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Martha's Girls #2
The Golden Sisters
Martha’s girls return in a poignant wartime story of love lost … and found. A moving saga that takes the reader to the very heart of a close-knit, fiery, loving family – perfect for fans of Maureen Lee, Mary Larkin and Pam Weaver.
It’s 1941 and German bombs are falling on Belfast. Martha’s girls face danger, hardship and difficult decisions.
Irene, the eldest of the sisters, is struggling with the constraints of married life, until a chance meeting forces her to choose between romance and reality.
Pat, intelligent and sensitive, is working in Stormont alongside William Kennedy. As their relationship deepens, she feels that real happiness could be within her grasp.
Peggy, impulsive and glamorous, is thrilled when the charismatic Devlin offers her a job with the dance band at the Plaza Ballroom. But she soon sees his darker side...
Sheila, the youngest, is blossoming into a young woman, though her family seem intent on treating her like a child. When will they accept her for the grown-up she is?
Together, they are the Golden Sisters, singing their way to victory in concert halls and army camps. But the war is taking their lives in unexpected directions and Martha will need all her strength to help her girls find their way through these turbulent times.
It’s 1941 and German bombs are falling on Belfast. Martha’s girls face danger, hardship and difficult decisions.
Irene, the eldest of the sisters, is struggling with the constraints of married life, until a chance meeting forces her to choose between romance and reality.
Pat, intelligent and sensitive, is working in Stormont alongside William Kennedy. As their relationship deepens, she feels that real happiness could be within her grasp.
Peggy, impulsive and glamorous, is thrilled when the charismatic Devlin offers her a job with the dance band at the Plaza Ballroom. But she soon sees his darker side...
Sheila, the youngest, is blossoming into a young woman, though her family seem intent on treating her like a child. When will they accept her for the grown-up she is?
Together, they are the Golden Sisters, singing their way to victory in concert halls and army camps. But the war is taking their lives in unexpected directions and Martha will need all her strength to help her girls find their way through these turbulent times.
345 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 27, 2018
Another fantastic read
After the marriage of Irene and Sandy Irene carried on living with mother Martha as the war continued and Sandy returned to the air force. The girls are upset as all concerts have to be cancelled for the military. Irene suffers losing her dear friend myrtle and at the factory is asked to look after an American called Macy. Times are getting bad as the year's go on during war times that Martha is forced to send Sheila away as an evacuees to dungannon. This is the second book in the goulding family and I loved reading it like the first one Martha's girls next is a song in my heart the final in the trilogy such a heartwarming story
After the marriage of Irene and Sandy Irene carried on living with mother Martha as the war continued and Sandy returned to the air force. The girls are upset as all concerts have to be cancelled for the military. Irene suffers losing her dear friend myrtle and at the factory is asked to look after an American called Macy. Times are getting bad as the year's go on during war times that Martha is forced to send Sheila away as an evacuees to dungannon. This is the second book in the goulding family and I loved reading it like the first one Martha's girls next is a song in my heart the final in the trilogy such a heartwarming story
May 6, 2015
This is the second novel I’ve read by Alrene Hughes. I enjoyed immensely the first book in this series, Martha’s Girls, when it was released a couple years ago so I eagerly awaited the sequel and was delighted when I received a request to review it.
The Golden Sisters takes up the story of the Goulding sisters where the first book left off early in the Second World War. Like Martha’s Girls, this is a heartwarming and entertaining story of the four sisters and their lives, loves and losses. The family saga is swift moving with lots of action – the glitz and glamour of the showbiz world and the terrors and tragedies of war – and emotion. The story is filled with passion, heartbreak and humour. Deftly using brief scenes and minimal detail, the author sketches characters and events that filled my thoughts and lingered there. And her use of realistic dialogue made the story sparkle.
Although the book is fiction, I was intrigued to know that it is based on a real family’s experiences. Once I picked up the novel I couldn’t put it down and finished it in several sittings during a week (I did have to stop to do necessary chores etc). Although I had to keep reading, I didn’t want to reach the end either as I hated to leave the characters that I had become so fond of. I’m glad to know there will be a third book in the series and I look forward to reading it too.
I can heartily recommend this book to just about any reader whether they like general fiction, historical fiction, women’s fiction or wartime stories. The Golden Sisters is a great read.
Note: I received a free copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Golden Sisters takes up the story of the Goulding sisters where the first book left off early in the Second World War. Like Martha’s Girls, this is a heartwarming and entertaining story of the four sisters and their lives, loves and losses. The family saga is swift moving with lots of action – the glitz and glamour of the showbiz world and the terrors and tragedies of war – and emotion. The story is filled with passion, heartbreak and humour. Deftly using brief scenes and minimal detail, the author sketches characters and events that filled my thoughts and lingered there. And her use of realistic dialogue made the story sparkle.
Although the book is fiction, I was intrigued to know that it is based on a real family’s experiences. Once I picked up the novel I couldn’t put it down and finished it in several sittings during a week (I did have to stop to do necessary chores etc). Although I had to keep reading, I didn’t want to reach the end either as I hated to leave the characters that I had become so fond of. I’m glad to know there will be a third book in the series and I look forward to reading it too.
I can heartily recommend this book to just about any reader whether they like general fiction, historical fiction, women’s fiction or wartime stories. The Golden Sisters is a great read.
Note: I received a free copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2015
Pleasant read, along with Martha's Girls
I would recommend this book and its prequel to anyone who is looking for a good story of a family of females in wartime Belfast...with satisfying endings, in spite of the inevitable trials of that time. A pleasant read.
I would recommend this book and its prequel to anyone who is looking for a good story of a family of females in wartime Belfast...with satisfying endings, in spite of the inevitable trials of that time. A pleasant read.
July 21, 2015
I won this book in a goodreads first reads book giveaway, but when I discovered it was the second book of a series, I purchased the Kindle version of the first book~ Martha's Girls, to read before beginning this one.
I enjoyed the first book more, as I found it more interesting and engaging.
The author does a good job of developing the characters and making them real for the readers.
The family is believable, but I never did come to like the sister Peggy. I also came to dislike Irene as well, because of her cold , uncaring, attitude towards her husband. Made me feel that she was TSTL for marrying a man that was in the military, and from Scotland, and from the beginning she had no intention of leaving home!
I just didn't like or care about the characters enough in the second book to maintain the same level of interest, so I ended up skimming much of it.
I enjoyed the first book more, as I found it more interesting and engaging.
The author does a good job of developing the characters and making them real for the readers.
The family is believable, but I never did come to like the sister Peggy. I also came to dislike Irene as well, because of her cold , uncaring, attitude towards her husband. Made me feel that she was TSTL for marrying a man that was in the military, and from Scotland, and from the beginning she had no intention of leaving home!
I just didn't like or care about the characters enough in the second book to maintain the same level of interest, so I ended up skimming much of it.
August 17, 2016
This follows on from Martha's Girls, so we see how Martha and her girls cope with what life throws at them during WW2. Sheila gets evacuated and because of a mix up Martha doesn't hear from her so goes looking for Sheila. On finding her Martha ends up staying too. Irene manages to get a place at the base Sandy is posted to, and so Pat and Peggy are left home alone. After Pat suffers a tragedy she can't sing will this be the end of the Golden Sisters. I really enjoyed reading about the ups and downs and general struggles of the family and their friends. I was sorry to come to the end until I found out there is a third book in this series. I look forward to reading this soon.
August 2, 2017
A story of the trials and dangers in the early days of world war twok the stresso.
In the early days of the war amidst of the bombings in Belfast a family got caught up in the attempt to distract the citizens from stress. Three young women sang with a troop of performers and as time went on they also entertained US troops preparing to join the fighting. This story of danger and love dominated their lives.
In the early days of the war amidst of the bombings in Belfast a family got caught up in the attempt to distract the citizens from stress. Three young women sang with a troop of performers and as time went on they also entertained US troops preparing to join the fighting. This story of danger and love dominated their lives.
February 7, 2020
Another great book
Well goodness me what a great follow on from Martha's Girls I have just loved these books and feel like I know each and everyone of the characters in the book. I have purchased the last in the trilogy and cant wait to start it only thing is I know it's the last and that is sad. I will definitely be reading more of Alrene Hughes books .
Well goodness me what a great follow on from Martha's Girls I have just loved these books and feel like I know each and everyone of the characters in the book. I have purchased the last in the trilogy and cant wait to start it only thing is I know it's the last and that is sad. I will definitely be reading more of Alrene Hughes books .
October 16, 2019
Golden
These books just get better and better. Being a Belfast girl it's great to see the places that the girls go to. Well done Alrene. Can't wait to read the next instalment. Thank you
These books just get better and better. Being a Belfast girl it's great to see the places that the girls go to. Well done Alrene. Can't wait to read the next instalment. Thank you
March 2, 2018
Martha's Girls
A great story . Heart warming a great family So down to earth . It was so great of a story I could not put it down .
A great story . Heart warming a great family So down to earth . It was so great of a story I could not put it down .
July 2, 2020
Wonderful characters, gives the feeling of being there. I'm on the final book, looking forward to reading i
May 13, 2026
Just brilliant.
I love books about my own city, although from the other side of town I still found these books thrilling. Loved it. Very well written and just captivated me.
I love books about my own city, although from the other side of town I still found these books thrilling. Loved it. Very well written and just captivated me.
April 1, 2016
Golden Sisters
This is the second and last book in a series that walks you along side of the Goulding family during WWII. The author has made each character one you can relate to. The struggles, sparrows, fears and joy that each family member goes through is captured in this book. You are able to see up close, what the war cost to families, businesses and cities. I am a fan of this era because of the strength you see in all who lived through this period of history. Great job Alrene Hughes!
This is the second and last book in a series that walks you along side of the Goulding family during WWII. The author has made each character one you can relate to. The struggles, sparrows, fears and joy that each family member goes through is captured in this book. You are able to see up close, what the war cost to families, businesses and cities. I am a fan of this era because of the strength you see in all who lived through this period of history. Great job Alrene Hughes!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews