Published by Pan Books, 2011
The River Folk
For young Mary Ann, daughter of a wife-beating drunk, life has always been tough. That is until 'Battling Bessie Ruddick' adopts her into her bustling family.
As she grows into an attractive young woman, Mary Ann falls for Bessie's son, Dan, and she becomes a skipper's wife. But life aboard ship is not for her and only the arrival of a daughter, Lizzie, keeps the marriage together. Yet, tragically, the family is torn apart when Mary Ann is seduced by the promise of a happier life.
It is now up to Lizzie to help her father, until disturbingly, her life starts to follow the same pattern as her mother's . . .
The Fisher Lass
Flame-haired Jeannie Buchanan has spent all her life in the shadow of the dark North Sea. Working with freezing fingers to gut the precious herring, she follows the fleet south, travelling far away from her Scottish home
When her beloved father's trawler goes missing, Jeannie must face up to life on her own. But her fiery temper and fierce independence attract powerful and devious enemies. Amidst the great social upheavals of the inter-war years, Jeannie must search again for the real love she has always denied herself . . .
Pre-loved – please refer to definitions if required.