A tragic and moving rural saga Shelter from the Storm is a powerfully resonant novel about the consequences of early trauma and the harsh reality of life in a bygone age. After a deeply harrowing incident at the hands of mysterious stranger, a woman gives birth to a child and is persuaded by her husband to give him up to a local couple. On the same dark and stormy night, a local pit owner turns his wife out on to the bleak moors, telling her son she is evil. The woman is never seen again. Twenty years later, these seemingly unrelated childhood events have shaped the characters of these two unloved boys. Now grown men, they in turn will wreak havoc in the lives of others, and as the past reaches out and casts a shadow over the present, as a consequence the lives of two innocent young women will be changed forever.
From the bestselling author of Miss Appleby's Academy, comes the first in the Black Family trilogy. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Anna Jacobs and Catherine King. Ella's happy childhood in the Swan Island district of Durham is abruptly ended when her father dies, leaving the family bankrupt. Ella and her mother leave their home behind to go and live with her grandmother, who runs the Silver Street cafe. After a first, unhappy marriage she settles into domesticity with a local businessman, David Black. But Ella can never quite forget her first love. Now a contented wife and mother, Ella soon finds she must make an impossible choice. Note: this book was previously published under the title Swan Island.
From the author of An Orphan's Wish comes a tale of love and destiny perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Anna Jacobs and Ellie Dean. When Thomas Grant - one of the most eligible young men in London - proposes to Annabel Seaton, she can't say she's surprised, but she is delighted. He's been her best friend since she was a child, and she can't imagine life without him. What shocks her, however, is the reaction of her mother and father. Annabel knows that her parents disapprove of her forthright opinions, but their displeasure is both unexpected and unaccountable. As they permit the engagement, however, she decides to put it out of her mind. But before she can be married, tragedy strikes, and only then does Annabel learn of the shocking secret that her parents have kept from her. Determined to learn more, she travels to Durham on a personal search that will change everything.
An unbreakable bond. A devastating discovery. From the bestselling author of Miss Appleby's Academy comes a gritty and emotional family saga. London, 1944. A young man is killed in an air-raid, leaving a wife and two children - and a secret. After the tragedy, Ailsa, Margaret and Luke are persuaded by to return to the north east. Despite their grief and bitterness, they find a new life there. But it isn't long before the past catches up with them, and they must confront the secret the family left behind. Note: this book was previously published under the title The Secret.
A sweeping story of love, hurt and revenge, Far From My Father's House is a moving account of a young man's life and love after the First World War. As a child Blake is taken in by neighbors after the death of his grandparents and works for his keep on their farm. As a young man he falls in love with his employer's daughter, Annie. To build a life together, away from the farm, Blake is determined to make his name and leaves the farm to seek work in the shipyards of Sunderland. He swears one day he will come back for Annieâ??but can he be sure she will wait for him?
When Rosalind West leaves her native Durham for a job in London with the Doxbridge Motor Company she is determined to escape her background and build a new life. London in 1958 is different and glamorous, especially when she meets the handsome and aristocratic Freddie Harrington, a rally driver, and the son of a once-wealthy landowner.
1944, London. A young man is killed in an air-raid, leaving a wife and two children and a secret. Ailsa, Margaret and Luke are persuaded by Jaime's brother Cal to return to the North East, to the town he came from. Despite their grief and bitterness, they find a new life there.
From the bestselling author of Miss Appleby's Academy, is the Black Family trilogy - available in omnibus form for the first time. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Donna Douglas and Diney Costeloe. Swan Island When Ella's father dies, leaving the family bankrupt, she must go and live with her grandmother, leaving everyone she knows - and loves - behind her. She eventually settles into a life of domesticity with a local businessman, David Black, but Ella can never quite forget her first love. Will she find the home she's always been looking for? Silver Street When Iris Black falls deeply for the handsome Johnny Fenwick, she is devastated to learn about his family's shocking secret and immediately leaves to train as a nurse. Her absence casts a dark shadow on the Black household, and as much as he tries to move on, will Johnny forever be plagued by the memory of the girl who left him behind? Sweet Wells After the death of her father, Maddy Grant learns that the home she has always known has been sold to a local businessman, Jonas Ward, who evicts Maddy and her mother. As they scrape to make ends meet and try as she might, she can't keep away from the influence of Jonas and finds herself falling for his handsome nephew. Can she ever come to terms with the ill his family has brought to hers?
From the bestselling author of Miss Appleby's Academy comes a gritty story of tragedy and overcoming hardship, perfect for fans of Margaret Dickinson and Milly Adams. As a solicitor in the small northern mining town of Hexham, Sam Browne knows more than most about the affairs of the town's inhabitants. He has known several of his clients since his schooldays, and has become a fast friend to their growing families. But when tragedy strikes, affecting the town in many terrible ways, Sam finds himself unwillingly drawn into the complicated emotional entanglements that arise. Are Sam and his friends' lives to be forever changed by what has happened?
From “A Halcyon Childhood,” to “Cars I Have Known,” the author has written of everyday things, everyday feelings, and everyday happenings in a little town of close friends, a strong community spirit, and a fervent support of the school system. It is a town of loyalty and love and faith. Many of the essays have been published in the local newspaper.
Ella's happy childhood in Swan Island, her beloved home is abruptly ended when her father dies, leaving the family bankrupt. Ella and her mother go to live with her grandmother, who runs the Silver Street cafe. But Ella will never forget her childhood home, and vows to return one day.
As war fades, they must rebuild their lives. From the bestselling author of Miss Appleby's Academy comes a gritty family saga, perfect for fans of Catherine King and Nadine Dorries. Returning to his home town from the Great War, Allan Jamieson is hailed as a hero. But inside he is a changed man, so affected by his experiences at the Front that he withdraws from his wife Kaye and their young son. Allan soon resumes his civilian career as a respected barrister, and takes on the defence of a beautiful young woman accused of killing her war-wounded husband. Alienated from his wife, it is not long before Allan and the woman have become recklessly involved. As war casts its long shadow over everyone's lives, the townspeople must learn to start again.
A gripping tale of passion and enduring love spanning class and country in 19th century England. Abby Reed, grieving for her mother, finds an unexpected source of comfort and peace whilst exploring the wild, snowy countryside with the brooding Gillan Collingwood, son of local shipping merchant. But the moment Gill meets his brotherâ??s new wife Helen, he falls deeply and passionately in love with her. Shattered by his rejection, Abby turns instead to another man. Her sudden marriage takes her away to London's glittering social scene, but also to unhappiness and despair. She cannot forget Gill--has he forgotten her?
When Rosalind West leaves her native Durham for a job in London with the Doxbridge Motor Company she is determined to escape her background and build a new life. London is excitingly different and tantalisingly glamorous - especially when she meets the handsome and aristocratic Freddie Harrington, a rally driver, and the son of a once-wealthy Northumberland landowner. Against her friends' better judgement Freddie and Rosalind begin a relationship. But Freddie's family have plans for him which do not include marrying a Durham miner's daughter. Turning to a close companion for consolation, Rosalind suddenly finds herself torn between two men, both of strong passions, and fierce ambition. Note: this book was previously published under the title Home to the High Fells. Praise for Elizabeth Gill 'Original and evocative - a born storyteller' Trisha Ashley 'A wonderful book, full of passion, pain, sweetness, twists and turns. I couldn't put it down' Sheila Newberry 'Elizabeth Gill writes with a masterful grasp of conflicts and passions' Leah Fleming 'An enthralling and satisfying novel that will leave you wanting more' Catherine King 'If you love Catherine Cookson then you will love Elizabeth Gill' Northern Echo
A touching historical saga of poverty, loss and love - ""1909," "Northumberland." When Shona Hardy's worst fears come true and her fisherman husband James' boat is lost at sea, she finds herself alone in a village where she has always been an outsider. But little does she know that, a world away, wealthy bank manager Harry Darling has never forgotten the horror of his impoverished childhood, nor the kindness of a young girl, Shona Hardy. So when a man slips and dies outside his bank, and Harry recognizes him as Tam, Shona's estranged father, his past and present collide, altering his - and Shona's - lives forever.
From the bestselling author of Miss Appleby's Academy and Far From My Father's House comes a tale of love and sacrifice perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Anna Jacobs and Dilly Court. Jenna Duncan's only ambition is to marry the boy she loves and have a little terraced house away from her parents and her dull job. Ruari Gallacher has other ideas. Ruari is determined to break away from the little seaside town where his father died down the pit and make all his dreams come true as a professional footballer. But when Rauri lets Jenna down one too many times she becomes involved with another man, and by the time Ruari asks her to escape with him, it's far too late. Will Rauri succeed in capturing his dream, and has he scarified the love of the one person who can ever make him truly happy?
From the author of A Daughter's Wish comes a gritty tale of one woman's determination to find a home to call her own, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Anna Jacobs and Ellie Dean. Having been given up as a baby, Lorna Robson spends her days working long and tiring hours in her aunt's hat shop in County Durham. But when she inherits a large property in the city from the grandfather she never knew, her aunt is furious at her for leaving, and tells Lorna not to come back. Arriving at Snow Hall, Lorna can't help but fall in love with the dilapidated old house she's been given. However, with her grandfather's disreputable family willing to do anything to take the house from her, and no help or money of her own, will Lorna be able to keep Snow Hall and turn this house into a home?
Elizabeth Gill is a born storyteller' Trisha Ashley After Ruth Dixon's mother deserts her on Christmas Eve, her father comes home drunk and commits an unthinkable act. Without money or friends she has nowhere to go, but when he hurts her a second time, she knows what she must do. She is rescued by Jay, a businessman, who takes her to the convent where she meets Sister Madeline. Along with the rest of the nuns, Maddy provides food, shelter and education for orphans. Ruth comes to see her new friends as family and things are finally looking up. But then a pit accident changes everything, and they all stand to lose something - or someone - they love... From the bestselling author of Miss Appleby's Academy and Nobody's Child comes a new series about the lost orphans of Durham and the nuns who take them in...
After her daughter Arabella passes away, leaving a poor, motherless child in her wake, Nell Almond doesn't think her life can get any worse. But then tragedy strikes a second time and she finds herself widowed, with her husband's quarry to manage. But it's baby Frederick, her grandson, who troubles her most. Being cared for by one of the local families, he lives in hand-me-down clothes in a cramped and unrefined home. Nell desperately wants him to return to his rightful place, as heir to the quarry, but should she put all her hopes for happiness in one child?
His duty was to God, but his heart was with her. A tale of love and sacrifice from the bestselling author of Miss Appleby's Academy. Perfect for fans of Maggie Hope and Diane Allen. Born into a family of Methodist preachers in County Durham, Joshua Castle knows that he too will become a minister. Though his faith is strong, his young heart is broken when he goes to Bristol to learn his trade, leaving behind Emma Meikle, the beautiful daughter of the pub landlord. In Bristol, Joshua meets the wealthy Matthews family, and though his upbringing is at odds with their lavish lifestyle, he is attracted to their daughter Patience. But can Joshua ever forget the girl he left at home? Note: this book was previously published under the title The Preacher's Son.
When little Ella's grandmother dies, she is turned out of her home and forced into a life of cruel labour. Even her own mother won't help, too busy with her new husband. Seeking refuge at the Foundling School for Girls, Ella meets Julia, who has been torn apart from her twin, Ned. They must take matters into their own hands if they're to stay together despite their parents' wishes. In a world of hardship and betrayal, three children begin a search for belonging. But years of strife have left their mark on Ella, Ned and Julia... Is it too late, or can they find the new start they need?"--Publisher description.
A gritty, emotional saga about tragic loss, a mysterious inheritance and one woman's determination to succeed in the male-dominated society of 1920s northern England. Since childhood, Lucy Charlton has dreamed of working with her father in the family solicitor's firm. But when scandal shatters her dreams and her father disowns her she finds herself on the streets, fighting for survival. Joe Hardy has returned to London after the Great War to find his life in tatters--his father is dead and his pregnant fiancee has disappeared. Then Joe learns he's unexpectedly inherited an old river house in Durham from a stranger called Margaret Lee. With nothing left for him in London, he makes arrangements to travel north and claim it. Lucy's determination has finally secured her a job as a legal secretary, campaigning for the rights of the poorest in society. As Joe arrives in her office to collect the keys to his new home, she promises to help him uncover information about his mystery benefactor. But before long, the past comes back to haunt them both, with shocking consequences.
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