$12 · The Victoria Chronicles by J Robert Whittle

The Victoria Chronicles by J Robert Whittle. Historical Fiction based in Victoria, BC Bound by Loyalty (Book 1). Paperback, 2001, Third Printing 2007, 338 pages. Inscription to previous owner on inside cover by author Loyalty's Reward (Book 2). Paperback, 2003, 372 pages. Inscription to previous owner on inside cover by author Loyalty’s Haven (Book 3). Paperback, 2006, 308 pages, Inscription to previous owner on inside cover by author Book 1: Nancy and Danny meet as homeless youngsters in an orphanage in 1900 Victoria, BC and they become the close siblings neither of them ever had. Dan must leave the orphanage at 14 and he gets a job on one of the last whaling ships the year the whaling industry collapses on the Pacific Coast due to a lack of whales. Young Nancy finds work in the kitchen of a hotel working her way up to waitress as she eagerly seeks independence from her restrictive and unhappy life at the orphanage. A surprise meeting brings the two back together and their special friendship continues and blossoms. As prohibition begins in the USA, a wealthy Seattle shipping magnate draws Dan into the dangerous but lucrative rum running trade … and the world anxiously awaits news of the beginning of WWI in Europe. Book 2: Nancy and Dan’s future is abruptly changed with the beginning of WW1 putting their plans to become involved with Gus Jorgensen in his rum running scheme on hold. Nancy, however, is not one to sit idly by and, with their adopted dad’s help, she takes over their boating business, even during prohibition. The Jorgensens again take their friend’s future in hand, steering Nancy down an unexpected path that takes her to the stage of the James Moore Theatre in Seattle. Book 3: As Nancy deals with the new challenges at home, she continues her charity work in aid of wounded soldiers, widows, and orphans through musical concerts in Seattle. In 1918, as the war appears to be slowly coming to an end, renewed hope that this will bring prosperity and a new beginning are dashed as tragedy strikes in the form of the deadly Spanish Influenza Epidemic. This book dispels any thoughts that the Pacific Northwest and it's people were not affected by this dreaded disease. Then, news of a special event lifts the spirits of Nancy and the Brown household See pictures Pickup in Langford Cross posted