Audrey Howard Knihy

An unforgettable story of a star-crossed marriage, set amid the Lake District's fells.

When Lily Elliott's father dies she loses everything - not just a beloved protector and his wonderful ship the Lily-Jane, but also the way of life she has always known. As her mother sinks into a dream-world and the money which had always seemed sufficient turns out to have been mostly debts, Lily watches, bewildered, as destitution comes ever closer for the Elliott women and their loyal housekeeper. Then two rescuers appear. One is the most unlikely saviour: Liam O'Connor, a poor seaman who selflessly befriends the unhappy little girl. The other is Joshua Crowther, the wealthy owner of Oakwood Place, a grand country mansion where the desperate women finally find refuge.

Nancy Brody is different from the rest of the folk in Angel Meadow, the appalling slum where her drunken mother Kitty was a prostitute . . . Only nine years old, Nancy decides to save her sisters Mary and Rose from the workhouse. She gets work for them all at the Monarch Cotton Manufacturing Mill - and then sets out to better herself and her sisters. Saving every penny, working every waking hour, Nancy succeeds, becoming a manufacturer herself. But happiness seems as elusive for Nancy as it was when she was a mistreated child. Though he once said he loved her, Mick O'Rourke has become Nancy's worst enemy, and seems destined to take a terrible revenge on her and her sisters. And Josh Hayes, the man who truly loves Nancy, seems destined to be parted from her.

When Abby Murphy discovers she's heiress to one of St. Helens' largest glass works, her whole life is turned upside down. Torn from her poverty-stricken family and forbidden to see her childhood sweetheart, Roddy Baxter, she is forced by her tyrannical grandfather to become a lady. Then Roddy disappears and soon, it seems inevitable that Abby will have to marry her grandfather's chosen successor. Trapped in a marriage where she is little more than a possession, Abby is determined that no matter what else might change, nothing will stand in the way of her steadfast passion for Roddy. But is she prepared to give up everything she has now for a love from the past?

Set in the 1840s in the Lancashire coalfields, this is the story of two women who love the same man. Heiress Nella Fielden sets her heart on Jonas Townley and marries him, but his heart belongs to Nella's protegee Leah, a lowly miner's daughter. Tragedy follows when Nella learns she has a rival.

Set in Lancashire in the 19th century, this is the story of a woman whose life becomes a search for revenge against the rich landowner who helped ruin her childhood. The author also wrote The Skylark's Song, The Morning Tide, The Juniper Bush, The Mallow Years and Shining Threads.

Liverpool saga set in the early years of 20th century.

Zoe was born in the poorest street in Liverpool. As the youngest of five children her life in Merseyside slum meant brutality, degration and appaling poverty. But Zoe was bright, sensitive and determined to escape. Freedom would bring her wealth, luxury and love - and heartache she could never have imagined...

Vibrant and headstrong, Ally Pearce loves working on the Edith, her family's narrowboat, proving she's the equal of any man on the Leeds to Liverpool canal. Betsy, delicate, calculating and sensuously beautiful, wants only to become a 'lady' - and will use the most unladylike means to become one. When Dr Tom Hartley enters the sisters' lives after a tragic accident both are attracted to him - but for very different reasons...

Her work is her life, until Sally Grimshaw's brother falls into the clutches of sinister Richard Keene. Sally is faced with a stark destitution or service to the odious Mr. Keene. And when all her attempts fail, she finds herself with nothing left but her stubborn pride. Then she finds an unexpected refuge...