Betty Firth – författare

Can hope be found in the depths of war?July 1942. Newlywed Bobby Atherton has barely had time to experience married life with her airman husband Charlie before war separates them. Bobby must return to her work as an Air Force plotter while Charlie recovers from a devastating injury in Silverdale, leaving them only the odd snatched moment together.But it isn't only war forcing them apart. Bobby must face the challenge of marriage to a man mentally and physically scarred by his experiences very different from the man she fell in love with. With her sister Lilian soon to give birth, Bobby is also haunted by the knowledge that Charlie's injury means they may never be blessed with a child of their own.Nevertheless, Bobby finds friendship and cheer with her fellow WAAFs. She gets involved with an entertainment troupe, using her writing skills to lift the camp's spirits.And when Charlie resumes operational flying, Bobby's role as a WAAF plotter becomes a matter of life and death. Can the couple survive the war and heal the rift between them?An inspirational and emotional historical romance, set in World War Two. If you like Maggie Mason or Diane Allen, you'll love this.The next book in the Made in Yorkshire series will be published in Spring 2026 don't miss it!Readers LOVE the Made in Yorkshire series:'I loved every moment of this book and found it hard to put down. The characters came to life in front of my eyes.' Reader Review'There are real echoes of All Creatures Great and Small in this storyI loved it.' Reader Review'LOVED IT!!!...My heart ached when reading this A lovely story, full of heart and home. I didn't want it to end' Reader Review'The life and times of a wartime Yorkshire village and its people shine through, authentic, realistic and charming, and Bobby is a highly likeable heroine with ambition and heart.' Reader Review'The descriptions of the countryside are so descriptive and beautiful. Bobby's devotion to her community is commendable and heartwarming.' Reader Review'I loved every page and was sorry when I turned the last pageA five-star read.' Reader Review'This is a brilliant story and so cleverly written; Bobby has all the attributes we want to see in a modern heroine, but the story is firmly rooted in the past.' Reader Review

Can hope triumph now that victory is on the horizon?December 1942. The tide of war has turned at last, with an Allied victory looking increasingly certain, but all is not well for the residents of Silverdale.Newlyweds Bobby and Charlie find themselves back in civilian life after Charlie is given a medical discharge from the RAF. But the village of Silverdale has been forever changed by World War Two, and the memories of their young men lost to war cast a long shadow.It's not just the village that has been transformed by the war. Although Bobby is full of joy to finally begin married life, Charlie's experiences in the fight have left their scars, and at times Bobby finds herself reminiscing on her busy life in the WAAF, the career that was cut short by returning home to join her husband.But with a new arrival on the way, there's no time to dwell on the sadness of the past. Will a baby and the end of the war bring Charlie and Bobby the joy they deserve?An uplifting, emotional and completely captivating wartime romance, set in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Fans of Diane Allen and Donna Douglas, don't miss the Made in Yorkshire series. Readers can't get enough of Brighter Skies in the Dales:‘Heartwarming and cosy… A well worthy five-star read for this first-class wartime saga.’(Five stars) Reader Review‘I left my heart in Brighter Skies in the Dales. I closed the book emotionally spent. Thestory was filled with so much drama’ (Five stars) Reader ReviewI’ve loved every moment spent with Bobby and all the Silverdale crew…a breath of fresh(Yorkshire) air to the saga genre. The period detail was exemplary but Bobby still felt like athoroughly modern heroine…I can’t recommend this series highly enough!’ (Five stars)Reader Review‘This book was just brilliant…Another war time saga series that I can’t wait for others to findafter me…these books are gorgeous.’ (Five stars) Reader Review‘Lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested…I would wholeheartedlyrecommend the series to anyone who enjoys wartime saga books.’ (Five stars) ReaderReviewA great addition to another great series. I love following Bobby Bancroft through life, love.war, loss…it has been a joy to read each and every book.’ (Four stars) Reader Review

'One of the best books I have read in a very, very long time.' Reader ReviewTo follow her dream, she's gone from city to village but can she ever fit in?October 1940. Bobby Bancroft is working as a typist for a city newspaper, but she longs to be breaking the news herself. She is thrilled to secure a junior reporter role at The Tyke, a magazine serving the Yorkshire Dales.However, when Bobby moves to Silverdale, she discovers rural life is a different world. The close-knit villagers and cantankerous local animals prove difficult to win over, while mischievous vet Charlie seems determined to lead her astray.As Bobby struggles to find her place amongst the dalesfolk, she wonders if she's made a huge mistake. Will the city girl ever make a home of the beautiful but hostile countryside of the Dales?An uplifting, lively World War Two rural saga that fans of Annie Murray, Rosie Hendry, Gervase Phinn and James Herriot will love.Readers are loving the first book in this captivating rural saga series:'A gorgeous setting, appealing characters and brimming with warmth and humour. It's a long time since a book has so thoroughly captured my heart. Don't miss it!' Kate FieldWhat a brilliant bookFamily saga at its best.' Reader Review'LOVED IT!!!...My heart ached when reading this A lovely story, full of heart and home. I didn't want it to end' Reader Review'Read in 24 hours! Exceptional!...The storyline was strong and the characters were all likeable and relatable... There were lots of twists and turns that kept me wanting to read more.' Reader Review'I absolutely loved this book! The life and times of a wartime Yorkshire village and its people shine through, authentic, realistic and charming, and Bobby is a highly likeable heroine with ambition and heart I am so pleased to see that there are going to be more books to come in this series. Can't wait!' Reader Review'I am beyond impressed with this book. I hope this truly is the start of a long series' Reader Review

'Heartwarming, moving, heartbreaking, powerful, and so much more.' Reader ReviewCan she help the village survive the war?April 1941. When Bobby Bancroft arrived in Silverdale to take a job as a reporter on The Tyke magazine, the sleepy Yorkshire Dales village felt like a little pocket of a past long gone.While much of the country was suffering nightly bombing raids as the Blitz raged, life in isolated Silverdale carried on just as it had for a hundred years or more. But as the summer of 1941 approaches, war finally seems to have come to Silverdale. The villagers face new hardships when shortages and rationing begin to bite, young men become scarce as more and more are called up, and Bobby finds herself juggling her job on the magazine with a new role as an ARP warden. Even her surly editor Reg and his wife are doing their bit, taking two young evacuees from London into their home.Meanwhile, Bobby has been growing closer to village vet Charlie, who is preparing to leave Silverdale to begin training with the RAF. The villagers are whispering that wedding bells will soon be chiming, but then Bobby is confronted with an impossible choice. Can she bring herself to give up the job she adores to be with the man she loves?Don't miss this heart-warming, captivating WWII saga series set in the Yorkshire Dales. If you like James Herriot, Gervase Phinn, Pam Howes or Maggie Mason, you'll love this.Readers are loving War Comes to the Dales:'Fabulous book, loved every page and didn't want to put it down.' Reader Review'The characters are all so likeable and you want to get to know them more.' Reader Review'Heartwarming, historical and humorous. Thoroughly enjoyed it from cover to cover.' Reader Review'There are real echoes of All Creatures Great and Small in this storyI loved it.' Reader Review'The characters are realistic, likable, and heartwarming' Reader Review'Loved this one. Full of warmth and romance during very difficult times.' Reader Review'A lovely book with a story and characters that blend so well together to bring this book alive for the reader.' Reader Review'Ms. Firth's storytelling is absolutely spectacular and full of so much heart, and her writing jumps right off of the page.' Reader Review'The descriptions of the countryside are so descriptive and beautiful. Bobby's devotion to her community is commendable and heartwarming.' Reader Review

War pulled them apart, but can love bring them back together?January 1942. After spending a happy Christmas with her fiance Charlie and his family at Moorside Farm, the new year brings heartache for Bobby Bancroft. Not only must she prepare to say goodbye to Charlie as he is summoned to join the fight, she must also leave behind her job at The Tyke magazine to join the wartime effort, as conscription of women is rolled out across the country.But there are hopeful times ahead as Bobby's friends, Topsy and Teddy, get engaged following a romance beset with obstacles. And when Bobby finally names a date for her own nuptials, the village of Silverdale is cheered by the prospect of weddings to lift the gloom of wartime. Bobby finds herself far from home training as a WAAF, with few friendly faces other than her Canadian friend Ernie King, who is acting as an instructor at her training centre.With Ernie showing signs of a romantic interest in her and with Charlie's sudden silence, a lonely Bobby finds herself drawn to the young Canadian. But could there be more to Charlie's silence than a cooling of his feelings? And can Bobby's faith in the man she truly loves stay strong while the two of them are far apart, long enough for them to walk down the aisle?A heart-warming, emotional WW2 saga set in the glorious Yorkshire Dales. Fans of Diane Allen and Maggie Mason will love this.Don't miss the next book in the Made in Yorkshire series in Autumn 2025!Readers can't get enough of A Wartime Wedding in the Dales:'Returning to Silverdale always feels like going on holiday to a favourite place and meeting up with friends againa romantic, heartfelt and satisfying read.' Reader Review'I have loved following Bobby's story since she arrived in the DalesWell researched, warm and absorbing. A lovely book!' Reader Review'This is a series you will want to get involved inanother beautiful instalment and I can't wait for more.' Reader Review'I loved every page and was sorry when I turned the last pageA five-star read.' Reader Review'Lots of love and friendship. Very deep characters and well researched.' Reader Review'Love this series and Betty Firth has drawn us into this lovely village.' Reader ReviewReaders adore the Made in Yorkshire series:'A gorgeous setting, appealing characters and brimming with warmth and humour. It's a long time since a book has so thoroughly captured my heart. Don't miss it!' Kate Field'LOVED IT!!!...My heart ached when reading this A lovely story, full of heart and home. I didn't want it to end''There are real echoes of All Creatures Great and Small in this storyI loved it.' Reader Review'The characters are realistic, likable, and heartwarming' Reader Review'Heartwarming, historical and humorous. Thoroughly enjoyed it from cover to cover.' Reader Review'The descriptions of the countryside are so descriptive and beautiful. Bobby's devotion to her community is commendable and heartwarming.' Reader Review

June 1940. With the invasion of France, the so-called Phoney War has finally come to an end. While the jokes about 'Every Night Something Awful' persist as ever, the women of the Forces Follies ENSA troupe have come to realise that never has their work raising morale mattered more.For nineteen-year-old acrobat and conjuror Pam Sheridan, entertainment is a way of life. As part of “The Sensational Sheridans” alongside her music hall parents, she made her stage debut at just six months old and has been performing ever since. Her sunny disposition and sweet nature buoys up her friends’ spirits as the war suddenly becomes very real.Pam is about to suffer her own wartime heartbreak, however, as her sweetheart Angelo and his Italian family are shipped off to Canada to be interned. As Pam agonises over the fact that it may be years until she sees the man she loves again, she finds it increasingly difficult to find a smile for the troops she is required to entertain. Then she gets word that Angelo’s ship has been sunk before ever reaching Canada...Can Pam and her friends keep smiling through now they’re needed more than ever? Or will Pam be crushed under the weight of her grief for the man she loved?

Even in war, the show must go on…March 1940Bradford mill girl Molly Clough can hardly believe it when she successfully auditions for ENSA, the organisation that entertains the troops. Despite the much-mocked ENSA’s reputation as ‘Every Night Something Awful’, singing on stage feels like a dream come true for Molly.But as she tours with her troupe, the Forces Follies, life proves to be far from the glamorous showbusiness world Molly had imagined. She and her new friends discover that raising the morale of tired, anxious soldiers is no easy task, especially now the so-called Phoney War has begun to heat up.Life changes for Molly when handsome crooner Jack Forrester joins the Follies. At first she finds herself exasperated by Jack’s laid-back attitude, but when the two are paired as a singing duo, they quickly grow close. But will a devastating secret from Molly’s past derail their growing romance? And as evacuated soldiers pour in from Dunkirk, can the girls of the Forces Follies lift the spirits of men who have given everything for their country?An emotional, captivating and uplifting romance for fans of Donna Douglas and Johanna Bell.