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Secrets of a Charmed Life

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Secrets of a Charmed Life

By: Susan Meissner
Narrated by: Alana Kerr Collins
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About this listen

The author of A Fall of Marigolds journeys from the present day to World War II England, as two sisters are separated by the chaos of wartime.

She stood at a crossroads, half-aware that her choice would send her down a path from which there could be no turning back. But instead of two choices, she saw only one—because it was all she really wanted to see

Current day, Oxford, England. Young American scholar Kendra Van Zant, eager to pursue her vision of a perfect life, interviews Isabel McFarland just when the elderly woman is ready to give up secrets about the war that she has kept for decades...beginning with who she really is. What Kendra receives from Isabel is both a gift and a burden--one that will test her convictions and her heart.

1940s, England. As Hitler wages an unprecedented war against London’s civilian population, hundreds of thousands of children are evacuated to foster homes in the rural countryside. But even as fifteen-year-old, Emmy Downtree and her much younger sister, Julia find refuge in a charming Cotswold cottage. Emmy’s burning ambition to return to the city and apprentice with a fashion designer pits her against Julia’s profound need for her sister’s presence. Acting at cross purposes just as the Luftwaffe rains down its terrible destruction, the sisters are cruelly separated, and their lives are transformed.

©2015 eChristian (P)2015 Christian Audio
Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction England Heartfelt War
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An engaging read, the period is well researched and the characters well developed and beautifully woven into a complex story.

Thoroughly engaging

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I've been living in London for over a year now, I'm ashamed to say I didn't really know or understand the extent to which the 2nd world war affected this city. ofcourse you learn about it in museums but reading this book has made me feel the pain and anxiety almost like I was there. I loved the character of Charlotte, she reflects the good in humans, giving it all without expecting anything back. I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book, I'm inspired by the message it portrays and completely taken by the story that wraps so delicately around it.

Beyond charming!

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Why have an American reading a book based in England?Laughable London accents and Cadogan place is pronounced Cu-dug-an, plus lots of other ridiculous pronunciations

I presume the author is also American, so the editor should have told her it’s pavements in UK/English not sidewalks.

Overall the story is very interesting and there are some great characters.

Not so good was the interview with the author at the end, which was laughable. It was just the narrator saying Question “blah blah blah” and then the narrator giving the Answer from the author. Too many religious overtones here for my liking,

Fate of a charmed life

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Overall I really enjoyed this book. The characters are all very different and I love the way they develop over the course of the book. The descriptions were vivid and realistic, especially the chapters describing the London Blitz. My only issue was with the choice of an American narrator for a book set in Britain with mainly British characters. Plus, the American words were really off-putting, considering the book is set in Britain ~ the American vocabulary, such as sidewalk instead of pavement was really jarring in the middle of wartime London.

Enjoyable

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After thoroughly enjoying ‘ A fall of marigolds ’ I was keen to try another of Susan Meissner’s. However although well researched, this time focusing on the London blitz & evacuation of children, I found this one rather turgid. It improved for me when I increased the narration to 1.2., but too much convolution & angst.
Both books were freebies, but my first listen was the best & I would highly recommend.

Rather disappointing!

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