Among the Poppies

In this gripping and meticulously plotted wartime romance, two sparkling characters find time to laugh and love even while surrounded by misery. World War I is raging, and Gwyn Ruthers wants to do something for the war effort. After a series of chance meetings and conversations with handsome, reserved army captain William Crawford, she sets off to be an ambulance driver on the battlefields of France. Her friend Cecelia, the flighty daughter of a baron, is ill suited to be a battlefield nurse but goes with her nonetheless. William doesn’t think either woman should be so near the fighting, but no one listens to his protests, and soon he and Gwyn are falling in love. Unlike most romances set in this time period, this one never sugarcoats the ugliness of war. There are moral dilemmas, friends die, and survival is hard. Love grows through stolen moments, not dramatic declarations. This carefully researched novel is rich with historical details (which sometimes slow down the pacing a bit). Each character has unique struggles and strengths, and when Gwyn, Cecelia, and William vanquish their own personal demons, their victories are sweet. Readers will relish this powerful story of battlefield love. Agent: Linda Glaz, Hartline Literary Agency. (June)