Foxden Acres: A heart-wrenching and unforgettable World War 2 historical novel (Sisters of Wartime England Book 1)

Gripping, epic and heartbreaking historical fiction, about one woman’s survival against all odds during the unbearable hardships of World War Two.1939, England. Bess Dudley knows what it means to lose what you love. As daughter of a groom at historic Foxden Hall, she’s pushed herself to escape her humble background and train as a teacher, but she’s made huge sacrifices along the way. Just as Bess arrives in London to take up her first, hard-won post, the shadow of war sweeps over England. Bombs rip apart the city, and screeching air raids become a part of everyday life. London is thrown into chaos and schools close, taking Bess’s dreams with them.Then Bess learns that James, the handsome heir to Foxden Hall – who she’s loved since childhood – is engaged to Annabel Hadley. Annabel is everything Bess is not – a wealthy aristocrat – but James never seemed to care about those things before. It breaks Bess’s heart to see him with someone else.London is becoming more dangerous by the day and when Bess nearly dies in a terrifying air raid she knows it’s time to go home. Back at Foxden Acres, she becomes a Land Girl –– farming the estate for wartime rations. It’s back-breaking work and a far cry from the life she dreamed of – even here, the horror of war leaves no life untouched.Then the unthinkable happens, and Bess’s resilience and hope are tested to the ultimate limit. In a world torn apart by violence, she must choose between her heart and her duty... all while keeping a dark secret of her own. Bess saw a man carrying a little girl in a pink nightdress run past. The child dropped her teddy bear and began to cry, Daddy, stop!. But he didnt hear her above the noise of wailing sirens and collapsing houses. Dazed, Bess watched her old lodgings groan and lurch to the left. Then the stairs she had walked up so many times collapsed, one on top of the other, until there was nothing left but dust. 1939. Bess Dudley 's life is filled with possibility. As the daughter of the groom at historic Foxden Hall, she has worked hard to secure a sought-after teaching position in London. Then, on a visit home for the holidays, Bess reconnects with handsome and aristocratic James Foxden , whom she has loved since childhood. Theres a new spark between them and Bess travels to London with Jamess card and joy in her heart. The war casts a shadow over Bess's bright future. In London, shes confronted with the daily threat of terrifying air raids and vicious attacks on her Jewish friends. To make matters worse, Bess's teaching career abruptly ends around the time she discovers James is engaged to the beautiful and wealthy Annabel Hadleigh . Returning to Foxden Acres, Bess dedicates herself to the war effort as a Land Girl, a far cry from the life she had envisioned. Its back-breaking work, but shes surprised to find shes becoming friends with Annabel, despite her enduring love for James. In a world torn apart by violence, Bess is forced to make an impossible decision, all while keeping a dark secret of her own. Is her love for James worth risking everything shes built for herself from the ashes of her old life? And without James without Foxden would she have anywhere left to call home? A gripping, epic and heartbreaking story about how adversity can change us in ways we never anticipate. Perfect for fans of Mandy Robotham, Glynis Peters and Rachel Wesson. What readers are saying about this A stunning novel . At times I chewed my nails. At other times I cried. But I also felt my heart lift. This book has it all tension, love and loss all against a backdrop of a bygone era. A great drama in all. I look forward to reading about the other Dudley sisters who, I believe, each have their own story to tell. Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars This novel made me smile; it also made me cry it has enough tension and twists to keep the reader interested right to the end. Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars I loved this story and felt involved with the characters from the start. Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars The plot was a bit of a rollercoaster, and I laughed at times, cried a little, and would recommend this to all fans of historical drama or romance books. Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars I loved this book . The time period and place were wonderfully depicted and the story held my interest throughout. Well recommended. Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars On the eve of 1939, twenty-year-old Bess Dudley, trainee teacher and daughter of a groom, bumps into James, heir to the Foxden Estate. Bess and James played together as equals when they were children, but now James is engaged to the more socially acceptable Annabel Hadleigh. Bess takes up a teaching post in London but when war breaks out and London schoolchildren are evacuated she returns to Foxden to organise a troop of Land Girls. Traditional barriers come crashing down when Flying Officer James Foxden falls in love with Bess. But by this time Bess has come to know and respect Annabel. Can she be with James if it means breaking her best friends heart? And besides, Bess has a shameful secret that she has vowed to keep from James at any cost