Kirjahaku

Set in the nineteenth century, ten-year-old Daisy Grey is delighted to be moving to Oxfordshire with her parents to start a new life. Daisy's father has at last found the perfect new home, in Lavender Farm, to rent, wanting nothing more than to farm the land and provide a decent life for his family, after living in a run-down cottage for years and struggling to earn a living as an odd job man. Although disappointed on arriving at Lavender Farm to find it not in the pristine condition that they'd been expecting, nothing could dampen the family's spirits, and Sam and Megan Grey, along with their daughter, set about restoring the run-down farm. After a dreadful tragedy occurs, shattering the entire family and leaving young Daisy in dire circumstances, it soon becomes apparent that the landlord and his wife have a darker side to them and Daisy becomes victim to their cruel plan. Daisy's life is marred by unfortunate circumstances and by her trepidation of the dreaded workhouse. When Daisy's path is crossed by a young homeless orphan from London, after she is forced to flee from her work in service, it marks the beginning of a friendship which finds them soon becoming inseparable. As Daisy is forced to quickly mature, her strong and dependable friendship with Alvin Clarke becomes bound by love. But life for the young couple is destined to change dramatically with the onset of the Crimean war.

Set at the end of the nineteenth century, a gripping story of Stella, a beautiful young woman in her twenties. Already the Lady of the grand Sunny Meadow House on the outskirts of Oxford, due to her marriage to the wealthy and much senior James Headly, when James suddenly becomes bankrupt Stella is faced with some devastating changes in her life.During a journey to London in search of work, James is set upon, robbed and left for dead. Taking advantage of James's loss of memory, the evil Claudia Wiggins, sets out to achieve her lifelong dream. Stella's discovery that she is with child, shortly before learning that she is a widow, makes her determined to find a way to financially support herself and her unborn child. With the help of Hetty, Stella's former maid, Glorious Bakes is opened in Oxford's High Street, but life for Stella is never without its traumas and complications.

Happily married to the rich and handsome Hugo Bowland of Redstone Lodge, Hannah is convinced that she has everything and more than she could ever wish for until the past finds its way back into her life and she becomes haunted by childhood memories and secrets.Beneath the apple blossom tree follows the early life of Hannah, a young girl who at only a few days old, was abandoned outside the orphanage in Little-Orangewood. Set in the nineteenth century the story tells of well kept hidden secrets and the heartache of forbidden love between the barriers of social divide. Rescued from the impoverished orphanage, Hannah is adopted and given a golden opportunity to live a full and privileged life, but it is not a life without heartbreak and emotional upheavals. When Hannah's beau, Gilbert King, mysteriously vanishes from the village of Little-Orangewood where he teaches at the local school, contrary to her adoptive father's beliefs, that he has merely endeavoured on a hasty escape to avoid any premature marriage commitments, Hannah is convinced that there is a more sinister reason behind his disappearance. A family bereavement and a chain of events forces Hannah and her family to leave the village to embark on a new and very different style of life. Now unable to pursue Gilbert's whereabouts, he is left to face his dire circumstances alone and loses all contact with his first love.A spiteful and younger orphan who becomes consumed with jealousy when a chance meeting brings her face to face with Hannah is determined to take revenge for the fact that she has not been given the same prosperous opportunities. Her unforgivable behaviour has detrimental and long-lasting effects on the lives of many. Will Hannah ever be free from her closely guarded secret and find true happiness again and will Gilbert King ever find true happiness again?

Northamptonshire, 1865. The callous Sebastian Harper returns home from a hunting trip on Bushel Farm with the devastating news that his younger half-brother, Johnnie, has lost his life in a tragic accident. Sebastian has always believed that he should have been the sole inheritor of Bushel Farm when his father passed away, and now, with Johnnie out of the way, Sebastian is free to carry out his wicked plans for the future. With no love lost between himself and Johnnie, Sebastian is under the impression that he can simply take his half-brother's place and claim everything that belonged to him, including Rose, Johnnie's beautiful, young wife. Rose is forced to take drastic actions and escape from Bushel Farm with her young son, Alfie, to a safe place, far from the ruthless Sebastian's evil clutches. With only a few shillings to her name and no relatives to shelter her, Rose's journey to freedom begins in the dark hours of night and marks the beginning of a series of events which will have a huge effect on the rest of her life.

Whitechapel, London, 1836Born into poverty and hardship, and living in the filthy squalor of the tenement buildings, Ruby Skinner's decision to approach the unscrupulous East End villain, Donald McCoy, for help, ends in disaster. In a desperate bid to finance a move to rescue her ailing mother to the fresh air of the countryside, Ruby's plan does not go as expected, and she realises, too late, that she has made a huge mistake, which will consequently shape the rest of her life. Robert Thornton, a wealthy business man from the affluent area of Reigate, also had the misfortune of suffering from the under hand dealings with McCoy, and when curiosity forces him to pursue Ruby Skinner, the barriers which have always divided the social classes of the nineteenth century are put to test by the power of love. The thoroughly spoilt Clarissa Parker who has had her eyes set on Robert Thornton with the intention of becoming his wife, is not prepared to give him up easily, and with her malicious plans, sets out to destroy Ruby and Robert's happiness.When Ruby suddenly disappears, leaving behind her two year old daughter Victoria, Robert's search for her ends in vain, and leaves everyone to believe that she has somehow met with her death. Following in her mother's footsteps, nineteen years later, Victoria flees her home, to escape the unsuitable arranged marriage to the wealthy land owner George Stone. In his determined search for her, Robert's journey uncovers much more than he set out to find.

When Lady Margaret Hutchinson abandons her illegitimate daughter in 1863 she does not foresee the consequences of her actions. Set in Victorian Oxfordshire the story of Poppy Woods tells of a courageous girl, who from her very first breath suffers neglect and cruelty. Illegally Adopted by the tight fisted and merciless Sidney Woods and his lazy wicked wife, life in the quiet hamlet of Hurst proves to be a daily challenge for Poppy, only softened by her caring neighbours who take it upon themselves to keep a watchful eye over her. A close and loving bond with the Greenfield family is formed over the years. Ella Greenfield is like a true sister, and a childhood love for Arthur Greenfield blossoms, but when relationships turn sour and Poppy feels forced to leave the only home she has ever known, a mysterious woman finds the perfect opportunity to step in. As the past catches up with the cold hearted Lady Hutchinson, the risk of her dark secrets being exposed determines her to once again take drastic action. How far is she prepared to go? Yearning for a normal life and her true love, it is Poppy's inner strength and bravery which enhance her determined spirit.

Toby Blake is a skilled con artist and a convincing liar. His overpowering desire to gain wealth and social standing at any price cast a devastating effect on the lives of his family, and anyone who crossed his path. His determination to better himself and make Helen Whipple his wife was only the beginning of a life of deception which left a tangle of lies behind him. When Helen's daughter was left to raise Toby Blake's only child under his strict and ruthless rule, Hester was determined to honour her mother's wish, and the promise she had made to her. Hester's strong love for her sister and the vow she had made to protect her from the evil ways of Toby Blake, meant a youth spent like a caged bird, desperate to find a way of escaping and of keeping her sister safe. Being forced to suddenly leave London for Oxford in 1873, Hester lost all contact with her only friend and childhood sweetheart, Harvey Gladstone, and as Toby Blake became trapped within his web of lies, he was prepared to take extreme measures, regardless of the consequences. How far was Toby Blake willing to go? Would Hester ever find freedom and her true love? A gripping tale of love, betrayal, and family loyalties.