Daffodils is essentially a love story, whose tender heart is almost torn apart through the tumultuous challenge of World War One. “A profound meditation on love and loss and the perils of war”: Bookbub. Daffodils is the Winner of the New Apple Literary Award for Excellence in Independent Publishing 2019 Medallist Winner E-Book.“Absorbing, involving, unputdownable, honest, great characterisation”. … characterisation”. Indie Book Bargains Featured Author Book of the day June 25th 2013 and was chosen to be in the first edition of the Fussy Librarian’s selection.
COMPLETELY REVISED EDITION
Katy, a maidservant at Cheadle Manor, longs to escape her narrow life but events unfold slowly in her rural village in Wiltshire. Jem Phipps has always loved Katy. His proposal of marriage rescues her from scandal but after tragedy strikes Jem becomes a reluctant soldier on the battlefields of The First World War, leaving Katy behind, restless and alone. Lionel White, the local curate, has just returned from India bringing a dash of colour to the small village and offers Katy a window on the wider world. Only when Katy joins up as a WAAC girl does she finally break free from the stifling class-ridden hierarchies that bind her but the brutality of 20th-century global war brings home the price she has paid for her search. Through the horrors of WW1, Katy discovers only love brings freedom.
For fans of historical fiction, DAFFODILS is Book One of The Katherine Wheel Saga.
Find out how these characters fared after the Armistice when they entered a new, modern age in its sequel, PEACE LILY. They have to carve out new lives in a changed world, having survived the war only to face new, unexpected challenges when they return home.
A third book, SPEEDWELL, takes the characters into the daring arena of motor racing in the 1920s and Katy’s defiant bid for independence. Book Four, WILLOW, (novella-sized) bridges the gap between the generations as the children of Cassandra and Douglas, Jem and Katy embark on a summer adventure that goes disastrously wrong, with dire consequences. The four children, Lottie and Isobel, Al and Lily, are on the brink of adulthood and the outbreak of the Second World War in Book Five, WOODBINE. Their lives separate as they are each forced to follow different paths through the war. Lottie is stranded in occupied France and gets drawn into the French Resistance; Al faces many dangers as he flies planes for the ATA, and Isobel, torn between duty and love, becomes a Land Girl. Can they come back together in Book Six, IVY? You must read the final book in The Katherine Wheel Series to find out how the whole saga reaches its dramatic and satisfying conclusion.
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Quite a story. Loved the characters. Enjoyed reading it.
Not as good as I had hoped. Good background settings, but too weak a story.
Well written historical fiction about WWI and the war’s impact on everyday lives.
Spellbinding historical novel
I loved the depth of the Katy character; Jem, not so much, but it suited his lack of depth. I am not sure whether, historically, many upper class women headed to the front. Lots of reality about the horrors of war without being too gory. I did not think the vicar character was believable. Great description of the countryside. The only thing that bothered me was how the reader had no immediate closure with wounded Jem x2. Won’t say more and spoil it for those who have not read the book yet.
I would have given this book 5 stars if the second half had been as rich in story and detail as the first half. However it is still a good read.
Historically interesting. Part of a series, so this is not the complete story, which is okay. Just good to know in advance.
I love being educated while I read enjoyable fiction. Really enjoyed this book
Very descriptive.
Stellar story. A good look at life as England is drawn in World War I. Characters are believable, and you follow along as the war strikes closer to home. Highly recommend!Looking forward to the next book.
I loved this book! I didn’t want it to end. Great character development
Excellent book. Gave you a look into the sadness and tragedy of war and the people who live it.
Excellent book! Well written! Hard to put down! Made me cry and laugh! Really made me appreciate how blessed we are here in the US. Spanned time seamlessly for a coherent, easy to follow and fascinating story.
I don’t usually read this time period books, but I’m glad I read this one!
A good read with intriguing characters.
The characters in this book live and breathe as they leave innocence and experience the horrors of WWI. It’s one of those books that makes you feel that you have been there in the village and around the countryside.
I enjoy reading about WWI.
Enjoyed the book very much
A wonderful coming of age at the beginning of WWI. Katy was a brave young woman who had to go through many trials and even left her village in England to go to France to find her missing- in- action husband.
Predictable romance
A bit of a rip-off of “Downton Abbey” with a belowstairs Sybil, but it was fairly good anyway. Not something I’d re-read, and probably not something I’ll follow up on the trilogy it’s part of either. The characters weren’t all that well developed.