Francesca Capaldi Livres

"Will Elizabeth choose love over duty? It's August 1917 and WW1 continues to take a toll. The villagers of Dorcalon, a mining village in the Rhymney Valley, try to keep hope alive; but every day brings fresh tragedy as more of their sons and fathers are killed on foreign battlefields. Elizabeth Meredith, daughter of mine manager Herbert, enjoys a privileged position in the village, but she longs to break free of society's expectations. Falling in love with miner, Gwilym Owen, brings more joy to her life than she's ever known... until she's forced to choose between her love and her disapproving family. Seeking an escape, Elizabeth signs up the VAR and is swiftly sent to help the troops in France, even as her heart breaks at leaving Gwilym behind. Separated by society and the Great War, can Elizabeth and Gwilym find their way back together again? Or will their love become another casualty of war?"--Provided by publisher

November 1915. For young housemaid, Anwen Rhys, life is hard in the Welsh mining village of Dorcalon, deep in the Rhymney Valley. She cares for her ill mother and beloved younger sister Sara, all while shielding them from her father's drunken, violent temper. Anwen comforts herself with her love for childhood sweetheart, Idris Hughes, away fighting in the Great War. Yet when Idris returns, he is a changed man; no longer the innocent boy she loved, he is harder, more distant, quickly breaking off their engagement. And when tragedy once again strikes her family, Anwen's heart is completely broken. But when an explosion at the pit brings unimaginable heartache to Dorcalon, Anwen and Idris put their feelings aside to unite their mining community. In the midst of despair, can Anwen find hope again? And will she ever find the happiness she deserves? A beautiful, emotional and heart-breaking saga set in the Welsh Valleys of the Great War that fans of Nadine Dorries, Rosie Goodwin and Sheila Newbury will love.

Set against the backdrop of World War I, Hetty Affleck navigates her feelings as a maid at the Beach Hotel, torn between her distant beau Lorcan and the charming Victor Perryman, a wealthy shipbuilder's son. As their connection deepens, Hetty grapples with societal divides and her loyalty to Lorcan. When Lorcan returns on leave, she must confront her true feelings and the complexities of love amidst the challenges of class and war. This emotional saga explores themes of love, loyalty, and personal choice.

July 1916. Young mother, Violet Jones, lives a tough life in the Rhymney Valley, caring for 4-year-old Clarice and baby Benjy on her own while soldier husband Charlie fights on the Front Line. But when tragedy strikes, Violet's life becomes even harder. While they may be far from the battlefields, the effects of WWI take their toll on the small mining community of Dorcalon, with food becoming scarce and more and more of their young men losing their lives. With very little money coming in, and two babies to care for, Violet takes in a relative to help make ends meet. But far from easing her burden, it might turn out to be the worst decision she's made. As the Great War takes its toll on the nation, Violet faces her own battle. All alone in the world, can she protect her children, and herself? And will she ever find joy out of the depths of despair? A captivating, emotional saga set in WWI - will tug on your heart-strings and bring a tear to your eye. If you like Nadine Dorries, Rosie Goodwin or Sheila Newbury you will adore this beautiful Welsh saga.

June 1914. Edie Moore is a Governess for Lord and Lady Moreland, living in comfort at the grand Downland House in Sussex. But, wanting more from life, she flees in secret to Littlehampton, the place where she spent many idyllic childhood holidays. Desperate for work, Edie begins working as a chambermaid at the prestigious Beach Hotel, even if the menial tasks are a far cry from her previous job. While the days are long and gruelling, Edie works hard and soon is in favour with Helen Bygrove, the manager's wife, who sees that Edie is destined for bigger things - which leads to tension with some of the other chambermaids. But as she navigates her new life and finds friendship with fellow maid Lili Probert, she also grows closer to charming, cheerful porter, Charlie Cobbett, and finally finds the happiness she has been searching for. However, what none of her new friends know is that Edie is hiding a secret from her past, one that would change the way they view her, forever. When the truth comes out, will Edie be able to keep her new life and remain in the place she loves so much?

Waitress Lili Probert - a young woman who escaped her demanding family in Wales in search of a new life in Sussex - has seen her hard work rewarded at the hotel, but hides heartbreak behind her sunny personality. Her sweetheart, Norman, is missing in action and has been presumed dead, but she can't give up hope that he may be found. But when she meets injured soldier Rhodri, a fellow Welshman now living near Littlehampton, she fights hard to ignore her growing attraction for him, torn between her feelings for him and her loyalty to the man she thought she'd spend her life with. But her emotions run ever higher when she suddenly receives a call from home; her mother is gravely ill and Lili is needed for her care. Lili must make a difficult choice. Follow her dreams and make her own life, or return to the place she tried so hard to escape?

"Can Polly finally escape her haunting past? Spring 1919: WW1 might be over, but the inhabitants of Dorcalon in the Welsh Valleys still feel the pain of the war that took so many of their men. Polly Smith is trying to survive her own battle at home. After her abusive husband, Gus, was finally jailed, Polly has been raising her two-year-old son, Herby alone. But being a single mother isn't easy, and Polly finds it harder still as Gus's criminal activities leave her with a bad reputation. Lonely and struggling for money, Polly retreats as she becomes the subject of cruel gossip. A job offer throws her a lifeline, and as she grows closer to a handsome soldier, Henry Austin, it seems that Polly might finally be changing her life - until dark secrets from her past emerge, threatening her new happiness. Can Polly clear her name? Or will the mistakes of the past ruin her future?"--Provided by publisher

Dark Days at the Beach Hotel - sees Manager Helen Bygrove managing the hotel after her husband is conscripted. But after poison pen letters are sent about various prominent business people in the town, suspicion falls upon the staff of the Beach Hotel and Helen finds herself drawn into a police investigation.