A Royal Visit to Victory Street: A heartbreaking and utterly gripping family saga (The Bryant Sisters Book 5)

Product Information

In theMuseum of Edinburgh, you can find theLewis Chessmanthat inspired the pieces in Wizards Chess, lose yourself in Armchair Booksor seeJ. K. Rowling’s Golden Handprintsat theCity Chambers. First off, J K Rowling wrote some of the very first chapters of Harry Potter in this city and so it is now known as the ‘birthplace of Harry Potter’. She also wrote the very last book of the Deathly Hallows here too in the Balmoral Hotel.

This is the first book in The Bryant Sisters series and to say that I can't wait for the next one is an understatement! I loved the surprises in this book and I know that there will be more to come in the next book. Then when the Americans join the war in 1941 and the girls are performing at the new USAF base, Bella meets the charming Wing Commander Earl Franklin who accompanies them on the piano during performances. Bella becomes smitten but there relationship is not all that is seems. It becomes a heady time for Bella, Fran and Edie. But there is tragedy to come and heartache to follow... Fran, Edie and Bella were best friends and because they were a singing group they became the Bryant Sisters and were chosen to go around to the various Armed force bases and try to bring up the military morale. This is how Bella met Earl and got pregnant, but she did not know he was already married with a five year old daughter. The book is an incredible drama of choices that we make in our lives and that one thing that we do that will lead us onto various self discoveries of ourselves and those that we love. The dramatic turns that can change in a moment because of one step either way that we make or don’t make which would you do or not do again to change your life over? This book takes us on a journey of how one mans domination changed three girls lives and their families and how they survived and the deaths that they survived and the pain of love. The inspiration for Pam’s first novel came from her teenage years, working in a record store, and hanging around with musicians who frequented the business. The first novel evolved into a series about a fictional band, The Raiders. She is a fan of sixties music and it’s this love that compelled her to begin writing.

Ground Floor

This series has kept its freshness, interest, and pace throughout the last four books, and the fifth is a great addition.

Yet another masterpiece by Pam. Thank you for this series it's amazing and I love it!’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The census collection is designed so that each group of postcodes should contain an average of 500 persons/200 households in Northern Ireland. It is one of the best places to have afternoon tea in Edinburgh. You can read my complete review of this experience here.

Advance Praise

I just adore this series!… It just keeps getting better and better… It has drama, history, romance, obstacles, friends, family, and the characters show courage and perseverance through difficult times knowing, and hoping, that things will continue to improve and work out for the best.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It was 1956 in Liverpool when Mary learned the plans of Queen Elizabeth II, and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, when they were going to visit Victory Street, during their tour of Liverpool. Mary took charge of the organisation to have Victory Street tidied up, making it fit for the royal visit. Lizzie, Mary's small granddaughter, was going to present a bouquet of flowers to the Queen, and rehearsal for her was going well. Lizzie was deaf but she and all those around her knew signing, so she communicated well. Tradition is something that The Victory holds in abundance. Built nearly a century ago and named after paramount ship fleet, HMS Victory, The Victory retains this air of seaside boozer with a selection of nods to vessels of days gone by; be it vintage framed pictures or ship memorabilia. Set over two floors with a smoking area and street side tables, The Victory might be dated in its decor, but that only adds to the charm of this vintage boozer. This is done to preserve the anonymity of the people in that area, as some postcodes cover a very small area, sometimes a single building. I absolutely adored this book! I could not put it down, probably the fastest I have read a book… If you enjoy historical fiction, you will love this. The perfect book to curl up on the sofa with.’ Raesbookshelf ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ But when Levi receives heartbreaking news from America and his move becomes uncertain, Bella starts to wonder if all her efforts to keep him in Liverpool have been for the right reasons. Can Bella find it in herself to sing for the big celebration and make the right choice for her beloved son?Pushing this aside and as I mentioned this was the only thing that niggled away at me, A Royal Visit to Victory Street is an engaging and good read. It moves the overall storylines of the series along nicely and you are deeply engaged and root for all the characters. It has been so lovely to see Bella, the main protagonist, and her various family members and their extended friendship circle grow and flourish since book one. They have battled through the war and are enjoying a new and exciting way of life and it’s wonderful to read of all the modern changes coming into effect. Many of which we certainly take for granted now. But when Levi receives heartbreaking news from America and his move becomes uncertain, Bella starts to wonder if all her efforts to keep him in Liverpool have been for the right reasons. Can Bella find it in herself to sing for the big celebration, and make the right choice for her beloved son?

There are many streets across the country that have a claim to being THE Harry Potter Street. The Shambles in York is a huge one and my personal favourite contender.

Outside

Bella and the other two Bryant Sisters would perform, as they had during the war, as well as her eldest son, Levi, and his two friends. Levi was keen to become a singer and his small band was having success with the concerts they joined in. The admiration Levi held for the new bands from the US as well as locally, with John Lennon doing well saw him anxious not to go on with schooling. He wanted to work to earn money and make his dreams come true. Would they manage to get Victory Street ready in the short time they had? Would their plans be successful? Once again, I loved reading about all the characters who are so beautifully developed. The overwhelming sense of community plays a wonderful role in setting the tone for life in rebuilding Liverpool. Pam Howes shows her depth of research and empathy as she explores some sensitive issues including racism, domestic violence, and blended families. Meanwhile Earl’s daughter Dianna is adjusting to her new life in Liverpool. Determined to forge her own path, she has her heart set on becoming a nurse. However Dianna soon discovers that the reality of nursing is long hours of gruelling work, performed under constant scrutiny from the dreaded matron – who seems to take pleasure in making Dianna’s life miserable. When a handsome art student catches her eye, Dianna finds herself at the crossroads between ambition and love. I loved every minute of the story… I couldn’t put this down… Five stars from me.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Oh, I know we’re ridiculously young and there’s a war looming and we don’t know what’s going to happen next, but yes, I really do love you. What about you? How do you feel about me?”-Bobby to Bella