The Soldiers Wife by Pamela Hart

It is 1915 and the world is being torn apart, but newlyweds Ruby and Jimmy Hawkins are sure their love will survive the trauma and tragedy of war. Sent away to fight in the desperate battles raging in Gallipoli, Jimmy plans for the future they promised each other and struggles to keep his dreams whole amidst the brutality of the trenches.

Back home in Sydney, Ruby reads his romantic letters, full of longing. But as weeks slip into months she is forced to forge her own life. A new job throws her into a man's world fraught with complications and as the lives of those around her begin to shatter, a powerful new attraction beckons. Realising she must change to truly find her way, Ruby discovers her own strength and independence - but will the price be her marriage?

An unforgettable love affair set during WW1 and inspired by the true story of the author's own family history, The Soldier's Wife is a heart-soaring saga of passion, loss and learning how to live when all you hold dear is threatened.

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Pamela is an award-winning author for both adults and children. Writing under the name Pamela Freeman, she wrote the historical novel THE BLACK DRESS, which won the NSW Premier's History Prize for 2006 and is now in its third edition. Pamela is also well known for her fantasy novels for adults, published by Orbit worldwide: the CASTINGS TRILOGY and her Aurealis Award winning novel, EMBER AND ASH. She has a Doctorate of Creative Arts from the University of Technology, Sydney, where she has also lectured in creative writing. Pamela lives in Sydney with her husband and their son, and teaches face-to-face and online at the Australian Writers' Centre. THE SOLDIER'S WIFE is her 28th book.

Review: This novel is a beautifully written masterpiece! The fact that it's based on a true story makes it that much more compelling. In her time, Ruby is feisty, powerful, a force to be reckoned with and the effect that the war has on her life and marriage is devastating. However, the overall tone of the book is uplifting. Highly recommended!