Kirjahaku

Brighton 1969: Dottie Perks steps off the train and breathes in the sea air, the smell of fish and chips, and the precious childhood memories of a friend and place she'll never forget. Dottie Perks has forged a new life for herself in London, a new job and sweet boyfriend Joe to keep her warm at night. She's safe, happy and loved. What more could she ask for? But when Dottie returns home to Brighton for a family celebration, the last person she expects to see is her first love; the boy who stole her heart... and broke it. Ralph Bennett. As old familiar feelings come rushing to the surface, Dottie struggles to deny the strong chemistry that still exists between them. She can't throw away everything to be with Ralph...can she? And if she does, how can they ever overcome the pain and tragedy of their shared past? A beautiful, touching and heartbreaking story of love, loss and friendship. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Mary Gibson and Katie Flynn.

Dottie and Mary forged a friendship over a bag of penny sweets when they were eight years old. They've shared everything together since then - the highs and lows of school, family dramas, hopes and dreams and now, at seventeen, they're both shop girls, working at Woolworths. As they go out in the world in pursuit of love and happiness, the simplicity of their childhood dissolves as life becomes more complicated. The heady excitement of first love will consume them both, but the pain of unintentional betrayal will test their friendship in ways neither of them could ever imagine...A charming, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting novel which brings a bygone era vividly to life. Fans of Nadine Dorries, Mary Gibson and Pam Weaver will love The Girls from See Saw Lane.

Ireland, 1901: The work house gates clanged shut behind us, as me and the mammy walked down the hill towards the town. I was six years old and leaving the only home I had ever known... When Cissy Ryan's real mother comes to claim her from the workhouse, it's not how she imagined. Her family's tumbledown cottage has ice on the inside of its windows and is in an isolated, poverty-stricken village in the muddy Irish countryside. But when Cissy is allowed to help neighbour Colm Doyle and his horse named Blue on their milk round one morning, Cissy starts to feel as though friendship could get her through anything. It's Colm who looks in on Cissy's grandfather when she starts at the village school, and Colm who tells her to hold her chin high when she interviews for a position at the grand Bretton House. But in the vast mansion with its shining floors and sweeping staircase, it's Master Peter Bretton who captures Cissy's heart with his dark curls and easy laugh. As Cissy blossoms from a skinny orphan into a confident young girl, Colm tells her she's as good as anyone and she begins to believe anything is possible. But not everyone with a kind smile has a kind heart, and Cissy doesn't know that further sorrow lies in store for her. When Cissy finds herself desperate, alone, and faced with a devastating choice, can she find the strength to survive?

Ireland, 1924. For thirteen-year-old Nora Doyle every day is a fight for survival in Ballybun, the rural Irish village she calls home. Each night, as she feels the cold wind blowing through the cracks of her family's cramped cottage, Nora longs to escape the poverty surrounding her, and find her place in the world. When she meets Edward, from the grand house that looms over her tiny village, she feels an unlikely kinship that is impossible to explain, and as she grows from an impulsive child into a beautiful woman, Nora spends every moment she can with him. But Edward holds the key to a devastating truth about Nora's own family that will change her life forever, leading Nora away from the village, to the bright, dazzling lights of Dublin, and the charming baker Joe Lynch. But sorrow is never far away for an Irish village girl, and when tragedy strikes, Nora must return to Ballybun and face up to the truth that drove her away. But back amongst the familiar sights and smells of her childhood, Nora feels herself drawn once more to her old life, and love, and she faces an impossible choice. Can she deny her roots, or will she always be the girl from Paradise Alley? A heart-wrenching story of love, loss and the power of friendship during unimaginable hardship. This book is perfect for fans of Orphan Train and Diney Costeloe's The Girl with No Name. What readers are saying about Sandy Taylor: 'Oh my word what a fabulous book... I just loved every page of it. This book drew me right in and I was glued to it right up to the final page... A massive 5 stars from me.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Wow... right from the start I was hooked to the pages... brilliant... full of joy and also heartbreak... my heart was being wrenched out... an absolutely gorgeous story full of highs and lows... I couldn't put this book down.' Katie's Book Cave, 5 stars 'Wow What a heartbreaking story I ever read I absolutely loved that book sooooo much... I definitely will read more books from this author... amazing ' Goodreads reviewer, 5 star 'Oh WOW... What a beautiful heart-warming story this is... drew me in and I loved it from the very first page. I couldn't get enough... I was reading this until 1am.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars 'I fell in love... fabulous... an enthralling read that I didn't want to put down. I was so wrapped up... heart-warming and beautifully written... will have you hooked until the very last page.' By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars

There is a fierce wind blowing in from the sea, as I step off the boat towards my new life in America. The baby is a warm weight in my arms and I pause to adjust her, trying not to think about what we left behind. I can't look back now, I need to keep this child safe...Ireland 1939. When hardworking chambermaid Rose meets an American businessman in the hotel where she works in Cork, he makes her an offer she can't refuse. Rose doesn't want to leave home, but her widowed mammy and three younger sisters need the money she'd earn in her new job as a nanny to David Townsend's two young children.Just as Rose is settling into her new life caring for Raphael and new-born baby Sarah, the world is plunged into war and David is called back to New York, leaving Rose to follow by boat with his wife and children. But disaster strikes when the ship they are on is hit by a torpedo. Separated from her group in the awful chaos, Rose has an impossible decision to make. Does she stay and search for the family she owes so much to? Or does she leave on the lifeboat to save the tiny baby left in her care?Landing on American shores, all Rose's hopes of leaving the howling air-raid sirens and deafening bombs behind her are shattered as tragic news arrives from Pearl Harbor. Looking down at the innocent child in her arms, Rose knows that she must find the strength to survive and reunite this little girl with her family. But as fear and panic grips the country, what heartbreaking sacrifices will she have to make to protect her precious charge?An emotional, heart-wrenching story of love and family set across Ireland and America during the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe.Readers love Sandy Taylor: 'Wow... I absolutely loved this book. Warning: keep the tissues handy ' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Gut-wrenching... Brought me to tears numerous times.' Stacy is Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Writing this through tears, the funniest, most tearful book I've ever read. Fantastic.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mary Kate takes a deep breath as she stands outside 24 Merrion Square with its red front door and pretty rose garden. Grieving from her recent heartbreak, will returning to the Irish boarding house be the second chance she so desperately needs? Dublin, 1956. When Mary Kate Ryan loses the love of her life, she's not sure how she can keep going. Feeling completely lost, she allows her friend Moira Kent to persuade her to re-open the Boarding House for Single Ladies where she made so many memories and created a safe place for women who needed it. Now it's Mary Kate who needs to start over... As Mary Kate sits by the large bay window, with her little dog Guinness by her feet, she watches the residents of the house coming and going and realises there are others who need her help. Can Mary Kate and Moira uncover the mystery surrounding their new guest? And can they provide a home for two orphan sisters with nowhere to go? Soon Mary Kate breathes new life into the boarding house and learns that family can be formed in all sorts of ways. Clever, kind Moira is like the sister she never had and Moira's sweet, adopted ten-year-old daughter Abby means the world to both of them. And being back in Merrion Square brings Mary Kate the kind of laughter and joy that she never dreamed she'd experience again. But when a devastating secret about Abby's birth mother begins to unravel, it threatens to destroy the happiness of her patchwork family. Mary Kate must gather her strength to protect the future of the boarding house - and to stop darling Abby being taken from them. Can Mary Kate keep the friends who have become her family safe? Or will her new-found happiness be torn apart? An emotional, page-turning story of learning to live with grief, second chances, and the power of friendship. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe. What readers are saying about The Irish Boarding House series: 'This gut-wrenching story is phenomenal. I loved... Hits all the feels... Heartbreaking... Bringing you to tears, and then bringing a smile to your face and joy to your heart... Completely unputdownable.' Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Oh my heart ... Heart-warming and uplifting, making you just want to crawl into the pages and stay there... Wonderful... I loved everything about it... Beautiful.' The Staffymum's Book Nook, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I simply adored it... Captured my attention from the first page. I absolutely love... Exceptional, unforgettable... So memorable and moving... Frankly beautiful.' Musician's Poet, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

24 Merrion Square. The house stands empty, the old stone steps overgrown with thorny rose bushes. But Mary Kate feels a deep connection to the neglected rooms. Could this be the place to help her heal?Dublin 1952. When Mary Kate Ryan receives a surprise inheritance from the woman who abandoned her as a baby, she's about to refuse the money. But then she sees a beautiful, deserted house for sale and something sparks in her heart.She opens the Dublin Boarding House for Single Ladies, providing shelter for others as alone as her. The house brings Mary Kate friendships she never dreamed of - until she discovers a devastating secret.Can Mary Kate draw on the strength of the women around her or will the tragedy she uncovers spell disaster for them all?A heart-wrenching story full of family secrets. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe.What readers are saying about The Irish Boarding House series:'This gut-wrenching story is phenomenal. I loved... Hits all the feels... Heartbreaking... Bringing you to tears, and then bringing a smile to your face and joy to your heart... Completely unputdownable.' Page Turners, ?????'Oh my heart!... Heart-warming and uplifting, making you just want to crawl into the pages and stay there... Wonderful... I loved everything about it... Beautiful.' The Staffymum's Book Nook, ?????'I simply adored it... Captured my attention from the first page. I absolutely love... Exceptional, unforgettable... So memorable and moving... Frankly beautiful.' Musician's Poet, ?????'Oh my, what a wonderful heart-warming return to the Irish Boarding House!... So uplifting... Made my heart ache on more than one occasion... Beautiful... Will put a smile on your face and a new spring in your step!... 5 heart-filled stars.' Cindy L Spear, ??????????'Emotional, gripping... I was captivated from the beginning... I loved it but be warned: tissues may be needed!' karen_loves_reading, ??????????'Wonderful... Fantastic... You are literally transported back in time as you read... I was hooked... An uplifting but at times emotional read. I had a smile on my face but also I did shed a tear or two' @leona.omahony, ??????????'Wonderful and heart-warming... Had me tearing up as I flipped through the pages. I had to keep the Kleenex box nearby as I read faster and faster... The perfect ending to a wonderful series... Inspiring, powerful and filled my heart with love.' Page Turners ??????????