LOVE and war amid the Cornish countryside around Falmouth are the subject of a new saga from the author of The Farmer's Wife and The Soldier's Wife. Appropriately entitled 'A Cornish Maid', by Rachel Moore, the book revolves around the life and love of Amber Penry as she progresses through her teenage years. After a sheltered childhood living with her grandmother, the arrival of London evacuee brings a new outlook on life. After initial resentments, the two girls — who are complete opposites — become firm friends. But the friendship is put to the test when they both fall for the same man. Dolly, the evacuee, eventually returns to London to live with her errant mother, but on her return to Cornwall the old rivalries and jealousies resurface and head towards a confrontation. With the added complication of a handsome GI who is stationed nearby, the question remains whether Amber will end up with her childhood friend and sweetheart Luke or whether Dolly will win through — or in fact whether Luke will even survive the war. The paperback, published by Pocket Books, is available priced £6.99 from local bookshops. ANN PARSONS
