‘The Mersey Mistress’ by Sheila Riley and is a historical saga set in 1910 in Liverpool. Sheila Riley is a marvel for recreating days gone by and with them the harshness and cruelty experienced during that time.
We are swept back to 1910 and the dock area of Liverpool. I must say that Sheila Riley does have a knack for establishing a really strong sense of place and that creates a realistic and very believable historical story. Sheila Riley deftly draws us into this story of Ruby Swift and Anna Cassidy. These two women have suffered so much tragedy in both their lives. Ruby had to turn her back on everything familiar to have her happiness in life, while Anna is trying to find happiness. Both women have lost family bringing so much pain to their lives but they carry on fighting showing they are determined to be survivors.
Sheila Riley has successfully created a story that shows us the highs and lows of these women’s lives which reflects the norms of this period in history. I found it an emotional read at certain points but hope always shines through.
‘The Mersey Mistress’ is a fabulous historical saga laced with romance that has the ingredients to captivate from the first to the last page. I am eagerly waiting for the next chapter now.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Sheila Riley for the copy of the book and my place on the tour today.
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