In Audrey Howard's new novel a Lakeland miller's daughter finds happiness after enduring both cruelty and loss - but at a price.
Briony Marsden has led a hard life, forced to do the work of a grown man while enduring her drunkard father's taunts and blows. But when he goes too far one day, her fate becomes even worse as she makes her way alone in a heartless world.
Not quite alone. She has a friend - Lizzie Jenkins - who will do anything to help Briony re-open Moorend Mill. And Chad Cameron, the richest man in the district, has always admired Briony's spirit and determination. When her fortunes are at their lowest, he falls in love with the elfin waif and decides to make her his wife.
But the only way he can win her is by trickery - by betraying her naive trust in the man who came to her rescue when all seemed lost. Can their marriage survive when she discovers his deception
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 on BEYOND THE SHINING WATER
Her thousands of fans recognise the artistry of a true storyteller - Lancashire Life
This saga is, like all of Audrey Howard s books, compelling and memorable...a joy to read - The Historical Novels Review (A Place Called Hope)
Another wonderful Howard book...as always totally absorbing - North Wales Chronicle (A Flower in Season)
Audrey Howard was born in Liverpool in 1929. Before she began to write she had a variety of jobs, among them hairdresser, model, shop assistant, cleaner and civil servant. In 1981, while living in Australia, she wrote the first of her bestselling novels. Here fourth novel, The Juniper Bush, won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 1988.She lives in St Anne's on Sea, her childhood home.