Hopeful Hearts at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas

 

"Women were working in all kinds of jobs now so as to free up men to join the services and fight for their country".

Hopeful Hearts at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas is an evocative family saga, set in Manchester during the WWII.

Blurb:

Manchester, 1942

When Kitty Dunbar was forced to confront her husband's debts and close the family hotel, she transformed Dunbar's into a storage business for bombed-out families. But with her daughter to support, and relishing her new independence, Kitty is keen to come up with more ways to use the once prestigious hotel. 

Sharing her home are former chambermaid Lily, and kind-hearted welfare worker Beatrice, both haunted by past loss. Together, the three women create a new kind of family in the heart of the Manchester Blitz: one built on respect and resilience. 

When Kitty suggests hosting wedding receptions in the old dining room, her friends are happy and willing to lend a hand - and help to serve "Dunbar's Wartime Wedding Punch"! 

But when Lily meets a handsome doctor, and Beatrice comes face to face with her old flame, will hearts finally be mended, or broken once more?

While war rages around them, can these three women find the courage to keep fighting for their dreams?

While German bombs rain down on Manchester, three women dare to build a new life inside the former Dunbar's hotel. 

Kitty Dunbar refuses to be defeated. While the hotel had to be closed due to Mr Dunbar's multiple debts, she comes up with an idea of "providing secure accommodation for what was left of people's furniture and household goods after they had been bombed out".

Her husband Bill's shortcomings have had a huge impact on her life. To provide for her daughter and herself, Kitty takes on new responsibilities and turns out to be managing well.

"Just look at her now, not just working but actually running the business. Not only that, but she had set up the business herself". 

Kitty is proud to be a businesswoman, she dreams of breathing a new life into the old building, together with her loyal friends, Lily, the former chambermaid, and Beatrice, who works in a welfare office. 

All three women have secrets and losses of their own.

Lily is trying to cope with a recent tragedy, and feels lost. She is struggling with a mix of emotions: grief, sadness, guilt. Unreasonably, Lily blames her husband for not being there for her, when the tragedy struck, yet it was not his fault. The trauma makes Lily reconsider her marriage, and an alienation follows. When she meets a handsome doctor in dramatic circumstances, Lily wonders if there is a chance of a new love for her. 

As a former child carer for her own mother, Beatrice is full of empathy and concern for the other children who have to look after their own parents with disabilities/long illness. She is aware of the huge responsibilities on their young shoulders, all this done at the expense of a proper education.

 Remembering her own childhood experiences, Beatrice, with a help from another welfare officer, sets up "a club at Dunbar's for children like this, so that for a few hours each week they could meet other children who fully understood what their lives were like and enjoy games and other activities..."

You would think this initiative would garner great support, but not everyone approves. Beatrice's superior in the office takes a completely different view.

Beatrice has resigned herself to living on her own. When she meets the man she never expected to see again, the sparks are flying. Is there a promise of a future together for them?

Beatrice is the character of a quiet strength, who I could most relate to. 

Holding on to revived hopes, and to each other, three women discover new strengths they never knew they had. 

They all come from different walks of life, but living together, sharing secrets and supporting each other, Kitty, Lily and Beatrice create a very special unit built on trust and friendship. In a way, they become a family of their own. 

As Kitty explains to her older sister Naomi, "Family matters can be complicated... I'll tell you something I'm grateful for: the way Beatrice, Lily and I have grown so close through living together. We all help one another and they both love Abbie. We've become a sort of family".

Their unbreakable bond will get them through heartbreak and trauma.

The author creates an authentic setting, with a great attention to detail, from wartime recipes to women's rights, or the lack thereof.

There are some pages, when you're going to be fuming at the injustice of it. Women are expected to work hard and support the war effort, yet they are still the second-class citizens, with many of their rights curtailed or non-existent.

I forgot just how much I have enjoyed Maisie Thomas' books in the past. The Railway Girls series is a fabulous historical fiction set during the WWII. I'm delighted to discover a new family saga by this brilliant author. 

Hopeful Hearts at the Wartime Hotel is an unforgettable story of love and loss, friendship and loyalty.

A gripping tale with well-drawn characters and wonderfully vivid writing. A must read for all historical saga fans.

Many thanks to Maisie Thomas, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link:

Hopeful Hearts at the Wartime Hotel

Author Bio:

Maisie Thomas is the bestselling author of the Railway Girls series. She is now writing a new saga series for Boldwood, set in wartime Manchester.

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Photo diary: Project 365, first week of September

 Back to school week was a mishmash of emotions.

Taking Sasha out to his favourite cafe Nero, I messaged Eddie who stayed at home, if he fancied a slice of Neapolitan cake for me to bring back. Later he said it was too sweet. It does look pretty though. 

Monday was a stressful day. We were waiting for Sasha's PAs; one of them arrived in time, and told us that the second guy would be late, as he was still in Oxford. Half an hour later, he was still in Oxford, and I asked Eddie if he would do me a great favour and accompany Sasha and PA to the cafe.

I walked with them, bought the drinks and food and left, as Sasha gets very anxious when I stay there.

It's hard to explain to an outsider, but he compartmentalises everything. 

When we are out of town, let's say in Cornwall, or Paris, he is fine to eat out together as a family (and my presence is acceptable, in his eyes). 

If we go out locally, and I accompany my husband and Sasha to the cafe, I only buy drinks/food and leave, otherwise Sasha gets upset. In his mind, this is a wrong move. His autistic way of thinking is quite rigid, and every change in the usual routine is a big drama.

Eddie was a real champ, and stayed all the time with the guys. The second PA arrived almost an hour and a half later, and they brought Sasha home, who got very upset that they didn't go to the bookshop afterwards. And then we had a hellish evening, as he couldn't cope with all the broken plans.

I totally forgot to take a single photo, so here are two pics from Tuesday.

While I have been struggling, solo parenting for another stretch of days, my dear husband was enjoying himself in Paris, walking past Ralph Lauren.

Now that the academic year has started, he will be commuting weekly, working in Paris for a few days, then coming home for the weekend. 

While Sasha was out in town with his PAs on Tuesday, I ran from shop to shop, as we needed some last minute school shopping. Of course, we left it too late to get new shirts, all shirts in Eddie's size were unavailable. Came back home and placed an online order, for a slightly bigger size, as they didn't have them in the right size either.

Last week I bought a book Ghosts & Dark Curiosities from the Sticker Treasury series to use in collages for the forthcoming Halloween. It's a beautiful edition, with all kinds of curios.

It's been raining almost every day, changing from sunny to grey drizzle to bucketing in a matter of hours.

There are decorative pumpkins in the shops already, and we are still in September.

My kid got soaked through and through on his first day of school, coming home.

And then we had a lovely rainbow.

Trying to up my omega 3 fatty acids intake with a snack of smoked sprats on bread and butter.

I needed a visual prop for one of my ink sketches, and took a photo of festive lights. 

My husband returned back from Athens in the night, and Sasha was particularly thrilled to see him, when he woke up. 

The weekend wheezed by, with lots of chores and things to do. We also watched Interstellar. Every time I see this film, I am impressed by the music score, it is truly amazing. And such a deep, philosophical concept. 

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Photo diary: Project 365, second half of August.

 Good bye, summer! 

The last two weeks of summer were a bit of a turmoil. I was parenting solo for most of that time, and it wasn't easy. My dear husband returned home last Thursday, and off he goes again on Monday. Deep sigh.

Most of the snaps I have taken are of food, either what I saw in the shops, bought or cooked. 

Shopping for groceries after our return from Cornwall, I spotted two new chocolate bars in Waitrose, Danny's Dubai style chocolate (£12 each).

They couldn't shift Lindt Dubai, as nobody was buying £10 bars (apart from a few simple souls, like us. I did buy a bar, and resented every penny of it). And instead of lowering the price to a less money-grabbing level, they introduce an even more pricey chocolate. Thanks, but I won't be buying it.

Would love to know, if you have tried it, and what did you think?

Jolly sunflowers in town...

Another novelty product in Waitrose - Tyrrells Honey glazed glorious gammon flavour crisps, with the Downton Abbey crew on the packaging. As if Lady Mary is partial to crisps, "Pass me that bowl of crisps, Carson".

They were OK, but I won't buy them again. I prefer Co-Op Sea salt & Chardonnay vinegar crisps, they are superior.

Eddie and I watched Wednesday season II, and were slightly less enthusiastic about the kooky family. In comparison with the first season, it seems to have lost its allure.

Wednesday's one-liners are not very funny, and she doesn't look like a schoolgirl any longer. We're still going to watch the second half of the season, when it comes out in September.

Just before we left for Cornwall, I had an email from Steenberg's, saying that I won their prize of a trio of spices and Naturally Vegan cookbook by Julius Fiedler. 

I love this brand of spices. Their Mild Curry spice mix is my favourite, and there are many others that I use in baking and cooking. 

The book looks good. None of us are vegans, but I do cook a lot of plant-based dishes, and there are quite a few recipes that I have bookmarked.

With plenty of windfalls in the garden, this is a season of apples in everything. Baked a simple apple cake Sharlotka, using Steenberg's cinnamon. Apples and cinnamon are made for each other.

It's probably one of the first recipes I have learnt as a young girl, so easy but tasty. It's just eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, cinnamon or vanilla and apples. No butter or oil. Lovely with custard, cream or ice cream.

I have a shallow bird bath on the stone ledge outside the kitchen window, and often see birds taking a bath, like this fluffy-feathered chap. 

In summer I top it up daily on hot days. 

One of our old apple trees in the garden has this mushroom growing on the side. Do I have to remove it, so that it doesn't affect the tree? Or is it harmless? It does look rather sinister.

Last week was very wet, we had rain almost every day. 

Last week's Penandinkchallenge on Insta was all about recipes. This is my page with Spaghetti Bolognese recipe and a quick sketch of little Eddie. I remember the days, when he couldn't pronounce the word spaghetti and called them sghetti.

This snap was taken by Eddie on the walk through town. Somehow I missed seeing the rainbow.

On Saturday we went to Oxford to do some last minute shopping for school trousers and shoes. Walking in Oxford, we saw this unusual plant with enormous leaves. I have no idea what it's called, but it is impressive.

We walked from Summertown into the town centre, I showed Eddie my old department, where I used to work, and we stopped by in Jericho tavern for a quick sandwich. Only it wasn't quick at all, it was very slow. They didn't have a coffee machine, and could only offer a black or white coffee. 

I asked if they have tea. The choice was between Everyday, green and mint. And then the mint tea was served with milk. Who drinks mint tea with milk?! 

The food was very average. Won't recommend the place. This is my halloumi sandwich.

Shoe-shopping with Eddie is like accompanying Imedla Marcos to choose a new pair, he is so very particular. I got flustered, traipsing from one shop to another, I absolutely hate shoe-shopping. He was in his element though. 

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Degustabox August Box

 Saying Good bye to summer days, and welcoming autumn. Back to school, hectic mornings and afternoon snacks, hot cocoa on chillier evenings and cosy jumpers.

Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in August Box Degustabox?

Tilda rice is the Product of the Month with two flavours from their extensive range - Tilda Soy & Ginger Sticky rice or Chinese Special fried rice (£1.54 each).

Discover two new tasty flavours.

Both Soy & ginger sticky rice and Chinese special fried rice, inspired by popular cisines from East Asia, are perfect with Oriental-style recipes.

Chinese Special fried rice is a steamed long grain rice with mixed vegetables (carrots, peas), mushrooms and Chinese spices. Perfect with Salt & Pepper Tofu, Chinese meatballs or spare ribs.

Soy & Ginger Sticky rice is a steamed round rice with soy sauce and ginger. Great with Shiitake mushrooms and green beans. For extra protein, add fried chicken or tofu.

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, gluten free. Nutritional information: 210kcal and 0.7g of salt per 125g serving (Soy & Ginger); 160kcal and 1.19g of salt per serving (Chinese special).

Ready in 2 minutes in a microwave or 3 minutes on the hob.

I have mentioned it more than once in the past that we are big fans of Tilda rice, and always have a couple of rice pouches in the pantry for quick and easy meals.

Available in Sainsbury's and on Tilda.com.

You should receive 1 item in your box.

We had Tilda Soy & Ginger sticky rice as a side dish to sea bream, marinated in soy sauce, spring onions and honey.

Seabrook Waffle Bites Maple Bacon Flavour (£1.50) is a lattice potato snack, available in individual 16g bags. 

A lovely snack, when you're feeling peckish, or as part of your packed lunch, these waffle bites are gluten free and are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Nutritional values: 74kcal and 1g of sugar per 16g bag.

Available in ASDA, Morrisons and Ocado.

Bold Bean Co Queen Chickpeas/or Queen Cannellini Beans (£3.25)/ or Smoky Chilli Baked Beans (£3.50) are cooked, using high quality ingredients, sourced from where they grow best.

Eat straight from the jar, or use as an ingredient in a variety of dishes, added to salads and rice, or mashed as a topping for crostata.

Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Morrisons, Ocado and major independents, or directly from boldbeanco.com.

You should receive 1 item of three. Ours was a big jar of Queen Cannellini Beans. 

I am planning to use it next time I cook a five-bean chilli (a vegetarian recipe), but you can use it in Chilli con Carne.

Nutritional values: 81kcal and 0.8g of salt per 100g.

Kellogg's Bluey Multigrain Cereal (£3.50) is a fun novelty cereal for the little people in your family. 

I miss the days when my guys were little, as I know they would have been absolutely delighted to see Bluey on the cereal box.

Nutritional values: 119kcal and 4.5g of sugar per 30g serving; high in fibre, no artificial colours or flavours, contains vitamins and minerals.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Mentos Pure Fresh Strawberry Gum (£2) is a long-lasting chewing gum with a unique liquid-filled centre.

Sugar free and bursting with a berry flavour, this refershing gum comes in a bottle which contains 35 pieces.

Nutritional information: 195kcal and 0g sugar per 100g.

Available in Tesco.

Forest Feast Honey & Sea Salt Cashews and Peanuts (£1.50) is a nut mix, glazed with Scottish heather honey and roasted with hand-harvested sea salt. A perfect snack. Top marks!

Nutritional values: 515kcal and 19g of sugar per 100g (one package is 40g); vegetarian, gluten free.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Sacla Creamy Pesto Pasta Pot (£2) is a new product from Sacla.

Made in Italy, with short-cut tagliatelle that stays al dente, each pot is a source of protein. Pour in boiling water, and enjoy a bowl of pasta in five minutes.

We had a bit of a disaster with this pasta pot. It got squashed in the transit and arrived, with all the powdery contents (basil sauce) spread around the box. The pasta itself stayed in the pot, so I might use that, when cooking soup next time. 

Nutritional values: 314kcal and 1.9g of salt per pot.

Available in larger Asda, Morrisons, Amazon, Ocado, sacla.co.uk and Sacla TikTok shop.

Activit Sparkling Vitamin Water Lemon & Lime/or Blackcurrant & Raspberry/or Tropical (£1.50) is a carbonated flavoured spring water with added vitamins and minerals with sweetener.

You should receive 1 item in your box. We got Activit Lemon & Lime, which contains 8 vitamins and minerals, zero sugar. It's a refreshing drink, a quick pick-me-up for busy lifestyles.

Nutritional values: 1kcal per 100ml and 0.5g of sugar (one can is 330ml).

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Double Dutch Pomegranate & Basil (£1.50) is a low cal mixer, with natural flavours.

Double Dutch is a range of premium mixers and tonics. In the few of years we've had a few different flavours of Double Ducth Drinks in Degustabox deliveries, and they are all high quality drinks.

This soft drink offers a vibrant blend of sweet pomegranate and aromatic, earthy tones of basil. It's herby and fruity sweet at the same time, well-balanced, with a depth and complexity.

Serve chilled.

Available on Amazon and Ocado.

This product is only avaiable as a case of 24, and not individually.

And finally, a herald of autumn - Starbucks Premium Instant Coffee Pumpkin Spice Latte (£3).

Inspired by the iconic Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, this instant coffee allows you to prepare your favourite brew at home.

Made with high quality 100% Arabica beans, blended with dairy milk and a Pumpkin spice mix.

Nutritional information: 92kcal and 14.9g of sugar per mug. There are four sticks in the box.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

What is your top favourite product from the latest Degustabox?

Photo diary: Cornish holidays

And whoosh, our week in Cornwall whizzed by in a flash... you count weeks and days until the holiday arrives, and then it's all done and it's time to go home...

I hope we can still go all together to Cornwall for another couple of years, but then who knows. Children grow up, have their own lives to live and their own plans and ideas.

We've been staying for holidays in Perranuthnoe every summer since Eddie turned one year old. That year my Mum visited with us. We stayed in a small cramped cottage, and I have fond memories of Eddie seeing the sea for the very first time. He wasn't impressed. 

Sasha loves Cornwall. We have a social story (photos, symbols and short text) about going to Cornwall, which he enjoys to read on a daily basis. He is mesmerised by the sea. The waves tell hims stories, and he waves his own arms as a conductor to the sea orchestra.

For Saturday evening we booked a table at the Godolphin Arms in Marazion, just opposite St Michael's Mount. The view is amazing, and the food was decent.

We ordered drinks (I had half a pint of the local ale called Tribute, as it made me think of Hunger Games and the tributes), and were admiring the view. There was a light breeze from the open window.

Whenever I am going to look at this tranquil image, I will remember what happened next during our dinner. My husband coughed and startled Sash, who got scared and flew into one of his anxiety attacks, hitting himself on the head, shouting and crying.

We were sitting in a kind of a side room, with just one long table for our company, and nobody directly next to us. I was very upset that such a lovely evening turned ugly so fast, and even more upset on Sasha's behalf as he was genuinely distressed.

Thankfully, the anxiety attack didn't last more than ten minutes, but we hastened to finish the meal and leave the place. And then my darling boy was calm and smiling, as if nothing has happened.

Our days in Cornwall fall under the same routine. In the first half of the day we go to the sandy beach in the village for surfing, running, football etc. 

In the evening we often take a scenic walk along the coast towards Marazion and St Michael's Mount towards the rocky beach.

I'm sure it's not called the rocky beach, but that's what we call it. It's a beautiful walk with the views over the Mount's Bay. It might be a bit repetetive, but the familiarity is part of Sasha's equilibrium, he doesn't easily take to changes, and we do love this walk. 

Sometimes we stop by in the local church of St Michael and St Piran. This is the image of St Piran above the entrance door inside the church.

I can never get bored of looking at St Michael's Mount.

A couple of years ago I read a book about the raid on Penzance by the Barbary pirates in 1640, when 60 locals including women and children were taken captive during the church service and taken as Christian slaves to Algiers. The pirates sailed past St Michael's Mount, but deemed it too much trouble to attack and instead went into town for an easy prey.

Eddie had a blast, surfing, laughing with his friend P, who stayed with us.

For years now, ever since Eddie was three years old, he and I have been doing an "obligatory" jumping on the beach photo. One of us is getting taller and more handsome, another one is getting shorter and chunkier, but at least I can still jump. 

I'm glad that my boy doesn't mind taking part in something silly like that and doesn't seem to be embarrassed by his mother.

On Friday we packed our bags and said Good bye to our cottage and Perranuthnoe. For the last several years we went to Newlyn to have brunch before a long journey back home. 

This time we decided to visit Padstow instead. The town was just one seething mass of tourists. We did manage to get a table at the Greens of Padstow, with the lovely views over the estuary. It was stifling hot to sit outside, however, the food was tasty.

I didn't want anything too heavy, and opted for a salad of burrata and tomatoes. 

This photo was taken on the last evening of our holiday - the sunset over the Mount's Bay. Eddie said the sun looked like something out of Star Wars.

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