The Daughters of Mersey Square by Pam Howes is a poignant and emotionally charged historical novel set in Stockport, 1984, that delves into themes of tragedy, betrayal, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through the lens of Sammy Cantello's life, Howes portrays the complexities of family dynamics and the turmoil of unexpected life events.
Sammy's character embodies the strength and vulnerability of a woman facing the worst fears a mother can imagine—the potential loss of her child. The narrative builds tension and empathy as she grapples with this tragedy while simultaneously uncovering her husband Roy's infidelity. Howes’s portrayal of Sammy's emotional journey is both authentic and compelling, inviting readers to walk in her shoes during this turbulent period.
The twist in the story, revealing Roy's mistress, Olivia Grant, as pregnant with his child, adds a complex layer to the narrative. This revelation is not just a plot device but a catalyst for exploring deeper themes of forgiveness and compassion. Howes navigates the intricate emotions surrounding this situation, from betrayal and anger to an unexpected sense of kinship and responsibility. The decision Sammy faces—whether to help raise the child of her husband's affair—is a testament to her character's depth and the novel's exploration of maternal love and moral dilemmas.
The setting of Mersey Square in the 1980s is vividly rendered, providing a backdrop that adds to the novel's authentic feel. Howes's attention to historical detail and the socio-cultural context of the time enriches the story, making it not just a personal journey but also a reflection of the era's challenges and norms.
Fans of authors like Nadine Dorries, Diney Costeloe, and Nancy Revell will indeed find a familiar warmth in Howes's storytelling. The Daughters of Mersey Square stands out for its emotional depth, well-crafted characters, and a storyline that beautifully intertwines sorrow with hope. It is a testament to the strength of friendship and the courage to face life's most daunting challenges. This book is a journey through the myriad emotions that define the human experience.
More About the Book
Mersey Square, Stockport, 1984. Can she find the courage to overcome a devastating tragedy?
Sammy and Roy Cantello have been inseparable since they were teenage sweethearts. Married for twenty years, their eldest son is the apple of Sammy’s eye. When the police arrive, telling her there’s been a devastating crash, it is the worst night of her life. Her boy had always been such a safe driver, what could possibly have gone wrong?
As her firstborn fights for his life and Sammy searches for answers, she realises there’s only one thing that could have been distracting her child: his father Roy’s recent affair with another woman, Olivia Grant. Sammy thought their relationship was over for good, but is there something Roy hasn’t told her?
Desperate for answers about her son’s accident, she goes to see Olivia. But as Sammy enters Olivia’s small flat, she is shocked to her very core: Olivia’s rounded belly tells her this woman is carrying her husband’s child.
As her own son slips away, Sammy is consumed by grief, but she realises that the other woman is struggling too. When Olivia decides she is not the best person to raise her child and begs for support, Sammy knows that her son would want her to help. Can Sammy find the courage to raise her husband’s child as her own?
Fans of Nadine Dorries, Diney Costeloe and Nancy Revell will absolutely love this heart-wrenching and gripping historical novel about courage, hope and the strength of friendship.
Purchase link:
Daughters of Mersey Square: https://geni.us/B0CKHW3M9Jsocial
Also publishing on the same day, Secrets of Mersey Square: https://geni.us/B0CLKBMYLTsocial
And Dreams of Mersey Square: https://geni.us/B0CLKZVS76social
About Pam Howes
Pam Howes was born in Cheshire. She is an ex Interior Designer who began writing seriously in the mid nineties. The idea for her first novel, set in the sixties, was inspired by her time as a teenager, working in a local record store and hanging around with musicians who frequented the business. That first novel evolved into a series set in the fictional town of Pickford, based on her home town of Stockport. Pam is a big fan of sixties music and it's this love that compelled her to write the series. A stand-alone true-life romance, Fast Movin' Train, set in the nineties, was published in early 2012. Pam is mum to three adult daughters, grandma to seven assorted grandchildren, and roadie to one musician partner.
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pam-Howes-Books/260328010709267
And Twitter @PamHowes1
Comments ()