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The Royal Station Masters Daughters #1
The Royal Station Master's Daughters
A heartwarming and dramatic World War I saga of secrets, love and the British royal family for readers of Daisy Styles and Maisie Thomas.
'A heartwarming historical novel' Rosie Goodwin
'A gripping historical saga' Daisy Styles
Roll out the red carpet. The royal train is due in half an hour and there's not a minute to be wasted.
It's 1915 and the country is at war. In the small Norfolk village of Wolferton, uncertainty plagues the daily lives of sisters Ada, Jessie and Beatrice Saward, as their men are dispatched to the frontlines of Gallipoli.
Harry, their father, is the station master at the local stop for the royal Sandringham Estate. With members of the royal family and their aristocratic guests passing through the station on their way to the palace, the Sawards' unique position gives them unrivalled access to the monarchy.
But when the Sawards' estranged and impoverished cousin Maria shows up out of the blue, everything the sisters thought they knew about their family is thrown into doubt.
The Royal Station Master's Daughters is the first book in a brand-new World War I saga series, inspired by the Saward family, who ran the station at Wolferton in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Through this history-making family we get a glimpse into all walks of life - from glittering royalty to the humblest of servants.
Don't miss the second book in the series, The Royal Station Master's Daughters at War , coming in 2022. Pre-order now.
'Anyone who reads romantic fiction in a historical setting should love [ The Royal Station Master's Daughters ] but for anyone who knows Sandringham it really does evoke something of the place and life on the estate' Neil Storey, WWI historian
'A heartwarming historical novel' Rosie Goodwin
'A gripping historical saga' Daisy Styles
Roll out the red carpet. The royal train is due in half an hour and there's not a minute to be wasted.
It's 1915 and the country is at war. In the small Norfolk village of Wolferton, uncertainty plagues the daily lives of sisters Ada, Jessie and Beatrice Saward, as their men are dispatched to the frontlines of Gallipoli.
Harry, their father, is the station master at the local stop for the royal Sandringham Estate. With members of the royal family and their aristocratic guests passing through the station on their way to the palace, the Sawards' unique position gives them unrivalled access to the monarchy.
But when the Sawards' estranged and impoverished cousin Maria shows up out of the blue, everything the sisters thought they knew about their family is thrown into doubt.
The Royal Station Master's Daughters is the first book in a brand-new World War I saga series, inspired by the Saward family, who ran the station at Wolferton in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Through this history-making family we get a glimpse into all walks of life - from glittering royalty to the humblest of servants.
Don't miss the second book in the series, The Royal Station Master's Daughters at War , coming in 2022. Pre-order now.
'Anyone who reads romantic fiction in a historical setting should love [ The Royal Station Master's Daughters ] but for anyone who knows Sandringham it really does evoke something of the place and life on the estate' Neil Storey, WWI historian
- GenresHistorical Fiction
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2021
24 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 10, 2021
The year is 1915 at Wolferton Station, The royal station master Harry Saward and his wife Sarah have three daughters, Beatrice, Jessie and Ada, rolling out the red carpet for the king Edward VII on his way to Sandringham. Jessie is excited for Jack Hawkins the kings messenger who she only has eyes for will he notice and speak to her? then two unexpected visitors arrive seeking help and Maria Saward and her mother Ruth are homeless relatives but nothing alike Maria stays with them while her mother moves onto Doncaster, War is well and truly on going and men are sent away to fight, but they still have to keep up the work at the station. this is a beautiful read that doesn't have it ups and downs along the way for the family and their friends and neighbours. I loved it and it will touch you as you keep reading, such a remarkable story right up to the end of the war years as we learn if all the men make it back home to Wolferton. 5***** from me and more a happy Booklover.
July 25, 2023
The Royal Station Master's Daughters is the first book in a proposed trilogy, based in the Norfolk village of Wolferton, just a couple of miles from the royal family’s country residence at Sandringham. Wolferton was the nearest railway station, and until it was closed in 1969 it was used regularly by members of the Royal Family.
The royal patronage of the station meant that the role of the station master became quite significant and this book is based on the real life story of Harry Seward and his family. The author met Harry’s great-grandson and the stories he told, led directly to the writing of this series of books.
The story itself is very much as expected for a book in this genre. It is 1915 and we meet Harry, his wife Sarah and their three daughters, Beatrice, Jessie and Ada. Daily life is quite genteel and comfortable, despite it being wartime, though thoughts are constantly with the troops as Beatrice’s sweetheart and Ada’s husband are both amongst the local men away fighting. When two unexpected visitors arrive at Wolferton, life will change for the Sewards – will Maria find a welcome from her Seward relatives or bring shame to the family?
The research that has gone into the book is impeccable – it is apparent that the author has woven fact & fiction together seamlessly and it really adds interest to the story.
Ultimately this is a story of family, of community, of the women stepping up to keep life going when the men went off to war. I look forward to discovering more about the family as the war progresses – will Jessie find love? Will Ada’s husband return safely from the front? Will Beatrice recover from the loss of her sweetheart? Will Maria stay in Wolferton?
The royal patronage of the station meant that the role of the station master became quite significant and this book is based on the real life story of Harry Seward and his family. The author met Harry’s great-grandson and the stories he told, led directly to the writing of this series of books.
The story itself is very much as expected for a book in this genre. It is 1915 and we meet Harry, his wife Sarah and their three daughters, Beatrice, Jessie and Ada. Daily life is quite genteel and comfortable, despite it being wartime, though thoughts are constantly with the troops as Beatrice’s sweetheart and Ada’s husband are both amongst the local men away fighting. When two unexpected visitors arrive at Wolferton, life will change for the Sewards – will Maria find a welcome from her Seward relatives or bring shame to the family?
The research that has gone into the book is impeccable – it is apparent that the author has woven fact & fiction together seamlessly and it really adds interest to the story.
Ultimately this is a story of family, of community, of the women stepping up to keep life going when the men went off to war. I look forward to discovering more about the family as the war progresses – will Jessie find love? Will Ada’s husband return safely from the front? Will Beatrice recover from the loss of her sweetheart? Will Maria stay in Wolferton?
June 25, 2022
In this first book of a proposed historical trilogy we meet the Saward family who live in the Station Master's house at Wolferton railway station. This is no ordinary place to live and the station master's daughters, Ada, Jessie and Beatrice are well used to seeing members of the royal family alight at the tiny station on their way to their country home at Sandringham.
The girls live something of a genteel life, their place in the village is comfortable, and their mother and father are well respected. However, in the summer of 1915, their lives are about to be changed when an unwelcome guest arrives to disturb this settled way of life. Add into the mix the continuation of the First World War and the catastrophic effect this will have on the local community and you have all the right ingredients for an interesting historical saga. I enjoyed getting to know the villagers who make the hamlet of Wolferton their home, some are more likeable than others, which adds an interesting dynamic.
The Royal Station Master's Daughters is a lovely start to the trilogy and brings both time and place alive so that anyone who enjoys this genre of historical fiction will have great pleasure in learning about the way of life in Wolferton in 1915. Parts of the story are based on the real life Saward family who lived in the Station Master's house and although the events in this story are fictional by using the details of those who actually lived during this time in history helps to create a good sense of authenticity.
January 19, 2023
Historical fiction from 1915 during the war years. Wolferton Station is where the Royal family end their rail journey when visiting their country estate at Sandringham. It is a small station which is also. used by the local community and the soldiers who are embarking on their journey to fight in the war. The book gives an insight in what should be a peaceful community but nothing is what it seems and troubles brew for the Station Master and his family. A lovely read which makes me eager to read the next in the trilogy.
February 28, 2023
I can’t believe I’ve had this book on my kindle in my to read pile since 2021. I am so glad I noticed it I absolutely loved it. I was first drawn to it as I’ve been to this part of the country many times with my parents as a child and loved reading about places I knew. It is so well written you get drawn into the Saward’s family straight away and poor Maria has had such a hard life. I’m so happy to be able to catch up with them all again soon in book two of this series. Well done Ellee
April 26, 2024
Let me start off by saying that never in a million years did I ever think I would be this invested in a Family Saga. I will be honest and say that the historical element was what first caught my attention but the storyline completely sucked me in.
I was lucky enough to be able to read all 3 of the books in the trilogy and I am so glad I did! While each book could be read as a stand alone the story honestly became that much more enriched with all 3 books read.
The story of these 4 war time girls is so full of love and loss, heartbreak and uncertainty, it’s everything you could expect from a war time saga but just that much more captivating. I was so invested in each daughter’s story, there were tears shed both happy and sad and once I had finished this book I needed to know more!
This was honestly just a wholesome read, it was straight forward no nonsense, Ellee did such a brilliant job with character development, she didn’t draw out any of the sub plots and I can honestly say this book scratched a very serious itch on my brain! There was a really great mix of drama both in and outside of the family as well as some big wins and some really happy times.
I highly recommend The Royal Station Masters Daughters if you’re looking for something that is wholesome and light hearted yet tugs on a few of those heart strings.
I was lucky enough to be able to read all 3 of the books in the trilogy and I am so glad I did! While each book could be read as a stand alone the story honestly became that much more enriched with all 3 books read.
The story of these 4 war time girls is so full of love and loss, heartbreak and uncertainty, it’s everything you could expect from a war time saga but just that much more captivating. I was so invested in each daughter’s story, there were tears shed both happy and sad and once I had finished this book I needed to know more!
This was honestly just a wholesome read, it was straight forward no nonsense, Ellee did such a brilliant job with character development, she didn’t draw out any of the sub plots and I can honestly say this book scratched a very serious itch on my brain! There was a really great mix of drama both in and outside of the family as well as some big wins and some really happy times.
I highly recommend The Royal Station Masters Daughters if you’re looking for something that is wholesome and light hearted yet tugs on a few of those heart strings.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews