Devonshire Sagas Series by Tania Crosse

Dartmoor, 1858.Elizabeth Thornton has every reason to want to escape from home — a ramshackle farm in the middle of nowhere on the wilds of Dartmoor. Since her father’s death, she’s been trapped here, in the clutches of her lascivious uncle.When a position opens up at Rosebank Hall, she jumps at the chance. She will be a domestic drudge at the beck and call of the house’s cantankerous master.It’s hardly the career of her dreams... moreDartmoor, 1858.Elizabeth Thornton has every reason to want to escape from home — a ramshackle farm in the middle of nowhere on the wilds of Dartmoor. Since her father’s death, she’s been trapped here, in the clutches of her lascivious uncle.When a position opens up at Rosebank Hall, she jumps at the chance. She will be a domestic drudge at the beck and call of the house’s cantankerous master.It’s hardly the career of her dreams. Elizabeth wants to be a doctor, but she’ll do anything to be free of her uncle.Then one night, the master’s wayward son turns up, wounded in a conflict in a foreign country — damaged in every way a person can be.But as Elizabeth nurses him back to life, the pair grow closer and everything changes.But Elizabeth’s uncle isn’t ready to relinquish her yet . . .Will she keep on fighting for her freedom? Even with her dark past nipping at her heels? less

Originally published as Cherrybrook Rose and A Bouquet of Thorns.A GRIPPING TALE OF LOVE AND SELF-SACRIFICE SET ON WILD DARTMOORDartmoor, 1875. Rose Maddiford, beautiful, vivacious and intelligent, could have her pick of men across Dartmoor. But she is in no hurry to marry unless it is for true love — and certainly not while she can help her father manage the Cherrybrook Gunpowder Mills.Then tragedy strikes... moreOriginally published as Cherrybrook Rose and A Bouquet of Thorns.A GRIPPING TALE OF LOVE AND SELF-SACRIFICE SET ON WILD DARTMOORDartmoor, 1875. Rose Maddiford, beautiful, vivacious and intelligent, could have her pick of men across Dartmoor. But she is in no hurry to marry unless it is for true love — and certainly not while she can help her father manage the Cherrybrook Gunpowder Mills.Then tragedy strikes. Rose’s father is injured by an explosion at the mill and the family is left teetering on the edge of poverty. Rose is left with just two options: accept arrogant, controlling Charles Chadwicks’s proposal and move to London or let her family perish.ROSE MUST CHOOSE DUTY OVER LOVEAs Rose dives into her new life, she turns her attention to the plight of prisoners held in Dartmoor Prison and discovers new passion and new injustice as she forges a friendship with a wrongly convicted man. Can Rose find justice?As the situation builds to a heart-rending climax, Rose will discover the terrible acts jealousy can spur.The Gunpowder Girl brings together Cherrybrook Rose and A Bouquet of Thorns for the first time, revealing Rose’s full story just as the author intended. less

Originally published as A Dream Rides By.August 1883. The future for Ling Southcott, a quarryman’s daughter, seems to be already mapped. Marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Barney, a cluster of children, a life contained to the hamlet of Foggintor Quarry. For Ling, with her sharp, enquiring mind and love of books, it is an accepted, if unwelcome fate.But then the new Princetown Railway opens across Dartmoor, connecting her remote hamlet to the neighbouring town of Tavistock, and even Plymouth... moreOriginally published as A Dream Rides By.August 1883. The future for Ling Southcott, a quarryman’s daughter, seems to be already mapped. Marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Barney, a cluster of children, a life contained to the hamlet of Foggintor Quarry. For Ling, with her sharp, enquiring mind and love of books, it is an accepted, if unwelcome fate.But then the new Princetown Railway opens across Dartmoor, connecting her remote hamlet to the neighbouring town of Tavistock, and even Plymouth.SUDDENLY THE WORLD IS AT HER FINGERTIPSThen Ling is rescued from a fatal blow. Her rescuer is handsome young medical student Elliott Franfield.Elliott, man of education, is so different from her unambitious Barney. Almost against her will, Ling feels her eyes open to what life could have in store.WILL LING CHANGE HER DESTINY? OR WILL SHE LET OPPORTUNITY SLIP THROUGH HER FINGERS? less

Originally published as The Wrong Side of Happiness.A STRUGGLE TO FIND LOVE AND HAPPINESS AGAINST THE ODDSDevon, 1887. Life has not been kind to dairymaid Tresca Ladycott. She can’t rely on her flighty farmhand father, Emmanuel, so she relies on herself.Then comes a devastating blow. Tresca is sacked from the dairy and the pair lose their home. She and her father seek a new life in bustling Tavistock.More hardship lies ahead. The only work to be found is hard labour on the Great Western Railway... moreOriginally published as The Wrong Side of Happiness.A STRUGGLE TO FIND LOVE AND HAPPINESS AGAINST THE ODDSDevon, 1887. Life has not been kind to dairymaid Tresca Ladycott. She can’t rely on her flighty farmhand father, Emmanuel, so she relies on herself.Then comes a devastating blow. Tresca is sacked from the dairy and the pair lose their home. She and her father seek a new life in bustling Tavistock.More hardship lies ahead. The only work to be found is hard labour on the Great Western Railway. Before long, Emmanual is out of work yet again and Tresca is faced with keeping them both in their tiny garret home.But is her father to blame this time? Tresca can’t help but feel his dashing Irish foreman, Connor O’Mahoney, had a hand in her father’s dismissal.TORN BETWEEN HER HEAD AND HER HEARTEven so, she finds herself drawn to this mysterious stranger. A battle ensues between her head and her heart, testing Tresca’s resolve like never before.Will she keep fighting for her dreams — even when all hope seems lost? less

Dartmoor, 1952.When fifteen-year-old Lily Hayes loses her mother, she finds herself at a crossroads: go to a children’s home or leave the bright lights of London to live with her estranged father in the wilds of Dartmoor.Lily moves from London to Dartmoor determined and excited to find out the truth about her family.Her dour father, Sidney, can be sullen and he has a temper on him. He seems to want nothing to do with her, but Lily vows to make the best of things... moreDartmoor, 1952.When fifteen-year-old Lily Hayes loses her mother, she finds herself at a crossroads: go to a children’s home or leave the bright lights of London to live with her estranged father in the wilds of Dartmoor.Lily moves from London to Dartmoor determined and excited to find out the truth about her family.Her dour father, Sidney, can be sullen and he has a temper on him. He seems to want nothing to do with her, but Lily vows to make the best of things. And there are some things she is grateful for — especially the handsome and charming Edwin Franfield.As Sidney’s gruff manner gradually thaws, Lily learns a little more about her family’s history — and discovers that some secrets are better left untold.Will Lily discover her true identity and find happiness among the dramatic wilderness of Dartmoor, or will the past drive her back to where she comes from?Fans of Nadine Dorries, Rosie Goodwin, Dilly Court, Freda Lightfoot, Anna Jacobs, Rosie Clarke and Catherine Cookson will adore this haunting tale of young love, family secrets and self-discovery. less

A compelling tale of secrets and betrayal, friendship and trust, and the legacy of war.Originally published as Hope at Holly Cottage.Plymouth, 1954.The future seems rosy for Plymouth schoolgirl Anna Millington, as she prepares for teacher training college.But Anna’s life is not what it seems. Her family is hiding a cruel secret that resulted from the worst night of the Plymouth Blitz.Now, the devastating consequences are about to erupt again... moreA compelling tale of secrets and betrayal, friendship and trust, and the legacy of war.Originally published as Hope at Holly Cottage.Plymouth, 1954.The future seems rosy for Plymouth schoolgirl Anna Millington, as she prepares for teacher training college.But Anna’s life is not what it seems. Her family is hiding a cruel secret that resulted from the worst night of the Plymouth Blitz.Now, the devastating consequences are about to erupt again.Fearing for her life, Anna leaves her dreams behind and flees to nearby Dartmoor.It isn’t long before Anna secures a position as a serving girl at Ashcroft Hall. It isn’t the teaching career she longed for. The staff are rude and make no effort to befriend her. But she finds solace in loving Sir Gilbert, Lady Ashcroft’s son, who calls her his ‘little smoky eyes’.It soon becomes clear that Anna’s not the only one with secrets.Will she learn who she can really trust? And can she find the courage to seek out the happiness she truly deserves? less

A compelling tale of secrets and betrayal, friendship and trust in a time of war.1941. Bombs are falling all over Plymouth. Young Maisie O’Sullivan must make a choice that will change her life for ever.Maisie yearns for a family of her own. Raised as a charity orphan in a Catholic convent in Ireland, she believed she was all alone in the world.But when she is twelve, her world is turned upside down by a shocking revelation... moreA compelling tale of secrets and betrayal, friendship and trust in a time of war.1941. Bombs are falling all over Plymouth. Young Maisie O’Sullivan must make a choice that will change her life for ever.Maisie yearns for a family of her own. Raised as a charity orphan in a Catholic convent in Ireland, she believed she was all alone in the world.But when she is twelve, her world is turned upside down by a shocking revelation. She is uprooted from the only life she has ever known, and transplanted against her will to Plymouth, England.Family might not be all it’s cracked up to be. But Maisie is resilient. She surrounds herself with a family of her own making. Lovely old Zeek, her grandfather-like neighbour. Feisty Kitty, her inseparable friend. Young fisherman Nick, her kind and patient boyfriend.Then war breaks out across Europe and a horrific tragedy occurs during one of the worst nights of the Plymouth Blitz. Maisie makes a momentous decision that will take her life in a very unexpected direction . . . But will she be able to live with the consequences? less

A heart-wrenching tale of wartime spirit, love, loss and the courage of a young nurse during the Plymouth Blitz.1941. The midst of the Blitz. Bombs are raining down on the city. In one terrifying moment, trainee nurse Pippa Luscombe’s life is turned upside-down when her hospital takes a direct hit. As Pippa comes to terms with the full extent of the tragedy, she must pick up the pieces of her life. But the incident has left lasting scars... moreA heart-wrenching tale of wartime spirit, love, loss and the courage of a young nurse during the Plymouth Blitz.1941. The midst of the Blitz. Bombs are raining down on the city. In one terrifying moment, trainee nurse Pippa Luscombe’s life is turned upside-down when her hospital takes a direct hit. As Pippa comes to terms with the full extent of the tragedy, she must pick up the pieces of her life. But the incident has left lasting scars. She determines to dedicate her life to her nursing career, and forget about finding love of her own. Until one day she discovers she has an unexpected admirer. A patient hands her a piece of paper. A heartfelt note to his butterfly girl. In this one moment, Pippa’s life is changed once more. The war in Europe rages on. But for Pippa this unsolicited note brings a threat much closer to home. She must make some difficult decisions as she experiences both love and loss in search of her own happiness. less