A New Day at Paradise Pottery

The Potteries Girls #4

by Lynn Johnson

In the darkness of the Great War, can she create a brighter future? Martha Owen has not had an easy start in life. Her abusive father dominates the family and she has lost her only friend after a painful falling-out. Her father’s reliance on the bottle, and his increasingly violent temper, brings turmoil for Martha, her mother and her three siblings and with World War One causing more strain on the home front, her prospects look bleak. With no money or qualifications to speak of, starting a job at the Potteries feels like a lifeline, but Martha finds herself wanting more than the production line job she works on. Her one talent is her artistic flair, but will this be enough to help her rise the ranks at Paradise Pottery and make a future for herself? And can she ever escape her father’s dark shadow over her? An uplifting and moving saga from the author of the bestselling Wartime with the Tram Girls . Fans of Nancy Revell and Rosie Hendry will be captivated. Praise for Lynn Johnson’s Potteries Girls ‘ A poignant, emotional and heart-wrenching rea d…best read with a box of tissues handy’ Bookish Jottings ‘This truly was a fabulous story from beginning to end and I struggled to put it down! … richly detailed, beautifully written and the storyline along with the characters was enthralling' Rose is Reading ‘ I highly recommend reading this and being transported back in time. An excellent historical fiction that had me compulsively turning the pages .’ Books and Bookends ‘ Overall, I loved it. There were lots of moments that made me gasp and others that almost made me cry, and then there were those that made me smile and sigh.’ Jess Bookish Life ‘ heartwarming and emotional. I absolutely love the story line…I really enjoyed the setting and the characters. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is definitely a book to read ’ Jessica Belmont Book Reviews ‘ I’m quite astonished this is a debut novel … The characters came alive on the page, and it’s a fully rounded story… A fabulous read ’ Grace J Reviewerlady ‘an emotional, captivating read which is perfect for anyone who loves a good saga! … a fantastic read that quickly drew me into the story and kept my interest throughout with its fabulous plot.’ Over The Rainbow Book Blog ‘the author winds her story around your person and snares your heart … Though filled with much darkness and despair, ; there is also hope and love ’ Insatiable Readers ‘ Johnson has a Cookson flair …she does capture the heart and soul of her characters. ’ Cheryl M-M Book Reviews

Genres: Historical Fiction

354 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2023

About the author

Lynn Johnson was born and raised in The Potteries. She went to school in Burslem, the setting for her novels, and left with no qualifications. Like the protagonists in her books, she had ambitions. In her own time, she obtained a BA Hons in Humanities with Literature from the Open University, and a Diploma in Management Studies from Staffordshire Polytechnic and became a Human Resources Manager with a large County Council.

Lynn began to research her family tree and it inspired her to write short stories, one of which became the basis for her debut novel, The Girl from the Workhouse, the first of The Potteries Girls series. There are now three books in the series and a fourth will be published in August 2023. Her books are published in a number of formats - ebook, audio, paperback and large print. Lynn is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Society of Authors. She still has a close affinity to The Potteries but now lives in Orkney with her husband and six beautiful cats.

Reviews

[Ichou · Rating 5 out of 5]

martha was one of the brave girl and ambition one she had two brothers twins and a sister , she had a difficult time with her angry father when i read some pages i know his anger source after that the war began one of her brothers and father involved to , she had a fight with her best friend cause she get pregnant from guy and get killed in the war , martha was the opposite of her friend she want to be a painters she never give up on her dream untill she start working on paradise pottery and start courses at schol of art she get a new friends there and one of them became her sister in law they had grandson everyone was happy , the war end her brother back but her father didn’t once they get a letter that said he was messing but after that they get another letter said that he’s dead , her brother daniel he returned different he was quite and not speak mush he planned to move to canada and start a new life there and he did it he moved to canada and send letters to his family that he liked it there and he was happy martha had never think of someone or get to know anyone she was focusing on her career and be better on her job until she meet jonas he work with her they fall in love and had a perfect success in their job it was an happy ending

[Marilyn Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it quite boring in places

I'm sorry to say that I didn't enjoy this book very much, I found it quite boring in places maybe because I'm not interested in the painting of ceramics.

[Jillean Ansley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have bought and read all four books in this series and enjoyed them all. For some reason I bought book 3 first, enjoyed it so bought books 1 & 2 and ordered book 4 which has arrived and read. After reading books 1 & 2 I re read book 3 to keep everything in order. Good read.

[david pollard · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Author

Nova Scotia. In English. Where alot of Scottish people went to. Means New Scotland
I spent 9 years in Canada. From UK

[Jayne Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, loved the story about Martha's life.

[Jackie Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice family story affected by the war. A happy read.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Potteries

It was lovely to read about places around Stoke. I could hear my family talking. I still use the work Duck. Great story. Thank you Lynn Johnson ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[Emma Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot was good as an individual book.
Didn't particularly like the links to the previous book, there were changes made to the established plot which did not improve the story Jane did not make sense.

[Rachel Toy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming read and enjoyed following Martha on her journey. Lots of historical detail about the pottery industry at the turn of the 20th century too, and of course how the First World War affected people’s lives

[Joyce tuffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story.

This is the fourth in The Pottery Girls series. A great series about the women working during the First world war and the friendship they made.