The Whispers of War
In August of 1939, as
Britain watches the headlines in fear of another devastating war with
Germany, three childhood friends must choose between friendship or
country. Erstwhile socialite Nora is determined to find her place in the
Home Office’s Air Raid Precautions Department, matchmaker Hazel tries
to mask two closely guarded secrets with irrepressible optimism, and
German expat Marie worries that she and her family might face
imprisonment in an internment camp if war is declared. When Germany
invades Poland and tensions on the home front rise, Marie is labeled an
enemy alien, and the three friends find themselves fighting together to
keep her free at any cost.
Featuring Julia Kelly’s signature “intricate, tender, and convincing” (Publishers Weekly) prose, The Whispers of War is a moving and unforgettable tale of the power of friendship and womanhood in the midst of conflict.
ALSO BY JULIA KELLY
The Light Over London
Reminiscent of Martha Hall Kelly's Lilac Girls and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale,
this sweeping, entrancing story is a must-read for fans of remarkable
women rising to challenges they could never have predicted.
It’s
always been easier for Cara Hargraves to bury herself in the past than
confront the present, which is why working with a gruff but brilliant
antiques dealer is perfect. While clearing out an estate, she pries open
an old tin that holds the relics of a lost relationship: among the
treasures, a World War II-era diary and a photograph of a young woman in
uniform. Eager to find the author of the hauntingly beautiful,
unfinished diary, Cara digs into this soldier’s life, but soon realizes
she may not have been ready for the stark reality of wartime London she
finds within the pages.
In 1941, nineteen-year-old Louise
Keene’s life had been decided for her—she’ll wait at home in her Cornish
village until her wealthy suitor returns from war to ask for her hand.
But when Louise unexpectedly meets Flight Lieutenant Paul Bolton, a
dashing RAF pilot stationed at a local base, everything changes. And
changes again when Paul’s unit is deployed without warning.
Desperate
for a larger life, Louise joins the women’s branch of the British Army
in the anti-aircraft gun unit as a Gunner Girl. As bombs fall on London,
she and the other Gunner Girls relish in their duties to be exact in
their calculations, and quick in their identification of enemy planes
during air raids. The only thing that gets Louise through those dark,
bullet-filled nights is knowing she and Paul will be together when the
war is over. But when a bundle of her letters to him are returned
unanswered, she learns that wartime romance can have a much darker side.
Illuminating
the story of these two women separated by generations and experience,
Julia Kelly transports us to World War II London in this heartbreakingly
beautiful novel through forgotten antique treasures, remembered
triumphs, and fierce family ties.
Praise for The Whispers of War
"Julia
Kelly’s story about the bonds of female friendship threatened by
senseless government policies is timeless and moving, and her trio of
heroines had my heart from the start. A gripping tale by a writer at the
top of her game."-- Fiona Davis, nationally bestselling author of The Chelsea Girls
"A story of exquisite tenderness, The Whispers of War
beautifully captures just how precious female friendship can be, and
shines a light onto an important but less well-known aspect of war. Add
to that rich historical detail and a cast of engaging characters and you
have a must-read for all historical fiction fans.” -- Natasha Lester,
USA Today bestselling author of The Paris Seamstress
"The Whispers of War
is a beautifully told story, and a timely reminder that history works
in chillingly familiar patterns. Julia Kelly writes gripping, moving
historic fiction that’s not to be missed." -- Kelly Rimmer, USA Today
bestselling author of The Things We Cannot Say
"This book was
refreshing in a sea of much WWII fiction. At its heart, it is the story
of friendship. In this case, three women who became each other's family
and whose devotion is tested in a world changing through war and new
roles for women. Heartwarming and compelling, it lifts the reader to a
place of beauty and joy even as the shadows of impending war threaten to
shatter life as they know it. New love, family secrets, and national
loyalties shape the friendships. Though WWII fiction is a regular genre
of mine, I felt that The Whispers of War elevated the human story
of it in ways that felt brand new. And - as I always love to learn
through historical fiction - I was pleased (and horrified) to learn
about the extensiveness of internments and the darkness that fear and
propaganda can harbor. Kelly touched on themes that are found throughout
history, giving it a human face." -- Camille Di Maio, bestselling
author of The Beautiful Strangers
"Kelly skillfully balances
narratives from all three friends' perspectives…Women's friendship
overcomes the villainy of war in this engaging historical fiction.", Kirkus Reviews
"Kelly’s
latest outing movingly depicts the importance of female friendship in
wartime... Rich with historical detail and anchored by an utterly
convincing friendship at its heart, this should find a wide audience
among historical-fiction fans, book clubs, and readers who enjoy stories
of the important roles women play in one another’s lives.”, Booklist
Praise for The Light Over London
"Sweeping,
stirring, and heartrending in all the best ways, this tale of one of
WWII's courageous, colorful, and enigmatic Gunner Girls will take your
breath away."―Kristin Harmel, International bestselling author of
The Room on Rue Amelie and The Sweetness of Forgetting
“Deftly
weaving together past and present, Kelly tells a fresh, heartfelt story
of sisterhood and sacrifice, culminating in a gut-punch finish. Perfect
for fans of The Alice Network.” –Michelle Gable, New York Times bestselling author of A Paris Apartment
"The Light over London
is a poignant reminder that there is no limit to what women can do. A
nostalgic, engrossing read." --Julia London, New York Times
bestselling author of Seduced by a Scot
"Kelly weaves an intricate, tender, and convincing tale of war and romance with skill and suspense.", --Publishers Weekly
Julia Kelly
Julia Kelly is the
award-winning author of books about ordinary women and their
extraordinary stories. In addition to writing, she’s been an
Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for
one summer) a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York
City home before settling in London. She also writes contemporary
romance novels as Julia Blake. Readers can visit JuliaKellyWrites.com to
learn more about all of her books and sign up for her newsletter so
they never miss a new release.
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