Evelyn Hood

Discover the emotional historical book from the Queen of Scottish Saga, Evelyn Hood.

Scotland, 1918 As the war ends, Jenny plans a new life in Glasgow, eager to escape her domineering, alcoholic father. But when her brother is reported missing in action, she must remain in the Clydeside town of Ellerslie, working at a shipyard tracing office to help support her struggling family

Orphaned Elspeth Bremner longs to become a teacher, but her foster mother, Flora McDonald, decides that Elspeth must begin work when she turns fourteen. Wishing to improve her future prospects, she attends night school to learn shorthand, typing and book-keeping.

Thirty-five-year-old Rachel Carswell is devastated by her father's death. While clearing his belongings, her Aunt Chrissie reveals a long-hidden secret: Rachel was adopted as a baby during the Second World War.

After his wife's death, Hamilton Forsyth announces his intention to leave the Ayrshire town of Saltcoats, convinced his duties to his three grown children are complete. But scandal soon isolates the Forsyths from the community they once cherished.

Paisley, Scotland, 1941. The residents of Glen Street Tenement find their lives increasingly entwined as war reshapes their world. As the war drags on, old secrets surface—and one resident's actions threaten them all.

When working class Christy marries the wild and wealthy Andrew, an unequal union is formed. While Andrew is away at sea, Christy pursues a career producing perfume and cosmetics, causing tension with Andrew who believes she should devote herself to their children and himself

Isla McAdam is summoned to Paisley by a lawyer following her husband's suicide, only to discover that she was never truly married to Kenneth McAdam, a shameless man who had been leading a double life.

When their father commits suicide rather than facing bankruptcy, sisters Annis and Olivia Kerr are left penniless. Annis marries their older neighbour, merchant Douglas Moncrieff, out of necessity so they both have a roof over their heads once more, albeit not a happy one.

Heartbroken Nurse Rose Gibb sets sail for South Africa during the Boer War after being rejected by the man she loved for the sake of her pretty half-sister.

By day Mirren works in the twisting department at Ferguslie Thread Mills and by night she works in a local fried-fish shop. She also cares for her sick mother and dreams of the day her fiancé, Donald, will send for her to come and live with him in America.

As the Great War rolls on, Lessie Carswell's grocery shop is thriving, even while the community of Greenock experiences tragic losses. Lessie's son Ian reaches fighting age and is sent to Ypres.

Widowed Lessie Hamilton lives with her young son and her brother Davie. To make ends meet, Lessie works in the local grocery shop supporting Davie as he works on the docks and attends night school, hoping to become an engineer, much to the scorn of their reformed alcoholic father.

Rose MacDowall is hopeful that her husband Alex can overcome his post-war night terrors and return to full health so she can concentrate on her thriving dress-designing business. But Alex's scheming sister Fiona can't help but interfere, much to Rose's frustration.

Eighteen years after being cast out by her father for falling pregnant, Kirsty Lennox returns to Paisley determined to lay the ghosts of the past to rest. Kirsty's husband Matt takes over the cabinetmaking business running it with the help of their two eldest sons.

After the death of her husband, Kirsty Lennox remarries and rebuilds her life, watching her children find success. But the arrival of four-year-old Rowena Lennox, Kirsty's granddaughter by marriage, throws the family's plans for the future into disarray.

Brothers James and Innes Lowrie return home to their wives and families after the war, Innes working for a shipbuilder and James returning to sea and the family's fishing business. Sister Bethany Pate and Innes have sons and heirs to go into the family business, but James does not.

One year after Weem Lowrie’s death, his wife Jess and children are still living in his shadow, bound by the strict decisions he imposed when he was alive.

Morag Weir's young life is full of responsibilities: caring for the ailing Sander Weir, the man who has raised her as his daughter; whilst managing his household and shipping business.

When Rowena and Neil Lindsay's mother tragically dies in a boating accident, her father – devastated by his wife's death – is unable to care for them. Wanting the best for Rowena, Fergus and Sarah dream of a society wedding for Rowena to a wealthy man.