The Winter Rose

by Rita Bradshaw

From the top-ten bestselling author of One Snowy Night , Rita Bradshaw, comes The Winter Rose , a sweeping family saga set in the north of England.

It’s December 1902 and Rose O’Leary is looking forward to her baby girl’s first Christmas. But then tragedy her husband dies at the shipyard where he works and within days his friend, Nathaniel, makes it plain he’s determined to have her.

Rose flees with her child, but soon finds the world is a cruel place for a beautiful woman with no protection. More tragedy ensues and yet, although she’s bruised and broken, Rose is a fighter.

Then, when she least expects it, love enters her life again, but she cannot escape her past and now it threatens not only her happiness but her very life. Will she ever find a safe haven?

Genres: Romance, Fiction

528 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2022

About the author

Rita Bradshaw was born on 1949 in Northampton, England, where she was educated as a good Christian. She met Clive, her husband, at the age of 16 andnow the magic is still there. They have three lovely children, Cara, Faye, and Benjamin, and have always had a menagerie of animals in the house, whichat the present is confined to two endearing and very comical dogs who wouldmake a great double act on TV! The children, friends, and pets all keep thehouse buzzing and the food cupboards empty but Helen wouldn't have it anyother way. She still lives today in Northampton with her family. Althoughhaving enjoyed some wonderful holidays abroad she has never been tempted tolive anywhere else, although she rather likes the idea of a holiday homeclose to the sea one day.

Being a committed Christian and fervent animal lover she finds spare time is always at a premium, but long walks in the countryside with her husband and dogs, meals out followed by the cinema or theatre, reading, swimming,and having friends over for dinner are all fitted in somehow. She also enjoys sitting in her wonderfully therapeutic, rambling old garden in thesun with a glass of red wine, (under the guise of resting while thinking ofcourse!)

For years, she was a secretary. She began writing in 1990 as sheapproached that milestone of a birthday 40! She realized her two teenage ambitions (writing a novel and learning to drive) had been lost amid babiesand hectic family life, so set about resurrecting them.

Her first novel was for Mills and Boon and was accepted after one rewrite in 1992 as Helen Brooks, and she passed her driving test (the former was a joy and the latteran unmitigated nightmare!) She has written 50 novels as well as several sagas as Rita Bradshaw.

Since becoming a full-time writer she has found her occupation one of purejoy and often surprised when her characters develop a mind of their own bu tshe loves exploring what makes people tick and finds the old adage "truth isstranger than fiction" to be absolutely true. She would love to hear from any readers care of Mills & Boon.

Reviews

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunderland County Durham 1902, Rose and husband David O'Leary a shipyard welder at Bartams and their beautiful daughter Betsy live in the east End very young but very happy till a accident at work their happiness is out lived and Rose is a young widow. Nathaniel Alridge is Daveys best mate and they worked together, Rose does not like the man and he goes all out to make Rose his, as she flees her home in Sunderland this book takes us over the north east Gateshead then Consett for Rose to have a fresh start. This book has so many strong characters throughout and has to be one of my favourite from this wonderful author, I always look forward to this time of the year for her books.
A touching unique story of one determined lady Rose.
A contented booklover loved it.

[Carol Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story..well told!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story i really loved reading this book i will highly recommend it.

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story,enjoyable read.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rita Bradshaw (2023) THE WINTER ROSE (AUDIOBOOK)
BorrowBox - Macmillan Publishers International

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars

BorrowBox writes, "From the top-10 best-selling author of One Snowy Night, Rita Bradshaw, comes The Winter Rose, a sweeping family saga set in the North of England.
It’s December 1902, and Rose O’Leary is looking forward to her baby girl’s first Christmas. But then tragedy strikes: her husband dies at the shipyard where he works, and within days his friend Nathaniel makes it plain he’s determined to have her.
Rose flees with her child but soon finds the world is a cruel place for a beautiful woman with no protection. More tragedy ensues, and yet, although she’s bruised and broken, Rose is a fighter.
Then, when she least expects it, love enters her life again, but she cannot escape her past, and now it threatens not only her happiness, but her very life. Will she ever find a safe haven?"
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Excellent. Rose is a feisty, steely character. Enjoyed this loads and loads.
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#RitaBradshaw #TheWinterRose #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #BorrowBox

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the north of England in December 1902, this is a “sweeping family saga” which had me engaged from start to finish. The era and setting come alive through the descriptive narrative and I fell in love with the likeable and relatable characters. Main character, Rose O’Leary is looking forward to her daughters first Christmas when tragedy strikes and her husband dies at the shipyard where he works. His friend, who Rose never liked, Nathaniel, is determined to make Rose his, so Rose and her daughter runaway. Rose then has a heartbreaking time out in the real world on her own with a baby, but she is a fighter. Then when she least expected it she finds love again, but it’s not all plain sailing, and she finds she can not escape her past. I was fully immersed in the storyline and just wanted Rose to find love again. This was an emotional rollercoaster of a read.

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I read this on my Borrowbox app on my tablet I was hooked from the very 1st page, this story centres on Rose whose life is changed forever when her husband Davy dies in an accident at work. Although sometimes tense, sad and happy (I really went through the emotions with this one). A followup story about Betsy would be good 😉

[david and Joan Lister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brillant

Brilliant reading from the first page to the last page couldn't wait to get the housework done so I pick the book up

[Jan Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

Another marvellous book by this author. I am so glad Rose got her happy ending. I could not put this book down. Well worth five stars

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book, so much courage from a young mother to protect her child loved it

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and set where I live so fascinating to read. Great plot and story was great to snuggle up with on cold December night’s.

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story
Beautifully written one woman’s struggle against all the odds 5*

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read cover to cover in 24 hours, couldn’t put it down! I was glad to have something to enjoy during the Christmas limbo.

Danger, romance and a plot that left you feeling good.

[Layla · Rating 2 out of 5]

started this but was a dnf,

[Angela Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome story! I could not put this book down.

[Alison Hydes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a brilliant read, can't put the book down, keeps you interested from the very beginning

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book from this author. A nice story, sad at times but a good ending. Well worth reading.

[Book_princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a story, so gripping I couldn't put this one down

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book, it took me a little while to get into but so glad I didn't give up. It was going to be a 4 star but in the end I gave it 5. Couldn't put it down in the end,

[jean clarkson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book a good read

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beauty of Rita Bradshaw

[Sue Hickling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a lovely story .

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book!

[GrannyLee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great from start to finish.

A gripping story with well developed characters and plot. Rose is strong. Thank goodness because her life is very rough. And scary.

[Judith Sutcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and kept my interest.

[Sarah Anibubu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book as a birthday present to myself. The cover caught my attention, it's so pretty and bright. I enjoyed reading the novel. It was cozy and lovely.

[Donna Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read felt it could have been wrapped up a bit quicker at the end enjoyed reading.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

The queen of the North East writes another outstanding story. You can always rely on enjoying a Rita Bradshaw book.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best I've read in a long time. Rose has more than her fair share of heartache but with her determination and amazingly resourceful outlook and strong attitude she manages to weather each stormy challenge. Absolute page turner... an author is look for again.