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Deborah Swift
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Past Encounters: a novel of courage and second chances in WW2 (WW2 Occupation Series Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Deborah Swift (Author), Davina Blake (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 2,460 ratings

BookViral Readers Award Winner! A wartime novel of friendship, hope, and how in the end, it is the small things that enable love to survive.

In 1939, young sweethearts Rhoda and Peter are torn apart by the outbreak of the Second World War. Peter enlists, only to be captured in France, and sent to a German prisoner-of-war camp.

As war drags on, Rhoda hears nothing from Peter. So when a film crew arrives to capture the iconic scenes for David Lean’s Brief Encounter, Rhoda finds herself caught up the thrill of a new and exciting love affair …

But when the war ends, and Peter returns home, their secret lives begin to tear them apart. How did Peter manage to survive the brutal war years? And did Rhoda ever get over the man who captured her heart?

As they both struggle with their past encounters they have to decide if their love deserves a second chance, and if they can hope to rebuild a life shattered by the war.


PAST ENCOUNTERS encompasses the atmospheric filming of Brief Encounter and the extraordinary Great March of prisoners of war through snow-bound Poland.


‘a genuine joy to read with an intoxicating, old-fashioned feel about it...Highly compelling historical fiction and a genuine page-turner’ Book Viral Millennium Readers Award Winner ★★★★★

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  1. Book 3 of 3
    WW2 Occupation Series
  2. Print length
    440 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    July 14, 2014
  6. File size
    589 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

  • BookViral Readers Award Finalist - Best in Genre for WW2.
  • B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree.
'for lovers of history and drama this is a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon' Bookgeeks
'It really makes you think about the relationships you have in real life and the choices you make. This story really hit home for me and gave me a lot to think about...Highly recommend' Layered Pages Blog
'a beautifully written and thought-provoking story, an imaginative and emotive way to celebrate a fascinating slice of history' Lancashire Evening Post
a genuine joy to read with an intoxicating, old-fashioned feel about it...Highly compelling historical fiction and a genuine page-turner, Past Encounters is recommended without reservation.' Book Viral
'I don't think I have read any war-time stories quite like this one... full of tension with well-drawn characters and a great sense of time and place' Books Please
'a compelling story about love and heartache and forgiveness and war' Library Educated Blog
'an enticing story of the endurance of the human spirit, the hunger for love and appreciation, and how secrets can fester and tear people away from each other...I highly recommend this to any lover of WWII history' Historical Tapestry Blog
'a brilliant exploration of the psychological effects of war and their lasting impact' FlashlightCommentary Blog
'Her writing style invited the reader into another worldthat I was totally immersed in . . . delicate and graceful' Just One MoreChapter Blog
 'a tightly-focused and strong narrative that supports and explores varying themes from duty to love, and more, against the backdrop of WWII in England.' Ageless Pages Blog

From the Author

I really enjoyed the research process for Past Encounters, a journey which got me out and about to meet some amazing people who remembered the War. This was a different experience from my usual research methods of trawling dusty archives and poring over historical biographies. My expanding waistline is testament to the fact that every interview seemed to involve tea and cake, and I became a bit of an expert on how to make a Victoria Sponge with rationed dried egg and lard instead of butter!
My other novels are set in the seventeenth century and are published by Macmillan and St Martin's Press under the name of Deborah Swift. This book was originally published under my other pen-name, Davina Blake, so there are two names in the book's listing to save anyone from buying the same book twice. BOOKS BY DEBORAH SWIFTThe Lady's SlipperThe Gilded LilyA Divided InheritancePleasing Mr PepysThe Highway Trilogy (for young adults)

PRAISE FOR DEBORAH SWIFT'stellar historical fiction'  Orange nominee and Langum winner Ann Weisgarber
'brilliant characterisation, scintillating dialogue and a thrilling narrative . . . a terrific historical novel.' The Review Group

deborahswift.com 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00LV7SNQY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quire Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 14, 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 589 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 440 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 3 of 3 ‏ : ‎ WW2 Occupation Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 2,460 ratings

About the author

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Deborah Swift

Deborah Swift

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THANK YOU for visiting my author page! As you read this I'll probably be writing from my tall stone house which was once a school and built in 1902. This is a house that is "new" in English terms, as many of our local villages date back to the 1630's or even earlier.

I write historical fiction, a genre I love. I loved the Victorian classics such as Jane Eyre, Little Women, Lorna Doone and Wuthering Heights. As I child I loved to read and when I had read my own library books, I used to borrow my mother's library copies of Anya Seton and Daphne du Maurier. I have loved reading historical novels ever since; though I'm a bookaholic and I read widely - contemporary and classic fiction as well as historicals.

In the past I used to work as a set and costume designer for theatre and TV, so I enjoy the research aspect of creating historical fiction, something I loved doing as a scenographer. More details of my research and writing process can be found on my website. I like to write about extraordinary characters set against the background of real historical events.

I live in North Lancashire on the edge of the Lake District, a beautiful area made famous by the Romantic Poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge. I love exploring the mountainous landscapes and interesting coastline near my home.

'Her characters are so real that they linger in the mind long after the book is back on the shelf. Highly recommended. ' The Historical Novels Review.

Visit my website deborahswift.com for a free story,

WW2 Books:

Past Encounters

The Occupation

The Lifeline

The Silk Code

The Italian Renaissance Series:

The Poison Keeper

The Silkworm Keeper

The Fortune Keeper

The Pepys Trilogy:

Pleasing Mr Pepys

A Plague on Mr Pepys

Entertaining Mr Pepys

17th Century Books:

The Lady's Slipper

The Gilded Lily

A Divided Inheritance

Books for Adults/Young Adults:

Shadow on the Highway

Spirit of the Highway

Lady of the Highway

Find me on my website www.deborahswift.com

or on Twitter @swiftstory

or facebook - authordeborahswift

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
2,460 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this WWII novel engaging and believable, with a compelling plot and interesting subplots. The book features relatable characters and a writing style that's hard to put down, while realistically depicting wartime life. Customers appreciate the thorough research, with one review highlighting its insight into POW experiences. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with several customers noting it's somewhat slow.

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35 customers mention "Readability"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an incredible and believable novel.

"...The characters were well-fleshed out and believable. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in WWII history." Read more

"...The story, however, is a good one, and Rhoda and Helen’s friendship has the most believable scenes...." Read more

"...a pleasure when you can pick up a book knowing you’re going to be enthralled, entertained, educated, and escorted away in time to another epoch!..." Read more

"...The relationship between Rhoda and Helen was, to me, believable, and it showed a level of caring by Rhoda that she was determined to find out what..." Read more

35 customers mention "Story quality"27 positive8 negative

Customers find the book's story compelling with interesting plot and subplots, and one customer particularly appreciates its three-point-of-view narrative structure.

"...is solid and specific, the characters well drawn, the plot and subplots not only interesting but very realistic, and the research is admirable...." Read more

"...was deeply touched by the joy of falling in love, and the devastation of love interrupted . Brilliant!" Read more

"...times by the various characters, the author did a wonderful job knitting their stories together while still keeping everything clear...." Read more

"...Much food for thought about the impact and aftermath of war." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them relatable, with one customer noting the inclusion of multiple points of view throughout the story.

"...Simple writing style, but intelligent, good quality. The characters were well-fleshed out and believable...." Read more

"...then let me say this: the writing is solid and specific, the characters well drawn, the plot and subplots not only interesting but very realistic,..." Read more

"...the author for all her research of the war and in developing each character as the story continued." Read more

"Different perspective than other WW II. Books. Good character’s I’ve never read a wwII that gives a POW point of view" Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it engaging and hard to put down, with one customer noting its clear and straightforward approach.

"I zoomed through this book. Simple writing style, but intelligent, good quality. The characters were well-fleshed out and believable...." Read more

"...There are three points of views that tell the story, and the writing style, even if it sounded a bit dated, is enjoyable." Read more

"...Does this review need more? If so, then let me say this: the writing is solid and specific, the characters well drawn, the plot and subplots not..." Read more

"...The writer does an amazing job of showing how the war impacted so many lives in so many different ways. Not all of them in a love relationship...." Read more

9 customers mention "Realistic portrayal"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's realistic portrayal of wartime life, with one customer noting how it captures the turmoil of the WWII generation.

"...well drawn, the plot and subplots not only interesting but very realistic, and the research is admirable. Kudos!..." Read more

"...The author also realistically describes Life During Wartime--the rationing, what people wore, the general mood--so much so I felt immersed in that..." Read more

"Realistic, exciting, romantic, and heartbreaking, well done!..." Read more

"...feeling of it you may appreciate the slow development and the acutely observed detail." Read more

8 customers mention "Research quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's thorough research, with one customer highlighting its amazing insight into the experiences of POWs, and another noting how it provides a better understanding of conditions.

"I zoomed through this book. Simple writing style, but intelligent, good quality. The characters were well-fleshed out and believable...." Read more

"...and subplots not only interesting but very realistic, and the research is admirable. Kudos! And on yet to another one of Swift’s sagas." Read more

"Vivid picture of life during WWII. This author has done her research well and produced a real-life scenario of ordinary folks thrown into the chaos..." Read more

"...war would never talk about it so this book gave me a much better understanding of conditions during that awful time...." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book somewhat slow.

"...I loved all her other books but this one was just so slow going I didn't finally get interested until it was nearly over." Read more

"Pace is somewhat slow and it's more of a love story than a war story. It is an interesting story of a wartime romance/marriage...." Read more

"Very slow,too predictable, characters not well developed. Main characters OK, however others were not, no depth." Read more

"Book was too slow moving for me. Skipped to the end to spare myself." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I zoomed through this book. Simple writing style, but intelligent, good quality. The characters were well-fleshed out and believable. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in WWII history.
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  • Joy Cagil
    4.0 out of 5 stars Bittersweet with Flashbacks and Odd Secrets
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    In the beginning chapters of this book, the main character Rhoda sounded a bit warped to me since she secretly visited her husband Peter’s friend Archie’s wife Helen, thinking she was her husband's mistress. The facts were different, however, and the plot was rather annoying and somewhat farfetched, but since Peter and Archie were in the World War II together with Peter in a prison camp for a very long time, Peter’s odd behavior, I gave to PTSD. Peter’s secret was an idiotic one, which shouldn’t be a secret in the first place. Helen comes second to him for believing his falsehoods. This is all I am going to say about the plot in order not to give it away.

    Was all that drama necessary? I can’t say because I haven’t been in a prison camp and I have only found out about World War II through my reading.

    The story, however, is a good one, and Rhoda and Helen’s friendship has the most believable scenes. In fact, this story’s scenes move the plot along, together with the flashbacks. There are three points of views that tell the story, and the writing style, even if it sounded a bit dated, is enjoyable.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Anne Simone
    5.0 out of 5 stars A novel entrenched in reality!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It’s such a pleasure when you can pick up a book knowing you’re going to be enthralled, entertained, educated, and escorted away in time to another epoch! This is the fourth historical book I’ve read by Deborah Swift, and I must say I’m delighted beyond words every time I read one of her novels.

    Does this review need more? If so, then let me say this: the writing is solid and specific, the characters well drawn, the plot and subplots not only interesting but very realistic, and the research is admirable. Kudos! And on yet to another one of Swift’s sagas.
    Helpful
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  • Tracie Spencer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Story was predictable
    Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Really disappointed in this book. Chapters are divided into years and the person she is writing about so I frequently had to go back to check the date of the last chapter to get the proper perspective. The story line was predictable and Swift seems to dwell too long on the personality and traits of each character instead of progressing along. I found myself just skimming paragraphs. Also the backdrop of war was redundant; Swift used the same kinds of anti-German scenarios in other books, but more effectively. That said, the story has a Hollywood ending, something that I didn’t appreciate, but knew was coming. I have read 4 of Swifts books and this one doesn’t live up to the others at all.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lefreak14
    4.0 out of 5 stars I particularly enjoy WWII fiction that is depicted realistically (not just romance)
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Vivid picture of life during WWII. This author has done her research well and produced a real-life scenario of ordinary folks thrown into the chaos of wartime. I felt the scenes depicting Peter and Archie's experiences as POWs were especially authentic. The author also realistically describes Life During Wartime--the rationing, what people wore, the general mood--so much so I felt immersed in that bygone world. The relationship between Rhoda and Helen was, to me, believable, and it showed a level of caring by Rhoda that she was determined to find out what exactly the relationship was between Peter and Helen. People can exhibit strange behavior at any time, but wartime trauma/PTSD (which I think Peter was suffering from) is a real thing and helped to explain some of the plot line. I particularly enjoy WWII fiction that is depicted realistically (not just romance), and I feel this book hit the mark. I greatly enjoyed it and was sorry when it ended.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • The Schoolmarm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Realistic, exciting, romantic, and heartbreaking, well done! As a longtime fan of Brief Encounter and Dame Celia Johnson, it was a treat to imagine how production might have been. I was deeply touched by the joy of falling in love, and the devastation of love interrupted . Brilliant!
    One person found this helpful
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  • JLL_12
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    While this book bounced between war times & current times by the various characters, the author did a wonderful job knitting their stories together while still keeping everything clear. I enjoyed this story with all its different aspects of the war very much! The POW aspect was particularly heartbreaking.
    One person found this helpful
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  • loril19
    4.0 out of 5 stars War is hell in many ways!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book shows how war can be help in so many ways. I'm not much of a love story reader but this story isn't about the sexual exploits of a relationship. The writer does an amazing job of showing how the war impacted so many lives in so many different ways. Not all of them in a love relationship. I feel the greatest impact of the relationship between people is best related between Archie and Peter. One still a boy the other a young man forming a close relationship and deep bonds that endure through times so difficult most would never make it. Five years of depending on other men for your mental, emotional, and physical support in such dire conditions could be something many men would never admit. Much food for thought about the impact and aftermath of war.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Plain Jane
    5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect WWII story
    Reviewed in Spain on September 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Real, ordinary lives caught up in extra-ordinary events. Deborah Swift understands the epoch and how people lived then. An excellent read and a memorable story.
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  • Maria H
    5.0 out of 5 stars An unforgettable book!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I very rarely award five stars to a book, as I feel the need to distinguish between good books, and outstanding ones. There are so few of the latter, but Past Encounters absolutely fits the category.
    The book focuses on the physical and emotional destruction that WWII wrought in people's lives, focusing in particular on a married couple's struggling relationship many years after war end. Deborah Swift possesses a finely honed understanding of human emotions and behaviour. Her characters are accordingly life-like: strong and weak alike, driven by an instinct for survival and the strong need to hide weakness and guilt from those they need most. I experienced their needs and emotions acutely whilst reading their story. This is, what exellent writing should do: make the reader laugh, cry, and hope with persons that have become alive from the pages of a book! Peter, Archie, Rhoda and Helen stayed with me for long after I had finished the book.
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  • Whitey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully woven, thought-provoking story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the way this book zoomed in on specific events during WWII, using the author's local knowledge to add rich detail to the filming of A Brief Encounter at Carnforth railway station. We discover the fate of some of the characters early on, but that doesn't matter, because we still yearn to know how they arrived where they did. And there are some red herrings thrown in along the way. All the characters are flawed - they all have reason to feel guilty about something - and this means that they are all very human, despite the war. This is a good depiction of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances finding that they are still normal, with human frailties, and feeling unworthy because of it. The book makes you think about how war affected everyone, even those not fighting, or mourning, but it still tells an absorbing tale of romance, heartbreak, happiness and loss. Those who know the history of the British bombing campaign will perhaps not be surprised by one of the storylines but, even though I knew what must surely be about to happen, I was tense, worried, and rooting for those involved. War is seen from all sides, points are made without being forced, and the 'what might've beens' are poignantly-written. The every day details of 40s and 50s life are brilliantly-researched and well-drawn. A wonderful read.
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  • Sandy
    5.0 out of 5 stars An incredibly moving story.
    Reviewed in Australia on June 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This incredibly moving story had me hooked from beginning to end.
    Beginning just prior to World War 2, during the atrocities of the war, and then forward to 1955. I feel the different timelines tie the story together extremely well.
    Rhoda and Peter are separated by the war, and each face their own demons and indecisions. After the war, there are secrets they are both afraid to reveal.
    Brilliantly written and researched, with lots of actual events included.
    This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I am looking forward to reading more.
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  • Iain J McGilveray
    3.0 out of 5 stars Briefly encountered
    Reviewed in Canada on October 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Found the sequences difficult to follow, it is sometime since I viewed “Brief encounters”, but my s
    Late sister in law from Barrow and the Lake District talked about a lot and I met her once in Carnforth station on a cold day as I’d a connection to make for Birmingham. The period is right, less so some of the actions. good effort.
    Report

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