This is late, and I am so so sorry! I’ve been dealing with some health issues, so today’s post is an excerpt and giveaway for All is Fair! Enjoy!
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
All Is Fair by Dee Garretson Published on January 22, 2019 by MacMillan, Swoon Reads
Genres: Historical Fiction, YA
Pages: 288
Format: ARC, eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Lady Mina Tretheway knows she's destined for greater things than her fancy boarding school, where she's being taught to be a proper English lady. It's 1918, and war is raging across Europe. Unlike her father and brother, who are able to assist in the war effort, Mina is stuck sorting out which fork should be used with which dinner course.
When Mina receives a telegram that's written in code, she finally has her chance to do something big. She returns to her childhood home of Hallington Manor, joined by a family friend, Lord Andrew Graham, and a dashing and mysterious young American, Lucas. The three of them must band together to work on a dangerous project that could turn the tide of the war.
Thrilled that she gets to contribute to the war effort at least, Mina jumps headfirst into the world of cryptic messages, spycraft, and international intrigue. She, Lucas, and Andrew have to work quickly, because if they don't succeed, more soldiers will disappear into the darkness of war.
Excerpt
It was long, far longer than most telegrams, and it made no sense.
April 2, 1918
Thomasina,
Your old father has a request. A friend has written that your cousin is ill. She needs you to come
home to Hallington right away. Have your things sent as well. Get help from Mrs. Brommers if
you need it. She will be glad to give it. To communicate with me, wire the Foreign Office if
situation worsens. Best you don’t tell your cousin you are coming. We’re at Thornhill but don’t
know for how long. Once home, let us know of your safe arrival. Play some of the old games
with your cousin to keep you two challenged. Two are always better than one.
Father
First of all, even though I had a cousin who lived at Hallington, Cousin Eugenia, I didn’t know a
Mrs. Brommers nor had I ever heard of a place called Thornhill. Second of all, who was the
“we?” My mother was in America helping out my uncle, whose wife was ill. Third, my father
would never refer to himself as an “old father.” People often commented on how Reese
Tretheway still looked much as he had in the days he was a valued secret agent for the British
government, tracking spies across Europe.
The next to the last sentence made even less sense. My cousin Eugenia loathed games, refusing
to play cards or even word games, though she knew more words than anyone I had ever met. It
was also almost impossible to imagine Eugenia ill. The woman walked miles a day on her
“nature rambles,” her stork-like figure a common sight to everyone for miles around. She never
took to her bed for any reason.
A thrill of excitement ran through me. The telegram was strange because it was a cipher. It had
to be. There was no other explanation. It must mean my father wanted me to do something
important. I ignored the little nagging voice inside that told me how unlikely that was. I was sure
if I deciphered it, I would have a job to do for the war effort instead of just rolling bandages and
waiting to be old enough to train as a nurse. I didn’t even want to be a nurse. Whatever this
was, it had nothing to do with nursing.
“Yes, I need to go home,” I said to Miss Climpson. “Right away.”
Author Info
About the Author
Dee writes contemporary, science fiction and historical adventure stories for a wide range of ages. Her books have been chosen as Junior Library Guild selections, the Scholastic Book Club, and have been nominated for numerous state awards lists. In addition to books published under her own name, she also writes for the Boxcar Children series. Connect with her on twitter at @deegarretson or find out more about her books at deegarretson.com
Author Links
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