Telegrams and Teacakes: A heartbreaking World War Two family saga, page 20
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I’ve so enjoyed writing this book and, from my research and reading, continue to be amazed and inspired by how women coped in wartime against the backdrop of war, with their loved ones away from home and lives changed in an instant, with the delivery of a telegram. One thing that really struck me was the sense of community. From sharing rations to giving emotional support in times of bereavement and helping with childcare so that mothers could do their war jobs, women’s support for one another seemed to know no bounds. I hope that you, the reader, feel that Audrey, the main character in the book, embodies this strength and generosity of spirit. Whatever life throws at her, she keeps going.
I have tried to base events around those that happened in Bournemouth and the wider world during 1942, but there are some fictional events. Though the location of the bakery exists in reality, near the cliff in a beautiful part of Bournemouth near where I live, I have changed street names.
I hope you loved Telegrams and Teacakes and if you did, I would be very grateful if you could write a review. I’d love to hear what you think, and it makes such a difference in helping new readers to discover one of my books for the first time.
I love hearing from my readers – you can get in touch on my Facebook page, through Twitter, Goodreads or my website.
Thanks,
Amy Miller
Heartaches and Christmas Cakes
Wartime Bakery Book 1
Get it here!
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December, 1940: All that Audrey Barton wants is her family together for Christmas. But the war changes everything…
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The Barton family bakery in Bournemouth has been at the heart of the town for generations: Audrey and Charlie Barton have never been rich, but their bread and cakes – and their love and advice – have enriched the lives of others in the town for many years.
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When war breaks out, it doesn’t take long for trouble to arrive on the bakery doorstep. Audrey’s brother William has joined up to fight, and William’s fiancé Elsie fears she may lose him before their life together has even begun. Audrey’s stepsister Lily comes to stay, but Lily is clearly hiding a dark secret.
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And a silent and strange little girl is evacuated to the town – will Audrey get to the heart of what is ailing her?
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Audrey battles to keep hope and love alive in tumultuous times. But when disaster strikes at Christmas, will her efforts be in vain?
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This is the first book in a heartwarming and romantic new saga series, perfect for fans of The Gingerbread Girl, Nadine Dorries and Ellie Dean.
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Available Now…
Acknowledgements
Building on research I did for the first book in the series, I am continually grateful for M.A. Edgington’s book, Bournemouth and the Second World War, 1939–1945 – a brilliantly researched and detailed documentation of exactly what happened in Bournemouth during the war years. I’m also greatly thankful for the Heritage section in Bournemouth Library, where I enjoyed studying the archived Bournemouth Echo from 1942. As for the previous books, in terms of the baking content, I am grateful for conversations I had with John Swift, of Swifts Bakery, and team members at Leakers Bakery, Cowdry’s Bakery and Burbidge’s Bakery, as well as various relatives of wartime bakers, including Anita and Betty. I am also indebted to the residents of the Bournemouth’s War Memorial Homes, who gave their time to share memories.
Other books that have been extremely helpful are Wartime Britain 1939–1945 by Juliet Gardiner; The 1940s Look, Mike Brown; We’ll Eat Again, Marguerite Patten OBE; Home Front Posters of the Second World War, Susannah Walker; A Baker’s Tale, Jane Evans; Bread: A Slice of History, Marchant, Reuben & Alcock; The Wartime House, Mike Brown and Carol Harris; Eating For Victory, Jill Norman; Make Do and Mend, Jill Norman; Wartime Women, Dorothy Sheridan; The View From The Corner Shop, Kathleen Hey; Spuds, Spam and Eating for Victory, Katherine Knight; Reader’s Digest The People’s War, Felicity Goodall and The Ministry of Food, Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall.
I’m also indebted to online resources, including the incredible personal stories told on the BBC People’s War website, an invaluable archive of Second World War memories, written by the public and gathered by the BBC, as well as the many images captured by photographers during the war – one of which inspired the final scene in this book. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who has recorded and archived valuable information over the years, making it possible for me to delve into a remarkable period of history and write this book.
Published by Bookouture
An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.
Carmelite House
50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
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www.bookouture.com
Copyright © Amy Miller 2018
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Amy Miller has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-1-78681-538-5
Amy Miller, Telegrams and Teacakes: A heartbreaking World War Two family saga
