A Cottage in Plotlands

by Dawn Knox

Joanna Marshall dreads a future alone. After eighteen years of sheltered family life, she’s devastated at the loss of both parents – and worse, she’s forced to lodge with spiteful Aunt Ivy. Joanna struggles to decide whether to hold on to the familiar, and stay with her bitter aunt, or to find the country cottage she’s inherited from her mother and face the daunting prospect of a friendless, loveless life. Tearing herself away from all she’s ever known, she steels herself to start afresh in a place she can’t even find on a map. But without anyone to guide or advise her, Joanna fears her lack of experience will drive her back to her relatives and a life of dependence. With the help of her new neighbours can she embrace the complications of falling in love with her boss and building a new life? A Cottage In Plotlands is the heart-warming first standalone book in The Heart of Plotlands historical romance saga series. If you like sweet romance, family loyalties and deep bonds of friendship, then you’ll love Dawn Knox’s uplifting and moving story set in the 1930s Plotlands of Dunton, Essex. Buy A Cottage in Plotlands to experience a little Plotland community spirit today!

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2023

About the author

Dawn Knox, also published as D.N. Knox, has been a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards for 2017 and 2020, Readers' Favorite Book Awards 2018 and Independent Author Network Book of the Year Award 2018. She has been writing for several years and has had success with various horror, sci-fi, quirky and romantic stories. Her first published children’s story was DAFFODIL AND THE THIN PLACE.
In 2016, she published THE GREAT WAR - 100 STORIES OF 100 WORDS, HONOURING THOSE WHO LIVED AND DIED 100 YEARS AGO, her tribute to the people who endured World War One.
Her latest book is 'THE MACAROON CHRONICLES', published by Chapeltown Books, a quirky, anthropomorphic romp in the fictitious Isle of Macaroon.
She has had a number of historical romances published, many set not far from where she lives in Essex, as well as various My Weekly Pocket Novels.
Dawn has also written two plays about the First World War, which have been performed in England, Germany and France.

Reviews

[Enid Reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like novels set in the 1930s, this is one for you. After losing both her mother and father, Joanna is alone in the world, apart from her aunt . There is no love lost between them, so Joanne's only option is to move into the house her mother bought before her death. Arriving at Plotlands she's finds no house, just a piece of muddy land. Determined to succeed, she beings to build her home and make friends along the way plus romance with her boss's son. DK builds wonderful characters that you can relate to and urge them to succeed.. Well worth a read.

[Amanda Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely hug of a story set in 1930. After the death of her parents Joanna is alone, but unknown to her, her mother had bought a house in Dunton, Essex, so Joanna sets out to make a new life. Finding unbroken ground instead of a cottage she is taken in by lovely neighbours and soon becomes part of the friendly community. She takes a job as a shorthand typist in the nearby town and finds herself attracted to the younger Mr Richardson. Ben's family are old school money and he is expected to marry a nice girl from his own social class, but times are changing and so are Ben's views of the world. The attraction is immediate though neither knows how to act upon it. Ben is being pursued by the posh and bitchy Emily, Joanna by silent Sam who does kind things but leaves her feeling uncomfortable.
This story is a delight and a page turner. I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. I shall now be reading others in the series. Lovely!

[Paula R. C. Readman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cottage in Plotlands is outside my normal read, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I found the backdrop of the tale so interesting as it isn't one I've come across before being used for a romantic tale. I had heard about parts of Essex being sold off so people could buy land to build a house between the Wars because of the shortage of housing. Dawn was able to create a sense of community among her well-drawn characters. The flow of the storytelling carries you along and kept you turning the pages. I can't wait to read the next in the series.
Brilliant read. Highly recommended.
I was sent a copy to read before the release date. My review is an honest one.

[Alan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It wasn’t until 1928 that Britain allowed women the same voting rights as men. But change comes slowly and the nineteen thirties, sandwiched between the wars, proved to be a challenging time in society. I confess that it’s a time I know little about. This lovely story helped me address that, weaving history and a gentle tale of romance and a supportive community into the era. Characters were real and engaging, the plot (pun intended) well developed and the resulting tale very satisfying. Well done Dawn Knox.

[Marilyn Rowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant fun emotional read.

Quick Dawn I need Book 2 of Plotlands. For anyone who lovea a good fun ,so happy books. This is the one. I do know of at least one real p!ace that started life like this. I also know Laindon my sister lives there. So this is a plausible book although it is a fairy tale or rather an imaginary story brought to you by the author WoW it is a brilliant read so don't miss out.

[Gill James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed meeting all of the characters in this book. It is set in an era in which I’m interested in any case. It was fascinating too to read about the Plotlands community and how people built their own homes on land they were able to buy. And we have a feel-good romance woven into it as well. Highly recommended.

[Mrs S. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

I loved every minute of this book , I did not want it to end, I was with the family all the way.

[Sarah Swatridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cottage in Plotlands by Dawn Knox.
I was drawn in from the start as I began to 'meet' Joanna and the cruel and unkind women who surrounded her. Everything was thrown at poor Joanna and just when things began to go in her favour, once again a spiteful woman put a spanner in the works. I so wanted Joanna to achieve her dream of owning her own cottage, I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. The author cleverly let her story unfold. It was never going to be easy for such a young woman, so totally alone, to find happiness and that sense of belonging. The importance of friendship and simple acts of kindness run throughout this book, giving it real warmth. An excellent read, I only hope they'll be more stories set in the Plotlands of Dunton.
Sarah Swatridge