Mary Wood – The Orphanage Girls @RandomTTours @AuthorMagsMason #TheOrphanageGirls #RandomThingsTours #SharonBTB

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I am so happy to say today on the blog I have The Orphanage Girls by Mary Wood. Thanks to Random Things Tours and Mary Wood for the copy of the book to take part.

Children deserve a family to call their own.

Ruth dares to dream of another life – far away from the horrors within the walls of Bethnal Green’s infamous orphanage. Luckily she has her friends, Amy and Ellen – but she can’t keep them safe, and the suffering is only getting worse. Surely there must be a way out of here?

But when Ruth breaks free from the shackles of confinement and sets out into East London, hoping to make a new life for herself, she finds that, for a girl with nowhere to turn, life can be just as tough on the outside.

Bett keeps order in this unruly part of the East End – and takes Ruth under her wing alongside orphanage escapee Robbie. But it is Rebekah, a kindly woman, who offers Ruth and Robbie a home – something neither have ever known. Yet even these two stalwart women cannot protect them when the police learn of an orphan on the run. It is then that Ruth must do everything in her power to hide.

Her life – and those of the friends she left behind at the orphanage – depend on it.

Every Mary Wood book tears my heart apart everytime I read one. The Orphanage Girls proved no different. Book one in a new series and it makes for a fantastic start.

A historical fiction saga that’s set in Bethnal Green. We meet Ruth, who was abandoned twelve years ago on a priests doorstep and raised in Calton Orphanage. At twelve years old she finds herself free with just the shawl from one of her orphanage family, Hetty. This is the story of Ruth’s journey to attempt to bring a better life for herself and Hetty, Amy and Ellen, her family…the Orphanage Girls.

As always Mary Wood expertly transported me back in time, to Ruth and I felt like I was side by side with her, as she does everything in her power to make a life for them all. Such an emotional tale, with characters so well drawn I found I was invested in Ruth and her family from the very start. I could easily picture Ruth and the almost impossible task she had in front of her. I found myself so happy when Rebekah offered a home to Ruth and a new start.

The research that has been done to create this story shines through every page. There is such authenticity throughout the book, I believed everything I read. I am sure this is going to be one heck of a series when the books are out. Everyone feels real and the sense of place is just right. I was captivated with Ruth and her plight.

A historical saga that will pull at the heartstrings and make you smile as well. The vividness of the details mean you feel like you are there, with friends too. I couldn’t recommend this book enough.

About the Author

Mary Wood


Born the thirteenth child of fifteen to a middle-class mother and an East End barrow boy, Mary Wood’s childhood was a mixture of love and poverty. Throughout her life Mary has held various posts in office roles, working in the Probation services and bringing up her four children and numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An avid reader, she first put pen to paper in 1989 whilst nursing her mother through her last months, but didn’t become successful until she began self-publishing her novels in 2011.

Her novels include All I Have to Give, An Unbreakable Bond, In Their Mother’s Footsteps and The Breckton Novels.

Published by Sharon

A book blogger https://sharonbeyondthebook.wordpress.com

59 thoughts on “Mary Wood – The Orphanage Girls @RandomTTours @AuthorMagsMason #TheOrphanageGirls #RandomThingsTours #SharonBTB”

  1. Oh wow. Thank you so much for this beautiful review. It made my heart sing.
    It seems everything I try to weave into my books really comes through. That gives me so much confidence to keep doing what I am. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Much love Mary x

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    2. Im halfway through and cant read fast enough loving every word and eagerly waiting the next book .thanks mary brilliant as usual x

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  3. This book is at the top of my tbr pile. Can’t wait to read it but when I have finished it I will be on tenterhooks waiting for the next instalment!! I love all your books, I have read most of the Mary Wood ones and every single one of the Maggie Mason ones and have never been disappointed. Thank you Mary.

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  6. Absolutely brilliant writer. I have enjoyed Mary’s books since forever. When waiting for another book I always reread the ones I have. Amazing lady. Keep up the good work xxx

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  9. I ALWAYS look forward to Mary’s new books, as soon as its publication day I’m either pre ordered or hitting the shops. I’ve just started and can’t put this new novel down. Thank you so much Mary, ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

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  11. Just about to start reading The Orphanage Girls, if it’s as good as Mary others reads I really won’t want to put my book down, I certainly will not be disappointed, Mary please keep on writing wonderful books 📚 xxxx

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  15. Such a heartfelt review for a book that will have me reaching for the tissues. I love Mary’s books so will definitely be following this series as well. Thank you for your honest opinion.

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  18. Looking forward to reading this book and if this review is anything to go by, I will not want to put it down until I get to the final page xx

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  29. This books sounds just right for my holiday reading in 4 weeks time. Can’t wait – to read the book and go on holiday  🎉🏝🏖

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  30. Reading this review I want this book it speaks volumes to me I love reading books like this it will be one I will start and not stop till I’m at the end
    I already have one of your books the forgotten daughter I couldn’t put it down

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  32. Thank you for your blog review on Mary’s new Book. I guess I will have to have tissues to hand when I buy the book to read. It will certainly be a book that you would not want to put down and will really tug at the heartstrings. On Tue, 17 May 2022, 11:27 sharonbeyondthebooks.wordpress.com, wrote:

    > Chrissy Dawes commented: “A wonderful review for an amazing author, > started the book last night tissues tissues and more tissues.” >

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