Katy's Men

by Irene Carr, Elizabeth Henry (Narrator)

December 1890. From the day of her birth Katy Merrick has had to fight. With three daughters already born to the family, her father dismisses her at first sight. An independent and headstrong young woman, Katy flees the drunken wrath of her father and gets a job with the Ashleigh family in a warehouse in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. But when the owner’s son starts to pay her unwanted attention, Katy is forced to leave. And, with no other options available, she finds herself working for a dishonest haulage company in Sunderland. Realising that she has been rescued by a glamorous but evil conman, Katy once more finds herself on the streets in real trouble. In desperation she turns to dark and brooding Matt Ballard who runs a rival haulage company. As the business prospers Katy begins to realise where her heart lies, but jealous rivals conspire against her future happiness. With her world about to be shattered by the threat of war, Katy must fight for what matters in life - love and happiness. A convincing tale of real courage and endurance, ‘Katy's Men’ is a vivid evocation of turn-of-the-century Tyneside and Wearside of the shipyards, docks, families and haulage traders. Praise for Irene 'Tough . . . gutsy . . . brimming with emotion . . . a cracking yarn — all that a good North East saga should be' - Sunderland Echo `In the bestselling tradition of Catherine Cookson' - Middlesbrough Evening Gazette `Catherine Cookson-readalike . . . a delight' - Colchester Evening Gazette `This novel has the clear ring of authenticity . . . the depth of the setting gives it its richness' - Northern Echo `Cookson fans will lap up this entralling turn-of-the-century saga' - Hartlepool Mail `Sheer descriptive talent shines through here . . . gritty . . . powerful stuff' - Dorset Evening Echo Irene Carr was born and brought up on the river in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, in the 1930s. Her father and brother worked in shipyards in the North East and her mother was a Sunderland barmaid. She has written four previous ‘Mary's Child’, ‘Chrissie's Children’, ‘Lovers Meeting’ and ‘Love Child’. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.

Genres: Historical, Fiction, Romance

Audio CD

First published April 6, 2000

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprise packet! I picked this book up on Kindle for next to nothing or free. Irene Carr reminded me of Jeffrey Archer's writing in The Clifton Chronicles. Set in the early 1900s and WW1 Katy's Men is well thought out and structured but a professional edit would have helped. Minor errors but irritating. But take nothing away from this book. Excellent. However the last page is oh so predictable! The way the rest of the book has been constructed the author could have done better with the last page. Katy's Men is real find and I look forward to reading her other book Liza soon.

[Barbra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author that I've read and it was an ok read. Kind of Catherine Cookson style.

Back Cover Blurb:
An independent, bonnie lass, Katy flees the drunken wrath of her father and gets a job with the Ashleigh family in a warehouse in Newcastle upon Tyne. But when young Charles pays her attention, Katy is forced to work for a dishonest haulage company in Sunderland.
Rescued by a glamorous but evil conman, Katy once more finds herself on the streets, this time with child. She is taken in by Matt Ballard who runs a rival haulage company. But trouble lies ahead. As the business prospers and Katy begins to realise where her heart lies, jealous rivals and the winds of war all conspire against her future happiness.