Sandy Taylor

24 Merrion Square. The house stands empty, the old stone steps overgrown with thorny rose bushes. But Mary Kate feels a deep connection to the neglected, silent rooms. Could this be the place to help her heal? Dublin 1952. When Mary Kate Ryan receives a surprise inheritance from the woman who abandoned her as a tiny baby, she's stunned. All her life, she has longed to know why her mother disappeared, and now she's devastated to realise that every lonely night she spent without a home or family of her own, her mother knew exactly where she was. Mary Kate is about to refuse the money when she sees a beautiful, deserted house for sale and something sparks in her heart. She will reawaken it, as the Dublin Boarding House for Single Ladies, and provide a shelter for others as lost and alone as her. Can she help the two young girls left at the local orphanage, desperate for a home of their own? Or the pregnant teenager on the run, who only wants to keep her baby safe? The boarding house brings Mary Kate love and friendships she never dreamed of, but just as her heart is about to burst with joy, a new guest arrives. The stern older woman won't speak about her past, but when Mary Kate uncovers her story, it reveals a devastating secret about her mother. With her life in turmoil once more, can Mary Kate draw on the strength of the women in the house to help her face her past, or will the tragedy she uncovers spell disaster for them all...? A heart-wrenching story full of family secrets. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe. What readers are saying about Sandy Taylor: 'Outstanding!... It gripped me from the first page until the last!... When a book makes your heart break it deserves all the stars.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Beautiful... heart-warming, and heartbreaking all at the same time... 5/5 stars.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars '5 stars... Heartbreaking.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'I loved this book - I lost my whole day reading - just couldn't bear to put it down!' Goodreads reviewer 'I fell in love... Such an emotionally raw story can only be written by someone who has left a little piece of their heart behind in such a special place.' Goodreads reviewer 'Rarely do I find a book that can double me over with laughter and break my heart with tears... This book delivers and then some!' Netgalley Reviewer, 5 stars 'Brought me to tears numerous times with its emotive words and insightful views on life and love. The writing was simply breathtaking, it was witty and beautiful in the same measure and it has quite frankly stolen my heart.' Stacy is Reading, 5 stars 'Writing this through tears, the funniest, most tearful book I've ever read. Fantastic.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars 'Wow... deserves more than 5 stars. It is a heart-warming as well as a heartbreaking story all at the same time. I absolutely loved this book. Warning: keep the tissues handy!' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

Completely Heart-warming Irish Historical Fiction

The Irish Boarding House

Brighton 1963. Mary Pickles and I walked along the street with our arms linked, looking in shop windows. We were best friends and together we were invincible. Dottie and Mary forged a friendship over a bag of penny sweets when they were eight years old. They've shared everything together since then - the highs and lows of school, family dramas, hopes and dreams and now, at seventeen, they're both shop girls, working at Woolworths. As they go out in the world in pursuit of love and happiness, the simplicity of their childhood dissolves as life becomes more complicated. The heady excitement of first love will consume them both, but the pain of unintentional betrayal will test their friendship in ways neither of them could ever imagine.

The Girls from See Saw Lane

Brighton 1969: Dottie Perks steps off the train and breathes in the sea air, the smell of fish and chips, and the precious childhood memories of a friend and place she'll never forget. Dottie Perks has forged a new life for herself in London, a new job and sweet boyfriend Joe to keep her warm at night. She's safe, happy and loved. What more could she ask for? But when Dottie returns home to Brighton for a family celebration, the last person she expects to see is her first love; the boy who stole her heart... and broke it.Ralph Bennett. As old familiar feelings come rushing to the surface, Dottie struggles to deny the strong chemistry that still exists between them. She can't throw away everything to be with Ralph...can she? And if she does, how can they ever overcome the pain and tragedy of their shared past? A beautiful, touching and heartbreaking story of love, loss and friendship. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Mary Gibson and Katie Flynn. Discover how it all began..."The Girls from See Saw Lane" is available now. What readers are saying about "The Girls from See Saw Lane: " 'I loved this novel so much, even though it's probably the most heart-breaking story I've read all year...it will totally absorb you and capture your heart.' "That Thing She Reads" 'I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. It has all the ingredients for a perfect read: fantastic, loveable and very real characters, an emotional and compelling storyline, and a brilliant setting in time and place.' Louise Douglas 'Sandy Taylor has proven herself to be a very talented and gifted storyteller with an immense insight into family, friendship, love, and forgiveness...This is one of the most endearing, yet heart-breaking, novels that I have encountered in quite some time and will certainly not soon forget...Witty and humorous dialogue written with such ease truly brought this story to life and swept me away between the pages. Filled with unexpected twists and turns, you'll want to keep the box of tissues nearby!' "Kimberly's Bookshelf" 'I have just started to read this one and am hooked! I love the vivid details of the time period and the closeness of the best friends.' "Weekend Reading" 'I would recommend it to anyone who loves stories about female friendships, books set in the past...and for anyone who wants an emotionally stirring read!'"My Bookish Ramblings" 'A beautiful tale of friendship, love, betrayal and forgiveness and one that will stay with me for a long time to come..."The Girls From See Saw Lane" is a truly beautiful story that will touch your heart.' "By The Letter Book Reviews" 'I find it very hard to believe that this is Sandy's first book. This book is so well written...The relationship between the girls is very heartwarming, but also extremely heartbreaking, there will be times when you will need tissues at hand.'"The Reading Head" 'I recommend this book to all who want to take a wonderful trip back to the 60's. I would give it more than 5 stars if there were more to give.' "Library Thing" 'Wow this book had me laughing out loud one minute and bursting into tears the next...A massive page turner.' "Nat's Reading Cloud" 'I absolutely adored it...so wonderful and so captivating.' "The Book Cafe" 'Will make you smile, laugh, reminisce and perhaps even cry a little... an absorbing and charming read.' "Portobello Book Blog""

Counting Chimneys

It is a gripping and heartbreaking historical fiction about love, friendship and fight for survival during the war.

The Runaway Children: Gripping and Heartbreaking Historical Fiction

A heartbreaking novel of family tragedy and wartime romance

When We Danced at the End of the Pier

Ireland, 1901: The work house gates clanged shut behind us, as me and the mammy walked down the hill towards the town. I was six years old and leaving the only home I had ever known... When Cissy Ryan's real mother comes to claim her from the workhouse, it's not how she imagined. Her family's tumbledown cottage has ice on the inside of its windows and is in an isolated, poverty-stricken village in the muddy Irish countryside. But when Cissy is allowed to help neighbour Colm Doyle and his horse named Blue on their milk round one morning, Cissy starts to feel as though friendship could get her through anything. It's Colm who looks in on Cissy's grandfather when she starts at the village school, and Colm who tells her to hold her chin high when she interviews for a position at the grand Bretton House. But in the vast mansion with its shining floors and sweeping staircase, it's Master Peter Bretton who captures Cissy's heart with his dark curls and easy laugh. As Cissy blossoms from a skinny orphan into a confident young girl, Colm tells her she's as good as anyone and she begins to believe anything is possible. But not everyone with a kind smile has a kind heart, and Cissy doesn't know that further sorrow lies in store for her. When Cissy finds herself desperate, alone, and faced with a devastating choice, can she find the strength to survive?

The Little Orphan Girl: The Heartbreaking and Gripping Journey of an Irish Orphan

‘We have to go, Miss. We can’t wait any longer.’ I hold the baby tighter as the lifeboat is lowered slowly into the water, hitting the rough sea with a splash. My eyes never leave the ship, searching, hoping to see the others and know they are safe… London 1940. As the war rages in Europe, Rose Brown steps on board a ship bound for America, hoping to escape the danger. She’s frightened, but her widowed mammy and three sisters in Ireland need the money she earns as nanny to the rich Townsend family. But while Rose plays with baby Sarah in the salty spray on deck, disaster strikes, and the ocean liner begins to sink. In the chaos, Rose and the baby are separated from the family. Pulled from the sea with the child still in her arms, Rose is afraid as never before. And when she arrives in Brooklyn to search for Sarah’s family she feels completely adrift in this unfamiliar land where looming Brownstones line the streets, and workmen in flat caps jostle her on the sidewalks. But just when Sarah’s father is within reach, the howling air-raid sirens and deafening bombs she thought she’d left behind shatter her plans once again as tragic news arrives from Pearl Harbor. As fear and panic grips America, what heartbreaking sacrifices will Rose have to make to protect her precious charge? And can she reunite the family before it is too late? An emotional, heart-wrenching story of love and family set across Ireland and America during the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe. Readers love The Irish Nanny: ‘I loved this book – I lost my whole day reading – just couldn’t bear to put it down!’ Goodreads reviewer ‘Outstanding!… It gripped me from the first page until the last!… When a book makes your heart break it deserves all the stars.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Beautiful, harrowing, heart-warming, and heartbreaking all at the same time… 5/5 stars.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘A heartbreaking story of WWII. Loved it so much!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘5 stars… Heartbreaking.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘I fell in love… Such an emotionally raw story can only be written by someone who has left a little piece of their heart behind in such a special place.’ Goodreads reviewer

An absolutely heart-wrenching Irish WW2 story

The Irish Nanny

There is a fierce wind blowing in from the sea, as I step off the boat towards my new life in America. The baby is a warm weight in my arms and I pause to adjust her, trying not to think about what we left behind. I can't look back now, I need to keep this child safe... Ireland 1939. When hardworking chambermaid Rose meets an American businessman in the hotel where she works in Cork, he makes her an offer she can't refuse. Rose doesn't want to leave home, but her widowed mammy and three younger sisters need the money she'd earn in her new job as a nanny to David Townsend's two young children. Just as Rose is settling into her new life caring for Raphael and new-born baby Sarah, the world is plunged into war and David is called back to New York, leaving Rose to follow by boat with his wife and children. But disaster strikes when the ship they are on is hit by a torpedo. Separated from her group in the awful chaos, Rose has an impossible decision to make. Does she stay and search for the family she owes so much to? Or does she leave on the lifeboat to save the tiny baby left in her care? Landing on American shores, all Rose's hopes of leaving the howling air-raid sirens and deafening bombs behind her are shattered as tragic news arrives from Pearl Harbor. Looking down at the innocent child in her arms, Rose knows that she must find the strength to survive and reunite this little girl with her family. But as fear and panic grips the country, what heartbreaking sacrifices will she have to make to protect her precious charge? An emotional, heart-wrenching story of love and family set across Ireland and America during the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe. Readers love Sandy Taylor: 'Wow... I absolutely loved this book. Warning: keep the tissues handy!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Gut-wrenching... Brought me to tears numerous times.' Stacy is Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Writing this through tears, the funniest, most tearful book I've ever read. Fantastic.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An Absolutely Heart-wrenching Irish WW2 Story

‘Wow… I absolutely loved this book. Warning: keep the tissues handy!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Gut-wrenching… Brought me to tears numerous times’ Stacy is Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ireland, 1924. For thirteen-year-old Nora Doyle every day is a fight for survival in Ballybun, the rural Irish village she calls home. Each night, as she feels the cold wind blowing through the cracks of her family’s cramped cottage, Nora longs to escape the poverty surrounding her and find her place in the world. When she meets Edward, from the grand house that looms over her tiny village, she feels an unlikely kinship that is impossible to explain, and as she grows from an impulsive child into a beautiful woman, Nora spends every moment she can with him. But Edward holds the key to a secret about Nora’s own family that changes her life forever, and the devastating impact tears Nora away from her beloved village. Now she must start afresh in busy, hectic Dublin. When Nora meets charming baker Joe Lynch, can she dare to risk her heart again? But sorrow is never far away for an Irish village girl, and when tragedy strikes, Nora must return to Ballybun to see Edward once more and face up to the truth that drove her away. But back amongst the familiar sights and smells of her childhood, Nora feels herself drawn once more to her old life, and love, as she faces an impossible choice. Torn in different directions, can Nora find the strength to be true to herself? A heart-wrenching story of love, loss and the power of friendship during unimaginable hardship. This book is perfect for fans of Orphan Train and Diney Costeloe’s The Girl with No Name. Readers love The Orphan’s Daughter ‘Rarely do I find a book that can double me over with laughter and break my heart with tears, but this book delivers! It has all the elements I enjoy, wonderfully vivid characters, a great story to tell, love, friendship, heartbreak and throw in a dash of comedy and realism and you have a winner. This book delivers and then some!’ Netgalley Reviewer, 5 stars ‘The gut-wrenching feelings this narrative unearthed brought me to tears numerous times with its emotive words and insightful views on life and love. The writing was simply breathtaking, it was witty and beautiful in the same measure and it has quite frankly stolen my heart.’ Stacy is Reading, 5 stars ‘Writing this through tears, the funniest, most tearful book I've ever read. Fantastic.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Wow, this is another great book that really deserves more than 5 stars. It is a heart-warming as well as a heartbreaking story all at the same time. I absolutely loved this book. Warning: keep the tissues handy!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Once I started I was unable to put it down and devoured this truly enthralling tale in a single evening… a heart-warming yet heartbreaking tale of friendships, family, hardships and joy… I completely lost myself for a few hours within this emotional rollercoaster.’ Momo’s Book Diary ‘Oh my word what a story, I loved this book; witty, enchanting, that will definitely pull at your heartstrings as you read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘A laugh out loud story that I fell in love with. This was a story drenched in family and friendship and I could not put it down.’ Crossroad Reviews, 5 stars ‘This story is exquisite perfection. Well crafted, beautifully written, emotional, poignant and immersive. I loved every word. I was enthralled with the story all the way to the end and stayed up too late reading, but it was worth it.’ Goodreads Reviewer

A heartbreaking and absolutely unforgettable page turner set in Ireland

The Orphan's Daughter

Ireland, 1901: The workhouse gates clanged shut behind us, as me and the mammy walked down the hill towards the town. I was six years old and leaving the only home I had ever known… When Cissy Ryan’s real mother comes to claim her from the workhouse, it’s not how she imagined. Her family’s tumbledown cottage has ice on the inside of its windows and is in an isolated, poverty-stricken village in the muddy Irish countryside. But when Cissy is allowed to help neighbour Colm Doyle and his horse named Blue on their milk round one morning, Cissy starts to feel as though friendship could get her through anything. It’s Colm who looks in on Cissy’s grandfather when she starts at the village school, and Colm who tells her to hold her chin high when she interviews for a position at the grand Bretton House. But in the vast mansion with its shining floors and sweeping staircase, it’s Master Peter Bretton who captures Cissy’s heart with his dark curls and easy laugh. As Cissy blossoms from a skinny orphan into a confident young girl, Colm tells her she’s as good as anyone and she begins to believe anything is possible. But not everyone with a kind smile has a kind heart, and Cissy doesn’t know that further sorrow lies in store for her. When Cissy finds herself desperate, alone, and faced with a devastating choice, can she find the strength to survive? What readers are saying about The Little Orphan Girl: ‘Oh my word what a fabulous book… I just loved every page of it. This book drew me right in and I was glued to it right up to the final page… A massive 5 stars from me.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Wow… right from the start I was hooked to the pages… brilliant… full of joy and also heartbreak… my heart was being wrenched out… an absolutely gorgeous story full of highs and lows… I couldn’t put this book down.’ Katie’s Book Cave, 5 stars ‘Wow!! What a heartbreaking story I ever read! I absolutely loved that book sooooo much.... I definitely will read more books from this author...amazing!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 star ‘Oh WOW… What a beautiful heart-warming story this is… drew me in and I loved it from the very first page. I couldn’t get enough… I was reading this until 1am.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘I fell in love… fabulous… an enthralling read that I didn't want to put down. I was so wrapped up… heart-warming and beautifully written… will have you hooked until the very last page.’ By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars ‘Oh my heart… Outstanding… such a beautiful heart-warming and at times heart-breaking story. This touched my heart! I felt all the emotions while reading this story… this book will be going straight into my top 20 of 2018… stunning… I devoured and lost myself in this book… Brilliant. Five stars.’ Between the Pages Book Club, 5 stars ‘Amazing! Heartbreaking and heartwarming...I fell in love with Cissy's character right from the start. … I actually cried during the reading of this book...wish I could give it more than a 5 star rating.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Wow’. I absolutely LOVED it… I had to make sure I had a supply of tissues handy… one hell of an emotional rollercoaster… seriously addictive… totally, utterly and absolutely loved reading ‘The Little Orphan Girl.’ Ginger Book Geek, 5 stars ‘So so so good! I loved everything about it...’ Goodreads reviewer ‘I loved it… A wonderful, although heartbreaking story, which was filled with hope, friendship and family… Highly recommended.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

Sandy Taylor

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