BOOKMONGER
Peril and romance in World War I
Fantasy tale sheds light
on historical niche
Kate Breslin may live in the Puget Sound
region, but the historical romance author
uses European venues as the settings for her
novels, many of which take place during
World War I.
Her latest work, “As Dawn Breaks,” is
set in the misty isles of Great Britain, where
Rose Graham works at Chilwell, an English
munitions factory, hoping to delay her mar-
riage. It promises to be a loveless match,
arranged by her guardian and uncle, a weap-
ons manufacturer interested only in advanc-
ing his business by having his young charge
marry into a family with important govern-
ment connections.
Nevertheless, a wedding date has been
set and as the day looms closer, Graham is
resigned to her fate. But just as she takes
off from her fi nal day of work, an explosion
at the factory rocks the entire community.
When she realizes that the catastrophic blast
has obliterated perhaps hundreds of work-
ers, she seizes the opportunity to escape to
Scotland, the land of her birth, where she
assumes the identity of a friend who had
perished.
Under her new name, Tilly Lockhart,
Rose begins work at a munitions factory in
Gretna, Scotland, and fi nds lodging with the
Bairds, a kind local family that has a spare
bedroom to rent.
Meanwhile back in London, authorities
determine that the explosion in Chilwell
was not an accident, but sabotage, and fear
that Gretna may be the next target. They
send Capt. Alex Baird, a Gretna boy who
has distinguished himself as a fl ying ace
during World War I, on a secret mission to
ferret out any malign activities at the Scot-
tish factory.
Baird must pretend that he has retired
from military service, but when he comes
back home to stay with his family, he dis-
covers that his room is occupied by Lock-
hart. This doesn’t sit well, but gradually the
two fi nd their feelings toward one another
softening, that is until Baird hears from
headquarters that Lockhart is believed to
have a family connection to an infamous
saboteur. Now, he is charged with surveil-
ling the woman he had been falling for.
Breslin’s incorporation of histori-
cal detail makes this an enjoyable, educa-
tional read. It’s interesting to learn more
about the important role that women work-
ing in munitions factories, known as ”muni-
tionettes,” played in World War I, risking
health and safety in their work.
The author does a good job of creating
characters with back stories and compli-
cated emotions during this time of upheaval.
The romance in this story has a bit of heat,
but does not stray beyond the expectations
of this faith-based genre. Biblical references
inform the story with a light touch.
Breslin’s development of an intricate plot
line will keep readers turning each page,
guessing and second-guessing who the vil-
lains might be. That said, it isn’t until the
denouement that the reader may feel that the
author’s use of perfi dious characters perhaps
strayed beyond the bounds of credibility.
The Bookmonger is Barbara Lloyd
McMichael, who writes this weekly column
This week’s book
‘As Dawn Breaks’ by Kate Breslin
Bethany House – 400 pp – $15.99
focusing on books, authors and publish-
ers of the Pacifi c Northwest. Contact her at
barbaralmcm@gmail.com.
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