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  • Figs, Vines and Roses: — A Family Saga

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Joy M. Lilley
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Figs, Vines and Roses: — A Family Saga Kindle Edition

by Joy Lilley (Author), 4WILLS PUBLISHING (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars (6)
The year is 1888, and eight-year-old Isabella (Issy) Merryweather lives a comfortable life in Cobnut Hall, Derby. Even at this tender age, her thoughts are focused on those less fortunate than herself, and she dreams of one day growing up to serve that population of people.

Sharing carefree summers with her brother, Clarence, her beloved dog, Molly, and cherished Grandma Ella, she enjoys the freedom of childhood innocence. But, as she comes of age, a move to Kent changes her life forever
.
When Isabella meets Terence, a captivating boy from a poor background, an inseparable bond is formed in secret. But, after a heartbreaking turn of events, Isabella wonders how long secrets can stay secret before they reveal themselves?

This moving tale of love, loss, resilience, and redemption at the turn of the nineteenth century, is one that will linger in the minds of those who choose to ignore the hands of time and remain young at heart... always.
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  1. Print length
    166 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    February 18, 2022
  5. File size
    833 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09SWR3D7Z
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 18, 2022
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 833 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 166 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars (6)

About the authors

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  1. Joy M. Lilley

    Joy M. Lilley

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    Hello, My name is Joy Gerken,pen name Joy M. Lilley I write/blog[joymlilley.blogspot.ca] and was a trained nurse, all my working life, until I retired in 2015.

    My first novel is 'Figs, Vines and Roses' a tale of love and loss at the turn of the nineteenth century.

    My second novel is called 'The Liberty Bodice'.This is a completely different genre to the first novel and follows the trials and tribulations of a young girl working for the Special Operations Executive[S.O.E.]in W.W.2.

    You can also find my short story 'Lost and Found' published in Liphar short stories Vol 1.[Liphar short stories}by Liphar magazine.

    In 2016 my novella 'Times pendulum swings again' was published. This tells of a hospital romance that starts well, until the truth about the surgical registrar admitting to his nurse girlfriend that he is married with two sons back home in Nepal.

    I am hoping to release my forth publication 'Strawberry moon' a crime, mystery set in the Dordogne, France.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Joy Lilley

    Joy Lilley

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    My name is Joy Gerken.

    Pen name Joy M. Lilley.

    Married for the second time I have one son, two step daughters and one step son, along with six Grandchildren and three Great Grandchildren.

    During my career I worked in nurse management, where I found I missed being at the patients’ bedside.

    Post retirement gave me the opportunity to once again have some hands-on experience. I joined the Hospitals flex-bank nursing service, and worked as a trained nurse back in the public domain for a few hours each week at the local Hospital in Ashford, Kent.

    Finally leaving my long career in 2015 also gave me the opportunity to write more books.

    Hobbies include writing,gardening, seeing other parts of the world, looking after grandchildren and our three cats. The latest edition is named Lily; she shares the house with Molly and Lucy.

    I conduct many British,female voice overs,including audio-books,advertisements and poetry.

    I also fund raise for various charities, predominantly U.K. Hospices.

    PUBLISHING HISTORY

    First book published as an eread. ‘Figs, Vines and Roses’ January 2013. The story is fictional, however, contains many elements of fact. It is an historical, romance.

    One short story published in a book of the same in the Lit Art magazine. March 2013 and two recently published short stories.

    ‘The Liberty Bodice,’my second novel is set in 1922 leading up to the Second World War. It encompasses the formidable predicaments and heroics of an S.O.E. {Special Operations Executive} agent involving her life before, during and after the war years. A WW2 drama published in July 2015.

    A novella ‘Times pendulum swings again.’Is a medical romance that goes badly wrong. Published in 2017 recently won this award

    A forth novel ‘Strawberry moon’ published in 2019.It is a murder mystery set in the Dordogne,France.

    The latest book another novella is about a lonely middle-aged woman looking for love,but in the wrong places.The sequel to this story is soon to be published.

    I am currently in the processes of writing another full length novel.

    Joy Gerken

    April 2021

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
6 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • Gabby
    5.0 out of 5 stars A historical novel with depth
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book, Figs, Vines, & Roses by Joy Lilley, is about the Merryweather family at the turn of the nineteenth century. Several characters are included in this book, but the main one is Isabella (Issy) Merryweather. The author astutely plots the tale to conjure up the evolving world through Issy's growth from childhood to the late fifties. We can find the Industrial Revolution, the social gulf, and the tension among the so-called aristocrats and lower class around that era. Through Ms. Lilley's eloquent writing, we are gripped by Issy's admirable love story that overcomes her initial fear and breaks the social class barrier. Issy's lifelong striving for women's rights, gender, and social equality is evidently depicted in the narrative. The last line of the novel is heart-wrenching. At last, Issy courageously decides to reveal the truth to her daughter—a secret that has consumed her for years.
    I googled Sissinghurst Castle and was delighted to find the garden, just as the story illustrated. I will love to visit this castle if I travel to London again.
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  • Marian Beaman
    4.0 out of 5 stars Eat the figs, Love the roses, and trace the vines
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Figs, Vines, and Roses, an English historical romance by Joy Lilley, charts three generations of the Merryweather family beginning in nineteenth century Derbyshire and later moving to Kent. The star of the narrative is Isabel (Izzy) Merryweather, who begins an innocent, comfortable life, expected to learn the social graces as a young girl and then marry well within her social class.

    The idyllic setting is soon interrupted with conflict, even scandal, which moves the plot line forward. There is the suggestion of incest, a torrid love affair, an unwanted pregnancy, and loss of various family members, even a beloved pet. At least twice the author embeds the title Figs, Vines, and Roses into the narrative, perhaps to underscore the novel’s themes. I saw the figs as symbolizing fruitfulness and fertility; roses, representing true love; and vines, indicating various familial connections.

    It is obvious author Lilley understands the historical context of the period which she may have enriched with additional research. The book shines when Lilley uses dialogue but lags with extensive exposition. Overuse of the passive voice interfered somewhat with the readability. Still, there is much to love about the main character Izzy, her unfolding hopes and dreams, which eventually extends to embracing a fulfilling career, almost unheard of in the life an upper-class woman in this era.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Thoughts and opinions
    4.0 out of 5 stars 19th century characters come to life
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The story takes place during the 19th century and spans three generations. Isabella is at the center of a tale that shares the details of her life and those of her family. A kind-hearted child who grew to be a kind-hearted woman, Izzy is the opposite of her self-centered brother. Although her family’s wealth provides privileges and security, it can not protect her from heartbreak and sometimes increases it.
    Izzy’s compassion is apparent from childhood and her love of animals is clearly established when she defies her parents and Molly moves in. As with “My Aunt Peggy” another book by this author, the dialogue was well done and painted an excellent picture of the character speaking. In a glimpse of life during a period of time over 150 years ago, the author successfully shows that emotions are the same now as they were then. Affairs happen, family matters, tempers flare, sorrow is overwhelming, determination succeeds and love is magical.
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  • Monalisa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
    Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
    Format: Kindle
    This book takes you on a journey through love, sadness, and strength in England. Isabella's story is about a hidden romance and trying to understand life. The setting of Cobnut Hall and Kent adds to the story's beauty. It's a story that stays with you, showing how hope can last even in tough times.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Stacy Nicholson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic Escape
    Reviewed in Australia on July 1, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Joy Lilley wrote a romantic novel with plot in England. The main character is young Isabella, the Industrials daughter. Isabella together with her brother, who are aristocrats’ children, strive to fit within and mix within the community of peasants while their parents who both have secret lives ,have their “own” way of living life and how they connect with people. Inside book Mrs. Lilley introduce to us three generations of characters who are revolving about life of “innocent Isabella” and their unusual love affairs.
    There is not any doubts that Mrs. Lilley used not only her imagination, rich life experience then she did historical research to back up book with facts/standard of living in nineteen century in England as well as to make this book inside an intriguing and interesting read with a mix of authentic and interesting characters with different personalities so relatable to today’s life, too.

    This novel is great holiday read or If you are at home and you want romantic and life escape do not look further. Well done to Mrs. Lilley as she wrote this novel about nineteen centuries and turned it into romantic stories for us. I truly enjoyed this read.
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