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Fields Of Battle
What chance had their love in a world gone mad? A tale of love and conflict in wartime England.
Rilla Gray was a beautiful working-class innocent, afraid of her feelings for a man who seemed so far above her, but willing to risk all to keep from losing him. Barney Wainwright, handsome, well-born, charming, could have any woman he wanted, yet he was drawn to this girl so different from any he had ever desired.
Rilla would never havemet Barney if the outbreak of war in September 1939 hadn't seenhim posted to her home town. Only in an England thrown into turmoil by World War II could these two have come together, ill-matched in background and worldliness, Rilla is dazzled by the attractive, young officer. Until their romantic fling is transformed in a hasty marriage based on necessity, because an unexpected pregancy ends with their charming interlude. A swift marriage for which neither of them was prepared.
Neither is prepared for theravages of war, the equally intense battlefield of their fateful marriagenor the gnawing lonliness of long separation. Because war soon forced them to take separate paths, he as a spy for the French Resistance, she as a field nurse. And though loneliness and desire drove each of them into the arms and hearts of other lovers, one day they would come together again to test the truth about their love and themselves.
Rilla Gray was a beautiful working-class innocent, afraid of her feelings for a man who seemed so far above her, but willing to risk all to keep from losing him. Barney Wainwright, handsome, well-born, charming, could have any woman he wanted, yet he was drawn to this girl so different from any he had ever desired.
Rilla would never havemet Barney if the outbreak of war in September 1939 hadn't seenhim posted to her home town. Only in an England thrown into turmoil by World War II could these two have come together, ill-matched in background and worldliness, Rilla is dazzled by the attractive, young officer. Until their romantic fling is transformed in a hasty marriage based on necessity, because an unexpected pregancy ends with their charming interlude. A swift marriage for which neither of them was prepared.
Neither is prepared for theravages of war, the equally intense battlefield of their fateful marriagenor the gnawing lonliness of long separation. Because war soon forced them to take separate paths, he as a spy for the French Resistance, she as a field nurse. And though loneliness and desire drove each of them into the arms and hearts of other lovers, one day they would come together again to test the truth about their love and themselves.
448 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1981
63 people want to read
About the author
Kate Alexander
41 books2 followersTilly Armstrong was born on 8th April 1927 in Sutton, Surrey, England, UK. She was a born storyteller and used to tell made-up stories to her siblings at bedtime. She loved writing and was always trying to find enough time for this while pursuing an interesting career. She worked for a time with the World Health Organisation in Geneva, then in Canada for eighteen months and afterwards, back home, she became the Personal Secretary to the Chairman of British Steel, Lord Melchett. Writing success did not come easily, with many early disappointments, but she was very determined and kept on trying.
Tilly published her romance novels from 1978 to 1998, as Tilly Armstrong and under the pseudonyms of Tania Langley and Kate Alexander, her novels set in World War II were especially popular. Apart from over twenty novels she had published also short stories.
Tilly was the fourteenth elected Chairman (1987-1989) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was one of its Vice-Presidents until her death. She negotiated the first commercial sponsorship for the RNA Novel of the Year award, from Boots. She was also President of Sutton Writers.
Retired from professional writing, Tilly took a keen interest in floral art. At 83, she passed away on 6th July 2010 at Carshalton, England, UK.
Tilly published her romance novels from 1978 to 1998, as Tilly Armstrong and under the pseudonyms of Tania Langley and Kate Alexander, her novels set in World War II were especially popular. Apart from over twenty novels she had published also short stories.
Tilly was the fourteenth elected Chairman (1987-1989) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was one of its Vice-Presidents until her death. She negotiated the first commercial sponsorship for the RNA Novel of the Year award, from Boots. She was also President of Sutton Writers.
Retired from professional writing, Tilly took a keen interest in floral art. At 83, she passed away on 6th July 2010 at Carshalton, England, UK.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 16, 2012
"There's no point in your falling in love with what you remember from five years ago..."
Barney Wainwright is out for a night on the town with a fellow soldier and he meets one of the local girls, Rilla Gray. Rilla is young and impressionable and to-the-manor-born Barney charms her right into the back seat of his car for a brief fling. An altogether pleasant affair, but it turns out to be one with consequences - and Barney is obligated to marry her before he's packed off to join the troops in France (no spoiler, that's on the jacket). Virtual strangers when they were married (and pretty darned young at that), Barney and Rilla have a tough road to travel as events keep them apart for long periods of time, and when they are reunited:
"You keep telling me you're changed and yet you don't seem to be able to believe that I'm different too."
Despite the jacket cover promising Barney's involvement in the French Resistance movement, that isn't the main focus of the story; just as much is centered on how events in Europe affect those left at home (oh, those never-ending bombs). I thought it was interesting watching the changing relationship between the two as historical events and an ex-girlfriend or two scheme to keep them apart. My favorite parts were Rilla's story as she had to live her personal life in limbo until the war is over and her husband either comes home or he doesn't; and when he does, they are both so changed it's like starting over again. Or are they so changed they can't start over again? There were a few moments when I wanted to strangle Barney and his male ego, but he won me over in the end. A very worthwhile read, and one I'm glad I spotted during my latest trolls of the book sales.
Barney Wainwright is out for a night on the town with a fellow soldier and he meets one of the local girls, Rilla Gray. Rilla is young and impressionable and to-the-manor-born Barney charms her right into the back seat of his car for a brief fling. An altogether pleasant affair, but it turns out to be one with consequences - and Barney is obligated to marry her before he's packed off to join the troops in France (no spoiler, that's on the jacket). Virtual strangers when they were married (and pretty darned young at that), Barney and Rilla have a tough road to travel as events keep them apart for long periods of time, and when they are reunited:
"You keep telling me you're changed and yet you don't seem to be able to believe that I'm different too."
Despite the jacket cover promising Barney's involvement in the French Resistance movement, that isn't the main focus of the story; just as much is centered on how events in Europe affect those left at home (oh, those never-ending bombs). I thought it was interesting watching the changing relationship between the two as historical events and an ex-girlfriend or two scheme to keep them apart. My favorite parts were Rilla's story as she had to live her personal life in limbo until the war is over and her husband either comes home or he doesn't; and when he does, they are both so changed it's like starting over again. Or are they so changed they can't start over again? There were a few moments when I wanted to strangle Barney and his male ego, but he won me over in the end. A very worthwhile read, and one I'm glad I spotted during my latest trolls of the book sales.
June 22, 2013
Very enjoyable; reminiscent of Lilian Harry's books.
November 17, 2014
This story is set in the period of 1939-1944 and focuses on the story of Rilla, a naive young girl and Barney, a young officer from the upper class who is used to getting what he wants. Of course he wants Rilla and she ends up pregnant shortly thereafter and Married to Barney before she knows what's happening. After a very short time together, Barney is sent off to war and Rilla is left to adapt to her new life as a married woman. Life in wartime is never smooth and the author moves back and forth between characters in telling the story Of Rilla, Barney and their families and friends.
For those interested in wartime history, the book touches on the war in Africa, France and Germany as well as life in England for those left behind. It felt real to me as a reader and I very much enjoyed the book and seeing how the characters developed and grew stronger in spite of all the difficulties that they faced.
For those interested in wartime history, the book touches on the war in Africa, France and Germany as well as life in England for those left behind. It felt real to me as a reader and I very much enjoyed the book and seeing how the characters developed and grew stronger in spite of all the difficulties that they faced.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews