Today it’s the turn of A Mother’s Christmas Wish by Glenda Young to be on the blog. Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Headline Books for my invitation and the copy of the book.
‘I hope this Christmas is better than last year’s.’
Following a scandalous affair, wayward Emma Devaney is sent in disgrace from her home in Ireland to Ryhope, where she will live with her widowed aunt, Bessie Brogan, and help run her pub. Bessie is kind but firm, and at first Emma rebels against her lack of freedom. Struggling to fit in, she turns to the wrong person for comfort, and becomes pregnant.
Accepting she must embrace her new life for the sake of her baby, Emma pours her energy into making the pub thrive and helping heal the fractured relationship between Bessie and her daughters. She catches the attention of Robert, a gruff but sincere farmer, who means to win her heart.
As December approaches, thankful for the home and acceptance she’s found, Emma is determined to bring not just her family, but the whole Ryhope community, together to celebrate – and to make one very special mother’s Christmas dreams come true.
My first Glenda Young book, and not my last! I have always adored historical sagas. The more Northern the better, so when I saw this was set in 1923 in the North-East I thought I would give Glenda Young’s book a try.
What a belter! As we say in the North-West. A story with so much heart any reader has to feel the love this author puts into her writing. We are introduced to Emma, a young woman who had been sent from Ireland after an affair. She is sent to Ryhope, to live with her Aunt Bessie. We see Emma kick against the rules her firm, but fair Aunt sets in place, but after managing to get herself into another situation she redeems herself and pulls together with her Aunt to keep the pub they run, afloat.
This is one heck of a easy read. The pages almost turned themselves. Glenda Young has made some strong and gutsy females in this book! I appreciated Emma’s determination, the hard life women had back then especially when there are no men in the family, was enough to wear anyone down. I felt for her and her Auntie Bessie, I related to them so much, but especially Emma. I understood her position so well and felt like I was stood by her side. The trials and tribulations she goes through proves her strength to all in their community too.
A heartwarming and uplifting read too. One that transported me to the 1920s easily. Ryhope itself is a small community that sticks together through thick and thin. This is something that I miss in this day and age. Glenda Young recreates with a clarity that just proves her research is impeccable.
I do wonder how I haven’t come across this author previously and all I can say now is ‘by ‘eck I need to read t’others’. A marvelously story that felt like a big warm hug and I want to read more! A must for any historical saga readers.
Purchase Links
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mothers-Christmas-Wish-heartwarming-sacrifice-ebook/dp/B09GFHCKBP
US https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Christmas-Wish-heartwarming-sacrifice-ebook/dp/B09GFHCKBP
Author Bio
Glenda Young credits her local library in the village of Ryhope, where she grew up, for giving her a love of books. She still lives close by in Sunderland and often gets her ideas for her stories on long bike rides along the coast. A life-long fan of Coronation Street, she runs two hugely popular fan websites.
Social Media Links
For updates on what Glenda is working on, visit her website glendayoungbooks.com and to find out more find her on Facebook/GlendaYoungAuthor and Twitter @flaming_nora.
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