As war approaches in 1939, Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Abby … becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.
Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?
Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the US Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?
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Pat Jeanne Davis has written a well-researched story with vivid settings and memorable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed When Valleys Bloom Again and recommend it to lovers of historical fiction. To anyone who has yet to discover the pleasure to be found in historical fiction, this novel would be a good place to start.
This is a riveting World War II story that takes the reader back in time to a historic and horrific era. Abby Stapleton leaves her home in London to reside in the United States at the insistence of her father, who sees the dangers of impending war in Europe. She falls in love with Jim, an employee on her aunt and uncle’s estate, who is drafted into the U.S. Army and is sent to the battlefront. While Jim faces the peril of possible death, Abby is threatened with the loss of everything dear to her by a scheming suitor she rejects.
This novel delves deep into the hearts of those who endured World War II, both the horrors of battle and the interminable waiting of those at home who longed for word from their loved ones. The story is authenticated by the author’s research, which enabled her to reconstruct the fears, doubts, homesickness, and faith of a soldier in combat.
Pat Jeanne Davis also portrays well the restrictions imposed on civilians during this war-time era. Her use of descriptive detail revealed some facts about this period in history that were new to me and brought to light the destructive aftermath of an enemy attack. Her strong characterization provided a basis for tension and a triumph of good over evil achieved through faith, courage, loyalty, and love.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-researched story set during World War II with the elements of intrigue, romance, tension, and strong characterization. Some lapses in time jolted me out of the story a bit, but not enough to distract me from the overall flow of the novel.
I received a complimentary copy of When Valleys Bloom Again and have provided an honest review based on my reading experience, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
When Valleys Bloom Again is a delightful tale of espionage, deceit, faith, and love set in America and England during World War 2. The author has created great characters I would love to spend more time with, particularly in Abby and Jim, who, despite the circumstances, persevered in their love for each other and their faith that God would work things out somehow. Readers of historical romance and World War 2 fiction will appreciate the historical accuracy of this story, and anybody looking for a happily-ever-after will cheer for our lovebirds.
From: Donna Schlachter, author of Double Jeopardy and Detours of the Heart (MissAdventure Brides Romance Collection)
This is an honest review, in my own words. I received a free print copy of the book from the author
When Valleys Bloom Again is a charming debut novel that explores the impact of WWII on people across the globe. Through evocative description the reader is immersed in the dust and rubble of London, the dearth and rationing of America, and the fear and loss of the soldiers. I struggled a bit to relate to Abby, but that is probably because she is significantly younger than me. Her world has turned upside down several times through events that are out of her control. Her emotions in response to the changes and upheaval in her life are realistic, including the times she is somewhat immature. She has been protected and provided for all her life, so when she is thrown into the harsh day-to-day ugliness of war and its affects, she is ill-prepared. She learns as the war progresses, and matures and grows as the story progresses. I liked Jim. He is a salt-of-the-earth kind of guy and does what has to be done. His respect for Abby’s family is commendable, and how he handles meeting her folks is a great scene. Henri is unlikeable (as he should be) and is a well-developed “villain.” The book covers almost the entire war, so there are “jumps” forward in time. I would have preferred a shorter time period to be covered in order to provide more in-depth scenes. An enjoyable read.