National Network for Equitable Library Service

Lancashire, 1858. Annie Hallam has at last found complete happiness. She has three healthy children and adores her husband Frederick.

For Mattie Willit, caught in a thunderstorm running away from her bullying stepfather,rescue comes in the form of Jacob Kemble,a widowed farmer living with his two young children.

Ismay Deagan has one wish in the world - to leave Ireland and join her brother, Bram, in Australia. However, her father has other ideas and orders her to marry their vicious neighbour Rory Flynn.

In 1640s Puritan Massachusetts, Susannah awaits an overdue marriage proposal, while a powerful villager takes a fancy to her.

As Clara Carter's social debut looms in 1890s New York City, the spotlight turns her into a society-page darling. Yet her new status rings hollow.

Hannah Sunderland is devastated when her brother is jailed for joining the Colonial cause.