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The Families of Fairley Terrace Sagas #1
All The Dark Secrets
All The Dark Secrets is a powerful saga in the Families of Fairley Terrace series from Jennie Felton, in the grand tradition of Katie Flynn, Dilly Court and Josephine Cox, of one woman's quest for happiness after a bitter tragedy, filled with romance, drama and triumph in adversity.
When terrible tragedy strikes at the local colliery, the residents of Fairley Terrace's ten houses suffer more than one loss and, for Maggie Donovan at number six, the world turns upside down. Turning for comfort to the one man she can trust, she finds a sudden and undeniable passion instead. But any future with Josh Withers seems a betrayal of her past, and Maggie realises the only way to survive is to conceal a very dark secret of her own...
*Includes a preview of the next book in the series and bonus material from the author.*
For more of the Families of Fairley Terrace, try Jennie's short story The Birthday Surprise in the saga collection A Mother's Joy and look for the next compelling sagas in the series: The Miner's Daughter and The Girl Below Stairs .
When terrible tragedy strikes at the local colliery, the residents of Fairley Terrace's ten houses suffer more than one loss and, for Maggie Donovan at number six, the world turns upside down. Turning for comfort to the one man she can trust, she finds a sudden and undeniable passion instead. But any future with Josh Withers seems a betrayal of her past, and Maggie realises the only way to survive is to conceal a very dark secret of her own...
*Includes a preview of the next book in the series and bonus material from the author.*
For more of the Families of Fairley Terrace, try Jennie's short story The Birthday Surprise in the saga collection A Mother's Joy and look for the next compelling sagas in the series: The Miner's Daughter and The Girl Below Stairs .
- GenresFiction
448 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2014
41 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 14, 2015
One of my favourite authors today is Amelia Carr and I'm pleased to say this is her debut novel writing as Jennie Felton. She also has books written under the name of Janet Tanner.
I would say if you like the style of Catherine Cookston,Josephine Cox or Katie Flynn then you'll enjoy this book too.
It is a family saga which means more books to come in the series, the next being The Miner's Daughter.
Set in 1895 in a small mining village where everybody is expected to follow in their father's footsteps and work down the mine at a very early age. We learn a little about each family who live in Fairley Terrace. This book is mainly the story of Maggie and the Donovan family.
Maggie works in a drapery shop and it's expected that she would one day marry and settle down with her boyfriend Jack but she also wonders if she loves him enough to make that commitment. Jack along with Maggie's dad and her younger brother Billy work in the local mine.
Life is hard for everyone and when disaster strikes it touches them all.
I liked Maggie from the start of this book. She makes mistakes but manages to make the best of things. My heart went out to her mother who tries to do her best against the odds. No one could like Maggie's father and his treatment of his wife and son.
I always hate it when a baddie is introduced to a story but we do need them. We meet Reuben who works in the gent's drapers next door to where Maggie works he fits the baddie mould perfectly and is just the most vile person. I wanted him to go away or fall down a well. I could feel the hairs in my arms standing up every time he appeared.
This was an easy book to read and I didn't guess the twist until just before it was revealed. It's a long time since I read a book in this genre but I enjoyed it and will be reading the next book to find out how all the families have moved on.
I would say if you like the style of Catherine Cookston,Josephine Cox or Katie Flynn then you'll enjoy this book too.
It is a family saga which means more books to come in the series, the next being The Miner's Daughter.
Set in 1895 in a small mining village where everybody is expected to follow in their father's footsteps and work down the mine at a very early age. We learn a little about each family who live in Fairley Terrace. This book is mainly the story of Maggie and the Donovan family.
Maggie works in a drapery shop and it's expected that she would one day marry and settle down with her boyfriend Jack but she also wonders if she loves him enough to make that commitment. Jack along with Maggie's dad and her younger brother Billy work in the local mine.
Life is hard for everyone and when disaster strikes it touches them all.
I liked Maggie from the start of this book. She makes mistakes but manages to make the best of things. My heart went out to her mother who tries to do her best against the odds. No one could like Maggie's father and his treatment of his wife and son.
I always hate it when a baddie is introduced to a story but we do need them. We meet Reuben who works in the gent's drapers next door to where Maggie works he fits the baddie mould perfectly and is just the most vile person. I wanted him to go away or fall down a well. I could feel the hairs in my arms standing up every time he appeared.
This was an easy book to read and I didn't guess the twist until just before it was revealed. It's a long time since I read a book in this genre but I enjoyed it and will be reading the next book to find out how all the families have moved on.
February 3, 2015
Okay. After reading this,my thoughts were all over the place. My first one was I'M TWELVE YEARS OLD AND I JUST READ THAT! The second was OH GOD, I HAVE TO HIDE TO HIDE THIS FROM MY MUM!I mean, even though there was like, ONE sex scene in there, it went into so much detail that I was sure I was going to throw up. And the way the characters talked about wanting each other,it was just like YUK! Also the word OH was used too many times: Oh . Josh,Oh Maggie,Oh Jack... annoying! You know I can't even stand to write about this book. I think I'm going to go back to this later. bye.
March 11, 2017
I enjoyed this book, I had assumed that it was based in the North of England as it was about mining, so was surprised to learn that there was coal mines in Somerset.
I have now bought two more books in this series as I can't wait to see what happens to the other families.
This is a good family saga and will appeal to anyone who likes this genre.
I have now bought two more books in this series as I can't wait to see what happens to the other families.
This is a good family saga and will appeal to anyone who likes this genre.
November 30, 2018
I was hooked from start to finish. There was tragedy, sadness and loss in the book. The main protaganist starts out as a goody two shoes however circumstances lead her to the arms of the brother of her late fiance. Ashamed of what she done she marries a man who can provide for her and unborn baby. Its a story that touches the heart.
May 18, 2016
It is the first book i have read from Jennie Felton.. A good
storyteller and i loved the story.. thanks
storyteller and i loved the story.. thanks
July 19, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book. Had a good story to it. Kept you guessing when you least expected it.
Look forward to reading the next book of the Sagas Stories as this was Sagas 1.
Look forward to reading the next book of the Sagas Stories as this was Sagas 1.
July 12, 2019
Based upon a true tragedy where a penny pinching Pit owner wouldn't pay out for a modern cage to send his miners in down to the coal face .
Young Billy Donovan is terrified when he is told that he must start down the pit next week . All week he is petrified . Oh the relief when his Mam gets him a job as a farm hand !
His sister Maggie is engaged to Jack a good friend of the family , unlike Josh who is the black sheep of the family . She is plagued by Reuben who works next door to her . He is a nasty piece of work who vows that she shall not marry Jack .
When the accident happens at the pit twelve men and boys are lost , including Jack . The community grieves then things become even worse . The rope had been partially cut , causing the cage to fall . Who could have done such a terrible evil thing ?
secrets abound in this interesting story of the inhabitants of a Mining Terrace .
Young Billy Donovan is terrified when he is told that he must start down the pit next week . All week he is petrified . Oh the relief when his Mam gets him a job as a farm hand !
His sister Maggie is engaged to Jack a good friend of the family , unlike Josh who is the black sheep of the family . She is plagued by Reuben who works next door to her . He is a nasty piece of work who vows that she shall not marry Jack .
When the accident happens at the pit twelve men and boys are lost , including Jack . The community grieves then things become even worse . The rope had been partially cut , causing the cage to fall . Who could have done such a terrible evil thing ?
secrets abound in this interesting story of the inhabitants of a Mining Terrace .
January 29, 2019
Maggie
The first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last was a great story about maggie she went through a lot but came through it it's a must read 5 STARS.
The first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last was a great story about maggie she went through a lot but came through it it's a must read 5 STARS.
June 9, 2020
First book by this author and I enjoyed it. Have ordered the next in the series and hope its as good a read.
February 12, 2022
Wow, I really enjoyed that. Maggie was a likeable character and this story was written really well.
August 19, 2022
An engaging saga set in a Somerset mining village in 1895.
April 18, 2025
I couldn't really get in to this one. I ended up skipping to the major/important parts and then the end.
April 8, 2015
Review to follow on my blog!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews