Book Review: The Lumberjills by M W Arnold

We are so pleased to be welcoming M W Arnold back to Novel Kicks. He’s here with the blog tour for his new novel, The Lumberjills.

Berry Chambers and her co-workers have joined the Women’s Timber Corps—known as the Lumberjills—to do their bit for Britain. On their first day felling trees, they rescue an RAF pilot and become entangled in the loveless marriage of their new landlords.

Danger is never far away, be it an ill-timed axe swing or the occasional activity of the Luftwaffe overhead. Add a psychotic farm cat, a couple of young runaway evacuees, a spate of malicious packages, and the jealousy of the Land Girls next door, and life for Berry and her friends is never boring.

Can the girls find the balance between their vital war work and the natural pull of love?

*****

I am such a big fan of Mick Arnold’s Broken Wings series and therefore was so excited to read what I hope is book one of a new series.

Beryl ‘Berry’ Chambers has joined the Women’s Timber Corps, known as The Lumberjills. Along with Vicki, Sophie and gaffer, Marcy, can they settle into life in a small village during World War II?

Mick Arnold has such a talent for creating relatable, likeable characters and bringing them to life.

I got very attached to all of these characters. I want to adopt the cats although I think the ones I already have might have something to say about it.

The plot moves along at such a great pace and there were so many things that happened, it kept me wanting to turn the page. I needed to know what became of these people by the end. I felt like I knew them the further I got into the novel, like I was a part of their gang. This novel doesn’t let up on the action that’s for sure.

Like I have said when reviewing the Broken Wings series, it’s obvious how much research and care has gone into this book. It’s great to be able to understand another avenue for women who represented the home front during the war and how important it was. How everyone needed to stick together to make it work. . Mick also doesn’t shy away from showing all of the effects of war on both sides of the divide.

There were funny scenes as well as ones that were so emotional, I wanted to cry. I am hoping that there is a second novel and that we don’t have to wait long for it. I want to be able to catch up with the Lumberjills ladies soon.

If you love historical fiction, romance or a mixture or just want a great escape for a while, this book is perfect.

Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Netgally for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

About M W Arnold –

Mick is a hopeless romantic who was born in England but spent fifteen years roaming around the world in the pay of the late HM Queen Elisabeth II in the Royal Air Force before putting down roots—and realizing how much he missed the travel.

This he’s replaced somewhat with his writing, including reviewing books and supporting fellow saga and romance authors in promoting their novels.

He’s the proud keeper of two Romanian Werecats bent on world domination, is mad on the music of the Beach Boys, and enjoys the theatre and humoring his Manchester United-supporting wife.

Finally, and most importantly, Mick is a full member of the Romantic Novelists Association. The Lumberjills is the lead book in this new series from the author of the Broken Wings novels.

Say hello to Mick via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. Click here to read Mick’s past columns for Novel Kicks. 

The Lumberjills was released by The Wild Rose Press on 8th February 2023. Click here to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US and Waterstones.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.