This Royal Breed

by Judith Saxton

A SAGA OF A YOUNG GIRL'S STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL ON THE ISLAND OF JERSEY DURING THE NAZI SECOND WORLD WAR OCCUPATION. After the death of Rochelle Dubois's parents, she is adopted by their employer, Charles Laurient, and together she and Charles work to rear his treasured rare orchids. But when war breaks out, Rochelle is left to do her best for herself and her precious seedlings, for Charles is taken away by the Germans. The arrival of his son Laurie from America could be her salvation.

Genres: Historical Fiction

475 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Pseudonym of Katie Flynn.

Katie Flynn was born in Norwich and attended Norwich High School, where she was extremely happy and extremely undistinguished. Published at the tender age of eight, in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories, she joined a Writers’ Circle as an adult, publishing short stories, articles, etc; only turning to novels in 1971 because the postal strike cut off her main source of income!
At first she wrote under several different names – Judith Saxton, Judy Turner, Lydia Balmain, Judith Arden – but her Katie Flynn books were a delight to write and proved far more popular than she had dreamed. She has now published nearly ninety novels, twenty-seven of which are Flynns. Her most recent titles are: Lost Days of Summer and Christmas Wishes.

Reviews

[Lesley McIntosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this as I love plants and was interested in the breeding of orchids and the collecting from South America . I found it a little tedious in places but overall the plot was sound and it was a worthwhile read
This is the second book I have read recently about the German occupation on Jersey and it was certainly tough but the Islanders were a resilient bunch and strived to keep precious items safe
Anyone who enjoys a family drama will enjoy this book

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. It's the sort of book you'd get to fill time between another book. It didn't explain a lot of the events that happened but the plot was engaging enough.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting look at raising orchids, added to history of the island of Jersey.

During the Second World War Jersey could have been shelled from mainland France so the island had no option but to surrender. The British citizens and occupying Germans lived uneasily and one girl is followed as she tries to preserve orchids which the Germans think take up useless space in a greenhouse. Captured workers from the continent are treated as slaves by the occupiers. Food runs short.

The story is not intensely gripping but there is plenty of location detail and a gentle romance.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

About orchid breeding on the island of Jersey.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book. I really enjoyed it.