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Raven Hall Saga #2
A Daughter's Gift
Author shortlisted for the Romantic Novelist Association's 'The Romantic Saga Award 2023' for A Mother's War
North Yorkshire, September 1940.
It's a year since war was first announced and the dangers are becoming all too real for Rosina Calvert-Lazenby and her courageous daughters. When Raven Hall is requisitioned by the army, Rosina must do all she can to protect her family home from the rowdy troops. After Rosina's burgeoning relationship with young sergeant Harry is interrupted as he's posted abroad, the arrival of an older officer who takes a keen interest in her could also spell trouble...
Meanwhile, Rosina's fearless second daughter, twenty-year-old Evelyn Calvert-Lazenby, decides to join the Auxiliary Fire Service. Determined to help with the Blitz effort in London, she faces extreme danger. Two kind professional firemen, the Bailey brothers, take her under their wing to help protect and guide her. But with the bombings getting worse, there can be no guarantees...
Who will be safe? How can Rosina protect all those she loves? And is love still possible with such high stakes?
Praise for Mollie Walton:
'A Journey. Compelling. Addictive' Val Wood
'Beautiful and poignant' Tania Crosse
'Feisty female characters, an atmospheric setting ... A phenomenal read' Cathy Bramley
'Great characters who will stay with me for a long time' Beth Miller
'Evocative, dramatic and hugely compelling. I loved it' Miranda Dickinson
Book Description
Who will be safe? How can Rosina protect all those she loves? And is love still possible with such high stakes?
North Yorkshire, September 1940.
It's a year since war was first announced and the dangers are becoming all too real for Rosina Calvert-Lazenby and her courageous daughters. When Raven Hall is requisitioned by the army, Rosina must do all she can to protect her family home from the rowdy troops. After Rosina's burgeoning relationship with young sergeant Harry is interrupted as he's posted abroad, the arrival of an older officer who takes a keen interest in her could also spell trouble...
Meanwhile, Rosina's fearless second daughter, twenty-year-old Evelyn Calvert-Lazenby, decides to join the Auxiliary Fire Service. Determined to help with the Blitz effort in London, she faces extreme danger. Two kind professional firemen, the Bailey brothers, take her under their wing to help protect and guide her. But with the bombings getting worse, there can be no guarantees...
Who will be safe? How can Rosina protect all those she loves? And is love still possible with such high stakes?
Praise for Mollie Walton:
'A Journey. Compelling. Addictive' Val Wood
'Beautiful and poignant' Tania Crosse
'Feisty female characters, an atmospheric setting ... A phenomenal read' Cathy Bramley
'Great characters who will stay with me for a long time' Beth Miller
'Evocative, dramatic and hugely compelling. I loved it' Miranda Dickinson
Book Description
Who will be safe? How can Rosina protect all those she loves? And is love still possible with such high stakes?
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 2, 2023
4 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 7, 2023
Mollie Walton certainly knows to keep the reader gripped to her books which are heartbreaking, beautifully written and despite the fact that they’re fictional are based around part of the terrible parts of world history, the author clearly has done her research and it reflects in her characters and their resilience. Without hopefully not running the story, one of the main characters has a choice to make and I know which path I hope they opt for. Now the only downside is having to wait for the next book in the series
April 17, 2023
A Daughter's Gift by Mollie Walton is the second book in the Raven Hall Saga. This time, the focus is on Evelyn, Rosina's second eldest daughter. Evvy joins the Auxiliary Fire Service in London, a role which seems to be well suited to her adventurous spirit. After a quiet start to her new career, the situation rapidly changes in 1940, with the start of the Blitz.
Meanwhile, life is far from easy for Rosina. Raven Hall has been taken over by the army and an uneasy co-existence ensues. Rosina's life is also complicated by the interest of Colonel Allan Vaughan and the conflicting advice offered by her two eldest daughters.
This is a novel rich in detail about life in England in 1940. The author's research has been extensive and she has painted pictures in my mind of the horrors of the bombing in London during the Blitz. The characters have been developed so well; I find myself caring for them and urging them on - but there's another year to wait to find out how their lives unfold!
You may say that family sagas are not for you, but let me assure you that this is an excellent novel, beautifully written with characters and settings that are real.
I loved it!
Meanwhile, life is far from easy for Rosina. Raven Hall has been taken over by the army and an uneasy co-existence ensues. Rosina's life is also complicated by the interest of Colonel Allan Vaughan and the conflicting advice offered by her two eldest daughters.
This is a novel rich in detail about life in England in 1940. The author's research has been extensive and she has painted pictures in my mind of the horrors of the bombing in London during the Blitz. The characters have been developed so well; I find myself caring for them and urging them on - but there's another year to wait to find out how their lives unfold!
You may say that family sagas are not for you, but let me assure you that this is an excellent novel, beautifully written with characters and settings that are real.
I loved it!
March 10, 2023
Brilliant story, found it difficult to put down.
Will there be another book to continue the story?
Will there be another book to continue the story?
August 6, 2023
In this second book in the series, we are back at Raven Hall and the military have informed Rosina that Raven Hall is to be requisitioned by the armed forces in a week or so.
With Connie, Dora and Daisy heading off to school in a couple of days time, Rosina has time to come to terms with having to share her home. However, the army turn up the next day and immediately make a mess of the grounds and indoors of her beloved home.
Rosina’s secret love, Harry is far away in Sierra Leone & letters are exceedingly sparse. Does Harry still have feelings for Rosina? She has no way of knowing.
Evvy has joined the AFS, although women aren’t allowed to be on the front line, putting out fires, Evvy risks her life every day and night, getting equipment out to the crews on her motorbike or using a bus.
Grace is still enjoying her job, but she still can’t tell her family anything due to the Official Secrets Act.
Life has changed massively at Raven Hall, with Rosina worrying, not only about her two eldest girls but her beloved home.
I enjoyed this book as much as the first. It was lovely to be back at Raven Hall and to also sense the dismay poor Rosina went through with all the changes.
Not knowing if Harry was alive or dead must have been awful and made me stop and think of all the loved ones lost, presumed missing or who have died through all the wars over the years.
Once again, the attention to detail and the research by the author into this book was outstanding. I find it very interesting to read the parts that women played during WW2, and how they wanted to be part of it, to do their bit for their country.
The characters are believable and you can sense how war has affected all of these people.
Parts of the story are emotional, and it must have ben so difficult to carry on working when you’ve lost a work colleague or loved one due to the bombings, fires & collapsing of buildings. It made me think about how lucky we are now.
My thanks to NetGalley and Welbeck Publishing U.K. for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
With Connie, Dora and Daisy heading off to school in a couple of days time, Rosina has time to come to terms with having to share her home. However, the army turn up the next day and immediately make a mess of the grounds and indoors of her beloved home.
Rosina’s secret love, Harry is far away in Sierra Leone & letters are exceedingly sparse. Does Harry still have feelings for Rosina? She has no way of knowing.
Evvy has joined the AFS, although women aren’t allowed to be on the front line, putting out fires, Evvy risks her life every day and night, getting equipment out to the crews on her motorbike or using a bus.
Grace is still enjoying her job, but she still can’t tell her family anything due to the Official Secrets Act.
Life has changed massively at Raven Hall, with Rosina worrying, not only about her two eldest girls but her beloved home.
I enjoyed this book as much as the first. It was lovely to be back at Raven Hall and to also sense the dismay poor Rosina went through with all the changes.
Not knowing if Harry was alive or dead must have been awful and made me stop and think of all the loved ones lost, presumed missing or who have died through all the wars over the years.
Once again, the attention to detail and the research by the author into this book was outstanding. I find it very interesting to read the parts that women played during WW2, and how they wanted to be part of it, to do their bit for their country.
The characters are believable and you can sense how war has affected all of these people.
Parts of the story are emotional, and it must have ben so difficult to carry on working when you’ve lost a work colleague or loved one due to the bombings, fires & collapsing of buildings. It made me think about how lucky we are now.
My thanks to NetGalley and Welbeck Publishing U.K. for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 24, 2023
Book Two in the Raven Hill Saga.
Courage will triumph this spring.
A book you just don't want to put down.
As we return to Ravenhall Ravenscar North Yorkshire WW2 1940, Rosina Calvert-Lazenby has to give up part of her home to the army inquisition.
Her second daughter Evvy joins the AFC fire service in the Soho district Central London.
This book focused on both characters.
London is burning and getting the full force of the terrible war. Evvy along with her boss station officer Lewis Bailey are put through some harrowing shifts as he takes her under his wings. And Evvy only has eyes for his brother Sam.
Back home Rosina is writing to Harry hoping she will see him again soon and makes a friendship with Allen Vaughan and after the army are sent away from the hall leaving her confused of her feelings for Allan what decision will she make in her love life and plans for Ravenhall.
Both go through so much in the start of the war as we read harrowing chapters that you wont be able to put down.
The most important thing is will they all become a proper family together again.
I praise this authors work in all the research that entails and the characters that just come to life to take into your heart, full of tragedy and loss, leaving a big lump in your throat, leaving you hungry for more,
That's another story that I await eagerly.
beautiful just beautiful.
Courage will triumph this spring.
A book you just don't want to put down.
As we return to Ravenhall Ravenscar North Yorkshire WW2 1940, Rosina Calvert-Lazenby has to give up part of her home to the army inquisition.
Her second daughter Evvy joins the AFC fire service in the Soho district Central London.
This book focused on both characters.
London is burning and getting the full force of the terrible war. Evvy along with her boss station officer Lewis Bailey are put through some harrowing shifts as he takes her under his wings. And Evvy only has eyes for his brother Sam.
Back home Rosina is writing to Harry hoping she will see him again soon and makes a friendship with Allen Vaughan and after the army are sent away from the hall leaving her confused of her feelings for Allan what decision will she make in her love life and plans for Ravenhall.
Both go through so much in the start of the war as we read harrowing chapters that you wont be able to put down.
The most important thing is will they all become a proper family together again.
I praise this authors work in all the research that entails and the characters that just come to life to take into your heart, full of tragedy and loss, leaving a big lump in your throat, leaving you hungry for more,
That's another story that I await eagerly.
beautiful just beautiful.
August 22, 2023
Rosina has her five daughters to worry about during World War Two. The eldest two Grace and Evvy have gone off to do their best to help the War effort, and the other three are still at school. The army then decides to use her love home and grounds for an army base.
The characters are all believable and you are soon drawn in to each every one of their lives and the problems that arise from each of them. The way everything is described makes it easy to understand exactly what the generations that went through the war had to put up with.
I look forward to reading the third book in this trilogy when it comes out to see how Rosina and her family are doing.
The characters are all believable and you are soon drawn in to each every one of their lives and the problems that arise from each of them. The way everything is described makes it easy to understand exactly what the generations that went through the war had to put up with.
I look forward to reading the third book in this trilogy when it comes out to see how Rosina and her family are doing.
May 6, 2025
Such an amazing storyline
If I could I would give this series more than 5 stars I couldn't put these books down if you haven't already read them then I would definitely recommend them great storyline and as always with Mollie the characters keep going from one book into the next
If I could I would give this series more than 5 stars I couldn't put these books down if you haven't already read them then I would definitely recommend them great storyline and as always with Mollie the characters keep going from one book into the next
September 27, 2023
An interesting read after reading the previous one A Mother’s War A lovely entertaining read and I am looking forward to reading the next one.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews