“In the Line of Duty” by Heather Rosser
An excellent novel about WWI that reveals the terrible fate radiographers suffered, and throws a light on the White Feather phenomenon
About the Book:
April 1914: War clouds gather over Europe and two families collide after a tragic death. Torn between duty and his own desires, William enlists as a seaplane pilot. His Welsh fiancée, Lottie, dutifully stays at home after her sister runs away with a soldier.
In London, William’s mother, Alice, immerses herself in war work but, when confronted with an illegitimate baby, Alice’s personal war is just beginning. Serving one’s country and pressures to enlist are a dark contrast to romantic love. White feather incidents in London and Llandudno highlight different perceptions of courage and cowardice.
Can William survive the shame of being accused of cowardice?
About the Author:
Heather Rosser has always had a love of history and family memoir. Her First World War novel, In the Line of Duty, is based on her grandfather’s experiences as a sea-plane pilot. It is set in London and North Wales where the family built a holiday home in 1912 and the area is still one of Heather’s favourite places to visit.
“In the Line of Duty” was shortlisted for the RNA Joan Hessayon debut novel award. Heather began her writing career when she took time out from teaching English in a college in Nigeria to write about local childrearing customs.
When she lived in Botswana, she became a stringer for a national newspaper as well as writing articles for British magazines.
Since moving to Oxford, Heather has written text books for schools in Africa and the Caribbean and is currently working on a memoir of her time in Nigeria.
Excerpt from IN THE LINE OF DUTY:
“‘A girl in the village gave him a white feather.’
William looked shocked. ‘But white feathers are for cowards! Duggie’s not a coward!’
‘Of course he isn’t and neither are any of the young men who are given feathers by unthinking girls,’ said Alice angrily.
‘Who was this girl anyway?’ William glared at Hilda.
‘She was no one. Just a girl from the village.’ Hilda’s voice was laced with contempt. She sat down heavily on the sofa and took a ball of dark grey wool from her bag. ‘I’m going to knit him some socks. The Queen has asked the women of England to provide thirty thousand pairs for our soldiers.’”
In the Line of Duty by Heather Rosser is available in paperback from Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Line-Duty-Heather-Rosser/dp/1910266078
The book is also available to download as an e-book at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Line-Duty-Heather-Rosser-ebook/dp/B00KAHYVOY
Press/Media Contact Details:
New Generation Publishing
Tel. 01234 712 064
E-mail: info@newgeneration-publishing.com