Allies After All: A Yankee Years novella

by Dianne Ascroft

Allies After All is a standalone novella in The Yankee Years series, featuring Robbie Hetherington, a Local Defence Volunteer who also plays an important role in A cts of Sabotage , Book 2 in The Yankee Years series.After the Allied troops arrived in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland during the Second World War, life in the quiet, rural county would never be the same again.Although their nations are allies, from their first meeting American civilian contractor Art Miller and Local Defence Volunteer Robbie Hetherington loathe each other. But Northern Ireland is too small a place for such animosity, especially during the Second World War when the province abounds with religious and political tensions and conflicts that pose a threat to the war effort. What will it take to make the two men put aside their enmity and work together?  ***  This story was previously published in the anthology  Pearl Harbor and Stories of December 1941 . If you own that anthology, do not buy this book.Allies After All  is a spin-off story from the WWII series  The Yankee Years . It can be read as a standalone.The Yankee Years During the Second World War Northern Ireland hosted American, British and Canadian troops. County Fermanagh welcomed Air Force squadrons hunting U-boats and defending shipping convoys in the Atlantic Ocean and Army battalions training and preparing for deployment to Europe's Western Front. After the Allied troops arrived, life would never be the same again. The Yankee Years novels and Short Reads weave thrilling and romantic tales of the people and the era.

68 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2018

About the author

I was born in Toronto, Canada and earned a B.A. in history at the University of Windsor. I've lived in Scotland and Northern Ireland since moving to Britain in 1990.

I've written historical and human interest articles for Canadian and Irish newspapers and magazines as well as contributing to an Irish local history book. 'Hitler and Mars Bars' is my first novel.

My official website is: www.dianneascroft.wordpress.com

I live with my husband on a farm in Northern Ireland. Curiosity about the past has inspired my longstanding interest in history and genealogy and my love of historical fiction. I'm a member of the Historical Novel Society and the Fermanagh Authors Association.My other interests include Celtic, folk and bluegrass music; hiking and travel.

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very nice look at attitudes in Northern Ireland's rural community as America enters WW2 and engineers and others already in the province to build military bases have to choose between going to enlist and finishing the job. Similarly the men on farms are in reserved occupations and have to do their bit for the war effort. The women are delighted with the influx of new lively men and keep everyone occupied in dance halls.

I had fun reading this novella which seems to reflect customs and conversations well. Some stronger language but otherwise this is suitable for teens or adults. This is an unbiased review.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and historical read as a young man in Ireland learns about life and how allies and enemies try to get through hard times and growing fears that surround his country and the world.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable short WWII story

I enjoy reading historical novels, especially WWII stories. I had never read one set in Ireland before the US troops arrived. It had some interesting characters, some funny incidents and told what the Americans were doing in Ireland in the early part of the war. I hope to read more by this author since this was only part of a big story.

[Patdbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely read, good treatment of rural northern Ireland. Love the characters. The simple storyline. Could be developed in so many ways.

[David Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. Familiar places in N. Ireland, and great story about the meeting of the Americans and the locals getting used to each others experiences.