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Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we've teamed up with Rachel's Random Resources to bring you a new release via Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus books. It's a Historical Fiction novel that takes you in, heart and soul, making you a part of the story for better, or worse. The moment you begin, you won't be able to stop turning pages, or rather flicking epages, as you're engrossed in the lives of a family, a neighborhood, a country as it's torn apart by war and slowly put back together again. Ladies and gents, today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...
The Woman with the Map
by
Jan Casey
Aria
About the book...
February 1941
The world is at war and Joyce Cooper is doing her bit for the war effort. A proud member of the Civil Defence, it is her job to assist the people of Notting Hill when the bombs begin to fall. But as the Blitz takes hold of London, Joyce is called upon to plot the devastation that follows in its wake. Night after night she must stand before her map and mark the trail of loss and suffering inflicted upon the homes, families and businesses she knows so well.
February 1974
Decades later from her basement flat Joyce watches the world go by above her head. This is her haven; the home she has created for herself having had so much taken from her in the war. But now the council is tearing down her block of flats and she's being forced to move. Could this chance to start over allow Joyce to let go of the past and step back into her life? An emotional and compelling historical fiction novel perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Mandy Robotham and Catherine Hokin.
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I've thoroughly enjoyed my fair share of Historical Fiction titles, but this one falls distinctly in the category of LOVED.
I felt like we truly were a part of Joyce's family, as if she, or a family member, would pop through the doorway and say "Gina, love...where are you off to today" at a moment's notice. I could feel the intensity of the moments as the war drew its dark cloak around them, and the dedication they showed to their duties not only for their community, but their own peace of mind. I mourned for the lives lost of those we barely knew, and those we knew all too well. When Joy and Flo didn't see eye to eye, it felt like we were a third sibling unsure where to throw our loyalties...though I must admit, I stood firmly with Joyce on the whole Vernon issue. When there were moments to celebrate, no matter how small, they felt bright and picture perfect. You could feel the mirth in their midst, the come togetherness making things that much more memorable to help bring a drop of joy to the even darker days ahead.
To think that things like this actually came to pass...uncertainty of your next hour, let alone future; day after day of death and despair; stolen moments turn lifetime memories...and sadly still do, was heart wrenching...but the author wove her spell around us so well that we could see the beauty through the tragedy. The celebrations that happened in spite of it all. The ultimate triumph at the end of so many years of loss. The ability to hang on to ones humanity in the face of true evil. We also see the effects of such loss on the heart, and how it can inadvertently have us drawing into our own protective shells, as it were...and how the kindness of a few strangers reaching out a helping hand can truly propel us towards finding ourselves once again.
That's what this book is truly about. It's one woman's journey through heck and back as she touches so many lives, and is in turn touched by them. It's about how even the most open of hearts can build a wall of protection, and sometimes we need help to tear it back down again. It was a pleasure getting to know Joyce, as well as her friends, family, and fellow colleagues, in both times of joy and times of pain because we know full well the strength of the human heart to pull us through, and the power of love to mend it all again.
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About the author...
Jan Casey's novels, like her first-The Women of Waterloo Bridge-explore the themes of how ordinary people are affected by extraordinary events during any period in history, including the present. Jan is fascinated with the courage, adaptability and resilience that people rise to in times of adversity and for which they do not expect pay, praise or commendation. Jan is also interested inwriting about the similarities as opposed to the differences amongst people and the ways in which experiences and emotions bind humans together.
Jan was born in London but spent her childhood in Southern California. She was a teacher of English and Drama for many years and is now a Learning Supervisor at a college of further education.
When she is not working or writing, Jan enjoys yoga, swimming, cooking, walking, reading and spending time with her grandchildren.
Before becoming a published author, Jan had short stories and flash fictions published. Social Media
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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
2 comments:
Hmm!WW2, London, the blitz ... Whist everything that was said about 1941 in the synopsis had me thinking here we go again. It was that events then took us to the 1970's that captured my attention.
Great review, it really was a game changer for me. Made me think that what could have been a somewhat dull, generic read could be a book full of heart after all.
Oh it was! It had so much heart!
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