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Spanish Lavender
Spanish Lavender is a love story set in the Spanish Civil War.
In January 1937, Elizabeth, a young English girl decides to remain in Spain when the rest of her family return to the peace of England. Alone in the devastated city of Málaga she makes friends with two young men, Juan, an idealistic Spaniard and Alex, a pragmatic Englishman. Together they make their escape from the war-torn city along the coast to Almeria. Amongst the death and carnage she falls in love with Juan, only to lose him shortly afterwards when he is badly wounded. Believing he is dead she returns to England with Alex, whom she later marries.
Seventy years later Kate, Elizabeth´s granddaughter, is left a legacy following the death of her grandfather, a legacy that opens a Pandora´s box of secrets and lies which Kate can only unravel by returning to Spain.
In January 1937, Elizabeth, a young English girl decides to remain in Spain when the rest of her family return to the peace of England. Alone in the devastated city of Málaga she makes friends with two young men, Juan, an idealistic Spaniard and Alex, a pragmatic Englishman. Together they make their escape from the war-torn city along the coast to Almeria. Amongst the death and carnage she falls in love with Juan, only to lose him shortly afterwards when he is badly wounded. Believing he is dead she returns to England with Alex, whom she later marries.
Seventy years later Kate, Elizabeth´s granddaughter, is left a legacy following the death of her grandfather, a legacy that opens a Pandora´s box of secrets and lies which Kate can only unravel by returning to Spain.
Paperback
Published October 1, 2019
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About the author
Joan Fallon
31 books55 followersJoan Fallon was born in Dumfries, Scotland but spent most of her adult life in England. Teacher, management trainer and business woman, she moved to Spain at the beginning of the new millennium and became a writer. Her first published work was a social history, 'Daughters of Spain', inspired by the women she met in her adopted home. Her subsequent books too have grown out of her experiences living and working in Spain. She is especially interested in Spanish history and has set her novels in periods as distinct as the Golden Age of the Moorish conquest and the Spanish Civil War. She is a member of the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 31 reviews
February 12, 2019
By and large I enjoyed this novel but found the timeline very strange. It jumped from 1937 to 2013 with little information about all that happened in between. I would've liked to have had some of the blanks filled in, i.e. what happened to Margaret and husband when they returned to England and what about Elizabeth's life with Alex after assuming that Juan was dead but Alex knew he was alive but failed to inform her. For me, it was too big of a jump through the generations. We only got part of the back story and then it jumped to Kate in 2013. Nothing gelled for me. Too much past and too much present. Not much history either. I finished it feeling it could have been so much more. Lots of typos and grammar mistakes.
March 2, 2017
This book was really hard to get through. The language was very simple yet the story seemed jagged.
January 15, 2023
Oh I did enjoy this book!
It was a great read and once I picked it up I didn't want to put it down. I was fascinated by the story Joan wove around a family who had moved to Spain but had to leave because of the Spanish Civil War.
Living as an expat in Spain myself I found it heart-breaking that so many normal everyday people were so badly impacted, having to leave their homes and the huge physical and emotional disruption caused by the war.
The places she spoke about are close to our home here in Andalusia so it was vividly brought to life.
I loved that she took us back in time and brought us up to 2007.
A captivating story and full of fascinating experiences and emotions.
It was a great read and once I picked it up I didn't want to put it down. I was fascinated by the story Joan wove around a family who had moved to Spain but had to leave because of the Spanish Civil War.
Living as an expat in Spain myself I found it heart-breaking that so many normal everyday people were so badly impacted, having to leave their homes and the huge physical and emotional disruption caused by the war.
The places she spoke about are close to our home here in Andalusia so it was vividly brought to life.
I loved that she took us back in time and brought us up to 2007.
A captivating story and full of fascinating experiences and emotions.
September 21, 2020
Recommended by a friend.
I am interested in any novel about the Spanish Civil War and the first half started out really well. I could feel the tension and the horror of Brother against brother and the cruelty of War I did find the “love story” a bit simpering and was disappointed to find the second part of the novel to be just about the granddaughter. Hence three stars.
There is a far better novel written by Victoria Hislop then this one.
I am interested in any novel about the Spanish Civil War and the first half started out really well. I could feel the tension and the horror of Brother against brother and the cruelty of War I did find the “love story” a bit simpering and was disappointed to find the second part of the novel to be just about the granddaughter. Hence three stars.
There is a far better novel written by Victoria Hislop then this one.
January 21, 2020
Excellent addition to my understanding of the Spanish Civil War. Characters well drawn and very interesting. I wander how many more similar stories there are out ther?
October 1, 2020
I enjoyed the historical element but the rest was boring.
April 2, 2020
Nice story , I like it
October 21, 2018
Another great story!
Fallon does a remarkable job putting together a plot that takes place, mostly, during 1937 in Spain amidst the civil war.
An English expatriate family living in Spain must leave their home in a country torn apart by the violent political unrest for their own safety. The daughter decides she is staying to take photographs in hopes of becoming a newspaper correspondent. She is young and naive having never expected the atrocities and deprivation she ultimately faces. Very soon after separating from her family she meets the love of her life in the form of a handsome, idealistic, young Spaniard as they attempt to escape the ravages of war as refugees in Malaga.
The romance is sweet and intense as the couple meet other expats and Spanish trying to escape the Nationalist soldiers along the "highway of death."
The story fast forward to 2007 as another woman tries to find her true identity.
The is a brutal expose of the reality of war and it's effect on the people who are the true victims. It is the ugly truth showing the actual carnage of fleeing men, women as children who have nothing to do with the politics involved.
I feel the book ends rather unfinished, but definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction and romance.
Fallon does a remarkable job putting together a plot that takes place, mostly, during 1937 in Spain amidst the civil war.
An English expatriate family living in Spain must leave their home in a country torn apart by the violent political unrest for their own safety. The daughter decides she is staying to take photographs in hopes of becoming a newspaper correspondent. She is young and naive having never expected the atrocities and deprivation she ultimately faces. Very soon after separating from her family she meets the love of her life in the form of a handsome, idealistic, young Spaniard as they attempt to escape the ravages of war as refugees in Malaga.
The romance is sweet and intense as the couple meet other expats and Spanish trying to escape the Nationalist soldiers along the "highway of death."
The story fast forward to 2007 as another woman tries to find her true identity.
The is a brutal expose of the reality of war and it's effect on the people who are the true victims. It is the ugly truth showing the actual carnage of fleeing men, women as children who have nothing to do with the politics involved.
I feel the book ends rather unfinished, but definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction and romance.
December 13, 2018
Spanish Lavender: Love in a,timecof war
An interesting story. Hard to imagine living in such sad times. Elizabeth decided to not return to England with her family to try to capture how the Spanish War was effecting peoples lives. She met Juan and Alex at the same time. She wqs immediately drawn to Juan The horrible times brought them together. When it got to dangerous in the city, the three of them left to head to a safer city. The suffering people were enduring and the constant bombing from the ships offshore was horrible. When Juan was injured, they were able to get him on the ambulance to be transported to the hospital. Days later wben Alex and Elizabeth arrived, they could find no trace of Juan and assumed he had died. Returning to England and their families, they eventually married. Years later when Alex passed on and his large estate was divided among the son and surviving grandchildren, it was finally discovered that the oldest daughter wasn't his biological child. Kate quest to find the truth of her real grandfather was interesting and eventful. I gave this,book 5 stars
An interesting story. Hard to imagine living in such sad times. Elizabeth decided to not return to England with her family to try to capture how the Spanish War was effecting peoples lives. She met Juan and Alex at the same time. She wqs immediately drawn to Juan The horrible times brought them together. When it got to dangerous in the city, the three of them left to head to a safer city. The suffering people were enduring and the constant bombing from the ships offshore was horrible. When Juan was injured, they were able to get him on the ambulance to be transported to the hospital. Days later wben Alex and Elizabeth arrived, they could find no trace of Juan and assumed he had died. Returning to England and their families, they eventually married. Years later when Alex passed on and his large estate was divided among the son and surviving grandchildren, it was finally discovered that the oldest daughter wasn't his biological child. Kate quest to find the truth of her real grandfather was interesting and eventful. I gave this,book 5 stars
March 15, 2019
I found Spanish Lavender by Joan Fallon a wonderful read, lots of history to learn, compelling characters and action, human failings and successes, tragedy and triumph. Centers around three people caught in the tragedy and terror of the Spanish Civil War in 1937. Part two moves to the year 2013 with the granddaughter of the young woman in 1937 uncovering her own history, parentage, past, and present. Fascinating relationships and links between characters. And Fallon writes in a marvelous, literate, interesting, and engaging style. Five out of five stars.
January 3, 2019
An enjoyable read
I was impressed with the way the book was in two parts past and present. The first part of the story with the fleeing from the fighting, the callous way the gunships bombarded innocent unarmed refugees ( a precursor to the French refugees fleeing to Dunkirk ). The second part showing Kate tracking down her ancestors and how the Franco regime kept people suppressed even into the late 20th century. A well researched book and a good read.
I was impressed with the way the book was in two parts past and present. The first part of the story with the fleeing from the fighting, the callous way the gunships bombarded innocent unarmed refugees ( a precursor to the French refugees fleeing to Dunkirk ). The second part showing Kate tracking down her ancestors and how the Franco regime kept people suppressed even into the late 20th century. A well researched book and a good read.
December 17, 2018
Very interesting take on generational quest for family truth
Very interesting take on generational quest for a family truth. After an abrupt end at the end of the Spanish Civil War the story takes up in current times as Kate tries to find out if her Grandfather was really get mother's father of us there a deeper connection between her mother & the Spanish Civil War
Very interesting take on generational quest for a family truth. After an abrupt end at the end of the Spanish Civil War the story takes up in current times as Kate tries to find out if her Grandfather was really get mother's father of us there a deeper connection between her mother & the Spanish Civil War
February 13, 2019
You must read this book!
During the Spanish Civil war in the city of Malaga, one woman and two men try to reach safety during the war. Both men are in love with the woman but who ends up with her? Poignant, a mystery and a historical event, well researched, set the stage for this fascinating novel.
During the Spanish Civil war in the city of Malaga, one woman and two men try to reach safety during the war. Both men are in love with the woman but who ends up with her? Poignant, a mystery and a historical event, well researched, set the stage for this fascinating novel.
March 15, 2019
I recommend the book although the plot was thin. The first half of the read is set in Spain during the Spanish Civil War in 1937. The second half is set in England and Spain after the turn of the century. At that juncture, I lost my deep interest in the book. The author's writing mechanics were excellent.
Thank you, Ms. Fallon, for a good read.,
Thank you, Ms. Fallon, for a good read.,
March 18, 2019
Not a simple love story
This book was not at all what I expected, but I enjoyed reading it very much. I gave it only 4 stars because the flow of the story seemed somewhat disjointed at times. The story idea, however, was very good and I would recommend it for those that enjoy fiction books based on historical events.
This book was not at all what I expected, but I enjoyed reading it very much. I gave it only 4 stars because the flow of the story seemed somewhat disjointed at times. The story idea, however, was very good and I would recommend it for those that enjoy fiction books based on historical events.
April 19, 2019
The Spanish Civil War was a time of chaos and Fallon shares this notion through a tumultuous few days when Elizabeth an English girl, decides to photograph the historic events, meeting and falling in love with Juan, a Republican from a historically Nationalist family. Kate in 2008 is finally able to sort out all that happened during the massacre at Malaga.
April 20, 2019
Tidy, brief ending
I had very little knowledge of the Spanish Civil War and this was a good introduction. I was struck by how devastating the war was on so many average poor people who didn’t really lean one way or the other politically but were caught up in the nightmare just the same. Well worth a read!
I had very little knowledge of the Spanish Civil War and this was a good introduction. I was struck by how devastating the war was on so many average poor people who didn’t really lean one way or the other politically but were caught up in the nightmare just the same. Well worth a read!
January 21, 2019
Lovely story
I chose this book because of a recent trip to Malaga,Spain. It did not disappoint. It is a good story with interesting historical details. The descriptions of the country and cities put me back there. Well written and good character development.
I chose this book because of a recent trip to Malaga,Spain. It did not disappoint. It is a good story with interesting historical details. The descriptions of the country and cities put me back there. Well written and good character development.
April 14, 2019
Enjoyed
This is a well written novel beginning with the Spainish Civil War and ending in this century. It is a sad story about a couple separated by war and a granddaughter searching for her roots.
This is a well written novel beginning with the Spainish Civil War and ending in this century. It is a sad story about a couple separated by war and a granddaughter searching for her roots.
August 31, 2016
I loved this little book and could not put it down !
Want to read
November 28, 2018Free on Kindle
December 3, 2018
Amazing!
I fell in love with the characters, I learned a ton of history and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I fell in love with the characters, I learned a ton of history and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Read
December 5, 2018Story line could have been interesting but the writing was poor. I found a lot of the dialogue to be stilted and sometimes repetitive.
December 11, 2018
A interesting and original plot, but the conversations were very stilted and lacked punctuation at times. Otherwise better than I was expecting!
January 3, 2019
LovelyRead
I truly enjoyed this novel. It is well written with an interesting plot and believable characters. I was pleased to learn more about the Spanish Civil War.
I truly enjoyed this novel. It is well written with an interesting plot and believable characters. I was pleased to learn more about the Spanish Civil War.
January 25, 2019
I just like a good family saga. Learn a little about history and respect it.
February 2, 2019
This history with romance.amazing good
This book has all good ingredients. Romance history . Love and a good plot.Ends with you looking for next book
This book has all good ingredients. Romance history . Love and a good plot.Ends with you looking for next book
July 3, 2019
Lavender
This was a nice, slow moving story about relationships and motives. I enjoyed the story, background of the Spanish Civil Ear, and the relaxed pace.
This was a nice, slow moving story about relationships and motives. I enjoyed the story, background of the Spanish Civil Ear, and the relaxed pace.
July 22, 2019
Very interesting background, the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. The heroine starts as a naive young woman. The character development is well done and believable. Good read.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 31 reviews