Bøger af June Francis

A young woman must follow her head or her heart in this powerful family sagaLiverpool, 1958. Nursery nurse Irene Miller can't help herself falling for her friend Peggy's handsome older brother. But nothing can come of it, for Marty is married, trapped in a deeply unhappy union. Meanwhile, Irene's friend Peggy is desperate to marry her long-term boyfriend Pete. But Peggy's staunchly Catholic parents would never accept a Protestant son-in-law.When her mother decides to remarry, her brother heads off to sea, and she loses her job, Irene feels utterly alone in the world. An unexpected job offer from America offers her a lifeline. But it would mean never seeing Marty again.Meanwhile, Peggy decides that the only way to resolve the issues with her family is to escape where no one can find her. But will Irene and Peggy ever solve their problems by running away - or should they follow their hearts back home to Liverpool?

In 1942, two young women give birth in a home for unmarried mothers. Thirteen years later, Dorothy Wilson is a successful actress, offered her first major role in a feature film. But it will mean spending time apart from her policeman boyfriend Sam - when all Sam wants to do is settle down and start a family. Should Dorothy give up her dreams of stardom to stay in Liverpool and become a full-time wife and mother? Meanwhile, Lynne Donegan, having lost her childhood sweetheart in the war, is bringing up her daughter on her own, eking out a meagre living as a dressmaker. Dorothy and Lynne's lives are destined to intertwine in ways they could never have expected. For both women are keeping secrets from their loved ones: secrets that are destined to burst into the open, changing the two women's lives forever.

From one of the genre's best-loved names, an enthralling historical saga set in 1950s Liverpool. Liverpool, 1954 Young Jeanette Walker often wonders what became of her mother who disappeared without trace during a wartime bombing raid thirteen years before. Was she killed outright, or did she run off with another man, as tyrannical Great Aunt Ethel insists? Embarking on a dual mission to find out what really happened to her mother and to track down the handsome stranger who came to her rescue, Jean is little prepared for the hornets; nest of family secrets and lies that her investigations will stir up.

Seventeen year old Katie is about to discover a devastating family secret...Katie is the apple of her mother s eye and is being groomed to take over the family business. But when Celia, her natural mother, re-enters her life, her world is turned completely upside down.Tormented by her divided loyalties, Katie is plagued by a question Celia refuses to answer who is her real father? (Note: Originally published as Somebody Else's Girl)

How much does she truly know about her husband?Eliza Jones and her husband Bryn had a whirlwind romance and married shortly after meeting, but he was soon sent off to fight. In the midst of a Blitz attack on Liverpool, which leaves Eliza with amnesia, she gives birth to their baby son, Alfie. Still struggling with the aftermath of the birth, Eliza is distraught when Alfie is kidnapped from the nursery.As the search for Alfie progresses and the community bands together around Eliza, she is left with more questions than answers. Who would take her baby, and why? And does she have any hope of being reunited with her baby? When her search for answers leads her back to Bryn's family, Eliza must ask herself how well she really knew the man she married.A gripping saga set in wartime and post-war Liverpool, perfect for fans of Pam Howes and Katie Flynn. Praise for Hers to Have to Hold'What a brilliant page turner and emotional book. Family saga at its best.' ¿¿¿¿¿ Reader review'A lovely heart warming story... I really enjoyed reading this book.' ¿¿¿¿¿ Reader review

Can she leave her troubles behind to find true happiness?In the aftermath of the Great War, many are searching for a new life. But has Tilly missed her only chance for love?Since the end of the First World War, the residents of Victoria Crescent have been slowly rebuilding their lives. For Tilly Moran, this means living under the watchful eye of her elder sister, Alice, while waiting to come of age. Unable to bear the restrictions placed upon her, Tilly flees to Liverpool for a fresh start. As Tilly enters a new line of work she meets many interesting characters, and is charmed by Leonard Parker, a shipping entrepreneur. But when Tilly becomes involved in an investigation for a private detective agency she discovers that some of her new associates aren't what they seem. Can Tilly's dreams of love and independence come true, or will her luck run out?

Now the war is over, is happiness within their reach?Two women are given opportunities for a positive future, but must choose between following their heads or their hearts. Patsy Doyle is glad of her new job as a live-in maid in for David Tanner and his wife, but the constant rows between the spouses make it difficult to settle. Patsy becomes an unwilling confidante - and keeper of more secrets than she'd care to know. Joy Kirk is busy planning her wedding. Since her first love was killed in the Great War, she has accepted that she'd never fall in love again. Now, having spent many years working as Robbie Bennett's housekeeper, she finally accepts his proposal of marriage. She soon realises she has let herself in for more than she bargained for. Both Joy and Patsy will face unexpected fortunes. But will they ultimately find happiness?

No one is spared from the heartache of warAs the Blitz destroys lives in Liverpool, three sisters are forced to make difficult choices to protect themselves and those they love. When Nellie Callaghan marries her love in secret, it causes a rift in the family. But when the bombs drop on Liverpool grievances must be put aside as the people of the city are brought to despair. Nellie's mother is killed and her sister Lottie is injured, while her other sister Babs runs away to join the WLA. It falls to Nellie to care for the family. Despite the suffering that the war brings, it is trouble on the homefront that leads to further hardship for each of the sisters. Before the war is over, each of the Callaghans will have faced heartbreak and sacrifice. But amongst the sadness they will find some joy, and never giving up hope for a brighter future.

The secrets of the past can never be forgottenAn orphaned young woman is overjoyed to find a family she never knew existed, but has to come to terms with their troubled history. Since her parents died Clara O'Toole has lived with her grandmother, Bernie. When Bernie seeks an audience with a medium in the hope of reaching her son, Clara discovers her links to the Bennett family in Chester, and clues to the whereabouts of Bernie's long-lost daughter. Meanwhile, Alice Bennett is relieved to learn that her husband, Seb, is alive. However, her joy is short lived when she discovers the extent of his injuries. The family struggle to come to terms with Seb's damaged body, and mind. As Clara spends more time with her newfound relatives, she finds hope for the future. But she has no idea that the family she is so glad to be part of are going to place her in grave danger...

Her sister paid a terrible price. Can she avoid the same fate?A quest for revenge leads a young woman to a new friend, but also puts her in grave danger. Can love triumph over evil?Chester, 1907. Emma Griffiths' sister took her own life when she became pregnant out of wedlock to a man who refused to take responsibility. Now Emma is out to avenge her sister's death. Emma leaves her job as a maid, no longer willing to put up with unwanted attention from her employer. As poverty threatens to engulf her, she meets another young servant, Alice, who is struggling to escape her own unhappy past. Emma and Alice become close and it soon becomes apparent that the two girls' lives may be linked in more ways than one. Just as she finds love Emma's newfound happiness is threatened when she realises that she may not be the only one seeking revenge...

Will their friendship survive against all odds?In the early 1900s two girls see each other through good times and bad. But can their friendship endure when an dreadful act of violence sees their families turn against one another?Hannah Kirk and Alice Moran have been friends since childhood. Growing up in the back streets of Chester, they support each other through hard times. But when Alice‿s mother dies in childbirth, the girls both must take on great burdens. Alice‿s violent father attacks Hannah‿s mother and the friends are separated when Alice is forced to flee with her father while Hannah cares for her bedridden mother and the rest of the family. As Hannah struggles to cope and suffers awful mistreatment at the hands of her devious older brother, she questions whether Alice is her friend ‿ or the cause of all her troubles. Will Hannah and Alice reconcile, or are the wrongs of the past impossible to make right?

A letter will change everything she thought she knew about her life...Orphaned as a young child, Emma Booth was raised by her grandparents in a Lancashire village. Following her grandfather's sudden death, Emma assumes she is now without family, until she finds a letter written in 1940 from a woman to her widowed father. The letter reveals that before his death at Dunkirk, her father had fathered another child, and that Emma has a half-sister, Betty Booth. Determined to find Betty, Emma is drawn away from the countryside to the austere city life of post-war Liverpool. But building a relationship with Betty isn't easy, and Emma has to overcome dogged obstruction from Betty's aunt, Elsie, to be a part of her sister's life. Despite the challenges, the sisters discover common ground and get along well, until a secret threatens to disrupt their newfound relationship and life together. An engaging post-war family saga, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Kitty Neale.

With war on the horizon, can she find peace?Grace and Dougie have been courting for years, so when Dougie decides to emigrate to Australia he expects Grace to follow once she turns twenty-one. Grace used to be besotted with the handsome man, but she is increasingly worried by his bullying behaviour and gambling. On her way home from seeing Dougie off at the docks, Grace is nearly run down by a truck driven by widower Ben, who is on his way to the hospital to see his young son. Soon, Grace has agreed to look after Ben's child while he recovers from his accident. As they spend time together Ben struggles to ignore his growing feelings for Grace. But Dougie is determined not to let Grace go and when war breaks out he returns to England. With her old flame to contend with, never mind the relentless German bombers, will ever Grace find peace and love? From Liverpool's much-loved saga novelist comes a tale of love and heartache in wartime, which fans of Kitty Neale and Katie Flynn will love.

A twist of fate will force her to start anew...When Adam Rhoades tires of the political climate in Ireland and decides to leave for America, his daughter Rebekah's future happiness is threatened. For Rebekah, against her father's wishes, has fallen in love with handsome young Republican, Daniel O'Neill. Then Daniel, too, is forced to flee from his homeland and joins Rebekah on an ocean liner headed for New York. In the enclosed shipboard society, their love is impossible to hide. But Rebekah is left alone in Liverpool, isolated and vulnerable. Until, that is, the day she rediscovers the happiness she thought had been lost to her forever. A 1920s saga of love lost and found, set in Ireland, America and Liverpool, perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Katie Flynn.

Faced with hurtful memories, can she learn to forgive?Vivien's mother, Hilda had always been the black sheep of the family: the only person to have a child out of wedlock; the first person in the family to shake the dust of Liverpool off her feet and emigrate to America; the very last person Vivien had expected to see again. But then, quite suddenly, her scandalous mother returns to stir up painful memories and barely suppressed resentment. In her quest to discover who her father is, Vivien finds she and her mother have more in common than she expected. An enchanting 1950s saga perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Katie Flynn.

Should she listen to her friends, or dare to hope for happiness?Lucia Brookes had once dreamed of meeting a man who would love, cherish and provide for her. Now, left to care for her five younger siblings alone, she has lost hope - because what man would want to take her on with all her responsibilities?Everything changes when Tim Murphy enters the Liverpool coffee bar where Lucia works looking for a room to rent, and Lucia can't help being charmed by the lovable rogue. Ignoring the warnings from her family and friends, she accepts Tim's offer of a date. But has Tim really changed his ways... and will his shady past catch up with him?A thrilling saga of forbidden love and following your heart, perfect for fans of Lyn Andrews and Katie Flynn.

Will a new romance only lead to more heartbreak?With her modelling career in tatters and her long-term relationship with her sailor boyfriend at an end, Maggie Gregory returns to her family in Liverpool to decide what to do with the rest of her life. A chance encounter with a handsome stranger offers the possibility of new romance, but is the man who calls himself Tim Murphy really all he seems, and what secrets has he been keeping from Maggie?An engaging saga of love and family, perfect for fans of Pam Howes and Kitty Neale.

She must decide whether to follow her head or her heartIrene Miller can't help falling for her friend Peggy's handsome older brother, Marty. But Marty is trapped in an unhappy marriage and nothing can come of it. Meanwhile, Peggy is desperate to marry her long-term boyfriend Pete. But Peggy's staunchly Catholic parents would never accept a Protestant son-in-law, and she decides the only way to resolve her issues is to escape to a place where nobody can find her. With no job, no family to stay for and no hope of a future with Marty, an unexpected job offer from America offers Irene a lifeline. But it would mean never seeing Marty again. Will Irene and Peggy solve their problems by running away - or should they follow their hearts back home to Liverpool?An inspirational tale of love and friendship, perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Lyn Andrews.

When a daughter has no home can she ever hope to find happiness?Despite being part of the large O'Donnell family Milly has felt alone in the world since her father went missing in the Irish Civil War. Now, ten years later she is forced to flee her home and journey to Liverpool seeking a better future for herself. There she is taken in by distant relatives and eventually reunited with her paternal grandmother. As Milly tries to build a new life she is haunted by her father's mysterious disappearance. Her new friends strive to help her find answers, but meanwhile Milly's mother seeks to remarry on the assumption that her husband is dead. Milly is caught up in the fallout when her grandmother learns of this plan, and the need to find her father is greater than ever. If she doesn't, her hard-won security risks being ruined once more... From Liverpool's much-loved saga novelist comes a tale of family strife and hidden lives, which fans of Kitty Neale and Katie Flynn will love.

Some secrets can't stay buried forever...In 1942, two young women, Dorothy Wilson and Lynne Donegan, give birth in a home for unwed mothers. Thirteen years later, Dorothy is offered her first major role in a feature film and it becomes clear that she and her boyfriend Sam have different ideas for their future together. Meanwhile, Lynne, having lost her childhood sweetheart in the war, is a struggling dressmaker bringing up her daughter on her own. Though their lives have taken different paths, Dorothy and Lynne are brought back together in ways that neither could have predicted, and the secrets both women are keeping from their loved ones threaten to burst into the open and change the two women's lives forever. A gripping saga of heartbreak and family drama, perfect for fans of Lyn Andrews and Katie Flynn.

Is she prepared for the answers she might find?Jeanette Walker's mother disappeared without a trace during a wartime bombing raid and for twelve years she has been left to wonder what happened to her. Was she killed outright, or did she choose to leave?Determined to find out the truth, Jean embarks on a mission to discover what really happened to her mother, but she is not prepared for the web of family secrets and lies that her investigation uncovers. Will she find any answers? And will they be the ones she was hoping for?An enthralling saga of love and heartache in 1950s Liverpool, perfect for fans of Pam Howes and Kitty Neale.

A tragic death brings good fortune to an orphaned child - but at what cost?Liverpool, 1928. Fifteen-year-old Annie Anderson was adopted by Sylvia and Hugh after the death of their own daughter. Annie is told that her own mother died in childbirth and her father died before she was born. A chance encounter introduces Annie to local lad Andrew Fraser. Their friendship blossoms, but once Annie's adoptive parents learn of it they forbid her from seeing him. When Annie asks why, it sets her on a path to discover more about her origins - but will what she learns bring heartache or joy?Don't miss this rich and vivid saga by one of Liverpool's best-known novelists, perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Katie Flynn.

Plucky Lucy Linden supports her widowed mother and younger brother, selling firewood and toffee apples on the streets of Liverpool. Her uncanny ability to be in the right place at the wrong time gets her noticed by a young policeman, Rob Jones. At first he is amused by her exploits, but upon learning how tough life is for Lucy, he decides to keep a watchful eye on her - much to her annoyance. When Lucy's bad-tempered uncle, with a tendency to lash out, returns from the war with some alarming connections to the IRA, her attitude to Rob changes dramatically... A moving saga on the ties which bind us together, Someone to Trust is a triumph, perfect for fans of Pam Howes, Dilly Court and Lyn Andrews

It is 1909 and Molly May, her husband lost-at-sea and presumed dead, has escaped from her cruel in-laws in Liverpool to Burscough Bridge, where she gives birth. Widower Nathan Collins employs her as wet nurse to his daughter Jessica, who she tragically finds dead in her cot. When Molly's own daughter is mistaken for Jessica, she cannot bring herself to tell the truth. As her relationship with Nathan deepens, his scheming mother Dorothy wastes no opportunity to remind Molly of her lowly position. Can Molly win Nathan who, due to her lies, is raising another's child as his own?A heartbreaking tale of adversity and love, Another Man's Child is a beautiful read, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Maureen Lee and Rosie Goodwin

Liverpool, 1954. Jeanette Walker wonders what became of her mother who disappeared during wartime a bombing raid. Was she killed, or did she run off with another man, as Great Aunt Ethel insists? Embarking on a mission to find out what really happened to her mother Jean is little prepared for the family secrets that her investigations unearth.

Will she get another chance at happiness?Flora Cooke is struggling to raise her children alone amidst the ruins of war-torn Liverpool. As the months pass and she struggles to come to terms with her loss, Flora is swept off her feet by a handsome American soldier.

Torn between duty to her family and a last chance at love...Busy bringing up her motherless brothers and sisters, romance is the last thing on Lily Thorpe s mind. But when the handsome preacher Matt Gibson asks Lily to return with him to Australia as his wife, she finds it very hard to say no.But with rumours of war on the horizon, will she have to choose between her head and her heart? A story of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of wartime Liverpool.

Happiness always comes at a cost...Having grown up in a convent after the death of her mother, Lizzie Knight has never known what it s like to have a real family. So when a strange woman turns up with promises of a new life in Liverpool, she is thrilled.Warm-hearted and kind, Phyl is everything she wants in a stepmother. But then Lizzie falls in love with the one man who should have been out of bounds. Should she follow her heart and risk losing it all?From the author of A Sister s Duty and Lily s War(Note: previously published as Going Home to Liverpool)

1959. Her modelling career in tatters and her relationship with her sailor boyfriend at an end, Maggie Gregory returns to Liverpool to mend her broken heart. A chance encounter with a handsome stranger seems to offer new romance. But is the man who calls himself Tim Murphy all he seems? Will this new relationship only lead to more heartbreak?