Set on a 19th century farm in rural Lancashire near Liverpool, this heartwarming saga is the story of Poppy Appleton, a girl who grew up in ignorance and poverty but has been adopted by a prosperous farmer's wife.

At Long Reach farm, Eliza Goodall teaches Poppy all the skills she would have passed on to her own daughter: the skills that would enable a young lady to become the mistress of a farm just like Long Reach. And when the time comes for Eliza's son Richard to choose a wife, it seems only natural that he should choose Poppy.

But though she feels nothing but affection for Richard and all her new family, the only man for whom she has ever felt love is an Irish boy, Conn MacConnell. And when he returns unexpectedly, Poppy has to choose between loyalty and love.

Her thousands of fans recognise the artistry of a true storyteller - Lancashire Life

Poignant and well plotted, this is the book to curl up with to shut out troubles - Women's Realm on BEYOND THE SHINING WATER

This saga is, like all of Audrey Howard's books, compelling and memorable . . . a joy to read. - The Historical Novels Review on A PLACE CALLED HOPE

A compelling and well-paced tale - Coventry Evening Telegraph on A FLOWER IN SEASON

Howard's timeless story of love and betrayal is sure to enchant her army of loyal readers - Lancashire Evening Post on PAINTED HIGHWAY

Audrey Howard was born in Liverpool in 1929. Before she began to write she had a variety of jobs, among them hairdresser, model, shop assistant, cleaner and civil servant. In 1981 she wrote the first of her novels when she was out of work and living in Australia. There are now more than twenty, and her fourth, The Juniper Bush, won the Boots Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 1988. She now divides her time between her childhood home, St Anne's on Sea, Lancashire, and a home in the Yorkshire Dales.