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Keep the Home Fires Burning #1b
A Woman's Work...
In Britain's darkest hour, an extraordinary community of women strives to protect the Home Front. When an plane crashes in the village, every one of their lives will change forever . . .
PART TWO in a brand new FOUR-PART ebook serial from the creator of ITV's smash hit series, Home Fires. The story continues . . . The women of Great Paxford are no strangers to hardship, but as the war progresses they encounter challenges they never imagined. Pat Simms found a moment of happiness, but her husband's scheming brought that to an end. Yet Pat can't help but hope for another chance. Teresa thought all her troubles would disappear when she married Nick, but chance encounters with a young pilot leave her torn and conflicted. Still reeling from the death of her husband, Frances Barden worries she's made the wrong choice in sending her young ward away. Anything could happen to a boy at war time . . . And all the while the Campbell family struggle to hold their family together as illness takes a toll. Don't miss a minute of this enthralling new series. Keep the Home Fires Burning - Part One: Spitfire Down! is available now. Search 9781785763564. Ready for the next instalment? Keep the Home Fires Burning - Part Three: Strangers Amongst Us is out now! Search 9781785763588. Perfect for fans of Call the Midwife, Granchester and Foyles War. If you adore the novels of Nadine Dorries, Diney Costello and Daisy Styles then this is an unmissable series for you.
PART TWO in a brand new FOUR-PART ebook serial from the creator of ITV's smash hit series, Home Fires. The story continues . . . The women of Great Paxford are no strangers to hardship, but as the war progresses they encounter challenges they never imagined. Pat Simms found a moment of happiness, but her husband's scheming brought that to an end. Yet Pat can't help but hope for another chance. Teresa thought all her troubles would disappear when she married Nick, but chance encounters with a young pilot leave her torn and conflicted. Still reeling from the death of her husband, Frances Barden worries she's made the wrong choice in sending her young ward away. Anything could happen to a boy at war time . . . And all the while the Campbell family struggle to hold their family together as illness takes a toll. Don't miss a minute of this enthralling new series. Keep the Home Fires Burning - Part One: Spitfire Down! is available now. Search 9781785763564. Ready for the next instalment? Keep the Home Fires Burning - Part Three: Strangers Amongst Us is out now! Search 9781785763588. Perfect for fans of Call the Midwife, Granchester and Foyles War. If you adore the novels of Nadine Dorries, Diney Costello and Daisy Styles then this is an unmissable series for you.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2018
440 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
S. Block
12 books109 followersSimon Block is a Screenwriter, producer and Writer best known for his work on The Physician as a key writer. Block is also known for his work on the Julie Summers inspired ITV series Home Fires as the main writer. Block wrote the first episode of Series 1 of the show alongside Julie Summers who inspired the show with her book, however following the first episode Block became the main writer writing 10 Episodes to date. Block has also worked on popular Television shows such as Hotel Babylon being a recurring writer with his writing credits appearing Series 3 Episode 1, Series 2 Episode 8 and Series 2 Episode 2. During 2015 Block wrote three episode for the TV Series A.D. The Bible Continues writing "The Tomb Is Open", "The Body Is Gone" and "The Spirit Arrives".
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 18, 2018
Enjoying this series. I was completely gutted when the tv show was cancelled so it's nice to be able to catch up with all the people we loved on the screen.
December 21, 2023
4.25⭐
September 8, 2017
PBS aired the series Home Fires for two seasons, and the second season ended with a cliffhanger: a Spitfire crash landing in a small English village. Unfortunately, Home Fires' original production company decided not to renew the series, and thus the series ended with none of its major plot lines wrapped up.
The scriptwriter was kind enough to give fans an ending, even if it will never be filmed. These novellas (there will be four in all) are based on the plan the writers' had to finish the series.
Don't pick them up at all if you haven't watched Home Fires. It will make no sense.
If you watched the series and enjoyed it, you'll enjoy these as well.
They are not great literature, as there's waaaaaay too much direct telling what everyone thinks and feels, rather than showing how they are feeling or thinking by their actions, but they get the job done. I didn't pick them up for a literary revelation, I picked them up because I want to know what happens to the characters I came to care about in the TV show.
I'm glad to say that this second entry confirmed my suspicions about what Pat was going to do (Although, she MUST realize that everyone will know it's her when it's published, right? Even published anonymously, she's giving way too much detail for anyone to not know it's her), and I hope it brings her a happy ending.
The second entry also brings more news about Frances, Teresa, Alison, Erica, and more.
I'm looking forward to the release of the third entry in late September.
*adult situations
The scriptwriter was kind enough to give fans an ending, even if it will never be filmed. These novellas (there will be four in all) are based on the plan the writers' had to finish the series.
Don't pick them up at all if you haven't watched Home Fires. It will make no sense.
If you watched the series and enjoyed it, you'll enjoy these as well.
They are not great literature, as there's waaaaaay too much direct telling what everyone thinks and feels, rather than showing how they are feeling or thinking by their actions, but they get the job done. I didn't pick them up for a literary revelation, I picked them up because I want to know what happens to the characters I came to care about in the TV show.
I'm glad to say that this second entry confirmed my suspicions about what Pat was going to do (Although, she MUST realize that everyone will know it's her when it's published, right? Even published anonymously, she's giving way too much detail for anyone to not know it's her), and I hope it brings her a happy ending.
The second entry also brings more news about Frances, Teresa, Alison, Erica, and more.
I'm looking forward to the release of the third entry in late September.
*adult situations
March 29, 2020
These are every bit as good as the television show.
December 11, 2023
Again, this novella progresses the story from the canceled show; however, it ends with yet more cliffhangers!
May 10, 2018
Still rolling through Great Paxford...
One thing I most appreciate are Pat's thoughts about some of her fellow white villagers, how she's ashamed they could be at war with (and appalled by) fascist Germany but still discriminate against black and Chinese people right in their village.
(Nice point Frances makes too, about how someone can be so quick to think being black makes a person a dangerous "savage," while Hitler's having bombs dropped on civilians across Europe.)
One thing that concerns me most, though, is about Pat. She has a compelling breakthrough at the end of the television show. But in the novel so far, it's almost as if that breakthrough didn't happen--as if her character has been stunted or reversed to keep her stuck in the same dilemma. To me, that area of conflict, and the way Pat continues to take it, has gotten old.
Still, I'm enjoying the reading overall and could say more about different characters, but I'll just go on to Part Three...
One thing I most appreciate are Pat's thoughts about some of her fellow white villagers, how she's ashamed they could be at war with (and appalled by) fascist Germany but still discriminate against black and Chinese people right in their village.
(Nice point Frances makes too, about how someone can be so quick to think being black makes a person a dangerous "savage," while Hitler's having bombs dropped on civilians across Europe.)
One thing that concerns me most, though, is about Pat. She has a compelling breakthrough at the end of the television show. But in the novel so far, it's almost as if that breakthrough didn't happen--as if her character has been stunted or reversed to keep her stuck in the same dilemma. To me, that area of conflict, and the way Pat continues to take it, has gotten old.
Still, I'm enjoying the reading overall and could say more about different characters, but I'll just go on to Part Three...
August 28, 2017
Part II As Good As The First
I could not wait for Simon Block to release his novelization of season 3 of "Home Fires" so I'm reading it in installments and savoring every scene. He visits each of the main characters who live in Great Paxton (except Steph -- what's up with that?), continuing their trials and tribulations during WW II and introducing new characters who show the true colors of the residents. I can hardly wait for Part III to arrive!
I could not wait for Simon Block to release his novelization of season 3 of "Home Fires" so I'm reading it in installments and savoring every scene. He visits each of the main characters who live in Great Paxton (except Steph -- what's up with that?), continuing their trials and tribulations during WW II and introducing new characters who show the true colors of the residents. I can hardly wait for Part III to arrive!
September 18, 2017
The story continues on in book two. Teresa is trying to find happiness in her marriage, and does seem to care for Nick, despite the fact that she is denying who she truly is. Dr. Campbell's prognosis makes a turn for the worse, and his family must come to accept what is happening. Pat also finds a possible reason for hope at the end of the book. I just hope that there is some happiness for her, even if it is just being able to leave her disgusting waste of a husband.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2018
The continuing saga of the residents of a rural English village during the bombing attacks on England by the advancing Nazi's , particularly the women of the WI. A good story, good writing and a great tale in four parts. I cant get enough and hate knowing after the Book Three there is only one left.
I recommend - an easy and quick good read.
I highly recommend this series also resent having to write this review with an assigned minimum of words.
I recommend - an easy and quick good read.
I highly recommend this series also resent having to write this review with an assigned minimum of words.
August 30, 2017
Please Don't Stop!
Loved the second installment! I sincerely hope the series continues beyond the 4 parts planned. I would love to keep reading about these characters throughout the War and beyond.
Loved the second installment! I sincerely hope the series continues beyond the 4 parts planned. I would love to keep reading about these characters throughout the War and beyond.
September 1, 2017
Loved this second installment as much as the first. Would love to see it continue through the end of the war.
As much as I loved the television series I think the books are even better because it provides greater understanding of what motivates the characters.
As much as I loved the television series I think the books are even better because it provides greater understanding of what motivates the characters.
August 29, 2017
Section two of the Home Fires book, which gives us more information on how Erica and Will are fairing (or not), Frances angst about sending Noah off to boarding school, and Pat's dilemma about how to handle living with her husband in Joyce's house. Concluded with small cliff hangers. Fun.
September 4, 2017
Another good installment in the series. Of course, ended with a cliffhanger- keep us coming back for more.
September 7, 2017
Looking forward to the next installment! 😊👍
September 20, 2017
Part two
Very interesting good book. Cant put these books doen until I have read it all. Wished they had not cancelled the tv program.
Very interesting good book. Cant put these books doen until I have read it all. Wished they had not cancelled the tv program.
October 12, 2017
A very fine book and continuation of the Home Fires series. The characters are insightfully portrayed.
October 28, 2017
I am enjoying this series, very light, and very fun. This is a book about relationships: husband and wife, friends, adult and child, and spouses and possible affairs. The story progresses.
February 3, 2018
Book 2 of the series. These books are a continuation of the "Home Fires" series that was on PBS in 2015...very good.
February 21, 2018
I love the characters in the Home Fires series. I can’t wait till Oct. 2018, when the next book comes out!
March 25, 2018
These women are fierce and don't let the war bend them, but make them stronger to keep their loved ones and village up. Can't wait to read the next one, and hopefully have the TV series resumed.
May 8, 2018
It is incredibly satisfying to be able to continue along with our beloved characters. I can hear the actors' unique portrayals in my mind. These books are written in their voices.
May 28, 2018
Still interested in these characters, although I could do without all of Teresa’s thoughts.
June 6, 2020
I rate this book (short story?) 3 of 5 — GOOD.
April 11, 2021
I loved the show and books
I could really imagine what was going on in the story.. I was so sad when the show ended. I recommend to anyone who loved the show.
I could really imagine what was going on in the story.. I was so sad when the show ended. I recommend to anyone who loved the show.
August 10, 2021
Great review of the TV series with some expansion added on. Would love to read this to the war's completion.
June 15, 2022
Story #2 in "Keep Home Fires Burning." There are 4 stories in Home Fires Burning. This makes it very confusing to figure out what order to read the series in.
March 31, 2024
Closer to 2.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews