The Nightingale Lane Series by Andrea Hicks

CHRISTMAS 1917Carrie is so grateful that she can call 99 Nightingale Lane home, and Christmas promises to be one to cherish with her dear friends around her and the first one her son, John will remember, but a cloud hangs over her happiness.Arnold Bateman, Carrie's estranged husband is back in Whitechapel. He has made it clear to Carrie that he wants her back, not to be a husband to her, but simply for what she now owns... moreCHRISTMAS 1917Carrie is so grateful that she can call 99 Nightingale Lane home, and Christmas promises to be one to cherish with her dear friends around her and the first one her son, John will remember, but a cloud hangs over her happiness.Arnold Bateman, Carrie's estranged husband is back in Whitechapel. He has made it clear to Carrie that he wants her back, not to be a husband to her, but simply for what she now owns. Unknown to Carrie he has visited the house on many occasions to persuade her, but has received constant rebuttals from Ida Coyle, Carrie's loyal cook. When Arnold arrives unannounced on Christmas Eve demanding to be given admittance to the house Carrie is devastated, wondering how she can prevent him from taking what he insists the law says is his. The Belgian refugees, Joshka, Gregor and Asher prevent him from entering, but as he falls into a snow-filled gutter after an altercation with Joshka, he promises Carrie she will lose everything, including her beloved son...and he'll make sure of it.Follow Carrie's story in this next riveting full-length novel of CHRISTMAS AT 99 NIGHTINGALE LANE.What readers are saying about 99 Nightingale Lane...What a gorgeous story. The writing is beautiful and the storytelling is lyrical. I was captured from page one.When I read a book - it's all about the characters, and 99 Nightingale Lane has multi-dimensional characters that will stay with you long after you've read the last page. I rooted for them and I cried with them.I was absolutely captivated by the heroine. She's strong and brave despite every reason not to be.The author takes you from the drawing rooms in London to the teeming streets of Bombay. The writing is so deliciously descriptive I was transported.If you love stories about women who overcome odds, and if you're looking for the next book to take you away - this is the one. Amazon ReviewerI loved the Dickensian tone to this page-turning story of romance and tragedy in India, an historical novel depicting class, race, and betrayal. Carrie Dobbs is a heroine from whom the reader can learn about resilience, grit and forgiveness. Highly recommend! Amazon Reviewer99 Nightingale Lane…historical fiction and historical romance to capture your heart! less

INSPIRED BY STORIES FROM 99 NIGHTINGALE LANE and to accompany the popular seriesStories and recipes from 99 Nightingale Lane from Ida CoyleI do believe I was born thinking about food, which didn’t do me much good seeing as we didn’t have much of it. I know I’m lucky compared to many who had it harder than me…I’ve worked at 99 Nightingale Lane for most of my life, taken in by the family who lived there before the Sterns when my Ma was killed by The Ripper... moreINSPIRED BY STORIES FROM 99 NIGHTINGALE LANE and to accompany the popular seriesStories and recipes from 99 Nightingale Lane from Ida CoyleI do believe I was born thinking about food, which didn’t do me much good seeing as we didn’t have much of it. I know I’m lucky compared to many who had it harder than me…I’ve worked at 99 Nightingale Lane for most of my life, taken in by the family who lived there before the Sterns when my Ma was killed by The Ripper. They were an old London family, not that I would have taken any notice then. I was just a smidgen of a girl, one of many who worked here, nearly as many as the fleas on a dog’s tail. And...this is one of the things I learned from Mrs Brimble, the cook who taught me everything I know.'When I think about where I was born, where we lived over the tanners shop, and what my Ma had to do to put food on the table,’ I shook my head, ‘she wouldn’t believe that I stood there in that grand room, amongst all those beautiful things. And now I’m here in this kitchen with you, cooking the Hamilton’s luncheon. I so wish she could see me now.’Mrs Brimble put a hand on my arm. ‘She is watching, Ida, and I know she’d be proud of how well you’ve done and how hardworking you are, but not because of who you work for. She’d be proud because of who you are, the type of person you’ve become. That’s what’s important, ducky, not money and things what can be bought. Not tables of silverware and fruits from the continents or gowns from the salons of Bond Street. You’re just a little’un really, still young, but you will learn about what’s important, and there will be more laughter and smiles and happiness below stairs around our simple table when we have our Christmas dinner than there will be in that beautiful room, you mark my words.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Y’see, Ida, they haven’t learned how to count their blessings. This is just another day to them. They see rooms like that all the time so they’ve forgotten how to be swept away by it. Do you think Lady Davinia will go into that room and widen her eyes in wonder like you did? Do you think Mr and Mrs Hamilton will take much notice of the table that the upstairs maids and the footman worked so hard to make look lovely? They’ll give it a glance only to find an imperfection. It’s how they are. They have plenty, they definitely do, but none of them appreciate it.’ She stared at me. ‘And that’s for your ears only,’ she whispered.You see. I had the best teacher.This is my story, of when I was a girl starting work at the age of thirteen and how I fought my way through the ranks below stairs to become cook at 99 Nightingale Lane. And I've brought my favourite recipes with me, documented in MRS COYLE'S COOKBOOK for you to make yourself for you and your family to enjoy.I hope you love my story and my recipes. It means so much to me that I've been given the opportunity to share them with you.Warmest wishes from your friend, Ida Coyle. Cook at 99 Nightingale Lane less

The war in Europe still rages in 1918.Carrie's work with convalescing soldiers continues. The Belgian refugees have returned to their homeland, leaving behind a request for her to visit when the war is over, one she readily accepts. The day of Arnold's funeral has passed, much to Carrie's relief, but her mind still conjures with the knowledge she holds about the gold and diamond Star of David pin found near Arnold's body... moreThe war in Europe still rages in 1918.Carrie's work with convalescing soldiers continues. The Belgian refugees have returned to their homeland, leaving behind a request for her to visit when the war is over, one she readily accepts. The day of Arnold's funeral has passed, much to Carrie's relief, but her mind still conjures with the knowledge she holds about the gold and diamond Star of David pin found near Arnold's body. Someone killed him and until she knows who she will not rest, even though she had no love for Arnold because of his treatment of her and her son, John. She knows The Star of David is a symbol of the Jewish faith, and remembers her first love and John's father, Johan wearing a pin on his lapel, yet cannot bring it to mind enough to challenge him.And then there is her sister, Elsie's disappearance. Her little daughter, Rose pines for her. Carrie has run out of answers and is left only with many questions as to why, if Elsie is safe and sound, she would not have let them know and ensured Rose's safety. The drama of the war still plays out in Europe and beyond, yet unknown to all of them another enemy is about to make itself known in the most devastating way, and will challenge Carrie and her family more than they ever thought possible.What readers are saying about 99 Nightingale Lane...What a gorgeous story. The writing is beautiful and the storytelling is lyrical. I was captured from page one.When I read a book - it's all about the characters, and 99 Nightingale Lane has multi-dimensional characters that will stay with you long after you've read the last page. I rooted for them and I cried with them.I was absolutely captivated by the heroine. She's strong and brave despite every reason not to be.The author takes you from the drawing rooms in London to the teeming streets of Bombay. The writing is so deliciously descriptive I was transported.If you love stories about women who overcome odds, and if you're looking for the next book to take you away - this is the one. Amazon ReviewerI loved the Dickensian tone to this page-turning story of romance and tragedy in India, an historical novel depicting class, race, and betrayal. Carrie Dobbs is a heroine from whom the reader can learn about resilience, grit and forgiveness. Highly recommend! Amazon Reviewer99 Nightingale Lane…historical fiction and historical romance to capture your heart! less