Wartime in the Valleys Series by Francesca Capaldi

Shortlisted for The Romantic Novelists' Association Historical Romantic Novel Award 2021 The world was crumbling, but her love stayed strong 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... moreShortlisted for The Romantic Novelists' Association Historical Romantic Novel Award 2021 The world was crumbling, but her love stayed strong 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 Rosie Goodwin and Sheila Newbury will love. Readers are falling in love with Francesca Capaldi's debut ‘this is a really emotional book… I really enjoyed this book and fully recommend it. Worth all the stars’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘ worthy of a 5 star rating … a good book that commands your attention and emotions .’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review 'A lovely debut saga! ... Great story line and wonderful period details .’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘I loved this book … I would heartily recommend it for anyone who enjoys family saga or historical fiction .’ Reader Review ‘an all-engrossing story that swept me along with it . It is a wonderful historical saga… With a hint of romance … It had me go through an array of emotions ’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘this is such a warm-hearted book … I would ask all readers to read this book. I loved it ’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review less

WW1 marches on, but Violet faces her own battle at home 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... moreWW1 marches on, but Violet faces her own battle at home 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 WW1 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 WW1 – will tug on your heart-strings and bring a tear to your eye. If you like Rosie Goodwin or Sheila Newbury you will adore this beautiful Welsh saga. Praise for Francesca Capaldi's emotional WW1 'Rich with well-drawn characters, twists and turns, sense of history and place... it was hard to put down. I loved it! ’ Rosie Hendry, author of the East End Angels series ‘this is a really emotional book…I really enjoyed this book and fully recommend it. Worth all the stars ’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘ worthy of a 5-star rating … a good book that commands your attention and emotions .’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review 'A lovely debut saga !... Great story line and wonderful period details .’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘ I loved this book … I would heartily recommend it for anyone who enjoys family saga or historical fiction .’ Reader Review ‘ an all-engrossing story that swept me along with it. It is a wonderful historical saga … With a hint of romance… It had me go through an array of emotions’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘this is such a warm-hearted book … I would ask all readers to read this book. I loved it ’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review less

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... moreWill 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 as a VAD nurse 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? less

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... moreCan 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 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? less

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... moreCan 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 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? A captivating, romantic wartime saga that fans of Rosie Clarke and Jean Fullerton will love. Readers are loving Trouble in the Valleys : ‘this is such a warm-hearted book… I would ask all readers to read this book . I loved it’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘ Lovely and romantic … This was such an emotional book.Fully recommend it for everyone.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘ Another great book in the valley series. Good prevails and we can wait for the next book to continue our look into their lives after the war.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘The 4th book in a wonderful series , and in my opinion the best one, full of suspense, twists and surprises . A massive 5 stars are given for this book.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘Community and acceptance. Lovely twists at the end. Loved it. ’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘Some sad parts, some romantic parts, a small town you will fall in love with . I enjoyed reading this story and I would recommend it.’ Reader Review ‘ Realistic, well researched, and a portrait of the petty gossip , criminal undertones and friendship and resilience of a small Welshcommunity.’ Reader Review less