The Sailor's Promise

Windsor Street Family Saga #0.5

by V.L. McBeath

Liverpool. January 1871
One Man. One Woman. One Choice?

Life hasn’t been easy for Nell. Orphaned as a child, her elder sister Maria is a substitute for the mother she barely remembers. All she wants now is a husband and family of her own.

Second mate Jack Riley loves his life at sea and dreams of one day captaining his own ship. Settling down to life in the back streets of Liverpool holds no appeal.

Until he bumps into his old flame, Nell.

She wants security and a husband who’ll come home each night. But the call of the sea is strong. Can Jack abandon his plans and give her the life she craves?

Based on a true story, The Sailor’s Promise is an introductory novella to The Windsor Street Family Saga. A story of love, loss and hope set in Victorian-era Liverpool and beyond.

Books in The Windsor Street Family Saga so
Part 1: The Sailor’s Promise (An Introductory Novella)
Part 2: The Wife's Dilemma
Part 3: The Stewardess's Journey
Part 4: The Captain’s Order
Part 5: The Companion's Secret
Part 6: The Mother’s Confession

NB. The Windsor Street Family Saga is one story told over a series of books. It is recommended that the books are read in sequential order.

All books are written in UK English

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

212 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2021

About the author

Val is an accidental author! She started writing in 2010 when she realised the family history research she was working on would make a great story.

That story ultimately turned into The Ambition & Destiny Series, a five part series with a short story prequel.

By the time that was complete, Val had developed a taste for writing and began a series of historical cozy mysteries - Eliza Thomson Investigates.

Prior to writing, Val trained as a scientist and worked in the pharmaceutical industry for many years. In 2012, she set up her own consultancy business, and currently splits her time between business and writing.

Born and raised in Liverpool (UK), Val now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two daughters and a cat. In addition to family history, her interests include rock music and Liverpool Football Club.

Reviews

[Abbi Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing much happened. Nell waited. Everyone talked, a lot, about not much. I thought more might happen to make Hugh see the error of his ways with Rebecca, but no. Maria's grumpy.
We don't learn the history between Nell and Jack. No details. Just an abundance of dialogue. I probably won't move onto the next book unfortunately.

[Ann Dudzinski · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up on KU primarily because it's set in Victorian Liverpool. Given the author is a liverpudlian, I figured there'd be plenty of period detail and flavor. I was disappointed. Aside from a few street names, this could have been set in any port city. Historic details were scarce as well.

I realize this is. Character-driven story, but there was no tension. Neil spent the entire book waiting for Jack. She complained a lot throughout and never seemed to be satisfied. The lack of conflict made it difficult to be invested in any of the characters.

[Trick Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Windsor Street Family Saga, Sailor's Promise ,......VL McBeath,well what can or could be said about her new series of books coming for all her loyal fans to read!! In this first book you are introduced to some of the key members of her family who is and what role they play in her family.VL leads you not only in who is who but you begin to understand and get to know each person's personality, what role they play in the family, who is married or going to be married.. By the time you finish this book you are so much into the family and where the sailor part of the family begins that you want to keep on with the story of the three sisters and their families and that when all is said and done, all the characters become real to you that you forget your just reading a story but you are back in time in England during the 1800's!!! Thank you again VL McBeath for your love of writing and your style and making us become part of this story... Waiting on your second book patiently!!! 🐢🐢
Love the cover of this book!

[Avis Witter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written as is usual for Ms. Mcbeath. The story revolves around an extended family living in one house and the situations that arise from two of the sisters leaving to marry and a brother who wants to cut his ties with his brother-in-law (who is head of the family) and strike out on his own. You can picture the characters and hear the conversations while you read. It shows the emotions of those in a sea faring family and the way life worked for them. Everyone knew their place in society and, for those that wanted to better themselves, life could become very difficult. Men were in charge and life was hard for the women.

This is a good introduction to a new series laying the foundation, I suspect, for troubles, heartbreaks, tears and smiles in the Windsor Street family.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author was inspired by stories of her ancestors and has built this book about a woman she discovered while doing genealogical research on her family.
I, too, enjoy discovering facts about my ancestors while researching my family tree. This book helped me to see the atmosphere of Liverpool in 1871, 22 years after some of my ancestors sailed from there to New York.
The book held my interest from start to finish, had only 2 typos, and had no f-bombs. I intend to read more books by this author.

[blueyed_cntry_girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can just imagine the real people this story was written about, their story! I can picture myself there feeling their emotions and going through the turmoil of the life of a woman back then. Not to mention a sailors widow. And the journey Jack went through wow! Oh I wanted to ring a few of their necks also. Looking forward to the next book which I’m sure will bring more troubles and hopefully happiness.

I received this as an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Alonza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story! The descriptions and characters are understandable and easy to follow. Nell and Jack are a unique couple. It’s great to see ordinary people with ordinary problems and how the coped during a different era. Everyday life was hard. Being married to or in a relationship with a sailor/merchant seaman/ any military personnel is just as hard today, even with all our electronics. I’m looking forward to reading more about Nell and Jack and the rest on Windsor Street!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of this saga is intriguing. We are introduced to the characters and given hints about each of them. I liked the way that the story is told from the perspective of the two main characters, their thoughts and feelings. I would highly recommend this series and I am looking forward to the net chapter. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

The author Val is so masterful going between fact and fiction. And it is so neat that it is based on her own family. As an amature genealogist that is so facinating to me. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend these books and author they are suberb.

[joyce brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more in the series. The characters are interesting and each one brings something different to the story. The author has set the scene and makes you want to delve deeper into their lives and to become one of the family. I could not out this book down .

[Sandra Lockwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not recommend this read. It’s ordinary at best. I will not be reading the series.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The problem

I've really enjoyed reading every page. Miss McBeath tells a great story and as you read you learn about the wives.
Thank you for a Fabulous story.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lovely story but not too much substance.

[patricia sendelbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Start of a family history but short on important deta.ils

[Lindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book the first from this author, hoping I can get copies of the next books in the series.