Maggie Bennett Livres

Young Mabel Court, child of her mother's hasty marriage to a spendthrift, becomes 'little mother' to her brothers and sisters growing up in south London at the start of the twentieth century.

Tom Munday, a skilled carpenter, has been blessed with a fine wife and three wonderful children. But when the first world war breaks out, his firstborn, Ernest, is called upon to join the army. Tom's 18-year-old daughter Isabel finds the path of true love does not run smoothly in London's poor East End.

Set in the market town of Everham in Hampshire, from late autumn of 1962 to summer 1963, four interweaving stories overlap as time progresses. Tensions between the characters give rise to open conflicts which erupt in scandals that echo the Profumo affair which has shocked the nation.

"Set in the aftermath of the Great War A Child of Her Timeis a story of prejudice, passion and one woman's struggle to fight for what she really wants in life - against all odds At twenty-five, teacher Phyllis Bird is still living with her parents in a quiet Hampshire village. With so many young men lost in the Great War, including her own brothers, her life is empty and her future without hope. Until, desperate to break out of her mundane existence, she decides to take up the position of nursery maid in the London home of acclaimed playwright Harold Berridge. Befriended by the actress Maud Ling and thrown into the glamorous but fickle world of the cinema, Phyllis falls passionately in love with Maud's younger brother Teddy. But Teddy's heart lies elsewhere, and when tragedy strikes the Berridge household a heartbroken Phyllis is forced to leave. Six months later, Phyllis has started to rebuild her life but her world is turned upside down once more when she is invited to a party at Maud Ling's film studios. For there she falls under the spell of the charming but devious American actor Denver Towers, with disastrous consequences..."

Set in the 1960s, the narrative explores the tumultuous dynamics of a small town named Everham, where gossip and rumors dictate social interactions. As secrets unfold, the impact of prejudices on the community becomes evident, revealing how deeply personal and collective histories intertwine. The story delves into the lives of the townsfolk, highlighting their struggles and the societal pressures they face in a time of change.

Set in September 1340, the story follows Ralph de Courcy, a lawyer turned Friar Valerian, who embarks on a spiritual journey after losing his wife. As he gains fame for his preaching and healing, he encounters Cecily Wynstede, the daughter of a poor knight, sparking an immediate and deep connection. Their bond is complicated by Cecily's family's ambitions for her, and both characters must navigate their feelings against societal expectations and personal destinies. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and spiritual awakening.