Winter’s Daughter

by Val Wood

With her trademark warmth and powerful characters, Winter's Daughter is a stunning new Victorian saga - about a young child separated from her mother, and the family who bring her in from the cold.

'As always, Val tells it from the heart . . . A stirring story of faith, hope and charity will enthral you' Peterborough Telegraph

Hull, 1856.

James Ripley and his wife Moira have always looked out for the poor of Hull. When, during one stormy night, there is a flood in a nearby cellar - a popular shelter for the homeless - James rushes to help.

Among those rescued is a dark-haired little girl who speaks a language no one can understand. Some say that she came to the cellar with her mother, but no one knows where the mother is now.

Concerned for the child's safety, James is unsure of what to do. Where has the girl's mother disappeared to? And what can be done to help the homeless who have lost the only shelter they knew?

A stunning new story of family, love and the importance of kindness, from the Sunday Times bestselling author Val Wood.

Praise for Val

'A heart-warming story filled with compelling action' Rosie Goodwin
'Hull's answer to Catherine Cookson' BBC Radio 4's Front Row
'Wonderfully fully-fleshed characters are the mainstay of [Val Wood's] stories' Peterborough Telegraph
'With fully developed characters and a compelling story, it's no wonder the author won the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her debut... A great choice for a book club' Belfast Telegraph

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2022

About the author

Valerie Wood

Since winning the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her first novel, The Hungry Tide, Val Wood has become one of the most popular authors in the UK. Born in the mining town of Castleford, Val came to East Yorkshire as a child and has lived in Hull and rural Holderness where many of her novels are set. She now lives in the market town of Beverley. When she is not writing, Val is busy promoting libraries and supporting many charities. Find out more about Val Wood's novels by visiting her website: www.valeriewood.co.uk

Reviews

[joyce brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Val Wood never fails to impress. All her books are heartfelt and the reader feels part of her characters. WInter's Daughter was brilliantly written and a truly heart breaking tale. The rich and poor classes intermingle to help bring comfort to those who have fallen on hard times. Mixed with this is the tale of adventure and eventual heartbreak when Leila and Ziki become separated. James and Moira rescue little Floris and take her into their family until she can be reunited with her parents. I could not put this book down and I found the final chapter so fulfilling to find out that the two families still meet up and feel that they are now one larger fami!y. Praise for Val Wood.

[ROSEMARY ELIZABETH FAULKNER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous

Loved this book like all of Val Woods' books very hard to put down once you have started reading it

[De Beresford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winters daughter

Another brilliant novel. Transporting you to another world. The characters and places come to life. Couldn't put this novel down.

[Lou Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic culmination of seemingly fragmented at times events. I love when, no amount of surmising has me successfully concluding an ending. Beautifully written - intellectually so. I skipped some parts that I felt didn’t need to be there, a little drawn out in some of the descriptions, but the warmth that I felt towards pretty much all of the characters , throughout the whole story, has left me uplifted. Each and every character had layer upon layer - particularly little Floris, as well as the warmth that was (surprising to her, it would seem) released from Moira at the arrival of the little girl. Even the matron of the workhouse had her own believable character - they didn’t all have had to be formidable! And the camaraderie of the women in the cellar - yep, when the chips are down, humans often make sure they have one another’s backs. And a depiction of those harsh times. Really enjoyed this thank you Val Wood 👏🏽

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it wasn't the most exciting book I've read, it was a good wholesome story which depicted the plight of the poorest people of Hull in the mid 1800s. The descriptions of the p0verty stricken living conditions of those people without hope or means of survival was well documented and tragic. The story also shows how kindness and empathy from one family towards the poorest of these people was heart-warming.

I particularly liked the ending how the author brought the story to a conclusion.

[christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tale of life and travel poverty and hope

A story of travel and how it affects lives need to think back of times with bad choices father and daughter on the move through many places have to imagine these places never been seen by people sometimes you want too move on quicker to find the way forward seems a bowl of soup and bread can restore faith for those pushed under gr8

[Judith Ring · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical Val Wood saga. The author is an exceptional writer and researches well, however I found this story lacking in building emotion and feeling for the characters. I ended up skim reading the last 50 or so pages as I did want to know how it ended. It did have a satisfying ending and I would recommend it if you want an easy non dramatic read.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

From the first page I was hooked. This wonderful story talked of two families from different parts of the World. Very interesting and for them to be separated for so long. You will love this book. If you believe in faith you will adore this book.
Thank you Val Wood ❤

[Sue Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read from Val Wood and like the epilogue at the end

[Elaine Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story

From start to finish as usual her books keep you wanting to read the next page and the next. Really heartwarming

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW WOW WOW what a most Fantastic book I couldn't put it down, Will Floris, Leila and Ziki have a Happy ending, read to find out I recommend you read it

[Mrs Margaret Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book

I enjoyed reading this book it was extremely well written. I really enjoyed reading it. So I will look for more of Val. Wood books.

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book.

[Margaret Baseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

a really lovely story.

[michelle & ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Enjoyed this book by Val Wood, I don't think I have read anything by this author before but will in future.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful well told story, this book has my attention right from the beginning until the end. A five star read;