An uplifting and heartfelt tale of love, loss and family from the bestselling author of The Winter Child (previously The Open Door), The Orphan of Farthing Street and Her Mother's Daughter. PERFECT FOR FANS OF DILLY COURT AND ROSIE CLARKE ---- 1949, London. The war is over. Angie Westwood's hardships should be behind her. But when her young cousin Jane suddenly dies, Angie's life changes forever. Jane's untimely death leaves poor Danny, her three-year-old son, all alone. With the identity of the boy's father a mystery, Angie adopts her orphaned nephew and sets out to give him the one thing he needs most: family. But after retreating to the Sawyer's farm for some peace of mind, Angie is about to discover far more than she bargained for. What if finding Danny's father means losing him to a stranger? Will she risk it all for a chance at love and family? --- PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS FIGHTING WITH SHADOWS READER REVIEWS FOR BERYL MATTHEWS 'Did not disappoint ... An extremely enjoyable read from cover to cover, once I started reading I could not put it down. Full of hope and adventure.' *****'Another excellent book by this author, could not put it down.' *****'Made me laugh and cry.' *****

After a traumatic past, life finally seems to be looking up for Hanna Foster. But war is on its way . . . London, 1938. Hanna and Jack Foster had been sent to an orphanage when their parents were killed in a train crash, but were separated when a couple adopted Jack. Bullied and treated like a slave, it soon became clear it was a dreadful mistake. In desperation, Jack takes his future into his own hands and runs away to join the merchant navy, while Hanna takes a job looking after two children. For a time, life seems good, but war is looming and threatens to take away everything Hanna holds dear . . .

"An intelligent, slum-dwelling teenage girl takes drastic measures to survive when her father throws her out of her home, in this spellbinding historical saga"
Poplar, London, 1920. Fourteen-year-old Victoria Keats is horrified when her father demands that she go to work for wealthy Mr Preston everyone knows why he takes young girls into his house. But her violent father, who s never let her forget she s not the son he wanted, won t listen to her concerns and when she stands up for herself, he throws her out of their dingy little house in the slums.
Intelligent, book-loving Vicki vows to make her father regret this day; but she is all alone in the world. Despite her courage and quick wits, it seems likely she will starve until two men, both complete strangers, provide her with no-strings-attached help.
As Vicki s life improves beyond all recognition, she can t help but fixate on the mystery of these two good Samaritans: who were they? And why did they help her? She determines to find the men and thank them, but tracking them down may be harder and more life-changing than she thinks . . ."

A spellbinding saga of family, trust, secrets ...and love. Hampshire 1850. Beth Langton has been running her large family estate for nine months now, after the death of her father. Under the watchful eyes of her godfather and guardian, Lord Edward Sharland, and an excellent estate manager, Henry Greenway, she is loving the work. After a week away with Henry buying cattle, terrible news is waiting for her on her return. The father of her best friend, Lady Helen Denton, has shot himself after running up gambling debts, leaving Helen destitute. Beth persuades Helen to come and live with her, although Helen is too proud to take charity and insists she work as a paid companion. The girls soon settle happily together, but further tragedy awaits. Beth is informed by a stranger that her beloved guardian, away on business, has died. The stranger claims to be Edward's heir, making him her legal guardian - and he has the paperwork to prove it. But can they trust him? And should they?

London, 1900. Hester Stanmore watches in disbelief as the jury declares her attacker 'not guilty', and the courtroom erupts into chaos. The man in the dock is being congratulated as if he were a hero, but she has seen he madness in his eyes when he had attacked her and left her for dead. It was only Hester's strength that allowed her to survive. Hester was determined to bring him to justice, but what would happen now? As she endeavours to pick up the pieces of her life, Hester meets the mysterious Daniel Hansen, and perhaps she will find the happy ending she justly deserves .

London, 1920. When 14-year-old Victoria Keats is thrown out of her home by her violent father, it seems likely she will starve, until two strangers provide her with no-strings-attached help. As Vicki's life improves, she can't help but fixate on the mystery of these good Samaritans, but tracking them down may be more life-changing than she thinks.

October 1943. While working at an RAF base in Lincolnshire, Nancy Dalton has been holding a vigil for the Lancaster bomber pilots, whose missions seem endless and whose chances of survival are slim. But her watchfulness has not prevented her own pilot brother from failing to return safely. In the midst of mourning him, Nancy observes new recruits arriving to continue the war effort, among them charismatic Canadian Steve Allard. As the war drags on, the months ahead will be long and hard, with danger a constant companion. Although both Steve and Nancy never intend to complicate wartime life with romance, their attraction becomes impossible to ignore. But can lasting love be found in a time of such loss and devastation?

London, 1802. Major Harry Sterling has left behind his regiment following the death of his father and, in quick succession, his older brother. The responsibilities that come with being Duke of Ranliegh now fall to him, including marrying and siring an heir without delay. However, Harry finds himself distracted from looking for a wife when his soldier instincts lead him to a web of treachery and the possibility that his brother's death was no accident. As his investigation unfolds, so Harry's search for a wife continues ... surely the eldest Winslow girl, the wilful Isabella, wouldn't be right at all .

London, 1802. Major Harry Sterling has left behind his regiment and military duties following the death of his father and, in quick succession, his older brother. The responsibilities that come with being Duke of Ranliegh now fall to him, including marrying and siring an heir without delay. But who is the right match for the charming ex-soldier? There are plenty of options, including the delightful Winslow sisters: Isabella, Angelina and Charlotte. Meanwhile, Harry finds it hard to leave his soldier instincts behind and he uncovers a web of treachery in which it seems that someone is supplying secrets to Napoleon, and that his brother's death was no accident. As the investigation unfolds, so Harry's search for a wife continues ... surely the eldest Winslow girl, the wilful Isabella, wouldn't be right at all .

From the bestselling author of The Open Door comes a moving and uplifting story about a generation of young people living through World War II September, 1939. In the sleepy village of Roehampton, Annie Webster has finally found comfort for herself and her close-knit family, far from the poverty and hardships of their childhood in Bermondsey. Then, an announcement shatters their newfound peace. England is at war . . . As her brothers enlist for duty, Annie sacrifices her glamorous job in London for the urgent work of the WAAF, where women of all backgrounds pull together tirelessly for the war effort. Brave, resourceful and determined to do her bit for her country, Annie's intelligence and warmth singles her out for a daring new role . . . But as Annie quickly catches the eye of a dashing officer, will she ever find peace in her heart? And will Annie and her loved ones survive Britain's darkest hour? 'A heartwarming and uplifting tale' Daily Express PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS WINGS OF THE MORNING

The moving and heartwarming story of one woman trying to make it on her own, from the bestselling author of The Open Door Kate Freeman, the daughter of the inimitable Rose Webster, is like her mother in more ways than one. But Kate has dreams of her own, dreams that could bring great joy - or terrible sorrow. In 1960, she moves to London to become a photographer. She has her mother's strength to guide her, but is that enough? With a long journey ahead of her and a lot of growing up to do, Kate will be put to the test. For her, her family and friends, the era that was dubbed "a time of peace" proves to be anything but. Tragedy, upheaval, and the tears and laughter of family life await . . . __________ Praise for Beryl Matthews: 'A heartwarming and uplifting tale' Daily Express 'Catherine Cookson fans will love this' Woman's Own 'A winner . . . Beryl Matthews grabs and holds the attention of the reader from the very first page' Billy Hopkins, author of Our Kid

1880. Everyday life in London's slums is hard enough for Jane Roberts and her three children, but when her ne'er-do-well husband Bert walks out on his family, times are particularly dark. In the wake of his desertion, Jane longs to regain both her financial independence and her identity by divorcing him, but the path to such freedom is long and fraught with unforeseen obstacles. With help from a neighbour, a lucky break and fresh opportunities, the road ahead starts to look more promising. But can Jane and her children finally be free of Bert's clutches?

Discover the heartwarming and uplifting story of a young orphan's survival in wartime London London, 1934. Growing up in poverty on Farthing Street, fourteen-year-old Amy Carter is no stranger to hardship. But when her father is hanged for murder and her mother dies suddenly soon after, orphaned Amy is in danger of being left homeless and unloved. Until one day, Amy's luck changes and she is taken in by Ben, an artist, and his kindly landlady, Mrs Dalton. Welcomed into the hearts of the residents of Mrs Dalton's home, Amy flourishes under their care and devotion. So when, five years later, she catches the eye of handsome doctor John Sterling, she almost believes she has left her past - and its troubles - behind her. Yet a gathering storm is threatening England. The prospect of war can shatter even the most charmed life. And for Amy, the bombs are still to fall . . . **Previously published as One Step at a Time** _______ Praise for Beryl Matthews: 'A heartwarming and uplifting tale' Daily Express 'Catherine Cookson fans will love this' Woman's Own

London, 1900. Hester Stanmore watches in disbelief as the court declares her attacker 'not guilty', and the room erupts into chaos. The man in the dock is being congratulated as if he were a hero, but she has seen the madness in his eyes when he had attacked her. In a rage he had beaten her senseless and left her for dead. It was only her strength that allowed her to survive. Hester was determined to bring him to justice, but what would happen now? As she endeavours to pick up the pieces of her life, Hester meets Daniel Hansen, and perhaps she will find the happy ending she justly deserves .

London, 1912. Twins Lester and Lillia Holdsworth are destined for the stage. Lester is a brilliant pianist; Lillia a magnificent opera singer. But their cruel father has other ideas for their future. Lester is sent to a military academy, while Lillia must marry Lord Dalton - a self righteous, pompous friend of her father's looking for a young wife to give him an heir. Yet their plans to defy their father's wishes are put on hold when war breaks out in 1914. Suddenly Lester is flying planes for the RFC and Lillia trains as a nurse to help those wounded at home, and then abroad. For both twins, the fighting brings hardships and difficult choices. They wait in hope, like the rest of Europe, for the war to end and the music to start again.

A HEARTWARMING AND UPLIFTING TALE FOR FANS OF CATHERINE COOKSON AND LESLEY PEARSE On the dark, rough streets of London in 1913, can one girl find the courage to open the door to her destiny? Little Rose Webster's life has never been easy. Born in the slums of Bermondsey she has longed to escape her poor upbringing and violent step-father. But it's hard to escape these deprived streets . . . Thankfully she has a quick mind and her insatiable thirst for knowledge means she excels at school - so perhaps she has a chance at a brighter future. But Rose's dreams are shattered when she is forced to leave school and find work, leaving her with nothing to cling to but hope. And as a dark figure from her past threatens further turmoil, this winter's child fears she will never see the spring . . . PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS THE OPEN DOOR Praise for Beryl Matthews: 'A heartwarming and uplifting tale' Daily Express 'Catherine Cookson fans will love this' Woman's Own