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Comforts For The Troops

Buy or order the paperback from Waterstones, Amazon UK, Foyles Grand Central Birmingham, Bournville Carillon Visitors Centre, Quaker Book Centre, Hive, Wordery or any good bookshop.

Buy the eBook now on AMAZON KINDLE, KOBO and NOOK.

Hear Fiona Joseph talk about the background to the book at a forthcoming event.

Comforts_forthe_Troops_High
Comforts for the Troops: A novel inspired by women workers at Cadbury in World War One

One war. Three women. 1000 knitted vests.

After marrying Bill, housewife Jessie thought she’d left the Cadbury chocolate factory at Bournville for good. But money problems force her to return to work to make ends meet. Before long, her marriage is tested to breaking point.

Senior worker Leonora secretly longs for the forewoman’s job. When war starts in 1914, she seizes the chance to display her leadership qualities by rallying the girls to pack ‘Comforts’ for the soldiers. But her plan to impress the Cadbury directors unexpectedly – and tragically – backfires.

Meanwhile, vivacious Cadbury girl Mary doesn’t have a care in the world – or so it seems. Despite trying to protect her beloved Daniel, he ends up in grave danger. Mary enlists the help of a Friends Ambulance Unit volunteer. But will it be enough to save Daniel?

A heartwarming yet gritty tale of love, work and friendship set in Birmingham’s best-loved chocolate factory during The Great War.

Publisher: Foxwell Press

Formats: Paperback £9.99
ISBN:9780957093454
Buy Kindle eBook £4.94
Buy Kobo eBook £4.99
Buy NOOK eBook £4.99

Category: First World War Fiction

REVIEWS AND READER COMMENTS

Often the butt of jokes Birmingham is in fact a fascinating city with an enthralling history – Fiona Joseph has really tapped into that history and brought it to life … I very much enjoyed this book, believable characters and compelling stories, featuring areas of Birmingham I know well. I found it pretty hard to put down. A story of work, war, love and friendship ‘Comforts for the Troops’ is a novel that is an excellent portrayal of the work women did during the Great War …
See full review at: HeavenAli Book Reviewer
Comforts for the Troops is a gentle and interesting read … the plots worked and the story flowed. The setting in the Cadbury’s chocolate factory was inspired and different, as everyone has heard of Cadbury’s chocolates. The author did her research and put much effort into getting the historical details correct. A good read.
See full review from the Historical Novel Society
I loved this book! … I was really hooked on this story, it had a mixture of everything, romance, family issues, horrors of war, friendships, humor…
Natalie Rowe on Goodreads 5*
Just to let you know that I finished “Comforts” last night and loved it! I have been thinking about it today and trying to pick out the high-lights, which I found quite difficult as I enjoyed it all and was gripped from page one. A feature I did like was the fact that I knew most of the settings in and around Birmingham, so could picture them (albeit in their modern state) quite easily. Also, it was lovely to have a novel with a time-span and a proper beginning, middle and end. The characters were beautifully drawn and easy to follow throughout the book. Many congrats.
Ros Fitton, Olton Creative Writers Group
“Having read both of your books that I purchased from you at your author’s session at Brownhills Library the other week may I say how much I have enjoyed these two books. As Comforts for the Troops progressed it took me back to my own early days in WWII when I lived in a matriarchal society with my mother, grandmother and two aunts whilst my dad was in the RASC. Many thanks – the picture of life in the Cadbury Works certainly came alive and was vividly portrayed. Look forward to any future sessions in our neck of the woods.”
Dr Mike Ashburner C.Eng
“Really enjoyed this.. .[it was] nicely written and it was lovely to read something based locally.”
Reviewed by S. Brice on Amazon.co.uk *****
I have to congratulate you on the production of a most interesting tale which was obviously written after you had done an enormous amount of research. I was right there with the principal characters, the story was so absorbing and well put together. Another excellent book, Fiona.
Fred Ritchie, Author of ‘The Solihull Manor House and its People 1900 to 2000’ and ‘A Hair-Raising Tale’.
“I took COMFORTS on holiday with me to France and enjoyed it enormously. I found I didn’t want to put it down and read it in record time as I was keen to know what happened next in the lives of the characters in the book. A very human story and so innocent in many ways compared to life now, albeit still with trials and tribulations – what an ideal mix to keep you hooked!!”
Janet Morris

Fiona Joseph headshot 2015About the Author
Fiona Joseph is a Birmingham-based author of fiction and non-fiction. Her best known book is the acclaimed biography, BEATRICE The Cadbury Heiress Who Gave Away Her Fortune. She is a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), The Society of Authors and an associate of Tindal Street Fiction Group. Fiona is a popular public speaker in the West Midlands area and beyond.

 

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