Synopses & Reviews
Abandoned by her father and neglected by her mother, Sheila McGee cannot wait to escape the drudgery of village life in Northern Ireland. Working in the local linen mill and living off the reluctant charity of relatives is well enough for her ma, but Sheila craves a place where she will get the attention and love she deserves. London may be under attack by the Germans, but it still offers far more opportunity for a clever and attractive young woman such as herself. Winning the title of Linen Queen doesn't just validate her self-confidence; the prize money provides the funds to get away. Though she's ready to leave immediately, her Ma has other plans for her money and it seems her looks aren't enough to get the necessary papers to enter England in the midst of the war.
Deferred but still determined, Sheila continues to look for a means of escape, and finds it in the arrival of American troops who set up base in her home town. At first Sheila sees only diversion and excitement in this new situation, and then maybe a different path to freedom in the form of an attractive Jewish-American army officer named Joel. But despite her intentions, Joel's affection and wisdom begin to affect Sheila. The arrival of a street-wise young evacuee from Belfast named Grainne, and her childhood friend, Gavin, further complicate her plans. As the war moves steadily closer to those she has grown to love, Sheila will not only confront more abandonment and loss, but also find true strength, compassion, and a meaning for her life outside of herself.
Review
"Sheila McGee, the feisty young 'Linen Queen,' will touch your heart as she grows from a girl who values herself only for her good looks into a compassionate woman who discovers inner reserves of strength. A dramatic love story told against the backdrop of World War II in Northern Ireland."--Mary Pat Kelley, author of the best-selling novel Galway Bay
Synopsis
Abandoned by her father and neglected by her self-centered, unstable mother, Sheila McGee cannot wait to escape the drudgery of her mill village life in Northern Ireland. Her classic Irish beauty helps her win the 1941 Linen Queen competition, and the prize money that goes with it finally gives her the opportunity she's been dreaming of. But Sheila does not count on the impact of the Belfast blitz which brings World War II to her doorstep. Now even her good looks are useless in the face of travel restrictions, and her earlier resolve is eroded by her ma's fear of being left alone.
When American troops set up base in her village, some see them as occupiers but Sheila sees them as saviors--one of them may be her ticket out. Despite objections from her childhood friend, Gavin O'Rourke, she sets her sights on an attractive Jewish-American army officer named Joel Solomon, but her plans are interrupted by the arrival of a street-wise young evacuee from Belfast.
Frustrated, Sheila fights to hold on to her dream but slowly her priorities change as the people of Northern Ireland put old divisions aside and bond together in a common purpose to fight the Germans. Sheila's affection for Joel grows as she and Gavin are driven farther apart. As the war moves steadily closer to those she has grown to love, Sheila confronts more abandonment and loss, and finds true strength, compassion, and a meaning for life outside of herself.
About the Author
Patricia Falvey was born in Newry,
County Down, Northern Ireland. She was raised in
Northern Ireland and
England before immigrating alone to the
United States at the age of twenty. Until recently, she served as a Managing Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLC, where she led a national tax consulting practice.
Over the years she participated in numerous writing seminars, and in June of 2007, Patricia finally made the decision to leave her position with PWC at the pinnacle of her career and devote herself full time to her first love - writing. The author of The Yellow House (Center Street 2009), this is her second novel.