Pam Howes Knihy

Liverpool, 1943. For Bella Rogers, life is looking up. She loves performing with The Bryant Sisters, the singing trio who have become the country's sweethearts, putting a smile on the faces of the brave boys fighting the Nazis. But then tragedy strikes when a telegram arrives: Bella's beloved father has been killed in France. Unlike her poor Mam, Bella has someone to share her grief with. Her childhood love Bobby is home from the war. He lost a leg but she counts her blessings every day that he's alive when so many young men haven't made it back. Bella longs to give her heart to Bobby but she is hiding a secret that may change their lives forever. Will he still love her if she reveals the truth? But when bombs screech down on Victory Street in the middle of the night, blowing houses apart, Bella may lose both the home she loves and the family who mean everything to her. With so much loss around her, will Bella be brave enough to snatch her chance of happiness? And when the war is finally over, will wedding bells ring out on Victory Street again?

Will tragedy tear them apart - once and for all?

The story follows a determined protagonist who strives to pursue her dreams despite facing numerous obstacles. As she navigates challenges and setbacks, her resilience and passion drive her forward. The narrative explores themes of ambition, perseverance, and the importance of believing in oneself, making it a compelling journey of self-discovery and hope.

Exploring the aftermath of conflict, this narrative delves into the complexities of love and relationships once the fighting ceases. It examines how characters navigate their emotions and rebuild their lives in a world altered by war. Themes of reconciliation, healing, and the struggle to redefine connections resonate throughout, revealing the challenges that arise when passion meets the realities of a changed landscape.

Can she save herself, her marriage - and her daughter?

1951. Dora Rodgers is adjusting to a new life in Liverpool with her young daughters Carol and Jackie. After the fear of the war years and a difficult break up with her husband Joe, Dora is finally building a future with her children. But then an unexpected knock at the door rips her family in two. To Dora's horror, Carol is taken away by a welfare officer to live with Joe. She is determined to fight for her child, but when a tragic accident leaves her mother in hospital, and shocking news from Joe breaks her heart again, she struggles to cope. With her family in pieces and her marriage over for good, will Dora ever manage to get her daughter Carol home where she belongs?

Liverpool, 1945. As the war draws to a close, Alice and Terry Lomax are building a new life with their young daughter Cathy. After years away fighting, Terry is a stranger to his daughter and must work hard to win her trust and love. Alice and old friend Sadie work in the haberdashery of Lewis's department store, where bomb damage scars the walls and rationing is still in force. Yet Lewis's remains open, a sign of strength in the midst of Liverpool's post-war ruins. Though memories of those lost in the war are fresh, Alice and Sadie look forward to the future. But then a tragic accident leaves Alice a widow, and the father of Sadie's child - a man she hoped never to see again - is back in Liverpool. With Alice struggling to start again alone, and Sadie desperate to protect her son, can these two shop girls overcome their troubles and keep their hopes alive - even with all the odds against them?

The story begins with a mother yearning to embrace her newborn, only to be abruptly restrained as she experiences a traumatic event during childbirth. The moment is filled with anticipation and love, quickly overshadowed by a sense of dread as she loses consciousness. This gripping narrative hints at themes of motherhood, loss, and the fragility of life, setting the stage for a profound exploration of the bond between a mother and her child amidst unforeseen circumstances.

"1940, Liverpool: Best friends Alice Turner and Millie Markham work for the war effort at Rootes munitions factory, making shell caps and Halifax bombers. Alice?s sweetheart Terry is home from the front for a brief period of leave, and the women are excitedly planning a whirlwind wedding. But the honeymoon is soon over, and the ever-present air raid sirens quickly bring Alice back down to earth. When a terrible explosion at the factory leads to a tragic death, and a loved one is announced missing in action, it?s only their friendship and the support of the other factory girls which help to keep Alice and Millie?s spirits up. As the war stretches on with no sign of an ending, can Alice and Millie help one another make it through?and find happiness even in the darkest of times?"--Back cover

The war is over - but are their troubles just beginning?