 2019 and Edi has moved into the top floor flat of her

new home having left her husband at long last. She bumps into Pearl

who lives downstairs and Pearl tells her that she is an author. Curiosity

gets the better of Edi and orders one of Pearls books which is about three

friends who share a house but there is murderous intent along the way.

When Edi accidentally finds a hidden army shirt in her loft with possible

blood stains and a bullet hole- could fiction really have been true?

I really enjoyed this. A different read with interesting characters

and I learnt a little more about the war years. Who knew that the

Savoy had its own shelter complete with a dance floor ,that in the

early war years the Eastend had fewer shelters and that vagrants

were not allowed in. A wonderful, very enjoyable informative read.

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

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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Book Description:

1940, London: An unforgettable novel about the strength of the human spirit in the face of war and the remarkable women who put themselves in danger on the front lines during the Battle of Britain.

As a volunteer for the ambulance service, Ruby has the dangerous task of driving along pitch-dark roads during the blackout. With each survivor she pulls from the rubble, she is helping to fight back against the enemy bombers, who leave nothing but destruction in their wake.

Assigned to her crew is Joseph, who is unable to fight but will stop at nothing to save innocent lives. Because he is not in uniform, people treat him with suspicion and Ruby becomes determined to protect this brave, compassionate man who has rescued so many, and captured her heart. Even if it means making an unthinkable choice between saving her own life and risking everything for his…

2019: Recently divorced Edi feels lost and alone when she moves to London to start a new life. Until she makes a discovery, hidden beneath a loose floorboard in her attic, that reveals a secret about the people who lived there in the 1940s. As she gradually uncovers a wartime love story full of danger and betrayal, Edi becomes inspired by the heroism of one incredible woman and the legacy that can be left behind by a single act of courage…

A sweeping tale of bravery and self-sacrifice that shows that even in the midst of war, hope and love can bloom. Perfect for fans of The Alice NetworkThe Secret Messenger and The Lost Girls of Paris.




Author Bio:

Siobhan Curham is an award-winning author, ghost writer, editor and writing coach. She has also written for many newspapers, magazines and websites, including The Guardian, Breathe magazine, Cosmopolitan, Writers’ Forum, DatingAdvice.com, and Spirit & Destiny. Siobhan has been a guest on various radio and TV shows, including Woman’s Hour, BBC News, GMTV and BBC Breakfast. And she has spoken at businesses, schools, universities and literary festivals around the world, including the BBC, Hay Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Bath Festival, Ilkley Festival, London Book Fair and Sharjah Reading Festival.


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