A Widow's Courage

Birch End #2

by Anna Jacobs

Lancashire 1934. Three years after her husband’s sudden death, Stella comes into some money unexpectedly and decides to make a new start in the country. She settles on Ellin Valley, where she quickly begins to make friends. She falls in love with a cottage in Birch End, but an unscrupulous man wants it too. Will she be able to buy her dream home?

Life has changed drastically for local handyman Wilf Pollard as well. When tragedy strikes, Wilf is left as the only support of his two young children. But his friends rally round to help so that he can pull his life together and take up an exciting new job with a well-respected builder.

Some of the local council are eager to deal with the squalid conditions of the Backshaw Moss slum, but others will stop at nothing to keep their profitable rents. And Stella’s dream cottage is threatened by their plans to build yet more cheap housing. Can Stella, Wilf and the residents of Birch End pull together to make sure good triumphs over evil?

Genres: Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2020

About the author

Anna Jacobs has 87 novels published as of April 2019. She writes historical sagas and modern novels alternately, and in the past has written historical romances and fantasy novels (the latter as Shannah Jay).

She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com

Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to review this 2nd book in the Birch End series.Stella widowed at a young age is stuck in a boring job with only one good friend Lena who changes Stella's life for the better.Deciding to move to Ellin Valley and falls in love with a derelict cottage in Birch End.I have really loved reading Stella's story and look forward to the next book. Thank you Anna Jacobs 5*

[Jill Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find Anna Jacob's books to be exactly what she intends them to be and very satisfying to read. This one is no exception, even though I didn't realise it was the second in a series until I had it home from the library. It worked well as a stand-alone, but also will lead me to the first.
While her characters tend slightly towards caricatures, and her plots towards predictable, sometimes you just want a comforting reading experience to fall in to, and Anna provides that.

[Doreen Atherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read can’t wait for next instalment in the saga to see if all goes well with the cottage and the building of new houses gets underway

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courage

From the first page of the first book I've been kept interested in what happens to all the character's. They have all been fabulous. Can't wait for telling next book.

[Mrs Kathleen Morrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

Really good read folowing on from previous series. All characters stayed real and again enjoyable. Cant wait for the next one.

[william shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book brilliant author

[Fi · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the Ellindale series, I was really pleased to find that there was a follow-on series, and Birch End hasn't disappointed. Yes, they are slightly predictable (I now recognise the formula), but they are well written, and the characters are likeable - well, not the 'baddies', obviously!
I like that characters who were centre stage in previous books are still there in the background, and their follow-on journeys are neatly slotted into the latest story; the ongoing political corruption gives an added interest - and somehow makes them topical!
Well done Anna Jacobs, for a thoroughly enjoyable series.

[Barney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very readable. But very predictable. Pantomime villain with cronies and characterless thugs. Heartwarming good guys including a unlikely number of strong women. Love between the hero and heroine with no faltering.

[Kathryn Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series with fabulous characters and a great setting.The plot moves rapidly along and I can't wait for the villain to get his comeuppance at some point. Bring on the next book.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet, another brilliant story from the marvellous Anna Jacobs. This book is one that once you have started it you just cannot put it down. It is so nice that you can pick the characters up from A Daughters Journey and other stories from the Ellindale and Rivenshaw books by Anna. As always the characters are simply lovely and what I like is that there is nearly always a villain that you love to hate. This is another five star recommended read by me. As with all Anna Jacobs books that I have read. Now I am starting A Woman's Promise: No. 3 in the Birch End Series.

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this saga and the second one was even better. I am really glad that Wilf who's featured in most books of the saga as a whole including ellandale finally got his own story. Stella was a lovely character and so supportive to Wilf. Given they'd both been through the same thing it was grate to see them supporting each other. I was reading the saga's simultaniously however given that bagshaw moss mentions things that happened in this series going to read book 3 of this first then complete Bagshaw moss.

[MRS S PUSEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Birch End please love this story.

Just loved this story lovely Stella and Wilf so kind it was sad he lost his wife and the children their mother thanks to Mrs Morton and Mona their kindness to let Wilf and the children stay with them.Sergeant Deemer a force to be reckoned with and the new councillors let's hope Higginson will be got rid of.can't wait to read the next birch end.

[Cheryll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realise this was the second book in the series when I picked it up but I don't think it will make a difference reading them out of order. It was a nice enough story but I felt it was a bit weak at times. I'll have to read the third book to find out what happens as the ending of this story has left things unfinished.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was ok *spoilers*

Was an easy read but very predictable. The main character is the most fortunate person I’ve ever known. Coming into money, landing on her feet with a new job and a place to live then meeting her future husband straight away. Some of it I felt was a bit unnecessary. Wasn’t sure if it was a love story or a gangster story.

[Mary Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really my genre of reading material but it was a pleasant story about England between the wars and the poverty people were enduring. At least we get benefits and free health care for those in need.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book in this series. It feels like my friend and I hate putting it down as I want to
Know what they are up to ! Loving all the characters and seeing how they have changed. Onto the last book in the series.

[Ann Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella finds herself widowed at an early age. She spent three years living quite a boring life, working in a job she found very boring. Unexpectidly she comes into some money. With courage she is able to turn her life around and start a new life in the countryside.

[josephine Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a story!

It is always very satisfying to read another story by Anna Jacobs. They always contain everything, love, excitement, mystery and satisfaction, this one was no different and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I now look forward to the next.

[Clare Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Fantastic read.. Loved every bit of it.. A great addition to the series. Can't wait for the next one. Thank you Anna Jacobs

[Cyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Anna Jacobs. I wish her books were a little easier to find here in US, but I do love them. Kind of gentle stories, with wonderful characters. Keep writing Ms. Jacobs!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story.

[Penny Little · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit too sickly sweet for my liking. Everyone is too nice to each other and even the bad guys aren't that bad.

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this would recommend the series

[mrs g m wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another fantastic read could not put it down disappointed about the bad guy.But happy with outcome with the ending.Loved it.

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the plot was very similar to the one before I still enjoyed it. Stella is a good addition to Birch End. Just about to start book 3 which I assume will have a similar plot, we'll see!

[Helena Abrahams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story with wonderful characters. Family struggles with a happy ending. Love and intrigue and a beautiful setting - all help to make this novel difficult to put down.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant saga this is book 2 of 3 an amazing Author I’m so hooked on Anna Jacobs books once you start you can’t put them down
About to start number 3 the final book in the Birch End Saga

[Jennifer Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read and could not put it down

[Susan Wheatcroft · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very easy read but overly predictable.

[Zoe Perkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my usual read, I was given it so thought I'd give it a go. Not a bad story but the writing was simplistic, almost basic. Safe to say I will not be searching out other books by this author