The Linen Queen: A Novel

by Patricia Falvey Narrated by Sarah-Jane Drummey

Overview

Abandoned by her father and neglected by her self-centered, unstable mother, Sheila McGee cannot wait to escape the drudgery of her mill village life in Northern Ireland. Her classic Irish beauty helps her win the 1941 Linen Queen competition, and the prize money that goes with it finally gives her the opportunity she's been dreaming of. But Sheila does not count on the impact of the Belfast blitz which brings World War II to her doorstep. Now even her good looks are useless in the face of travel restrictions, and her earlier resolve is eroded by her ma's fear of being left alone.



When American troops set up base in her village, some see them as occupiers but Sheila sees them as saviors¿one of them may be her ticket out. Despite objections from her childhood friend, Gavin O'Rourke, she sets her sights on an attractive Jewish-American army officer named Joel Solomon, but her plans are interrupted by the arrival of a street-wise young evacuee from Belfast.



Frustrated, Sheila fights to hold on to her dream but slowly her priorities change as the people of Northern Ireland put old divisions aside to fight the Germans. As the war moves steadily closer to those she has grown to love, Sheila confronts more abandonment and loss, and finds true strength, compassion, and a meaning for life outside of herself.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Sheila McGee, the feisty young 'Linen Queen,' will touch your heart as she grows from a girl who values herself only for her good looks into a compassionate woman who discovers inner reserves of strength. A dramatic love story told against the backdrop of World War II in Northern Ireland."—Mary Pat Kelley, author of the best-selling novel Galway Bay

Mary Pat Kelley

"Sheila McGee, the feisty young 'Linen Queen,' will touch your heart as she grows from a girl who values herself only for her good looks into a compassionate woman who discovers inner reserves of strength. A dramatic love story told against the backdrop of World War II in Northern Ireland."

Frank West - Irish American News

The Linen Queen is an emotionally powerful book ,and a joy to read. Falvey has a gift for creating realistic and very believable characters. By saying its a gift, I don't mean its easy to do this. It is the result of much hard work."

Mary Pat Kelly

"Sheila McGee, the feisty young 'Linen Queen,' will touch your heart as she grows from a girl who values herself only for her good looks into a compassionate woman who discovers inner reserves of strength. A dramatic story told against the backdrop of World War II in Northern Ireland."

Frank West

The Linen Queen is an emotionally powerful book ,and a joy to read. Falvey has a gift for creating realistic and very believable characters. By saying its a gift, I don't mean its easy to do this. It is the result of much hard work.
— Irish American News

Product Details

BN ID:	2940177273693
Publisher:	HighBridge Company
Publication date:	05/26/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged

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