Pride of Lancashire

The Preston Family #1

by Anna Jacobs

Carrie Preston is used to hard work – oldest of ten, with an incompetent mother and a drunken father, she struggles to find food for the younger children. But nothing could have prepared her for the day fate deals her family the cruellest of hands, rendering the Prestons more helpless and desperate than ever.

In a harsh world, small acts of kindness can bring great hope –Eli Beckett’s offer of a job at the Dragon pub promises a better future for Carrie, especially as Eli’s uncle has offered his nephew some spare land to build a music room.

With the great cities of England beginning to come alive to the sound of music halls, the locals of Hedderby are soon looking forward to their own place of celebration and merriment. Yet not everyone in the town shares this excitement, and some will stop at nothing in the pursuit of selfish gain...

Genres: Fiction

432 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

Anna Jacobs has 87 novels published as of April 2019. She writes historical sagas and modern novels alternately, and in the past has written historical romances and fantasy novels (the latter as Shannah Jay).

She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com

Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.

Reviews

[Margaret Sutherland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna Jacobs is a born storyteller. Her historical research into the nineteenth century in England provides convincing details of the abject poverty many families endured. The reader shares their hunger, the difficulty of keeping clean, the ragged clothing and cramped living conditions of labourers and mill workers, who sometimes resorted to selling their babies to relieve the pressure.
The book is not simply an exercise in social realism. It is a romantic saga, with plenty of dramatic action.The central plot revolves around the establishing of a music hall by the enterprising young hero. Women, put upon and unschooled, emerge into resourceful adults who turn their lives around, sometimes outstripping their menfolk. The reader cheers them on and rejoices as they overcome setbacks and seem headed for happiness.
This book is the first in a trilogy, leaving room for development as the author's vision expands on the characters and their future stories.

[Cyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, artfully narrated. Can't wait to read the next volume in this series!

[MRS S PUSEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is the best

I really enjoyed this book Anna writes such wonderful stories about people who are quite poor in this era which I think even though we are in the 2020 era it can also be true of some families today which is a shame,I'm always glad they end happily and they got their music hall and both Eli and Joanna got to marry the love of their lives can't wait to read the next book.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 = Quite Good.
First in a series.
Sorry, a bit distracted... I'm just watching the doves and pigeons 'twitterpating' in my garde. Spring has arrived! 😂
Back to my review... This was a decent story. Not my very favourite of AJ's so far, but enough going to keep me interested. A gentle read that you can pick up and put down. My only complaint being... too many names began with E... I couldn't keep track! 😀

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie, Eli, joanna, Bram.

Another great book from Anna one I thoroughly enjoyed she draws you in to the characters as if you are there can't wait to read the next instalment 5 STARS.

[Jayme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not the reader for this book, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. Jacobs captured the extreme poverty of the mid 1800s, but the story was predictable. if you like your historical fiction realistic with wholesome romance - this is for you. My mom loves this series.

[Maureen Constable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Bring it on, I look forward to reading the next book.



As good as the last one. Great!







M
☺☺

[wendy angela palmer-hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

A wonderful story about poverty,love and cruelty.
I can’t wait to read the 2nd book in this series.
Read and enjoy.

[Lesley Puncher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book from Anna Jacobs. Looking forward to reading the sequel now.

[deborah rought · Rating 5 out of 5]

ahhhh

Loved this book ,great story line to it. So excited to read book two and see where the story leads

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read ,loved it

[Gil Zweig · Rating 3 out of 5]

i dont know what to feel about this book, it took me months to finished it. however, i love how the author tackles about poverty.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read, couldn't put it down, lovely saga of a woman struggling against all odds to get what she wants...

[Sally Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, and surprisingly absorbing, historical fiction. Satisfying read with lots of social history along the way. My first by this author and I will definitely be reading more of her books!

[Rosann · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st book i ever read of anna jacobs i how own 25 of her books

[Jennifer Simms · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of set of four, really enjoyed them and good little reads - would recommend!

[Dpic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely

[Kate Stjohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a heart warming family saga with plenty poverty and misery this does what it says on the tin...

[Roslin Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book