Today's review of historical fiction takes us back to 1897 and the last few years of the nineteenth century. A New Dawn for the Mill Girls by Chrissie Walsh was published by Boldwood Books on June 26th.
West Yorkshire 1897
A new mistress for Lockwood Mill.
Verity Lockwood despises life at Far View House, where her
father and mill owner, Jebediah Lockwood, drowns his fortune—and his wits—in
drink. With debts mounting, whispers spread - how much longer can Lockwood’s
Mill survive?
The dark and dirty mills of Yorkshire are no place for a
gently bred young woman, but when Verity learns that her father’s ruin
threatens not only her home but the livelihoods of the workers who depend on
it, she refuses to stand idly by.
Oliver Hardcastle, the mill’s stern and steady manager, is
doubtful of Miss Lockwood’s sudden involvement. She’s quiet and unassuming, yet
behind her demure exterior lies a sharp mind and as Verity challenges tradition
with her bold ideas, she soon earns the respect of the other workers –
especially the mill girls— and the reluctant admiration of Oliver himself.
But as their partnership deepens into something more,
powerful men begin to take notice. Other mill owners scoff at Verity’s reforms,
seeing her as a threat to the order they seek to maintain. And when enemies
close in, Verity and Oliver must stand together—not only to save the mill, but
to fight for a love neither of them expected.
My Thoughts
I was delighted when I started this novel to realise that it is set in West Yorkshire, near Huddersfield as I live in that part of the world. I lapped up all the local references, especially the one which referenced the Standedge Tunnel. the highest, longest deepest one in the world! The lives of those connected with the woollen mills in Almondbury showed how different people were dealt such different life chances, according to their class and position in the world. The workers were shown to be a mixed bunch but mainly hard workers who had a certain loyalty to the management.
Verity is the mill owner's daughter and heir who has been neglected by her father since her mother's death. She strikes you as rather lonely at the start and looking for genuine friendship but she finds purpose in her efforts to improve the mill. She believes in encouraging everyone and champions those who want to improve, providing better conditions and seeking to reward hard work. Unfortunately some see her as naive and seek to take advantage of her.
Period detail and the social conditions of the time sit alongside a slow burn romance. You sense that there are changes coming for everyone as the century draws to an end and women in particular are constrained by attitudes as to their purpose. Through the characters, you see how some regard social class as a barrier to getting on, believing that it is wrong to have ideas 'above your station'. The other mill owners close ranks at times and regard Verity as a soft touch who is working against their interest by bringing in some of her reforms. I am certainly looking forward to the next in this series which blends the spirit of the times with excellent story- telling.
In short: new starts and old attitudes
About the Author
Chrissie Walsh was born and raised in West Yorkshire and is
a retired schoolteacher with a passion for history. She has written several
successful sagas documenting feisty women in challenging times.
You can follow Chrissie here:
Facebook: ChrissieWalsh
Twitter: @WalshChrissie
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Purchase links
Thanks to Chrissie Walsh, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
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