Poppy's Dilemma

by Nancy Carson

A compelling tale of one girl’s brave escape from a world of poverty in her search for true love.Is true love worth risking everything for?

Sixteen-year-old Poppy Silk is one of the navvy community – a group of poor, rough-living men who work the railways and take their families wherever the tracks lead. When Poppy is left fatherless, her world becomes fraught with danger, men vying to claim her as their own.

Her one ray of hope is Robert, a young engineer, who she meets one day by the tracks. But his wealthy family have different plans for him… Can Poppy ever hope to win his heart?

And would she give up her whole way of life for him?

A compelling, heart-warming story about one girl’s brave search for happiness against all odds…

What readers are saying about Poppy’s

‘Absolutely wonderful. Poppy's Dilemma had me glued to it right to the last page.’ Reader review

‘Her writing is well researched, tastefully portrayed, and a good pace. Be warned though, every page is a page turner, so you may find it difficult to put down!’ Reader review

‘A great book to escape into.’ Reader review

‘What a charming, fabulous read! Full of evocative details about the period and setting, and with a really admirable heroine. It sweeps you away and doesn't let go.’ Reader review

‘Loved it, and heading straight back to the same author again for my next read.’ Reader review

Genres: Historical Fiction

454 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2015

About the author

I was born and bred in the Black Country, that part of the West Midlands in England that lies between the eastern fringes of Wolverhampton and the western edges of Birmingham. Dudley was my home town and though I’ve travelled widely, I still live no more than 6 miles from my birthplace.
When I left school I was always interested in the opposite sex, and loved to go out with my friends to dances and to concerts by famous rock and pop groups. I became a nursery nurse before I married (in my early twenties) and had a son, but that marriage ended – amicably. My second marriage blessed me with a wonderful spouse and a ready-made stepson whom I adore.
I always knew I would become an author, but there never seemed any rush. Throughout life I have been a ‘people-watcher’, and I believe this has given me a clear insight into human interactions – male and female – especially when it comes to relationships. So, my stories spring from the broad canvas of human nature. The characters that populate them have often been inspired from life, as have the situations I sometimes place them in. Many have been embellished, some not.
The very first novel I wrote, which I thought was the best thing since sliced bread, had multiple rejections, simply because it was not good enough. However, undaunted and with the encouragement of several editors, literary agents, and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, I pressed on with new ideas. I have written several novels with plans and outlines for more.
Writing is a very fulfilling and yet solitary occupation, so I am lucky inasmuch as I still find time to enjoy other things with my very understanding better half, and lead a full and active life.
Anyway, I do hope you’ll read my novels and that you’ll enjoy them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical sagas and this was another new author for me. I've already bought her new one.

Poppy grew up within a navvy environment, travelling on to new jobs when necessary. She doesn't really want the lifestyle for herself and dreams of a true love who is refined. She meets the engineer on the project and falls for him. He offers to teach her to read and write so that she can 'better' herself.

He also falls for her- but reveals that he is engaged to be married. He decides to go away for a year to make decisions.

After an incident at her camp she decides to leave and seek work as a maid and calls in on the engineers aunt. She is keen to carry on her education and she agrees to become her companion.

Will she find true love, will her past come to haunt her?

A great cast of characters and an insight into the lives of those who helped to build the railway system. Set in the Black Country it was a great book to escape into.

Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book.

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love and adore books like this. This is where my love for reading first started at the grand age of 16 years old, many moons ago now......apart from the school books you HAVE to read.

This kind of story will never ever die. Catherine Cookson, Katie Flynn type books that so many of us love.


What a flair this author has for writing! My Kindle said it would take 10 hours to read, and I was like....oh my gosh, that's a big book, but today in no time at all I have been reading this book on and off since I started it last night. I even took it in my car just in case I get half an hour or so.


Poppy. Here she is a young teenager who lives with her family among the working people of that area who worked hard and played hard once they got their pay packet. Men/fathers went to the pub/tavern and drank, etc felt they were entitled to their pleasures. This however left the family struggle through the week to feed their families.


Poppy's Father was such a man. In the place where he was drinking he got into some bother, innocently and the Police were after him, he was arrested along with one of his co workers.
After his group of collegues got him out of the cell where he was awaiting to go to the Magistrates court he had to leave his family, or he would be re arrested, charged and sent to 'the other side of the world'. So he had no choice but to leave his family behind hoping they were going to be cared for by a friend for a bit until he got himself a job.

This left his wife struggling, Poppy was just a young teenage girl. She had a friend who was; well, let me say, well versed in womanly ways! at a teenage age which Poppy was just the opposite of.

Poppy's life becomes hard, she ends up with a husband she doesn't love, a life she doesn't want.

Then later in the story that develope's Poppy is face with a dilemma of her own.

This is a story of family life around hard working families, loyalty, and choices in life that sometimes are not of our making and out of our hands. We do what we feel is best 'at that time'.

I really enjoyed this book, and will definitely be seeking out more from this author as she writes them.


Can I thank HarperCollins, Maze via Net Galley along with the author Nancy Carson for keeping me entertained in the reading of this lovely book

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Poppy’s Dilemma is a very interesting novel of a young woman’s journey from the shanty town around the early railroad mines into finding that dreams can come true.

You really do need to read this novel for yourself. The slang of Poppy’s shanty town is very hard to explain in a review. I could try but I’d fail miserably. And the difference in speech is just one boundary that Poppy must cross over to find her happiness. Poppy knows that she wants more from life than what the other women around her home have gotten. She’s not uppity, but she instinctively knows there is more to life and she yearns for it. While fending off the advances of the men who work the mines, Poppy will not let herself be like every other girl in the shanty town. She likes a kind engineer with education and she is beginning to better her life.

We are shown life as a navvy in the railroad mine shanty town and life as Poppy wants it to be. We will follow her as she travels through stages of her life that will bring hope, improvement, heartache and hopefully true love.

I enjoy Poppy’s Dilemma and give it a 3 outta 5 on my rating scale. It isn’t an average romance, but it is an enjoyable one. Give it a try.

My rating = 3 outta 5 = a good novel, enjoyed it and would recommend it.

*I received an e-ARC of Poppy’s Dilemma from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

[Layla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried a few times with this book couldn’t get into it,

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

POPPY'S DILEMMA BY NANCY CARSON

THE BLURB

IS TRUE LOVE WORTH RISKING EVERYTHING FOR?

Sixteen-year-old Poppy Silk is one of the navvy community – a group of poor, rough-living men who work the railways and take their families wherever the tracks lead. When Poppy is left fatherless, her world becomes fraught with danger, men vying to claim her as their own.

Her one ray of hope is Robert, a young engineer, who she meets one day by the tracks. But his wealthy family have different plans for him… Can Poppy ever hope to win his heart?

And would she give up her whole way of life for him?

A compelling, heartwarming story about one girl’s brave search for happiness against all odds…

WHAT I SAY
This is the first book i have read by Nancy and it will not be the last
I found it to be a very interesting tale of one girl’s brave escape from a world of poverty in her search for true love.The book set in the Black Country i like how Nancy described the location i was there we them

Poppy was a great character she came from a very hardworking family who were very loyal to each other her life was very hard she wanted a better life for herself she wanted to get away from the poverty of the railway shanty town they lived it yes there were poor but they had each other

She follows her dreams she gets to move away that would be so hard to do as her friends were so there for her Minnie was so lovely i really warm to them both they both had very tough life's

i really admired poppy for wanting a better life for her self we follow her story it was so interesting to read about

I was not sure of Robert he was a bit boring to me what did you thing of him? Was he right for poppy i was not sure . I did not think he was very nice

I could see the shanty town in my mind i like all the characters i found them so interesting yes they were poor but they all seem to pull together which i liked they soon became my friends i warm to them all

It a lovely saga to read i like the writing style it so easy to follow it very well written Nancy a author i will look out for now i can not wait for her next book

Thank you netgalley for letting me read and review

4 dolls (4 stars)

About the Author
Nancy Carson lives in Staffordshire and is a keen student of local history. All her novels are based around real events, and focus on the lives and loves of the people of the Black Country.

[Lynsey Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book I read it over a day as needed to know what happened to Poppy.

I have only recently got into the history genre this book did not disappoint.

I loved hearing all the locations as being born and still living in the black country I am very familiar with most of the locations in the story and I loved the dialect think it was perfect for the black country I had no problem reading it as I use to speaking it.

Poppy's dilemma is a story of a hardworking family, loyalty and the choices that are presented to us in life. I liked Poppy from the start I really admired her especially as she made the decision that she didn't want the life she was use to she wanted more out of life and she stuck to that decision although it must have been very hard for her especially having a friend like Minnie.

I have to admit I did have a soft spot for Jericho and later in Poppy's life there was part of me that wanted them and thought they would get together but the way the book ended I was very happy that I didn't get want I wanted and Poppy got the life she deserved to have.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poppy’s Dilemma is a well written introduction to British history. The author portrays the navvies way of life with such feeling and detail you could almost smell what must have been a strong odor. I also thought Nancy’s portrayal of prostitution was very tasteful covered.

I have never read a book by Nancy Carson before, but do intend to look at her other offerings. Her writing is well researched, tastefully portrayed, and a good pace. Be warned though, every page is a page turner, so you may find it difficult to put down!

Poppy’s character is so well-developed that I could imagine her being my great grandparent (or more). Her feelings came through, that I can actually relate to everything she went through, from love, to confusion, to fear, to excitement, etc. All the other characters are well thought out too.

What about Millie and the officer, that was one big surprise! But you’ll have to read the book to figure out what I mean! Enjoy.


NB. I received this book free for an honest review.

[Jackie White · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable & not very realistic. Meh

[Cherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Carson delivers another compelling historical saga, this time immersing readers in the gritty world of the navvy community in the Black Country—a setting I hadn’t encountered before, but one that truly piqued my interest. In fact, it’s inspired me to check out the ITV series Jericho, which explores similar themes.

The story starts off slowly, and I initially struggled with the dialect and the sheer number of characters within the navvy community. That said, the main characters are easy to follow, and once the narrative hits its stride, I found myself completely hooked.

One standout for me was Minnie—an absolutely fantastic and likeable character who brought warmth and vibrancy to the story. In contrast, I found Robert rather dull, only coming to life during the more intimate scenes. His brother, however, seemed far more intriguing.

The romance is beautifully woven throughout the book and sits firmly at its heart. I didn’t anticipate the twists and turns that unfolded, which kept the story fresh and engaging. Carson also sprinkles in plenty of small surprises that add depth to the characters and their journeys.

I especially admired Poppy’s mother during her brief return home—her strength and presence were deeply moving. Jericho, too, left a strong impression.

Despite the slow beginning, I’m glad I stuck with it. From the midpoint onward, I couldn’t put it down. Poppy’s Dilemma is a richly told tale that rewards patience and delivers emotional payoff. A solid addition to Nancy Carson’s body of work

[Anil Dhingra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical love story based around mid 19th century when lots of railroads were being laid. Poppy is the daughter of a ganger, belonging to a large family. The life of the workers is a pleasure to read about--casual, transient, accepting, drinking, promiscuity.
Poppy is different and falls in love with an educated engineer. The story is of her struggle to rise above her station and stay true to her love. A long but easy read.

[Emma Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didnt know if i would get into it. And i am glad i was able to finish reading it. It is quite racy and quite violent story to read. I would say that this is about a young woman who wants nothing more than to change her life and to see her accomplish in so little time is remarkable.

[Carole Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

[Inishowen Cailín · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poppy Silk is an endearing character who attempts to drag herself up out of the poverty of the railroad shanty town and to a better life through education. We follow Poppy as she follows her dreams. She finds a way to get educated and move away, but in the process falls in love with Robert Crawford, a young engineer who unfortunately is engaged to someone else.

The male characters in this novel are somewhat of a let down. Robert is absent for much of the story and when he reappears towards the end he hasn't changed at all! He is still weak willed and a complete bore. I could only muster lukewarm feelings towards him and their relationship. The men in the shanty town are heaps more interesting but completely unsuitable and unworthy of Poppy. Not because they are poor but because they are all portrayed as nasty pieces of work.

I enjoyed reading about Poppy and her friends but I wish there had been more to Robert.

[Coyney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book. Did drag in places though

[Brigitte Henning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story with lots of detailed info on people's lives at the time, especially regarding the railway workers and their hardships.

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a interesting story set in and around the west Midlands, a bit predictable but enjoyable nevertheless

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given a 5 for my enjoyment of the book, the characters and the stories. Sure there are contrivances to make the story fit together but I still thoroughly enjoyed it and felt the emotions, angry, sad and elated. The worst thing about this book is that the story ended.
I'd love a sequel, Poppy, Minnie, Robert and Virginia are still young!