The Call of the Wrens
The Call of the Wrens introduces the little-known story of the daring women who rode through war-torn Europe carrying secrets on their shoulders.
An orphan who spent her youth without a true home, Marion Hoxton found in the Great War something other than destruction. She discovered a chance to belong. As a member of the Women's Royal Naval Service--the Wrens--Marion gained sisters. She found purpose in her work as a motorcycle dispatch rider assigned to train and deliver carrier pigeons to the front line. And despite the constant threat of danger, she and her childhood friend Eddie began to dream of a future together. Until the battle that changed everything.
Now twenty years later, another war has broken out across Europe, calling Marion to return to the fight. Meanwhile others, like twenty-year-old society girl Evelyn Fairchild, hear the call for the first time. For Evelyn, serving in the war is a way to prove herself after a childhood fraught with surgeries and limitations from a disability. The re-formation of the Wrens as World War II rages is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in the world at seventy miles per hour.
Told in alternating narratives that converge in a single life-changing moment, The Call of the Wrens is a vivid, emotional saga of love, secrets, and resilience--and the knowledge that the future will always belong to the brave souls who fight for it.
- Historical, stand-alone novel
- Book length: approximately 94,000 words
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
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Jenni L. Walsh worked for a decade enticing readers as an award-winning advertising copywriter before becoming an author. Her passion lies in transporting readers to another world, be it in historical or contemporary settings. She is a proud graduate of Villanova University, and lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband, daughter, son, and various pets.
Jenni is the USA Today bestselling author of historical novels Becoming Bonnie, Side by Side, A Betting Woman, The Call of the Wrens, and Unsinkable. She also writes books for children, including the nonfiction She Dared series and historical novels Hettie and the London Blitz, I Am Defiance, By the Light of Fireflies, Over and Out, and Operation: Happy. To learn more about Jenni and her books, please visit jennilwalsh.com or @jennilwalsh on social media.
From its intriguing cover to the author's note at the end, this book will captivate readers . . . The characters (including a brave pigeon) are sympathetic and believable, the plot has plenty of surprises, and the history of these heroic women is fascinating . . . an ideal read in a cozy chair with a cup of tea in front of the fireplace.--Historical Novel Society
'Walsh offers an enticing story of two Englishwomen serving their country during both world wars . . . Walsh expertly contrasts the life of orphaned Marion and privileged Evelyn to expose their common desire to show their value outside societal labels. Historical fiction fans will be riveted.'--Publishers Weekly
'Walsh follows two English women, Marion and Evelyn, showing how they became involved with the Women's Royal Naval Service, more commonly known as the Wrens . . . This well-written, straightforward book will be of interest to readers curious about the types of work available to English women who wanted to aid in war efforts during both world wars.'--Booklist
'Spanning decades in a story that is both epic and intimate, The Call of the Wrens is an original and compelling tale of sisterhood and strength.'--Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star
'The heroines in Walsh's latest can be found racing around war-torn Europe on motorbikes, relaying secret messages and undertaking daring missions as part of the real-life women's branch of the Royal Navy . . . an absolute treat for historical fiction lovers.'--Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace
'Laced with triumph and tragedy, bravery and redemption, this tale of finding oneself in modern history's darkest hours will break your heart and put it back together again, all in one delightful read.'--Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars
'A tale filled with strong emotion, hope, and determination, it is highly thought-provoking and entertaining. It is clearly evident Ms. Walsh has spent indeterminable hours researching and putting together a well-written and memorable story about past events to make them truly authentic as well as informative.'--New York Journal of Books
