Brighter Days for the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker

Brighter Days for the Cornish Girls

Book Summary

The eighth heartwarming instalment in the Cornish Girls saga series, perfect for fans of Ginny Bell and Elaine Everest

The world is at peace at last, is it time for the Cornish Girls to love again?

Cornwall, 1947.

Tragedy strikes the village and Sheila is determined to help those who are suffering. Sheila is determined to help those who are suffering and soon finds herself seeking out new ways to make a difference. But when her long-term beau proposes, she faces a dilemma: can she give up her new purpose in life?

Land Girl Caroline throws herself into her work after her close friend Selina leaves the farm, and finds solace in new friendships. But when a new arrival comes to the farm, she can’t deny the attraction that springs up between them. Will she find the courage to follow her heart?

Meanwhile, Selina is adjusting to life on Bodmin Moor. Between helping her late sister's children to navigate their grief and learning to cook, she finds unexpected companionship with William, the family solicitor. And she begins to imagine a future filled with happiness…

The Cornish Girls are ready for the bright promise of peacetime – but are they ready to open their hearts?

An uplifting, heartwarming story of love and friendship, perfect for fans of Elaine Everest and Donna Douglas

My Thoughts

Brighter Days for the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker continues Sheila, Caroline, and Selina’s adventures after the war.  While the war is over, many things have not changed in England.  The men are turning, but rationing is still in effect.   I have enjoyed getting to know these characters and I am glad that we get to see how they are faring after the war.  I felt for Selina who misses her sister, but her late sister’s children keep her on her toes. We get to meet Grace, who is new to town and will provide friendship for one of the ladies who misses her friend. The author captured Cornwall with the moors and the charming village.  I enjoyed reading this sweet story with the various storylines.  While Brighter Days for the Cornish Girls is the eighth book in The Cornish Girls Series, it can be read as a standalone.  I enjoyed reading the series in order because it has allowed me to get to know the characters and know what they went through during the war.  Brighter Days for the Cornish Girls is a heartwarming tale with farm work, caring for children, finding a new friend, missing a sister, rationing and shortages, and a hopeful future.

Brighter Days for the Cornish Girls is available from Amazon.  You can find the first seven books in the Cornish Girls series here.  You can follow Betty Walker on Amazon and they will notify you when she has a new book release.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Tuesday, May 27 with The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis. It is the 18th A Domestic Diva Mystery.  I am off to take my mother to an appointment (hopefully).  I am waiting to see if she will cancel (which she does often) or if she will be late (she is always late).  Wish me luck!  I hope that you have a memorable Memorial Day weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Christmas with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker

 Christmas with the Cornish Girls

Book Summary

1941. The bombs still fall, but in St. Ives Christmas is finally approaching for the Cornish Girls…

With the war ongoing, Lily is feeling anything but festive. That is, until Eva asks if she’ll join her in working at an officers’ convalescent home, lifting her spirits no end.

Eva came to St. Ives to be near the man who almost gave his life to protect hers. But will the wounded pilot ever help to heal himself by opening his heart to love?

Rose suspects the local orphanage is mistreating its charges – and it’s her job to uncover the truth before it’s too late…

Can the Cornish Girls help one another through the darkest days in order to give everyone in St. Ives the sparkling Christmas they so deserve?

My Thoughts

Lily, Hazel, Eva are back along with Lily’s family plus we get to meet Sister Rose Gray (a nurse).  Thanks to budget cuts, Lily needs a new position.  Eva writes to Lily about an opening as assistant nurse at Symmonds Hall Convalescent Home for Wounded Servicemen near St. Ives where Eva works as a nurse.  Rose is Eva and Lily’s superior, and she is a tartar (a real stickler for the rules).  Rose is in love with Dr. Lewis Lanyon, but her beautiful younger sister, Elsie has laid claim.  Rose is worried about the children in the orphanage next door.  She feels that something is amiss with the caretakers and is especially worried about young Jimmy.  Eva loves Flight Lieutenant Max Carmichael who is recovering at the hall from a spinal injury.  Max has been told that he will never walk again, and he has given up hope.  He refuses to consider a future with Eva.  Lily has been put in charge of the Christmas party for the hall and she has no clue how to accomplish the daunting task.  

Christmas with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker takes us back to 1941 with the characters from Wartime with the Cornish Girls.  I recommend reading the series in order (it will help you to know the characters, and what has happened to them).  I thought Christmas with the Cornish Girls contained good writing with a steady flow.  The characters are developed and relatable.  I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Cornwall.  We follow the day to day of life of Eva, Lily, and Rose at Symmonds Convalescent Home.  We get to see how difficult it was to manage the large facility with limited staff and resources.  There was so much uncertainty, turmoil, loss, and violence.  They had to find joy where they could during these tumultuous times.  The point-of-view switches between Ivy, Rose, and Eva.  I enjoyed seeing Lily and Rose change over the course of the book.  I think Lily leaving home for the new job was the best thing that could happen to her.  I love the Christmas feel in the later part of the book.  The Christmas party was the highlight of the story.  I loved the ending and appreciated the epilogue.  Christmas with the Cornish Girls will leave you smiling and a good feeling in your heart.  

Christmas with the Cornish Girls is available from Amazon*.  The first book in The Cornish Girls Series is Wartime with the Cornish Girls.  You can follow Betty Walker on Amazon so you will receive an email when she releases a new book.  Thank you so much for joining me today.  I am going to take the next four days off to enjoy Thanksgiving (and decorate for Christmas).  I will return on Monday, November 29 with A Little Christmas Spirit by Sheila Roberts.  I hope that you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Wartime with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker

Wartime with the Cornish Girls

Book Summary

Wartime with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker takes readers back to April of 1941 in London where Violet Hopkins makes a big decision.  After the death of her sister in the Blitz, Violet is responsible for her two nieces.  She decides the three of them should relocate to Cornwall where her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Stanley have a farm.  Violet’s mother must stay behind to keep running the café.  Violet meets Hazel Baxter one day who works at Eastern House as a housekeeper thanks to George Cotterill.  Her husband is off fighting and her teenage son, Charlie is itching to enlist.  Eva Ryder finds herself in the hospital after the club she was partying in with friends was bombed.  Her Uncle Teddy is at his wits end with Eva’s antics and sends her to her father, Colonel Ryder at Porthcurno.  Porthcurno is the location of a secret military base that houses a communications hub.  Violet, Hazel, and Eva work together to help improve the morale of the soldiers plus have a little fun themselves.  The war, though, is still not over and the enemy is not about to let them forget it. 

My Thoughts

Wartime with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker is the beginning of The Cornish Girls series.  This is a charming story about three women who become friends and how they help each other get through the World War II.  I thought this historical novel was well-written with developed characters.  Hazel Baxter, Violet Hopkins, and Eva Ryder each have their own story.  These three women come from different backgrounds, but they soon find they have a lot in common.  Violet Hopkins is escaping the East End with her two nieces after the death of her sister.  She does not want them to be scared that a bomb could drop and kill them at any minute.  Eva Ryder is a party girl who ran away from her Uncle Teddy in London.  After a bomb lands on the nightclub where she was dancing, Eva ends up in the hospital.  She gets sent to her father, Colonel Ryder in Cornwall.  Hazel Baxter works at Eastern House at the top secret Porthcurno military base.  Her husband is off fighting the war and her teenage son, Charlie is eager to enlist.  The three women all end up on Porthcurno where they come together to plan a dance which will raise morale and funds for the local church.  We follow the ladies’ lives, the war, and what is happening at this secret listening station.  It was interesting learning about this base in Cornwall.  I found it fascinating and ended up looking it up online (there is a museum there now).  The author provided good descriptions of Cornwall and captured the time-period.  I enjoyed the British slang.  Wartime with the Cornish Girls is a touching story (would make a great PBS series).  I am looking forward to reading Christmas with the Cornish Girls when it comes out.  Wartime with the Cornish Girls is an engaging historical tale about friendship, bravery, and overcoming adversity.

Wartime with the Cornish Girls is available from Amazon*.  Christmas with the Cornish Girls is the 2nd book in The Cornish Girls series and it will publish on November 25.  Thank you for stopping by today.  The Gift of Hope by Kristen McKanagh is planned for tomorrow.  It is the first book in the Unexpected Gifts series. I hope that you have a cordial day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.