Leviathan: A Story of the Great War by the author of “Eleven Days” (The WW1 Collection)

I was about to start Eleven Days when I realised I hadn’t read Leviathan yet! What an excellent start to the series. I cannot imagine being so young with so much responsibility during the war. It must have been terrifying! I like how the pilot goes back to happier times, in his mind, to keep himself calm throughout what must have been such a scary experience. Looking forward to jumping straight into Eleven Days now….

Late 1916. Giants lurk in southern England’s stormy skies, carrying a deadly load to rain down on the populace. And it’s up to a pilot in a frail biplane to stop it.

It’s nighttime, dark and blustery. He’s got no lights, almost no instruments, and just one gun. His aircraft is old and worn-out. It is more of a danger to him than to the enemy. But his country expects him to do his duty. He doesn’t want to let the side down. It’s not the done thing.

He’s scared. He’s alone. He has nothing but his thoughts and memories for company.

And he’s just 19.

ELEVEN DAYS: A novel of the great war (The WW1 Collection Book 2)

Eleven Days is a compelling read centred around nineteen-year-old Eddie Grenville. He wants to follow in his older brother’s footsteps as a pilot but soon learns that his brother isn’t quite the hero he thought he was. He’s not at all in a good place when he starts his first posting in France.

As I said before I cannot imagine being a pilot in a world war at the tender age of nineteen (or at any age to be honest) although I imagine it’s a more exciting prospect for a young lad. It’s frankly terrifying to me though and no wonder so many of them never returned home. Understandable that people felt they needed to do their bit though. A sense of duty to their country. I take my hat off to them.

Far from a straightforward tale about British aircrew in WW1 this is a complex novel about the intricacies of aviation and air combat but also family, friendship, betrayal, and the psychological impact of combat and its inevitable effect on the pilots’ personal lives.

A fascinating read!

I’m already reading book three, Three Brothers.

** I purchased the kindle edition of Eleven Days on 2^nd July 2020 **

SPRING 1917. A storm is about to break.. A storm of bullets delivered by the Albatros’ of the Red Baron and his pilots…

Eddie Grenville doesn’t know the hell he’s about to fly into. Eddie is 19 and just finished school. He is idealistic and maybe a bit naive. He looks up to his older brother Percy, who he has followed into the RFC.

But then he finds out that Percy has commited a war crime, one that it revealed would both blacken the family name and tear it apart, though a ruthless press baron is intent on turning Percy into a hero, Eddie, confused and distraught, takes the first posting in France available – just in time to experience Bloody April where the lifespan of British aircrew is measured in days.

Can Eddie survive with his mind and body intact?

Three Brothers: A novel of air combat in the Great War (The WW1 Collection Book 3)

These books just get better. I think Three Brothers has been my favourite and I think that’s because of the characters as much as anything else. I really enjoyed the friendship/relationship dynamics between Felix, Ted, and Max.

The three were best friends, and inseparable as children, once Felix and Ted got over the fact that Max is a girl! Max just wanted to be one of the boys and they were soon up to mischief which sometimes got them into trouble. One time would change the direction of their friendships forever.

It’s 1918. They have all had to go their separate ways. The boys are fighting for different countries and, despite being family, loyalties are truly tested. Max is risking her life in determination of keeping them both alive to the end of the war. The boys must decide between each other or loyalty to their country. This made for such a tense plot line alongside the emotional personal side of the story.

As with the previous books there are a lot of wonderful descriptions of wartime aircraft and air combat. Battles fought and many young lives lost. It must have been a truly awful four years for all involved. I do find the wartimes fascinating. From those on the front line, in the air, or left at home worrying about loved ones and doing what they could to ‘do their bit’. It is the characters that definitely made this book for me though. I was completely invested in their stories.

** I purchased the Kindle edition of Three Brothers on 15^th June 2021 **

Germany is on the brink of defeat, it’s armies pushed back on all fronts. The air force turns to wonder weapons to try turn the tide. No, this is not 1945, it’s 1918 and will result in what became known as Black September for the Allies.

Felix Wolff would rather not kill his cousin Ted. But if he gets the chance, he will. Ted is an American fighting for the British, while Felix is flying for the Germans in Fokker DVII, an aircraft far superior to Ted’s. Both men love the same woman. The three had grown up together and were closer than brothers, and it was she who caused the rift between Felix and Ted.

She is now a Swiss Red Cross official able to cross the lines. She needs to get information on the Fokker to Ted which can keep him alive. But if Felix supplies it, he’s committing treason, and she, if caught, could be shot as a spy.

Will any or all survive the last few months of the conflict?

Happy reading!

A Quiet Street

by Mel Sherratt 

A Quiet Street is another excellent read by one of my most favourite authors ever!

Like the estate series, which I loved, this story is character driven, full of drama, and highly addictive once you start!

The women are generally more likable than the men in this book. Strong women holding things together best they can, given their circumstances.

Marie’s husband is due home from another stint in prison. Their son is now sixteen and thankfully nothing like his father. Frankly. their lives are better when he’s inside. I could feel the permanent tension in Marie when he was back home, throwing his weight around, and making their lives uncomfortable once again. I can only imagine how exhausting it must be, permanently walking on eggshells and wondering what trouble he might get into next, but mostly worrying about him lashing at their son who is naturally protective of his mother.

Nicky is a single parent, trying to avoid a loan shark she has gotten herself involved with.

Chrissie tries her best to look out for everyone. Sometimes when it’s not welcome. She’s a brave lady.

They all work at the local pub, and community obviously means a lot to them. Working class people often look after their own and these ladies in particular are no exception, although desperation leads to unwise decisions sometimes. Secrets are difficult to keep and lies will always come back to bite you on the bum at some point or another.

Set in the fictional Stockleigh, these people could easily be your neighbours. Although I hope your estate has less drama and undesirable characters! Mostly, these are ordinary, everyday people just trying to make it through each day. Plenty of drama, grit, determination, friendship, and community spirit. I love it!

** Many thanks to Mel Sherratt for my advance digital copy for review **

#TeamSherratt

All she wants is a peaceful life.

Nicky is doing her best to hold things together. She’s a single parent, working long shifts at The Butcher’s Arms with debts she can’t afford to face. But when a loan shark gets the better of her, one small lie slips out and refuses to stay contained. What starts as gossip quickly turns ugly. Before long, Nicky realises someone is watching closely enough to use her mistake against her.

Marie has problems of her own, with her husband due home from prison and a teenage son, Kian, she’s desperate to protect. She’s not sure how much longer she can put up with Dean and has been making plans, if she dares see them through.

Chrissie can see how quickly everything is unravelling for both Nicky and Marie, but getting involved always comes at a cost. Still, she can’t help meddling in everyone’s business, even if there is no harm intended.

All the women want is a quiet life. But everyone has something to say.

And once a line is crossed, there’s no going back.

Set within the streets of Stockleigh, this fast-paced British drama is full of secrets and lies with a resonating emotional pull.

A Quiet Street is the twenty-fifth novel from the multi-million selling British author, Mel Sherratt, and perfect for fans of her critically acclaimed The Estate Series, as well as people who love TV series such as Shameless and Coronation Street.

Treat yourself….

Happy reading!