I love wartime fiction and reading about the lives of those on the home front doing their bit for the war effort as well as those who have signed up. While the menfolk have been shipped off to fight the Germans, the womenfolk are left behind to keep the home fires burning with some volunteering or signing up with the women's services such as Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAFs), the Women's Royal Navy Service (Wrens), the Women's Volunteer Service (WVS), the Auxiliary Transport Service (ATS), the First Aid and Ambulance Service and so much more. There were many ways in which women could help the war effort besides employment at munitions factories (one of the highest paid).

It's 1941 and we return to Bristol for the third installment of this wonderful saga, FIRE AND FURY FOR THE TOBACCO GIRLS, in which we see the girls doing more than just working at the tobacco factory. When we first met them, Bridget Milligan and Phyllis Mason had taken young Maisie Miles under their wing a the factory and the women had soon become firm friends.

Maisie was from the rough end of town and running from a home life she wished to escape and from which her stepfather Frank Miles had brought the sleazy Eddie Bridgeman into their lives. Eddie, who liked his girls underage and had his sights set on Maisie, but she had the protection of the girls at the tobacco factory and soon enough that of her grandmother, Rose Wells. Now Eddie had a new interest...a new girl at the factory Carole Thomas. But Maisie was wise to Eddie's motives and vowed to protect Carole at all costs, taking her and two other girls, Pauline and Jane, under her wing at the factory and on the ambulances where Carole and Jane decided to volunteer alongside Maisie and Bridget. Added to that, she has also discovered that he has been stealing and profiteering from the jewellery of those who have been bombed out in air raids which makes her blood boil. However she needs evidence before taking matters further. But will Maisie be able to get the better of Eddie before he stakes his claim on young Carole?

Now promoted to the packing room at the tobacco factory, Bridget's life is something of a quandary. She enjoys her work at Wills and her friendship with Maisie but she longs to be with Lyndon O'Neill, the wealthy American tobacco plantation owner who won her heart in the first book. He continues his visits to London and Bristol in between return trips to the US that Bridget just wants to settle down with him. However, when Lyndon pops the question it hadn't occurred to her that she would then be relocating to America where his plantation and his work is. And now she finds herself in a conundrum. She loves Lyndon and wants to marry him, but she doesn't want to leave her family and move to America. Maisie's advice is to live in the moment as you don't know what tomorrow holds. But when Lyndon returns home believing he would be back in England before long, he is told that his services are needed in the Philipines by way of Pearl Harbour first. It would seem their reuniting will be some time off.

Meanwhile, Phyllis Harvey (nee Mason) signed up to the WAAFs at the end of the previous book, in an attempt to escape her overbearing mother-in-law who believed her place was at home waiting for her husband Robert to return. But when a telegram arrived stating Robert was missing presumed dead at Dunkirk, Phyllis saw this as an opportunity to leave the prison in which she had found herself since marrying the man who controlled her every move. Her letters home to best friends Bridget and Maisie couldn't reveal where she was or where she was heading, but enough hints dropped told the clever Bridget that she was in Gibraltar which meant she was on route to Malta. Her work as a WAAF was rewarding as well as exhausting and Malta was under constant attack from Italy, who were allied with the Germans. Still it was the perfect place to put enough distance between herself and her troubled past in the fervent hope that she could move on. Her letters to her friends were filled with sunshine and happiness, revealing nothing of the daily air raids and extreme food shortages. Phyllis swears when this war is over she never wants to see another tomato again! But then she receives news from her friends she never expected to hear...and now she doesn't know what to do with it. Of course her situation becomes more confusing when she meets handsome Australian Mick Fairbrother. What would he think of her if he knew the truth?

And then there is Carole, the new girl at the tobacco factory who has caught to attentions of Eddie Bridgeman, a thorn in many peoples' sides particularly Maisie's in the past. Living on the poverty stricken Sally Lane, Carole's mother sleeps during the day for she works on her back all night entertaining men at all hours. When she was small, Mavis used to lock Carole in the cellar whilst entertaining her gentlemen callers but now that she is older she simply throws her out of the house, telling her to stay out while she works. Carole has been known to huddle in alleys and shopfronts to keep warm. But now that she is fourteen she has started work at the tobacco factory and is all front from the first moment she walks in, giving off the air that she doesn't two hoots about being there. But Maisie knows different. She recognises something in Carole that had been in her when she first started at the factory...and she knew that there was a story behind that tough exterior. Little did she know that that story lead right to Eddie Bridgeman, the thorn in her side of her childhood.

The women come together in this series as the air raids continue to blitz Bristol as well as London and other major cities throughout the country. Bridget and Maisie began as first aiders but are then trained up as ambulance drivers, taking the younger girls as first aiders and their assistants. Bridget takes Jane while Carole accompanies Maisie where she can keep an eye on the young girl who reminds her so much of herself at that age. But the bombing brutal and some can't take the pressure or the fear and flee for their lives only to be shot down at the first instance. Phyllis had always been a good time girl but a few harsh realities taught her to face up to things and whilst serving her country overseas is also now enjoying a new-found freedom. In the couple of years since the war began, the young women have grown up in the shadow of conflict. It has brought them closer together despite distance keeping some of them apart and no matter what life throws at them they will always hold each other close at heart.

There were a few instances that occurred in the book where the story appeared to have jumped with the reader only learning of something taking place third hand in a following chapter with no hint of it having occurred when last reading of those characters. It felt a little convoluted in that respect and not so smooth a transition. Of course, the following chapter would take us to where the story continues from where we should have seen it first hand in the first place. That would be my only complaint about an otherwise engrossing story and wonderful addition to the series.

The note upon which this book ended has naturally paved the way for what we all anticipate happening next, particularly in the case of Lyndon, and yet leaves us wondering how that will play out. As for Phyllis...where does the future see her? I know I would like to see more of Carole and watch her grow into herself just as Maisie did before her. And I would like to see how the situation with Eddie is handled just as Maisie cleverly handled her stepfather. There was a little twist I had anticipated earlier on and I wonder how that will affect Eddie's pursuit of Carole.

I really enjoyed FIRE AND FURY FOR THE TOBACCO GIRLS and naturally look forward to seeing where the road takes all of them next. Although part of a series, this book suffices as a standalone but to garnish the entire backstory of each of the characters I thoroughly recommend starting at the beginning. You won't be disappointed.

Perfect for fans of wartime fiction as well as Pam Howes, Nadine Dorries, Nancy Revell and Rosie Clarke.

I would like to thank #LizzieLane, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #FireAndFuryForTheTobaccoGirls in exchange for an honest review.

Fire and Fury for the Tobacco Girls by Lizzie Lane is a great WWII-era historical fiction that is the third book in the Tobacco Girls series.

I really enjoyed the self-titled first book, and the second book, Dark Days for the Tobacco Girls, even more, so I knew I wanted to visit the girls again to see what would be happening next. I enjoyed this so much that I devoured it in less then two days!

This one starts off after the first in Bristol 1941. It continues to follow the life and times of three young women whom are friends: Maisie, Phyllis, and Bridget.

Maisie and Bridget are trying to do their part in the war effort by now volunteering as ambulance drivers. It definitely exposes them to so much more ups and downs then they could have ever imagined.
Phyllis ends up being drawn into a different path by volunteering for the WAAF. They keep in contact despite the distance, but Phyllis has her own battles to face.

I loved that through thick and thin, imperfections and mistakes, the girls continue to support one another and continue to try to help their country and give it all they have got. They are still trying to find their place in this world during such a difficult time. As with life, battles at home and far away will continue for them, and I look forward to seeing what they have to look forward to next.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Boldwood Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Another terrific read in this very enjoyable series!

We’ve now reached 1941 in this wonderful saga, and all three of our girls are determined to ‘do their bit’ for the war effort. Phyllis joined the WAAF and is happy to be posted abroad and put some distance between herself and her troubled past; now in Malta, she leads her friends back home to believe it’s all sun and happiness whilst in reality there are daily air raids and extreme food shortages, but she doesn’t want them to worry. Bridget and Maisie continue with their work at the cigarette factory whilst volunteering to drive ambulances on the evenings they aren’t fire-watching. Maisie has her hands full during the day watching over three new starts and Bridget is madly in love with Lyndon, her American love – but the ties to her family are strong. She will have to decide where her future lies.

I’m very fond of a good domestic saga set during WWII, and this is both and interesting and an exciting read. With these three young women all coming from differing home lives, there is a lot to be learned and I relished their individual details as well as admiring their strong bond. Lizzie Lane has her finger on the pulse of friendship and family and it all adds up to a rather exciting read! Until now, I was completely unaware that women had served on the island of Malta, and I do like to learn something new from each book. As well as focussing on the ‘we’re all in it together’ spirit, this story doesn’t shy away from the darker side of what went on during the war. While this is a complete stand-alone read, the author has the magic touch of always leaving a little something to make you eager to read the next book and this time is no different. A fabulous tale, beautifully written as expected and easily earning 4.5* and my recommendation.

This is the third book in the series, and I can honestly say that they keep getting better. As the last book ended, Phyllis had made the bold decision to join the WAAF and serve overseas, Bridget was getting ever closer to her American suitor, Lyndon O’Neil, and Maisie had found a home living with her paternal grandmother.
As this book opens up, Phyllis is being shipped overseas whilst Maisie and Bridget are working on the home front, delivering first-aid to those affected by the Nazi bombing raids. Rationing has taken its toll on the people of Bristol and times are getting increasingly hard.
For me, Fire and Fury focused more on the war effort with the inclusion of women working on the front line at home. I’ve read a few books which have covered women taking on field and factory work, but this has been my first education in fire and rescue. As the story progresses, Bridget and Maisie become even more involved, as well as some new characters who are introduced.
All the previous characters are present, even those who I’d would have preferred to not hear anything more about. In particular, Eddie Bridgerman and his predilection for young girls, no spoilers here, but he does get his comeuppance!
I was immersed in learning about Malta’s role in the war, it was a real eye opener. I’ve recently become interested in visiting, having read about the Islands from Sue Moorcroft, but I was ignorant as to the impact of the war effort. Whilst Lizzie Lane doesn’t go overboard on her descriptions, I found that I could imagine the shocking scenes and the sheer desperation of the islanders. I’m now even more determined to visit.
Without doubt, the joy of this series is in the exquisitely developed characters. I could almost hear their voices whilst reading and feel their desperation as the war takes its merciless toll on them all. Of course, there’s always time for a laugh, and there are some cracking exchanges between the characters.
Naturally, in the true spirit of a book series, we finish on a cliff-hanger, and I am now eager to learn what happens next. It would be possible to read this as a standalone story, but I highly recommend the whole series, so far.

I absolutely love this series of books. In this book the three girls are all doing their bit for the war effort. Bridget and Maisie by driving volunteer ambulances sponsored by the cigarette factory they work in and Phylis by joining up and on her way abroad as a typist.
As well as the bombings in Bristol and London we hear about what life is like in Malta and it doesn't sound good. The girl's love lives seem to be progressing but no one knows what is around the corner in times of war.
A few surprises in this book and we're left on a cliffhanger with one of the supporting characters who could be in big danger.
How could you do this to us Lizzie Lane ? Looking forward to the next one.
A good read but start at books e to get the most out of the story.

This is my first introduction to the work of Lizzie Lane and I had contemplated purchasing and reading the first two books in the series prior to reading this but then I thought no I'm going to review with fresh eyes and treat this just as it was and experience the author's words as a complete newcomer.

Even though this is book 3 in the series I didn't feel lost at all as the author instantly made me feel welcomed by the characters and the time and place felt very relevant to the era. I did have to smile to my face when opening the book the first chapter starts on my birthdate, a mere 27 years prior to my birth. It made me think of how much life has changed for us all since 1941 but especially the role of a woman.

Who are the Tobacco Girls? They are 3 young women who found friendship whilst working at the tobacco factory in Bristol at the start of WWII. Bridge and Maisie still work at the factory but Phyliss has signed up and joined the WAAF following so many personal events in her life which have left her shattered and in need for a complete change. Bridge and Maisie as well as working at the factory also volunteer as first aiders helping with the war effort.

This third instalment in the WWII saga follows the girls coping with their work, volunteer and personal life balance. There is a real sense of camaraderie within the factory and with all the volunteers as they tirelessly help those in need during the darker days and nights of the war. The grit and determination in these young women shines through but at times as war shows it's ugly side the cracks in the girls emotions show.

The story takes us from the streets of Bristol to the shores of the Mediterranean as Phyliss sees a different side to life within a warzone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this saga it was such a captivating read making me feel like history was brought to life with the author's words. I was gutted when I got to the end as it leaves the reader with so many concerns about the future for many. I am pleased to learn that The Tobacco Girls is a six book series so I have 3 more instalments to read which makes me so happy as I thought I had started at the end of a trilogy but in fact I'd started near the middle.

On my goodness, Lizzie Lane has once again taken me to Bristol during WWII to be a fly on the wall, looking into the lives of Maisie, Bridget and Phyllis. Phyllis is on her way abroad unable to tell the girls were she's headed. Maisie had been made a supervisor in the Tobacco factory and is looking after 3 new girls and Bridget is pining for Lyndon...... The attention to detail is awesome and the characters are so loveable in there down-to-earth ways. Can't wait for the next one.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read the advance copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the series - it wasn't so long ago that I read book 2 so the story and characters were fresh in my memory and it was easy to follow the story and the lives of the '3 Ms' - however it would be possible to pick this book up and follow the storyline.

I found it interesting to read about wartime life especially in Malta - I had not thought about what life would be like on the island and its significance in wartime strategy.
I also found it interesting to read about the tobacco factory in Bristol, and how the staff had to work for the war effort and in time trained as ambulance drivers
Yes I can get annoyed with some of the characters and what they do but I think that is credit to the author and how she makes one interested in the characters.
Of course there was tragedy in the aftermath of the bombings and life was not so smooth for some of the new characters.
And there is the obligatory 'villain' who really is not a pleasant person at all in any way shape or form. I hope to see his comeuppance in time
In looking to see if information about book 4 and when it would be available I found that Lizzie Lane is a pseudonym and I will look out for some of her other titles.

I really enjoyed reading this and look forward to the next instalment

Thanks again to all concerned in me having the chance to read this advance copy

We are back with three young ladies and their lives and work during WW2. This is an interesting novel
and very well written and even though some might say, oh no not the war years but I will say that you would enjoy reading this and if you haven't read the earlier books in this series you will want to and then look forward to reading the next book when it is published. 5 stars and a good read.

Thanks to \netgalley and publisher for this eARC

This is book #3 in the Tobacco Girls series. Whilst it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone book. We return back to wartime Bristol and find Maisie and Bridget volunteering as ambulance drivers, and Phyllis away with the WAAF abroad. The writing, for me, captured perfectly what I imagined a wartime city would have been like, and right from the very first page I found myself once again drawn to the women’s lives. We meet old and new characters throughout the storyline and there is plenty of shocks and drama as the plot unfolds.

I love these types of books, and am finding this series particularly interesting with the tobacco factory business. This story has a strong theme of friendship, bravery and hope running through it, and I loved the sense of community spirit despite the devastation of war. The three main characters are so likeable and you find yourself caught up in their individual stories. Each one of them have their own troubles, but all the way through the book they remain fiercely loyal to each other.

The book finished all set for the next instalment of the series, which I will be waiting eagerly for. If you’re looking for a wartime saga with likeable characters, a captivating story and lots of interesting facts and realistic situations encountered during the war, then look no further! Would definitely recommend.

Unfortunately this was a "did not finish" for me. I found Maisie and Carol's stories took over way too much. I found Eddie creepy and he made me uncomfortable. I requested this book as I expected it to be like Soraya M Lane's books, telling us about women's roles during the war and women ambulance drivers particularly interested me. Of course I expected a love story thrown in as well but I didnt expect prostitution and creepy criminals although I'm sure these things did happen during the war. I have spoken to other people who have read this book and seen other Goodreads reviews saying this book was brilliant so I guess it simply wasnt for me.

This was a lovely read. Set in WW2 during the Blitz featuring three women who worked in a tobacco factory and what goes on in their lives. I haven’t read any books by this author before but will look out for more in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I'm so happy that there is more books to come in this series. I love it. It was lovely to catch up with Bridget, Maisie and Phyllis. Such brave young women. So much drama and heartache throughout the book with a bit of a twist. I'm looking forward to seeing what becomes of Eddie in the future. I am impatiently awaiting the follow up.

This is one of my favourite series set during the war so I was eagerly awaiting the next book. You could read it as a standalone but if you enjoy these kind of reads then you are better starting from the beginning as the story follows the three women. This is the third book in the series. But chapter two has a recap of the other books, which also serves as a good reminder of what has happened so for.

Trained up by W. D. &. H. O. Wills, the Tobacco factory, Maisie and Bridget are now volunteers on the ambulance service where they work on an evening. The story starts with their dramatic first job. With more women taking over the roles left as the men go to war three more characters are introduced as they start work at the factory.

I've enjoyed this series and watching the stoy unfold. The new character, Carole, was quite standoffish but I guessed straightaway there was more to her. I enjoyed reading about Phyllis, who is now serving abroad. I liked how she stood her ground and was so much like Maisie when she had to deal with some unpleasantness. Everybody needs to 'be a bit more Maisie '. Another brilliant read and I loved being back in the world of the 3 M's and looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book follows on from Dark Days for the Tobacco Girls following the lives of Maggie, Bridget and Phyllis.

Set in 1941, Bristol, war is still ongoing and it’s getting bleaker and bleaker. But the girls still continue to do their bit, both at home and abroad.

Maisie and Bridget are now voluntary ambulance drivers helping to assist in getting the wounded to hospital and any other way they can. Maisie, apart from trying to get through the air raids, has to train and oversea three new employees and one of those is testing her patience.

When Lyndon asks Bridget to marry her and go live with him abroad, she finds herself torn in deciding what to do for the best, she loves him, but also feels that she should be there for her family too.

Having joined the WAAF Phyllis, wanting to do her bit helping overseas, she wants to get away from her past. The letters she send back to her friends, tell them that she’s enjoying what she’s doing and about sunshine and blue sea.

But, what she’s not telling them is that her work and way of living is better than her friends, as there’s food shortages and the air raids happen daily, along with the fear, that maybe she won’t get to see tomorrow.

New characters are introduced and so are their ways of earning a living. A way which, maybe we wouldn’t expect to read about.

As the clouds of war grow bleaker both at home and abroad, the Tobacco Girls are determined to do their bit for King and country. To that end Maisie Miles and Bridget Milligan become voluntary ambulance drivers. Phyllis Harvey has joined the WAAF, opting to serve overseas whilst trying to escape her past.

Set in Bristol, 1941: After meeting and making great friends at the tobacco factory, the women are doing their bit for the war effort. Maisie and Bridget volunteer as ambulance drivers and Phyllis joined the WAAF, serving overseas. The girls continue to support each other through every occurrence. Maisie and Bridget manage to keep in touch with Phyllis even though she is overseas. They all have problems they need to solve. This is also an informative read. The book can be read as a standalone but I would, if you can, read the series in the order they were written in. You won't be disappointed.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #LizzieLane for my ARC Of #FireAndFuryForTheTobaccoGirls in exchange for an honest review.

Another excellent book from the pen of Lizzie Lane The Tobacco Girls series is fabulous and worthy of a read.You will be drawn in from the start.5*

Absolutely loved catching up with the three musketeers again, life has moved on for the three girls, Masie has been promoted and is now in charge of three new girls one of which has an attitude and Masie is determined to find out the reason why, Phillis has signed up to the waaf and is to be posted abroad to Malta and Bridget has moved departments, Bridget and Masie also join up as first aiders for the tobacco company's donated ambulances, they decide later to become drivers and see some awful sights along the way
Wonderfully written as usual and loved the storyline and the friendship these girls have
Can't wait for the next in the series as I got a shock how abruptly it ended and wanted to read more.
BRILLIANT

my thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review which I freely give

This is book 3 where we meet up with the 3 M's of the Tobacco factory. Maisie & Bridget become ambulance drivers, the ambulances provided by the tobacco company the work for. 3 New young girls join the factory and are put under the watch full eye of Maisie, Bridget has moved departments. Phyllis has, so the joined up so the 3 M's are now the 2 M's. Although they keep in touch.

Lyndon is still on the scene meeting with Bridget. Eddie is still causing trouble.

There has to be another book, as this one ends at ................... Well I am not saying you will have to read it.

I fully recommend this and can not wait for the next one.

Another great book in the series which is full of great descriptions about what people went through in WWII. The characters carry the story and engage the reader so well they become friends you want to see succeed. A wonderful series!