Absolutely loved this newest Katie Flynn book. You can always depend on this author to give you your money's worth! Cadi and Poppy encounter "adult life" during WW2 in a way that would teach them both the true meaning of family and love. Along the way they meet many characters, some unsavoury, but who leave their marks. Katie Flynn is a published author and the pen name used by Judy Turner. She has written under a few different pen names, including Judith Arden, Lydia Balmain, Judy Turner, and Judith Saxton. Katie Flynn is the author of 47 bestselling novels which have sold over 5 million copies. Her first book, A Liverpool Lass, was published in 1993. Katie Flynn was the pseudonym of the author Judy Turner, who was inspired to write the novels after hearing family recollections of life in Liverpool during the early twentieth century. Judy sadly passed away in January 2019 at the age of 82. Her daughter Holly worked as her assistant for many years and together they co-authored a number of Katie Flynn novels, including Christmas at Tuppenny Corner. The Katie Flynn legacy now lives on through Holly who writes new books, often based on ideas she discussed with her mother. This is my first book by Katie Flynn, I think I was expecting something different, a bit grittier in parts I guess, it was nice… even the events such as the bombing were written lightly. It was a pleasurable book however I don’t think I would read anything by this author again, that’s just my personal opinion.. Katie Flynn is a very popular author with a huge fan base.

The Winter Rose (Audio Download): Katie Flynn, Anne Dover

Their lives in Liverpool could not be more different that where they have run from, they meet Maria, single handedly running a pub, and this gives them hope that without a man around, they can still stand on their feet. Cadi and Poppy may have a Rhos sensibility, but opening their eyes to the outside world gives them choices-will they remain the girls who want to be remembered for competing at the Rose Queen festival, or do they want to become women of the world? Katie Flynn is the pen name of the much-loved writer, Judy Turner, who published over ninety novels in her lifetime. Judy's unique stories were inspired by hearing family recollections of life in Liverpool during the early twentieth century, and her books went on to sell more than eight million copies. Judy passed away in January 2019, aged 82.

Set just before the War, in a little village in Wales, two friends are part of the yearly celebrations with Cadi being The Rose Queen. Cadi has her heart on escaping her village and making something of her life, and not settling down and marrying Aled, the farmers son, which is her dad's desire. A different type of read from those I normally lean towards, this was a delightful break from one world inhabited by horror, to another, more real one, set at the start of the second World War. This port came under constant fire during the war and is a neat metaphor for the bombshells dropping around them as they try to make their way in a place which could swallow their homestead many times over. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Libby is on the cusp of making a decision that could jeopardise her future when a local boy saves her from ruin. The setting is Liverpool in England and the year is 1905. The month is December, and it is the dead of winter. Dawn is breaking on a morning that is blustery with wind and raw, and this is the time when a newborn baby is placed at an orphanage’s front door. This baby girl has been abandoned but placed at the steps where she can be hopefully taken in and cared for.

The Winter Rose By Katie Flynn |The Works

It is a better fate than other infants have met, and the foundling is so cute and helpless that something surprising happens. The baby is not only taken in but the maid that works there, Nellie McDowell, decides to adopt this infant and will raise her up just like an authentic biological sister. Under her different pen names she was able to release around 90 books. 27 of those novels were composed under the name of Flynn. She passed away in 2019. The years that come after see Nellie do her best to take care of Lilac as she grows from an infant to a young girl. They become very close and the maid of all work does her best to try and guide and love this orphan just like they were siblings. It is like they really are sisters because of how much they care for each other. But even though Nellie gave Lilac a step up in the world and it’s better than nothing, it does not mean that their situation is entirely advantageous.Will they return home, to the words from their parents "I told you so" and failure, or will they survive? The festive follow-up to The Rose Queen , from beloved Sunday Times bestselling author Katie Flynn.

The Winter Rose by Katie Flynn - Penguin Books New Zealand The Winter Rose by Katie Flynn - Penguin Books New Zealand

And this one certainly filled this criteria and was a really good read. Such a good read that as I read before bed I had some very late nights. Cadi has always wanted more for herself than scraping a living with a husband and babies and at the grand old age of 17 she decides to take a leap and head for the bright lights if Liverpool with her friend Poppy. Her father is not impressed as he had his sights on her marrying Aled, the son of a farmer, so she would have financial stability. Marriage is not something Cadi is up for any time soon. Joining the WAAF also means she is closer to her beau - until Jez is sent thousands of miles from home. While Jez is in Africa, someone from the past starts spreading vicious rumours that could threaten their relationship, and Cadi finds herself torn between keeping secrets and telling the truth to protect those she holds dear. After arriving they have a violent encounter leading them to The Greyhound pub run by Landlady Maria. She takes them under her wing putting them to work and paying them with bed and board.This is a very gentle, WWII romance. This probably wouldn’t be my go to genre, but I found it a very easy and enjoyable read. Katie Flynn writes such beautiful books with just the right amount of violence and warmth. Her characters are interesting and many likable. She describes the surrounding area so well that you feel as though you are almost there.