THE WHEELWRIGHT GIRL a compelling wartime saga of love, loss and self-discovery

A compelling wartime saga about a spirited young woman seeking happiness on her own terms.

Perfect fans of Nadine Dorries, Rosie Goodwin, Dilly Court, Freda Lightfoot and Catherine Cookson.

Originally published as Wheels of Grace.

Dartmoor, 1914. Grace Dannings is a farmer's daughter. But that's never stopped her wanting more.

She dreams of making her mark as a London Suffragette. Too bad she's still stuck in Walkhampton, the sleepy village where she was born.

As a child, she could escape to the wheelwright's mill. Spellbound, she'd watch labourers hammer white-hot iron and timber into wagon wheels.

Now she's a woman and nothing about the village feels like home. The men are brutish, the women afraid of change. Her best friend is trapped in an abusive marriage, yet no one seems to care.

GRACE WON'T SETTLE FOR THAT.

Perhaps she could have married Martin, the mill owner's son. But society says she's not good enough. So Grace must find a new dream.

SHE WILL PROVE THEM WRONG. BUT CHANGE IS COMING . . .

When World War One breaks out, no one in the village escapes untouched. Grace wants to be part of the war effort.

When the wheelwright's men leave for the front, Grace immediately volunteers to fill in. The move raises eyebrows in the village.

But Grace has her sights set on a fulfilling new vocation. And she's not about to stop for anything - or anyone. But at what cost to her own happiness?

A poignant, sensitive and intensely moving account of one village's war and the endurance of those who wait at home for news of their loved ones.

TANIA CROSSE weaves blissfully human stories with impeccable research, giving her characters all the complexity and colour of real life. Tania has been shortlisted for Best Romantic Saga in the 60th annual RoNA Awards.

WHAT READERS SAY ABOUT TANIA CROSSE:

"I know you spend many hours researching your subject and this truly shows by the way you bring your stories to life. I can never put the book down! I have always enjoyed your books - particularly the Devon ones as it gave us "up country folk" an insight into Devon life and it's social history. Can't wait for the next one now!!" H.

"Highly recommend this read. Moments of tragedy are uplifted by a sense of empowering and inspiring strength from the main characters. The narrative is brilliantly authentic and every emotion that is expressed by the characters is mirrored in the reader's heart." Cindy

"I now look forward to reading more from this brilliant author." John H.

"Tania Crosse is an excellent story teller. She tells a story of how tragedy turns to happiness in the most unexpected way. " S.J.

"This is the first book I've read by Tania Crosse, but it won't be the last. I started this just before bedtime, feeling rather sleepy, and then just couldn't stop reading. I loved everything about this heartwarming story and will look out for all future books by this author. Highly recommended." Sarah M.

ALSO BY TANIA CROSSE

THE AMBULANCE GIRL

THE WHEELWRIGHT GIRL