Book 3), The Cavendon Luck (Cavendon Chronicles

Not only was I disappointed in the story line, but the book itself was very poorly put together. It was reduced to almost paper book size, when stated it was hard cover, and the paper for the pages was extremely cheap. I love the smell and feel of hard cover books and I do not mind paying for them. This was not the quality I expect when I pay for hard cover and not paper book. It went to the book sale at the library. It was only worth three dollars.

Wow --- Did Barbara Taylor Bradford always write this way, and my tastes have changed or did her style of writing change? I suspect my taste has changed because this is very much old-school type of storytelling.

By old-school, I mean lots of telling, one dimensional characterization, instant love/lush, and no problem that is impossible for the heroine to solve.

One dimensional characters are not always a bad thing and neither is easily solved problems. Sometimes you just want the fairytale -- the gorgeous heroine, the dashing hero, the happy ending.

What did this book in, is the dialogue and plot scenarios. Saying that the dialogue is unrealistic is being kind. For example, the concept of loyalty between servants and the house is admirable and appealing, and believable, but the oath --cheesy is the word that comes to mind.
Most of the time I felt like I was in a time warp. You know how difficult it is to relate to films from the 40's and 50's? There was that same disconnection with this book.

The timeline is also pretty fluid. I think the author just thought of an historical event and decided to put it in the story, and then somehow worked the plot around that. Which did make for a very choppy read.

Maybe if you're a big fan of the authors you maybe you'll enjoy the book -- otherwise my recommendation is to give it a pass.

For centuries, the wealthy Ingham family of northern England and owners of Cavendon Hall have been served --- and served well --- by the trustworthy members of the Swann family. At the same time, the Inghams have always protected the Swanns and made sure they prosper in return. Keepers of each other's most crucial secrets, the two families have interwoven their separate threads into a fabric that's nearly indestructible. Bound by an ancient oath of loyalty to one another, these indomitable characters realize that the good of the group outweighs the desire of any one individual. This powerful alliance has been the key to the longevity of both clans.

Having recovered from the horrors of World War I and overcome the adversity of the Great Depression, the sixth Earl of Mowbray, his wife, his descendants and their servants have been truly tried and tested. Unfortunately, as 1938 progresses, it becomes apparent that there are more challenges ahead. The greatest evil of all looms on the horizon in the form of Adolf Hitler and the terror he eagerly imposes on all who stand between him and the implementation of his diabolical plan.

As the winds of war sweep across Europe, blowing ever westward toward England, the Inghams and the Swanns realize that their lives are about to change forever. While many of them contribute to the war effort on the home front, one member of the Ingham family is critically involved in undercover work that puts her in considerable danger. Still, the danger isn't enough to stop her from making every effort to help the Jewish German family members of a valued family employee make an escape from certain death in Germany to relative safety in England.

At the same time, Harry Swann, the estate manager of Cavendon Hall, is looking for love in all the wrong places. Heavily ensconced in a torrid affair with a married woman, Harry resists attempts from his mother, Alice Swann, and his sister, Cecily Ingham, to pry him from the grip of the woman they consider wholly unsuitable. If only he'd see sense and choose a woman who was free to marry him and bear his children, he could trade his lonely life for one of love and happiness.

In addition to worrying about her wayward brother, famous fashion designer Cecily, a Swann by birth and an Ingham by marriage, is working hard to prepare her business, one that produces ready-to-wear garments as well as fashionable couture, for the inevitable changes that the impending war will bring. She's smart enough to realize that her factories may be called into service to win a war that often looks unwinnable.

As all the Inghams and Swanns work together and individually, one can only wonder if they'll weather the war and emerge victorious, or if this challenge will finally be the one that sinks the seemingly unsinkable families who share a bond that transcends the ages.

THE CAVENDON LUCK is the thrilling third installment in The Cavendon Chronicles, one that delves deeply into the impact that WWII had on these fictional families, both aristocratic and working class. Creating a cast of characters who surely resemble real people who existed in England during this period of time, Barbara Taylor Bradford provides us with faces and personalities of those who suffered through and triumphed during one of the most memorable periods in recent history. THE CAVENDON LUCK will keep readers riveted as they seek to find out what happened to characters both revered and reviled.

Reviewed by Amie Taylor

This book is poorly written. The characters are one dimensional, if that. Ms. Bradford's earlier books were well written and researched. This book makes WW 2 sound like a garden party with a fashion show to boot. Don't even bother to read this there are so many other wonderful books written about this time period - read All the LIght We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr if you want to read a novel about this time period.

The Cavendon Luck is the third book in the Cavendon Hall series. I read them in order and am torn as to whether they have to be read in order. I liked knowing the history of the family and their friends but I feel like I could have picked up any of the books, in any order, and enjoyed them.

The third book is my favorite. The era of WWII and how the world is living during the war is portrayed wonderfully. The world was not an easy place to live in and everyone, even the royalty, had to adjust their lifestyles. I really enjoyed seeing how the Ingham and Swann families prepared for the war and how they helped keep their possessions safe. The way they came together from all over the world to keep each other safe, support each other, and just be together was heartwarming.

I was especially proud and invested in the women in this book. They came together, worked hard, and made the best of a horrid happening. They were the heroes of the Cavendon Hall. They made food and clothes. They gave support to the men, both those fighting and those not fighting. When the book was done I continued to think about the Dee’s, Charlotte, and Cecily. It is amazing that in a time when men were in charge these women stepped up did what had to be done and still stayed feminine.

I recommend checking out this series. The books have a lot of pages in them but are worth reading every word. Barbara Taylor Bradford has a way with words that just pull you right into the story.

The Cavendon Luck by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Taylor Bradford is to be congratulated on her thorough research while writing The Cavendon Luck, which spans the era from 1938 to Victory in Europe. However, at times, the exposition made it seem as though I was reading a history book instead of a novel.
From beginning to end, Bradford Taylor is in command of her characters, the aristocratic Inghams and the Swanns, who have served them for nearly 200 hundred years. Loyalty binds the Swanns to the Inghams, ‘who trust them implicitly and vice versa’. The families live in a period of world-wide conflict but every member of each one is gracious, and this is a problem. All of them are too nice, which is unrealistic because there are ups and downs in every family.
Whether scenes are set in England, the U.S.A, Germany or elsewhere Taylor Bradford captures the tension, particularly that of a Jewish family in Berlin. I must admit I would have liked to know more about the resolution of their situation. This was offset by Clark Gable’s walk on part in the novel.
I enjoyed The Cavendon Luck but it did not have the page-turning quality I have come to expect from Taylor Bradford.

This is the third instalment in the Cavendon Hall saga. The story depicts a time about 10 years after the end of the previous book in the series. It’s now 1938 and once again war clouds are gathering over Europe. Cecile, Miles and the rest of the Ingham and Swann clans have to overcome the challenges of another war in order to keep Cavendon Hall, the surrounding villages and its people safe, their loved ones protected.

The book is beautifully written, evocative with lots of atmosphere and intrigue. The characters have strong, interesting personalities. The time period is described in great detail and feels authentic. The author has included a lot of historical background which gives you an idea of what life would have been like during the Second World War in Britain.

If you are a fan of Barbara Taylor Bradford you will notice that some of the characters from her previous books, like those in “The Women in his life” and the Emma Harte series, make a brief appearance; something I thought was a nice touch. This is typical of the enchanting atmosphere unique to books written by Barbara Taylor Bradford. It was like catching up with old friends.
Although this book is part of a series each book can still be read on its own. In order to get the full story and understand what happened previously I would recommend you read the earlier books “Cavendon Hall” and “Cavonden Women” first.

Overall a fascinating story, captivating with a bit of romance, sadness and joy. Fans of “Down Town Abbey”, anybody who enjoys historical fiction or family sagas will love this book and its series of novels.

Review copy provided through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

1938 - Cavendon Hall

Cecily Swann Ingham is married to Miles who is the son of Charles Ingham, the Earl of Cavendon. Cecily and Miles have 3 young children. With the threat of war hanging over their heads, there are many worries shared by this family. The Inghams and the Swanns have joined together to make Cavendons safe. The Swanns have always served the Inghams until Cecily and Miles married which brought the two families together.

Cecily runs Cecily Swann Couture. Her assistant, Greta, has family members who are Jewish and living in Berlin. With no visas, there is no way they can leave the country. Cecily has promised Greta that she will do all she can to help get Greta’s family out of Germany.

Harry Swann has been having an affair with an older, married woman and wishing he had a wife and children of his own. When driving home one day he is preoccupied thinking how foolish his affair has been and accidentally strikes young Phoebe Bellamy with his car, he feels terrible but she is unhurt. A precocious young girl, she is impressed by his handsome looks and invites him to tea with her family. There he meets Phoebe’s sister, Paloma, and it is instant attraction.

As things heat up in Germany the family members make preparations for war. As it turns out, a family member is part of the secretive intelligence team for the English government and no one knows this. Thus, this family member becomes involved in helping to get Greta’s family out of Germany.

This story follows the members of the Ingham and Swann families whose lives are closely intertwined. We experience their successes and their heartbreaks.

I did enjoy the extensive information about the war that the author included throughout the book.

This is the third novel I have read of the Cavendon family. The other two were more appealing to me than this one. There is just too much repetitive dialogue and I feel the book could have been shortened somewhat. I don’t know if the author plans on another book in the series, but sometimes they should be brought to an end.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley

In 2009 I swore off Barbara Taylor Bradford after reading Being Elizabeth. However, I had heard such good things about her latest series on Cavendon Hall, I just could not resist reading it. I was not disappointed and I am glad I came back. After reading Cavendon Luck, I went back and read the first two books in the series because I wanted to know the characters better. This is the Barbara Taylor Bradford I remember from her early books. A Women of Substance is one of my all time favorites of this genre. It is also good historical fiction. You really get to "feel" the impending war and see how people prepared for the inevitable sorrow that came to England during this difficult time. I am looking forward to either her next installment or a new series.

This is the third book of the Cavendon Hall series. It gets better and better this family saga. Most interesting is the inclusion of Emma Harte and Blackie O'Neill from Ms Bradford's "Emma Harte" series which happens to be one of my favorite reads.

This series is superior! You can put the characters in this series into the voices of Lord Robert Crawley (Charles), Lady Mary (Daphne), Carson (Hanson) etc! Even Lady Gwendolyn is a dead ringer for The Dowager! The storyline is superb. I don't want this series to end!

This book was really good especially if are a Barbara Taylor Bradford fan. I loved the first in the series and this being the third was just as good. I highly recommend reading it (and the other books in the Cavendon series).

I enjoyed reading this book and the historical references it included. I will refer this book to all my friends who love to read. I did not want to put it down and look forward to reading the other books in this series.

don't know why publishers think this type of saga is "old hat," and wouldn't sell in these days and times. Bunk. This is exactly the kind of book many of us wish your and miss. I have enjoyed the three Cavendon books more than I can say. I hope we see more