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A Song for Kitty
Lily Matthews had always known Aiden Donnelly, but nothing prepared her for the way their childhood friendship deepens into something more. Set in the turbulent years before World War I, and with preparations for the Coronation of King George and the suffragist movement in full swing, Lily and Aiden's lives are about to change forever.
A chance encounter with Music Hall star and suffragette activist, Kitty Marion opens a world of possibilities. Lily, apprentice dressmaker, has dreams of designing theatrical costumes, Aiden, talented pianist and songwriter is waiting for his career break. One of them is left behind with a promise, the other is drawn into suffragette activism in the hope of creating a better world for them both. But will this opportunity bring them closer together or be the source of a devastating separation?
A Song for Kitty blends fictional and real-life characters to transport readers to a captivating time in history.
If you love romantic historical fiction, you'll be enthralled by this gripping story full of powerful emotions, strong characters, and a dangerous conflict. Buy your copy today.
A chance encounter with Music Hall star and suffragette activist, Kitty Marion opens a world of possibilities. Lily, apprentice dressmaker, has dreams of designing theatrical costumes, Aiden, talented pianist and songwriter is waiting for his career break. One of them is left behind with a promise, the other is drawn into suffragette activism in the hope of creating a better world for them both. But will this opportunity bring them closer together or be the source of a devastating separation?
A Song for Kitty blends fictional and real-life characters to transport readers to a captivating time in history.
If you love romantic historical fiction, you'll be enthralled by this gripping story full of powerful emotions, strong characters, and a dangerous conflict. Buy your copy today.
365 pages, Paperback
Published August 22, 2023
13 people want to read
About the author
Angela Cairns
16 books20 followersAbout Angela Cairns
TOUCH #1 Amazon Bestseller - Thank you for your wonderful reviews for TOUCH - a poignant story of resilience and redemption.
Brett made a decision that would change Ellie Rose's life forever. An evocative story of lovers, friends, found-family and healing, told against the backdrop of Britain in the turbulent 1990's. If you like Nicholas Sparks' books, you'll love TOUCH
Available in E-book, paperback, large print and in Kindle Unlimited
Visit my website to receive free prequel novella titled, "PARADISE"
DILEMMA - the second in the series will be available to pre-order July 2022
The man she loves is offering his hand and heart. So why is Ellie Rose avoiding the issue?
As Mark’s frustration with her grows, and a new friend brings more confusion, Ellie sees her ideal world begin to unravel. More used to advising others, when Ellie finds her own fears resurfacing, she wonders if she will ever make peace with the past.
BLOOM the third in series will be released in September 2022
SEASONAL PRODUCE - a collection of inspired short stories about love, life, laughter, and tears.
If you love life, dip into this tasty treat.
Still a working clinician in Physiotherapy/Acupuncture, I began writing relaxation stories for my patients, now set to original sound-tracks and called Play Pause Unwind. Long overdue a physiotherapist heroine to join the ranks of fictional doctors, nurses and psychologists, I created Ellie Rose - clever, compassionate and determined, a heroine to take to your heart...
I live in Essex, in the UK with my husband and have two grown-up sons plus a clan of Gordon Setter dogs.
TOUCH #1 Amazon Bestseller - Thank you for your wonderful reviews for TOUCH - a poignant story of resilience and redemption.
Brett made a decision that would change Ellie Rose's life forever. An evocative story of lovers, friends, found-family and healing, told against the backdrop of Britain in the turbulent 1990's. If you like Nicholas Sparks' books, you'll love TOUCH
Available in E-book, paperback, large print and in Kindle Unlimited
Visit my website to receive free prequel novella titled, "PARADISE"
DILEMMA - the second in the series will be available to pre-order July 2022
The man she loves is offering his hand and heart. So why is Ellie Rose avoiding the issue?
As Mark’s frustration with her grows, and a new friend brings more confusion, Ellie sees her ideal world begin to unravel. More used to advising others, when Ellie finds her own fears resurfacing, she wonders if she will ever make peace with the past.
BLOOM the third in series will be released in September 2022
SEASONAL PRODUCE - a collection of inspired short stories about love, life, laughter, and tears.
If you love life, dip into this tasty treat.
Still a working clinician in Physiotherapy/Acupuncture, I began writing relaxation stories for my patients, now set to original sound-tracks and called Play Pause Unwind. Long overdue a physiotherapist heroine to join the ranks of fictional doctors, nurses and psychologists, I created Ellie Rose - clever, compassionate and determined, a heroine to take to your heart...
I live in Essex, in the UK with my husband and have two grown-up sons plus a clan of Gordon Setter dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 24, 2023
Women's choices in the early 1900s are restricted and young Lily Matthews feels she was lucky to secure a position in a small modiste shop owned by the formidable Mrs Winchett. Passionate about the heady world of fashion and design, Lily dreams of going to London and working in the exciting world of theatre costume design or haute couture.
Set during a turbulent time in British history, women are fighting to throw off the shackles of domesticity and are demanding the right to vote and have a voice, to live their lives as they see fit. Drawn into the Suffragette Movement, Lily’s eyes are opened to a wider world. One in which she can make her mark as a free and independent individual. But life has other plans for young Lily, and she will face heartbreak and tragedy before reaching her destination.
A richly evocative and deeply satisfying novel, the tale of Lily and her fight for happiness and autonomy is one that will resonate with women everywhere. At times a hard read as it recounts the shocking trials and tribulations of being a Suffragette, it shows how far we have come – and how far we still have to go.
Beautifully written, the story is well-researched, and the reader is immersed in the claustrophobic world of middle and upper-class Edwardian society, where respectability is everything and keeping up appearances is paramount. Dealing with harsh and often unpalatable subjects, the author does so with a deft touch, showing sensitivity towards her characters and the reader.
Although filled with three-dimensional and relatable characters, it is Lily who draws the reader in and touches their heart with her passion and naïve belief in the power of love. This innocence is cruelly crushed by one tragically wrong decision.
A shining five-star read that will engross and delight readers everywhere.
Set during a turbulent time in British history, women are fighting to throw off the shackles of domesticity and are demanding the right to vote and have a voice, to live their lives as they see fit. Drawn into the Suffragette Movement, Lily’s eyes are opened to a wider world. One in which she can make her mark as a free and independent individual. But life has other plans for young Lily, and she will face heartbreak and tragedy before reaching her destination.
A richly evocative and deeply satisfying novel, the tale of Lily and her fight for happiness and autonomy is one that will resonate with women everywhere. At times a hard read as it recounts the shocking trials and tribulations of being a Suffragette, it shows how far we have come – and how far we still have to go.
Beautifully written, the story is well-researched, and the reader is immersed in the claustrophobic world of middle and upper-class Edwardian society, where respectability is everything and keeping up appearances is paramount. Dealing with harsh and often unpalatable subjects, the author does so with a deft touch, showing sensitivity towards her characters and the reader.
Although filled with three-dimensional and relatable characters, it is Lily who draws the reader in and touches their heart with her passion and naïve belief in the power of love. This innocence is cruelly crushed by one tragically wrong decision.
A shining five-star read that will engross and delight readers everywhere.
August 27, 2023
A Song for Kitty is a gripping and well written historical fiction love story. The backdrop of the story takes place in England amidst the throes of social unrest and women’s rights, in other words, a most tumultuous of times.
Lily and Aiden grew up together side by side through good times and sad. Aiden became a phenomenal piano player with stars in his eyes and Lily sang beautifully. Together they were incredible and inseparable. However, it’s one thing to be playmates and childhood friends and quite another to have these new giddy unknown feelings as young adults. They’ve discovered that the wall separating their homes was much higher than either of them realized growing up. The distinctions of class, money and religion played heavily during this time. But there is something else lurking on the fringes…women’s suffrage.
This love story had many obstacles to overcome and Cairns has blended all of it with ease. A Song for Kitty is a moving story of intertwining threads of love, social unrest, women’s rights, religious prejudices and inequality. I googled Kitty Marion and discovered she was not only a real singer; but also an activist in the Women’s Social and Political Union in England. I loved how these real events were part of the story bringing together strong emotions, characters, and the social mores of the times. The hardest thing in the world is to feel like you’ve been left behind and watching love walk away. That was what Lily felt. All of this made for a heart compelling story. Oh, the power of love…
A Compelling ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lily and Aiden grew up together side by side through good times and sad. Aiden became a phenomenal piano player with stars in his eyes and Lily sang beautifully. Together they were incredible and inseparable. However, it’s one thing to be playmates and childhood friends and quite another to have these new giddy unknown feelings as young adults. They’ve discovered that the wall separating their homes was much higher than either of them realized growing up. The distinctions of class, money and religion played heavily during this time. But there is something else lurking on the fringes…women’s suffrage.
This love story had many obstacles to overcome and Cairns has blended all of it with ease. A Song for Kitty is a moving story of intertwining threads of love, social unrest, women’s rights, religious prejudices and inequality. I googled Kitty Marion and discovered she was not only a real singer; but also an activist in the Women’s Social and Political Union in England. I loved how these real events were part of the story bringing together strong emotions, characters, and the social mores of the times. The hardest thing in the world is to feel like you’ve been left behind and watching love walk away. That was what Lily felt. All of this made for a heart compelling story. Oh, the power of love…
A Compelling ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 24, 2023
A Song for Kitty was my first foray into historical romance, and I must say I enjoyed it very much. I was well and truly sucked into Lily and Aiden’s story.
The book is set before World War 1, at a time when the suffragette movement was gaining momentum. Lily is a dressmaker, intrigued by what women had to say, while at the same time dealing with the constraints society placed on her. Fortunately, she has a loving family which, though not giving her all the freedoms she might like, support and nourish her as a person and in her career. And then there is the boy next door – Aiden. Their childhood friendship is turning into something much more. When famous music hall star and leading suffragette, Kitty Marion, appears on the scene, life suddenly becomes even more complicated as new opportunities arise to develop their music careers and talents. With tensions increasing in society and at home, Lily and Aiden have some important choices to make.
There was some great description in this book of places and life which placed the story very well in the early 20th century. Clever dialogue, an understanding of historical events and a plot that built well meant that I became immersed into Lily’s world. A lovely read.
The book is set before World War 1, at a time when the suffragette movement was gaining momentum. Lily is a dressmaker, intrigued by what women had to say, while at the same time dealing with the constraints society placed on her. Fortunately, she has a loving family which, though not giving her all the freedoms she might like, support and nourish her as a person and in her career. And then there is the boy next door – Aiden. Their childhood friendship is turning into something much more. When famous music hall star and leading suffragette, Kitty Marion, appears on the scene, life suddenly becomes even more complicated as new opportunities arise to develop their music careers and talents. With tensions increasing in society and at home, Lily and Aiden have some important choices to make.
There was some great description in this book of places and life which placed the story very well in the early 20th century. Clever dialogue, an understanding of historical events and a plot that built well meant that I became immersed into Lily’s world. A lovely read.
May 12, 2024
A beautifully written historical tale, all the more poignant as the story is based on some of the events from the life of the author's grandmother. During the upheaval of the suffragetist movement and the uncertainty of the pre-World War One era, a young woman, Lily aspires to be a seamstress.
Meticulously researched, Cairns describes the the life of a young woman during the run up to the first world war. Innocent and naive, Lily is navigating the throes of young love, political unrest, class distinction, as well as the restrictions placed on young unmarried women. Add to this already complicated settting, the excitement and danger of the suffragetist movement, the lure of the music hall, and Lily's life is changed forever.
Lily and Aiden are wonderful characters representing the rebellion against the injustice and restrictions of the time.
Very different from Cairn's contemporary romance books, but just as well written and unputdownable. If you love historical romance then you'll love A Song for Kitty.
Meticulously researched, Cairns describes the the life of a young woman during the run up to the first world war. Innocent and naive, Lily is navigating the throes of young love, political unrest, class distinction, as well as the restrictions placed on young unmarried women. Add to this already complicated settting, the excitement and danger of the suffragetist movement, the lure of the music hall, and Lily's life is changed forever.
Lily and Aiden are wonderful characters representing the rebellion against the injustice and restrictions of the time.
Very different from Cairn's contemporary romance books, but just as well written and unputdownable. If you love historical romance then you'll love A Song for Kitty.
October 6, 2023
A Song for Kitty by Angela Cairns
Review:
I loved this well-researched and well-written love story set in Edwardian England during the tumultuous time before World War I when the suffragette movement was in full swing. Some of the horrors women, who were thrown into jail, endured, is unbelievable. The authors touches on these for historical accuracy but does not linger on them.
It is Lily’s story. Her fight to find her way in the world, and her love for Aiden, the talented pianist and songwriter, who is waiting for his big break. Lily sings many of his songs, but it is A Song for Kitty that takes both of them in different directions.
Will they find their HEA?
I loved the musical and theatrical backdrop to the story, having spent time in that world too. Romantic historical fiction is one of my favourite genres.
I highly recommend this book.
5 Stars
Review:
I loved this well-researched and well-written love story set in Edwardian England during the tumultuous time before World War I when the suffragette movement was in full swing. Some of the horrors women, who were thrown into jail, endured, is unbelievable. The authors touches on these for historical accuracy but does not linger on them.
It is Lily’s story. Her fight to find her way in the world, and her love for Aiden, the talented pianist and songwriter, who is waiting for his big break. Lily sings many of his songs, but it is A Song for Kitty that takes both of them in different directions.
Will they find their HEA?
I loved the musical and theatrical backdrop to the story, having spent time in that world too. Romantic historical fiction is one of my favourite genres.
I highly recommend this book.
5 Stars
April 2, 2024
A Song for Kitty is a story of young love challenged by a world on the verge of tumultuous change. Set in England during the suffragette era preceding WWI, naive Lily Matthews is forced to revise doe-eyed dreams while navigating the shifting sands around her. Will promises made to her childhood sweetheart survive the chaos, or will a dashing new beau claim her attention? Cairns has penned a heartwarming cautionary tale of the “good ole days” that weren’t always so good. An enjoyable read!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews