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A review by norwayellesea
Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War by Heather Webb, Hazel Gaynor, Beatriz Williams
4.0
Every once in a while, I like to leave my “romance genre” comfort zone and read something a different. Fall Of The Poppies is an interesting collection of short stories, all set around the end of World War One in 1918.
Here are my three favourite stories from this historical anthology:
A moving story about a single mum. The Daughter of Belgium by Marco Jefferson – Amelie has lived within the confines of the Cavell Institute in Brussels for three years. Now it is time to move all the patients into another building. Amelie is informed she is to stay behind and use the training she has gained during her time at the institute to look after the only patient who isn't moving too.
Lars Ludvig is not who Amelie thinks he is and finds out they have much more in common that she ever dreamed.
Betrayal. Something Worth Landing For by Jessica Brockmole – A beautiful story of an artist who develops feelings for an injured American serviceman who is being fitted for a mask to cover his facial disfigurement. He then goes back to his home, after been told tragic news about the beautiful young lady who helped him. Years later the woman finds out that the serviceman was told of her death, so she actively tries to track him down.
Compassion and hope. All For the Love of You by Jennifer Robson – A young pregnant woman who is and about to lose her job and home meets a pilot who offers to marry her on a whim. He tells her she can claim Widows benefit if he dies. Neither would have guessed that during the time they wait to become legally married, they both are falling in love with each other.
All the contributing authors are new to me. Each has their own individual style, covering vastly different plot-lines but all share the poignancy of the Great War. The austerity of the era is highlighted, yet, there is an abundance of hope for the protagonists. As a reader, I love any story that leaves me to ponder about what happens next and there is plenty to think and wonder about within these short stories.
4 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of publisher William Morrow via Edelweiss***
Here are my three favourite stories from this historical anthology:
A moving story about a single mum. The Daughter of Belgium by Marco Jefferson – Amelie has lived within the confines of the Cavell Institute in Brussels for three years. Now it is time to move all the patients into another building. Amelie is informed she is to stay behind and use the training she has gained during her time at the institute to look after the only patient who isn't moving too.
Lars Ludvig is not who Amelie thinks he is and finds out they have much more in common that she ever dreamed.
Betrayal. Something Worth Landing For by Jessica Brockmole – A beautiful story of an artist who develops feelings for an injured American serviceman who is being fitted for a mask to cover his facial disfigurement. He then goes back to his home, after been told tragic news about the beautiful young lady who helped him. Years later the woman finds out that the serviceman was told of her death, so she actively tries to track him down.
Compassion and hope. All For the Love of You by Jennifer Robson – A young pregnant woman who is and about to lose her job and home meets a pilot who offers to marry her on a whim. He tells her she can claim Widows benefit if he dies. Neither would have guessed that during the time they wait to become legally married, they both are falling in love with each other.
All the contributing authors are new to me. Each has their own individual style, covering vastly different plot-lines but all share the poignancy of the Great War. The austerity of the era is highlighted, yet, there is an abundance of hope for the protagonists. As a reader, I love any story that leaves me to ponder about what happens next and there is plenty to think and wonder about within these short stories.
4 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of publisher William Morrow via Edelweiss***