HEART OF THE TOWN

By Anna Jacobs

Synopsis

Dora Preston is desperate to break free from the drudgery of Hedderby and make a life for herself on the stage. Then she meets Gideon - and pursuing her ambitions becomes even harder. Gideon has returned from the fighting in India only to discover that an impostor has stolen his inheritance. But the forces of goodness are rallying and they are determined to prevail, whatever it takes. Book 4 of 'The Preston Sisters'

Sample Player

Narrator	Anne Dover
Length	12hrs 30mins
Catalogue No.	13290
Publisher	Soundings Audio; 2006

Other audiobooks by Anna Jacobs

BEYOND THE SUNSET

In Western Australia, the Blake sisters are together again. For Cassandra, the Swan River Colony is a refuge after her ordeals, and two of her sisters have fallen in love with their new way of life. But the fourth sister, Pandora, decides to make her way back to the Lancashire moors that she misses so badly. The way home, though, will be even harder than the voyage to Australia. And when she reaches Outham, a devious enemy will do anything to prevent her from taking charge of her family's inheritance...

BRIGHT DAY DAWNING

Gwynna has already fallen from grace once, bearing a stillborn child out of wedlock. Determined to have a respectable future, she finds a position for herself as a nursemaid at Hungerton House. But just as she begins to find her feet, the devastating secrets of her past are revealed. Book 3 of 'The Preston Sisters'

CHERRY TREE LANE

Wiltshire, 1910. With her stepfather threatening her with a forced marriage, Mattie Willitt flees home. But at the mercy of the elements, her life is saved by Jacob, a widower who takes her in and nurses her back to health. The pair soon grow close, but when pressure is put upon them to marry, they must face their fears and stand up to those who threaten their future happiness. Book 1 of 'The Wiltshire Girls'

THE CORRIGAN LEGACY

Once successful businesswoman Maeve Corrigan, is dying. Having no children of her own, she determines that she will bequeath her great wealth to one of her nephews or nieces, the offspring of her two estranged brothers. And so she arranges to meet three of them. The legacy however is not what it seems.

DESTINY'S PATH

Three Blake sisters remain in the Swan River Colony and two are quite happy to forge new lives for themselves there. The third, Xanthe, yearns to see the world. But even if she could afford to travel, could she persuade her beloved twin to let her go? Maia has fallen in love with their employer, and would surely be happiest staying behind. Xanthe's opportunity comes in the form of a handsome Irishman bringing some of the sisters' inheritance from England. But for Maia, the same man brings trouble in his wake - and has the power to make her life a misery. Both sisters' reserves of courage and endurance will be tested before they can finally find a home to call their own.

ELM TREE ROAD

After being driven from home by their brutal father, the Willett sisters find themselves facing greater heartache in the wider world. Nell, the middle daughter, has left home to be with her lover, Cliff. When tragedy strikes, Nell must build a new life for herself. Will she find happiness, or is she too damaged by her past to let herself love again? Book 2 of 'The Wiltshire Girls'

FAREWELL TO LANCASHIRE

Cassandra Blake and her sisters are the pride of their father, Zachariah. When the American Civil War cuts off supplies of cotton to Lancashire, the mills fall silent, and an old feud tears the family apart. Cassandra is kidnapped and her sisters are forced to sail with a group of desperate cotton lasses to the Swan River Colony in Fremantle. Penniless and alone, Cassandra is determined to find them again - but when she is offered a way, will she be able to pay the painful price?

AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN

As the Great War ends Serena Fleming is due an inheritance that could free her from a bullying father. But little does she know how far he will go to prevent her leaving home. Or how desperate he is to limit her and keep his secrets hidden. When she turns thirty, Serena must risk everything to escape his iron rule.

LICENCE TO DREAM

Meriel grows up in England a tomboy, helping her beloved grandfather with DIY projects. At school she discovers a talent and love for art, but her mother forces her to become an accountant. She's good at that too, but her heart just isn't in it. When she wins some money, her lifelong dream suddenly becomes possible, and she quits her job to buy a house in Australia where she can combine her love of the outdoors with her work as an artist. In Australia, Ben has dreams, too, but they've been on hold in the years since his wife's death. Very different characters, each with their own goals, circumstances force Meriel and Ben to share a house and the attraction between them becomes impossible to deny. There are many obstacles to overcome, but if Ben and Meriel work together they might just find a way to save and unite their dreams...

MARRYING MISS MARTHA

When Captain Merridene dies penniless, his daughters Martha and Penelope take an unusual job offer - as teachers in the distant town of Tapton, working for mill owner Jonas Wright. But soon they realise life in Tapton will be more complicated than they had bargained for. Penelope meets Clem Porter, whose family have been brought to starvation by a rival mill owner. Meanwhile, Martha is drawn - against her better judgement - to Ben Seaton, the father of one of her students. The sisters must face hardships and challenges in their new lives, but will they also find love?

MISTRESS OF MARYMOOR

1759: Deborah Jannvier and her widowed mother live in a tiny cottage at the mercy of her cruel uncle. When a hansome stranger brings a message from a dying relative, offering to leave her everything if she does as he asks, Deborah doesn’t hesitate. A midnight ride takes her to Marymoor House, but can she trust herself to this man? And what will she have to do to secure her future?

THE NORTHERN LADY

When beautiful Cassandra Trent is told that she must join her aunt in London, the twenty-year-old is full of rage. Brought up in the Northern town of Bardsley, she wants nothing to do with polite society. But Cassandra forms a close relationship with her gentle cousin Susannah, a victim of her mother's pushy, ambitious nature. Susannah, petrified of marrying the charming, wealthy Simeon Giffard, enlists Cassie's help. It is, after all, Cassie for whom Simeon holds a torch, and he appears set on winning the heart of this strong-willed Northern lady...

OUR EVA

Alice has been like a mother to Eva. As Alice lies dying her nephew, handsome Gus Blake, arrives, presenting her with the answer to her prayers. For Alice is determined that Eva should not end up without a husband and children. Book 3 of 'The Kershaw Sisters'

OUR LIZZIE

Lizzie Kershaw is an independent spirit; ever since her father's death she has had to be a survivor. She marries a selfish and violent man, and with the help of some suffragettes she escapes to Manchester. Here she finds the strength to make things change, and to find happiness with a man who loves her. Book 1 of 'The Kershaw Sisters'

OUR POLLY

Little Billy, Polly's son, is the light of her life. But when Billy is knocked down by a car, his father is killed attempting to save his life, and Polly, cast off by her husband's family, is left with a child who may never walk or talk again. Forced to flee to the coast, Polly and Billy find that their future may lie with another damaged family - but danger threatens their fragile happiness . .Book 2 of 'The Kershaw Sisters'

PERSON OF RANK

Eleanor and Beatrice dream of lovematches but the Dowager insists romantic love is for housemaids, not for the Graceover women. Beatrice, despatched to London to look over the current crop of bachelors, is unimpressed by the frivolities of the Season. Disturbed by the languid charm of Lord Serle and appalled by the mercenary attitudes to marriage displayed by Society, Beatrice's country innocence and unconventional behaviour lead her into some alarming situations. Meanwhile, the beautiful and headstrong Eleanor is up to mischief of her own which is guaranteed to earn the disapproval of her grandmother. A desperate struggle in the potting shed at midnight clears the air; not only does love triumph after all, but the Dowager is not displeased.

PRIDE OF LANCASHIRE

Carrie Preston - the oldest of ten, with incompetent parents, struggles to find food for the younger children. But then Eli Beckett offers her a job at the Dragon pub, and Eli's uncle gives his nephew some land to build a music room. Soon the locals of Hedderby are looking forward to their own place of merriment. But not everyone in the town shares this excitement, and some will stop at nothing in the pursuit of selfish gain... Book 1 of 'The Preston Sisters'

REPLENISH THE EARTH

It is 1735. When her mother dies penniless, Sarah Mortonby unexpectedly inherits a run-down estate from the grandfather she never met. Unable to manage the land alone, and desperately needing help, she finds her life changing after meeting estate manager Will Pursley. Can they save the estate together? And will the fondness growing between Will and Sarah turn into love?

SEASONS OF LOVE

Despite being the daughter of a clergyman with a strict and joyless attitude to life, Helen Merling has a loving heart and a happy nature. However, when she is seduced by a travelling actor, a handsome rogue she meets at the market, they are forced to marry, and Helen's family disowns her. After several unhappy years, Helen and her husband escape to Europe, but their fortunes take a turn for the worse, and soon Helen is alone and responsible for both herself and their son. Two years later, in the picturesque Italian town of Serugia, Helen meets Charles Carnforth. An older man, he falls deeply in love with her... but he's not the only one trying to win Helen's heart. Can a new romance find its way into her life, with all the complications and turmoil that brings?

STAR OF THE NORTH

Marjorie Preston thinks her dreams are going to come true when she is asked to go to London as assistant to the singer Denby Sinclair. But in London disaster strikes, and she is left alone, so will she ever become a successful star of the stage? Book 2 of 'The Preston Sisters' Contains scenes of a sexual nature and language which may offend.

A VALLEY WEDDING

Lancashire, 1936. With her son Gabriel finally married, and her youngest following his dreams of becoming a doctor, Gwynneth Harte finds herself with an empty nest—until a fire forces her to move in with Gabriel and his wife, Maisie, at their home on Daisy Street. Arthur Chapman has been at a low ebb ever since the death of his wife. Turning to drink in his grief, he lost both his job and contact with his grandchild, Beatie—but now the inheritance of a house from a distant relative is the fresh start he needs. When Beatie runs away from her cruel grandmother and takes refuge with Gwynneth, she and Arthur are thrown together—and find themselves growing closer. But trouble is brewing in the valley, from the ambitions of the bullying local landlord to rumours of a Fascist spy. Can the residents of Backshaw Moss band together to keep each other safe, and will there be wedding bells on Daisy Street?

THE WISHING WELL

When her unfaithful husband dies in a car crash, Laura decides to leave Australia for her native England. Desperate to find a job and a home, a moment of chance at a wishing well leads her to Kit - a man in need of a live-in housekeeper. Kit is convalescing after an accident and still coming to terms with his disability. Both struggling in the face of hardship and heartbreak, Laura and Kit must learn how to find solace and strength in each other.

YEW TREE GARDENS

Sisters Mattie, Nell and Renie have all managed to escape their oppressive and bullying father, but now separated, the girls must draw upon their strength and courage to build new lives for themselves. Book 3 of 'The Wiltshire Girls'