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The Katherine Wheel #3
Speedwell
Speedwell
Living in the fast lane tests everyone's limits
Katy and Jem enter the 1920's with their future in the balance. How can they possibly make their new enterprise work? They must risk everything, including disaster, and trust their gamble will pay off.
Cassandra, juggling the demands of a young family, aging parents and running Cheadle Manor, distrusts the speed of the modern age, but Douglas races to meet the new era, revelling in the freedom of the open road.
Can each marriage survive the strain the new dynamic decade imposes? Or will the love they share deepen and carry them through? They all arrive at destinies that surprise them in Speedwell, the third book in the Katherine Wheel trilogy.
Living in the fast lane tests everyone's limits
Katy and Jem enter the 1920's with their future in the balance. How can they possibly make their new enterprise work? They must risk everything, including disaster, and trust their gamble will pay off.
Cassandra, juggling the demands of a young family, aging parents and running Cheadle Manor, distrusts the speed of the modern age, but Douglas races to meet the new era, revelling in the freedom of the open road.
Can each marriage survive the strain the new dynamic decade imposes? Or will the love they share deepen and carry them through? They all arrive at destinies that surprise them in Speedwell, the third book in the Katherine Wheel trilogy.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2015
363 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Alex Martin
11 books134 followersI came late to writing. No, that's wrong. I came late to publishing my writing. And what a thrilling ride it's proving to be.
I'm never happier than when bashing both brain and keyboard in my Plotting Shed wherever that may be! On gloriously creative days, I can look up and find hours have passed. I'm amazed the scenery is unchanged, fixed, when I've been absorbed in heart-stopping drama or tragedy, or romance.
At last, I am following my bliss. I'm a bit late to the party, but I'm dancing.
There was an old black and gold typewriter knocking about my childhood home. When I wasn't skinning my knees climbing trees or wandering aimlessly in the countryside with my dog and my dreams, I could be found, as now, typing away with imaginary friends whispering in my ear.
My first novel, The Twisted Vine, is based on a happy time picking grapes in France in the 1980s. I met some amazing people there but none as outrageous as those that sprang to life on my screen. Daffodils is based in Wiltshire, where I grew up. It attempts to portray how ordinary lives, and the rigid social order, were radically altered by the catalyst of the First World War. This book developed into The Katherine Wheel Series, with a sequel set in 1919 in the aftermath of WW1, Peace Lily, and Speedwell, taking the characters into the roaring twenties and the dangerous world of motor-racing. Willow (a novella) introduces the next generation who face daunting challenges in WW2 in Woodbine and Ivy, the final book in this epic saga which draws all the many threads together in the previous six books into a dramatic climax.
The Spirit Level comprises two dual-time ghost stories. The Rose Trail is set in the English Civil War and Triskelion has a Druid priestess giving Fay and Percy an urgent message for the modern world.
The next book is always just around the corner. I'm just listening to the whispers from the other side to get the full picture... And now that book (my tenth!) is here. Warrior Queens is the third book in The Spirit Level Series although the link is tenuous. Three friends struggle through adversity and only their bond can get them through. A modern tale of girlpower.
I'm never happier than when bashing both brain and keyboard in my Plotting Shed wherever that may be! On gloriously creative days, I can look up and find hours have passed. I'm amazed the scenery is unchanged, fixed, when I've been absorbed in heart-stopping drama or tragedy, or romance.
At last, I am following my bliss. I'm a bit late to the party, but I'm dancing.
There was an old black and gold typewriter knocking about my childhood home. When I wasn't skinning my knees climbing trees or wandering aimlessly in the countryside with my dog and my dreams, I could be found, as now, typing away with imaginary friends whispering in my ear.
My first novel, The Twisted Vine, is based on a happy time picking grapes in France in the 1980s. I met some amazing people there but none as outrageous as those that sprang to life on my screen. Daffodils is based in Wiltshire, where I grew up. It attempts to portray how ordinary lives, and the rigid social order, were radically altered by the catalyst of the First World War. This book developed into The Katherine Wheel Series, with a sequel set in 1919 in the aftermath of WW1, Peace Lily, and Speedwell, taking the characters into the roaring twenties and the dangerous world of motor-racing. Willow (a novella) introduces the next generation who face daunting challenges in WW2 in Woodbine and Ivy, the final book in this epic saga which draws all the many threads together in the previous six books into a dramatic climax.
The Spirit Level comprises two dual-time ghost stories. The Rose Trail is set in the English Civil War and Triskelion has a Druid priestess giving Fay and Percy an urgent message for the modern world.
The next book is always just around the corner. I'm just listening to the whispers from the other side to get the full picture... And now that book (my tenth!) is here. Warrior Queens is the third book in The Spirit Level Series although the link is tenuous. Three friends struggle through adversity and only their bond can get them through. A modern tale of girlpower.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 12, 2015
Wow, to put it in the vernacular of the era of Speedwell, what a rip-roaring book. I loved it. Weaved against the background of life in the nineteen twenties, the story of the protagonist, Katy Phipps, continues with as many joys and tragedies that have haunted her all her life. It is obvious that Alex Martin has done her research thoroughly of the world in which her characters move. In this latest of the Katherine Wheel novels the characters have grown and developed. The story of Katy and Jem, struggling to make a success of their garage, of the affluent Cassandra Flintock-Smythe and her American husband Douglas, living in style on their Wiltshire estate, run parallel - but are inextricable joined together. As I read, I felt the various emotions that they did; the laughter, the triumphs, the anger, the despair. I’ve loved all three of this author’s books; I admire her style of writing and the density of sense of place. But I have to say, this one is my favourite. I don’t give spoilers in my reviews but here’s just a hint; fortunes cam be changed. And the joys of success can sometimes go hand in hand with utter sorrow. I thoroughly recommend Alex Martin’s Speedwell.
September 26, 2016
Can't wait to read (fingers crossed) Woodbine & Ivy .
September 30, 2016
Great story
I only hope that the next book comes. I love these characters and their stories. I finished this one in one day as well. Would love to read more about their lives. The setting was great and the historical aspects were very interesting to read.
I only hope that the next book comes. I love these characters and their stories. I finished this one in one day as well. Would love to read more about their lives. The setting was great and the historical aspects were very interesting to read.
February 21, 2022
I am enjoying this series. The books are a light read,the plots convoluted and interesting and the characters and relationships intriguing. The historical background authentic. I recommend these books.
June 7, 2022
A busy book. The tale starts out with Katy working in her garage, having a b-ad day because she can't seem to get things to go smoothly and she's a bit of a klutz. Tired all the time. Feeling nauseous quite often. To any woman, it's no surprise when she realizes she's pregnant. She hides it from Jem, not wanting him to try to stop her from working, but she finally has to tell him. Thus, they end up with their first employee.
Billy is the postmistress's son - his mother the worst gossip outside of the former vicar's housekeeper, Mrs. Hoskins. He can manage repairs, but hasn't the ear for a tuneup (and yes, that's something you needed on older cars. I used to do tuneups until they stopped putting carbs, spark plugs, points, & condensors in cars in favor of injectors. You might still need the ear, for all I know...I'm also a teacher and a nurse, and I do much better at humans than cars or animals).
Cass and Douglas are installed in Cheadle Manor. Cass has been dealing with the estate, and doing a great job at it. They have 2 girls now, and want to take them to see their American family...mostly, the kind hearted Rose, who is getting married, and Selina. The steward has things well in hand when the Flintock-Smythes of Cheadle Manor decide to take the visit to Boston. And this time, Jem will be going but will stay in a boarding house. Douglas and Jem have a business proposal to put forth to Selina, who has btw, visited Cheadle Manor.
You see, in the early days of hydraulic brakes, the seals broke or leaked all the time. Katy had tried everything...but had a bit of inspiration when she chewed the rubber eraser off a pencil yet again. She noticed the texture of it intact, and in crumbs. She knew the shape any brake seal would have to be for the various brands of hydraulic brakes. She had the village blacksmith's help in making prototype seals and then in refining them. She got a block of vulcanized rubber from Goodyear, and made seals, which she then tried out when Douglas raced. She kept tweaking them until they were exactly what was needed. The plans Jem took to America were the plans for a factory to make seals. Selina was all for it. She looked unwell, but kept reassuring them she was fine. And so the factory was built.
While Jem waited for his chance to present hisnolans to Selina, he did some research to find Fred, his wife's rapist, whom he located in a speakeasy in NYC. It was basically a trip of less than 24 hr. Fred had taken in a young black woman while he was living with his sister and brother in law without paying his share of anything, and he was beating the girl. Jem went to the speakeasy but before he could do much, there was a raid, and the black girl grabbed him and took him out to safety. And because Jem had "touched his girl," Fred confronted him, only to be confronted right back about raping Katy. Jem beats the man senseless after a decent exchange of blows, one of which breaks his prosthesis in two, which Jem uses as a bludgeon to gain the edge in the fight. Fred is alive but knocked out. The black girl says she'll look after Fred, and Jem tries to convince her she deserves better, but she won't be moved and tells him to go while he still can. He takes a cab to Grand Central, finds the first train out, after going to the restroom to remove the prosthesis & clean up, and heads back to Boston and his digs. Douglas takes him to get a new prosthesis. When Jem is asked what happened, he says he fell at an awkward angle and it just broke. While in the hospital, Doug sees his sister, the one who wrote the nasty letter accusing Katy of being a slut, and introduces Jem as a friend, but she remembers the last name just as Jem remembers her full name. Before she can open her mouth, seeing the look of recognition on her face, he confronts her about the lying letter she wrote and she says he wasn't there to see his slutty wife, and he says he trusts his wife, and Fred is a rapist, and she had no right to send such a nasty letter nor to continue her slander of his wife. Then he goes for a prosthesis, and discovers all the advances made since his last one. Meanwhile, Doug warns Cass that there are fireworks coming. They still manage to slip Jem in to show his business plan, with all the figures, to Selina, who is impressed and backs them.
And then, while they were still in the USA, Cass's dad had a massive heart attack and died. They rushed back home. Lady Smythe is most upset when the will puts the running of the estate and its inheritance in the hands of Cass. But there is a new tax, a death duty on large estates, and it is a huge financial burden. (This was the early days of such taxes. When my husband and I were living in the UK for 3.5 years, I soon learned that most of the holdings of the National Trust came to them via estate holders who could no longer keep up the expense of maintaining historical sites because of the ever-increasing death duties and estate taxes levied in Britain's version of a "tax the rich" scheme, and the rest were defaulted and left to ruin, the families either died out, emigrated, or driven out by taxes they couldn't pay. There was a castle in most towns, and if the owners still lived there, it was usually open to the public to generate ticket sales to help defray costs, for as much time as the family could stand to deal with tourists).
Cass's older daughter amd Katy's son were opposites. Lottie was very strong willed and impatient; Al was very calm, kind, and found compromises. Cass's younger daughter Bella shared a birthday with Al - Christmas Eve (which tickled me, as it turns out, that was when we had our one miracle child, now a grown man, and yes, like Cass and Katy, our son's birthday was celebrated separately from Christmas). Bella was as quiet and thoughtful as her sister was boisterous and controlling, but not quite the same way as Al was quiet.
Doug has been racing, and Katy has been his mechanic as they've gone through the stages of ever-faster cars racing during the Roaring Twenties. Doug also drives Katy bonkers at time, interrupting the work that keeps the garage going. She hits on an idea: Why not have Doug buy and resell cars? And so they do.
When Jem gets home from America, though, Katy is so glad to see him, she forgets her contraceptive and is soon pregnant again, amidst the clearing of the lot and the building of the factory (much of the work done by Jem to save what they can), and the interviews for workers, the mechanic work, the gas and oil sales, car sales, and teaching Katy's younger brother to drive, Katy goes right up to the brink of childbirth during Jack's first driving lesson and he has to get her home- but Jem delivers the baby, a daughter, because Katy is crowning when Jaxk pulls in. But Katy ends up with childbed fever, aka puerperile fever, and her mother has to come care for her. This infection of the vagina, cervix, and uterus often spread all through the body and was a major killer of young women. (My own MGM gave birth to her forst son in 1916 and got puerperal fever (another name for the same thing Katy had), and she nearly died, in the days before antibioti. Katy's survival was never guaranteed. Her mother Agnes switches places with Al so she can nurse her daughter back to health. Katy's recovery is slow, but she does get better.
But first of all, Rose calls to tell Doug that Selina is very sick, but an operation to remove the tumor should help; the next call he gets is to tell Doug his mother died on the operating table. The next communication is from his father, who is now in charge of all the assets from his mother's estate, is disowning him and cutting him out of his inheritance because he brought Jem with him to talk to Selina about backing their factory, and Jem is the husband of "that slut" who "stole Cheryl's happiness." So, Doug loses his mother and his inheritance and his family in one swoop.
It is in this state, knowing Cass is pregnant with their 3rd child, knowing the peril Katy and Jem are in, and the need to sell the seal for the hydraulic brakes, that Doug decides to race anyway. To top it of, Lord Finch is there rubbing it in that he and Cass were once engaged, and Cass tells him they were, but she had her doubts before she decided to become an ambulance driver, and once she saw Doug, she never looked back, and that he should know he was her first since he was there for their first time. Since Doug is being actually kind of nasty about it, Cass reminds him that she never asked him how many women he had had before her, and wouldn't, and upset, Cass walks away.
Tracks have become banked in the last few years, and drivers go up on the banked sides to pass one another. It is a rainy day, but since the last race was canceled for rain, they decide not to cancel this one. Doug is in another pitched racing battle with Finch, hits the bank too fast for the rainy conditions, and becomes airbore over the top, the car hits a tree head on, and Doug is pitched out of the car head first. He breaks his neck and dies instantly. I was heartbroken over Doug's death. It really felt unfair, but I can't say I was surprised, after all those blows, that Doug made a dangerous move while racing. I think he'd have been OK if Lord Finch had left him alone, or if Doug had listened to Cass, that he had won her, not Finch, and not to ler the guy egg him on. Finch's false sympathy after made me think if Cass should blame anyone for Doug's death, it should have been Lorf Butthole Finch she blamed. You can see what I mean when I have said, in each of these books I have reviewed, that these characters are so well written that you can't help but feel like you know them personally.
After that, when Cass goes to the garage, she blames Katy for Doug's death, and is so upset once again that she miscarries the baby...so now, it hasn't been that long since her father died; she lost Selina; then Doug; now Doug's last baby; and no matter how often Katy tries to reach out to her, Cass blames her for Doug's death.
The loss of Doug's income means they have to sell their London house and let the servants go. Since that is where they went before the race, and where Cass was taken after Doug's death, Cass never wants to see the place again, and it will save her making one of the tenants move out instead. The loss of the finding also means financial trouble for Katy and Jem. Jem arranges a consolidation loan for the rest of the factory building and the extra land, but Jem can't make the first payment. Desperate, he begs for a week to try to sell the seals, and his persistence gets him a contract. They sell the cars Doug never sold at a loss, which is how they make the first payment. It isn't long before they're making the payments with ease.
Meanwhile, the kids are missing each other and the girls want to see Katy's new baby. The end is very touching as the kids, as kids usually do, are the ones that are more likely to remind the adults they're being ridiculous.
This is the 3rd book.
Billy is the postmistress's son - his mother the worst gossip outside of the former vicar's housekeeper, Mrs. Hoskins. He can manage repairs, but hasn't the ear for a tuneup (and yes, that's something you needed on older cars. I used to do tuneups until they stopped putting carbs, spark plugs, points, & condensors in cars in favor of injectors. You might still need the ear, for all I know...I'm also a teacher and a nurse, and I do much better at humans than cars or animals).
Cass and Douglas are installed in Cheadle Manor. Cass has been dealing with the estate, and doing a great job at it. They have 2 girls now, and want to take them to see their American family...mostly, the kind hearted Rose, who is getting married, and Selina. The steward has things well in hand when the Flintock-Smythes of Cheadle Manor decide to take the visit to Boston. And this time, Jem will be going but will stay in a boarding house. Douglas and Jem have a business proposal to put forth to Selina, who has btw, visited Cheadle Manor.
You see, in the early days of hydraulic brakes, the seals broke or leaked all the time. Katy had tried everything...but had a bit of inspiration when she chewed the rubber eraser off a pencil yet again. She noticed the texture of it intact, and in crumbs. She knew the shape any brake seal would have to be for the various brands of hydraulic brakes. She had the village blacksmith's help in making prototype seals and then in refining them. She got a block of vulcanized rubber from Goodyear, and made seals, which she then tried out when Douglas raced. She kept tweaking them until they were exactly what was needed. The plans Jem took to America were the plans for a factory to make seals. Selina was all for it. She looked unwell, but kept reassuring them she was fine. And so the factory was built.
While Jem waited for his chance to present hisnolans to Selina, he did some research to find Fred, his wife's rapist, whom he located in a speakeasy in NYC. It was basically a trip of less than 24 hr. Fred had taken in a young black woman while he was living with his sister and brother in law without paying his share of anything, and he was beating the girl. Jem went to the speakeasy but before he could do much, there was a raid, and the black girl grabbed him and took him out to safety. And because Jem had "touched his girl," Fred confronted him, only to be confronted right back about raping Katy. Jem beats the man senseless after a decent exchange of blows, one of which breaks his prosthesis in two, which Jem uses as a bludgeon to gain the edge in the fight. Fred is alive but knocked out. The black girl says she'll look after Fred, and Jem tries to convince her she deserves better, but she won't be moved and tells him to go while he still can. He takes a cab to Grand Central, finds the first train out, after going to the restroom to remove the prosthesis & clean up, and heads back to Boston and his digs. Douglas takes him to get a new prosthesis. When Jem is asked what happened, he says he fell at an awkward angle and it just broke. While in the hospital, Doug sees his sister, the one who wrote the nasty letter accusing Katy of being a slut, and introduces Jem as a friend, but she remembers the last name just as Jem remembers her full name. Before she can open her mouth, seeing the look of recognition on her face, he confronts her about the lying letter she wrote and she says he wasn't there to see his slutty wife, and he says he trusts his wife, and Fred is a rapist, and she had no right to send such a nasty letter nor to continue her slander of his wife. Then he goes for a prosthesis, and discovers all the advances made since his last one. Meanwhile, Doug warns Cass that there are fireworks coming. They still manage to slip Jem in to show his business plan, with all the figures, to Selina, who is impressed and backs them.
And then, while they were still in the USA, Cass's dad had a massive heart attack and died. They rushed back home. Lady Smythe is most upset when the will puts the running of the estate and its inheritance in the hands of Cass. But there is a new tax, a death duty on large estates, and it is a huge financial burden. (This was the early days of such taxes. When my husband and I were living in the UK for 3.5 years, I soon learned that most of the holdings of the National Trust came to them via estate holders who could no longer keep up the expense of maintaining historical sites because of the ever-increasing death duties and estate taxes levied in Britain's version of a "tax the rich" scheme, and the rest were defaulted and left to ruin, the families either died out, emigrated, or driven out by taxes they couldn't pay. There was a castle in most towns, and if the owners still lived there, it was usually open to the public to generate ticket sales to help defray costs, for as much time as the family could stand to deal with tourists).
Cass's older daughter amd Katy's son were opposites. Lottie was very strong willed and impatient; Al was very calm, kind, and found compromises. Cass's younger daughter Bella shared a birthday with Al - Christmas Eve (which tickled me, as it turns out, that was when we had our one miracle child, now a grown man, and yes, like Cass and Katy, our son's birthday was celebrated separately from Christmas). Bella was as quiet and thoughtful as her sister was boisterous and controlling, but not quite the same way as Al was quiet.
Doug has been racing, and Katy has been his mechanic as they've gone through the stages of ever-faster cars racing during the Roaring Twenties. Doug also drives Katy bonkers at time, interrupting the work that keeps the garage going. She hits on an idea: Why not have Doug buy and resell cars? And so they do.
When Jem gets home from America, though, Katy is so glad to see him, she forgets her contraceptive and is soon pregnant again, amidst the clearing of the lot and the building of the factory (much of the work done by Jem to save what they can), and the interviews for workers, the mechanic work, the gas and oil sales, car sales, and teaching Katy's younger brother to drive, Katy goes right up to the brink of childbirth during Jack's first driving lesson and he has to get her home- but Jem delivers the baby, a daughter, because Katy is crowning when Jaxk pulls in. But Katy ends up with childbed fever, aka puerperile fever, and her mother has to come care for her. This infection of the vagina, cervix, and uterus often spread all through the body and was a major killer of young women. (My own MGM gave birth to her forst son in 1916 and got puerperal fever (another name for the same thing Katy had), and she nearly died, in the days before antibioti. Katy's survival was never guaranteed. Her mother Agnes switches places with Al so she can nurse her daughter back to health. Katy's recovery is slow, but she does get better.
But first of all, Rose calls to tell Doug that Selina is very sick, but an operation to remove the tumor should help; the next call he gets is to tell Doug his mother died on the operating table. The next communication is from his father, who is now in charge of all the assets from his mother's estate, is disowning him and cutting him out of his inheritance because he brought Jem with him to talk to Selina about backing their factory, and Jem is the husband of "that slut" who "stole Cheryl's happiness." So, Doug loses his mother and his inheritance and his family in one swoop.
It is in this state, knowing Cass is pregnant with their 3rd child, knowing the peril Katy and Jem are in, and the need to sell the seal for the hydraulic brakes, that Doug decides to race anyway. To top it of, Lord Finch is there rubbing it in that he and Cass were once engaged, and Cass tells him they were, but she had her doubts before she decided to become an ambulance driver, and once she saw Doug, she never looked back, and that he should know he was her first since he was there for their first time. Since Doug is being actually kind of nasty about it, Cass reminds him that she never asked him how many women he had had before her, and wouldn't, and upset, Cass walks away.
Tracks have become banked in the last few years, and drivers go up on the banked sides to pass one another. It is a rainy day, but since the last race was canceled for rain, they decide not to cancel this one. Doug is in another pitched racing battle with Finch, hits the bank too fast for the rainy conditions, and becomes airbore over the top, the car hits a tree head on, and Doug is pitched out of the car head first. He breaks his neck and dies instantly. I was heartbroken over Doug's death. It really felt unfair, but I can't say I was surprised, after all those blows, that Doug made a dangerous move while racing. I think he'd have been OK if Lord Finch had left him alone, or if Doug had listened to Cass, that he had won her, not Finch, and not to ler the guy egg him on. Finch's false sympathy after made me think if Cass should blame anyone for Doug's death, it should have been Lorf Butthole Finch she blamed. You can see what I mean when I have said, in each of these books I have reviewed, that these characters are so well written that you can't help but feel like you know them personally.
After that, when Cass goes to the garage, she blames Katy for Doug's death, and is so upset once again that she miscarries the baby...so now, it hasn't been that long since her father died; she lost Selina; then Doug; now Doug's last baby; and no matter how often Katy tries to reach out to her, Cass blames her for Doug's death.
The loss of Doug's income means they have to sell their London house and let the servants go. Since that is where they went before the race, and where Cass was taken after Doug's death, Cass never wants to see the place again, and it will save her making one of the tenants move out instead. The loss of the finding also means financial trouble for Katy and Jem. Jem arranges a consolidation loan for the rest of the factory building and the extra land, but Jem can't make the first payment. Desperate, he begs for a week to try to sell the seals, and his persistence gets him a contract. They sell the cars Doug never sold at a loss, which is how they make the first payment. It isn't long before they're making the payments with ease.
Meanwhile, the kids are missing each other and the girls want to see Katy's new baby. The end is very touching as the kids, as kids usually do, are the ones that are more likely to remind the adults they're being ridiculous.
This is the 3rd book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2016
Loved this series...very well written, informative and well-drawn out characters
June 6, 2021
Excellent Series
Book 3 in the series. I love the detail to history made enticing through characters you come to care about.
Book 3 in the series. I love the detail to history made enticing through characters you come to care about.
September 25, 2021
Speedwell
Revenge, merging of classes, death, business decline and rise, grief, broken relationships and mended relationships all combine to keep you captivated.
Revenge, merging of classes, death, business decline and rise, grief, broken relationships and mended relationships all combine to keep you captivated.
November 14, 2017
The only thing I can use to relate this to, is the beginning of Chitty,Chitty Bang Bang. In my mind I see those rattley, old cars whipping around the corners of the road, as they pushed the limits of what the current engineering could do. Another great book that kept me interested in the characters and their lives.
April 19, 2020
Gripping writing
I could not put this book down, the people are so real and warm, I felt so sorry for Cassandra losing a
lovely man like Douglas. Can't wait to read the next book. Great writer.
I could not put this book down, the people are so real and warm, I felt so sorry for Cassandra losing a
lovely man like Douglas. Can't wait to read the next book. Great writer.
January 10, 2021
As usual, engrossed from start to finish. This book does not disappoint. I was so wrapped up in the characters & their lives from the first book, that it is pleasing to read the next chapters in their lives. Hi recommendation for all the books
January 10, 2021
A review
Please consider it a review for the first three books
An amazing series that takes you on an emotional time taking you from the fields of Somme to the bustling city of Boston
Please consider it a review for the first three books
An amazing series that takes you on an emotional time taking you from the fields of Somme to the bustling city of Boston
Read
April 29, 2018Piece Lilly and Daffodils are the 1st and 2nd books to this series. Awesome books. You will love,laugh and cry.
August 17, 2017
A little much of that racing stuff for me, but still an outstanding book!!
November 11, 2018
Heartbreak and Happiness
This was a fitting end to this trilogy. I enjoyed meeting all the characters in the Katherine Wheel books. Every character has their flaws, but with the exception of three characters you will root for them to overcome sadness and find a happy ending.
This was a fitting end to this trilogy. I enjoyed meeting all the characters in the Katherine Wheel books. Every character has their flaws, but with the exception of three characters you will root for them to overcome sadness and find a happy ending.
January 3, 2018
A fantastic book as are the others in the series. I can't wait for book 4 to come out. A great everyday story set just after the war with the hardships of starting again. A real page turner.
January 26, 2017
This third book wasn't quite as engaging to me as the other two, though I did wish the series continued! What was most interesting was to read about the impact of the automobile on community life. During the war Katy had worked as an ambulance mechanic. Jem returned home with a wooden prosthetic arm, and thus could not return to his beloved work as a farmer. They eventually started a new venture, selling gasoline and repairing cars along a roadway. Although difficult to get established, this was a case of being in the right place at the right place. Katy, Jem, Cass and her husband, Doug began participating in a new pastime of car racing, and then working on the development of leak-proof rubber seals for hydraulic brakes. It was interesting to read about a problem (leaky brakes), and how Katy problem-solved to come up with a way to solve it. Then they struggled to create a process to develop, manufacture and sell their product. It was difficult, to say the least, and resulted to tragedies as well as triumphs.
July 25, 2016
Read all three of the series.
I became caught up in this series. A few very late nights still up and reading. All characters were very well developed. I need Kleenex at times,but that's what tells you your in love with these characters. I would have liked to know more about the manor and the children. What happened with the other dear ones. Do you think another book might let us know the answers ? Will definitely recommend to friends.
I became caught up in this series. A few very late nights still up and reading. All characters were very well developed. I need Kleenex at times,but that's what tells you your in love with these characters. I would have liked to know more about the manor and the children. What happened with the other dear ones. Do you think another book might let us know the answers ? Will definitely recommend to friends.
August 4, 2016
Enjoyed it
I really enjoyed the third book in this series. I'm hoping there is a fourth book as the ending left a few unanswered questions. I wasn't sure I would like it a well with the racing theme but it blended into the story well. I would recommend all three books.
I really enjoyed the third book in this series. I'm hoping there is a fourth book as the ending left a few unanswered questions. I wasn't sure I would like it a well with the racing theme but it blended into the story well. I would recommend all three books.
July 26, 2016
Enjoyed
Was good to see what happens to Jem and Katy :) ,very sad its the end of the series ,hope she will write m k re
Was good to see what happens to Jem and Katy :) ,very sad its the end of the series ,hope she will write m k re
May 16, 2020
Alex Martin does it again!
The storyline moves right along, keeping you interested and wanting to read more. Book three is just as good as the first two books, Daffodil and Peace Lily. My rating of four stars is because of the many typos throughout the book. Alex, you need a better proofreader! Your books are so good, but this is a unprofessional retraction. I’m looking forward to reading Willow!
The storyline moves right along, keeping you interested and wanting to read more. Book three is just as good as the first two books, Daffodil and Peace Lily. My rating of four stars is because of the many typos throughout the book. Alex, you need a better proofreader! Your books are so good, but this is a unprofessional retraction. I’m looking forward to reading Willow!
October 15, 2018
Third in the Katherine Wheel series
Follow Katy, Jen, Cassandra and Douglas through trials and tragedy, failure and success as the series name finally makes sense. Kids growing, world expanding. Characters and story well developed. On to the last book!
Follow Katy, Jen, Cassandra and Douglas through trials and tragedy, failure and success as the series name finally makes sense. Kids growing, world expanding. Characters and story well developed. On to the last book!
August 16, 2020
Speedwell
Another great book in the ongoing Katherine Wheel series. Such an interesting historical story. I loved how the book has covered the start of automobile racing and interweaving racing and family life.
Another great book in the ongoing Katherine Wheel series. Such an interesting historical story. I loved how the book has covered the start of automobile racing and interweaving racing and family life.
August 21, 2020
Brilliant
I really enjoyed Daffodils, the first book in the series & wondered whether book 2 could live up to it. I needn't have worried as this book was even better than book 1. I look forward to reading book 3 & continuing to follow Katy & Jems story.
I really enjoyed Daffodils, the first book in the series & wondered whether book 2 could live up to it. I needn't have worried as this book was even better than book 1. I look forward to reading book 3 & continuing to follow Katy & Jems story.
February 25, 2022
Different from books 1 and 2 but still very good.
Filled with lots if details about cars and racing which became a little tedious. The story of the characters in the book outweighed the tedious parts, so all I all, it turned out to be a very good boik.
Filled with lots if details about cars and racing which became a little tedious. The story of the characters in the book outweighed the tedious parts, so all I all, it turned out to be a very good boik.
September 27, 2018
Speedwell
A book of love and tragedy where only children reconcile the hatred and scorn at the end. Dashing book and one that is definitely a page Turner.
A book of love and tragedy where only children reconcile the hatred and scorn at the end. Dashing book and one that is definitely a page Turner.
February 17, 2019
Grest
Interesting seeing where these characters are going along with the insight into after the war. Looking forward to the next is instalment
Interesting seeing where these characters are going along with the insight into after the war. Looking forward to the next is instalment
July 29, 2020
Loved it!!
September 13, 2020
Not as good as rest of series.
August 21, 2021
I liked all the books in this series . This was not my favorite
The author was very knowledgeable about vehicles of that period, but I didn’t like it as much as the first two
The author was very knowledgeable about vehicles of that period, but I didn’t like it as much as the first two
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