"The BRAND NEW gripping and emotional historical saga novel from Lynette Rees. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Sheila Newberry.
All she wanted was a loving husband to provide for her...
South Wales, 1889 - As the wife of a coal miner, Elin Edwards is no stranger to poverty, but when her husband squanders their last few savings at the betting tables, Elin's world begins to crumble.
Determined to pay off her husband's debts, she finds herself making a deal with one of the worst sorts. The agreement is innocent, Elin's baking services to reduce the money owed, but the minute she steps into Morgan Griffin's pub, she fears trusting this man.
Drawn into a world of darkness and deceit, she learns there are other ways for a woman to earn a living - and seeing the dangers these poor girls face, Elin can't help but feel protective.
For a violent brute walks the streets of Merthyr Tydfil, and he's preying on the innocent women. But how far is Elin prepared to go to help them before she herself becomes a victim?
A gritty and courageous story of one woman's determination to survive.
Praise for Lynette Rees:
'A Victorian saga that will definitely appeal to fans of Rosie Goodwin' Lizzie Lane
'...flows from the heart, and is rich in period detail. Another fabulously enjoyable read from Lynette Rees, I loved it.' Sheila Riley
'A gripping historical saga well worth reading!' AnneMarie Brear
'...a gripping tale of love prevailing despite hardship. Lynette Rees has done it again! Brilliant!' Mary Wood"
"A BRAND NEW emotional saga of courage and sacrifice, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Maggie Hope and Rosie Goodwin!
The heartwrenching story of a plucky young heroine determined to put her life on the line for her family ❤️
With no one to rely on, she must make an unthinkable choice...
Mari Evans has always known life would be hard, but nothing could have prepared her for how quickly things would fall apart. First, the devastating news that her father has a second family - and chose them over her. Then the tragic accident in the pit that leaves her eldest brother unable to work.
It started as an off-hand joke, a comment by her brother. 'Cut your hair, Mari. You could pass for a lad and work the pit in my place.'
But with cholera sweeping the village and hunger gnawing at their stomachs, it's Mari's only option. Disguised as a boy, she takes her brother's place underground, risking everything to keep her family from ruin.
But danger isn't only found in the harsh conditions of pit work. One wrong step could cost her the job, her safety - and even her life.
As whispers circulate and secrets threaten to surface, Mari must tread carefully.
How far will one girl go to protect the people she loves?
Praise for Lynette Rees:
'A Victorian saga that will definitely appeal to fans of Rosie Goodwin' Lizzie Lane
'...flows from the heart, and is rich in period detail. Another fabulously enjoyable read from Lynette Rees, I loved it.' Sheila Riley
'A gripping historical saga well worth reading!' AnneMarie Brear
'...a gripping tale of love prevailing despite hardship. Lynette Rees has done it again! Brilliant!' Mary Wood"
"The BRAND NEW historical novel from Lynette Rees - a boy down on his luck finding his way in a cruel Victorian world. . .
He made a vow, but will he be able to keep it?
Ever since Jimmy was a boy, he's known two things: the rough streets of Merthyr Tydfil and that one day he would marry Enid Hardcastle. But when Enid disappears without a word, his life takes a different turn.
Determined to make something of himself, Jimmy pours his heart into his job at Mr Baxter's workshop, dreaming of the future he and Enid might one day share. Yet, just as his hard work begins to pay off, a man arrives claiming to be Mr Baxter's illegitimate son, threatening Jimmy's chance of inheriting the business he was promised.
With Enid gone and his future uncertain, Jimmy must rely on his wits and instincts honed from his childhood on the streets. But can he trust this newcomer? And will his dream of reuniting with Enid ever come true?
A heartwarming and gripping historical saga, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and AnneMarie Brear.
'A Victorian saga that will definitely appeal to fans of Rosie Goodwin' Lizzie Lane
'. . . flows from the heart, and is rich in period detail. Another fabulously enjoyable read from Lynette Rees, I loved it. ' Sheila Riley
'A gripping historical saga well worth reading!' AnneMarie Brear
'. . . a gripping tale of love prevailing despite hardship. Lynette Rees has done it again! Brilliant!' Mary Wood"
"Once a workhouse girl, always a workhouse girl. . . Enid Hardcastle has always had a hard life, but when her family can't make ends meet and are moved to the workhouse, it feels like things can't get any worse. But luckily for Enid, her friendship with local boy Jimmy gives her the strength she needs. Also from the cold, hard streets of Merthyr, Jimmy has made his name as an entrepreneur, repairing boots and hand-delivering them to the fine people of the town. Enid has seen for herself that you can make a better life for yourself, so with Jimmy's help, she sets about trying to save her family. But there are even darker places than the workhouse, and as the rumour mill churns, it appears there's an even more dangerous fate she will need to avoid. . . An emotional and nostalgic historical saga that will have you turning pages, engrossed. Perfect for fans of Sheila Newberry and Lynn Johnson. Praise for Lynette Rees:'A touching and at times heart-rending story' Rosie Clarke'A Victorian saga that will definitely appeal to fans of Rosie Goodwin' Lizzie Lane'The Winter Waif flows from the heart, and is rich in period detail. Another fabulously enjoyable read from Lynette Rees, I loved it. ' Sheila Riley'A gripping historical saga well worth reading!' AnneMarie Brear'From the first page to the last, Betsan's story is a gripping tale of love prevailing despite hardship. Lynette Rees has done it again! Brilliant!' Mary Wood"
"'a touching and at times heart-rending story' Rosie ClarkeAll she wants is a place to call home. . . 1884 - When Betsan Morgan's mother succumbs to a devastating illness, she doesn't think her life could get much worse. But then her father moves in his new beau, an unserious flitty woman and coincidentally also the bargirl in the pub he works in, and she soon learns her house is no longer a home. All she can do is sit in the attic and stare at the portrait of her mother. Her new stepmother, Elinor, couldn't even let them have the grace of keeping it in the hallway. When Elinor takes things too far - selling her dear mother's beloved sewing machine - Betsan decides to flee, leaving in search of her estranged aunt, who she last heard was living in the working district of Merthyr Tydfil. But the dank and dark place is not somewhere a twelve-year-old girl should stray alone, and lest she wants to end up in a workhouse, she'll have to watch her step. . . 'The Winter Waif flows from the heart, and is rich in period detail. Another fabulously enjoyable read from Lynette Rees, I loved it. ' Sheila Riley'A gripping historical saga well worth reading!' AnneMarie Brear'From the first page to the last, Betsan's story is a gripping tale of love prevailing despite hardship. Lynette Rees has done it again! Brilliant!' Mary Wood'a poignant exploration of resilience, determination, and the indomitable spirit of a young girl in the face of adversity' 5 star reader review"
"When twelve-year-old Ada Cooper's elder sister, Connie, goes mysteriously missing, Ada and her younger brother, Sam, are forced to fend for themselves. Connie's job at the match factory was the only thing keeping the family together and when the rent man, Mr Winterbourne, threatens them with internment at the workhouse for non-payment, Ada and Sam must flee. A coster mongering family come to their aid by providing Ada with a barrow of her own to sell fruit and veg by day and flowers outside the theatres by night. Will Ada and Sam ever reunite with their sister? And will they both be able to survive the savage streets?"
"A heartwarming saga, perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Maggie Hope. Orphaned at the age of ten-years-old, Archie Ledbetter, is forced to live with his uncle in his very grand house. Uncle Walter seems emotionless, exhibiting little feeling towards the young lad. If it wasn't for some of the staff at Huntington Hall, Archie's life would be a complete misery. There's a dark secret that Cook hints at as to why Archie's mother left her lavish lifestyle behind and ended up settling in the East End of London, scraping a living selling cakes and confectionery from the back of a barrow in the marketplace. Archie's never known his father and wonders who he is. Just as he's settling in at the house, someone comes along and seizes the opportunity to kidnap Archie, forcing him to work as a chimney sweep, navigating searing hot chimney breasts in an inferno of hell. As if life couldn't get much harder for boy, he cries himself to sleep at night praying for the angels to take him so he can finally see his mother once again in heaven... Will Archie finally find the love he's looking for?"
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