An Hour Unspent ( Book #3)

An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White is the third book in Shadows Over England series. Barclay Pearce has given up a life of crime and now uses his talents to help his country win the war. Barclay’s latest assignment is clockmaker, Cecil Manning who has an invention that would give England’s flying men an edge over Germany’s pilots. On the way to the Manning residence, Barclay saves a woman from a mugging. The woman turns out to be Evelina Manning, the clockmaker’s daughter. Barclay is intrigued by the independent woman and perplexed by the identity of her mugger. Evelina is shocked when her fiancé, Basil ends their engagement three weeks before the wedding and learns that he has enlisted in the army. Basil tells Evelina that she lacks warmth and the last thing he wants is a marriage like their parents. Evelina never thought that standing up for a woman’s right to vote and for safe working conditions would drive away Basil. She dreads telling her mother about the broken engagement. Barclay works with Mr. Manning on his invention in the evenings and makes a point of arriving early to spend time the clockmaker’s fiery daughter. It seems that someone else is interested in Mr. Manning’s device, and they will go to great lengths to acquire it. Barclay will need to dig deep into his bag of tricks if he is to complete this assignment and keep the Manning family safe. An Hour Unspent is an intriguing novel. It begins in May of 1915 when England is at war with Germany. I recommend reading the books in Shadows Over England series in order. Each book builds upon the previous one and it will provide you a better understanding about the family and its members. The characters from A Name Unknown and A Song Unheard appear in this installment along with the rest of Barclay’s family. I enjoyed getting to know more about Barclay who is the head of his family. He has given up a life of crime, has become a Christian and is reading the Bible. When he is asked to acquire an item, he has a moral dilemma. There is only one way to get it and it is not legal. Barclay’s faith continues to grow as does his character. Barclay is issued a new challenge to steal an hour from Big Ben and the solution is unique (and practical). Barclay decides to follow the mysterious Mr. V one evening. Readers get to know a little more about enigmatic man. I thought An Hour Unspent was well-written and researched. The author captured the time-period with the character’s speech, clothing, items available, conveyances, books, music and the environment (descriptions of Poplar, the buildings). Ms. White provides detailed descriptions that brings the scenes to life. I wish, though, that the pace had been a little peppier (it drags along sometimes). Unique historical events are included in the story and it was fascinating to learn the origins of Rolex. Wrist watches were considered a newfangled idea that would not catch on. The mystery is captivating with its many twists and turns. I was happy the author provided an epilogue. An Hour Unspent combines a thought out plot along with great characters, drama, suspense, humor, romance, friendship, family, and faith.

An Hour Unspent Shadows Over England #3 By Roseanna M. White Barclay Pearce is very good at what he does. His skills honed as a child made him one of London's top thieves and boss of his own band and territory. But now his skills are at the behest of the British Admiralty. Barclay's current assignment is to get close to master clockmaker Cecil Manning who may have invented something that would aid the British efforts in the war. And if necessary he is to remove the plans from the Manning household. But Barclay wants to put as much distance between him and his old life as possible and assisting Manning is his preferred method of obtaining Manning's work. Barclay's first attempt at meeting with Manning introduces him to Evalina Manning whom he rescues from an attempted mugging. Is it mere coincidence that the daughter of the very man whom Barclay is supposed to connect with threatened within feet of their home? Barclay is determined to discover the identity of this stranger who is where he shouldn't be. When Barclay's interest in Manning's work results in an offer to mentor him the intricacies of watch movements Barclay is more than happy to accept. And his interactions with Evalina prove most interesting especially once her mother returns home with Aunt Beatrice in tow. With a broken engagement, Evalina needs Barclay and his family as a means of escape from the tense and oppressive atmosphere that has come home. Evalina is determined to enjoy her little rebellion - after all Barclay is everything her mother doesn't want in a husband for her. He works, doesn't have connections or wealth and as her friends advise her, "have a little fun" while she can. But losing her heart was never a possibility or was it? With his responsibilities to his family, Barclay doesn't have time for romance. Nor does he have the means to provide for someone of Evalina's status. The family barely has the means to put enough food on the table every day and now they are saving up for furnishing for their new home. But marriage was something he'd never contemplated for himself until Evalina declared that he was her new best friend. As Evalina and Barclay work through what they are feeling with whom they are danger comes closer and everything that they hold dear is threatened. Once again Barclay faces the prospect of having to make his behind enemy lines to save not only a life but to protect England. With An Hour Unspent Roseanna White has brought Barclay and his story forward so that the reader gets to know him. Barclay is a most admirable and likable individual and his care and concern for the orphaned and abandoned children of London just makes him that much nobler. This book can be read alone but as good as the other books are just go ahead and read them all - this way you'll have the backstory without wondering "what are they referring to?". Fans of WWI historical fiction will enjoy this one as it deals with the threats to England found within her borders.

•°o•:*:•. *WONDERFUL ENDING FOR THE ORPHAN THIEVES*.•:*:• o°• London 1915 Barclay Pearce really should have been on the cover since this is his story. I grew to love him throughout the entire series. The eldest orphan, at 28 now, with sandy blond hair, who helped create a family out of mismatched street urchins is kind, generous and inquisitive. A wonderful big brother. He has come to know Christ and has given up his criminal ways except to benefit the Admiralty and assist the war effort. Aside from the lack of an English accent, my choice to represent him would be Chris Pine (of Wonder Woman, Star Trek). This time he is tasked with obtaining an invention from a clockmaker that could help turn the tides of the war in favor of England. But, he is not the only one interested in the invention and danger will come knocking. •:*:• Evelina Manning is the clockmaker’s daughter. She has survived polio, with only an occasional issue in her leg. She is a strong-willed redhead and the apple of her Papa’s eye. She is engaged to Basil, a very wealthy gentleman destined for Parliament. I thought Megan Follows (actress from Anne of Avonlea – all grown up there, spunky redhead, Edwardian clothing in that role again, lacking an English accent, however not a problem as she does one in Reign) would make a perfect Evelina! Her mother and her aunt are exasperating and berate her constantly. •:*:• In contrast, Barclay has a host of sisters and a few brothers who make up his extreme family and add a lot of dimension to each scene they are in. Their love and commitment to each other are fierce. I especially love Lucy in this book; strong determination, excellent cook/baker, who can get anyone to tell her anything and she blends her own tea! Yay Lucy!! •:*:• Tea Quotes: Ch. 4. A cup of tea appeared before her, in the hand of the smiling Lucy. “Here you are, Miss Manning. Guests first.” “Oh, I—” “Do try it —I blend it myself.” Her almond eyes were so hopeful that she left Evelina no choice but to accept the cup with a smile. •:*:• Ch. 6. “Well, I don’t care if there’s a shortage, I’ll not have tea without sugar, and this bowl is disastrously low. How am I to entertain with supplies like this?”(hahaha! Leave it to the rich to worry about sugar supplies for tea during a war.) •:*:• Spiritual Moment: Ch 5. Would God answer such prayers? Or was it too underhanded for the Almighty to honor? Blast, but his faith business was complicated. Ch. 7 …the big leather book by his pallet on the floor made strange new truths ring in his chest. Ch. 9. If one viewed God like a master clockmaker, then every cog, every gear, every spring was important. •:*:• Jaw Drop! End of Ch.10 Evelina does something SO UNEXPECTED I laughed and my jaw dropped open, rather wishing I could say to anyone who would care, “did you see that?!” But, no spoilers here folks. Trust me, it’s good!! •:*:• This story touches on inventions, WWI including Zeppelins, intrigue, danger, Women’s Right to Vote, faith, family, healing, and romance. It is very well written and I enjoyed the entire series. 5 stars. •:*:• It is my privilege to be included in Roseanna M. White’s Influencer List and I received this copy for no compensation from BETHANY HOUSE PUBL. My opinion is my own. •:*:• SERIES: Shadows Over England •:*:• A Name Unknown – Book #1 July 2017 •:*:• A Song Unheard – Book #2 January 2018 •:*:• An Hour Unspent – Book #3 September 2018