From rural rags to brief riches and back to ruin, this is a moving saga of hard work, bad luck and finally hope for a family's future.

Gloria Sullivan can't quite believe where she has ended up.

Growing up with no money worries, she fell head over heels in love with the handsome, hardworking Irishman employed by her father. They were the golden couple - until the Wall Street crash, when everything was lost. Finally she agreed to start again in London with husband Joe and their small son.

World War Two was raging, and Joe laboured on the docks by day and fighting fires by night. He was a hero - but one dreadful fire left him terribly injured. Once more Gloria resolved to leave everything behind and to take Joe home to his family farm in Ireland, his only hope of recovery.

Gloria now dutifully nurses her husband, but she can't settle in the countryside. Then a nearby American base begins recruiting civilians. Gloria tells everyone it's her chance to do her bit - but will she be tempted to do much more?

About the Author

Anne Bennett was born in the Horsefair district of Birmingham. The daughter of Roman Catholic Irish immigrants, she grew up in a tight-knit community. For many years she taught in schools to the north of Birmingham, before an accident put paid to that career. This gave her the chance to write full time. She has four children and five grandchildren. In 2006, after sixteen years in a wheelchair, Anne was able to walk again.

Reviews

Praise for Anne Bennett:

'A powerful, heart-wrenching saga from the much-loved author of "Daughter of Mine" and "Danny Boy"...This ["Mother's Only Child"] is a page-turning saga of love, loss and family ties' Woman's Weekly

'[Anne Bennett] is blessed with a vivid imagination and a natural aptitude for writing' Daily Post

'The beauty of Anne's books is that they are about normal people and are sewn through with human emotions which affect us all' Birmingham Post

'Powerfully written' Woman Book Club

'A brilliant story and very gripping...Anne Bennett really brings the characters to life. It's a great read. You won't be able to put the book down' Yours

Book Information
ISBN 9780007226061
Author Anne Bennett
Format Paperback
Page Count 432
Imprint HarperCollins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 230g
Dimensions(mm) 178mm * 111mm * 26mm