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The Bondage of Love
Only after returning from his well-attended funeral did Fiona Bailey realise just how much she would miss Davey Love. Despite her initial doubts and prejudices about this rough-hewn Irishman, towards the end of his life she had discovered qualities about him she had previously overlooked; and that she could talk to him and appreciate his considerable wit. Above all, though, it was his inherent kindness that she had failed to discern when she and her husband had first met Davey and his wayward son Sammy.
The Baileys, Bill and Fiona, lived in the Tyneside town of Fellburn where Bill was a successful building contractor. Years before he had met and married Fiona, a young widow with her own lovable family, to which they had shortly added by adoption the orphaned Mamie. Then, when one of Fiona's children, Willie, acquired a new friend, Sammy, it was he and his father Davey who, by one means or another, were able to make a special contribution to the lives and fortunes of the Bailey family.
Now with Davey gone, there would be new challenges to face. It had been agreed that Sammy would live with them but would this formidable lad with his colourful language fit in as a fully-fledged member of the Bailey family? As for Fiona, it was she who bore the brunt of the arguments and disagreements that were an inevitable part of life in the Bailey household. Whatever life had in store, however, she knew she could always rely on Bill, that rock of a man with a rough tongue but a heart of gold.
The Baileys, Bill and Fiona, lived in the Tyneside town of Fellburn where Bill was a successful building contractor. Years before he had met and married Fiona, a young widow with her own lovable family, to which they had shortly added by adoption the orphaned Mamie. Then, when one of Fiona's children, Willie, acquired a new friend, Sammy, it was he and his father Davey who, by one means or another, were able to make a special contribution to the lives and fortunes of the Bailey family.
Now with Davey gone, there would be new challenges to face. It had been agreed that Sammy would live with them but would this formidable lad with his colourful language fit in as a fully-fledged member of the Bailey family? As for Fiona, it was she who bore the brunt of the arguments and disagreements that were an inevitable part of life in the Bailey household. Whatever life had in store, however, she knew she could always rely on Bill, that rock of a man with a rough tongue but a heart of gold.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
21 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Cookson
501 books682 followersCatherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, who Catherine believed was her older sister. Catherine began work in service but eventually moved south to Hastings, where she met and married Tom Cookson, a local grammar-school master.
Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular contemporary woman novelist. She received an OBE in 1985, was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993, and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.
For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne.
Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular contemporary woman novelist. She received an OBE in 1985, was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993, and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.
For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 25, 2018
Absolutely brilliant. I enjoyed every word on the pages of this book. Recommended.
July 28, 2014
Catherine Cookson brings the frustrations of raising a rebellious stepson and his orphaned best friend to life as only this fabulous author could!
December 12, 2021
Read the Bill Bailey books first to really enjoy this book.
I'm glad I read the Bill Bailey, Bill Bailey's Lot and Bill Bailey's Daughter first, as this carries on from the them and you find that this very likeable Rough Diamond Bill Bailey has a flaw, the many facets of the tales and characters shine through as a brilliant shining example of Catherine's Cookson's wonderful stories.
I'm glad I read the Bill Bailey, Bill Bailey's Lot and Bill Bailey's Daughter first, as this carries on from the them and you find that this very likeable Rough Diamond Bill Bailey has a flaw, the many facets of the tales and characters shine through as a brilliant shining example of Catherine's Cookson's wonderful stories.
November 9, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Having read the previous ones in the Bill Bailey series, I found it easy to follow.
June 20, 2020
Synopsis:
Years ago Bill Bailey had met and married Fiona, a young widow with her own family. The Baileys made their home in the Tyneside town of Fellburn, where Bill's business prospered. When one of Fiona's children, Willie, acquired a new friend, the wayward Sammy Love, Sammy and his father Davey were, in various ways, able to enhance the lives and fortunes of the Baileys.
Now with Davey dead there were new challenges to face. It had been agreed that Sammy would live with them - but would this formidable lad with his colourful language fit in as a fully-fledged member of the Bailey family? As for Fiona, it was she who bore the brunt of the arguments and disagreements that were an inevitable part of life in the Bailey household. Whatever life had in store, however, she knew she could always rely on Bill, that rock of a man with a rough tongue but a heart of gold.
A bit of a disappointment if I am honest as this finally completed the Bill Bailey Stories.
Years ago Bill Bailey had met and married Fiona, a young widow with her own family. The Baileys made their home in the Tyneside town of Fellburn, where Bill's business prospered. When one of Fiona's children, Willie, acquired a new friend, the wayward Sammy Love, Sammy and his father Davey were, in various ways, able to enhance the lives and fortunes of the Baileys.
Now with Davey dead there were new challenges to face. It had been agreed that Sammy would live with them - but would this formidable lad with his colourful language fit in as a fully-fledged member of the Bailey family? As for Fiona, it was she who bore the brunt of the arguments and disagreements that were an inevitable part of life in the Bailey household. Whatever life had in store, however, she knew she could always rely on Bill, that rock of a man with a rough tongue but a heart of gold.
A bit of a disappointment if I am honest as this finally completed the Bill Bailey Stories.
September 24, 2018
This was a most enjoyable Catherine Cookson novel. Bill Bailey's family is upper middle class. He has 3 step children, an adopted son, another young girl whom he has taken under his wing plus his own young daughter from this second marriage. All of these children get into different scrapes, some a lot more serious than others.
A couple of them Katie and Willie start going to a community centre outside of Bogs End where they are learning different martial arts. Here they get involved with another bunch of kids from the Gallagher family, who are local from the area and are from a different walk of life.
Bill and his wife Fiona are horrified at these new associations but when two of the Gallagher children end up saving Sammy's life they change their tune one hundred percent. This book was easy reading and a lot of fun.
A couple of them Katie and Willie start going to a community centre outside of Bogs End where they are learning different martial arts. Here they get involved with another bunch of kids from the Gallagher family, who are local from the area and are from a different walk of life.
Bill and his wife Fiona are horrified at these new associations but when two of the Gallagher children end up saving Sammy's life they change their tune one hundred percent. This book was easy reading and a lot of fun.
April 24, 2021
I just started this book yesterday night. After going into Chapter 4, I don't think I want to read on anymore. Even though this book is rated as 4, to me it is a very boring book. I always believed the first few chapters are important to capture the interest of a reader. This book opened up with so many characters, I began losing my interest already. And the storyline is just so confusing and extremely boring, I don't see where the storyline is flowing towards. Just so frustrating.
This is the only book I have of Catherine Cookson and I am going to stop here. I hate wasting my time reading a book that I can't get into at all.
This is the only book I have of Catherine Cookson and I am going to stop here. I hate wasting my time reading a book that I can't get into at all.
December 23, 2022
I hadn't read any of the Bill Bailey series, so it took me a while to sort out the characters. However, there are enough references to past events to become familiar with the family. Catherine Cookson has the amazing ability to make her characters quite human, with all their faults, yet at bottom, most have a kindly nature. The many crises that occur are quite believable and the reactions of the various individuals are also very credible. This book draws you into the story, as do all the novels by this author.
December 17, 2018
It takes a quarter way before the drama begins after which you cannot put the book down.
The intro is pretty confusing at times due to the various characters. I charted a family tree to ease my predicament. All in all a pleasant story about two families of different class told in that typical Cookson style. Through education each member of the families finds/maintains relationship with each other.
The intro is pretty confusing at times due to the various characters. I charted a family tree to ease my predicament. All in all a pleasant story about two families of different class told in that typical Cookson style. Through education each member of the families finds/maintains relationship with each other.
January 31, 2018
Another wonderful story about Bill Bailey!
April 10, 2022
Catherine Cookson is the best!
January 19, 2023
So glad I found this continuation of the Bailey family. I’ve enjoyed my time with them.
March 15, 2023
Abdoloutly delightful
Loved this series so capturing there were times you were in the room with them. That was Catherine Cooksons gift she made you believe
Loved this series so capturing there were times you were in the room with them. That was Catherine Cooksons gift she made you believe
July 20, 2025
very slow to get to the story but I guess building up characters was important
good read once the action began
good read once the action began
May 18, 2012
I read all of Catherine Cookson's books some years ago and enjoyed them immensley. I recently re-read all of them and find that on a second look I found them all so very predictable, and was rather disappointed. However I'm sure that it is my tastes that have changed not the calibre of her story telling.
August 5, 2011
Definately not my favorite Catherine Cookson novel. Some of the major problems of the characters were wrapped up way to fast and neatly right at the end of the book to make everything "happily ever after".
October 13, 2014
Definitely not my favorite Catherine Cookson novel. Some of the major problems of the characters were wrapped up way to fast.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews