Francine’s Review:
A poignant tale of a Canadian soldier’s lot within the trenches of the
Somme during WWI, not least the appalling conditions in which he and fellow men
live day to day on what seems as though borrowed time. All the while the
dreadful immediacy of death from snipers’ bullets, and dreams of home mingle as
war explodes all around him. Every nuance of his feelings are duly reflected in
first-person narrative, thus the reality of his existence is close-up and
personal as Harry braves his situation.
Although he’s no coward any excuse to escape
the trenches is looked upon as a godsend, and make the most of momentary
freedom he does. But one slip of the hand and he has no idea love will blossom
from a purposeful encounter to retrieve an item he treasures. Nor can Rosemary
Legrand, a widow, living a remote and somewhat frugal existence, imagine a visitor at her door will turn her life inside
out and upside down. Here are two people caught in a war ravaged landscape, no one
knowing when or if they will see dawn again. Their individual hardships test
their spirits and resolve to survive as best they can. From friendship love can
blossom, but war is an unpredictable beast, and whilst both can dream of togetherness,
dare they believe it possible? This is truly a lovely, lovely story of true
grit, determination, and love that succeeds against the odds of all that stands
in the way to prevent a happy outcome.
Book’s Premise:
When the Great War is over, will their love be enough? After two years at the mercy of
the Canadian Expeditionary force and the German war machine, Harry ran out of
metaphors for death, synonyms for brown, and images of darkness. When he
encounters color among the floating islands of Amiens and life in the form of a
widow and her little son, hope ensnares him. Through three more long years of
war and its aftermath, the hope she brings keeps Harry alive.
Rosemarie Legrand’s husband left her a tiny son, no money, and a savaged
reputation when he died. She struggles to simply feed the boy and has little to
offer a lonely soldier, but Harry’s devotion lifts her up. The war demands all
her strength and resilience, will the hope of peace and the promise of Harry’s
love keep her going?
