Hearts of Gold Series by Catrin Collier

Bethan Powell, a recently qualified nurse, is the main breadwinner for her colliery family. Living in the Depression-ridden Welsh valleys, her life is a continual struggle to make ends meet. Then one day, working at the hospital, she meets Andrew John, an affluent young doctor from a different world. Andrew has a car and a flat, and introduces Bethan to a different style of life away from the poverty and hardship she is used to... moreBethan Powell, a recently qualified nurse, is the main breadwinner for her colliery family. Living in the Depression-ridden Welsh valleys, her life is a continual struggle to make ends meet. Then one day, working at the hospital, she meets Andrew John, an affluent young doctor from a different world. Andrew has a car and a flat, and introduces Bethan to a different style of life away from the poverty and hardship she is used to. But their love is a subject of much gossip, and they will have to overcome family prejudice and social barriers before they can find true happiness. less

"A powerful tale of survival and hardship, very well crafted and with strong characters" - Publishing NewsIn strictly chapel Pontypridd in 1938, tongues are quick to wag when Alma Moore, abandoned by her lover, is rushed to hospital with stomach pains. The doctor may call it appendicitis, but the scandal-mongers think they know better... more"A powerful tale of survival and hardship, very well crafted and with strong characters" - Publishing NewsIn strictly chapel Pontypridd in 1938, tongues are quick to wag when Alma Moore, abandoned by her lover, is rushed to hospital with stomach pains. The doctor may call it appendicitis, but the scandal-mongers think they know better. And then Bethan John, who's too good for the rest of them since she married a doctor, comes back to her mining family's house with her new baby - but without her husband, or any word of explanation. Ostracised by most - even their own mothers - Alma and Bethan face a lonely struggle to survive. Then taciturn Russian Charlie, an outsider haunted by his own past, reaches out the hand of friendship to them both, and in so doing begins to thaw his own heart...The series was adapted for TV by the BBC. Ideal for readers who have enjoyed books by Maeve Binchy, Catherine Cookson and Marie Maxwell. less

In 1939, Haydn Powell returns to his native Pontypridd as a star for the summer season. It is his dream come true, but is soon soured when he finds his family divided. Haydn seeks consolation with the theater crowd, but is also drawn to Jane, a young waif lodging with his family. But Jane is haunted by poverty and burdened by bitter secrets. Then there is Haydn's childhood sweetheart, Jenny, who is determined to win him back... moreIn 1939, Haydn Powell returns to his native Pontypridd as a star for the summer season. It is his dream come true, but is soon soured when he finds his family divided. Haydn seeks consolation with the theater crowd, but is also drawn to Jane, a young waif lodging with his family. But Jane is haunted by poverty and burdened by bitter secrets. Then there is Haydn's childhood sweetheart, Jenny, who is determined to win him back. She tries to make him jealous by flirting with his brother, the hot-headed boxer Eddie. But it is Jenny's reckless pursuit of her own ends that creates a dangerous tension in a town already braced for war. less

In Pontypridd, in 1939, blackouts and conscription are beginning to strain the community. And three women are separated—perhaps forever—from the men they love. Jenny Powell's husband, Eddie, abandoned her on her wedding night, and she must struggle to cope alone. Italian Tina Ronconi's sweetheart enlists, and she and her sister face internment as enemy aliens. And Bethan's doctor husband is called up, leaving her, along with all the women, with endless worry and fear... moreIn Pontypridd, in 1939, blackouts and conscription are beginning to strain the community. And three women are separated—perhaps forever—from the men they love. Jenny Powell's husband, Eddie, abandoned her on her wedding night, and she must struggle to cope alone. Italian Tina Ronconi's sweetheart enlists, and she and her sister face internment as enemy aliens. And Bethan's doctor husband is called up, leaving her, along with all the women, with endless worry and fear. Forced to adjust to a world at all, all they can do is wait. Then comes news of the Allies' retreat at Dunkirk and, for many, life will never be the same again. less

Sixth in the Hearts of Gold series.When Ronnie Ronconi returns home from wartime Italy in 1941 he is certain he will never look at a woman again, but love comes when he least expects it.

It is 1942 and, in the wake of America's entry into the war, the small community of Pontypridd suffers its own—not entirely welcome—GI invasion. The South Carolina Regiment billeted on the town soon cuts a swathe through its women, living up to GI's reputation as "over-paid, over-sexed and over here." For Bethan, whose husband is a POW in Germany, and her friend Alma, whose husband is missing, the arrival of the American officers brings new and dangerous friendships... moreIt is 1942 and, in the wake of America's entry into the war, the small community of Pontypridd suffers its own—not entirely welcome—GI invasion. The South Carolina Regiment billeted on the town soon cuts a swathe through its women, living up to GI's reputation as "over-paid, over-sexed and over here." For Bethan, whose husband is a POW in Germany, and her friend Alma, whose husband is missing, the arrival of the American officers brings new and dangerous friendships. While for Jenny, a bitter young war widow, it is a chance to bury her grief in a series of one-night stands. The women are caught between loyalty to their men folk and the very real attraction of the GIs, and when tragedy strikes the mines, the tension reaches breaking point. less

It is 1946 and, as the soldiers return home, not all reunions are happy. Wives and mothers resent their forced return to domesticity, children have difficulty adjusting to fathers they cannot remember, and the arrival of a German war-bride increases the tension to near breaking point. As the people of Pontypridd struggle to rebuild their lives in a world irrevocably changed, it becomes clear that the end of the war doesn't always bring peace to individuals.

Stateless and destitute after the Second World War, Magda Janek settles in the Welsh town of Pontypridd, in the hope of building a new life for herself and her baby daughter, Helena. All Magda has to give Helena are the ambitions she had once cherished for herself; dreams cruelly snatched from her by the war and its terrible aftermath. But 1960s Pontypridd is a place of opportunity - at twenty-one, Magda's daughter has beauty, confidence and prospects beyond even her mother's wildest imaginings... moreStateless and destitute after the Second World War, Magda Janek settles in the Welsh town of Pontypridd, in the hope of building a new life for herself and her baby daughter, Helena. All Magda has to give Helena are the ambitions she had once cherished for herself; dreams cruelly snatched from her by the war and its terrible aftermath. But 1960s Pontypridd is a place of opportunity - at twenty-one, Magda's daughter has beauty, confidence and prospects beyond even her mother's wildest imaginings. With a university degree behind her, a coveted teaching post in her old Grammar school, and marriage to the love of her life, Dr Eddie John, the son of an old Pontypridd family to look forward to, Helena couldn't have been happier. Until tragedy strikes. A tragedy that robs Helena of the only family she has ever known and everything she has ever believed in; Helena uncovers a bitter secret, so explosive that her mother carried it to the grave... less