Book Review: One More Hour of Daylight by C.M. Gray

One More Hour of Daylight

by C.M. Gray

From the Bestselling Author of Shadowland

On the first day of World War II, a young man makes a promise—one that will shape every choice he makes for the next four years.

Essex. September 1939.

A wounded German pilot drops from a clear autumn sky into a quiet English field. Seventeen-year-old Derrick finds him—broken and feverish. Not an enemy. Just a young man asking for one small mercy before everything ends.

One more hour of daylight. That is all I ask. A chance to breathe free air before whatever comes next.

Derrick gives him until morning.

When the stretcher comes, the pilot’s last words strike Derrick like a blow he will never stop feeling.

Scotland. France. Germany. 1941–1943.

In the mountains of Scotland, they teach him how to kill, how to lie, and how to endure things that break most men. Then they give him a new name, put him on a plane, and drop him into the dark.

As an SOE operative deep inside occupied Europe, Derrick Sedgley lives on false papers, borrowed names, and nerves worn to nothing by years in the shadows. He moves agents to safety, builds escape routes, and stays one breath ahead of the Gestapo.

Then a mission collapses—and everything changes.

Forced to run, Derrick finds himself moving through the most dangerous corners of occupied Europe alongside someone whose connection to his past he cannot yet see. As safe houses fall, loyalties fracture, and the frozen passes of the Pyrenees rise ahead like the edge of the world, Derrick begins to understand something.

The choice he made in an Essex field on the first day of the war has been leading him here all along.

Some debts cannot be paid.

Some can only be carried.

And some—if you are brave enough, and fortunate enough—can finally be laid to rest.

From the quiet fields of Essex to the mountains of Scotland, from the dangerous streets of Lyon to the shadows of wartime Hamburg and the high passes of the Pyrenees, One More Hour of Daylight is an unforgettable story of courage, guilt and redemption—of ordinary people forced to make impossible choices in extraordinary times.

Some promises can survive a war.

Some people can too.

For readers who believe that even in war, what matters most is who we choose to be.

"’I know what these hands have done I will always know that.’"

On the declaration of war against Germany, young Derrick and his family listen carefully to Chamberlain's carefully scripted speech. The two older men in the Sedgley family have seen it all before, in the Great War, and they are prepared – digging an Anderson shelter in the garden, as instructed, and keeping the ration books in the drawer for when they'd be needed. As air raid sirens rang out straight away, you did not know if it was a test or real. Grandpa Sedgley has his own opinion...

But the war is very real from that moment onwards. Initially, life for the Sedgleys seems to continue as normal, with Derrick and his sister Janey attending school. But when Derrick gets himself into trouble for continuing German classes (well, for the girls, really), he realises that not everyone understands that language and long-dead writers are not to blame for their country's current regime. Derrick continues with Latin and French – which he already speaks fluently due to his mother hailing from Lyon. This is important for the plot to evolve.

When he witnesses a German Messerschmitt plane being shot down, he follows the trail of the pilot who had parachuted out. He finds him, with his arm broken, at a nearby barn. Intrigued, he begins a conversation with the enemy, Ernst, and ends up promising him ’one more hour of daylight’. In fact, he gives him a whole night before he reports him to the police, especially as the man is in need of medical attention.

The event stirs up something in Derrick's mind, and soon after, he decides to sign up for the army, lying about his age. With his keen intelligence, physical fitness, and knowledge of languages to native level, he soon becomes a young recruit of interest, as he'd hoped.

After intense training in the Scottish Highlands (which makes for thrilling reading), Derrick is on his way to the continent, under false names. How will the young man fare inside enemy lines?

One More Hour of Daylight is a compulsive novel that you'll be reading late into the night. Its thrilling tension is interspersed with moments of insight, reminiscence, and even a touch of gentle, slow-burning romance.

The Sedgleys add a sense of normality, of home comfort and warmth, to the uncertainties of war, with their quirks and habits. They are a friendly family whose unwavering support for Derrick is crucial even when they don't really know what he's doing.

In the German pilot, Ernst, the author has created a second, occasional narrator, whose journey makes for chilling reading. Not necessarily evil by nature, but still very much following the political doctrine, he crops up again unexpectedly. The reader knows what's going to happen, and I thought this makes for a very clever plot twist. Sometimes, we're a step ahead; sometimes, behind.

Derrick is a really intriguing protagonist. A bit of a loner, but not without friends, highly intelligent, quick-witted, multi-lingual, and adventurous. One may wonder early on if he is too young for the vital roles he'd soon play, but he is growing fast in character as the story progresses. Yet, Derrick is no action hero, but a young man who thinks before he (re)acts. That marks him as someone dependable, especially in the dangerous situation he encounters. Perfect for special operations.

Gray's enthralling narrative invokes the terrors of the war well throughout the novel, be that in the south-east of England, Germany, or France, and even during the nail-biting race across the Pyrenees. He has recreated bustling cities like London and Lyon under threat from a brutal force that doesn't even stop at persecuting their own. The struggles of the French Résistance become real as you turn the pages, and the scenes where Derrick (aka Karl) is questioned by the authorities in Hamburg are truly bone-chilling. The plot is imbued with a constant, underlying sense of danger.

The author's research is incredibly detailed (including Derrick's rough training in Scotland in preparation for joining special ops; and planes, weapons used, locations...), and yet this novel feels different from others in the genre. Gray does not judge, and nor does his protagonist, Derrick. The human interaction is at the forefront here, and through Derrick and also Ernst, his antagonist, we witness the different sides, and in Ernst's case, the damage that propaganda can do to a person who, once upon a time, was really ’nice’. I found both their motivations fascinating to observe.

One More Hour of Daylight is a WWII thriller with a difference. Yes, there is plenty of action, suspense, and danger. But there are also moments of introspection, almost philosophical. And whilst the author doesn't hide the brutality of the war, he shows it in a way that raises readers’ awareness of the actual people involved. People of all walks of life, on all sides.

In Derrick, Gray has created a protagonist worthy of being a hero, without ever seeing himself as such. A refreshing take on the WWII action genre of the 1960s.

One More Hour of Daylight is a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

Highly recommended.

Review by Cathie Dunn
The Coffee Pot Book Club

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link

This novel is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

C.M. Gray

C.M. Gray's first book, The Flight of the Griffin, was longlisted in the 2015 Times Chicken House Writing Competition. Shadowland, the first book in the Pendragon Saga, has so far received over 900 five-star reviews on Amazon. These things still genuinely astonish him, and he is deeply grateful for every one of them.

Most of his previous work has been fantasy: either pure fantasy or historical fantasy, the kind of writing where druids turn up uninvited and one of your main characters develops an unsettling affinity with wolves before you have quite decided what sort of book you are writing. Shadowland began with every intention of staying grounded in historical reality, the story of Uther Pendragon. It did not. It has turned out to be a popular book, so he does not complain.

His years travelling through Asia, India, Africa and the Middle East have a habit of finding their way onto the page. He has seen and done some fairly strange things along the way and met some extraordinary people, and writing fantasy has always felt, to him, only a short step from writing fact.

New for 2026

One More Hour of Daylight, marks C.M. Gray's return to writing. It was published in June 2026, marking a departure: pure historical fiction, no druids, no wolves. It follows Derrick Sedgley, a seventeen-year-old from Essex who makes a single moral choice in a field one September morning in 1939 and spends the next four years living with the consequences. From the Essex countryside to occupied France, from the mountains of Burgundy to the Pyrenees, it is a story about promises, betrayal, courage and the cost of doing the right thing too late.

And for those who have been waiting patiently for the Pendragon Saga to continue: the third book, Shadow's Heir, the story of Arthur Pendragon, follows in September 2026. More on that very soon.

C.M. Gray was born in England and grew up in the Essex countryside near the Suffolk border, which is where Derrick Sedgley grows up, too. The flat fields, the big skies and the particular quality of Essex light found their way into the book, whether he intended them to or not.

C.M. Gray is now very happily settled just outside Barcelona with his wonderful wife and partner in life, Adriana.

Connect with C.M.:
Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

 

Book of the Week: The Rabbit's Foot by Marcia Clayton

The Rabbit’s Foot

The Hartford Manor Series, Book #3

by Marcia Clayton

1885 North Devon, England

Mr Edward Snell was more than a little curious when Robert Fellwood, the heir to Hartford Manor and his elderly aunt, the Lady Margery, begged an audience on a Saturday morning. However, being such valued clients, the solicitor was happy to oblige. As his clerk showed the visitors in, he was intrigued to see them followed by an old man who, though respectably dressed, had something of a vagrant about him. The crisp suit in which he was attired could not disguise his weather-beaten face or his missing teeth.

Robert introduced his Uncle Sam and explained he had come to claim his inheritance. The solicitor was old enough to remember the extensive search for Thomas Fellwood when his father, Ephraim, died in 1840. However, that was some forty-five years ago and the young man had never been found. Yet, here was Sam, who claimed to be Thomas Fellwood’s son and, even more surprising, was the fact that the Fellwood family appeared to have accepted him as such.

“The Rabbit’s Foot” is an intriguing and compelling novel with many unexpected twists and turns. Set in the small seaside village of Hartford, it tells the tale of how an old man, who has spent his life with barely a penny to his name, suddenly finds himself rich beyond his wildest dreams. However, there is only one thing that Sam Fellwood truly wants and that is to be reunited with his son, Marrok, whom he abandoned at the age of five. Will Sam find the happiness that has eluded him for so many lonely years?

Praise for The Rabbit’s Foot:

'There was so much going on in this book— the village folk and their lives with the threat of the workhouse constantly hanging over them. A cleverly layered story of love, friendships, family secrets, and a long-forgotten truth that is finally recognised.'

~ J.H. 5* Amazon Review

'The story continues and further develops with exciting and heartwarming plots that keep you totally enthralled. The writer has the great skill of keeping her readers interest with an array of events that draw on a multitude of emotions with an ending that leaves you content. Great read, strongly recommend the whole series.'

~ Karen Inkle 5* Amazon Review

Universal Buy Link

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Book Review: Golden Flight: Bright One Series, Book #2 by Lisajoy Sachs

*Editorial Book Review*

Golden Flight

(Bright One Series, Book #2)

by Lisajoy Sachs

Publication Date: 14 July 2026
Publisher: Historium Press
Page Length: 554
Genre: Biographical Historical Fiction

In 1933, as antisemitism spreads across Europe, fifteen-year-old Berta leaves Czernowitz on a journey that will change her life forever.

Married to a man three times her age, Berta is forced to surrender childhood overnight, stepping into the role of wife before she has fully learned who she is. Marriage was meant to secure her future. Instead, it carries her across borders just as hostility toward Jews intensifies and the ground beneath her people begins to shift.

What was meant to be a quick and safe departure becomes a desperate migration as anti-Jewish persecution grows and escape routes narrow. By 1935, Berta and her husband Solomon are stranded in Istanbul, suspended between continents and consequences. Months pass in suffocating uncertainty. Promised departures collapse without explanation. Funds diminish. Friendships disappear into another ship's wake.

And within the confines of marriage, Berta begins to understand that protection does not always resemble love, and that survival may demand more maturity than she was ever meant to possess. When passage to Palestine is finally secured, relief does not come easily. She has learned how quickly certainty dissolves. Ahead lies open water and the fragile hope of safety.

Behind her, a Europe turning its back on Jews and closing its doors. Between those two realities stands a young woman who must decide which parts of herself she is willing to sacrifice to endure.

Set against the tightening grip of pre-war Europe, this sweeping and intimate second installment of the Bright One series traces Berta's forced coming of age amid exile, identity loss, and the quiet, often invisible costs of survival.

“The world is cruel, but there is always beauty to be discovered, even in the darkest of times.”

Some books tell us about history. Others allow us to walk beside those who lived it. 'Golden Flight' by Lisajoy Sachs is very much the latter. Based on the true story of the author's grandmother,  Berta, and inspired by an extraordinary collection of family letters, photographs, and documents preserved across generations, this second instalment in the Bright One series is rich in historical detail and deeply personal in its storytelling. It follows fifteen-year-old Berta as she leaves behind the only life she has ever known in search of an uncertain future.

Set during the turbulent years of the 1930s, the novel explores a world where political uncertainty, rising antisemitism, and changing borders force families to make impossible decisions. Rather than focusing on history's defining moments, Sachs tells an intimate story of one young woman whose life is transformed by circumstances far beyond her control. It is a moving portrait of displacement, courage, and the quiet determination to keep moving forward when the world beneath your feet is constantly shifting.

Berta is an unforgettable protagonist. When we first meet her, she is sheltered, trusting, and still very much a young girl. Watching her mature as circumstances continually challenge her is one of the novel's greatest strengths. Her growth never feels rushed or contrived. Instead, it unfolds naturally through heartbreak, disappointment, perseverance, and the small victories that slowly shape her into a remarkable young woman. I found myself rooting for her from the very first page, celebrating her successes and feeling every disappointment alongside her.

Equally compelling is Solomon. He is a man whose decisions frequently left me questioning his judgement, yet Sachs wisely resists the temptation to make him either wholly admirable or wholly unlikeable. Instead, she presents a deeply flawed individual carrying the weight of grief, responsibility, fear, and regret. At times I sympathised with him; at others I found myself frustrated by him. He is a wonderfully complex character whose strengths and flaws make him feel entirely believable. That complexity makes both Solomon and his relationship with Berta all the more compelling.

The supporting cast is equally memorable. Although some characters appear only briefly, their influence resonates throughout the story. Jetti's wisdom and foresight continue to guide Berta long after they are separated, while Anka's unwavering loyalty provides comfort and reassurance during the darkest stages of her life. As Berta's world gradually expands, the new friendships she forms become just as important to her personal growth. Among them, Rachael is one of the novel's most memorable additions, bringing warmth, compassion, and another layer of emotional depth to Berta's story. Together, these relationships remind us that, even in the darkest of times, it is often the kindness of others that gives us the strength to carry on.

The historical setting is beautifully realised. Sachs effortlessly recreates the atmosphere of 1930s Europe, weaving historical events into the narrative without ever allowing them to overshadow the characters themselves. Political tension, growing prejudice, and increasing instability become part of everyday life, making the story feel authentic and immersive. From elegant homes and bustling cities to isolated villages and uncertain refugee routes, every setting is vividly brought to life through meticulous research and evocative description.

One of the aspects I admired most was the pacing. This is a character-driven novel that allows its relationships and emotional moments to develop naturally. Rather than relying on constant drama, Sachs understands the power of quieter scenes. The result is a story that draws the reader in almost imperceptibly before becoming impossible to put down.

Sachs also has a remarkable gift for sensory description. Whether describing the bustle of a city street, the stillness of the countryside, or the comfort found in familiar possessions, every scene feels tangible. Yet it is often the smallest moments that linger longest in the memory. A treasured keepsake, a carefully written letter, a shared conversation, or a simple act of kindness become powerful reminders that humanity can endure, even when the future seems uncertain.

What impressed me most was the authenticity of Berta's emotional development. She never becomes an implausible heroine, nor does she simply endure hardship without being changed by it. Every experience leaves its mark, making her resilience feel earned rather than inevitable. By the end of the novel, she is a young woman shaped by love, loss, sacrifice, and an unwavering determination to build a future against extraordinary odds.

'Golden Flight' is an emotionally rich,  beautifully researched, and deeply moving novel that explores the uncertainty, sacrifice, and resilience of Jewish families seeking a new life in Palestine during the turbulent years before the Second World War. Knowing that the novel is rooted in the author's own family history gives Berta's story an added depth and authenticity, making her experiences all the more affecting. It is a story about family, identity, displacement, hope, and the extraordinary strength required to keep believing in tomorrow when yesterday has been left behind. Both intimate and epic in scope, it reminds us that history is shaped not only by world leaders and political events, but also by ordinary people whose courage, perseverance, and love quietly change the course of their own lives.

Beautifully written and profoundly moving, 'Golden Flight' stayed with me long after I turned the final page. It is a novel I will not soon forget and one I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys thoughtful, character-driven historical fiction.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club

Buy Links:

Universal Buy Link

Lisajoy Sachs

Lisajoy Sachs is a dedicated writer and advocate for the preservation of history and culture through storytelling. Born and raised on Long Island and in the Catskills Mountain region of New York, Lisajoy's early years were shaped by the picturesque landscapes of mountains and the sea. Growing up, she embraced her family’s deep connection to community and tradition.

Her professional journey is as dynamic as her personal interests. With a diverse career spanning Fine Arts, Interior Design, Metal Smithing, Lapidary, and the craft beer and hospitality industries, she has cultivated a deep and varied understanding of her many fields of interest.

Ms. Sachs holds several prestigious degrees and certifications, including a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the City University of New York, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University, and an Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) certification from the Gemological Institute of America. She is also a graduate of the Hop and Brew School at Yakima Chief Hops and holds a CiceroneCertified Beer Server© credential, underscoring her expertise and passion for the craft beer industry.

As a writer, Lisajoy’s work spans a variety of themes, from beer culture and community engagement to her most prized projects in historical fiction. Her writing reflects a profound appreciation for history, particularly focusing on how personal stories intertwine with larger cultural narratives. She has published multiple articles celebrating the craft beer industry’s ability to foster diversity and unity and continues to explore new ways to inspire her readers through her storytelling.

A deep passion for history, coupled with a fascination with family ancestry and vivid storytelling, is reflected in Lisajoy’s creative projects. Her fiction often delves into richly detailed settings and explores characters navigating the complexities of their times. Whether writing about the harrowing journey of her family in pre-WWII Europe or capturing the resilience of individuals in the face of change, Lisajoy brings depth, authenticity, and emotional resonance to her narratives.

Outside of her professional life, Lisajoy is an avid cyclist and skier, often traveling in her camper van with her partner and standard poodle Hops exploring new adventures. She has recently relocated to the Catskills Mountains, a decision influenced by her desire to embrace a balanced, family and community-focused lifestyle.

Lisajoy’s dedication to her craft, her community, and her passions makes her a multifaceted creative force. Through her writing and professional endeavors, she continues to bridge the gap between history, culture, and the shared human experience.

Connect with Lisajoy:

Website • Twitter / X • Facebook • Threads • Instagram

Amazon Author Page • TikTok • Goodreads