Pub.date: May 25, 2023
Library loan, historical fiction, book series, digital
dates read: 3/18/24-3/20/24
Dear Mrs. Bird (Emmy Lake Chronicles, book 1) 2018
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3999400615
Mrs. Porter Calling (Emmy Lake Chronicles, book 3) 2023
This continues the story of Emmy Lake who has worked hard for to prove herself a worthy reporter at Woman's Friend publication. When Henrietta Bird stepped down as editor of the Woman's Friend, Mr. Guy Collins became the new editor. Over time, Mr. Collins allowed Emmy the responsibilities and assignments she desired after accompanying him to the Ministry of Information HQ at Senate. A confidential meeting comprised of many of the prominent journalists trusted with dispersing information to assist the war effort. Emmy becomes empowered with this new opportunity to prove herself as a true journalist. The relationships and marriages form during the war along with tragedy and hardship. These events bring people together to support each other and form their own "family".
In this installment, it is 1943 in London and it's Emmy Lake's 25th birthday. Newly married to Captain Charles Mayhew, she works 2 jobs while he is serving in the war along with most other men. The story continues with its same witty, lively characters which really drive the stories which are an encouraging look at life during WWII. Of course, just as the group at Woman's Friend are relieved to have recovered from some setbacks they have currently increased revenue with their increased sales with the new format which readers have come to depend.
This is all upended when Mrs. Porter inherits Woman's Friend from her uncle Lord Overton who owned the magazine for 48 years. It was assumed that it would be passed down to his son along with The Evening Chronicle and rest of the Launceston Press empire. Since the magazine was currently doing well no one expected many changes with the new ownership. Everyone is appalled when the new owner, Mrs. Porter, wants nothing more than to make dramatic changes creating havoc amongst the employees and the readers. She is an uppity, know-it-all who looks down on everyone and eventually decides to sell the magazine without concern about the livelihood of the staff. For the dedicated workers, Woman's Friend has become an integral piece for people to contribute to the war effort. They provided useful information for the everyday person about getting through the difficulties faced by the war. They were especially proud of their ability to help mostly women in need who had no where else to turn for assistance.
With help from Monica Edwards, an old friend of Guy Collins and successful publisher of Woman Today publication, they try to problem solve a way to save the magazine from failure. They know how to run a successful magazine but they lack the funding to purchase the publication themselves. Not to fear, this group of dedicated, loyal folks are determined to make lemonade out of lemons. Again, this is a story which has many likeable characters with budding relationships and connections. I hope that this is not the last we hear about them.
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