When she got older, she decided that she wanted to join a writing group. She joined a writing circle and it helped not only inspire and focus her but got her started on writing short stories and articles and working on her writing. She started writing novels in 1971, but only because there was a strike that got rid of her main income and this was the catalyst for her to turn to fiction. The country and the times are also relentlessly moving forward. Nellie is excited to find that she has a whole new world of romantic prospects open to her and hopes to find love. Even as she becomes an established young woman, she still has not found someone that has not betrayed her. The more that she needs love in her life, the more she finds that it is eluding her. I've never read a book by this author that I've not loved and could easily rate higher than five stars and this one is no exception.

The Winter Rose by Katie Flynn - Penguin Books Australia The Winter Rose by Katie Flynn - Penguin Books Australia

The novel started off well with the idea of Cadi joining the WAAF and wanting to do something useful and productive during the war effort. However, the plot became messy and small minor incidents became blown out of proportion into drama that divided many characters. The idea that Cadi had nightmares after the explosion at the Greyhound pub was not carried out throughout the rest of the novel, it was mentioned once and never again. I think having a deeper analysis to why Cadi was impacted this way and how she could overcome these scars left by war would have made her character more developed. Cadi also appeared as someone who follows gossip and rumours without seeing the facts; this is evident in her feud with Daphne and her relationship with Aled. Under her different pen names she was able to release around 90 books. 27 of those novels were composed under the name of Flynn. She passed away in 2019. The years that come after see Nellie do her best to take care of Lilac as she grows from an infant to a young girl. They become very close and the maid of all work does her best to try and guide and love this orphan just like they were siblings. It is like they really are sisters because of how much they care for each other. But even though Nellie gave Lilac a step up in the world and it’s better than nothing, it does not mean that their situation is entirely advantageous. It is 1938, and Cadi is chosen to be Rose Queen in the annual Rose Fete. She's thrilled to be treated like royalty for the day. But deep down she's desperate to leave the Welsh mining community where she grew up.I have to admit that 'The Rose Queen' of the title is only a very small part at the beginning but does start the tale of 2 Welsh lasses who want to see the wider world offered in Liverpool in WW2

The Winter Rose by Katie Flynn | Goodreads

When tragedy strikes, Libby Gilbert is left homeless and destitute, fending for herself on the capital's most dangerous streets.Having said that, once I had reset my brain to understand this was more of a sentimental piece focusing on love and friendship, I began to enjoy myself. Flynn looks at the joys of leaving home to discover yourself, and the relinquishment of the protection and comfort of a family bubble.

The Winter Rose: The heartwarming festive novel from the The Winter Rose: The heartwarming festive novel from the

A story of heartbreak and love, this book will keep you enthralled from start to finish' Northern Echo The festive follow-up to The Rose Queen , from beloved Sunday Times bestselling author Katie Flynn.In her darkest hour, Cadi is comforted by her friends, and with their support and guidance she begins to see a light at the end of the tunnel. But she will face more than one unexpected turn along the way. Katie Flynn is the author of 47 bestselling novels which have sold over 5 million copies. Her first book, A Liverpool Lass, was published in 1993. Katie Flynn was the pseudonym of the author Judy Turner, who was inspired to write the novels after hearing family recollections of life in Liverpool during the early twentieth century. Judy sadly passed away in January 2019 at the age of 82. Her daughter Holly worked as her assistant for many years and together they co-authored a number of Katie Flynn novels, including Christmas at Tuppenny Corner. The Katie Flynn legacy now lives on through Holly who writes new books, often based on ideas she discussed with her mother.

The Winter Rose - Penguin Books UK

I wholeheartedly recommend this stunner of a war time romance and the search for a meaningful life. Just loved it. I love that there are a lot of good and ineteresting new takes on WW2 and women's roles - this is good but not one of the best. Katie Flynn was born in Norwich and attended Norwich High School, where she was extremely happy and extremely undistinguished. Published at the tender age of eight, in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories, she joined a Writers’ Circle as an adult, publishing short stories, articles, etc; only turning to novels in 1971 because the postal strike cut off her main source of income! Hailing from the small welsh mining village of Rhos. Cadi Williams and her best friend Poppy are fed up with the quiet boring life a village has to offer and set off to Liverpool to sign up with the forces for ww11, much against Cadi's parent's wishes. They are both 17 and underage but are so excited they have not really thought through how they are going to achieve this.

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On reaching Liverpool, they soon realise that they are too young to join the services, so rather than admit defeat and go home, they scour Liverpool looking for a job. The kindness of this stranger sets her on a different path, and Libby heads to Liverpool with a determined mind and hope in her heart. A lovely, easily read and meaningful tale written by one of my favourite authors, can't wait for the next book! She has enjoyed writing her Katie Flynn books and has said that writing them was ‘a delight’. Writing under this pen name has been very fulfilling for the author and the titles that were published under this pseudonym have ended up selling quite a few copies and doing very well.