Comforts for the Troops
One war. Three women.
After marrying Bill, housewife Jessie thought she’d left the Cadbury chocolate factory at Bournville for good. But money problems force her to return to work to make ends meet. Before long, her marriage is tested to breaking point.
Senior worker Leonora secretly longs for the forewoman’s job. When war starts in 1914, she seizes the chance to display her leadership qualities by rallying the girls to pack ‘Comforts’ for the soldiers. But her plan to impress the Cadbury directors unexpectedly – and tragically – backfires.
Meanwhile, vivacious Cadbury girl Mary doesn’t have a care in the world – or so it seems. Despite trying to protect her beloved Daniel, he ends up in grave danger. Mary enlists the help of a Friends Ambulance Unit volunteer. But will it be enough to save Daniel?
A heartwarming yet gritty tale of love, work and friendship set in Birmingham’s best-loved chocolate factory during The Great War.
Paperback ISBN:9780957093454
Kindle eBook 
Comforts for the Troops
Reviews and reader comments
“I very much enjoyed this book, believable characters and compelling stories, featuring areas of Birmingham I know well. I found it pretty hard to put down. A story of work, war, love and friendship … an excellent portrayal of the work women did during the Great War.”
HeavenAli Book Reviewer
“The plots worked and the story flowed. The setting in the Cadbury’s chocolate factory was inspired and different and [the author] put much effort into getting the historical details correct. A good read.”
Historical Novel Society
“I was really hooked on this story, it had a mixture of everything, romance, family issues, horrors of war, friendships, humour…”
Natalie Rowe on Goodreads 5*
“Just to let you know that I finished “Comforts” last night and loved it, and was gripped from page one. It was lovely to have a novel with a time-span and a proper beginning, middle and end. The characters were beautifully drawn and easy to follow throughout the book.”
Ros Fitton, Olton Creative Writers Group
“May I say how much I have enjoyed this book … it took me back to my own early days in WWII when I lived in a matriarchal society with my mother, grandmother and two aunts whilst my dad was in the RASC. Many thanks – the picture of life in the Cadbury Works certainly came alive and was vividly portrayed.”
Dr Mike Ashburner
“I have to congratulate you on the production of a most interesting tale which was obviously written after you had done an enormous amount of research. I was right there with the principal characters, the story was so absorbing and well put together. Another excellent book, Fiona.”
Fred Ritchie, Author
“I took COMFORTS on holiday with me to France and enjoyed it enormously. I found I didn’t want to put it down and read it in record time as I was keen to know what happened next in the lives of the characters in the book. A very human story and so innocent in many ways compared to life now, albeit still with trials and tribulations – what an ideal mix to keep you hooked!!”
Janet Morris
