Having recently discovered this author's alter ego, Mary Wood, I was thrilled to be asked to take part in the blog tour for her latest release as Maggie Mason. I'm a sucker for an historical fiction saga novel so I couldn't wait to start reading Blackpool Lass.
This has got to be one of the most heartbreaking stories I have ever read! The year is 1924 and Grace lives with her mother and father in Fleetwood. When her mother dies and her father's ship sinks she goes to live with her beloved grandmother but it's not long until tragedy strikes for Grace once again and her whole world is turned upside down.
Finding herself in Halford House, a children's home, Grace makes friends with Jeanie who gives her the low down on life in the home and Grace is horrified at the goings on in a place that she thought was supposed to take care of children, where it turns out that this is definitely not the case where the staff here are concerned.
Grace eventually makes her way back to home territory and reaches out to Sheila, a local girl she knew briefly back in happier times and life finally seems to be on the up for her.
Blackpool Lass is a true roller coaster of a novel. One minute I was laughing out loud with Grace and the next minute my heart was truly breaking for her, and at one point I was so angry with the author for giving Grace such a difficult life! If ever there was a character that deserved a bit of happiness in her life it was Grace.
It's abundantly clear that Maggie has done extensive research into life in Blackpool at the time which only adds to the realism of the story. The struggles that Grace and her friends and family went through were a harsh reality for so many people back in the day and it really makes you realise just how lucky were are nowadays.
I absolutely loved this book and if you're a fan of family saga's and historical fiction then this is definitely a book that you need to read.
Author bio
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| Photo courtesy of Maggie Mason/Mary Wood |
Maggie Mason is a pseudonym for saga author Mary
Wood. Mary was born the thirteenth child of fifteen and throughout her life had
various factory, office and home-based jobs, finally becoming a Probation
Service Officer before she retired.
Mary married in 1963 and with her husband Roy has
four children, eight grandchildren, and five step-grandchildren. She got her
first book deal in 2013 and has not looked back since.
You can follow the rest of the blog tour with these wonderful blogs:
With kind thanks to author Maggie Mason and Sphere for the review copy.
Thank you so much - sorry to make you angry - but thrilled too as it shows your engagement with the lovely Grace was total and that she was a believable character you really felt for. Your blog is lovely, and I hope you will host me again in the futhure, much love Mary xxx
ReplyDeleteAwww there's no need to apologise Mary! To me Grace was 100% real and I just wanted her to find happiness. Your books are wonderful and I'm so happy that I have lots more of them to read. It would be my absolute pleasure to host you again lovely lady and thank you for your kind words about my blog x x x
DeleteMary is the most talented author, I'm lucky enough to call her family but I haven't been able to put any of her books down!! I can't wait to read Blackpool Lass!!
ReplyDeleteHello, lovely great-niece, hope you are all well, love you all and thank you for supporting me, it means the world to me. In the draw, darling,your loving great aunt xxxx
DeleteGreat review of a fantastic heart wrenching book
ReplyDeleteHello, Anna, thank you for your support today and throughout the blog tour, muchlove, Mary xxx
DeleteAnother interesting review Mary so many lovely people out there telling the world about your lovely book xxxx
ReplyDeleteYes, it is wonderful, bloggers are an author's best friend, they support out work and go to such a lot of trouble for us, I salute then. thank you for all the support you have given this week, much love, Mary x
DeleteNothing but wonderful reviews, the book is so good and deserves all the lovely reviews x
ReplyDeleteYes, the support from the bloggers has been wonderful and from all of you, thank you Sharon, much love, Mary x
Deletewhat a lovely blog for Maggie Mason blackpool lass loved it thank you Mary Wood your book is brilliant
ReplyDeleteThank you, darling for all the support you have given me this week, much love, Mary x
DeleteLovely blog , so well deserved xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dottie, for all the support you have given, much love, Mary x
DeleteA lovely review and like all Mary's books this does draw all your emotions out anger and sadness. Can't wait to read Maggie's next book from Mary.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janice, for all the support you have given darling, much love, Mary x
DeleteA GREAT review, for the lovely Maggie Mason / Mary Wood.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic blog page too!
Thank you, Sue, in the draw, much love, Mary xx
DeleteEvery review has been written from the heart. well done Mary you have captured our hearts with the Blackpool Lass.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chrissy, dor all the support you have given this week, and yes, it is a lovely review, much love, Mary xx
DeleteFab review for a fab book.
ReplyDeleteThank you Elaine, you have supported me all week, I so apprieciate it. much love xxx
DeleteAnother wonderful review Mary. Everyone is loving the Blackpool Lass ♡♡♡ xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy with how well it is going, a bit scary to embark on a new ventrue, but very happy now. much love, Mary xxx
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