E. V. Thompson Livres

Josh Retallick and his wife Miriam take on an exciting new challenge as owners of Ruddlemoor china clay works on the outskirts of St Austell. But a family tragedy forces Josh to leave almost immediately. When he returns he knows that his youngest grandson will one day follow him. So it is that several years later Ben Retallick journeys to Cornwall. His arrival rocks the local community - labourers are wary of this strapping young lad; rival clay owners see him as an unwelcome threat; and Ben's charm sets many a girl's heart aflutter. Deirdre Tresillian, a member of the landed gentry, takes advantage of Ben's naivety; Jo, a poverty-stricken young widow, brings out his protective instincts; Tess considers any man fair game; but it is Lily, Ben's distant cousin, who loves him the most. But what would the future owner of Ruddlemoor see in a humble maid like Lily? As Ruddlemoor enters troubled times, Ben proves that in business no challenge is too great; and in love only one girl can win his heart.

Alan Carter was only married to Dora for a week before being called up to serve in The Great War on HMS Viper. Eighteen months later, convalescing from a shoulder wound, he discovers his wife has almost forgotten him - and fallen in love with an American soldier. Devastated, he leaves East London for Cornwall. When his shoulder is better, even if his heart is still broken, he goes back into service and puts everything into it - getting two medals for bravery in the process. After the war he decides he might as well live in Cornwall - it is quiet which would suit his hopefully successful new writing career - and he can try and start a new life. When he meets artist and suffragette Vicky, all looks much better...

'READER'S DIGEST CONDENSED BOOKS - EXCELLENCY, CHASE THE WIND, THE BADGERS OF SUMMERCOMBE, OVERBOARD' (View amazon detail page)