I thought I’d share some of my late mother-in-law, Margaret’s designs that she did during the Second World War, mostly in 1942 and 1943. Like Estelle’s younger sister, Rose in An Island at War, Margaret was evacuated from the Channel Islands just before The Occupation and I used Margaret’s design sketches as inspiration for Estelle’s own in the book.
An Island at War is about two sisters separated for five years by the Jersey Occupation.
While her little sister Rose is sent to the UK to keep her safe from the invading German army, Estelle is left behind on Jersey to help her grandmother run the family farm. When the Germans occupy the island, everything changes and Estelle and the islanders must face the reality of life under Nazi rule. Interspersed with letters from Rose back in London, the novel is also inspired by the real life stories from the author’s own family who were on the island during the occupation and is a true testament to the courage and bravery of the islanders.
An Island at War will be published by HarperCollins, One More Chapter on June 25th and is available for pre-order.
