The Summer Before the Storm by Gabrielle Wills

My reading brings me to Canada today with the start of a trilogy. The Summer Before the Storm by Gabrielle Wills starts the tale of how WWI will impact the lives of friends. I thank the author for sending me a copy at no charge. As always, my opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Publisher: Mindshadows, 2006
Category: Historical Fiction
Tour Dates: November, 2012
Available in: Print and Kindle, 551 pages

It’s the Age of Elegance in the summer playground of the affluent and powerful. Amid the pristine, island-dotted lakes and pine-scented forests of the Canadian wilderness, the young and carefree amuse themselves with glittering balls and friendly competitions. The summer of 1914 promises to be different when the ambitious and destitute son of a disowned heir joins his wealthy family at their cottage on Wyndwood Island. Through Jack’s introduction into the privileged life of the aristocratic Wyndhams and their illustrious social circle, he seeks opportunities and alliances to better himself, including in his schemes, his beautiful and audacious cousin, Victoria.

But their charmed lives begin to unravel with the onset of the Great War, in which many are destined to become part of the “lost generation”.

This richly textured tale takes the reader on an unforgettable journey from romantic moonlight cruises to the horrific sinking of the Lusitania, from regattas on the water to combat in the skies over France, from extravagant mansions to deadly trenches – from innocence to nationhood.

About the Author:

The author of five highly acclaimed historical novels, Gabriele loves to recreate an era in which she can immerse herself (and readers), by weaving compelling stories around meticulously researched facts. Her characters are best friends, whom others are now calling “cherished friends”.

With degrees in the social sciences and education, Gabriele has had a varied career as an educator, literacy coordinator, and website designer, and has been an active community volunteer, particularly in heritage preservation. But writing fiction has always been her passion. Her first short story appeared in the Canadian Authors Association Winners’ Circle 5 Anthology. In 2001, she produced an award-nominated feature on CBC Radio’s “Outfront”.

Born in Germany, Gabriele emigrated to Canada as a young child. She grew up in Lindsay, Ontario, enjoyed several years in Ottawa, and currently resides in Guelph with her husband. She is the proud mother of an accomplished daughter, with whom she is collaborating on an historical YA novel. Visit her at Mindshadows.com for more information.

Gabriele’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GabrieleWills
Gabriele on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GabrieleWills

My Opinion:

This book takes you to a world not seen by many people – a world of “cottages” on private islands and personal steamboats. It takes place in what can only be a glorious area of Canada just before the onset of WWI. We meet the very wealthy Wyndham family just as they meet a long lost relative. The book is populated with well defined characters of all stripes from the ahead of her time Victoria to the entitled sons of the family who don’t want this interloping new nephew Jack coming forth to claim any of the money they think is all theirs.

The Muskoka area is full of people both rich and not so rich and Ms. Wills can draw a reader in and make that reader feel as if she were in that brand new speedboat on the lake feeling the warmth of the day and the spray of the water. I love a book that causes you to just totally get lost in the story and this is that book. I would have read it in a couple of sessions if not for Hurricane Sandy and worry about my family. I just couldn’t concentrate and I didn’t want to lose any of this great story. (My family is in New Jersey – they are all OK.)

The book takes us through the beginnings of the war and training of certain characters in the RAF. The tales of the fighter pilots are harrowing and war is, as always hell. The Lusitania and her sinking play a very large role and that horrific attack is hard to read. The ending is a touch histrionic but it sets up the next book in what is going to be a trilogy. I will be looking forward to it most ardently and will keep this book on my shelf to re-read in advance of its arrival. Yes, this one is a keeper and you know how few I keep to re-read.

You can see the rest of the Tour Schedule

Other Books About WWI:

Elusive Dawn by Gabrielle Wills

UNDER THE SAME BLUE SKY BY PAMELA SCHOENEWALDT

THE CALIFORNIA WIFE BY KRISTIN HARNISCH

Any purchase links are affiliate links which means if you buy anything through them I will receive a small commission that helps to keep the Farm cats in toys and treats

The Summer Before the Storm by Gabrielle Wills – Book Review

Other Books About WWI:

Elusive Dawn by Gabrielle Wills

UNDER THE SAME BLUE SKY BY PAMELA SCHOENEWALDT

THE CALIFORNIA WIFE BY KRISTIN HARNISCH

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