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The Strong Family Saga
Sisters at War
A moving wartime saga! For fans of Lorna Cook, Maeve Binchy, Freda Lightfoot and Dilly Court.
In the shadow of war, a young woman battles with her heart…
England, 1913
Eighteen-year-old Rose Strong has loved childhood friend Michael Redfern for as long as she can remember.
However, believing that Michael loves her beautiful but aloof younger sister, Delphi, Rose vows to keep her feelings hidden .
When war breaks out, Michael enlists , and Rose fears for his life as he heads to the trenches in France.
As the war rages on, Rose strikes up a friendship with Thom, a budding engineer. And when Thom’s feelings for her grow warmer, Rose must decide whether she is prepared to betray her heart .
And with Delphi joining the Women’s Legion while Rose remains at home, it seems Michael and Delphi may grow closer. But Delphi is harbouring a secret of her own…
Will Michael make it home safely? Is he destined to be with Delphi?
Or could Rose be the one to win his heart…?
SISTERS AT WAR is a breath-taking romantic saga set in England and France during World War I. It begins The Strong Family Historical Saga series.
Sisters at War was the winner of a Chill with a Book Readers’ Award.
‘a nicely told tale, giving an absorbing view of both sides of life in the war period’ – Discovering Diamonds Reviews
THE STRONG FAMILY HISTORICAL SAGA
Book Sisters at War
Book Resistance of Love
Book The Divided Heart
In the shadow of war, a young woman battles with her heart…
England, 1913
Eighteen-year-old Rose Strong has loved childhood friend Michael Redfern for as long as she can remember.
However, believing that Michael loves her beautiful but aloof younger sister, Delphi, Rose vows to keep her feelings hidden .
When war breaks out, Michael enlists , and Rose fears for his life as he heads to the trenches in France.
As the war rages on, Rose strikes up a friendship with Thom, a budding engineer. And when Thom’s feelings for her grow warmer, Rose must decide whether she is prepared to betray her heart .
And with Delphi joining the Women’s Legion while Rose remains at home, it seems Michael and Delphi may grow closer. But Delphi is harbouring a secret of her own…
Will Michael make it home safely? Is he destined to be with Delphi?
Or could Rose be the one to win his heart…?
SISTERS AT WAR is a breath-taking romantic saga set in England and France during World War I. It begins The Strong Family Historical Saga series.
Sisters at War was the winner of a Chill with a Book Readers’ Award.
‘a nicely told tale, giving an absorbing view of both sides of life in the war period’ – Discovering Diamonds Reviews
THE STRONG FAMILY HISTORICAL SAGA
Book Sisters at War
Book Resistance of Love
Book The Divided Heart
- GenresHistorical Fiction
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2021
8 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 30, 2022
Events have conspired to make it longer than I would have liked to finish this excellent series, I have not been disappointed in either the quality of the writing or the pace of the narrative. The three novels: Sisters at War, Resistance of Love and The Divided Heart are well worth buying as a box set, although I bought them singly. As a stickler for historical accuracy I found that Ms Rendle had done her homework and I could relax and enjoy the final instalment in this trilogy. Although it features a dual timeline I found the story easy to follow and because we all now know about the rise of Nazi Germany, felt anxious on Izzy’s behalf. Just to add one last thing: the books’ covers are exquisite.
July 28, 2021
1913 and as the threat of war increases, this story focuses on the Strong family. Eldest daughter Rose is about to leave to take up a place at Oxford, encouraged by her particularly enlightened parents who don’t see her sex as a barrier to learning – although gaining a degree wasn’t an option for women at that time. She’s particularly attracted to local boy Michael Redfern, but has given up any hopes for their future as he seems to only have eyes for her more flighty and self-obsessed sister Delphi – in fact, he’s apparently told Delphi he loves her, so any hopes she’s had have already been dashed. There’s much talk about war at the dining table, and their young son Hector can’t wait to sign up, although he’s too young to do so – when the local young men report at the recruiting station, he lies about his age and has to be snatched and returned home, although that proves to only be a temporary reprieve.
At first, the primary focus of the story is Rose herself, her relationship with her sister and family, her thwarted romance – and she’s an exceptionally likeable heroine, very well drawn, warm and intelligent, and her appeal only increases as the book progresses. But the focus moves to the arena of war – through Michael’s letters from the front, more graphic about the realities than those he can write to his family, and it’s a device the author uses particularly well. And then we have the opportunity to witness that reality – through Michael’s eyes, and through those of Delphi who joins the Women’s Auxiliary and has traumatic experiences of her own.
There was a great deal I enjoyed about this book, which balances perfectly the lives of the sisters and their romantic entanglements with the more harrowing and particularly moving wartime narrative. The author’s research was clearly thorough and extensive, and she uses it to recreate those wartime scenes with particular reality, and there were quite a few times when I really felt the fear of being under fire, crawling through the mud, wondering whether I’d live to see another day. She also portrays really well the intense friendships that develop in the face of such threat to life and safety, and every individual character is particularly well-drawn and developed.
On the research front, I will admit I was perhaps less keen on those earlier conversations around the dining table about the developing political situation – a touch heavy for me, although wholly understandable given Rose’s more serious interests and concerns, and her father’s investment in her education. As you might expect, I particularly enjoyed the romance – Delphi’s has quite a few surprises along the way and some real heartbreak, but Rose is the one who always particularly draws the eye and I found myself really invested in the possibility of her future happiness as she wrestled with the choice between the lovely (and very patient) Thom and Michael, the boy she’s known and loved since childhood.
The writing is excellent, with well-developed characterisation and capturing of the social history, the particularly vivid recreation of the wartime scenes, and I found the whole book a compelling read with a strong narrative drive and a fine emotional touch. Yes, I enjoyed this one – a great start to the ongoing series, and an author I’d certainly be very happy to read again.
At first, the primary focus of the story is Rose herself, her relationship with her sister and family, her thwarted romance – and she’s an exceptionally likeable heroine, very well drawn, warm and intelligent, and her appeal only increases as the book progresses. But the focus moves to the arena of war – through Michael’s letters from the front, more graphic about the realities than those he can write to his family, and it’s a device the author uses particularly well. And then we have the opportunity to witness that reality – through Michael’s eyes, and through those of Delphi who joins the Women’s Auxiliary and has traumatic experiences of her own.
There was a great deal I enjoyed about this book, which balances perfectly the lives of the sisters and their romantic entanglements with the more harrowing and particularly moving wartime narrative. The author’s research was clearly thorough and extensive, and she uses it to recreate those wartime scenes with particular reality, and there were quite a few times when I really felt the fear of being under fire, crawling through the mud, wondering whether I’d live to see another day. She also portrays really well the intense friendships that develop in the face of such threat to life and safety, and every individual character is particularly well-drawn and developed.
On the research front, I will admit I was perhaps less keen on those earlier conversations around the dining table about the developing political situation – a touch heavy for me, although wholly understandable given Rose’s more serious interests and concerns, and her father’s investment in her education. As you might expect, I particularly enjoyed the romance – Delphi’s has quite a few surprises along the way and some real heartbreak, but Rose is the one who always particularly draws the eye and I found myself really invested in the possibility of her future happiness as she wrestled with the choice between the lovely (and very patient) Thom and Michael, the boy she’s known and loved since childhood.
The writing is excellent, with well-developed characterisation and capturing of the social history, the particularly vivid recreation of the wartime scenes, and I found the whole book a compelling read with a strong narrative drive and a fine emotional touch. Yes, I enjoyed this one – a great start to the ongoing series, and an author I’d certainly be very happy to read again.
July 21, 2021
1913. The Strong family has four children - 18 year old Rose, about to head off to Oxford University, Delphi, who is vying with Rose for the attentions of local boy Michael Redfern, Hector, who although too young, is determined to join the army to defend his country during the threatened forthcoming conflict, and Izzy, the youngest, who doesn't really play much part in the story.
Rose is the central character of the story, although partway through the book the course of events turns attention to Delphi for a while. The story sees the family and their closest friends through the horrors of World War 1 and the relationships between Rose and Delphi, their parents and the men they meet.
The descriptions of life in the trenches are very vivid and in places extremely moving. They are mostly seen through Michael's eyes, in his letters home to Rose, showing a gritty reality that the media of the time would never have dared to.
I was particularly impressed with Mr Strong's relationships with his children, especially Rose, who was treated in just the same way that an eldest male child would have been, allowed the same freedom of thought, education and aspirations. It must have been still very unusual at the time for a father to be so involved in the raising of his children, and to do so in a fair and equitable way.
Enjoyable and illuminating, a really good read. Thank you to Sapere books for the opportunity to read it.
Rose is the central character of the story, although partway through the book the course of events turns attention to Delphi for a while. The story sees the family and their closest friends through the horrors of World War 1 and the relationships between Rose and Delphi, their parents and the men they meet.
The descriptions of life in the trenches are very vivid and in places extremely moving. They are mostly seen through Michael's eyes, in his letters home to Rose, showing a gritty reality that the media of the time would never have dared to.
I was particularly impressed with Mr Strong's relationships with his children, especially Rose, who was treated in just the same way that an eldest male child would have been, allowed the same freedom of thought, education and aspirations. It must have been still very unusual at the time for a father to be so involved in the raising of his children, and to do so in a fair and equitable way.
Enjoyable and illuminating, a really good read. Thank you to Sapere books for the opportunity to read it.
December 12, 2021
England, 1913 & the threat of war looms. Eighteen-year-old Rose Strong has loved childhood friend Michael Redfern for as long as she can remember. However, believing that Michael loves her beautiful, selfish younger sister, Delphi, Rose vows to keep her feelings hidden. When war breaks out, Michael enlists, and Rose fears for his life as he heads to the trenches in France. As the war rages on, Rose strikes up a friendship with Thom, a budding engineer. And when Thom’s feelings for her grow warmer, Rose must decide whether she is prepared to betray her heart. And with Delphi joining the Women’s Legion while Rose remains at home, it seems Michael and Delphi may grow closer.
This is the first book in the Strong family sagas & it made for an engrossing read, the author managed to convey the lead up to the war & then the horrors of the conflict. The characters are well portrayed & have depth, I really liked Rose but disliked Delphi at the beginning & couldn’t believe a sister could be so selfish & cruel, however I did begin to warm to Delphi the more I read. An interesting read & I’m looking forward to the rest of the saga
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the first book in the Strong family sagas & it made for an engrossing read, the author managed to convey the lead up to the war & then the horrors of the conflict. The characters are well portrayed & have depth, I really liked Rose but disliked Delphi at the beginning & couldn’t believe a sister could be so selfish & cruel, however I did begin to warm to Delphi the more I read. An interesting read & I’m looking forward to the rest of the saga
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 1, 2021
1913 – Despite the threat of war the Strong family are happy and contented, with eldest daughter Rose about to go to Oxford University. Rose is attracted to a local boy, Michael, who unfortunately appears only to have eyes for her beautiful but flighty sister Delphi. At first the war seems exciting, not expected to last for very long and Michael joins up asking Rose and Delphi to write to him. The letters from Michael give a graphic and harrowing view of the progression of the war, with Rose’s replies an antidote by relaying local news - a romance appears to develop but Rose cannot forget that Michael loves Delphi. An absorbing and fascinating read – the attraction for many of joining up to fight in the war, the progress of the war, the war work done by women, the status of higher education for women - all feature strongly showing how the family’s lives are transformed in many ways by the war, for better and for worse. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Sapere Books for a copy to review.
Thanks to Sapere Books for a copy to review.
July 21, 2021
Starting just before the First World War, the story tells of the Strong family and the events that happened in their lives, from the euphoria of joining up, to life in the trenches. Mr. Strong seemed to be quite progressive in that he believed all his children should have a good education and Rose, the eldest was was going to Oxford University. Delphi, the middle daughter, is flirtatious and selfish. I couldn’t get over how cruel she was to Rose. There are two other children, Hector and Izzy. This tells of their love life, their hopes and dreams. This was an interesting read that captured the experiences, feelings and social expectations of the time. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 4, 2021
I thought this was an interesting historical fiction about WWI. At first I was not sure I felt about the book but towards the end I started to really like it. This was a duel point of views between Rose and her sister Delphi and a family friend Michael. I thought Rose was a great character and I liked reading about how before the war she was going to college and learning a lot, but then when the war hits she goes back home and tries to help. Then we have Delphi who at first I did not like. She was the middle child who just wants a husband and tries to steal Michael from her sister Rose. As the book goes on she gets better once she joins the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. I liked how this story ends and can not wait to read more from Ros Rendle.
July 18, 2021
I received this book via Sapere Publishers.
This book centres on a woman and her family during WWI. It includes many facts of the war that I did not know and it was refreshing to read a book that wasn’t about WWII. The story moves along smoothly and we travel from England to France and back with alternating chapters. Different characters narrate the chapters, giving us insight on all of them.
The book gives us insight into what the soldiers endured and also how their loved ones at home coped while they were gone. I would call this a romance novel which is staid due to the era of the book. A good read.
This book centres on a woman and her family during WWI. It includes many facts of the war that I did not know and it was refreshing to read a book that wasn’t about WWII. The story moves along smoothly and we travel from England to France and back with alternating chapters. Different characters narrate the chapters, giving us insight on all of them.
The book gives us insight into what the soldiers endured and also how their loved ones at home coped while they were gone. I would call this a romance novel which is staid due to the era of the book. A good read.
November 3, 2021
This is the first book in the Strong Family Historical sagas and tells the tale of the lives and loves of three sisters before and during WW1.
I enjoyed this story. I liked how it was told with some straightforward narrative and the inclusion of letters written from the Front. It seemed well researched and gave a good insight into life at home as well as at war. I liked the characters, particularly Rose and Delphi. They were realistic and believable but at the same time totally different from each other. An engaging and interesting read and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I enjoyed this story. I liked how it was told with some straightforward narrative and the inclusion of letters written from the Front. It seemed well researched and gave a good insight into life at home as well as at war. I liked the characters, particularly Rose and Delphi. They were realistic and believable but at the same time totally different from each other. An engaging and interesting read and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
June 23, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about the Strong Family before and during the First World War. The book is well researched and well written. The characters develop well as they grapple with the life-changing circumstances in front of them. The story flows well and the quality of the historical research is excellent. The reader is led into the horrors of the First World War, with its tragedies and heartaches, but there are also shafts of happiness and redemption for some of the characters. Well worth reading.
August 7, 2021
What a plethora of emotions Ros Rendle takes us through over the course of this book. We didn't just experience WW1 from the viewpoint of those left at home but were taken to the trenches to see some of the horrors that occurred there. Well-researched and well-handled too was the way the characters evolved over five years. I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series.
July 16, 2021
A compelling and beautiful family saga. This book is so well researched and the writing is excellent. I found it absorbing and informative with well-rounded characters and a great storyline. Well deserved 5 stars.
July 20, 2021
This was a nice story set during the early days of WW1. I wasn’t expecting a book set during the war but it ended up being ok.It ended kinda quick so I am looking forward to the next one.
Thanks to Sapere for the copy
Thanks to Sapere for the copy
August 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this historical romance story set in WWI. The characters are well-depicted and the storyline is well-written and intriguing. There was obviously a lot of research into the era which made this book enjoyable.
I read and reviewed this book from Sapere with no obligation.
I read and reviewed this book from Sapere with no obligation.
October 20, 2021
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. The writing is engaging, with interesting and well-balanced characters. It's gentle, but at the same time conveys some of the horrors of WW1 with empathy and realism. My thanks to Sapere Books for the opportunity to read it.
February 7, 2022
An interesting perspective leading up to, during, and after World War I from a woman's perspective. The characters were easy to like and empathize with. The story seemed to fly by, making it hard to put down.
December 31, 2021
I enjoyed this very much. Just the right amount of historical detail and a lovely romance intertwined with it. Social issues of the day dealt with sympathetically. Recommended.
September 9, 2021
A book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The research behind it is evident and the story captivating. It's my first by the author but it won't be the last! I've already downloaded the second in the series and the third is on pre-order. Very recommended.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews