#Blogtober Day Twelve
Happy publication day to The Poppy Field! I was lucky enough to be sent an advanced copy of this one so I can let you know what I think!
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Young nurse, Gemma, is struggling with the traumas she has witnessed through her job in the NHS. Needing to escape from it all, Gemma agrees to help renovate a rundown farmhouse in Doullens, France, a town near the Somme. There, in a boarded-up cupboard, wrapped in old newspapers, is a tin that reveals the secret letters and heartache of Alice Le Breton, a young volunteer nurse who worked in a casualty clearing station near the front line.
Set in the present day and during the horrifying years of the war, both woman discover deep down the strength and courage to carry on in even the most difficult of times. Through Alice’s words and her unfailing love for her sweetheart at the front, Gemma learns to truly live again.
This is a beautifully written epic historical novel that will take your breath away.
This was a magical book which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Poppy Field was beautifully written and I loved the way it switched between both the two lead characters. Both women were likeable which really helped.
I loved the detail in the historical sections of the book. As a person with an interest in psychology, the references to shell shock and mental health problems with the wounded soldiers were interesting. I was particularly moved by the mentions of ‘will people remember what we have done in the future’. The people fighting for our country back then would have no idea of the impact of their actions, and I am pleased, 100 years on, to still be reading about their sacrifices.
Gemma in the present day was a great character – broken and looking for a fresh start. I liked the mirroring of the two women’s lives, over 100 years apart. It was good to spot the similarities and also the huge differences between the two of them and what they were doing.
A touching, story which is well worth a read!
Purchase Link – http://mybook.to/ThePoppyField
Deborah Carr lives on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands with her husband, two children and three rescue dogs. She became interested in books set in WW1 when researching her great-grandfather’s time as a cavalryman in the 17th 21st Lancers.
She is part of ‘The Blonde Plotters’ writing group and was Deputy Editor on the online review site, Novelicious.com for seven years. Her debut historical romance, Broken Faces, is set in WW1 and was runner-up in the 2012 Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition and given a ‘special commendation’ in the Harry Bowling Prize that year. The Poppy Field is her second historical novel.
Social Media Links
Check out the rest of the reviews at the blogs below!
Thank you very much for taking part in the blog tour for The Poppy Field and for your wonderful review, I’m delighted you enjoyed my book. Debs
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Thankyou for a fantastic book, thoroughly enjoyed it x
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It’s good to see a book with mental health in it.
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Thank you.
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Definitely! X
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This sounds like a book I would read, thank you for sharing!
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I hope you enjoy reading it.
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You are welcome x
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I’ve heard lots of good things about this one. Added to my tbr
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Thanks very much! I hope you enjoy reading it.
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Hope you enjoy as much as I did x
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Wonderful review! i’m gonna have to add this to my TBR!
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Thank you Christina!
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Hope you like it too! Thankyou x
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This one looks like a heart-squeezer
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Sure is! Loved it x
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Is it possible that I want to add another book to my TBR? Huh, yes ♥
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Ha ha I get that feeling all the time! Soooo many books, too little time x
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Great review!
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Thanks Amanda x
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Great Review 🙂
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Thankyou x
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I love books centred around the war. I will definitely be looking this one up.
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Me too! Enjoy it x
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Thanks for an excellent review.
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Thankyou x
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i do like books like this, which switch between characters in different times or places.. and not sure my TBR can handle it but adding this one
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Ha ha your list sounds alot like mine x
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Fantastic review.
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Thankyou x
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Great review, I don’t tend to read historical books if there is no romance in it but I am really intrigued by this book so much, I am really glad you enjoy this book fully. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.
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Thankyou, definitely some romance in there too! X
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Oh I’ve not heard of this one but the synopsis sounds lovely but also heart breaking
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It is! X
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Thanks for all the lovely comments about The Poppy Field. If you read it, I hope you enjoy it.
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Very much deserved and I’m sure they all will!
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