Angels at War

by Freda Lightfoot

Two years have passed since Livia and her sisters were made to suffer the harsh brutality of their corrupt father and finally all seems well in the Lake Livia is set to marry the handsome and caring Jack Flint who longs to settle down and start a family, while her sisters are contentedly living at Todd Farm.Yet Livia still dreams of bringing back to life the neglected and old-fashioned drapery business which was left to her when her father died. But is she prepared to jeopardise the love she shares with Jack to achieve her wish? Racked with guilt over the tragic death of her sister Maggie, she promises never to let anyone down again and to do something worthwhile with her life. Standing in the way of her ambitions is the wealthy and determined Matthew Grayson, who has been appointed to oversee the restoration of the business. His infuriating stubbornness clashes with Livia's tenacity and the pair get off to a bad start. But as her problems with Jack worsen, Livia finds it increasingly difficult to resist his charms.

Genres: Historical, Ebooks, Historical Fiction, Fiction

422 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2010

About the author

Born in Lancashire, I've been a teacher, bookseller and in a mad moment, a smallholder on the freezing fells of the Lake District where I tried my hand at the ‘good life’, kept sheep and hens, various orphaned cats and dogs, built drystone walls, planted a small wood and even learned how to make jam. I now spend the winter in Spain and summer in the UK. I have now published 48 books including many bestselling family sagas and historical novels.
For more information, visit my website www.fredalightfoot.co.uk.

Reviews

[Linda]

The turmoil of the early 1900's, the war and the longings and beliefs of the main character all bring this book into a delightful read. Gave me something to think about what I've always taken for granted.

[Natalya]

I really loved this story; despite not reading the first in the series, it was easy to pick up and get into. I really liked all the aspects to this: the family saga, the Suffragette storyline and the romance. Much better than I expected it to be.

[Jenny]

A good solid story, with a nice sense of place, showing the Lake District reasonably accurately.
Interesting to read, and with a satisfying ending.

[Dorinda Balchin]

‘Angels At War’ tells the story of the Angel sisters in the turbulent years of 1910 to 1918. I had anticipated that this book would be a light read yet, although the writing is not overly heavy or verbose, this is not a simple historical romance of girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl finds boy again. Those elements are a part of this novel, but it goes on to be much, much more.

The Angels are sisters (their story begins in ‘House Of Angels’ although ‘Angles at War’ can be read as a stand-alone novel). The characters are well drawn and have depth; all with their good points and their bad, their strengths and weaknesses. The plot is intriguing and moves at a good pace, encouraging you to turn the page and keep reading.

What I was not expecting from this novel was such a masterly handling of the social and political history of the time, which Ms Lightfoot tells through the narrative without the reader ever feeling that they are being lectured to. The description of a turn of the century department store is intriguing, and its modernisation during the novel fascinating. Reading what happened to the suffragettes during their fight for emancipation is enlightening and humbling. The marches and arrests, the prisons and force-feeding are cleverly woven into the story. The description of the work of the VAD’s in hospitals, both in England and on the front line in France, is gripping.

This book seems to have everything, from the excitement of war to everyday domestic life, from male domination to female emancipation, from jealousy to love. Livia is a strong central character whose choices in life are often not the right ones, leading to unhappiness for herself and others. But her choices are always made for the right reasons, in an effort to help those she loves and, as such, she is an endearing character. I think many readers will recognise a lot of themselves in Livia, or one of her sisters.

This book, for me, was a pleasant surprise, which is something I always like. If you are interested in the past but don’t like a heavy history book - or a novel that reads like one – you will find ‘Angels At War’ informative and enlightening, yet entertaining and easy to read.

[Alison Machin]

Great book in the tradition of my favourite family saga genre. It was good to catch up with the Angel sisters again (first met in 'House of Angels'). These are feisty strong women of the pre and post World War 1 generation who were determined to make a difference. Social changes abound throughout the book with a good amount of adventure.

[Ray Noyes]

Somewhat disappointing. In fact I did not quite finish it because it did not capture my interest sufficiently. A fairly classical, straightforward plot, of a woman's conflicting loyalties to two men, I could see nothing exceptional in it, I'm afraid. But the connecting thread of the struggle for women's rights did give it some direction. Sorry!

[Ria]

A brilliant sequel that ties all the unfinished ends of the first novel. A saga spanning generations and the subsequent lives of all those involved.
Really enjoyed it.

[Grace]

I liked this book but not as much as the first book. Still it was an entertaining read. I hope the author writes another book in the series.

[Peter Wilson]

Great sequel-I thought it was much better than the first.

[Joanna]

Very good story ! The first book and the second it was really enjoyable to read.