A Light Shining In The Darkness

The Wartime Vet by Ellie Curzon is a marvellous historical novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in A Village At War series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action is set in a village in the south east. Here, we meet a young female veterinarian who has fled urban bombed out Coventry. The year is 1942 and now the young vet is treating farm animals and not just cats and dogs.

The ruins of Coventry and that awful night in November 1941 still haunt the young vet. She is not alone with her fears. There is also a man from the ministry who is a decorated naval veteran of both wars, and he is haunted by the events of war. Both are struggling through PTSD, although little is known of that at the time.

In the countryside we meet land girls and a most delightful young female evacuee called Sarah. She has survived the Blitz in London. Ellie Curzon has perfectly captured her enthusiasm, zest for life, and determination to help with the war effort, despite her young age.

In contrast to Sarah’s desire to help, someone is determined to sabotage the efforts and disrupt rural life. Things take a dangerous turn – but who is the guilty party? The heroes and villains all look the same.

We witness the terrible effects of loss. In the midst of death, there is new life as spring lambs are being born.

There are some old fashioned attitudes towards women by some.  This infuriates both the characters and the modern reader.

The village all pulls together. They are united in times of war, and their camaraderie shines through.

I really enjoyed The Wartime Vet and read it in just two sittings.

I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON

The Wartime Vet: A completely heartbreaking and addictive historical saga (A Village at War) by Ellie Curzon

England, 1941. Dedicated local vet Laura cares for the farm animals of the little village of Bramble Heath. But falling bombs aren’t the only danger as the war hits close to home…

Despite everyone telling her it’s not a suitable career for a woman, Laura has worked hard to become a successful livestock vet. And she’s not afraid to serve her country in the village of Bramble Heath, where she and the land girls care for animals and protect the crops everyone relies on during the darkest days of the war. But, just when the country is most in need of food, the farms of the village come under attack…

Desperate to figure out who among the villagers could be doing such terrible things even while German bombs rain down, Laura is relieved when the Ministry respond to her requests for help. But the man they send isn’t what she expects. Commander Alastair Seaton is quiet, with a soft, kind smile. And she can’t help but be drawn to his shining brown eyes.

But as they start to open up to each other about past heartbreak, disaster strikes. A farm has been set alight. While Laura hurriedly gathers water to fight the flames, Alistair rushes into the burning barn to make sure no one is trapped inside. Will Alistair make it out alive? And can Laura figure out who is behind these attacks before they threaten the outcome of the war?

An utterly unputdownable and emotional historical wartime novel, perfect for fans of Martha Hall Kelly, Diney Costeloe, and Before We Were Yours.

Buy link: https://geni.us/B0CLYN5DQXsocial

About the author

Ellie Curzon is the pen name of Catherine Curzon and Helen Barrell. Catherine and Helen began writing together in the spring of 2017 and swiftly discovered a shared love of the past and a uniquely British sort of story. They drink gallons of tea, spend hours discussing the importance of good tailoring and are never at a loss for a bit of derring-do.

Website: https://elliecurzon.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadameGilflurt

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