An Orphan’s Wish

War rages, but the women and children of Liverpool’s Dr Barnardo’s Home cannot give up hope. What more could you wish for than a poignant, heart-warming saga to read this winter?

LIVERPOOL, 1943
Yorkshire is the place Lana has always called home, but it’s now filled with painful memories of her fiancé, Dickie, who was killed at sea. When she accepts the challenging position of headmistress at a school in Liverpool, she hopes a new beginning will help to mend her broken heart.

A BATTLE TO FIGHT
Not everyone at Bingham School is happy about her arrival but Lana throws herself into the role, teaching children from the local village and the nearby Dr Barnardo’s orphanage. She thrives in her work, but soon finds herself falling for a man who she would once have considered the enemy – and is torn between what she knows is right, and taking a risk that might see her lose everything.

THE STRENGTH TO HOPE
There are children that desperately need her help, and Lana must fight for everyone’s happiness, as well as her own. But one young girl in particular shows her that there is a way through the darkness – because even when all seems lost, there is always a glimmer of hope to be found…

• Idea conceived and worked up by the Avon team, following extensive market research.

• This is the third book in the series. Book 1, An Orphan in the Snow, was a dazzling saga debut for Christmas 2017 and has sold 23K copies so far.

• USP: Dr Barnado’s gives this series a clear point of difference, with a strong brand recognition. The charity are fully supportive and have already opened their archives to the author.

• Molly Green is the pseudonym of experienced writer Denise Barnes, who is happy to do events and publicity under this guise.

• Series set in Liverpool – a city with strong retail links to Asda and Morrisons.

• This is to be our ‘seasonal saga’ – complementing Kitty’s books, and adding a point of difference to our 2018 Christmas line-up, helping to ease any crowding.

• The series has a high quality look that stands out on shelves, with evocative and seasonal imagery.