AustLit

'Rachel Norris wants to forge a new life and career. And she wants to forget her past.

'When Rachel qualifies as nurse, she does so because she wants to help others and make a difference. But she is also running from a past life that must stay hidden forever.

'Completing her training, Rachel moves to London but misses home desperately, so when she hears about an opportunity to train as a district nurse in a village near Rochdale, she seizes the opportunity, even though it will take her closer to the trouble she left behind. She knows nothing about Eastby End and she is shocked to find it a little more than a slum. It's clear she will need to work hard and keep her wits about her to win the trust of the villagers.

'Joss Townley has been reluctantly working in his father's factory but is appalled at the conditions the workers endure. When his father dies, he sells up immediately to begin travelling but is called home by his mother in an emergency - in order to save the family's fortune he must take on a house in a place called Eastby End. He has no idea what he has bought, and is appalled to see his new neighbours' misery and anger. A meeting with the mayor, Walter Crossley, gives him direction and focus for the first time in his life, and brings him into contact with Rachel.

'Can they both survive life in Eastby End? Or will it be the making of them?' (Publication summary)

'The third book in the gripping and heartwarming new Jubilee Lake series, from multi-million-copy bestselling author Anna Jacobs

'Lancashire, 1895. Abigail Dawson has lived in fear of her father for thirty years. But when, after uprooting them to a grand new home in Ollerthwaite, he's found murdered in the street, her life is turned upside down.

'Alone and caught in a web of her father's secrets, Abigail needs someone to rely on - so when hardworking labourer Rufus promises her a new life, she's thrilled at the chance to have a family of her own. But can it be ever more than a marriage of convenience?

'Meanwhile, the rebuilding of the Ollerton estate is bringing new life to the shores of Jubilee Lake - but old grudges, and new threats, are disturbing the peace. With plans for the Diamond Jubilee approaching, can the whole village band together to protect the valley?' (Publication summary)

'An unexpected inheritance is most people’s dream, but not for Paula. Having put bad times behind her, she is now happy and secure in Western Australia with her own business. This is a complete contrast to her rootless childhood, and she has little interest in the minor stately home in the English countryside of which she is apparently now the owner.

'Persuaded to visit the property in Wiltshire, Paula travels to England, but she has to confront complications both romantic and financial that will test the old adage that home is where the heart is.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Lancashire, 1895. Lillian Hesketh has taken a new name, and a brave step towards a happier life. Suddenly widowed after an unhappy marriage, and pursued by her unscrupulous in-laws, Lillian finds a fresh start in the beautiful Ollindale valley. Thanks to the kindness of her new neighbours, Walter Crossley and his family, she finally has a home to call her own - but the threat of discovery by her husband's family still casts a shadow over her new life.

'Meanwhile, Edward Ollerton has returned to the valley to rebuild his ancestral home. Hoping to one day to marry and start a family, Edward finds himself drawn to the shy, attractive widow - but not everyone is happy to see him reclaim his estate . . .

'Will their dreams fade to dust, or can a golden future blossom on the shores of Jubilee Lake?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Lancashire, 1895. When her controlling stepfather suddenly dies, it seems that Elinor Pendleton finally has a chance of freedom. But her hopes are soon dashed when she learns that the thuggish Jason Stafford has inherited every penny, and is determined to have Elinor too.

'Forced to flee with her beloved maid, Maude, Elinor finds shelter with Maude's distant cousin in the remote village of Ollerthwaite, on the shore of Jubilee Lake.

'But Walter Crossley has troubles of his own. Having lost his closest family in a tragic accident, he needs one of his grandsons to return from America to inherit his farm - and when practical, kindhearted Cameron arrives, he appears to be the perfect heir.

'But is this young man everything he seems? And will Elinor's secret wish to have a family of her own ever come true...?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The third novel in the brand new Backshaw Moss series by beloved million-copy bestselling author Anna Jacobs

'Lancashire, 1936. With her son Gabriel finally married, and her youngest following his dreams of becoming a doctor, Gwynneth Harte finds herself with an empty nest - until a fire forces her to move in with Gabriel and his wife Maisie at their home on Daisy Street.

'Arthur Chapman has been at a low ebb ever since the death of his wife. Turning to drink in his grief, he lost both his job and contact with his grandchild, Beatie - but now the inheritance of a house from a distant relative is the fresh start he needs.

'When Beatie runs away from her cruel grandmother and takes refuge with Gwynneth, she and Arthur are thrown together - and find themselves growing closer. But trouble is brewing in the valley, from the ambitions of the bullying local landlord to rumours of a Fascist spy. Can the residents of Backshaw Moss band together to keep each other safe, and will there be wedding bells on Daisy Street?' (Publication summary)

'In Western Australia, Sarah chuckles as she signs her final will and testament which will throw the metaphorical cat among the family pigeons. She dies a month later at the age of 94, laughing over a glass of wine with her 'young' neighbour Thomas, who is only 75, as they sit on the terrace of her luxurious waterside home built on a canal development in the city of Mandurah.

'Sarah's been married and widowed three times and has had a great life, been successful in business on her own account too. Her only regret is that she never had children, but you can't have everything, can you? Now, she's left her Australian house to two of her female descendants in the UK on condition they live in her Australian home together for a year. After that they can sell it and split the money between them. If either of them doesn't last the full year, the next person on the list will be invited to try for the inheritance, but will still have to last a full year before the house can be sold.

'Will these two women succeed? Will the experience do as Sarah had hoped and shake them out of their ruts? And when they find another surprise bequest from Sarah, what will they do with it?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'From the gentle romance of "Kissing Emily Baker", to the trials and tribulations of a young English family setting out for a new life in 1920s Australia in "The Group Settler''s Wife", this collection contains fifteen stories of love, second chances and new beginnings that will enthral Anna Jacobs' many fans and new readers alike.

'Who would think a pelican could act as matchmaker? Enjoy a "bachelors and spinsters" ball in the outback. Live with settlers to Western Australia in the 1920s. Ever thought where those personal advertisements might lead? An attempt to avoid Christmas leads to another sort of celebration.

'Have you ever wondered what sparks an idea for a story? Well, Anna explains that with each of these tales.'

'Lancashire, 1930s. When her mother dies, leaving her an old sewing box and a clue to her father's identity, 22-year-old Maisie Bassett is determined to make a fresh start.

'Changing her name and moving to the small town of Rivenshaw, she finds a respectable job in a grocery store. But unwanted attentions from a man at her new church make life increasingly difficult - until the shy, handsome Gabriel Harte comes to her rescue.

'Then she receives an inheritance from a distant relative and her world is turned upside down. The home she's always dreamed of may finally be hers - if she can keep it safe from a grasping slum landlord. With Gabriel's help, can Maisie untangle the secrets of her past and secure her future?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'1935. At thirty-six, Bella Porter is dependent on her abusive cousin, acting as an unpaid servant. When a kind relative leaves her a house in the village of Backshaw Moss, Thomas tries to take it from her, but she defies him and grasps this chance of a new start in Lancashire.

'It is not going to be easy, though. The house is on the edge of a slum and in a state of disrepair, let out as flats. As kind people help her find her feet, however, her confidence grows and when she meets struggling, widowed father-of-three Ryan, she begins to hope she may find the happy family she's always dreamed of.

'She's offered partial help with her renovations by the local council who are planning to clear up the slums, but other landlords will do anything to avoid costly improvements and protect their profits. And when Thomas follows her, still after the inheritance, not only is Bella's newfound happiness threatened but also her life. Can her new friends help her rid herself of her tormenter once and for all and finally achieve her valley dream?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Abigail Beadle has given two decades of her life to first caring for her father who has developed Parkinson’s, then, at his request as his health fails completely, looking after the centuries old family home Ashgrove House. In order to do that she has to put up with being ordered around by her stepmother Edwina, who is not a pleasant person.

'Abigail has never married because Lucas Chadwick, the man she loved when she was young, left the village suddenly with his family. This was due to her stepmother’s machinations and threats, but as Edwina also intercepted his letters to Abigail afterwards, the relationship was broken up. When her stepmother dies suddenly, Abigail is glad to be released from the woman’s nagging and bullying, but doubts she’ll manage to keep her beloved home, because of the need to pay inheritance tax.

'Various people start plotting to help Abigail put together enough money to pay the inheritance taxes and keep her family’s home. Will they succeed or will she lose everything?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When Mara Gregory receives a letter from the father whom she believed to have died when she was a child, her world is turned upside down. Aaron Buchanan only discovered that he had a daughter a couple of years ago and now he's desperate to play a part in her life.

'In the face of her mother's opposition, Mara arranges to go to Australia to meet her father and his family. Will she find him the disappointment that her mother promises? And when Australia brings another man into her life, she's faced with some huge decisions and some heartrending choices.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'As the only female cabinet maker in the valley in 1935, Frankie Redfern is unusual. She faces prejudice even from her own mother. But she’s content working for her father, and is unwilling to give up her independence or the work she loves for marriage. 

'When her husband falls gravely ill, Frankie’s mother takes over, causing serious trouble for her daughter. And her cousin, an unscrupulous local builder, starts to help her for his own reasons.

'Jericho Harte has never met a woman he wanted to marry until he bumps into Frankie on the moors. When she comes to him the next day with an extraordinary suggestion, it seems a marriage of convenience might suit them both. Or could their relationship become more than that?

'But Frankie’s problems worsen as her father goes missing from hospital. Is there more to his illness than met the eye?

'Can Frankie and Jericho help uncover the truth and put an end to the danger she’s in before it’s too late?'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'On the other side of the world, Russ has just taken possession of his new house and wants only peace and quiet after a serious injury and months of rehab. Can Simone and Russ help one another avoid meddling friends and relatives, and build new lives?'

(Source: publisher's blurb)