Bette

Women of Ivy Manor #2

by Lyn Cote

Elizabeth "Bette" Leigh Black comes of age in the years before WWII. Although money is scarce in the aftermath of the Depression, her home with her mother, Chloe, and her stepfather is happy. But as the war taints their sheltered world, Bette begins to realize life is sometimes cruel--and not everyone has the happiness she does. She finishes school and briefly becomes involved in anti-Nazi espionage until she marries.

Married life, however, is not the happy dream she imagined. Sent overseas, her husband, Curt, falls in love with a young Frenchwoman and leaves Bette alone and pregnant. She is forced to rely on her own strength--and her God's--and returns to espionage. When Curt finally returns to beg for a reconciliation, Bette must decide whether or not she can trust him again, and if marriage to him is truly what is right for her and her daughter.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Adult, Holocaust

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2005

About the author

Lyn grew up loving books. Her favorite night of the week was Friday night, when the Bookmobile came to her neighborhood in Illinois. She’d spend those two hours chatting with the driver of the Bookmobile and the librarian and making the big decision of the week — which books to check out! In those distant days, children were limited in how many books they could check out. Lyn could only take home six a week — and there were so many to choose from. Her favorites were Cotton in my Sack by Lois Lenski, The Little House series and the One of a Kind Family series. Later, she discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances!
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting walk through relationships and WWII (she is recruited to be a female spy).

[rjp316 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading all four of the Women of Ivy Manor – Chloe, Bette, Leigh and Carly – and would recommend them to anyone. Each book pulled me into the story of this family and I could not wait to see what would happen next. I loved how you see how each family member matures overtime and the next generation steps into Ivy Manor. I especially liked the historical references in the books – everything from how different people heard about war, the depression, segregation, JFK being shot and even what books or songs they were listening to at the time – from the 1917 to 1991. I found it interesting that all of these women had issues with their mothers as they turned 18 and were moving out of the house – freedom and how each rebelled / disobeyed their mother. But interesting that they all had great relationships with their grandmother and the older generation. Thankfully most of the mother /daughter conflicts were resolved after the period of rebellion or at least by the end of the series. I was sad that in each book the women’s first true love died but thankfully they each found love again – the heart can be healed after heartache. I loved the Christian morals that were woven into the book (must more in the last book Carly, than any of the other books). Several themes throughout all the books: how one event in someone’s life can change them forever and how secrets within a family can destroy relationships.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bette is a very interesting lady, and someone I would like to know in real life. Her intelligence and her desire to make a difference for her country set her apart from many other women of her time. This second book in the Women of Ivy Manor series is even better than the first one, "Chloe."
There was more intrigue and action in this one, and I related to the characters very well. Lyn Cote helps you feel the emotional strain of what the Jewish people went through without being graphic or overly depressing.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very interested in this period of time, World War II. I didn't love this novel like I thought I would, I think because it was so true to life. A lot of emotions, the fear of war, and people changing, not always at the same pace, or in the same direction of those they love.

The book was fast paced, and I'm anxious to read the next one to see what kind of parent Bette made!

[Rose Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd generation of the Ivy Manor Ladies--takes place during WWII.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific series about strong women.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book in the series, I couldn’t wait to dive into the next story. I wanted more of the characters and time period. This book stole my heart just as the first book in this series. The characters, but old and new, were incredibly well written. The book was deep and thought provoking. The strength and grace Bette displayed throughout the story was amazing to read. She stayed true to herself and did what was best for those she loved. As with the last book, the pacing was fast since it covered many years but the story was easy to follow. I liked the glimpses into the lives of the characters first introduced in Chloe. It felt like they were still a part of the story. I again enjoyed how the point of view changed throughout the book. I felt like I got to know each character intimately through their thoughts and feelings.
I felt the author did a fabulous job (again!) of being historically accurate. From the Nazi spies to the way women and men conducted themselves in society even the way men and women thought during that time period. I loved that Bette forged her own path despite the time period and yet still seemed to belong to that world. The effortless way the author described the settings from Maryland to Bermuda to Germany and back was awe inspiring. I could see the picture she painted so clearly, so vividly. I loved how real this book felt. These woman could really have existed in that time period, in that world. It really brought the struggles of that part of America’s history to life for me in a way I haven’t seen in awhile. This book easily became another one of my all-time favorites. I look forward to the continuation of the story with the next book!

[Marion Marchetto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally mesmerized by Bette. Daughter of the indomitable Chloe (book #1), Bette's story covers the era of World War II. I could associate with Bette mostly because my own mother was born and raised during this time period. In trying to be an individual Bette succeeds by following in her mother's footsteps by carrying on the line of succession with a daughter. How she found time to do this confounds me!

Bette's determination to support herself leads her to undercover work with J. Edgar Hoover long before women agents were sought and trained. Her good looks and sharp intellect take her into adventures that will entertain and inform the reader.

Once again Lyn Cote's presentation of an era fills the reader with a new look at an overexposed time of history.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one from Lyn Cote! This one has a little more intrique as Bette is a spy for America in the fight against the Nazi's. I actually cried alot in teh book, from the nature of teh times this book is set in. My Great Grandmother was born in 1918 so she lived through all of this and I could picture her and mt other relatives there. Bettes parents are amazing in this second book and it was fun that Lyn brought back characters from teh first book into this one so we could see how it all turned out for them. I am on to read Leigh the third book about Bette daughter.
P.S. the ending of this book is great, you'll cry!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the history part of this, including the nazi spying and WWII aspects. As with the preceding book, Chloe, sometimes I got very frustrated with Bette. She just took a long time to get to very obvious decisions, but I guess that's what makes the drama in the book. Wish there had been more of Jamie and Aunt Kitty's story. It was just thrown in and then completely dropped. I'm hoping it is picked back up in the next book. But, overall, a very enjoyable and interesting book.

[Whitney Crespo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book!! Historically accurate, and just enough suspense and plot twists. Wish I could've read Chloe first, because I can see how they definitely tie in together. Like how Bette is not portrayed as a helpless woman in a time where that's how many women were thought of, read this you won't be disappointed.

[Mary Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the book. I thought it was a great way of cont to the first book. I loved Bette as a character. I also thought the plot was very well written. I felt bad for Bette when Curt turned out to be a jerk. Now I can not wait to read the next book in the series.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a fun read, this one wasn't as good as her first in the series, Chloe. I'm not even sure I could tell you why, but I just wasn't able to get into this one as much.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

didn't like it as well as the first, perhaps because I could relate better to Chloe. still an enjoyable read

[Roxanne Rustand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first one!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother and I shared these books when I was a teenager and we absolutely loved them.

[Damaris Alejandra Cinco Acosta]

it was a amazing novel.

[Mariam Emara · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book ever i read it 4 times and i want to read the rest of the series

[Grace Linde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot wasn't eluded to very well on the jacket, but turned out to be better. It was an interesting story with unexpected plot twists and decent writing. Good historical depiction.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Nothing much happened.

[Shane Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this series is a great way to get a very brief synopsis of the 20th century in America.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the past I have not read a lot of Lyn Cote's novels. This series was recommended and I could not wait to give it a try. I soon remembered how much I enjoyed this authors writing voice. I was so anxious to read it, I didn't realize I did not request # one Chloe from my library. When I had finished three of the four books, I went back and started over with the audio version. I believe it was even better than the first time. I finished them all in two days. Originally I was getting the ladies and generations mixed up. Since. I was present for all but one of the wars and these time periods it was a look at my past as well. I have already chosen my next Lyn Coes book.

[L.M. Elm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This the second book in the Ivy Manor Series. I felt the author really wasn't sure where and on whom this story should focus. I found myself more far more interested in the side characters (especially Ilsa and Drake's struggle to get Isla out of Nazi Germany) than Bette's insipid problems. Bette's transition from working in espionage during WWII to the CIA was interesting, but sidelined for the less than interesting love triangle aspect of the story (this troupe was used in the first book in the series but to a far better effect).

[Gayle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted this book series to be more interesting and although the first of the series wasn't that great I decided to go ahead and read the second one since I had picked both up off the library book nook shelf. The plot was interesting but the characters and storyline just weren't very mature. Really hardly classifies as Christian fiction. Wouldn't recommend.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book a lot more than I did the first book in the series, Chloe. Bette is a much stronger and more interesting character than Chloe, her mother, was. The plot is set against the approaching World War 2...before America is forced into it, through the hard years that followed, and afterward.

[Liz Hedgpeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed these books. Sometimes it feels like the author is in a hurry to sum up everything at the end, but still really enjoyed these.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of an hard time in history for the nation and for women's role. An amazing author that can have you tearing-up over the villain.

[Mandy Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bette is a strong woman.