About the books
August 2020
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Sally-Ann has never been further from home than Scarborough. She is suffocating in her parents’ house, fed up with their old-fashioned rules and bored with her job. Then Terry comes in to the library where she works to look at maps for his “trip around the world”.
This is Sue’s seventh novel; her focus is on the lives of ordinary people in the places she knows – her first 2 books were set in North London, and since then she has used Sheffield as the backdrop, though ’Someone Like Zita’ ranges across Europe as well. She doesn’t do much melodrama or sex, but her depictions of character are subtle, sensitive and acutely observed, and her plots engaging. Someone Like Zita can be purchased on special offer from 1889 Books or you can ask for a signed copy. I hope you will want to buy ‘Zita’, and that when you’ve read it you will think well of it, and help her with a review.
The Wilde family is an ordinary one, close and supportive – so what are they to make of their daughter-in-law Niecey, who seems to have no parents, no friends, no past? And how will they react when it emerges that there is a past to be discovered; how will they manage it? The parents Dave and Lynn, the sisters Sarah and Gemma; even the sons-n-law, even the grandchildren – whose side will each of them be on?
“This kept me enthralled right to the end. I read it in a sitting, and it left me wanting to know even more of the characters’ lives.”
Tania Pickett, The Secret Book Club, Keysoe.
“Lostlings teases with the twists and turns of family – because every family has secrets, don’t they?”
Julie Howard, author of ‘Nowt but drippin’.
As deaths mount during the coronavirus pandemic a retired history teacher reflects on the much greater personal impact of the death of her sister 12 years before. Through the lens of lockdown, Pam Dearly looks back on her and her sister Pauline’s childhood, and how their family was affected by the Canvey Island flood of 1953. When they both settle in Sheffield they begin to lead very different lives, Pauline outgoing and socialble, Pam reserved and insular.
A beautifully written, compelling read which had me hooked until the final line. Lucie Brownlee, author of ‘Life After You’ Like its characters, this book has an unassuming style, which masks great depth, emotion and insight. It’s an interesting read for all those who, until the pandemic, thought they ‘had the right to safety and plenty and freedom’.
Janet Rees, Agglestone Rock Book Group
Joan Jones leads a quiet and orderly life until she receives a postcard from an old boyfriend.
Viv feels on top of things until she becomes intrigued by the new member of her choir.
Bill is hoping for someone to love.
Road trips, crises and confusion ensue.
An enjoyable romp through some ordinary yet extraordinary lives. Full of all too believable characters whose inept communications result in missed meetings, long car journeys, petty rows and tricky situations. A look at human life which reflects both its amusing and poignant aspects.
Tilly Northedge, Bosham Book Group, Sussex
Plain Pat and Lovely Rita – childhood best friends who shared lives and confidences through the 1950s and 60s.As the two followed different paths through the 70’s, they grew apart, but Pat always stayed loyal to their friendship.
Now, years later, Pat finds herself with time on her hands, and begins to look back on her relationship with Rita and her sisters, at the same time as she has a crisis in her own life and problems in her grown up family.
A deceptively simple story that makes you think about relationships, self-deceit and how we fail to spot the obvious.Susan Day’s understated style beautifully captures the limitations, the possibilities and excitement – and the music – of Britain in the post-war years.
It is 1941. Four young girls come together on a summer day for a bike ride into the country that will bind them together for the rest of their lives. And there is another girl – Marcie – marginal to the group, she is not included in the expedition, but throughout their lives the mystery of Marcie cannot be resolved or forgotten.
More than seventy years later they are still in touch, observed and chronicled by Sadie’s daughter, and still thinking of Marcie, trying to come to terms with the tragedy that has been a constant in their lives.
‘The Roads They Travelled’ is a story of the power of our early friendships to endure in spite of distance and distractions and differences. It is a story of resilience in the face of sorrow and loss, and of the strength that small kindnesses can offer.
If you have read ‘Who Your Friends Are’ you will recognise some of the characters in The Roads They Travelled.
There are families that would fall apart if the truth came out.
Jen admires her father and Frank believes that his daughters are happy, but no one in any family knows the whole story.
This family has fractured before, and been patched up by secrets and evasions.
Now things are about to change.
The more I read, the more I enjoyed it. A real page-turner – well-written and believable.A book that makes you think. The characters are very convincingly drawn and deftly written.
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Welcome to my website You will find details of my books, information about the publishers and suppliers, a bit of background about me, as well as brief extracts from my books and a chance to get in touch with questions, comments or feedback. I hope you enjoy browsing the site and that you will buy my books and enjoy reading them.
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