Lyn Cote The Women of Ivy Manor: Bette

The Women of Ivy Manor: Bette

Lyn Cote

Warner, Sep 2005, $10.99

ISBN: 0446694355

In 1936 Tidewater, Maryland, Elizabeth "Bette" Leigh McCaslin finds how some of the uglier locals feel about a German Jewish girl staying at Ivy Manor, as the Klan sets off explosives to scare her and her family, while her classmates make snide remarks. Still she gets on well with the other new student Curtis Sinclair. As World War II approaches, they become engaged, but she has an opportunity to help with anti-Nazi espionage. She agrees, hoping her efforts and that of others will stop the Nazi evil, but she also hides what she does from her loved ones including Curt.

With the war over, though reluctant, Bette marries Curt as she believes in keeping her promise. However, he is not the same person who left for war, and explains what occurred in France to him and demands a divorce. Pregnant Bette says no, that they need to be a family and work on their disparities.

The courageous Bette will remind readers of her mom Chloe, star of the first The Women of Ivy Manor novel, as she bravely faces evil without blinking, and tries to do what she believes is the right thing, whether it is espionage or spousal confrontation. The storyline paints a gloomy backdrop to WWII, yet because of magnificent Bette's intrepid outlook and need to actively fight the Nazis; readers taste the glimmer of hope for a better world. Lyn Cote provides a strong tale of a valiant woman that brings to life the years prior to, during, and just after World War II through her eyes.

Harriet Klausner