Benita Brown – författare

Through hardship and danger, would you risk it all to follow your heart? Starlight and Dreams is a dazzling saga of celebrity, heartache and falling in love, set against the glamorous backdrop of 1940s London, from much-loved author Benita Brown. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Dilly Court.Growing up under the critical eye of her father and stepmother in the wrong end of a Northern seaside town, Carol Marshall longs for freedom. The picture house is where she goes to dream. For there, she can be someone else for an hour or two; someone carefree; someone special. When the Palais de Dance announces a competition for a local girl to win a part in a film, Carol is persuaded by a friend to enter. To their amazement, it''s Carol the judges choose and soon she''s whisked away to London and swept up in a new world of glamour and excitement. But all that glitters is not gold. And the journey to stardom is paved with danger, loneliness and vice. Carol is poised to get everything she ever wished for. But at what price...? What readers are saying about Starlight and Dreams: ''Really good read... historically accurate too''''Love all her books''''Five stars''

Wherever life takes them, she''ll always remember... Benita Brown''s Memories of You is a moving wartime saga of heartache, siblings, falling in love and the events that threaten even the strongest of family bonds. Perfect for fans of Lyn Andrews and Lindsey Hutchinson.Following the death of their parents, the Mitchell siblings are tragically split up. While Helen is taken in by their selfish aunt, her twin brothers find themselves in a cold, soul destroying orphanage, and their younger sister is adopted and spoilt by the wealthy Partingtons. Years later, desperate to get her family back together, Helen escapes to London and works as a waitress in Soho, where she meets the charismatic young reporter Matthew Renshaw. Together they search for her lost family, as around them the country prepares for war... What readers are saying about Memories of You: ''A story that keeps you wanting to read more and more''''Gripping, couldn''t stop reading it... Lovely outcome and a great story''''This is a very interesting family story... the characters are believable as well as interesting''

Carrying a dark secret of her own, can she face those of her new husband too? Dramatic and utterly compelling, A Dream of Her Own is a heart-warming saga from Benita Brown about despair and hope, passion and heartache, and the strength of true friendship. Perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Rosie Goodwin.It''s a cold winter''s night in 1906 but nothing can dampen the high spirits of Constance Bannerman and her fellow skivvy and best friend, Nella. For tomorrow, Constance can escape her life of drudgery at Doctor Sowerby''s home in Newcastle by marrying her handsome sweetheart, the prosperous John Edington. But Constance''s last night of servitude is to end in terror. As a final act of spite, Mrs Sowerby throws her out of the house late that evening where she is met by the doctor''s dissolute son, Gerald. In the front yard, surrounded by freezing fog, Gerald attacks and rapes her. Distraught and unsure of what to do, Constance marries John the next day with a heavy heart. She cannot tell John what has happened, for his is a respectable family, and shame will not allow her to reveal the truth to Nella. But the worst is yet to come, for John Edington himself has a shocking secret that will make Constance feel more alone than ever... What readers are saying about A Dream of Her Own: ''This is a wonderfully compelling read that pulls you right into the world of turn-of-the-century Newcastle... the setting is so incredibly well portrayed, I walked the streets with Constance and Nella''''This is my favourite Benita Brown book! This book has scandal, romance and betrayal. It has everything, I just didn''t want to put it down''''Five stars''

Just as she discovers true happiness, a dark force threatens to snatch it all away...Filled with passion and drama, All Our Tomorrows is a heart-warming saga set in turn-of-the-century Newcastle from much-loved author Benita Brown. Perfect for fans of Rita Bradshaw and Cathy Sharp.When Thea Richardson and her best friend Ellie set out for the 1905 Newcastle Blondes and Brunettes beauty competition, Thea dreads to think what will happen if her authoritarian father ever finds out. But she never imagined that three days later she''d be ousted from the family home in Jesmond and sent to live with her mother''s unmarried sister, Marjorie, in disgrace.Yet as the days go by, what was intended as punishment brings to Thea the contentment she has never known in her own home. In her Aunt Marjorie she finds the companionship she never had with her mother, and if it wasn''t for the fact that her aunt''s handsome artist friend, Robert Hedley, doesn''t seem to know she''s alive, everything would be perfect. But a dark force is about to shatter her new-found security and take Thea to a dangerous world she never dreamt existed... What readers are saying about All Our Tomorrows: ''All Our Tomorrows is set against the backdrop of a thriving turn-of-the-century Newcastle, characterised by both opportunities and desperation... A thoroughly engrossing novel''''All Our Tomorrows drew me into the story and I hated to put it down... [This book] touches all the emotions - can make the reader laugh and cry''''A story that kept me wanting to read on! The characters were believable and well-described. Some lovely twists and turns in the story as it developed - a great read!''

A young woman''s aspirations cause more than one life to change... Benita Brown writes a passionate and page-turning saga in Her Rightful Inheritance, a story of family, love and misdirected affection set in turn-of-the-century Newcastle. Perfect for fans of Rita Bradshaw and Annie Murray.''A splendidly powerful and touching saga of love, passion and lust'' - Newcastle Evening ChronicleMore than a decade has gone by since Esther Cunningham, weakened by the consumption which would soon take her life, left her precious daughter in her mother''s care. Now eighteen, Lorna Cunningham is eagerly awaiting the day when she can leave the Newcastle house in which she''s known only heartache. The Arabian ancestry of the father she has never known has meant that she has been nothing more than an unwelcome guest in her grandmother''s home, forced to take second place to her spoilt cousin, Rose, who has wanted for neither love nor material comforts.Lorna takes comfort from her growing friendship with bookseller Edwin Randall, who shares her love of reading and inspires her with his passion to improve the terrible conditions of the Newcastle slums. But their relationship is overshadowed by Lorna''s infatuation with the handsome and charismatic Maurice Haldane - the man Rose is determined she herself will marry and who has the power to change all their lives for ever... What readers are saying about Her Rightful Inheritance: ''Brilliant storyline - I had to stay up a couple of nights to find out what happened next''''[A] great story of determination''''For anyone who enjoys a Catherine Cookson novel this book is an absolute must. I have read all of Benita Brown''s novels and find her style of writing engaging with good plots and characters''

Through everything, the bond of friendship remains true... In Love and Friendship is a moving story of friendship, loyalty and betrayal from hugely popular saga author Benita Brown. Perfect for fans of Lyn Andrews and Dilly Court.''This is a delightful, carefully interwoven story of passion, love, loss and the power of friendship - a rollercoaster ride of emotions'' - Sunderland EchoNewcastle, 1890. A school outing to Cullercoats Bay almost ends in tragedy when two girls are cut off by the incoming tide. But from the panic and confusion something wonderful emerges - a lifelong friendship between three girls; Ruth, Lucy and Esther. Each is a world apart from the other two, but together they form a strong and unbreakable bond that will see them through the years ahead, when the happy, carefree days of childhood are nothing but a distant memory... What readers are saying about In Love and Friendship: ''This book follows three most unlikely friends from different backgrounds, and their journey is a testament to that friendship''''For anyone who enjoys a Catherine Cookson novel this book is an absolute must. I have read all of Benita Brown''s novels and find her style of writing engaging with good plots and characters''''Five stars''

A chance meeting changes the course of one family''s future forever... The Captain''s Daughters is an enthralling and evocative saga of family, romance and danger. Perfect for fans of Rita Bradshaw and Annie Murray.''The Captain''s Daughters has a wonderful Dickensian flavour... Everyone in the book is alive and believable'' - Historical Novels ReviewWhen his beautiful young wife dies in childbirth, Captain Samuel Walton is grief-stricken. He had idolised Effie, despite her spoilt and headstrong ways, and he now faces the task of raising their two daughters alone. Fifteen years later, and the baby girl who brought such tragedy is the mirror image of her mother. But flaxen-haired Flora is also showing signs of Effie''s tempestuous temperament. Sensible Josie worries her younger sister may be led astray. But even she could not predict how a chance meeting between Flora and a seductive stranger would plunge the whole family into danger... What readers are saying about The Captain''s Daughters: ''I found this book to be great and a really enjoyable story... I love happy endings and I was not disappointed with this one''''For anyone who enjoys a Catherine Cookson novel this book is an absolute must. I have read all of Benita Brown''s novels and find her style of writing engaging with good plots and characters''''Five stars''

A stolen child. A painful secret. An unforgettable story. In Fortune''s Daughter, Benita Brown weaves a spellbinding saga of betrayal, ambition and unbreakable family bonds. Perfect for fans of Sheila Newberry and Rosie Goodwin. ''If Catherine Cookson were alive, she''d be giving Benita Brown a pat on the back for this'' - Northern EchoDaisy Belle, a gifted singer from the Tyneside backstreets, is devastated when her baby daughter, Rose, goes missing. Little does she know, Rose has been stolen and given to a wealthy woman who, tricked into believing she''s an orphan, adopts her and renames her Rosina. Worse still, it was all arranged by Daisy''s ruthlessly ambitious agent, Jack Fidler. Years later, when tragedy strikes, Rosina runs away to join a theatrical troupe and her natural talent for singing wins the hearts of the crowds. But this brings her into direct competition with one of the northern music halls'' established stars, Daisy Belle - and back into the path of Jack, who is determined to destroy her... What readers are saying about Fortune''s Daughter: ''This is a most enjoyable novel, and in my opinion, the author''s best so far''''I was drawn in by the characters from the first page and lived with them their highs and lows, their doubts and certainties. All the characters, whether they are benevolent or unpleasant, are deftly drawn and completely believable, with no jarring inconsistencies''''I was sorry when the book ended, and the characters had made such an impression on me that I carried on thinking about them and their lives for a long while after finishing the book''

Can the rags of her life be sewn into riches? Benita Brown''s The Dressmaker is the unforgettable saga of an abandoned young woman learning to stand on her own two feet. Perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Lindsey Hutchinson.Emmeline Dornay''s dying wish is for her daughter Melissa to have a home. But when the funeral is over, Melissa discovers that her future looks bleak. Wealthy Lilian Winterton will honour her promise and put a roof over Melissa''s head, but only if she can earn her keep.As an unpaid seamstress in the grand Winterton household, Melissa is ignored by the family and mistrusted by their servants. And when scandal occurs and the blame lands unfairly at her feet, she is thrown on to the streets. Left with nothing but her needle and thread, Melissa finds her dreams are in tatters. But can the rags of her life be sewn into riches . . .? What readers are saying about The Dressmaker: ''Really enjoyed every moment of this book - it''s a story of love, loss and friendship, with a good story line and great characters'' ''For anyone who enjoys a Catherine Cookson novel this book is an absolute must. I have read all of Benita Brown''s novels and find her style of writing engaging with good plots and characters''''Five stars''

She promised to protect her sister - no matter what the cost... The Promise is a heart-wrenching and powerful story of two young sisters caught up in an underworld of corruption and deceit, from popular saga author Benita Brown. Perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Rosie Goodwin.When her father, a journalist, is murdered, Marion Brookfield vows to care for her younger sister Annette. The girls believe they have found a refuge when charming businessman Victor Bateman proposes to Marion and they move into his luxurious home. But Marion''s friend, Daniel Brady, is conducting his own investigation into Henry Brookfield''s death. He learns the journalist was closing in on the head of a child prostitution racket when he was killed. And now his precious daughters may not be so safe, after all... What readers are saying about The Promise: ''Benita meets all the criteria which make a good book... the research that goes into her books, and the clarity of style''''I love Benita Brown''s books and this one is no exception, it''s hard to put it down, I have been trying to read it at every spare moment''''For anyone who enjoys a Catherine Cookson novel this book is an absolute must. I have read all of Benita Brown''s novels and find her style of writing engaging with good plots and characters''

As she loses those she loves, happiness seems beyond her grasp... Benita Brown weaves a captivating saga in A Safe Harbour - the story of a young woman discovering love in the unlikeliest of places. Perfect for fans of Rita Bradshaw and Annie Murray. ''Breathe in deeply and you could almost be there'' - Northern EchoCullercoats Bay, 1895. Titian-haired Kate Lawson is eighteen when the sea claims her beloved and leaves her with a broken heart - and a shameful secret. Banished from home by her violent father, Kate relies on the kindness of her aunt, until she too is cruelly taken from her.When Kate meets Richard Adamson, the owner of a fleet of steam trawlers, she knows she should despise the man who''s stealing the livelihood of hardworking fisherfolk - yet she finds herself falling in love with him. Has Kate found her safe harbour at last, or will the sins of the past destroy her chance for happiness? What readers are saying about A Safe Harbour: ''For anyone who enjoys a Catherine Cookson novel this book is an absolute must. I have read all of Benita Brown''s novels and find her style of writing engaging with good plots and characters''''If you like books with a bit of a twist Benita Brown is your author, she writes with love, historical knowledge, intrigue and murder''''One of those books you wish would never end''

Will the life she''s always dreamed of bring her the happiness she needs? I''ll Be Seeing You is a heartrending saga from Benita Brown of true love, the crippling effects of ambition and prejudice, and the onset of the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Sheila Newberry and Dilly Court.Village girl Linda Bellwood has always been in awe of the glamorous Hylton family. So when they hire her as companion to the grandmother, she''s thrilled. However, when her friendship with the youngest son Florian blossoms into something more, the rest of the family are not so welcoming.Disowned and thrown out, Linda and Florian escape to the city and struggle to keep afloat in the depths of bohemian London. With Florian squandering their money on his far-fetched dreams of becoming a writer, their relationship begins to unravel.But then war is declared and their troubles seem to pale in comparison with the challenges ahead... What readers are saying about I''ll Be Seeing You: ''Well written and very hard to put down, thoroughly enjoyed it... Fabulous!''''Another excellent read - touching and very enjoyable'' ''This book was like a breath of fresh air''

What secrets must Kay uncover to find her own dreams? A young woman discovers her independence... and a whole host of troubling secrets, in Benita Brown''s compelling saga, Dreaming Out Loud. Perfect for fans of Pam Evans and Cathy Sharp.When Kay Lockwood is left a small inheritance by her mother''s old friend, actress Lana Fontaine, she travels to London, leaving behind her Northern hometown and the boyfriend she doesn''t quite trust. She falls in love with Lana''s ramshackle house, and the excitement of post-war London, but soon discovers a deeper mystery - who was Lana, and why was Kay so important to her? As she unravels the past, her handsome new neighbour Tom seems to offer her a bright future, but when his own dark secret is revealed, Kay feels hurt and betrayed. Can she ever forgive him? What readers are saying about Dreaming Out Loud: ''It is a good, well written story with believable, well rounded, very human characters...The story moves at a very good pace, it is interesting to read and keeps you guessing as to how everything is all going to tie up at the end, which when it does happen, is extremely satisfying''''A well written story by an author whose characters are believable, as are the situations they are put in. She captures the early 1950s perfectly... The book is a good read and one you won''t want to put down''''Benita writes so clearly you can imagine the places and people, which takes you away into another era''