Julia's Way

by Elizabeth Lord

Richly detailed historical fiction set in 1920s London - London , 1921 . Middle-class Julia Longfield looks forward to marrying Chester Morrison whom, her father assures her, is an excellent match. But when Mr Longfield dies suddenly, leaving them in poverty, Julia is jilted by Chester. She meets Simon Layzell, owner of a fabric shop, and they decide to go into business. Determined to fight for her family, Julia seizes this opportunity for a new future.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

First published with short stories, went on to writing novels, family sagas and historicals around 1980s. First novel published by Piatkus, London, in 1992. Since then there has been 22 novels published with one in the pipeline and one with my publishers Severn House.
You can check out my books avaialable on Audios and CDs

Reviews

[Sharen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julia has to find her way in the world after her father's untimely death and bankruptcy. Her mother is critical and impossible to please. One of her sisters is jealous and spoiled and her younger brother feels resentful. Thankfully, she has one pleasant and caring younger sister, and Simon, her soulmate, to help her cope with life in the 1920s.

[Lynnette Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julia's Way by Elizabeth Lord - Reviewed
Julia's Way

British author Elizabeth Lord gives us a story of courage and fortitude in Julia’s Way, one of the nine novels she’s had published by Severn House. Julia and her story can at times be both charming and repellant. It is also rich in detail and an outstanding historical adventure.

Julia has grown up comfortably in London on the outskirts of the East End. It’s 1921 and Julia is about to be engaged. She’s not sure she loves Chester but knows he’ll provide a good life. Then her father suddenly dies leaving the family in poverty and Julia finds out who her friends are and are not including her fiancé who is no longer interested in marriage to Julia.

The family is forced to move to a more ‘affordable’ neighborhood where they meet Simon Layzell. Between her mother’s fragility and grief Julia must now take care of not only her siblings and mother but also find enough income for the family to survive. She and Simon go into partnership building a humble little shop into a hugely successful design house. But when the stock market crashes will Julia and Simon be able to maintain the business and life they have come to enjoy?

Elizabeth Lord conveys the story of Julia in a manner that flows naturally with details both accurate for the time frame and vivid in the telling. As we turn the pages we can feel not only Julia’s frustration and determination but also the jubilation that comes with her success and the fear of destruction by circumstances beyond her control.

[Rosemary Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

good historical background

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is boring, boring, boring. Too many books on my nightstand waiting to be read to waste time finishing this one.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fast weekend read about a family during the 1920's. Most of the characters you just wanted to smack up the side of the head.