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Speedwell: Book Three in the Katherine Wheel Series Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 986 ratings

In SPEEDWELL, Book Three of The Katherine Wheel Series, Katy and Jem enter the 1920's with their future in the balance. How can they possibly make their new enterprise work? They must risk everything, including disaster, and trust their gamble will pay off. Cassandra, juggling the demands of a young family, aging parents and running Cheadle Manor, distrusts the speed of the modern age, but Douglas races to meet the new era, revelling in the freedom of the open road. Can each marriage survive the strain the new dynamic decade imposes? Or will the love they share deepen and carry them through? They all arrive at destinies that surprise them in Speedwell, another heartbreaking romance in the Katherine Wheel Saga. Book One, DAFFODILS, is a love story, whose tender heart is almost torn apart through the tumultuous challenge of World War One. Katy, a maidservant at Cheadle Manor, longs to escape her narrow life but events unfold slowly in her rural Wiltshire village. Jem Phipps has always loved Katy. His proposal of marriage rescues her from scandal but, after tragedy strikes, Jem becomes a reluctant soldier on the battlefields of The First World War leaving Katy behind, restless and alone. Through the horrors of WW1, Katy discovers only love brings freedom. Find out how these characters fared after the Armistice when they entered a new, modern age in its sequel, PEACE LILY. They have to carve out new lives in a changed world, having survived the war only to face new and unexpected challenges when they return home. In this third book, SPEEDWELL, the four friends enter into the daring arena of motor racing in the 1920s and Katy makes a defiant bid for independence. Book Four, WILLOW, (novella-sized) bridges the gap between the generations as the children of Cassandra and Douglas, Jem and Katy embark on a summer adventure that goes disastrously wrong, with dire consequences. The four children, Lottie and Isobel, Al and Lily, are on the brink of adulthood and the outbreak of the Second World War in Book Five, WOODBINE. Their lives separate as they are forced to follow different paths through the war. Lottie is stranded in occupied France after a bitter family feud and gets drawn into the French Resistance; Al faces many dangers as he flies planes for the ATA; and Isobel, torn between duty and love, becomes a Land Girl. Can they come back together to Cheadle Manor in Book Six, IVY? You must read the final book in The Katherine Wheel Series to find out how the whole saga reaches its dramatic and satisfying conclusion.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alex Martin can mostly be found, scribbling or tapping away in her garden shed, indulging her passion for writing, as the wind and rain lash at her little refuge.
Her latest book is a ghost story, The Rose Trail, a time slip novel which weaves between the present day and the English Civil War with a supernatural thread.
You can catch up with the launch of new books, reviews, discussions and discount offers at:
http://www.intheplottingshed.com

The TWISTED VINE, Alex Martin's debut novel, is based on her own knee-wrecking experience of picking grapes in the 1980s. Her more recent adventures triggered a little collection of three short stories, called TRIO.

Ms Martin grew up in Wiltshire and its rich and ancient tapestry informs the first novel in The Katherine Wheel Series, DAFFODILS. It is set in World War One, a time when the role of women changed forever. The story follows Katy, a naive and restless domestic servant who, through personal tragedy, courage and intelligence, transforms her life and finds the adventure she always craved. She just never knew the price would be so high. The sequel, PEACE LILY, takes the characters into the aftermath of the Great War when they have changed but the old power struggles remain. In SPEEDWELL, the third book, the four protagonists race into the motoring age of the roaring 'twenties and it completes the trilogy - for now. Work has begun on a fourth and final book, Woodbine and Ivy, in which the children of the characters in the series tackle another world war and face their own daunting challenges and the whole saga comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B012ZWS6UG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 1st edition (July 29, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 29, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2899 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 418 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 986 ratings

About the author

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Alex Martin
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'The Plotting Shed' was my first writing space at the bottom of my Welsh garden. Now I split my time between Wales and France and plot wherever I am. I still wander aimlessly in the countryside with my dog and my dreams and I can still be found typing away with imaginary friends whispering in my ear, but these days I have the joy of seeing my stories published and the treasured feedback from readers who've enjoyed them.

Now I have nine novels on Amazon and a collection of 3 short stories, called Trio (a free copy of which is available at The Plotting Shed).

My first novel, The Twisted Vine, is based on my adventurous escape from real life when I picked grapes in France in the 1980s. I met some amazing people there but none as outrageous as those that sprang to life on my screen.

Award-winning Daffodils, the first in "The Katherine Wheel Series", is quite a different book based in Wiltshire where I grew up. Katy's life and the rigid social order that confined her were radically altered by the catalyst of the First World War as it slowly eroded the age-old way of English country life. The sequel, Peace Lily, takes the characters into 1919 after the armistice. They each have to carve out new lives in the aftermath of the Great War and find their way into the new modern age. The next book is Speedwell, when the four protagonists race into the motoring era of the roaring 'twenties. Willow, a novella, bridges the gaps between the generations in Speedwell and the next two books, Woodbine and Ivy. The children in Willow are on the brink of both adulthood and the Second World War in Woodbine, and this conflict will dramatically impact on their lives, just as the First World War did on their parents'. The Katherine Wheel Series concludes in Ivy, the sixth volume where Lottie is trapped in occupied France, Isobel is torn between love and duty and Al flies planes for the ATA. All the disparate threads of the previous five books are drawn together into a surprising climax.

I've also published something totally different. The Rose Trail is a ghost story with the English Civil War as its backdrop. The story slips between the time of the English civil war and the present day and is woven together with a supernatural thread in a ghostly voice. I'm happy to add that The Rose Trail has won 2 awards since publication: Chill with a Book award and a B.R.A.G Medallion. Now its sequel is published, Triskelion, Book Two of The Spirit Level Series, where Fay and Percy take on their first professional assignment in the wild lands of Anglesey, an island off North Wales. A rock star's creativity is frustrated by a ghost who lived near his music studio 2000 years ago. This Druid priestess is determined to be heard by everyone.

I am currently working on a new novel about three friends set in the present day with only a hint of a ghost!

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
986 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2016
This book caught my attention by the title and the race car on the cover. And even though I hadn’t read the first two books of the series, I checked out the description, then a portion of the sample and bought it. Auto mechanic Katy (Katherine) Phipps, proprietor of Katherine Wheel Garage, is struggling to eke out a living in 1920s England, having apparently learned her trade in World War I. Her husband Jem (short for Jeremy) handles many of the building maintenance and household duties, including growing vegetables for themselves and for sale. Jem lost half an arm during the war, but doesn’t whine about it. Their humble home and workshop are a short distance from the manor of their unlikely friends Cass (Cassandra) and Douglas, who is an American who met his wife during the war. Cass, a daughter of wealth, privilege, and minor nobility, drove an ambulance during the war, which was probably when she and Katy became friends. Katy and her family were once servants at the manor, though, so they must have been acquainted. Anyway, Since Doug and Cass helped fund Katy and Jem to get the garage up and running, and since there isn’t much for Doug to do at the manor, coupled with the fact that he and the in-laws aren’t too fond of each other and it’s actually their place, Doug periodically stops by the garage to help out. The problem is, he isn’t much help. But he is amiable and charming, and by mutual agreement he begins selling new cars out of Katy’s shop. Doug is a car guy who loves to drive, so it’s a perfect fit. Soon Doug and Katy end up concocting a scheme to go racing, promote business for both of them. This story is heartwarming, heart-wrenching, and thought provoking. And although it isn’t a fast read, like many sagas, and isn’t of the genre I read often, it’s a compelling tale.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2022
A good series with authentic details of life in the 1920s, this book is yet another "your details force" by a gifted author. I have promised myself the enjoyment of the enjoyment of all 6 books, mostly because the characters draw me in and I look forward, always, to the continuing saga. It's the most addictive series I've read in the past 2 years - and I love to read.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2021
These stories are so good and your writing keeps me interested.
There is heart ack, drama, and love. I can't put it down.
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2016
Speedwell is the last book in the Katherine Wheel series and as usual, Martin has continued her effortless creation of village life in post-WWI England. By focusing on two families at either end of society, she has neatly breasted many of the issues facing that rapidly changing time. Her settings are perfectly moulded, her characters strongly delineated and the plot moves along at a steady pace. I found I was happy to retire to bed each night and continue the drama.
Martin’s research is thorough and I can only say that vehicle history enthusiasts will not be disappointed on any level. I have always felt that this series would lend itself beautifully to television drama and Martin has cemented that thought for me with Book Three. In addition, after finishing it, I’m not convinced there may not be more. It was a nicely open conclusion.
Five stars.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2017
The continuing story of Kate, Jem, Cassandra & Douglas takes an almost expected turn that happens as circumstances of life change. As a spectator (reader) in their lives, I wasn't happy with the outcome as I read to the end of this three-part saga; yet who is happy with the twists & turns of life?

War, death, love, life, birth, poverty, riches, more death, hatred, etc. Life continues on, for people like ourselves, some it is within our control, some barely in our grasp, some beyond our control in a way that is unfathomable; such are the lives of the four people we came to love in the "Lily" series. This series is a GREAT Read, one you won't forget anytime soon.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
Ohmygoodness,,,,,all three books build such an intensely disturbing and vivid tale of the struggles of WWI, and the hardships of building a life in the years following that is absolutely spellbinding and almost impossible to put down! I have devoured all three of these books almost relentlessly,,,,,,but am ever so disappointed at the incredibly abrupt ending to this book.
It is such a cliff hanger that leaves one dangling in the air and flooded with disappointment. I just could not give this powerful and tragic book a five star rating because of this.
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
I gave this book a five rating because it was a good story and I enjoyed the way the characters grew
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2021
Love the series but hate that there are so many typos. The errors are a distraction to the story. On I go, as already purchased the entire series.

Top reviews from other countries

Aviraj Singh Mehta
5.0 out of 5 stars A review
Reviewed in India on January 10, 2021
Please consider it a review for the first three books
An amazing series that takes you on an emotional time taking you from the fields of Somme to the bustling city of Boston
Erin
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put it Down
Reviewed in Canada on September 28, 2018
The three books in four days. Don’t start one of the books until you have free time. Most enjoyable reading.
Amazon Customer catherine bardell
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
Reviewed in Australia on September 15, 2018
I have just finished reading speedwell the third book in the katherine wheel series. I thought the storyline was very moving. These families went through so much in their lives, as did a lot of people in wartime and the depression. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
judithanne
5.0 out of 5 stars One to recommend - Speedwell (The Katherine Wheel Book 3)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2015
Wow!! To put it in the vernacular of the era of Speedwell, what a rip-roaring boo!. I loved it. Weaved against the background of life in the nineteen twenties, the story of the protagonist, Katy Phipps, continues with as many joys and tragedies that have haunted her all her life. It is obvious that Alex Martin has done her research thoroughly of the world in which her characters move. In this latest of the Katherine Wheel novels the characters have grown and developed. The story of Katy and Jem, struggling to make a success of their garage, of the affluent Cassandra Flintock-Smythe and her American husband Douglas, living in style on their Wiltshire estate, run parallel - but are inextricable joined together. As I read, I felt the various emotions that they did; the laughter, the triumphs, the anger, the despair. I've loved all three of this author’s books; I admire her style of writing and the density of sense of place. But I have to say, this one is my favourite. I don’t give spoilers in my reviews but here’s just a hint; fortunes cam be changed. And the joys of success can sometimes go hand in hand with utter sorrow. I thoroughly recommend Alex Martin’s Speedwell and I guarantee that, once you start reading this novel, you won't be able to stop. And, if you're like me, when you've finished, you'll start reading it all over again!
2 people found this helpful
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freddie09
4.0 out of 5 stars a really good follow on book in the Katherine Wheel series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2021
I read the first three books in the Katherine Wheel series one after the other so that I felt I knew all the characters pretty well. I can’t wait to read the next three and see the changes in them as war begins.
A splendid series.
One person found this helpful
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