OUR WRITERS MEAN BUSINESS 
A riveting, heart-rending tale of betrayal and revenge.
Erica and Simon Dunmore have been happily married for fifteen years. The only thing that casts a shadow over Rica's happiness is her failure to have a baby and Simon realises he would do anything to provide her with the child she so desperately craves.
Then unexpectedly he brings home a beautiful baby boy whose mother has given him up for adoption and Rica cannot believe her luck - they can be a proper family at last.
Little does she realise the horror that lies ahead when her husband and son go missing...
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Camilla Rogers is no stranger to hardship.
Over the years she's struggled to keep her family clothed and fed and out of trouble. But nothing can prepare her for what lies ahead. Cam's sixteen-year-old granddaughter Belinda has fallen in with the wrong crowd and the reign of terror that Belinda inflicts on her grandmother is beyond belief.
As the mental and physical abuse intensifies, Cam lives in fear of what Belinda will do next....
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When
a new doctor arrives in the backstreets of Leicester, the locals are outraged
by his rudeness and hostility. One of the first to encounter his abruptness
is young Aidy Nelson but when she gets the job as his secretary she slowly
gets to know him and realises that behind his gruff manner lurks a man with
a sorrowful past and secrets he's determined to keep.
Lynda Page's latest novel is an emotional rollercoaster of hardship and
heartache.
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Stephanie
Mortimer feels trapped. Her alcoholic mother and domineering father have
never loved each other, let alone their only child, and her upbringing has
been one of violence, repression and neglect. In an attempt to escape, Steph
agrees to marry a man she doesnt even love but a tragic accident means their
marriage never takes place. Then her father dies and the terms of his will
reveal that he still has a hold on Steph even beyond the grave. Reeling
from the news, the last person Steph expects to meet is the man of her dreams.
Jason Connor could change her life for ever, but will their whirlwind romance
be the answer to Stephs prayers or the beginning of a nightmare?
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Alexandra
Morton has a reputation round the close-knit Leicester backstreets where
she lives for being a bit of a matchmaker, as there's nothing she enjoys
more than offering useful advice to courting couples.
But when her beloved husband Gil is sacked from work, having been wrongly
accused of molesting a female member of staff, her whole world is suddenly
turned upside down.
For the first time in twenty-five years, Lex needs to get a job in order
to make ends meet, so she goes to work in a marriage bureau and puts her
skill to good use.
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Things
have never been easy for Dee Kirby. With her looks and personality she never
wants for admirers, but she hasn't had the sheltered upbringing that everyone
assumes.
As soon as people discover her mother is a prostitute, Dee is treated with
disgust and cruelty. And when Dee's mother dies in a tragic accident, owing
a huge amount of money to a local gang, a grieving Dee finds herself face
to face with ruthless criminals!
Meanwhile, Calum Jackson, convicted of a crime he didn't commit, has just
been released from prison and is determined to get a decent job and make
a new life for himself. It's not long before Dee crosses his path and he
is instantly smitten.
But will he be able to protect her, and give her the happiness she deserves?
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Isobel
Jenkins has spent the last fifteen years caring for Lawrence Clayton's cantankerous
mother, in the knowledge that once the old lady passes away, Lawrence will
be free to marry her. However, Izzie is mortified to discover that Lawrence
has been deceiving her, and when he flaunts his new bride, she decides enough
is enough. But how can she start afresh?
Izzie could never have predicted that helping an elderly lady find her way
back to her residential home would provide the answer. The owner of the
home, Mrs Johnson, instantly recognises Izzie's worth and, in need of an
extra pair of hands, offers her a job. Izzie soon attracts the admiration
of one of the young doctors - if only she could forget her past experience.
But not everyone is what they seem and there are those in the establishment
who are using the atmosphere of openness and trust to their own advantage!
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Danny
and Maxie Maws think the world of each other. Danny works hard as a milkman
and with the extra money that Maxie's nanny job brings in, they manage to
make ends meet. In fact, they want for nothing because what makes them really
happy is just being together.
But when their flashy new neighbours cast doubt in Danny's mind that he
is not providing enough for Maxie, he vows to make amends.
Embarking on a series of disastrous money-making schemes. Danny finds himself
getting into deeper and deeper trouble.
Meanwhile Maxie, who has no idea why Danny's so determined to move onwards
and upwards, just wishes things would go back to the way they were.
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Cabbie
Chas Tyme is shy, kind-hearted and always ready to see the best in people.
His main concern is for his widowed mother, Iris, and, by working hard at
Black's Taxis, he does all he can to provide for her.
But Iris just wishes he'd concentrate on finding a nice girl who'd appreciate
his worth. If only he had the courage to ask someone out...Meanwhile, in
a local firm of solicitors in Leicester, a striking young secretary is realising
that her fiance - a handsome, junior solicitor - is not the man for her
and, sadly, Harrie knows it's time to rethink her life.
When she takes a temporary position in the office of Black's Taxis, she
soon discovers that there are some people who have little respect for the
law nor care who they use to carry out their devious plans...
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Kay
Clifton has waited five, long, lonely years for her husband Bob to come
home from the war. Despite her excitement at his return, their whirlwind
romance prior to his departure makes her feel as though she hardly knows
him, so it's not surprising that Kay is apprehensive when she meets him
at the station.
Kay's hopes of starting their blissfully happy marriage are dashed by the
presence of Bob's fellow soldier Tony. Bob is indebted to Tony for saving
his life and seems hell bent on repaying that debt to the couple’s detriment.
But as Tony starts acting more and more strangely, Kay worries that something
else happened during the war that Bob is keeping secret. And Bob himself
isn't behaving like the man whom she waved off so tearfully all those years
ago.
But with the love and encouragement of her family and friends, Kay is determined
that whatever it takes she will bring out the Bob with whom she first fell
in love and forge the future that they had envisaged before the war wreaked
its havoc.
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Francine
Champion and Stella Simpson have been best friends since school. Now, in
1950, the two girls – though different in many ways – are as close as ever.
Frankie works as a car mechanic and is hoping to marry her childhood sweetheart
Ian. Meanwhile, Stella has an office job in Leicester and is engaged to
Ian’s friend Roger. The future seems bright for the happy foursome.
But none of them bargains on Eddy Taylor entering their lives. His selfish
ambition is about to change everything. His devilish charm and scheming
lies will break one heart after another, destroying trust, friendship and
love.
With Eddie around, can Frankie or Stella ever hope to regain their happiness?
“Filled with lively characters and compelling action” - Books
Magazine “It’s a story to grip you from the first page
to the last” - Coventry Evening Telegraph
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Judith
Chambers is an only child. For over forty years she has been despised by
her mother and dominated by her father, until now, when her father’s death
sets her free.
And, to Judith’s amazement, a surprise visitor from her past is going to
bring her love and happiness for the first time.
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Twenty-four-year-old
Lynnie Downs has a lot on her plate. First and foremost are her plans to
marry Ozzie Matthews – but the odds are stacked against him ever settling
down.
Then there’s her mother and her younger brothers to worry about. Ray’s due
out of prison soon, Jimmy and Dec have escaped from Leicester to avoid the
police, and Colin is up to no good, as usual. But at work Lynnie can forget
all this.
For behind the counter at Cigar Sid’s betting shop, where hopes are dashed
and dreams are made, Lynnie’s own fortunes are about to change..
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It
is meant to be one of the happiest days of Vinnie Deakin's life: her younger
daughter's wedding day. But her joy soon evaporates when Vinnie's husband
calmly announces that he is leaving her.
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For
Kacie Cooper, life in Leicester in 1959 is almost perfect. Jobs are plentiful,
shops are filled with the latest fashions and dance halls are packed with
people jiving to rock’n’roll hits. Kacie is the top stylist in a reputable
hair salon and her machine-mechanic husband, Dennis, is dreaming of the
big time with his band, Vernon and the Vipers. Only one thing mars her happiness:
her parents’ constant disapproval that she doesn’t have a “proper” job or
a more respectable husband, like her sister Caroline.
But when Caroline turns up on Kacie’s doorstep asking to stay for a while,
it’s clear that her sister’s marriage has been far from idyllic. It is a
revelation that plunges Kacie’s own life into chaos and threatens everything
that matters…
“Filled with lively characters and compelling action” Books Magazine
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Francine
Champion and Stella Simpson have been best friends since school. Now, in
1950, the two girls – though different in many ways – are as close as ever.
Frankie works as a car mechanic and is hoping to marry her childhood sweetheart
Ian. Meanwhile, Stella has an office job in Leicester and is engaged to
Ian’s friend Roger. The future seems bright for the happy foursome.
But none of them bargains on Eddy Taylor entering their lives. His selfish
ambition is about to change everything. His devilish charm and scheming
lies will break one heart after another, destroying trust, friendship and
love. With Eddie around, can Frankie or Stella ever hope to regain their
happiness?
“It’s a story to grip you from the first page to the last” Coventry
Evening Telegraph
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Since
the death of her husband twenty years ago, May Jeffries has struggled to
provide for her only child, Jenny. Even now that Jenny’s working as a sales
assistant in a Leicester china shop, things are still not easy.
Jenny suspects that part of their problem could be the good-for-nothing
men that her mother seems unable to resist, and is delighted when May finally
sees the true colours of her latest flame and throws him out of the house.
But when he turns up at the china shop and loses her job, it seems their
troubles are far from over.
Distraught and unable to break the terrible news to her mother, Jenny can’t
face going home. And when a sudden thunderstorm forces her to take shelter
in a dark and dingy furniture warehouse, it seems things can’t get any worse.
But good fortune comes when you least expect it and Jenny’s life is about
to change beyond her wildest dreams…
“Another fine romance” - Peterborough Evening Telegraph
“A comfortable read” - Middlesborough Evening Gazette
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When
Maddie Ashman is deceived into giving up her baby for adoption, she is utterly
devastated. Her mother has convinced Maddie that she has no choice – the
child is illegitimate and the father has deserted her. But this act of cruelty
is the final straw for Maddie and she knows she must leave home. It’s now
or never. But who can she turn to for help?
Catching the train to Leicester, she goes in search of the one person who
might take her in – even though she has no idea where he lives. And when
she gets a job in a funeral parlour she discovers that life is full of surprises
– for love and laughter can be found in the most unlikely places!
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For
a girl of nineteen Kelly McCallan has more than her fair share of worries.
Her mother is dying and needs constant care; her father has returned to
Leicester from the Second World War but is an emotional wreck; and her brother,
Mickey, who hates his job as a dustman, has turned to a life of crime that
is putting the whole family at risk.
Kelley's boyfriend, Rodney, and his sister, Glenda, know that Kelly is scared
of what Mickey might do next. But Glenda plans to marry him and Rodney won't
hear a word against his mate, so they turn a blind eye to Kelley's fears
- with disastrous consequences for them all...
When Kelly has lost everything she holds dear, she and Glenda pick up the
pieces and start again. And one man in particular is there when Kelly needs
him most; Alec Alderman, a kind and gentle rag and bone man. But Alec has
problems of his own...
Any Old Iron is Lynda Page's magnificent new saga of love
and loss. As her unforgettable heroin battles to overcome tragedy and poverty,
Lynda Page proves that good always triumphs over evil in the end.
"Cookson/ Cox aficionados who've missed her should grab this. Romantic
and gripping" - Peterborough Evening Telegraph
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"You'll
be hooked from page one"- Woman's Realm
At eleven years of age, Albertina Victoriana Listerman suffers dreadful
sorrow from the loss of her parents. Approaching her twenty-first birthday,
she experiences further tragedy, which destroys her whole way of life: her
half brother has committed suicide, having squandered the family fortune,
and Ally is no longer acceptable in society.
Robbed of her very last penny, Ally is thrust into a world of hardship for
which she is ill prepared. Her only salvation comes from meeting Jack Fossett,
a caring young lad who takes pity on this beautiful girl.
But Jack's mother, Flo, is deeply resentful of all gentlefolk, with good
reason and time must pass and secrets must be revealed before Ally and Flo
see eye to eye - particularly when they discover that Ally is in fact not
as destitute as she thought...
"A real page-turner - you won't be able to put it down."- Woman's
Realm “Set in the Edwardian era, this novel is full of
lively characters.”- Best “Mark my words, on this
showing Leicester’s Lynda Page is destined to share the limelight – and
bestseller lists with the likes of Catherine Cookson”- Hull Daily
Mail
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"The
Leicester saga writer has leapt to national acclaim and Cookson-Cox aficionados
who've missed her should grab this. Romantic and gripping."- Peterborough
Evening Telegraph
In a run-down cottage, deep in woodland on the outskirts of Leicestershire,
sixteen year-old Tilda Penny lives in fear of her drunken father's violent
attacks. Born with a withered arm, Tilda is branded an outcast in the community
and her only comfort is drawn from the friendship of a seven-year old villager,
Eustace Sprocket, who sees beyond her disfigurement. Suffering from his
aunt's intolerable abuse, he too is no stranger to rejection.
Entering her cottage late one evening, Tilda stumbles upon a young man preparing
to steal her life's savings. Despite her terror, she confronts the intruder.
But instead of throwing Ben McCraven out, she takes pity on him and offers
him shelter for the night. Just by chance Ben's arrival is to change the
course of Tilda's life forever....
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"…fast
rising Lynda Page creates an atmospheric people story” - Peterborough
Evening Telegraph
Set at the beginning of the Second World War this story centres around forty
year old Ester. Married to a nasty, domineering man, Ester is trapped with
little purpose to her life and even less happiness. But when war breaks
out Ester becomes the 'neighbour' to whom everybody turns, new horizons
are opened for her and her daughter Charley - and through her caring she
changes her own life and the lives of those around her.
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"Lynda
Page creates strong characters and is a clever and careful storyteller...A
great writer who gives an authentic voice to Leicester...A formidable talent."-
LE1
Septimus Cartwright has always dreamed of running a bus service for the
villagers of Leicestershire. And when his young daughter Peggie receives
an unexpected windfall it looks like his dream will come true. But rival
Cyrus Crabbe is a dangerous man determined to stop Cartwright from succeeding.
And when Septimus is driven from his family by Crabbe's evil tongue Peggie
knows it is up to her to keep the business afloat and spirits raised.
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Josie
is a tall, plump, eighteen year old. A large girl with a desperate yearning
to look like 'Twiggy', she lives with her old Gran and elder sister, works
on her Gran's stall and is desperately in love with her sister's boyfriend.
As the story unfolds it becomes apparent that all is not what it seems in
the household. A chance meeting plus her Gran's death opens a can of worms
and sets Josie on the road to becoming the woman she has always dreamed
of being.
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This
novel tells the story of Annie and her son Georgie. Poverty stricken the
young mother is forced to leave Leicester and seek refuge with unknown relatives.
Hardwork and cheerfulness earn Annie and Georgie the respect of their new
family despite the ruthless Kate. But Annie knows that she must return to
Leicester to confront her memories and to start a new life for her and her
son.
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"If
you want an enthralling saga, read Lynda Page"- Martina Cole
This book starts in 1951 and is centred around the hosiery trade in Leicester.
It traces the exciting story of Evie and her sister and a jealousy that
grows to unheard of heights, involving crime and competition within the
trade.
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