One Blue Moon

Hearts of Gold #2

by Catrin Collier

Maud Powell and her cousin Diana had always dreamed of becoming nurses, but their hopes are shattered when Maud contracts TB—a death sentence in 1930s' Pontypridd. With pits closing, Haydn abandoning a steady job for a stage career, and their cousin Diana's secret burden, the Powell family are facing hard times. Meanwhile Ronnie Ronconi, eldest of the large, cafe-owning family, has two simple beliefs: his sisters must marry good Italian Catholics, and determination and hard work will get him anything he wants. But his dreams are shattered when he realises that what he wants is Welsh, chapel-going, consumptive Maud. For once, high-handed, ruthless Ronnie seems to be facing the impossible.

Genres: Historical, Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2006

About the author

Catrin Collier is Wales' most prolific and well-known author of historical, romantic fictions. The daughter of a Prussian refugee and Welsh father, she grew up in Pontypridd. Her first historical novel Hearts of Gold, was filmed as a mini-series by the BBC in 2003. Her crime book, By Any Name, written as Katherine John was filmed by Tanabi and released on Amazon Prime in 2017. She lives with her family on the Gower Peninsula, near Swansea. More information on Catrin Collier, Katherine John and Caro French's books can be found on her website www.catrincollier.co.uk

Reviews

[Ursula Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the setting and the writing style, I enjoyed living in that world in wales in the 30s but I didn’t enjoy the way Diana’s story was just ‘fixed’ with a bit of violence and a new job and we didn’t hear much from her perspective despite that being one of the most used at the beginning and throughout the book. I feel like the ending could have gone on a bit longer or had some sort of mystery instead of just getting the guy an acting job and sending him away, we didn’t hear much about how they felt about it, and I was sad not to get much of the marriage story either.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. Easy going, well written so you really enter into the scenes.

[Denise Musson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another enjoyable read

[Tracy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series and every bit as good as the first, if not better. They way the characters atmre written brings them to life and pulls you in.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving Catrin Collier's Hearts Of Gold books. This one is my favourite so far! Just what I needed after a few months of not reading anything worth bragging about.

One Blue Moon tells the story of a young girl named Maud Powell who returns to her hometown after being let go by the Infirmary where she was studying nursing, deathly ill with tuberculosis. Weaved throughout the story are snippets of what everyone else in the town (including Maud's family) are going through. This is my favourite quality of the Hearts of Gold books. You become engrossed with the whole town of Pontypridd. To my knowledge, each book focuses on a certain group of people within the Powell family and the town.

On Maud's return her family and friends are shocked and devastated by her condition. Ronnie Ronconi, the manager of the local popular Cafe, and 11 years Maud's senior, realises his love for her soon after her return. He struggles to admit his feelings to himself but once he does, he has no way of turning back. Faced with the prospect of tearing his family apart, losing his hand in the family businesses and risking his own heart, he pursues Maud at the hospital where she is hanging on to life by a thread. Feeling their time was limited, he confesses his love asks for her hand in marriage. Young, innocent Maud, who has dreamed of romance and love for so long cannot believe that so close to death she finally has it standing right in front of her. She is taken aback by his declarations of love, he is so much older! And she has known him her whole life. Yet that night something happens to Maud - she feels hope. Hope for a future, and a future with Ronnie.

With hardly chance to recover in the Welsh climates, Ronnie marries Maud and embarks on a long and haggard journey to the town of Bardi, Italy where his grandparents live. Convinced the warmer climate and clean airs of Italy will help Maud on her road to recovery, Ronnie gives up everything to fight for Maud's life.

I won't give away the ending. An amazing story. Maud was a lovely girl. I found myself praying for her health. And Ronnie...what a dream guy. Dark, tall, handsome, Italian. I love it when a young, innocent, virginal girl sweeps a rough, hardened man off his feet. I love seeing the tender, loving side to a man. Ronnie Ronconi has been added to my mental list of favourite male characters. Or male characters I'd love to meet...and marry...Lol.

I can't wait to read all of Collier's books. I wish I hadn't read this one so fast. I wanted it to last forever!

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching tale set in 1930s Pontypridd involving the Powell and Ronconi family.
Maud Powell and her cousin Diana return home from Cardiff after leaving their jobs at the infirmary when Maud contracts TB.
With a death sentence hanging over her the family do their best to rally including Diana who is back in the family fold under the sufferance of her aunt Elizabeth.
Meanwhile Ronnie, local head of the Ronconi clan who run the cafes in the area suddenly decides against all the odds and against his resistance to his family's matchmaking attempts to marry him off to a "good Italian girl" that he has fallen in love with the Welsh, chapel attending, consumptive Maud.
He dreams of taking her back to Italy for her health before its too late but are there just too many obstacles in the way?
A charming story offset with a backdrop of other interrelated characters with their own little sideline stories to add to the main story of Tony and Maud.
Which being conversant with this author's other work its a delight to find that these other characters are not forgotten and are picked up again in another connected novel All that glitters.
It is also a delight to hear so many familiar places and things mentioned within her novels being a local who lives in the Rhondda which is not too far from Ponty itself where the main action of her books takes place. You hear often of the Rhondda being mentioned, Ferndale, Tylorstown and even everyday things like Pikelets that a local reader would not necessarily understand but will bring a smile to any reader's face who gets the local connections.
A great read which I couldn't put down I would recommend this author to any other Welsh person who enjoys period or historical novels.

[Liz Balaam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am just loving this series. Set in a Welsh coal mining town in the years of the depression, we follow the lives of the Powells - as well as their cousins and friends living in the town of Pontypridd. Catrin Collier has been called "the Welsh Maeve Binchy", but I actually think she is better. Her stories are more true to life and opens our eyes to the way of life in the 1930's. I have just started the next book in the series, and no doubt will enjoy it just as much.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story a bit slow, to start. Ita hard to imagine what people put up with then, and the hours they worked. Reminded me of Catherine cookson . Would like to know what happens to the other characters. Are there spin off books ?

Dianne did she get a happy ending.

Haydn and his acting career.

Trevor and Laura.

The cafes

Life in Italy

[joan caryl jewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book in this series!

I've enjoyed reading this book, I honestly thought it could not possibly be as good as the first in the series but, I am thankful to say I was so wrong.
I am now looking forward to reading Book 3!

[H Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre, but really enjoyed it. Many characters to follow, not too detailed that the descriptions became boring, but enough to appreciate the environment. Felt for the characters too. Will read another of her books.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting enough.

[janice morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read.

Absolutely loved this series of books. Have read them all quite a few times. Haven't stopped yet. Maybe once more