The book examines how an organisation originating in late eighteenth-century Ireland became a significant and controversial element in Liverpool history. Using a wide range of sources including rarely accessed Orange Order records it places the Order within an early nineteenth-century Liverpool context of apocalyptic evangelical Protestantism, a labour market dominated by irregular dock work, a growing influx of immigrant Catholic Irish, marked residential segregation and sporadic civil conflict. It explores how the Order survived official disapproval, dissolution and schism to become deeply rooted within Protestant working-class communities. It analyses the attractions of lodge life, the appeal of ritual, colourful regalia and 12th July processions, the intense social bonding within lodges, the mutual support provided in adversity and measure taken to guard and transmit their world view. The intense royalism and patriotism of the Order and its troubled relationship with the Church of England are examined plus its role in sustaining the working class Tory vote which contributed to a century long Conservative hegemony in city politics. The book concludes with the cultural and socio-economic changes in British society which marginalised the core concerns of the Order, triggering decline in strength, visibility and significance in civic life.
Twins, separated at birth, are reunited... with dramatic consequences. Anne Baker writes a compelling saga in A Mersey Duet, in which two sisters learn that despite their differences, some bonds cannot be broken. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Lindsey Hutchinson. When Elsa Gripper dies in childbirth on Christmas Eve, 1912, her grief-stricken husband is unable to cope with his two new-born babies, Lucy and Patsy, so the twins are separated. Lucy is taken home with Elsa's parents, who run a successful business, Mersey Antiques, and she grows up spoiled and pampered with no interest in the family firm. Patsy has a more down-to-earth upbringing, living with their father and other grandmother above the Railway Arms. And through further tragedy she learns to be responsible from an early age. Then Patsy is invited to work for her grandfather at Mersey Antiques, which she hopes will bring her closer to Lucy. But it is to take a series of dramatic events for the twins to be drawn together. What readers are saying about A Mersey Duet: 'This is a really good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would certainly recommend this book and author to everyone' 'I have now read quite a few of [Anne Baker's] books and I've been lost in each one. They are a great read, I definitely recommend them!'
Continue the intriguing adventure with Sheila Riley's brilliant and gritty Reckoner's Row series Liverpool 1953 January sees the dawn of the Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation year as the mothers of Reckoners Row unite in preparation for the celebration of the new Queen. Meanwhile Evie Kilgaren is dreaming of her summer wedding to Danny Harris, but trouble looms for Skinner & Sons with a new rival trying to put them out of business, but no-one knows why.... Ada Harris is summoned to the bedside of her estranged husband, who, in his dying moment confesses to a deadly secret - he knows who really murdered Evie’s mam Rene all those years ago and the consequences are far reaching. Has an innocent man been jailed and is there still a murderer walking carefree? Will Evie get the happy-ever-after she so longs for with Danny? And will The Mersey Mothers unite and still be friends? Praise for Sheila Riley: 'A powerful and totally absorbing family saga that is not to be missed. I turned the pages almost faster than I could read.' Carol Rivers 'A fabulous story of twists and turns - a totally unputdownable, page turner that had me cheering on the characters. I loved it!' Rosie Hendry 'A thoroughly enjoyable, powerful novel' Lyn Andrews 'An enchanting, warm and deeply touching story' Cathy Sharp 'Vivid, compelling and full of heart. Sheila is a natural-born storyteller.' Kate Thompson 'This author knows the Liverpool she writes about; masterly storytelling from a true Mersey Mistress.' Lizzie Lane
The next gripping instalment in Sheila Riley's brilliant Reckoner's Row series When the truth comes out, there'll be hell to pay... Liverpool, 1950 When Evie Kilgaren takes over the running of the back office at Skinner and Son's haulage yard, she has no idea she is walking into a hive of blackmail, secrets and lies. Her fellow co-worker and childhood nemesis, Susie Blackthorn, is outraged at being demoted and is hell-bent on securing the affections of local heartthrob Danny Harris. Grace Harris, a singer on the prestigious D’Angelo transatlantic ocean liners, is returning home engaged to be married. But Grace is harbouring her own shocking secrets and something valuable her fiancé very desperately wants back. As we return to the lives and loves of those who live and work in the Mersey Docklands, not everything is as it seems and love and luck are rarely on the same side. A gritty, historical family drama full of laughter and tears from the author of Annie Groves’ bestsellers including Child of the Mersey and Christmas on the Mersey. Perfect for fans of Chrissie Walsh, Katie Flynn and Dilly Court. If you love Sheila's Reckoners Row series, you'll love Beamer Street and the Dockside Saga series Praise for Sheila Riley: 'Read the first book now the second book just fantastic . Can't wait to read the next book about Reckoner's Row' - Reader Review 'Top book. The books twists and turns kept me occupied I loved it waiting to reading the next one thank you for such a good book happy endings are the best' - Reader Review ‘A fast paced story-line and believable characters set against the background of a war-battered city still struggling against austerity, rationing, the black market and poverty added to the authenticity of what I am sure will be the beginning of a successful series’ - Lyn Andrews 'Great read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book had me hooked since the first chapter can't wait to read the next one and follow evie and her family's life' - Reader Review ‘An enchanting, warm and deeply touching story about a brave young girl fighting against injustice. Loved it and look forward to her next book.’ - Cathy Sharp ‘Oh what a wonderful story this is. I enjoyed every bit of Evies story suffering lots of traumas and struggles in her life. This book will definitely keep you reading on chapter after chapter I really enjoyed it, and looking forward to more from this author. A beautiful family saga.’ - Reader Review ‘Excellent story with characters that pull at your heartstrings.’ - Reader Review ‘Powerful, emotional and intense, The Orphan Daughter has at its heart a fantastic heroine readers will root for and a cast of brilliantly nuanced characters it is impossible not to care about. Written straight from the heart, The Orphan Daughter is a must-read for saga fans everywhere!’ - Reader Review ‘A really heart warming read for the winter months. Lovely characters, richly drawn and well rounded.’ - Reader Review ‘From the first page I was hooked. I’ve loved reading this fabulous story.’ - Reader Review 'This author knows the Liverpool she writes about; masterly storytelling from a true Mersey Mistress.' Lizzie Lane
A gripping saga from Liverpool's very own bestselling author, Sheila Riley1910 LIVERPOOL DOCKS Ruby Swift is a hard-working, straight-talking woman of substance who does not suffer fools gladly. But when tragedy strikes on a bitter Christmas Eve, Ruby and her beloved husband Archie take matters into their own hands when a trusted employee’s house is mysteriously engulfed by flames and lives are lost. Orphaned by the fire, Ruby welcomes heartbroken sixteen-year-old Anna Cassidy, into her home but is unable to save Anna's twelve-year-old brother Sam, who is sent by the Church to Canada as a Homeboy. Can Ruby help mend a broken heart and can these two children ever be reunited or is there another higher game in play? Mersey Mistress takes you on a journey to another time, another place. From the banks of the River Mersey to the frozen waters of the Canadian Saint Laurence River. Praise for Sheila Riley: 'A powerful and totally absorbing family saga that is not to be missed. I turned the pages almost faster than I could read.' Carol Rivers 'A fabulous story of twists and turns - a totally unputdownable, page turner that had me cheering on the characters. I loved it!' Rosie Hendry 'A thoroughly enjoyable, powerful novel' Lyn Andrews 'An enchanting, warm and deeply touching story' Cathy Sharp 'Vivid, compelling and full of heart. Sheila is a natural-born storyteller.' Kate Thompson 'This author knows the Liverpool she writes about; masterly storytelling from a true Mersey Mistress.' Lizzie Lane
A young girl determines to leave her privileged upbringing behind for Liverpool's slums, but can her new life bring love and happiness? Lyn Andrews writes a compelling saga in Where the Mersey Flows - a reminder of the power of friendship, loyalty and love. Perfect for fans of Anne Baker, Katie Flynn and Cathy Sharp. Leah Cavendish and Nora O'Brian seem to have little in common - except their friendship. Nora is a domestic servant and Leah the daughter of a wealthy haulage magnate but both are isolated beneath the roof of the opulent Cavendish household. Instantly they recognise kindred spirits in each other. When Nora is unfairly flung on to the streets by Leah's grasping brother-in-law, the outraged Leah follows her, defiantly declaring her intention to move into a house in Liverpool's docklands, alongside Nora and her impoverished family. But nothing can prepare Leah for the squalor that greets her in Oil Street. Nor for Sean Maguire, Nora's defiant Irish neighbour... What readers are saying about Where the Mersey Flows: 'This novel is gripping and interesting... A stunning read' 'Wonderful story, as always with this author - five stars'
Once war strikes, life can never be the same again... A close-knit community is devastated by the outbreak of World War I in heart-breaking saga, Mist over the Mersey - a tale of families, friendship and romance from bestselling author Lyn Andrews. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Maureen Lee. The Chatterton family is far too posh for the Liverpool slums where they've ended up. Nancy Butterworth and Abbie Kerrigan, lifelong residents of the place, tried to befriend Dee Chatterton, but her mother wants her to have nothing to do with such rough children. The Burgess family looks forward to the arrival of their young cousin Sean from Dublin, and Nancy is not the first to lose her heart to the Irish charmer. In 1914 things are to change dramatically, and the families are to find that money and social position mean nothing when the horrors of the First World War invade their lives and take away their sons... Don't miss Lyn Andrews' sequel to the novel, Mersey Blues. What Amazon readers are saying about Mist Over the Mersey: 'This book grabs you from the first word to the last. As soon as I started to read it, I could see all the characters so clearly, as if I were there with them. It only took me two days to read it, as I could not put it down' 'Lyn Andrews is definitely an author you want to discover time and again. She writes with real clarity, wit and warmth...The characters that Lyn Andrews has written about are people that you feel are truly real'
The Great War is over, but one family's journey has just begun... Sunlight on the Mersey is an engaging saga full of nostalgia and heartbreak from much-loved author Lyn Andrews, whose novels will be enjoyed by fans of Katie Flynn and Dilly Court. Three years have passed since the end of the Great War. Yet life in Liverpool remains uncertain for shopkeeper's wife Kate Mundy and her family. Following recent heartbreak, seventeen-year-old Rose is sent to work in rural Wales, where she is enchanted by the 'big house' and by David, its tragic young owner. Sister Iris can't escape so easily, especially when an accident has devastating consequences for the family. Meanwhile ex-soldier Charlie is keen to secure a brighter future for himself... even if it means putting ambition above his own happiness. There is romance in store for each of the family. But can love blossom amidst the challenges that lie ahead? What Amazon readers are saying about Sunlight on the Mersey: 'An engaging and engrossing read... It was a relaxing book, a good way to curl up against a cold dreary day with rain and snow falling outside. Soon that gloomy picture outside my window was forgotten and I was lost in the world of the Mundy family' 'This book was a pleasure to read. At times I found it hard to put down, the story was lovely'
With the promise of happiness on the horizon, can a young woman help those she loves to achieve the same? A heart-warming and touching saga, Anne Baker's A Glimpse of the Mersey follows a young woman's eventful search for happiness and belonging. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Sheila Newberry. Daisy Corkill has never known who her parents were - or why they left her to be brought up by the couple she calls 'Uncle' Ern and 'Aunt' Gladys. Daisy yearns for the love and security that a family of her own would give her, but she finds comfort in her relationship with Brenda, her older 'sister'. One day in 1919 Brenda arrives home flushed with excitement. She has agreed to marry businessman Gil Fox. Daisy is horrified, for she doesn't trust the handsome Gil. And soon after their wedding, Brenda realises that Gil isn't the man she thought he was. But Daisy's dreams are about to come true; a family of her own is finally within her reach. But will it be enough to get her through some stormy times? What readers are saying about A Glimpse of the Mersey: '[I] got through it so quickly; I couldn't put it down with its thrilling storyline and charm. Praise for Anne Baker as always' 'Great author, gets you right into the story and keeps you enthralled!'
For three friends, life after the Great War will never be the same again... Mersey Blues is a heart-rending portrayal of Liverpool in the years between the wars - of the rebuilding of the city, and the people's dreams of peace, from bestselling author Lyn Andrews. Perfect for fans of Anne Baker, Dilly Court and Sheila Newberry. Mersey Blues is the sequel to Lyn Andrews' much-loved wartime saga, Mist Over The Mersey. The Great War had ended and Scotland Road was left to count the cost. Many young men had not come back; those who had would never be the same again. Dee Chatterton and Abbie Kerrigan had seen the horrors of war for themselves as nurses in military hospitals abroad. While Abbie settled down in the familiar surroundings of Scotland Road, for others, different horizons beckoned. Dee went to live in Canada, while their friend Hannah Harvey became personal nurse to none other than Richard, seventh Earl of Ashenden, badly injured in the war. Moving to the splendours of Ashenden Hall was to bring her unimagined happiness, but also the heartache of being separated for ever from her family and friends. What readers are saying about Mersey Blues: 'Very good read, just could not wait to read it. Brilliant writer' 'I enjoyed the story so much I immediately bought another Lyn Andrews. Somehow I just flew through the pages, which I think shows that the pace keeps you turning the pages' 'Five stars'
