Liverpool Connection

by Elisabeth Marrion

"Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling......" Annie sang quietly, holding Derek's baby blue cardigan and trying to detect a familiar smell. The same cardigan he was supposed to wear at his christening. Annie and her friends leave Ireland in 1926 young and optimistic, hoping to find a better life in Liverpool. Only things do not turn out the way they had imagined. Annie falls in love, marries and starts a family of her own. But with the onset of World War Two comes tragedy and loss. testing Annie's strength to the limit. Little does she realise that salvation of her loved ones lies with a German woman named Hilde, whose life and situation mirrors Annie's own. 'Liverpool Connection' is the second book of a trilogy and is based on a true story. The first book 'The Night I danced with Rommel', tells Hilde's story. The third book 'Cuckoo Clock-New York' is Esther's story. a young doctor, fleeing Germany after the Kristallnacht 1938. The books are historical novels based on facts and tell the writer's family history. Liverpool Connection has been awarded The B.R.A.G medallion, a readers award

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2014

About the author

Elisabeth was born in Germany in 1948. Her mother was a war widow and met Elisabeth's father, a corporal in the British RAF after WW II. Elisabeth moved to England in 1969 and today lives with her husband David in the New Forest, opposite the Isle of Wight in Southern England. Elisabeth discovered her love of writing after a successful business courier from which she retired 2003.

Reviews

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

LIVERPOOL CONNECTION

Author: Elisabeth Marrion

Type of Book: Audiobook Unabridged

Narrator: Nancy Peterson

Length: 6 hours, 35 minutes

Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama

Release Date: March 30, 2015

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of an Irish family in the years leading up to, and including World War Two.

Annie is just a young woman when she and her best friend, Flo decide to leave Ireland and move to Liverpool in England. They have high hopes for a better life.

What they find is definitely not what they had imagined. Both women meet men, fall in love and get married, but the two women end up living vastly different lives.

The audiobook takes the listener through a fascinating period of history. We learn about what life was like under the constant threat of bombs being dropped by the Germans and families having to flee to air raid shelters. We learn about children being sent out if the British cities into the countryside for safety. We learn about war's effect on family and friends of those fighting it. We also learn much, much more.

This book is brilliantly written and listeners cannot help but be drawn into the story.

The narrator does a wonderful job and despite her accent, she is easily understood. She also conveys emotion very well and has distinctive voices for the various characters. It was nice to listen to an audiobook where the women sounded like real women and not cartoon parodies of women.

This book is a stand-alone novel. Even though there is a previous book in the series, I have not read it and that did not hinder the story or my enjoyment of it in any way.

I rate both the book and the narration as 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elisabeth Marrion was born in 1948 in Germany. Her mother was German and her father was British and a Corporal in the Royal Air Force. To learn more about this author visit http://elisabethmarrion.yolasite.com

ABOUT THE NARRATOR:

Nancy Peterson is a seasoned actor of both stage and voice. To find out more about her visit http://www.acx.com/narrator?p=A26LTKX...

To read more of my reviews visit http://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com

[Philip Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Liverpool Connection by Elisabeth Marrion to be a very satisfying sequel to her first book, The Night I Danced With Rommel. Once again, I was impressed by her clear, flowing prose, and how well she captures how people speak to each other. I was looking forward to reading this book, not just because I enjoyed reading the first book in what is to be a trilogy, but because it is set in Liverpool, my home city. The mention of the docks and other places in Liverpool familiar to me, like Speke and Lime Street Station, added to my pleasure in reading the tale of Annie and George, their family and friends before, during and after World War Two.
I liked the way Elisabeth Marrion does not intrude with her own judgements or digressions on the tale she tells, instead she lets her characters speak and act, free of her. When the bombs fall on Liverpool in the midst of World War Two, and Annie and her family and neighbours seek safety in the air raid shelters, it brought back memories of a thunder storm when I was a schoolboy in the 1960's when my mother told us to hide under the stairs, for that night it was not thunder she could hear nor was it lightning she could see, but the sound of bombs exploding the streets of her neighbourhood and the flashes of the fires, spreading through the houses, and she was back in the 1940's, when Liverpool was being bombed, and she was ushering us not under the stairs, but into an air raid shelter. Fortunately, my father was there to explain my mother's strange behaviour.
As in her first book, Elisabeth Marrion reveals in her tale what it was like to live through a world war for ordinary people, in England and in Germany. It was fascinating to read of Annie, her family and friends, listening to Winston Churchill's speeches on the radio, having to deal with rationing, bombing raids, while worrying about those they knew who had gone off to fight for their country.
Always interesting, often moving, I found Liverpool Connection to be a worthwhile, good book to read, and now I am looking forward to reading the last book in the trilogy.

[David Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book connects with the author's previous work The Night I Danced With Rommel which I absolutely loved. It was a heart wrenchingly beautiful tale written superbly so I had high expectations with this one.

Elisabeth Marrion delivered again with her lovely storytelling that pulls you in. One of the major plus point for this author is her style of writing, short, sharp and informative chapters make the book flow so well and keep you engrossed as you don’t have time to tire.

This book is a tale of war, death & love which compliments the previous book immensely when the books connect. I won’t spoil it for you but the events that link the two books were amazing to read, when things clicked together I had that “Wow” moment.

For me this book wasn’t as emotive as the last one but that’s not to say this is a happy book.. it’s not, it feels real..gritty..the struggle for money and food. It really makes you appreciate what you have these days

One thing I enjoyed reading about but at the same time hated thinking about was the children being sent away to safety because of the war.. just how many families were truly torn apart.

There is one little boy I loved in this book above everyone else David.. a cheeky little lad.. and what a great name choice by the parents!

The only thing for me that would improve the book is an author’s note. The book is based on facts but is sold as fiction so it would be lovely to know just how much is fact and fiction

Literally I can’t think of anything else that would have made it any better.. it’s just a wonderfully easy and emotive read that opens your eyes to war while not overpowering you. At times it’s sad at others you can’t help but smile

A wonderful book from a talented writer

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Liverpool Connection” by Elisabeth Marrion is part two of the author’s trilogy that fictionalises her family history. This time the focus is on a young woman from Ireland who settles in Liverpool in 1926. The book spans twenty years of British and European history, with the emphasis on the home front. Having read the first part, “My Dance with Rommel”, I am pleased to say that this book can be read on its own and only makes minor but welcome connections to the first book.
The author’s talent lies in the details, the description and portrayal of the times and ‘regular’ life before and during WW2. I have read my share of WW2 novels but was amazed at how much I could take away from the book regarding everyday life and personal perception of the conflict; e.g. the mixed emotions of the Irish volunteers in the British Army. The group of characters are well-drawn and thankfully do not resort to the stereotypes that writing about the era so often falls prey to.
The main events of the war are of course well known, but this book gives several good examples of the multitude of individual journeys throughout these turbulent times.
The narrative structure surprised me at first, as it gave away some dramatic details from 1946 and then jumps backwards in time to Annie’s journey to England; however, this decision pays off since it frees the reader and allows closer and more focused attention on the day-to-day lives.
A well written, competent and fascinating novel.

“Reviewed for the Historical Novel Association Indie Reviews”

[MaryAnn Bernal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story of survival during WW II

Liverpool Connection gives an insight into the lives of people living during the blitz. We follow the challenges facing a young mother, Annie, as she cares for her children in difficult conditions - lack of heat, food, fear of the bombing raids.

I especially found the “how people actually lived” aspect of the story fascinating - Ms. Marrion breathes life into people who lived through the traumatic events of World War II. History textbooks just stick to the facts - I prefer knowing how people actually felt, which is precisely what the author conveyed in this page turner.

I felt as if I were part of Annie’s family, living through the hardships faced by those left behind while men went off to war - hardships worsened once the war was over as the devastated countries started to rebuild.

Liverpool Connection is a poignant tale of love, sacrifice and honor amongst the innocent civilians caught up in the politics of the day. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Karenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intriguing family story set in the years leading up to and during World War II. Annie and two friends leave Ireland for Liverpool in the 1930s. They settle in among their relatives and friends who have already relocated to England. Annie soon meets and marries George, and over the years they produce six children. We read of their happy times and hardships in Liverpool's tenements before and during the war. The story also follows what happens to their family and friends who enlist for military service. As a result of the war, some of them become involved with characters from the author's first novel, 'The Night I Danced with Rommel'. This adds a different level of complication and intrigue, and we hear what happens from both points of view. There is plenty of hope, despair and some remarkable outcomes. The ending is clever, and leaves the reader wanting more. May I point out that the author's married name is Marrion, and that her first name is Elisabeth. Keep this in mind as you read 'Liverpool Connection' as this is a clue to an interesting turn of events.

[Ella Hansing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful narrative about family and the trials and tribulations surrounding WWII – uniquely from the German perspective. “Liverpool Connection” unfolds a struggle for survival that is tangible, with characters that are animated and warm, with complex pasts – I like how you can sense their desperation during various plot twists. I immediately appreciated how well edited this piece was - very easy to follow. The author evidently put much thought and research into her work – the details conveying wartime struggles were palpable - the madness of warfare, the stress ensued by bombings and dwindling food supplies. The author paints a vibrant picture of bleak times, managing to transport the reader seemingly effortless to a place so dark and filled with despair and loss, though in the end she succeeded in conveying the overriding strength of friendship. A very enjoyable, heartfelt read – perfect book to curl up with!

[Kirsten McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed the story. I didn't realise that this was the second book in a series (my mistake), and I think if I'd read the first story, that may have made things a little clearer - especially the German angle.
The story was very dialogue heavy, which I found alternately refreshing, and at times stilted. I don't want to take away from the wealth of the writing though! Far from it. The writing was lovely. And the story was truthful and honest in the portrayal of the characters, but at times I wanted more story and less dialogue.
War is horrible, and this story covers how hard it was for those left behind. I just don't think the world realises now how hard it was for the mothers and children who were left to fend for themselves. This book covers that reality very well.
I will now read the first book in the series, and cover off the gaps I think I felt when I was reading this book.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read from the author, I enjoyed it and is a lovely story, it shows a great insight into what the war was like for some of the civis/wives at home. It’s definitely worth the read. However at times it’s a little bit unclear, there’s a lot of speech in the book and with the amount of if, it can get a bit unclear on who is talking. At the start it also jumps back in time without the dates which is a little confusing. As others have commented there’s quite a bit of misspelling / grammar etc (in the German as well but that’s irrelevant to most people🤣) despite all this it’s still an easy, nice read. I would rate it a 3.5 / 5

[BarbaraH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Continues

A very good story of families living during the war and the many things they went though in everyday life. I hope to read more from this Author.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liverpool Connection by Elisabeth Marrion Note: This is Book 2 in a trilogy, The Night I Danced with Rommelbeing Book 1. This book can be read as a stand alone.
The story starts in 1926 in Ireland. Annie and her friends feel they need to emigrate to England to find work and a better life. At age 16, she arrives in Liverpool and starts off with relatives. Pretty soon she has found a sweet beau. Marriage and children follow. As WWII erupts through Europe, Annie and her family and friends are tested in ways none of them had anticipated. This story is based on the actual lives of the author’s ancestors, which makes it that much more poignant.
I really enjoyed Book 1 in this series, but I think I enjoyed this one just a smidge more. Maybe that is because this book references Hilde’s life from Book 1 from time to time and I can clearly see the parallels between Annie and Hilde. For both of these books, I really appreciate how the author simply tells the tales of the ladies during WWII without relying on drama. Life was a handful to start with and it doesn’t need extra drama to validate the characters.
One of the things I learned from this book was that the Irish did not have to participate in WWII. However, several of Annie’s family and friends (Irish) living in England decide to join up with the English forces. This caused a lot of grief for Annie’s family and some felt this was betraying their heritage. And those that joined the service weren’t limited to just the men. In England during WWII, women were also drafted into war service. The author does a great job of showing how suddenly one’s life can change during this time period. One moment you’re getting dressed, making tea, planning to go to work at the clinic or local grocery and the next your answering the mail and realizing that you have to report to the military for uniforms and training.
I highly recommend this book, and series, to folks who want a realistic view of noncombatants during WWII. Everyone was affected and it’s great to have books like these to show more than just the great battles and espionage.
Narration: Nancy Peterson did another excellent job, putting on the perfect Irish lilt for Annie and her family. I was really impressed with her range of character voices and I loved how much of the book was performed in an Irish accent.

[ProofProfessor · Rating 1 out of 5]

*The author and the publisher (SilverWood) were both contacted before this review was posted, but neither responded.*
This is the second book by Elisabeth Marrion we have read and examined. Sadly, it contains even more errors of spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax than the first, including a very small sample as follows:
: “a weekly wage of … a week” (p74)
: “The German’s have given up” (p128)
: “A kind women came over” (p207)
: “For one, thing, we don’t have” (p93)
: A sentence beginning “Flo shrug her shoulders” (p96)
: “There is a war on McGreavy” (p183) – although it’s unclear what he has done wrong.
: The character “Karl-Heinz” becomes “Karl-Hein” (p230)
: “RAF Delting” (p112 et seq.) should be “RAF Detling”. If the author cannot remember the correct spelling all these years later, she could always check on the internet or in a book or at a library or a county council office or on a map.
: There are also instances where the page layout has gone wrong.
This book is well printed and bound (the ever-reliable Lightning Source UK) and nicely typeset (Sabon, with appropriate leading). It is not overlong, although there are 76 chapters, some taking up barely two pages, making the episodic, cross-cutting nature of the text feel perhaps a little too brutally divided.
It is always a shame when an author with a genuine personal story to tell is let down by the publisher and/or proofreader – or, most likely, does not employ one. One page alone has 7 mistakes. A list of all 196 corrections is available on request.

[Linda Root · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Elisabeth Marrion. Her The Night I Danced with Rommel is a prize. She writes from the experiences of her kinswomen, and this time, from across the Channel in England. There is something captivating in Marrion's style that makes what should be mundane experiences of rather ordinary women and their families and lovers become profoundly meaningful.

Last night when I finished the book i surprised myself by crying at the end, not because of its sadness, which was present, but because of the artistry of the ending. I find it every bit as captivating as The Night I Danced with Rommel. While my interest may have been sparked by my own childhood memories of growing up in Cleveland during WWII, these two novels serve as a meaningful reminder that not everyone involved in WWII was a Hitler or a Churchill or a Rommel, and that common people also paid the price and own a portion of the glory.It meshes nicely with The Night I Danced with Rommell but it also stands alone. This is not a book about WWII as much as it is a book about friendship and family and perseverance,and it targets a broad-based reader group.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this audiobook version of Liverpool connection very interesting and pleasent to listen to.
following the main characters on their journey from Ireland to Liverpool and then through the war years . I did find the ending/epiloge rather hurried and full of lots of explanations, as if it where a true story, but I wasn't under the impression that it was (maybe I'm wrong?)
I was puzzled about the sudden apearance of some characters in Germany , but later found out that they where a part of a previous book, not that this spoiled this story at all, and learning this, It made sense,actually I quite like the idea of three books being linked - but not a trilogy.
The narration was ok ,but in parts a little "flat" lacking sentiment/enthusiasm .

I recieved this audiobook free of charge , in return for an unbiased review.

[Judith Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been so looking forward to reading this second book from Elisabeth. Her first book "The Night I Danced With Rommel" gave us an insight into Hilde, and "Liverpool Connection" centres around Annie and the hardships a family face during wartime. I loved the way Hilde found a way into the story. (The German side of the story)

All the characters we can all relate to, and are so likeable, that I felt I knew them, and felt for them every step of the story. I especially loved Annie, Flo and Kieran.

I love the way Elisabeth writes, and it is a very easy read. I can see all the stories made into a movie. I look forward very much to reading her 3rd novel.

[D.J. Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having thoroughly enjoyed Ms Marrion's first novel, 'The Night I danced with Rommel', I was intrigued to see what, if any connection there would be between that and her latest, 'Liverpool Connection'. Well, indeed there is a clever connection and the second book is as well-written and as warm and heartrending as the first. The characters are sympathetically drawn and are wholly credible, and the period is re-created perfectly. The poverty, the struggle to survive and the ever-present danger will draw you in. This story is based on Ms Marrion's own family history and experiences, and, as such, is written with love. You will enjoy this book.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction and was excited to read Annie's Story. This is the second book in the trilogy and I couldn't help but to get excited to see where the story would go. I loved reading about Annie. Her story is one of love, tragedy and new beginnings. I felt that the author did a great job describing the times and helping to relate the characters to the readers. I loved the history behind this book and it was told in a way that captured my attention. The author captured the time period in a grand way and I loved how Annie was brave enough to venture out of her comfort zone. This is a great story and I can't wait for the 3rd book.

[Kirsty Cochrane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an honest and heart wrenching story of the trials and tribulations experienced by those during the war. The writing was detailed and the characters were real. I spent a good portion of this book on the verge of tears but it is not soppy.

I received the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the book was very poorly written and there was very little development of characters.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that LIVERPOOL CONNECTION by Elisabeth Marrion is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Rebecca Sanders]

Not a 3 and not a 4 - more like a 3.75