Kirjahaku

The story takes place in Derbyshire, England, during the time period 1861-1934. Take a glimpse into the lives of the colorful characters: coal miners, millworkers, and farmers, gypsies and housewives, who all dealt with life's challenges during those tumultuous years. From the tail end of the industrial revolution, through WW1, the roaring twenties and the mining strikes and mill closures of the "dirty thirties", few families emerged unscathed. This is a family saga spanning three generations, and follows the lives of the Freeman and Lambert families. Written as a book of fiction, it is strongly based on fact. Their lives were forever changed when a widow with seven children, married a widower with seven children. Three step sibling marriages are arranged to benefit from a dowry that was doubled by their filial unions. The way in which their lives intertwine is the grist for Twisted Trees. It is a story of one man's ambition to rise above the oppressive class system, where men were judged by their heritage and not their ability; where women often endured loveless marriages rather than face the stigma of divorce. Above all, it is Polly's story. A woman of great courage, who had the nerve to leave a loveless marriage, and fight for her children. A true Matriarch, who risked reputation and rebuke in order to escape a cruel, philandering husband and find true love and happiness.

Broken Boughs, Shattered Vows concludes the Twisted Tree Trilogy, picking up the family story in 1965 when Sandra and Mike and infant son, Martin, sail the Atlantic in search of a new life. Sandra's attempt to escape the continuing conflict with Mattie proves to be futile. When Mattie and Alf, and later Belle and her family, all decide to follow Sandra, the saga continues. Polly, the inspiration for this series, comes to Canada with Erik, the man who came to her rescue from an abusive marriage so many years ago. Their love and support was always the glue that held the family together. They may not be able to change destiny, but Polly will remain the constant in this ever changing family dichotomy. Sandra has to reflect on her criticism of Mattie's disregard for her marriage vows when she herself becomes involved in a passionate affair. The family tree is now firmly replanted and continues to grow new branches on Canadian soil.