War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm: The start of a brand new historical saga series by Rosie Clarke

Yes this was a very good story enjoyed it .plenty of actionGoing on .And Glad Things went well for Tom and family.And he married his Lizzie . Granted things were hoting upFor war. But it seemed to finish without resolving mattersOf what happened to this Ralph. Faiths uncle. AndMaybe no doubt .the story was mostly about Tom and LizzieBut it just seemed as though it was cut short. The story line Without a resolve of what happened to this Ralph. TheUncle who had a score to settle with Tom and Lizzie.Glad he didn't really but it's a story line. AndRalph didn't get mentioned towards the end of the bookWell .I was expecting something else to happen. But itNever did. .the story simply ended on a note of waiting forTom to come home after the war...... Other than that good story. .Thanks for a nice readEnjoyed it. .I give this four stars it was very good .Lovely read .But didn't bring me to the edge of my seat .inAnticipation. Sorry. Thanks all the sameTo Rosie Clarke . Enjoyable Read.

I loved this opening book in a new historical saga series and was quickly interested in the different family members who are introduced. It absolutely captures the feel of the time as the threat of war gets ever closer and then finally arrives. I enjoyed how the period details were woven into the descriptions. London in 1939 seems so different to the rural Cambridgeshire where most of the action happens. Still, the effects of the war are profound even there as the farm workers are gradually replaced by the newly formed Land Army. This first book focusses on Tom and Lizzie's story and they both emerges as believable characters. The changing role of women at the time is illustrated through the ambitions of the younger characters and the expectations of their family about the value of their work and education. You also are shown different attitudes towards family and marriage. Not all parents are caring and not all spouses are living in harmony. One or two characters are quite menacing and give the story a latent feeling of threat. I am looking forward to the next installment in the saga. This is a very promising start.In short: plenty of action and well drawn characters in this opening to a new series.

Seeing all the glowing reviews, I thought I'd give this a go.It's a bit outside the box for me, but - why not?Oh dear.Boring. Tedious. Too 'proper'. Bearing in mind the people involved - farmers and country folk etc - it came across as far too tame.NOW - I not saying that country folk are a unruly, foul mouthed lot; far from it! But it just seemed a bit too "polite". The storyline was okay, but there was no real fire - there was little or nothing to grab me; pull me in. And the ending was dreadful - it just . . . . finished. Sorry - I accept that it's just not for me, however - there were opportunities to "light the fire"!

Rosie Clarke definitely knows how to start a saga in books. War Clouds over Blackberry Farm is another book once started that you cannot put down. It is such an enjoyable read, I will not give the story away but it is a must read. Which if I could would give it more than a five star rating. I am now looking forward to the next one Heartache at Blackberry Farm due in October 2022. Rosie Clarke's books never disappoint me.

There was nothing to dislike aboutabout this book ,the characters all individually placed where all the makings off an excellent read ,I couldn't put it down ,I can't wait for next to come out (hurry up Rosie )well worth five stars and more

The story of Lizzie and Tom who were sweethearts but Lizzie was attacked by Ralph and she ran away to London. She fortunately didn't get pregnant but Tom thought she was cheating on him with Ralph. She got a job working as a hairdresser and a home with Vera and her 2 daughtersFinally things got sorted with Tom and she married him but Ralph is still promising revenge on Tom because he thinks Tom stole Lizzie from him.The next book should reveal what happens next

I love a good saga and this one has left me wanting more from Rosie Clarke! I couldn't put it down. My only niggle is the cover which I don't think does the story justice (his tunic is WW1 with cuff rank) yes, as a history nerd this winds me up but I'm sure it won't bother anyone else.Can't wait for part 2!

A really good read following Lizzies dreams of being atop hair stylist and a wife to Tom. Due to unfortunate happenings things don't turn out the way she hopes them to be in the beginning. My only disappointment in this book is the abrupt ending. Hoping that a follow on will be soon Forth coming.