Stray Angel

by Kay Brellend

Discover the Workhouse to War trilogy by Kay a new saga series set in the Whitechapel Union workhouse in East London, between 1904 and 1916. . .

The perfect Christmas gift for fans of heart-warming saga


1915, Chrisp Street Market, East London.

While the man she loves is in France fighting for his country, Lily Larkin wakes up at dawn to carry crates of apples to his market stall. Left in charge of Greg's warehouse, she has blossomed from a street urchin into a shrewd tradeswoman. But the market is a man's world and she soon starts attracting some unwanted visitors, including Greg's old rival Scully.

Luckily, Lily recruits her old friends, Margie and Fannie, as helping hands. While the work is hard, it is nothing compared to the drudgery they endured as children of the workhouse, and they bear their burdens as cheerfully as their heavy barrows.

But Lily has one trouble she must keep before dying, her mother gave birth to a child who was spirited away under the cover of darkness. Searching every corner of the city to find her long-lost sister, Lily soon discovers there is a world of wickedness within London's poorest alleys.


Will Lily finally be reunited with her sister, or will her dreams of a family be dashed forever?

The Workhouse to War
A Workhouse Christmas
Stray Angel


Praise for Kay Brellend


'Vividly rendered' Historical Novel Society


' A fantastic cast of characters' Goodreads


'Thoroughly absorbing' Goodreads

Genres: Historical Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2021

Reviews

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in the Workhouse to War trilogy and straight away you are engrossed with the characters, the friendships that have been forged between Lily, Margie and Fanny is as strong now as it was when the girls were residents of the Workhouse. Starting off in 1915 in Chrisp Street Market in the East End of London, WW1 is raging in France and Lily's young man Greg Wilding is away fighting for his country, Lily and her friends are kept busy running the market stall, it is hard work but rewarding. But one thing keeps knawing away with Lily, that is her younger sister, she is not sure what become of her and whether she is alive or dead. Lily is made of tough stuff, she was a workhouse girl, used to being threatened by bullies and she certainly needs all her strength, both in her quest to find her sister and with her work on the market stall. She is keeping the stall running for Greg Wilding, but with her stall helper Smudger sticking up for a young woman called Claudette, who is married to local trouble maker Rory Scully, things certainly are no bed of roses. Claudette came into the country as a Begium refugee at the start of the war and her family got her married to the first man who showed any interest in her, they knew her being married to an English man would surely mean they would be able to stay in the country.
Things are tough for Lily and although her years in the Workhouse are behind her, she finds life still is sometimes not as easy as she would like and without Greg to protect her all the time, she is worried about the bullies that lurk around the street corners.
But one question is uppermost in her mind each and every day "where is Charlotte, her sister?"
This book is full of gritty and gutsy characters and with raw, atmospheric locations and then diphtheria causing problems in the community, the residents of these very poor streets find things very hard going indeed. You find yourself caring for the characters and all their troubles and problems, all at a time of great poverty and with situations that seem unbelievable today. When book three of this trilogy comes out, I can't wait to read it. This was a great book that I truly adored and the storyline will stay with me for a long time. Well worthy of being a 5☆ read, I would have given it more if I could.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Workhouse to War series, this follows the tale of Lily Larkin in East End London at the start of the first world war. These characters have such a hard life, living hand to mouth. All it takes is an accident, a death in the family, and they could end up in their worst nightmare, the workhouse. These were like prisons for the poor, families were separated and the inmates were treated appallingly. This was the time of my grandparents and I know they suffered hardship and poverty when they were young, it was a fear that stayed within them.

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, Lily is holding the fort while Greg is away fighting in ww1 also looking for her sister when she gets the chance. I'm hoping book 3 is just as good

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t realize that there was a prequel but enjoyed this book and would like to find out what happens in the follow up.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just as excellent as the first book in the series! It really makes you feel so connected to the characters. I will be starting the next book right away!