Family saga / generational saga fiction

Book SynopsisDiane Allen was born in Leeds, but raised on her family's farm, deep in the Yorkshire Dales. After working as a glass engraver, raising a family and looking after her ill father, she found her true niche in life, joining a large-print publishing firm in 1990. She now concentrates on her writing full time, and is Honorary Vice President of the Romantic Novelists' Association. Diane's novels include A Precious Daughter, The Girl from the Tanner's Yard and The Miner's Wife.Diane and her husband Ronnie live in the Dales market town of Settle, and have two children and four beautiful grandchildren.

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Book Synopsis The devastation of war has dramatic consequences for a mother and daughter... Let the Bells Ring is an evocative wartime saga from much-loved author Anne Baker, as a family face battles in life and love. Perfect for fans of Sheila Newberry and Cathy Sharp.Hannah and her mother Esme are lucky to escape when their home is destroyed during a bombing raid. Forced to move in with Esme''s difficult sister-in-law, they make the best of things, and soon Hannah falls for the boy next door, Eric Goodwin. But Esme''s worried; she''s always been afraid of Eric''s father Arnold, and she suspects that Eric is a chip off the old block, full of charm but up to no good. Is innocent Hannah being drawn into an unpredictable and dangerous world of crime? What readers are saying about Let the Bells Ring: ''I have read 14 of Anne Baker''s books and have enjoyed every one of them. The books

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Book SynopsisThey Risked Their Lives To Bring Cattle to Missouri. Now They Faced A Journey Twics As Dangerous...The only riches Texans had left after the Civil War were five millionmaverick longhorns and the brains, brawn and boldness to drive themnorth to where the money was. Now, Ralph Compton brings this violent and magnificent time to life in an extraordinary epic series based on the history-making trail drives.The Oregon TrailLou Spencer, Dill Summer, and their fourteen Texas cowboys briught a herd up to Independence, Missouri, and sold half to a wagon train heading West. Then the Texans hired on, leading the battling greenhorn pioneers across the Missouri River, across Nebraska Territory, and into the wilds past Forts Laramie and Bridger. With winter closing in, Spencer''s men were running out of time to reach the wide-open land of Oregon. And with a fortune in gold hidden in one of the pilgrims'' wooden wagons-and outlaws circling like wolves-there were miles of shooting and dying still ahead.

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Book SynopsisMeg just wants her family to be together at Christmas. But her mother’s illness gets worse every day and her sister is off doing god knows what.   So when Meg loses her job in the bakery she doesn’t know how they’ll cope. Luckily, she knows Frank, the owner of a local patisserie, who offers her a job. But Meg isn’t suited for fancy cake and frills. All she wants is to feed her family and make them proud but, as winter takes hold, it feels like everything is stacked against her.Can she make a success of herself before Christmas?

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Book SynopsisA brand new wartime saga, perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Val WoodSummer, 1916 Despite the misery of war in the air, some things in the small hamlet of Strawbridge remain unchanged. The strawberry harvest is nearly ready and friends Leah, Alice and Dora still have each other. Before the war, the three women had found a tentative happiness but now war has torn their lives apart. Each woman must learn to live with their new life at war, dealing with the absence of their loved ones and finding courage in the hardest of times…

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Book SynopsisTwo families - and their secrets . . . A superb Liverpool saga from bestselling author Maureen Lee''The queen of saga writing'' MY WEEKLY''Maureen Lee is one of those hugely talented authorswho writes great women for women readers. Her books don''t just have one heroine, they have several. But even by her popular standards, The September Girls is exceptional. ... a thumping multi-generational saga'' DAILY RECORDIn Liverpool, on a stormy September night in 1920, two women from very different backgrounds give birth to daughters in the same house. Enemies at first, they later become friends when separate troubles unite them. But friendship between their daughters, Cara and Sybil, is a different matter.Nineteen years later, at the beginning of the Second World War, Cara and Sybil find themselves thrown together when they enlist and are both stationed in Malta. It is a time of live-changing repercussions forTrade ReviewThe queen of saga writing * MY WEEKLY *Take two families, their loves, secrets, tragedies and triumphs, add wartime Malta and the defiant spirit of Liverpool as bombs fall, and you have the ingredients of a good dependable saga * CHOICE *Maureen Lee is one of those hugely talented authors who writes great women for women readers. Her books don't just have one heroine, they have several. But even by her popular standards, The September Girls is exceptional. ... [a] thumping multi-generational saga * DAILY RECORD *An engrossing tale - she explores with warmth and insight the intertwined lives and loves of two very different families * SAINSBURYS MAGAZINE *

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Book SynopsisA Queen and a peasant - this stunning new saga is the story of a young woman who must find a way to support her family and stay true to herself in the face of adversity.Just seventeen years old, Lily Rose scratches out a meagre living making lace in Devon, responsible for her siblings following the death of their parents.But opportunity beckons. Hundreds of miles away, in London, Queen Victoria is preparing for her wedding. She will wear the most exquisite wedding dress in history, bearing the famous Honiton lace. When Lily is selected as one of the few to work on this top-secret commission it is the answer to her prayers.Lily quickly makes an impression, both as an expert lacemaker and a natural leader of the women working day and night. But there are others who want to see Lily fail, including Squire Clinsden who issues her with a terrible ultimatum - work for him, and be subject to his unwanted advances, or put her loved ones at risk.Torn be

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Book Synopsis''Warm and atmospheric, you can practically taste the sea breeze'' The Express****The dramatic new saga from the author of The Royal Lacemaker, The Girl with the Red Ribbon and Family for ChristmasSeventeen-year-old Merryn Dyer has been helping her mother to knit fisherman''s jumpers in a small Cornish village since she was a young girl. Growing up without a father, Merryn is used to barely scraping a living and her mother has always instilled pride and honesty in her. But she dreams of one day having more in life.So when she gets the chance at a job in a nearby city she jumps at the chance, despite her mother''s reservations. However, once out of her village she begins to uncover long-buried secrets about her past that threaten to unravel everything that she thought she knew.''Take time out for a page-turner about family mysteries and betrayal'' Take-a-BreakTrade ReviewWarm and atmospheric, you can practically taste the sea breeze * The Express *Take time out for a page-turner about family mysteries and betrayal * Take-a-Break *A compelling saga . . . with a surprising and emotional ending which weaves together the storylines in a most satisfying way. Strongly recommended and a great read on a Cornish holiday. * cjbrownecrimewriter.com *

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Book Synopsis**A heart-warming and inspiring story of incredible women on the home-front during World War II from the author of The Bomb Girls**Can four girls protect a whole country? It''s 1941 and the country has been turned upside down. For the aristocratic Walsingham family this means being pushed unceremoniously upstairs while their grand home is taken over by the Army. But for newcomers Ava and Maudie this is a chance to get something more from life. They are at Walsingham Hall to become code girls and break German encryptions. So being sent downstairs to work in the kitchens isn''t exactly what they had in mind. But they do their duty, make new friends and soon even romance looks to be on the horizon. Though life is tough, it has never been more exciting. Meanwhile, upstairs, Lord Walsingham is hiding something. And Maudie and the girls realize that the safety of their country might actually be in their hands after all . . . <Trade ReviewPraise for Daisy Styles * - *Feisty young women, a country house in wartime and a scheming aristocrat - all ingredients for a cracking story with truly endearing characters -- Annie Murray, bestselling author of * Now The War Is Over *A great read that I think will appeal to fans of wartime sagas and authors like Donna Douglas . . . From dances to disasters, encounters with handsome Yanks, rationing and relationships, The Bomb Girls has all the ingredients of an excellent wartime drama and I thoroughly enjoyed it! * Onemorepage.com *The story is full of drama, love, heartbreak, friendship and in some part some comedy . . . It's full of twist and turns and is a real page turner * Laurahbookblog *

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Book SynopsisThe uplifting story of three struggling mothers pulling together in the heart of WWII, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Nancy Revell and Call the MidwifeThree mothers. Three very different backgrounds. And a bond they will never forget . . .________The Lake District, 1944. Spring is in the air for the women at Mary Vale Mother and Baby Home.Beautiful Stella, the head-turning cook of a munitions factory, has been swept off her feet by a handsome GI. He proposes when she falls pregnant, but soon his letters stop arriving . . .Then there is Lillian, who is deeply unimpressed when she is conscripted as a Land Girl miles from her home, but then she meets a charming, married vet . . .Meanwhile, midwife Ada is getting used to being back at work after the birth of her own beautiful baby girl. But she faces the biggest challenge of her life when the home is engulfed in an outbreak of whTrade ReviewPraise for Daisy Styles * - *Well done Daisy for creating characters that are real women in the best sense. Funny, scheming, loyal and witty, but about all, hardworking and proud. An absolute joy to read * Kate Thompson, bestselling author of, Secrets of the Home Front Girls *A cracking story with truly endearing characters * Annie Murray, bestselling author of, Now The War Is Over *This is her best yet. I devoured it in one sitting - it's a real page turner that will delight and tug at the heart strings of readers everywhere. Wonderful! * Fiona Ford, author of, The Liberty Girls *

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Book SynopsisCall the Midwife meets All Creatures Great and Small in this brand-new saga series set in a WWI East End Animal Clinic. ''I was hooked from the start. The meticulous period detail and true-to-life characters had me immersed in the action, and I didn't want the story to end. A joy to read'' Vicki Beeby, author of The Ops Room Girls ''Superbly plotted ... a heartwarming and engrossing read'' Maisie Thomas, author of Christmas with the Railway Girls''Tremendously written with buckets of heart'' ***** Reader Review --- In the carnage of war can one woman''s courage be the light in the dark? As the Great War rages across Europe, twenty-one-year-old Ruby Archer decides to do her bit' at an East End munitions factory. The work is relentless and deafening, but the camaraderie of the other girls carries her through. As London continues to be ravage

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Book SynopsisAN UPLIFTING TALE OF HOPE, LOVE AND DEFYING YOUR FAMILY SET IN 1890S'' LANCASHIRE ----Agnes Cavanaugh has watched her mother, Kitty, struggle to put food on the table ever since they crossed the sea from Ireland. So when she sees an opportunity to help earn some money by selling cheese at the local market she begins to work with the local farm to boost sales. Much to her mother, Kitty's, disappointment, Agnes is immediately drawn to the farmer's son, Jonas. And Jonas can't help but be enchanted by Agnes. But their love faces many challenges, Agnes has been promised to another and Jonas cannot marry a Roman Catholic. Will Agnes risk everything she's done for her family in her quest for happiness?----Readers are loving The Cavanah Family Series A really sad story but one of survival through the hard times. The determination of Kitty made a very enjoyable read' 5 ***** Reader ReviewWhat a st

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Book SynopsisFlorence Nightingale, a historical drama, a superb love story - from the Richard & Judy bestselling author of EAST OF THE SUN.Catherine Carreg has grown up a tomboy, spending her days racing her ponies with Deio, the drover''s son, in a small Welsh village. But Catherine is consumed by a longing to escape the monotony of village life and, with Deio''s help, runs away to London. Alone in the unfamiliar bustle of the city, Catherine finds a position in a rest home for sick governesses in Harley Street, run by Miss Florence Nightingale. Then, as the nation is gripped by reports of the war in the Crimea, Catherine volunteers as a nurse - and her life changes beyond all recognition.Arriving in Scutari, she is pitched into a living nightmare and, against the passion and heroism of one of the most traumatic wars in history, she is forced to grow up quickly and painfully, and learn the hardest lessons of love and war.Trade ReviewLively, atmospheric novel ... the writing is skilful, vivid and explicit * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Recent biography has debunked the romance of Florence Nightingale as angelic "Lady of the Lamp" ... Julia Gregson breathes life into this new interpretation * GUARDIAN *A vivid tale of love and war -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME *lively, atmospheric novel...the writing is skillful, vivd and explicit * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Recent biography has debunked teh romance of Florence Nightingale as angelic 'Lady of the Lamp'...Julia Gregson breathes life into this new interpretation * GUARDIAN *a wonderful evocation of the rugged Welsh coastlne and Catherine's home life * HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW *

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Book SynopsisA warm and compelling tale, part of Lilian Harry's terrific Dartmoor-based series.Trade ReviewShe writes gentle romances that have real characters and real heart and soul * EVENING TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisThere's nowhere quite like Burracombe - a village full of warmth and intrigue...Trade ReviewLilian Harry takes her readers on another wonderful journey... * WESTERN DAILY PRESS *For fans of Lilian Harry, this latest book does not disappoint. * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS *

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Book SynopsisCome home to Burracombe - the village where life is full of surprises...

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Book SynopsisA heart-warming visit to the village of Burracombe where, whatever life might throw at you - strangers, surprises, love, change - you can always rely upon your neighbours and friends.

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Book SynopsisThrough the hard times and the good, true friends stand side by side. Set in Devon, the terrific new novel in the feel-good Burracombe series.The latest book in the Burracombe series, CELEBRATIONS IN BURRACOMBE draws together many threads of life in the little Devonshire village where triumph and tragedy have always rubbed shoulders.It''s the late 1950s, and change is in the air. For the Napier family, up at the big house, the old ways are shifting. Hilary must discover if reaching out for a chance of happiness must mean breaking away from the life expected of her, while Patsy, their young housekeeper''s help, is facing motherhood without her own family around her.Down the hill from the Napiers, villagers young and old are setting out on adventures - Stella and Felix begin married life, change comes to the village school and the Tozer family continue to find surprises in their midst. Warm, poignant and heartfelt, CELEBRATIONS IN BURRACOMBE serves up anotheTrade ReviewShe writes gentle romances that have real characters and real heart and soul - EVENING TELEGRAPHA perfect nostalgia hit. 5/5 - YOURSThis wonderfully nostalgic novel will evoke strong memories for those who were around in the 1950s ... A heart-warming story ... Lilian Harry is an outstanding storyteller - MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

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Book SynopsisIt may be winter, but in the Devonshire village of Burracombe there is always warmth and friendship, no matter what troubles arise...

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Book SynopsisLiverpool, 1942. As the residents of Pearl Street prepare for Christmas, adversity and tragedy bring them ever closer together. A powerful new saga from the bestselling author of AFTER THE WAR IS OVER.Trade ReviewAs always, an engaging read by this popular wartime saga author. * MY WEEKLY *It's Christmas, 1942, and the residents of Pearl Street are hoping for miracles. Kitty's troubled by her married American lover, Lena is longing for a child and Eileen's injured husband is acting suspiciously. * WOMAN *

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Book SynopsisThe brand new novel from queen of the saga and No. 1 bestselling author, Maureen Lee.In times of trouble, family is all you need...Liverpool, 1950. They say you can choose your friends, but you can''t choose your family. Yet when Violet Duffy is asked to give a home to the orphaned children of a distant relative, it is precisely the choice she must face. Abby and Will have had young lives full of tragedy. Life with Violet offers love and safety. But as they grow up, their past won''t let them be. Will they choose Violet, or the lure of bigger cities and new horizons?Private passions, tough choices, lost loves and second chances pull them in different directions, but wherever life takes them, Violet''s door is always open - after all, it''s love that makes a house a home.Trade ReviewA cracking start to the story and Maureen Lee doesn't let you down with this tale of wartime sacrifice, tangled lives and love - THE LADYA tender saga of family life that explores the themes of love and forgiveness - MY WEEKLYAnother powerful saga from a fine writer - EVENING TELEGRAPH

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Book SynopsisThe first in a series of wartime sagas from a talented new voice. Set in 1940s Coventry, The Spark Girl is packed full of adventure, romance, heartbreak and friendship.Trade ReviewPraise for THE SPARK GIRL - a heart-wrenching wartime saga:A compelling first novel by Fiona Ford, which I promise you won't be able to put down -- Daisy Styles, bestselling author of THE BOMB GIRLSa fabulous debut from an immensely talented author -- Annie GrovesFord gets to the heart of what it was like to live through the dangerous war years in this warm, captivating, down-to-earth story which is brimming with engaging characters, adventure, romance and heartbreak. * Lancashire Post *'an enjoyable read with a twist towards the end to keep the reader engaged until the next one!' * Jera's Jamboree *

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Book SynopsisA Cuckoo in Candle Lane, is Sunday Times bestseller Kitty Neale''s first novel, a powerful drama of family life set in post-war London.When Elsie and Bert Jones move with their children, Ann and Arthur, to Candle Lane, a modest street in Battersea, they miss their comfortable house in Wimbledon. But the move is the right thing to do, while Bert starts a new business.They are a warm-hearted family and Elsie soon makes friends with her less fortunate neighbour, Ruth, and her daughter Sally. But before long Elsie realises that all is not well in the house next door...Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Katie Flynn, this is a rags to riches story from the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Mother''s Sacrifice and A Family Scandal.

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Book SynopsisThis family saga, packed with dark secrets, from Sunday Times bestseller Kitty Neale, will tug at the heartstrings.Millie Pratchett''s life is not an easy one. Her dad, coalman Alfie, is a bully, and his vicious temper dominates their small terraced house in Battersea. His teenage children, handsome John and ugly-duckling Millie, have learnt to dodge his moods but Millie lives in fear for her mother, Eileen. When Alfie''s tyranny forces Eileen into an impossible position, a crisis erupts. The Pratchetts'' old life collapses around them and a new, darker future looms. But people are not always what they seem; could Millie turn out to be far stronger and more resilient than anyone could have imagined ? Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Katie Flynn, this is an emotional family saga from the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Mother''s Sacrifice and A Family Scandal.Trade ReviewA gritty tale of the dark secrets hidden behind the scrubbed doorsteps of homes in South London in the 1950s and 60s - Bella

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Book SynopsisAn enjoyable read about love, courage and discovery during a time of change in post war Britain. A lovely story! KITTY NEALEWhen Nurse Kitty becomes the NHS''s poster-girl for its overseas recruitment drive, she swaps the grey post-war backstreets of Manchester for the palm-fringed island of Barbados. But will her determination to save the NHS lose her everyone she loves? It''s 1949 and nurse Kitty Longthorne is still hard at work at Manchester''s Park Hospital. The one-year-old NHS is inundated by the nation''s sick and dying, made worse by a crippling labour shortage. Now engaged, Kitty and James adore each other, but once they marry, she will be expected to leave the job that means so much to her. When she is offered the trip of a lifetime - a voyage by sea to Barbados to recruit nurses to join Park Hospital''s ranks - adventurous Kitty is desperate to go. Her brother Ned has been there for years, and she simply cannot resist an oppoTrade ReviewAn enjoyable read about love, courage and discovery during a time of change in post war Britain. A lovely story! * Kitty Neale *

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Book SynopsisCan friendship save them in their time of need?1940: When trainee nurses Clare and Gaye, alongside their new friend Diana discover that the war is forcing the mothers and children of Guernsey to seek safety in Stockport they immediately volunteer.Yet, they each has their own troubles to face: Clare misses her family in Ireland, while Diana struggles to find her place in the parachute factory. And Gaye must hide a secret that could tear her family apart . . .With the danger of war coming ever closer, it is their friendship and determination that will see them and the children in their care through. But can the girls and the evacuee families make a home in Mersey Square?A heart-warming world war two saga of friendship and hope in the face of adversity, perfect for fans of Elsie Mason, Maureen Lee and Lyn Andrews.* * * * * * * *Readers are LOVING The Nightingales in Mersey Square:''

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Book SynopsisHer wedding day should have been the happiest day of Mavis Kendricks'' life. Marrying handsome Sam, the youngest of the Farley boys, means joining the Farley clan, and there''s nothing Mavis has ever wanted more than a family of her own. But the appearance of an unexpected guest ruins everything... and brings back painful memories Mavis would rather forget.It''s not long before the war-torn streets of South Shields are buzzing with rumours. One of the biscuit factory girls, funny little Mavis has always been a bit of a mystery. As far as anyone can remember, Mavis and her twin Arthur have been orphans. So who was the grand old lady at the wedding? How do the twins own their own house? And just what is Mavis hiding? On the Sixteen Streets, nothing stays a secret for long...The third in the heart-warming, heart-wrenching and utterly charming Biscuit Factory Girl series, A Wedding for the Biscuit Factory Girls is perfect for fans of Daisy Styles, Jenny Holmes

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Book SynopsisSet against the background of World War I, and two stately homes that became hospitals for the wounded, Audrey Howard's novel is an epic saga of love and war.Trade ReviewA joy to read . . . . This saga is, like all of Audrey Howard's books, compelling and memorable. * Historical Novels Review *Her thousands of fans recognise the artistry of a true storyteller. * Lancashire Life *Among the dross that constitutes the Liverpool saga market for women, Howard's enjoyable 19th-century historical romance of crossed love shines out. * Daily Mail *Poignant and well plotted, this is the book to curl up with to shut out troubles. * Woman's Realm *

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Book SynopsisA haunting and compelling family saga spanning four decades and four generations, MAGGIE is the life story of a resilient Cockney woman.Trade ReviewSo real it feels as if someone you love is telling her own story * Sun *A story-telling tour de force. Sentimental, romantic and very saleable, this will appeal to every reader who adored The Thorn Birds * Publishers Weekly *A remarkable story and a remarkable book * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisGas lights and horse drawn buses, gin-soaked night clubs and fluttering lace curtains: the world of AUTUMN ALLEY.Trade ReviewLena Kennedy is the genuine article * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisThe second instalment in the best-selling Rivenshaw series, by beloved saga author Anna Jacobs. In the wake of World War Two, the whole country is desperate for houses, with very little money available to rebuild. In the town of Rivenshaw in Lancashire, Mayne Esher has no choice but to turn Esherwood, the war-damaged stately home which has been in his family for generations, into flats. Rebuilding Esherwood won''t be easy but with Judith Crossley by his side, Mayne hopes to restore it to its former glory. First, he must open it up to some of his long-suffering army friends... and it soon becomes clear that the house isn''t the only thing which needs rebuilding.Victor is fighting his late wife''s rich and arrogant mother for custody of his daughter Betty. Ros has been cheated out of her money and has nowhere to go now she''s been demobbed from the army. Daniel is still unsettled after his wartime experiences. He''s waiting for his divorce to go through and has Trade ReviewThis is that rare thing, a pacy page-turner with a ripping plot and characters you care about . . . [Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff! * Daily Mail on THE TRADER'S GIFT *Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around. * Historical Novels Review *[Anna Jacobs' books have an] impressive grasp of human emotions. * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisGo on an emotional journey with Beyond the Veil of Tears by Rita Bradshaw, a heart-rending saga of a young woman's defiant stand against cruelty. This historical romance, from the author of Dancing in the Moonlight, is the story of an innocent soul trapped in a world of deceit and hardship.Ensnared in a dreadful marriage with the menacing Oswald Golding, Angeline Stewart, an innocent fifteen-year-old, sees her world shattering.On learning she is expecting a child, Angeline makes plans to run away and take her chances fending for herself and her baby. But then tragedy takes over . . .Set in 19th-century Northamptonshire, Beyond the Veil of Tears is a testament to the indomitable spirit of survival and hope against all odds.

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Book SynopsisLulu Taylor moved around the world as a child before her family settled in the Oxfordshire countryside. She studied English Literature at university and had a successful career in publishing before becoming a writer herself her first novel, Heiresses, was nominated for the RNA Readers' Choice Award. Lulu has since written a succession of gothic, mysterious novels, including The Snow Angel, Her Frozen Heart and the bestselling The Winter Children. She is married and lives in Dorset with her husband and two children.Trade Review[This] engrossing romantic saga is a hugely enjoyable, escapist treat. * Daily Mirror *Another great read from Lulu Taylor, she offers up a great mystery involving the past and present for two women married into the same family, with plenty of atmosphere provided by the old house setting. * Chicklit Club *A cleverly written story that makes for intriguing reading. Effortlessly flowing from one generation to the next, it tells a story of love, pain and anguish that settles in a house for decades. * Handwritten Girl *

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Book SynopsisAnnie Murray was born in Berkshire and read English at St John's College, Oxford. Her first 'Birmingham' novel, Birmingham Rose, hit The Times bestseller list when it was published in 1995. She has subsequently written many other successful novels, including, War Babies, The Women of Lilac Street and The Bells of Bournville Green, sequel to the bestselling Chocolate Girls. Annie has four children and lives in Reading.

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Book SynopsisMargaret Dickinson is the author of top twenty bestsellers Jenny's War and The Clippie Girls.Born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Margaret moved to the coast at the age of seven and so began her love for the sea and the Lincolnshire landscape. Her ambition to be a writer began early and she had her first novel published at the age of twenty-five. Many of her novels are set in the heart of her home country. A visit to the wonderful National Tramway Museum in Crich, Derbyshire, inspired The Clippie Girls and the magnificent Gunby Hall, Lincolnshire, was the inspiration for Fairfield Hall.Trade ReviewQueen of Saga Writers * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisBorn the thirteenth child of fifteen to a middle-class mother and an East End barrow boy, Mary Wood's childhood was a mixture of love and poverty. Throughout her life Mary has held various posts in catering and office roles, and in the Probation services while bringing up her four children. Mary now has numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An avid reader, she first put pen to paper in 1989 whilst nursing her mother through her last months, but didn't become successful until she began self-publishing her novels in 2011.Her novels include An Unbreakable Bond, Proud of You, To Catch a Dream and In Their Mother's Footsteps.

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Book SynopsisSet across the Second World War, Snowflakes in the Wind is a heartwarming story of triumph over adversity by Rita Bradshaw, author of the number one bestselling Dancing in the Moonlight.It's Christmas Eve 1920 when nine-year-old Abby Kirby's family is ripped apart by a terrible tragedy. Leaving everything she's ever known, Abby takes her younger brother and runs away to the tough existence of the Border farming community.Years pass. Abby becomes a beautiful young woman and falls in love, but her past haunts her, casting dark shadows. Furthermore, in the very place she has taken refuge, there is someone who wishes her harm.With her heart broken, Abby decides to make a new life as a nurse. When the Second World War breaks out, she volunteers as a QA nurse and is sent overseas. However, life takes another unexpected and dangerous turn when she becomes a prisoner in Japan. It is then that Abby realizes that whatever has gone beforTrade ReviewA moving and gripping tale of love, loss and survival from one of the nation’s favourite saga queens * Lancashire Evening Post *Raw passion and power on every page * Northern Echo *Gritty and touching * Newcastle Evening Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisA tale of hardship and survival, set between Birmingham and Canada across the 1950s, 60s and 70s, The Doorstep Child is a heart-rending story from the bestselling author of the Chocolate Girls series, Annie Murray.From a tender age little Evie struggled . . .Evie spent her early years left outside on the step. With a drunk for a father and a neglectful mother, all little Evie has ever craved is a safe home and a normal existence.Her young eyes had seen so much, but this never tainted her spirit. If it wasn't for her best friend Gary, and friendly dog called Whisky, Evie might never have made it to the sixteenth birthday.At sixteen she meets Ken, a sweet brown-eyed boy, not much older than she is. Perhaps her fortunes have changed? But no sooner does she give over her heart, she is betrayed, not for the first time in her young life . . .Will Evie ever find the love and warmth she's always craved?Praise for Annie

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Book SynopsisJoin bestselling and much-loved author, Rosie Goodwin, as she tells the heartwrenching and uplifiting tale of one girl's courage and spirit as she battles to save her family in the face of enormous odds.Trade ReviewGoodwin is a master of her craft: she excels in writing about the complexity of relationships, the hardships of life, the ties of family and the joys of love and friendship * Lancashire Evening *Rosie Goodwin excels at tugging-the-heartstrings * Lincolnshire Echo *Rosie is a talented storyteller * Dee Williams *

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Book SynopsisThe enthralling second book in the beloved classic series from ''one of the nation''s favourite saga author'' (Lancashire Post) in the grand tradition of Katie Flynn, Dilly Court and Josephine Cox.Jennie''s heartwarming and heartrending sagas are richly praised!''Jennie Felton knows how to tell a cracking story and keep the reader gripped... if you enjoy reading books in the style of Catherine Cookson then this one is for you'' Books With Wine and Chocolate''Another superbly woven and character-rich story from a saga author who writes from the heart'' Peterborough Telegraph''Packed full of Jennie''s signature strong heroines, this book will keep you guessing'' MNR JournalWhen everything is lost, can a fresh start save the Day family?When Annie Day at number four, Fairley Terrace, loses her beloved husband in a tragic mining disaster, she cannot aTrade ReviewFans of Katie Flynn will love this * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *This emotional rollercoaster tale of love and betrayal, darkness and light, hope and despair, recalls the powerful sense of loyalty and shared adversity that helped mining communities to survive the hardships of unemployment and tragedy. Felton has a natural empathy for the people and their landscape and this enables her to evoke time and place so convincingly and to write about their lives and loves with such genuine affection and warmth * Lancashire Evening Post *From the poverty of a mining town in Somerset to the bright lights of London music halls this story definitely had me hooked and once I had read the first few chapters I couldn't put it down. There are many twists and turns throughout the book which helped keep my interest. Jennie Felton's wonderful description of life in the early nineteen hundreds brought this story and it's characters to life. I'm eagerly awaiting book number three -- Books With Wine And ChocolateBelievable characters, a vivid sense of time and place, thoroughly enjoyable -- Rosie GoodwinEnthralling . . . Jennie Felton . . . writes her stories straight from the heart . . . evokes time and place with compelling authenticity, and conjures up a feisty heroine and a cast of engaging characters * Lancashire Evening Post *Has everything a family saga should have - happiness, extreme sadness, love, death, births, etc. but above allit was a real page turner . . . Thank you, Jennie, for writing such a wonderful book * Boon’s Bookcase *If you like the style of Catherine Cookson, Josephine Cox or Katie Flynn then you'll enjoy this * Books With Wine And Chocolate *

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Book Synopsis''Believable characters, a vivid sense of time and place, thoroughly enjoyable'' Rosie GoodwinThe emotionally gripping third book in the beloved classic series from ''one of the nation''s favourite saga author'' (Lancashire Post) in the grand tradition of Katie Flynn, Dilly Court and Josephine Cox.Jennie''s heartwarming and heartrending sagas are richly praised!''Jennie Felton knows how to tell a cracking story and keep the reader gripped... if you enjoy reading books in the style of Catherine Cookson then this one is for you'' Books With Wine and Chocolate''Another superbly woven and character-rich story from a saga author who writes from the heart'' Peterborough Telegraph''Packed full of Jennie''s signature strong heroines, this book will keep you guessing'' MNR JournalEdie Cooper has grown up at Fairley Terrace, surrounded by a loving family. Trade ReviewBelievable characters, a vivid sense of time and place, thoroughly enjoyable -- Rosie GoodwinFans of Katie Flynn will love this * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Enthralling . . . Jennie Felton . . . writes her stories straight from the heart . . . evokes time and place with compelling authenticity, and conjures up a feisty heroine and a cast of engaging characters * Lancashire Evening Post *Has everything a family saga should have - happiness, extreme sadness, love, death, births, etc. but above allit was a real page turner . . . Thank you, Jennie, for writing such a wonderful book * Boon’s Bookcase *If you like the style of Catherine Cookson, Josephine Cox or Katie Flynn then you'll enjoy this * Books With Wine And Chocolate *A great read with a cast of believable characters * The People's Friend *Easy to read, good characters, and plenty of details to satisfy the reader * Shropshire Star *

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Book SynopsisLIVERPOOL SISTERS is a nostalgic, heart-warming and dramatic Merseyside saga from bestselling author Lyn Andrews - not to be missed by readers of Dilly Court and Kitty Neale. Liverpool, 1907. Thanks to their father''s success, sisters Livvie and Amy Goodwin are moving from their cramped home to a roomier house on the outskirts of Liverpool. But tragedy strikes when their adored mother dies in childbirth. The girls are still grieving when Thomas introduces their new stepmother - a woman just a few years older than Livvie.Thomas has plans for his daughters. He wants Livvie to marry a wealthy neighbour''s son - not Frank Hadley, the kind and handsome factory manager she is attracted to. Their relationship is a dangerous enough secret, but Livvie''s interest in the Suffragettes could drive Thomas to the edge. For the Goodwin girls, the happy future they once took for granted is far from certain...Trade ReviewPraise for Lyn Andrews: 'An outstanding storyteller' * Woman's Weekly *A vivid portrayal of life * Best *A compelling read * Woman's Own *The Catherine Cookson of Liverpool * Northern Echo *Gutsy...a vivid picture of a hard-up, hard-working community...will keep the pages turning * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisParentless and alone on the streets of Liverpool, Lizzie must fight for a brighter future...Curl up this winter with a heart-warming and poignant saga by Sunday Times best selling author Lyn Andrews. Set in Liverpool in the years before the First World War, Liverpool Matchgirl is the perfect read for fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin or Call the Midwife.Liverpool, 1901. The Tempest family is all but destitute, barely able to put food on the table. When Florrie falls ill with pneumonia and Arthur is imprisoned after a drunken fight, their thirteen-year-old daughter Lizzie finds herself parentless, desperate and alone. Despite her young age, Lizzie has spirit and determination, and she knows that she must find work to keep herself off the streets. In a stroke of luck, she gets a job in the match factory, and foreman George Rutherford takes her under his wing. A new home with the Rutherfords promises a safTrade ReviewPraise for Lyn Andrews: 'An outstanding storyteller' * Woman's Weekly *A vivid portrayal of life * Best *A compelling read * Woman's Own *The Catherine Cookson of Liverpool * Northern Echo *Gutsy...a vivid picture of a hard-up, hard-working community...will keep the pages turning * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisLONDON CALLING is a poignant, warm-hearted and engaging saga of Clapham, south London''s women during the Second World War, for readers of Kate Thompson, Annie Murray and Katie Flynn. It will take more than Hitler''s Luftwaffe to break the spirit of the residents of Lavender Road. If courage and resilience could win wars, the conflict would already be over.It''s not all harmony, though. Nurse Molly Coogan and would-be actress Jen Carter certainly don''t see eye to eye. Molly, despite hating the discipline of wartime hospital life, is unimpressed by Jen''s prima donna ways. Jen, unaware of Molly''s secret heartache, can''t resist taking her own frustrations out on Molly. It''s just as well that no one knows what challenges lie ahead...From stolen glasses in the Flag and Garter to fancy dinners in the heart of the West End, from a desperate battle for survival on a hospital ward to a torpedo hitting its target in the Mediterranean Sea, LONDON CALLING takTrade ReviewPraise for Helen Carey's Lavender Road novels'Written with a lightness of touch, an emotional integrity and an historical accuracy which has brought her respect from critics and readers alike * Louis de Bernières *Sparkling storytelling * Evening Standard *Having read and re-read her previous books, I've been awaiting this new Helen Carey novel for a good long while and am thrilled to say that the wait was ( more than) well worth it... All the hallmarks of novel writing at its very best - strong characters, wonderful plot lines, thorough research and vivid imagination * Amazon Reader *The emotions and behaviours of the characters are realistically represented and the reader is quickly drawn to wanting to follow the drama and discover the outcome. Hope we don't have to wait as long for the next one... I want to know what happens next! * Amazon Reader *What a great read! I really loved this book and found it hard to put down! I found the book exciting, funny and touching. I can't recommend it enough. * Amazon Reader *

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Book SynopsisON A WING AND A PRAYER by Helen Carey is a nostalgic and heart-warming novel of south London during the Second World War. The perfect read for fans of Ellie Dean, Kate Thompson and Donna Douglas.October 1941. London has been ravaged by war for two years now and life couldn''t be tougher for those living on Lavender Road. Many loved ones have been lost and sacrifices made, but Lady Helen de Burrel is about to take the biggest risk yet.Inspired by the courage of her friends on this south London street, Helen volunteers to join the Special Operations Executive and puts her life in jeopardy for the sake of her country. But it''s hard to know who to trust, and when her heart is on the line even love becomes dangerous.The war has changed everything, but one thing is certain; the women of Lavender Road will rally together, no matter what the future has in store...Trade ReviewPraise for Helen Carey's novels: 'Sparkling storytelling! * Evening Standard *Written with a lightness of touch, an emotional integrity and an historical accuracy which has brought her respect from critics and readers alike -- Louis de BernièresI loved this book! -- A Goodreads Member

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Book SynopsisLyn Andrews'' heart-warming and dramatic story of early twentieth-century Liverpool is essential reading for fans of Kate Thompson and Maureen Lee.For the inhabitants of Liverpool''s Milton Street a steady income and a roof over their heads are luxuries. The Ryan family have barely grown accustomed to such things when a fire destroys their father Jack''s modest coal haulage business, leaving Jack broken and his family facing ruin. They''re forced to turn to Conor, Jack''s brother from Ireland, a man whose noisy joviality seventeen-year-old Ellen Ryan suspects hides a mean viciousness. She''s right, and with her mother sick and her half-sister Annie becoming increasingly feckless, it''s down to Ellen to fight Conor''s tyranny. But when Annie disappears, leaving her baby on their doorstep, Ellen begins fear for herself and for the life of the innocent child she has learnt to love...

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Book SynopsisThe captivating fourth book in the beloved classic series from ''one of the nation''s favourite saga author'' (Lancashire Post) in the grand tradition of Katie Flynn, Dilly Court and Josephine Cox.Jennie''s heartwarming and heartrending sagas are richly praised!''Jennie Felton knows how to tell a cracking story and keep the reader gripped... if you enjoy reading books in the style of Catherine Cookson then this one is for you'' Books With Wine and Chocolate''Another superbly woven and character-rich story from a saga author who writes from the heart'' Peterborough Telegraph''Packed full of Jennie''s signature strong heroines, this book will keep you guessing'' MNR JournalShe''d do anything to keep her children safe...Carina Talbot''s life is shattered when her beloved husband Robert is found dead in mysterious circumstances. Suddenly she must takTrade ReviewFans of Katie Flynn will love this * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Enthralling . . . Jennie Felton . . . writes her stories straight from the heart . . . evokes time and place with compelling authenticity, and conjures up a feisty heroine and a cast of engaging characters * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisAddie thinks she knows everything about her mother. But when a stranger appears claiming to be her sister, she realises that her life so far has been a lie. But why?''Intriguing, twisting... I loved it'' Dinah Jefferies. ''A gripping family mystery told in lush, evocative prose'' Erin Kelly. ''A well-written, intriguing read full of family secrets... Brilliant'' FabulousA NO. 1 BESTSELLER IN NORWAYA BESTSELLER IN ISRAELPerfect for fans of BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate. Hartland House has always been a faithful keeper of secrets...1958. Sent to beautiful Hartland to be sheltered from her mother''s illness, Liz spends the summer with the wealthy Shaw family. They treat Liz as one of their own, but their influence could be dangerous...Now. Addie believes she knows everything about her mother Elizabeth and their difficult relationship until her recent death. When a straTrade ReviewA well-written, intriguing read full of family secrets... Brilliant * Fabulous *An intriguing twisting story with a lush opening and beautifully descriptive writing throughout. I loved it -- Dinah Jefferies, author of THE TEA PLANTER'S WIFEA delightful debut about family and secrets * Prima *A compelling family story... beautifully written... evokes vivid pictures of an English summer in the 1950s -- Sheila O'FlanaganAn emotional and involving story * Woman & Home *Beautifully written * Daily Mail *A gripping family mystery told in lush, evocative prose -- Erin KellyCompelling, atmospheric and beautifully written...trembles with family secrets. I adored it -- Victoria FoxDelightful...Beautifully written and hugely enjoyable * The People *I just couldn't put it down... A fascinating mix of history, family secrets and self discovery... A stunning read and I can't wait to read more from this author' -- www.booksandme.co.ukAbsolutely captivating -- www.josbookblog.co.ukThis novel absolutely blew me away! It had me gripped from the start and is loaded with scenes that pull at the heart strings... An incredible debut novel -- 5 stars, www.annebonnybookreviews.comAn intriguing book of family drama, with a little bit of mystery between the pages... A perfect read for my recent holiday... Nikola Scott writes beautifully with vivid descriptions -- www.myreadingcorner.co.ukA beautiful, heartwarming and at times a gut-wrenching story...would highly recommend -- www.broadbeansbooks.wordpress.comPoignant -- www.bookphace.blogspot.co.uk

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