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Raven Hall Saga #1
A Mother's War
North Yorkshire, September 1939.
Rosina Calvert-Lazenby , the only surviving member of her family and widowed by forty-four, has lived at Raven Hall all her life. With war approaching, Rosina must be strong for her daughters, five confident young women who are thick as thieves.
When the RAF come to stay at Raven Hall, Rosina finds herself intrigued by their charismatic, albeit young, officer. But is there time for love with the war looming and her eldest daughter leaving home?
Grace Calvert-Lazenby , twenty-one years old and newly graduated from Oxford, is determined to live a fuller life. Leaving behind her mother and sisters at home, she joins the Women's Royal Naval Service.
Trading the safety and familiarity of Raven Hall for exhausting drills, difficult training and conflicting acts of secrecy will not be easy. But Grace knows that everyone has a part to play in the war and she is ready for a brave new adventure.
With so much on the line, Rosina and Grace must learn how to push themselves and have the courage to lead those around them into the unknown . . .
This heartwarming, dramatic World War II saga is perfect for fans of Vicki Beeby, Kate Thompson and Rosie Clarke.
___________
Praise for Mollie Walton:
'A Journey. Compelling. Addictive' Val Wood
'Beautiful and poignant' Tania Crosse
'Feisty female characters, an atmospheric setting ... A phenomenal read' Cathy Bramley
'Great characters who will stay with me for a long time' Beth Miller
'Evocative, dramatic and hugely compelling. I loved it' Miranda Dickinson
Rosina Calvert-Lazenby , the only surviving member of her family and widowed by forty-four, has lived at Raven Hall all her life. With war approaching, Rosina must be strong for her daughters, five confident young women who are thick as thieves.
When the RAF come to stay at Raven Hall, Rosina finds herself intrigued by their charismatic, albeit young, officer. But is there time for love with the war looming and her eldest daughter leaving home?
Grace Calvert-Lazenby , twenty-one years old and newly graduated from Oxford, is determined to live a fuller life. Leaving behind her mother and sisters at home, she joins the Women's Royal Naval Service.
Trading the safety and familiarity of Raven Hall for exhausting drills, difficult training and conflicting acts of secrecy will not be easy. But Grace knows that everyone has a part to play in the war and she is ready for a brave new adventure.
With so much on the line, Rosina and Grace must learn how to push themselves and have the courage to lead those around them into the unknown . . .
This heartwarming, dramatic World War II saga is perfect for fans of Vicki Beeby, Kate Thompson and Rosie Clarke.
___________
Praise for Mollie Walton:
'A Journey. Compelling. Addictive' Val Wood
'Beautiful and poignant' Tania Crosse
'Feisty female characters, an atmospheric setting ... A phenomenal read' Cathy Bramley
'Great characters who will stay with me for a long time' Beth Miller
'Evocative, dramatic and hugely compelling. I loved it' Miranda Dickinson
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2022
10 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 6, 2022
The Raven Hall Saga Book One.
WW2 1939 widowed Rosina Calvert- Lazenby and her five daughters Grace, Daisy, Dora, Constance and Evelyn, when war is declared and Rosina is ready for the changes of the hardest times ahead, the war is changing their way of life, staff are leaving and she has the job of getting help from the village Ravenscar Yorkshire to keep up and maintain the hall .
Grace is in Hampshire, Evelyn in London and the three youngest at boarding school who she misses so much unlike her late husband who was a hard man to live with.
The story is focusing on Grace and her time in the Wren with the house maid Nancy Bird who turns out to be my favourite character in this book with her glowing sense of humour and it grows into the power of friendship for both these girls as we read on about their remarkable journey.
This book is a best seller in the making so unique and a joy to read, I just enjoyed every single page, and want to be their best friend and join them. the girls will remain hero's in everything they are challenged with.
The layout and the research is stunning from the author , incredible, heart-breaking, brilliant, best book ever. I will look forward to the coming book in the series and hopefully more on the sisters and their stories , with the return to Raven Hall and their daily life. loved it.
WW2 1939 widowed Rosina Calvert- Lazenby and her five daughters Grace, Daisy, Dora, Constance and Evelyn, when war is declared and Rosina is ready for the changes of the hardest times ahead, the war is changing their way of life, staff are leaving and she has the job of getting help from the village Ravenscar Yorkshire to keep up and maintain the hall .
Grace is in Hampshire, Evelyn in London and the three youngest at boarding school who she misses so much unlike her late husband who was a hard man to live with.
The story is focusing on Grace and her time in the Wren with the house maid Nancy Bird who turns out to be my favourite character in this book with her glowing sense of humour and it grows into the power of friendship for both these girls as we read on about their remarkable journey.
This book is a best seller in the making so unique and a joy to read, I just enjoyed every single page, and want to be their best friend and join them. the girls will remain hero's in everything they are challenged with.
The layout and the research is stunning from the author , incredible, heart-breaking, brilliant, best book ever. I will look forward to the coming book in the series and hopefully more on the sisters and their stories , with the return to Raven Hall and their daily life. loved it.
July 1, 2023
In North Yorkshire, September 1939, widowed Rosina Calvert-Lazenby, her daughters, Grace, Evelyn, Constance, Daisy and Does are waiting for the radio broadcast to announce World War 2.
Grace announces she’s joining the Wrens, Evelyn wants to go to London and paint banners etc and the other 3 girls must carry on at boarding school.
Most of the servants have joined up and left Ravens Hall, Rosina is left feeling rather lonely, especially without her girls. She wants to do her bit for the war effort and helps to feed some soldiers who are stationed nearby, and she done a friendship with Sergeant Harry Viner.
We follow Rosina and Grace on their individual journey’s.
This is such a lovely historical fiction story, with the most detailed descriptive writing, which makes the book come alive.
I enjoyed the characters throughout the book, and especially the friendship between Grace and Nancy.
You can see throughout the book that the author has done a great deal of research, it shines through.
I am looking forward to reading the second book, A Daughter’s Gift.
Grace announces she’s joining the Wrens, Evelyn wants to go to London and paint banners etc and the other 3 girls must carry on at boarding school.
Most of the servants have joined up and left Ravens Hall, Rosina is left feeling rather lonely, especially without her girls. She wants to do her bit for the war effort and helps to feed some soldiers who are stationed nearby, and she done a friendship with Sergeant Harry Viner.
We follow Rosina and Grace on their individual journey’s.
This is such a lovely historical fiction story, with the most detailed descriptive writing, which makes the book come alive.
I enjoyed the characters throughout the book, and especially the friendship between Grace and Nancy.
You can see throughout the book that the author has done a great deal of research, it shines through.
I am looking forward to reading the second book, A Daughter’s Gift.
March 6, 2022
This book, as Sergeant Harry Viner would say is proper jam!
I absolutely loved it,beginning as it does with Churchill's declaration of war, and encasing it in the immediate fallout for the residents of Raven Hall
Reluctant heiress and landowner, Rosina Calvert-Lazenby is the widowed mother of 5 daughter, Grace, Evvy, Connie, Daisy and Dora.
As war breaks out, all of them are determined to do their bit including Grace who joins the Wrens along with housemaid Nancy.
In wartime, both young women are setting off for places beyond where they have ever been, emotionally and physically, as they begin to train as Morse Code Linguists. This is the first time away from home for Grace and she is lucky to have Nancy as she discovers boys, and finds her voice.
At home, Rosina is learning to manage with a reduced number of household staff and, being keenly aware of her privilege, looks to see how she can support the war effort.
Taking in RAF soldiers and giving them bed and board, she finds herself challenged in managing to keep her estate going,as well as feeding and caring for her 4 other daughters, all of whom have been sent home from school-and in Evvy's case from art school in Paris to drawing designs for propaganda posters.
Even more imminent are the feelings which she begins to develop for one of the men under her roof. But as a widow with a considerable amount of baggage, can she, in this social climate, reach out and take what she has always longed for? She knows what she had with her husband, George, was not quite right, and has longings which he never met-there is this lovely detail about her hidden copy of 'Lady Chatterly's Lover', so she is well aware of her landed position and how it would look for her to take up with another man!
I absolutely loved all the details that this book is chock full of, such as the way that the WRENS trained, the history of Raven Hall, the fear engendered by a war which was being fought so far away and yet came incrementally closer as the book progressed.
The colloquial way in which some of the characters speak really gives the tone a familiarity and warmth which expresses the way in which this time frame, to an extent, eroded class barriers and made things possible for women to achieve. This is shown in both Nancy and Grace passing their exams to be linguists whilst the rich and beautiful Lucinda finds to her dismay, that she cannot get by on who her parents are.
Each sister is so well presented and whilst this volume focuses on Grace, I hope that in the manner of the Seven Sister novels by Lucinda Riley, that each girl will have a book of her own. I cannot wait to return to Raven Hall which has such a detailed history and Rosina, the woman who fell for a man who did not ignite any passion in her, yet she did not regret meeting because of her five wonderful daughters which came from their marriage!
I absolutely loved it,beginning as it does with Churchill's declaration of war, and encasing it in the immediate fallout for the residents of Raven Hall
Reluctant heiress and landowner, Rosina Calvert-Lazenby is the widowed mother of 5 daughter, Grace, Evvy, Connie, Daisy and Dora.
As war breaks out, all of them are determined to do their bit including Grace who joins the Wrens along with housemaid Nancy.
In wartime, both young women are setting off for places beyond where they have ever been, emotionally and physically, as they begin to train as Morse Code Linguists. This is the first time away from home for Grace and she is lucky to have Nancy as she discovers boys, and finds her voice.
At home, Rosina is learning to manage with a reduced number of household staff and, being keenly aware of her privilege, looks to see how she can support the war effort.
Taking in RAF soldiers and giving them bed and board, she finds herself challenged in managing to keep her estate going,as well as feeding and caring for her 4 other daughters, all of whom have been sent home from school-and in Evvy's case from art school in Paris to drawing designs for propaganda posters.
Even more imminent are the feelings which she begins to develop for one of the men under her roof. But as a widow with a considerable amount of baggage, can she, in this social climate, reach out and take what she has always longed for? She knows what she had with her husband, George, was not quite right, and has longings which he never met-there is this lovely detail about her hidden copy of 'Lady Chatterly's Lover', so she is well aware of her landed position and how it would look for her to take up with another man!
I absolutely loved all the details that this book is chock full of, such as the way that the WRENS trained, the history of Raven Hall, the fear engendered by a war which was being fought so far away and yet came incrementally closer as the book progressed.
The colloquial way in which some of the characters speak really gives the tone a familiarity and warmth which expresses the way in which this time frame, to an extent, eroded class barriers and made things possible for women to achieve. This is shown in both Nancy and Grace passing their exams to be linguists whilst the rich and beautiful Lucinda finds to her dismay, that she cannot get by on who her parents are.
Each sister is so well presented and whilst this volume focuses on Grace, I hope that in the manner of the Seven Sister novels by Lucinda Riley, that each girl will have a book of her own. I cannot wait to return to Raven Hall which has such a detailed history and Rosina, the woman who fell for a man who did not ignite any passion in her, yet she did not regret meeting because of her five wonderful daughters which came from their marriage!
March 13, 2022
Having grown up in Ireland , our History classes didn’t cover the stories of what it was like for those at home doing their bit for the war effort, what struck me especially at the start how much life changed for women like Rosina who were protected from the harsher side of how the majority lived and as the story continued, I enjoyed seeing her true personality emerge. It’s obvious how much research went into writing this book and I’m already looking forward to seeing what’s next for Rosina and her now extended family,
March 9, 2022
Widow, Rosina Calvert-Lazenby has lived at Raven Hall for all of her life. It is where she has raised her five, feisty daughters to be independent and likeable young woman. However, in 1939, with the country of the cusp of war things are about to change for all those who call Raven Hall home.
Rosina faces a very different sort of life, no longer lady of the manor with enough staff to run the estate she must now make do with her cook/ housekeeper and an elderly gardener so it is imperative that Rosina gets down to the essentials of keeping the estate functioning in a country badly affected by war.
Grace is the eldest of the Lazenby Lasses and is recently down from Oxford having achieved her degree but the need to do something to help the war effort encourages Grace to enrol in the WRNS where she becomes involved as wireless-telegraphist based at a Y-station in Scarborough.
Moving effortlessly the wonderfully detailed chapters reveal the stories of both Rosina and Grace. We get to know both women really well, and with care and a fine eye for detail the strained atmosphere of living in England during wartime comes alive. Both women have their share of difficulties but each are resilient and so intimately brought to life that I felt as if I had come to know both of them as friends rather than simply characters in a book.
There is something quite special about this first book, for a start there is a fluidity to the story which had me turning the pages, with real involvement, both in the way the story was unfolding and in the realistic way each of the characters come so beautifully to life. I especially liked the detail of the work Grace was doing, the attention to detail is done so well that it never becomes too technical as it reveals the special challenges of this clandestine operation.
And then there's Harry...but I'll let you discover him for yourself 😊
A Mother's War is a perfect introduction to this wartime saga, beautifully written, with a real sense of history. I can think of no finer endorsement than to say I was really sorry when the book ended as I wanted to stay immersed in Rosina's and Grace's life. I am now eager to read more and hope that we won't be waiting too long before the next installment of this wartime saga is ready to be revealed.
Rosina faces a very different sort of life, no longer lady of the manor with enough staff to run the estate she must now make do with her cook/ housekeeper and an elderly gardener so it is imperative that Rosina gets down to the essentials of keeping the estate functioning in a country badly affected by war.
Grace is the eldest of the Lazenby Lasses and is recently down from Oxford having achieved her degree but the need to do something to help the war effort encourages Grace to enrol in the WRNS where she becomes involved as wireless-telegraphist based at a Y-station in Scarborough.
Moving effortlessly the wonderfully detailed chapters reveal the stories of both Rosina and Grace. We get to know both women really well, and with care and a fine eye for detail the strained atmosphere of living in England during wartime comes alive. Both women have their share of difficulties but each are resilient and so intimately brought to life that I felt as if I had come to know both of them as friends rather than simply characters in a book.
There is something quite special about this first book, for a start there is a fluidity to the story which had me turning the pages, with real involvement, both in the way the story was unfolding and in the realistic way each of the characters come so beautifully to life. I especially liked the detail of the work Grace was doing, the attention to detail is done so well that it never becomes too technical as it reveals the special challenges of this clandestine operation.
And then there's Harry...but I'll let you discover him for yourself 😊
A Mother's War is a perfect introduction to this wartime saga, beautifully written, with a real sense of history. I can think of no finer endorsement than to say I was really sorry when the book ended as I wanted to stay immersed in Rosina's and Grace's life. I am now eager to read more and hope that we won't be waiting too long before the next installment of this wartime saga is ready to be revealed.
April 6, 2023
A Mother's War by Mollie Walton is such a good read! Set at the beginning of World War 2, the book follows the lives of Rosina Calvert-Lazenby, a widow, and her five daughters. They live at Raven Hall, the ancestral home of the Lazenbys, in Yorkshire.
Their lives are disrupted when war is announced - Rosina feels so responsible for her daughters, but cannot prevent Grace, the eldest , from leaving home to join the WRENS. Evelyn, the next eldest, goes down to London where she feels her artistic talents can be useful. The three younger girls are at boarding school.
As the first year of the war progresses, we see the blossoming of Grace and the emotional turmoil of Rosina. We are introduced to many interesting characters who enter the lives of the Calvert-Lazenby women.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mollie Walton writes beautifully, with a flair for details that enhance the story. The characters were perfectly described, looking and speaking like 1940s people. The plight of large houses and estates was accurate and it is obvious that the author had researched her subject thoroughly.
I've now started reading A Daughter's Gift, the next book in The Raven Hall Saga . I'm looking forward to becoming immersed in the lives of the Calvert-Lazenbys and the friends.
Their lives are disrupted when war is announced - Rosina feels so responsible for her daughters, but cannot prevent Grace, the eldest , from leaving home to join the WRENS. Evelyn, the next eldest, goes down to London where she feels her artistic talents can be useful. The three younger girls are at boarding school.
As the first year of the war progresses, we see the blossoming of Grace and the emotional turmoil of Rosina. We are introduced to many interesting characters who enter the lives of the Calvert-Lazenby women.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mollie Walton writes beautifully, with a flair for details that enhance the story. The characters were perfectly described, looking and speaking like 1940s people. The plight of large houses and estates was accurate and it is obvious that the author had researched her subject thoroughly.
I've now started reading A Daughter's Gift, the next book in The Raven Hall Saga . I'm looking forward to becoming immersed in the lives of the Calvert-Lazenbys and the friends.
February 28, 2022
3.5 stars
Having read so many books set in France and Germany during the second world war, it’s a refreshing change to read about Britain. There are some fascinating stories about the men and women who stayed behind and I’ve attended a few talks from women who worked at Bletchley Park.
A Mother’s War looks at the early years of the war when everything started to change. It follows a family of women as they make decisions and learn about who they really are, as they step away from the family home, into the real world.
It’s well-written and interesting, painting a vivid picture about the WRENs and the options for women who wished to get involved. As it’s the first book in a saga, the majority of the book is scene setting; while it does this well, there is a lack of action. No doubt this will build in books two and three as the war effort increases.
Characters are nicely drawn and likeable. Despite their privileged background, they’re relatable and Grace in particular feels like a friend who’s kindly sharing her story with you. Men feel a little stereotyped in places, but it helps to show the naivety of Grace compared with Nancy. Their friendship is lovely and their training experience is credible and interesting.
Although I didn’t love it as much as some of Walton’s other books, I’m excited to see where the story goes and to find out more about the other sisters.
Having read so many books set in France and Germany during the second world war, it’s a refreshing change to read about Britain. There are some fascinating stories about the men and women who stayed behind and I’ve attended a few talks from women who worked at Bletchley Park.
A Mother’s War looks at the early years of the war when everything started to change. It follows a family of women as they make decisions and learn about who they really are, as they step away from the family home, into the real world.
It’s well-written and interesting, painting a vivid picture about the WRENs and the options for women who wished to get involved. As it’s the first book in a saga, the majority of the book is scene setting; while it does this well, there is a lack of action. No doubt this will build in books two and three as the war effort increases.
Characters are nicely drawn and likeable. Despite their privileged background, they’re relatable and Grace in particular feels like a friend who’s kindly sharing her story with you. Men feel a little stereotyped in places, but it helps to show the naivety of Grace compared with Nancy. Their friendship is lovely and their training experience is credible and interesting.
Although I didn’t love it as much as some of Walton’s other books, I’m excited to see where the story goes and to find out more about the other sisters.
March 28, 2025
North Yorkshire, September 1939.
Rosina Calvert-Lazenby , the only surviving member of her family and widowed by forty-four, has lived at Raven Hall all her life. With war approaching, Rosina must be strong for her daughters, five confident young women who are thick as thieves.
When the RAF come to stay at Raven Hall, Rosina finds herself intrigued by their charismatic, albeit young, officer. But is there time for love with the war looming and her eldest daughter leaving home?
Grace Calvert-Lazenby , twenty-one years old and newly graduated from Oxford, is determined to live a fuller life. Leaving behind her mother and sisters at home, she joins the Women's Royal Naval Service.
A poignant story of family, friendship, love and trust. Set during war time it shows you the strength of the women and how they pulled together for each other. And the love stories especially Rosina's with a man younger than herself, still frowned upon them. How determined she was to do the right thing yet not giving up on her own, deserved happiness.
I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the production and narrator who easily pulls you in with her voice.
The author displays empathy towards the women of the era and sacrifices that were made.
Her characters are deep and rounded, their natures captivating.
If you enjoy a nostalgic book with reverse age gap, give it a read.
Kerry Kennedy Author
Rosina Calvert-Lazenby , the only surviving member of her family and widowed by forty-four, has lived at Raven Hall all her life. With war approaching, Rosina must be strong for her daughters, five confident young women who are thick as thieves.
When the RAF come to stay at Raven Hall, Rosina finds herself intrigued by their charismatic, albeit young, officer. But is there time for love with the war looming and her eldest daughter leaving home?
Grace Calvert-Lazenby , twenty-one years old and newly graduated from Oxford, is determined to live a fuller life. Leaving behind her mother and sisters at home, she joins the Women's Royal Naval Service.
A poignant story of family, friendship, love and trust. Set during war time it shows you the strength of the women and how they pulled together for each other. And the love stories especially Rosina's with a man younger than herself, still frowned upon them. How determined she was to do the right thing yet not giving up on her own, deserved happiness.
I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the production and narrator who easily pulls you in with her voice.
The author displays empathy towards the women of the era and sacrifices that were made.
Her characters are deep and rounded, their natures captivating.
If you enjoy a nostalgic book with reverse age gap, give it a read.
Kerry Kennedy Author
November 7, 2022
I was recently in England and my cousin gave me this book which I have throughly enjoyed. Can’t wait till the next in the series appears. I have joined the author’s Facebook page.
The story is set at the beginning of the WW2. Set near the sea in North Yorkshire, near where my family is from. It’s about a mother and her 5 daughters…love and war, what will happen?
The story is set at the beginning of the WW2. Set near the sea in North Yorkshire, near where my family is from. It’s about a mother and her 5 daughters…love and war, what will happen?
June 16, 2023
Really enjoyed reading this book. It has everything in it that makes a book unputdownable. Loved the characters, locations, and storyline. I have visited Ravenscar many times, and I can just picture the characters here on those cliffs. Can't wait to read the next episode in this families life. A Well deserved 5 star 🌟 read .
March 27, 2023
Fantastic! This was absolutely brilliant, I felt like I knew all the characters from the start and all were easily likeable. I hope the 2nd book is just as good, if not better and look forward to reading it
September 7, 2022
Looking forward to second book
November 8, 2022
Brilliant book but quick ending
May 15, 2023
This is the first book I have read of Mollie's it was a really good read
Want to read
November 2, 2024DNF
November 13, 2024
Really enjoyable story and easy read
June 5, 2025
excellent read can't wait for the next one in the series
September 27, 2023
A lovely entertaining read and I am looking forward to reading the next one.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews