Wedding Bells on Victory Street by Pam Howes

Wedding Bells on Victory Street

Book Summary

From Amazon bestseller Pam Howes comes a heartbreaking World War Two novel about a young woman trying to make the best of history’s darkest hour. Is a happy ever after impossible?

Liverpool, 1943. For Bella Rogers, life is looking up. She loves performing with The Bryant Sisters, the singing trio who have become the country’s sweethearts, putting a smile on the faces of the brave boys fighting the Nazis. But then tragedy strikes when a telegram arrives: Bella’s beloved father has been killed in France.

Unlike her poor Mam, Bella has someone to share her grief with. Her childhood love Bobby is home from the war. He lost a leg but she counts her blessings every day that he’s alive when so many young men haven’t made it back. Bella longs to give her heart to Bobby but she is hiding a secret that may change their lives forever. Will he still love her if she reveals the truth?

But when bombs screech down on Victory Street in the middle of the night, blowing houses apart, Bella may lose both the home she loves and the family who mean everything to her. With so much loss around her, will Bella be brave enough to snatch her chance of happiness? And when the war is finally over, will wedding bells ring out on Victory Street again?

An utterly unputdownable, heart-wrenching historical novel that will have you completely hooked from page one. You’ll lose yourself in this gorgeous wartime story of love, loss and family secrets. Perfect for fans of Wives of War, Nadine Dorries and Nancy Revell.  

About the Author

Pam Howes is a retired interior designer, mum to three daughters, grandma to seven assorted grandchildren, and roadie to her musician partner.  

The inspiration for Pam's first novel came from her teenage years when she worked in a record store and hung around with musicians who frequented the business.  The first novel evolved into a series about a fictional band called The Raiders.  Pam is a fan of sixties music and it's this love that compelled her to begin writing.  You can find Pam Howes on Facebook and Twitter.  

My Thoughts

Wedding Bells on Victory Street by Pam Howes is the 2^nd novel in The Bryant Sisters series.  It can be read as a standalone for those who have not indulged in The Girls of Victory Street.  Bella Rogers along with her two best friends (Fran and Edie) are known as The Bryant Sisters.  They are with ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) traveling around England and Wales entertaining the troops as well as citizens.  Bella is in love with Bobby Harrison who suffered severe injuries when his plane went down.  He is waiting for a new prosthetic leg and then hopes to join the tour with Bella.  Bella loves Bobby and hopes to marry him, but she has yet to tell him about her son, Levi.  She is worried what Bobby will think about her when he learns that she has an illegitimate child with band leader, Earl Franklin Jr.  Levi is with her mother, Mary and her sister, Molly in Llanoudno, North Wales.  Bella misses her son, but she knows that he is safer on the farm.  The ladies on the tour are having trouble with the magician Frederico, Master of Magic (aka Freddie).  They know the sleazy man is up to no good, but the three singers need proof.  It is 1943 and the war shows no signs of slowing down and neither do the bombings.  I thought Wedding Bells on Victory Street was well-written with developed characters and gentle pacing.  There is plenty going on in this emotional novel as you can tell.  I just gave you a little taste of what to expect in this dramatic tale.    There is drama, romance, wrongdoings, beautiful songs, manipulation, tension, and so much more.  The author captured the time period with the music, clothing, war events, and the language.  I like how Pam Howes included Glenn Miller who performed with ENSA just before his death.  I enjoyed the heartwarming ending.  It was great to see how some of the characters developed.  I really liked the change in one character (spoiler). For those readers who enjoy historical sagas (Pam Howes Lark Lane series and Nancy Revell’s Shipyard Girls), you do not want to miss Wedding Bells on Victory Street.  Wedding Bells on Victory Street is a poignant historical novel with spectacular singers, an immoral magician, a sweet son, an aspiring sister, a sickening conflict, and a rocky romance. 

Wedding Bells on Victory Street is available from Amazon*.  The Girls of Victory Street is the first novel in The Bryant Sisters series.  Both books are available through Kindle Unlimited.  You can find Pam Howes other novels here which includes her Lark Lane series (delightful series).  Thank you for visiting today.  I will be back tomorrow with Her Amish Wedding Quilt by Winnie Griggs.  It is the first book in the Hope's Haven series.   I will return to a regular blogging schedule in the new year.  I have been busy with the new home (which needs a new roof) and recovering from the move (just wore me out).  We are working to pick out paint colors for the home, new blinds (the whole house needs blinds), and new floors.  My mother and I are trying to agree on colors for each selection.  We need a new fridge but the space available in our kitchen is a challenge.  The fridges that fit are currently on backorder until next year.  If we had a larger opening, it would be better (I am not remodeling the whole kitchen for a fridge).  I hope that you have a jolly day.  Take care, be king, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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