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The Cowgill Family Saga #3

Coming Home to Byland Crescent

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A sweeping epic of a tale, brilliantly written. Great characters, finely drawn. Great settings, beautifully described.” JamesJones950

A HEARTWARMING AND HEART-WRENCHING NEW SAGA SERIES FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR BILL KITSON.

Please note this book was previously published as Retribution .

From humble origins, the Cowgill family have bettered their lot. Through love and loss, hope and heartbreak, they work hard and face their troubles together, no matter what life throws at them.

Yorkshire, 1946.

World War Two is finally over. But for the Cowgill family there are fresh challenges to face and new battles to be fought.

At last, Sonny and Rachel Cowgill hear the news they’ve been so desperate for. Their son Mark, who was injured in the very last days of the fighting, will make it home in time for Christmas.

But their youngest son Billy has not been so lucky. He was declared missing in action in Crete and is presumed dead. Sonny and Rachel are learning to give up hope of seeing him again.

Meanwhile, in Australia, Luke Fisher returns from the German prisoner of war camp where he was interned. His beloved fiancée Isabella Finnegan is waiting for him.

But all is not well. Luke discovers that one of the Fisher Spring mining companies has been illegally poisoning the plant’s water, making the local population seriously ill. Including his fiancée’s mother.

Can Luke put things right to rescue his loved ones — and his business — in time?

Discover the trials and tribulations of a Yorkshire family through the decades.

Readers of Sheila Riley, Pam Howes, Lizzie Lane, Tania Crosse, Dilly Court, Dinah Jeffries, Suzanne Goldring and all fans of Downton Abbey and The Forsyte Saga will devour this touching saga series.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BILL KITSON’S CAPTIVATING SAGA

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I love this author whichever guise he is in . . . It is a very moving story of hardship, good times and tragedy in a very close-knit family.” JanBee

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ A literary masterpiece which possessed each trait determined for a master work. The author had an effective, subtle way in his style of writing.” Mary Crocco

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ If you liked Downton Abbey , you should enjoy this series too .” Aegeanjan

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “An excellent and interesting read. Looking forward to the next book. Highly Recommended!!” G. Lee

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Brilliant . . . Very intriguing and such a compelling story incorporating the First World War and its history.” Ann

⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I really enjoyed the details of the family and their lives as they are very reminiscent of the Downton Abbey family .” A reader

“The author keeps the story moving with his fine drawing of the characters and their reactions to each other and to the circumstances of their lives.” Gazette & Herald

“A brilliant opener to Bill’s saga series, with attention to detail and a strongly character-driven narrative . . . Faultless historical detail and superb dialogue make this a hugely enjoyable family drama .” Books Monthly

ALSO BY BILL KITSON
THE COWGILL FAMILY SAGA
Book 1: BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF BYLAND CRESCENT
Book 2: STORM CLOUDS OVER BYLAND CRESCENT
Book 3: COMING HOME TO BYLAND CRESCENT

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2022

281 people are currently reading
71 people want to read

About the author

Bill Kitson

57 books145 followers

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5 stars
710 (60%)
4 stars
341 (29%)
3 stars
104 (8%)
2 stars
9 (<1%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Grace J Reviewerlady.
2,135 reviews105 followers
October 7, 2022
Hot on the heels of the first two in series, I just had to read this one and complete the series.

As we enter the second world war, it's a new generation of the Cowgill family who are to the fore; with the family continuing to grow in all directions the elders despair of sending their youth off to fight yet again. At home, both in the UK and Australia, businesses continue with their battles to flourish and provide secure employment for all. I just love everything about this series, it is one of the finest family sagas I have enjoyed. The author has created a cast of characters who I could expect to meet in the street at any time. Living through their ups, downs, tragedies and celebrations definitely felt like an honour and I recommend this trilogy to all saga lovers. Definitely worth all five glowing stars and my recommendation.
158 reviews2 followers
February 12, 2022
Cowgill Family Saga

This review encompasses all three books of the data. It covers 70 years of this remarkable family during peace & war. It shows how this family grew a wool mill in northern England into a multi dimensional corporation in England & Australia. The characters are real & you feel as if you are standing there unseen in each scene. It covers all aspects of their lives - triumphs, tragedies, love, misunderstandings, everyday happenings. This is truly a series that you must read if you are a fan of historical English family sagas. I read these 3 books over the course of 4 days. I just could not put them down.
107 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2022
Wow

I read all three of The Cowgill series and I enjoyed each one. By it being a continuing story and being introduced to so many different people I do have to say it was a little hard to remember how they fit in with each other. Other than that, I don't think I would change much in the story line. I don't want to spoil anything, but I wish there would be another book to explain various things about the ending. I would definitely like to see more books like this from this author. I think his writing is wonderful!
8 reviews
January 7, 2023
It took me a while to get used to swapping between Australia and the U.K. I enjoyed the story but felt a little confused with all the different characters. I can't remember the date I started it but it took me longer than normal because I had to check back each time. I only read in bed so it depended on how tired I was having to figure out the locations. It also ended when I thought it should have finished a little less abruptly.
1 review
February 29, 2024
Good storyline just not realistic in parts.

Where it was a good storyline, there were a few things that irritated me. In Australia and England we say Mum not mom. I noted that it was spelt the American way more often than not. There was a lot of emphasis on couples always ready to jump into bed together, whether married or not, the women often being the instigators. In view of the way the author writes I would not buy another of his books.
Profile Image for Ellen Andrews.
30 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2022
I loved this entire series. Written in 3rd person, it is like you are watching everything from above. One thing I wish I would have done is start a family tree chart to keep track of how all the families are interconnected. If I have any complaint, it is that several story lines left me wondering what happened next. It makes me think that maybe Kitson is writing book #4. I sure hope so!
139 reviews2 followers
October 6, 2022
A brave reminder of the sad times during WW two.

I enjoyed the strength shown of cooperation between England and Australia. A wonderful story of cooperation between two similar governments and good idea's. A must read for all to grasp what hard times are. I wonder if we have the grit should we experience such times as this story.
234 reviews
November 20, 2022
Good continuation of a family in war and prosper

I liked this continuation if tis families story and they lived with the results if war on their family yet continued to prosper and build businesses and lives together. I would recommend this story series to someone who is interested in history with a bit of family love thrown in.
Profile Image for Annette.
918 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2022
A very well written family saga set just after the end of World War Two, when the world was still in turmoil. I do hope there's a fourth book in the series because I found it an entertaining and enjoyable read
807 reviews8 followers
March 8, 2022
Wonderful story

These folks are all heros in their own right. How they all loved and cared for each other and their children. The business side of this saga was well presented and thought out. The ending was absolutely beautiful. This series is well worth the read.
159 reviews
April 3, 2022
The end?

This was a very good series, but the author should consider another book. There were some loose ends, mainly the English family never making the connection to the Australian one. Nevertheless, this entertaining saga is why I love historical fiction.
3 reviews
April 9, 2022
Outstanding read

Loved the book and series. Will there be further book to finish the story? I feel it cannot be left there as the story isn't complete with the Cowgill family being divided across two continents. It was great that it was based in my home town of Scarborough.
743 reviews6 followers
June 22, 2022
Another Good One

I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written novel about the Cowgil family post WW2. It is full of twists and turns as time marches into the 1950's. there is romance, death, births, and new business ventures. I look forward to the next book in series
27 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2022
Ending

I really liked the book. I loved the messy families and the story but the ending was awful!!! It was too abrupt and left Andrew's immediate story hanging. I know the book could go on for decades. I just wanted to follow Andrew.
10 reviews
October 4, 2022
Bought me to tears

What a sad but happy ending to this saga wish there were more books. Have to say that I didn't realise they were written by a gentleman until the last book. Well done Bill very well written.Look forward to more reads from you
454 reviews4 followers
November 14, 2022
Brilliant

I found this story absolutely enthralling. It went into so much detail of the
lives of the family and the company's they founded. Also the war time
experiences. I just couldn't put it down. I hope there will be further ones in the series
29 reviews
January 14, 2023
A good gentle read

Reading these three books was like driving down a winding country road. Going slowly and anticipating each curve and what will be there next. It was enjoyable and relaxing.
45 reviews
January 23, 2023
Addictive

I couldn't put this down. I feel bereft now that the story has ended. I know that the author had to decide to stop writing about this family at some point, but I want to know more! I fully recommend this three book series.
15 reviews
June 18, 2023
Perfect

I love reading of generations of families and how they intertwine. This was an excellent read that I had to stop myself from consuming too much at a time. This enabled me to think of the story line and how it related to history at that time. Perfect, just perfect.
Profile Image for Fran.
2 reviews
September 9, 2024
obsessed with sex

The author is obsessed with sex. All of the books in the series are about the sexual interactions of his characters, with a bit of history thrown in as a background for the MANY sexual relationships.
9 reviews
March 10, 2022
This book needed to finally bring the two sides of the family together! The ending was abrupt and unsatisfying.
389 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2022
A good story.

This is the third book in the Cowgill family series. Bill Kitson has written some great stories and this series is one of them.
389 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2022
Coming Home To BylandCrescent

A fitting ending to a great family saga. I enjoyed all three books. The way all the characters were tied together made it all the more interesting.
3 reviews
May 16, 2022
Anotber book?

It is a good story. Drags in spots therefore four instead of five. Any plans to continue the story and hilight Carmens daughter
7 reviews
October 21, 2022
Fabulous read

I have now read the 3book series and want it to continue. This is writing that you cannot stop reading!
Profile Image for Heidi Matheson.
149 reviews1 follower
December 31, 2022
I had high hopes for this final episode, but I feel very disappointed by the ending. There are a number of loose ends that have not been tied up.
18 reviews
January 20, 2023
Really enjoyed all three books in the series being drawn into the lives of each character.
As I read them over a period of time it would have been useful to have a ‘family tree’ inside the back or front cover of each book to be reminded of their relationships.
58 reviews
June 11, 2023
Enjoyable

Once again the story follows the lives of the families. If there was another book I would like t hat the 2 sides of the family discover that they are related.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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