The Storms of War by Kate Williams

The Storms of War by Kate Williams

If you loved Downton Abby you will love this book. It is  the family story of an upper-class family in early 20th century
The family buys a grand house in the English countryside in the early 1900s and wishes above all  to fit in with the  local gentry and be honored and respected by the nearby village.
The encounter a problem. Although the mother Veronique has a good English background, the father of the family, Rudolph is German and as such, they have relatives and close ties with Germany.
Just as they seem to become established and prospering, the first World War in 1914 breaks out and with it come many changes in lifestyle and  their once comfortable situation.The elder boy goes to live in Paris, the younger son volunteers for the army and both girls in their teenage years, are left to sort out the rest of the family problems.

An interesting historical novel of a time of many changes.

This is the first book of a trilogy

Longbourne, a romantic novel.

Longbourne by Jo Baker

This book might also appeal to "Downton fans.

If you like the story behind Jane Austen”s “Pride and Prejudice” of the romance and lavish lifestyle of the upper class of English society you might be interested in reading this book. 

The style of writing is not like Jane Austen’s. It is much easier to read and understand but it does have a similar pattern of love and romance as the story line.

Longbourne is the home of the Bennet family of Jane Austen’s book and in this new book the author goes “below stairs” to tell the story of the servants and in particular the experiences and romance of the servant girl Sarah. It shows a great contrast to the romance of the gentry upstairs as does the lifestyle of each.

This was light and easy reading and would appeal to readers who like social histories with romantic interest.

TRIVIA answers from last blog.
John Lennon
Marilyn Monroe
Fish