The Mersey Mistress by Sheila Riley | Review
A book blog tour from Rachel’s Random Resources.
Thank you to the author, publisher, & Rachel for providing me the information for this tour.
The Mersey Mistress by Sheila Riley Series: Reckoner's Row
Published by Boldwood Books on April 6, 2021
Genres: Family Life, Fiction, Friendship, Historical Fiction, Saga
Format: Audiobook, eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 284
1910 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.
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Source: Amazon Purchase, Kindle Unlimited, Rachel's Random Resources, Received from the author or publisher for review.
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Purchase Links for The Mersey Mistress
- Amazon US
- Amazon UK
- BookShop
- Amazon OneLink for other countries
- Barnes & Noble
- iTunes
- Google Play
- Waterstones
- The Book Depository
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My thoughts on The Mersey Mistress by Sheila Riley
Sheila Riley’s newest book, situated in the Mersey area, is simply amazing. This historical fiction novel will grab you by the heart and keep you turning page after page.
Please note this is a stand-alone entry in the Reckoner’s Row set. This story revolves around Ruby Swift and Anna Cassidy. As their lives become more entwined, what starts as duty, turns to love. We follow along as tragedies are overcome and truly generous, giving people show there is decency among our fellow men.
While Ruby and Anna are the main characters, the large cast of people in the book is what makes it the most appealing. Without Archie, where would Ruby be? Can Anna find her brother Sam? Will Ned travel the world? I could go on and on, but I’ll let you discover the joy of these characters for yourself.
The Mersey Mistress is a family saga that deals with familial duty and the male dominance of the era. It touches on the earliest days of the suffrage movement. I learned more about the orphans called Home Children sent from Britain to Canada as indentured servants to rural farmers.
The poverty of the area is its own character in this story. The stark differences in how each family deals with their dire existence shines through as a moral to the story. While some will beg or steal to make ends meet, many others vow to let their work ethic and personal strength carry them through the most trying of times.
The author does a great job of giving us enough closure to be satisfied while waiting for the next book. There simply must be another book, as I need to know what’s next for these wonderful people.
This heartbreaking yet uplifting tale deeply touched me. It has earned the highest of my recommendations for historical fiction lovers, family sagas, and well-written prose. Please pick up a copy today; I’m sure you won’t be able to put it down.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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The Mersey Mistress by Sheila Riley
About Sheila Riley
Sheila Riley wrote four #1 bestselling novels under the pseudonym Annie Groves and is now writing a new saga trilogy for Boldwood under her own name.
She has set it around the River Mersey and its docklands near to where she spent her early years. She still lives in Liverpool.
Born and raised on Merseyside, Sheila Riley is the eldest of seven children. Her parents John and Peggy took the scenic route through the many family anecdotes they shared and encouraged their daughter to do the same. At school, Sheila quickly discovered her English exam grades could be improved by writing tales in the back of her exercise book, and so began her lifelong love of story-telling. Happily married to Tony, they have three grown-up children, five adorable grandchildren, and a huge German Shepherd who is put in his place by a small, ancient cat called Missy.
Her new trilogy began with The Mersey Orphan in September 2019.
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Purchase this book online from a local book store.
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Similar reviews:
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Excellent review Gina. I love the sounds of this one. I have read a few books dealing with the “Home Children” and would like to read more.
After reading your great review of The Mersey Mistress I followed your link I had to get it! I know it is a standalone but I also went for the first two books. Looking forward to this adventure!
Thanks so much Laurie. I appreciate the support.