I can’t believe it’s nearly three years since lovely Mary Wood last featured here on Linda’s Book Bag when we were celebrating her book The Jam Factory Girls. Mary is such a lovely author and it’s my privilege to help celebrate publication day for her latest book, The Guernsey Girls, by chatting with her all about it today. My grateful thanks to Chloe Davies at Pan Macmillan for putting us in touch with one another again.

Let’s find out more:

Staying in with Mary Wood

Welcome back to Linda’s Book Bag Mary. 

Thank you for asking me. I’ve been looking forward to our evening together.

Thank you for agreeing to stay in with me. It’s always a pleasure to host you.

My pleasure.

Tell me, as if I didn’t know, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

I’ve brought my very latest book – The first of a brand-new trilogy, which has just been released, The Guernsey Girls.

Happy publication day Mary.

I chose this novel to share with you as it is the beginning of an incredible journey for Olivia and Annie and my twentieth book published by the lovely Pan Macmillan publishers.

Wow. Twenty books. That’s some achievement Mary! So, what can we expect from an evening in with The Guernsey Girls?

A roller coaster of emotions as a rich girl finds a friend in her maid. It is a friendship that will take them through many highs and many lows as they deal with tragedy, and betrayal. And will take the reader from the Island of Guernsey (Olivia’s home) to the East End of London (Annie’s home) at a time when the world is on the brink of war.

The Guernsey Girls sounds brilliant. I’m so glad it’s on my TBR. I have been to Guernsey over seventy times but never actually got off the plane as I was on my way to Jersey to work so I might actually get a vicarious visit through your book.

What else have you brought along and why have you brought it?

I can’t wait to share with you the photos I have brought with me of my day visiting Guernsey. It was part of a cruise holiday and so inspired me as I found the places that would feature in this trilogy.

I love a cruise! Looking forward to seeing those photos.

It was as if the story of all that the islanders endured, during the time that they were the only part of Britain to be invaded by Hitler, came to life for me that day.

Instead of partaking in any of the many attractions onboard the ship that night, I scribbled away making notes. To receive this review on Net Galley made all sacrifices during the writing, so worthwhile.

That’s dedication indeed.

Oh, and I have brought nibbles too – hope you’ve uncorked the wine!

You’re on your own with the wine – it makes me ill, but I’ll join you with a Bailey’s…

We’re in for a cosy girl’s night in – I might even read you a passage from the book. I’ll find one that tugs at our hearts, then we’ll end up in tears, but that will make us giggle for being dafties, and so this evening will draw to a close with a clink of glasses and laughter, as all good girlie get togethers should!

I love a good cry when I’m reading Mary so I’ll take you up on that and go and fetch the tissues! Thank you SO much for staying in with me to chat about The Guernsey Girls. It really does sound a wonderful book.

I’ve loved being with you, Linda. Thank you for all you do for me and my fellow authors in showcasing our work, much love to you and to all your followers, Mary x

It’s my pleasure. Now, you find a passage to read and pour our drinks and I’ll give readers a few more details about The Guernsey Girls.

The Guernsey Girls

From the bestselling author of The Jam Factory Girls, Mary Wood’s The Guernsey Girls is the first in a touching new series of friendship found far from home . . .

January 1936. After the hard work of being a maid at Wallington Manor in the lead-up to Christmas, Annie is thrilled at the prospect of going home to Bethnal Green. She has missed her family, but the money she earns keeps them all afloat.

Olivia is from the island of Guernsey and is visiting her aunt at Wallington Manor. When she has to leave for London, Annie is asked to look after her, and on the train journey a friendship blossoms.

A tragic accident sees their friendship become even stronger. A friendship that will see both girls through pain, happiness, marriage and death. A friendship that will see them both united in Guernsey.

And this is just the beginning of their incredible journey . . .

Published by Pan today, 7th December 2023, The Guernsey Girls is available for purchase through the publisher links here.

About Mary Wood

Born the thirteenth child of fifteen to a middle-class mother and an East End barrow boy, Mary Wood’s childhood was a mixture of love and poverty. Throughout her life Mary has held various posts in office roles, working in the Probation services and bringing up her four children and numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An avid reader, she first put pen to paper in 1989 whilst nursing her mother through her last months, but didn’t become successful until she began self-publishing her novels in 2011.

Her novels include All I Have to Give, An Unbreakable Bond, In Their Mother’s Footsteps and The Breckton Novels.

You’ll find more information about Mary on her Facebook page, her website and by following her on Twitter @Authormary. Mary is also on Instagram.