The Knocknashee Story
in Historical British & Irish Literature
Book Blurb:
After years of letters and missed chances, Grace Fitzgerald and American journalist Richard Lewis have finally confessed their love. Though the world is at war, their bond feels certain and unshakable. But when Richard and Jacob’s plane is shot down over occupied France in 1943, Grace’s world is thrown into turmoil.
Invited to Savannah by Richard’s family, Grace is drawn into their refined yet uneasy world—a stark contrast to her humble life in Ireland. With Richard missing and every sign pointing to tragedy, Grace refuses the luxury of despair. Some things are simply to be borne.
Amid secrets, divided loyalties, and the unrelenting shadow of war, Grace must summon all her quiet strength to endure what cannot be changed. Love may not conquer fate—but it can outlast it.
Allied Flames is the sixth book in the bestselling Knocknashee Series
My Review:
After the apparent loss of Richard in Book 5, Grace goes into deep grieving, embarrassingly more so than the loss of her late husband. Everything, including Richard’s own family, who have invited her to Savannah to join their memorial, points to his irretrievable loss.
But if that is true, why can’t she shake the feeling that he is not well and truly gone? (Isn’t it the hope we all hold that it can’t really be true and we’re simply waiting for proof?)
But devastated or not, she must go on, and does so grudgingly with the help of friends and the community. Wrestling with the invitation to the memorial, she is determined not to go and finds herself doing it anyway. Richard’s family lovingly accepts her into their fold while her (ex-) father-in-law seeks his daughter and her adopted family in a separate thread.
(Yes, it’s a complex story with a number of threads and though Book 6 is beautifully written and compelling, you would probably do best to start with Book 1 if you haven’t already.)
The characters have all earned a place in your heart at this point, and it’s gratifying to be able to follow their lives and those of the village inhabitants. Meanwhile, the author paints a grisly picture of war-torn France and the desperate situation there. Can’t say much more than that. You’ll understand when you read it.
A Grainger book breathes the myths, history, and Irish lives into her emotional and heart-filled narrative’s characters. She is quite the storyteller—maybe it’s that ingrained Irish blarney?—and her stories are compelling and enriching.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this installment of the series. The thoughts expressed here are my own.
Rosepoint Rating: Four point Five Stars 
Book Details:
Genre: Historical British & Irish Literature, Historical Irish Fiction, World War II Historical Fiction
ASIN: B0FCLD5RC3
Print Length: 335 pages
Publication Date: October 13, 2025
Source: Author
Title Link(s):
Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
The Author: Jean Grainger is a USA Today bestselling author with over 100,000 5* reviews of historical and contemporary Irish fiction. She is acclaimed for her authentic portrayal of Irish life and history. Born in Cork, she draws from her experience as a history lecturer, teacher, and tour guide to craft characters that feel like friends, and sometimes foes. Grainger’s works span multiple series and standalone novels, covering significant periods in recent Irish history, but told from the perspective of families, the humans behind the headlines. Her stories often intertwine historical events with personal journeys, exploring themes of family, friendship, and human resilience. Grainger’s writing style, characterized by its warmth and authenticity, has earned her comparisons to renowned Irish authors like Maeve Binchy. Her dedication to research and character development has resulted in a loyal readership who feel deeply connected to her stories and characters.
©2025 V Williams
Rosepoint Publishing 
I know you have enjoyed this series, Virginia, and this sounds like another winner.
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it is on the whole. but i’ve become anxious and thinking it’s been strung out one book too long maybe.
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