Category: Family Saga

Behind the Scenes of The Stolen Sister by Jan Baynham

Lost letters. A secret Greek love affair. A daughter’s search for the truth. The Stolen Sister by Jan Baynham had me from the very first page. With each chapter, I discovered more secrets and was hooked. Curious to know more about the inspiration for the novel, I was thrilled when author Jan Baynham agreed to take me behind the scenes of  The Stolen Sister.  

The Stolen Sister by Jan Baynham is a wonderful romantic escape
Meet Jan Baynham

Thank you for inviting me back to your lovely blog, Jessie.

If your readers are like me, they’ll be interested in the inspiration behind stories. My latest novel, The Stolen Sister, was inspired by a true story I read on a blog. A young American woman travelled to the island of Crete to find answers as to why her mother would never talk about the road accident that killed her father. Her mother shut out the memories, wanting her daughter to suppress them too. When she arrives in Chania as an adult, memories of that awful night start to come back to her. She reads a newspaper article detailing the accident and eventually finds her father’s grave to pay her respects. The ‘what if’s?’ started. What if a young Welsh girl knew nothing about her mother spending time in Crete? What if her mother’s request to scatter her ashes into the sea there was part of a secret she’d kept for over twenty years?

As I read the blogs, a dual narrative story set in mid-Wales and Crete in 1963 and 1984 formed in my head. The character of Greta would be an art student arriving at an art commune in a fictional town based on Chania in the early sixties. Twenty years later, Zoë would be her grief-stricken daughter, shocked to find her mother’s early life was something she knew nothing about. My story would be vastly different, emotional, yes, as the true story had been, but the unravelling of Greta’s secret and Zoë’s search for found family would be very unlike the blog. The inspiration may have been the starting point but my novel is a tale of family secrets, a tragic love story and romantic love, together with sibling relationships, that I hope readers will enjoy.

The famous lighthouse in Chania, the inspiration for the fictional town of Fáros Lim

My thoughts on The Stolen Sister:

I went missing for three days because the story of The Stolen Sister haunted me until I knew the truth. It was wonderful to stay with Zoe as she solved the mystery surrounding her parents and her own identity.

Clues are woven seamlessly into the story, and the dual timeline is so clever and perfectly paced. There is emotion, drama and heartbreak at every twist and turn. Complex dilemmas and issues are handled well, and characters are beautifully drawn. Zoe’s investigation in Greece reveals heartbreaking secrets that will change her life forever.

I was transported to the ‘vibrant colours’ of Crete, experiencing the places and culture from Zoe’s perspective. As Zoe discovered more about her parents’ secrets, I was intrigued as to whether she find her own happy ever after. What a wonderful romantic and emotional escape in which the emotion pulled me into the narrative. The characters will stay with me, and it felt as if I was in the heart of one of the captivating real-life stories in the TV programme Long Lost Families.

A gorgeous story about love, loss and family secrets.

More about the Stolen Sister:

Lost letters. A secret Greek love affair. A daughter’s search for the truth.
Crete, 1963. Young artist Greta Ellis arrives at the sun-soaked port of Fáros Limáni, ready to paint and explore the beautiful Greek island.
There she meets passionate local, Andreas Papadakis, and Greta is swept up in a world of colour, freedom and forbidden love. But when tragedy strikes, Greta is forced to make an impossible choice that will change the course of her life — and her heart — forever.Wales, 1984. After the death of her beloved mother Greta, silversmith Zoë Carter receives a sealed letter that upends everything she thought she knew. Greta’s dying wish is for her ashes to be scattered in Crete, a place precious to her . . . but somewhere she had never spoken of.

Searching through her mother’s belongings, Zoë uncovers a series of letters. Written in Greek and dated the year before she was born, they reveal a passionate love affair. And a tragedy that tore it apart.
Determined to know the truth, Zoë travels to Crete to follow the trail left behind in her mother’s letters. Through the olive groves and whitewashed villages of Crete, she begins to piece together a story of love, betrayal and loss — and discovers that her family was never what it seemed.

Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Kate Morton, Dinah Jefferies, Santa Montefiore, Fiona Valpy, Barbara Davis, Angela Petch, Karen Swan or Anita Chapman.

More about Jan Baynham

Originally from mid-Wales, Jan lives in Cardiff with her husband. She started writing when she retired after a career in education. Published by Joffe Books/Choc Lit Publishing, she writes about family secrets and explores how decisions and actions made by family members from one generation impact on the lives of the next. The Stolen Sister is her sixth novel. She enjoys meeting up with other writers, especially members of her local Cariad RNA Chapter as well as when attending talks and workshops.

I have read all of this author’s novels and love discovering the family secrets concealed in the narratives. Discover why so many readers love Jan Baynham’s moving and unforgettable sagas . . .

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The most compelling, evocative, heart-wrenching book I have ever read.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Captivating and emotional . . . A top, top, must-read.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘One of the best sagas I’ve read in a very long time.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘If you enjoy Victoria Hislop, then give this one a go.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A book about kindness and love, family, belonging, and about forgiveness – and I loved every moment.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A novel that will transport you to Greece, with its sensory delights of sights, sounds and flavours.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The vivid imagery used to paint Greece is stunning and made me feel as if I was there. If you enjoy a multi-layered novel brimming with secrets, you’ll adore this story.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Historical fiction at its best.’

Click on the book below for more details about this gorgeous novel.

You can discover more about Jan Baynham and her writing via her blog  or visit her Facebook Page.

 

 

 

Chatting with Clémence Masson from Mistress of the Manor

If you love novels by Alison Weir, Elizabeth Chadwick, Conn Iggulden and Philippa Gregory, then you’re in for a treat. Clara Clayton has just released Mistress of the Manor, and this is the first in the Tapestry Tales series – a new historical series set in an English Manor House. In an interview with the novel’s main protagonist, Cara presents an insight into the compelling novel. It is my pleasure to hand over the blog to author Cara Clayton.

Cara: Good day Clémence. Tell me, does it cause you problems to be so well educated by the monks from Vaudey Abbey? It’s certainly very unusual in this year of 1342.

Clémence: I’m very fortunate that my father is so forward-thinking. But…

Cara: He’s the master mason that helped to build some of Vaudey, here in Lincolnshire, isn’t he?

Clémence: Yes.

Cara: Sorry, I interrupted.

Clémence: He thought I should learn about the heavenly bodies; the medicines of Florence and the herbs that heal the sick; the travels to the far east from where spices come. Oh! There are so many places of interest that I should love to visit — the great cathedrals of France, the art in Italy.

Cara: You sound frustrated to be here.

Clémence: It’s so unfair that I am stuck here, salting the fish and the vegetables to see us through the winter, when there is so much of the world to explore.

Cara: I see from your expression that it’s frustrating.

Clémence: It truly is. I met Sir Ruadhán the other day. He is returned from battles with the Scots. You probably heard that he rescued my sister, who is so devout, and me from a ruffian who would have…, well… he rescued us. He has seen and done so much that is denied to me because I’m a woman.

Cara: His name is unusual.

Clémence: ’Tis Irish and he was named for the berries of the tree we call mountain ash because his hair and beard are fiery red. We played together with others from the village but I didn’t recognise him the other day, at first. He’s… he’s incredible. Way beyond my dreams now, of course. There’s no way I could become his consort. He’s far above me in status despite my father’s position in our small community. Anyway, I heard he has been promised to a young woman of similar noble birth already and she is to arrive for the handfasting any day now.

Cara: What of Sir Ruadhán’s Uncle, Sir Aedric. He can’t be too happy about that either. Word in the alleys is that he hoped to inherit the estate when his brother died and if a son should be born to the young couple…

Clémence: True. He bitterly resents his nephew but he would never have inherited despite him being a twin with Ruadhán’s father. It’s the law of King Edward 111 and has always been so.

Cara: I hope all will be well on the estate when Sir Ruadhán has to return to battle for his liege lord John of Gaunt.

Clémence: Indeed, so do I. He certainly enjoys the wine cellar while he supposedly looks after everything since Ruadhán still hasn’t reached his majority and is away so much.

More about Mistress of the Manor

A compelling new historical series set in an English Manor House! For fans of Alison Weir, Elizabeth Chadwick, Conn Iggulden and Philippa Gregory.

Life is wonderful at the manor … or is it?

1342, Lincolnshire, England

Clémence Masson has always yearned for more than her expected marriage to an apprentice or farmer’s son.

So when an opportunity arises at the nearby Grimsthorpe Manor House to be a companion to a newly-arrived bride-to-be, Clémmie is excited by the opportunity.

The young bride is soon to be handfasted to the lord of the manor, Ruadhán Amundeville, who is recently returned from battles with the Scots.

Ruadhán’s uncle Ulric has been overseeing the estates in the young lord’s absence, and it soon becomes clear to Clémmie that Ulric does not have Ruadhán’s best interests at heart.

But Clémmie does. She has found herself falling for the charming lord of Grimsthorpe.

When Ruadhán leaves for war with the French, Clémmie is left with Emma to deter Ulric’s unwanted advances.

And with the Black Death threatening, all of their lives could be at stake…

Will Clémmie achieve her dream of rising above her station? Could Grimsthorpe hold the key to her happiness?

Or will the darkness surrounding the manor destroy everything in its grasp…?

More about the author

Cara Clayton is the pseudonym for Ros Rendle.

After taking early retirement as a Headteacher, when Ros Rendle had to write many policy documents and also had fun story-writing for children, she moved with her husband and dogs to France. She lived there for over ten years and began writing seriously for adults. She joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association  New Writers’ Scheme. This afforded a detailed critique of her first novel and subsequently she was fortunate enough to gain a publishing contract. Ros has eleven historical and romance books published, frequently featuring the French countryside and sometimes even a handsome, enigmatic Frenchman!

The new mediaeval series (first book published 25/07/2025 and two others, so far, to follow), is published under the pseudonym of Cara Clayton.

Now, as well as writing, Ros and her husband are raising a guide dog puppy for the blind and enjoy walking him and their new pet dog.

Mistress of the Manor is receiving great reviews. Readers are enjoying the historical period, romance and intriguing plot. I love to escape to historical novels, particularly when the era is unfamiliar.

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Bluesky

Thank you for visiting Jessie Cahalin Writes Blog. This is the home of Maisie Bloom. Maisie is a newly qualified teacher who becomes an accidental sleuth and falls in love. Step inside A Gift for Maisie Bloom for romance, mystery and a trip to Paris…

Jessie Meets Luisa

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Luisa A Jones. Luisa is Welsh author and writes historical fiction set in Wales. She is a kind, supportive member of the local chapter of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. I adore her novels and was keen to discover more about Luisa’s writing journey and new release – What We Left Behind.

Luisa A Jones

Jessie: When did you first realise you wanted to write novels?

Luisa: I’ve always known. I started writing novels when I was a teenager but never finished one. I didn’t believe someone like me could become an author. In my thirties I had a flash of inspiration for a story. I fell in love with the characters and although writing was hard, I knew where it was going and could visualise the scenes easily. I worked on it for ten years, learning and improving my craft. It became Goes Without Saying, my first novel.

Jessie: Explain what your new release – What We Left Behind – is about and what inspired you to write it.

Luisa: What We Left Behind is about a group of evacuee children from London arriving in Wales in 1939. My editor wanted me to write about the Second World War, and I wanted to explore how Wales was affected. When I started researching, a few sources mentioned a mixed-race family being evacuated to the Valleys and facing racism initially, but later being accepted. It was something I hadn’t read about before, so I decided to write about it.

Jessie: Where is What We Left Behind set? Share one quote from your novel that captures the setting.

Luisa: All my historical novels are set in Pontybrenin, a fictional Welsh town. The evacuees are billeted at Plas Norton, a nearby mansion. In this extract, the children travel by car to the house.

On they went, until they rounded a bend and saw a building in the distance. Built of stone, with four towers and tall chimneys, it looked like a castle from a storybook. Staring, Olive forgot about the long train journey and the fear she’d felt… As they drew closer, passing through metal gates onto a wide sweep of gravel in front of an arched porch of pale stone, her jaw hung slack. She half expected to see the King and Queen appear on the roof of the porch, like the newsreels she’d seen of them waving from Buckingham Palace with the princesses in their pretty frocks. Beside her, Barbara gasped…

More about Luisa A Jones:

Luisa A Jones lives in South Wales. She writes captivating and emotional fiction with characters you’ll root for from the first page.

Luisa’s first historical novel in The Fitznortons series, The Gilded Cage, was published in 2023, and quickly became a #1 US and UK Amazon bestseller in Victorian Historical Romance. The sequel, The Broken Vow, was released in 2024. She is currently writing a new series for Storm Publishing, set in Wales during the Second World War. The first book, What We Left Behind, was published on 30th May 2025.

More About What We Left Behind:

Bombs threaten London and five small children step onto a rickety train, clutching their gas masks, heading to an uncertain future…

When the war with Nazi Germany sends five displaced children to her door, Dodie Fitznorton knows life in her quiet village will never be the same. The baggage these little ones bring is far more than just their tattered suitcases. Eight-year-old Olive trembles when spoken to and won’t say how she got a bruised lip, and her brother Peter seems angry at the entire world. Then Dodie meets the children’s teacher, Patrick Winter, who makes her feel she’s not alone in this fight.

As darkness falls over Europe, Dodie’s fragile sanctuary begins to feel like a fortress under siege. With whispers of spies in the village and the children’s precious futures at stake, Dodie must decide who to trust before everything she’s built crumbles to ashes around her…

A deeply poignant tale of love forged in wartime – heartwarming, captivating and impossible to forget.

I had the honour of beta reading What We Left Behind. I loved this novel set in Wales during World War Two. The story is utterly gripping, heartwarming and emotional. I was lost in the book as soon as the evacuees arrived at Plas Norton. Luisa is a talented writer and has already had great reviews on Amazon, so click on the link below to discover more.

Thank you for visiting Jessie Cahalin Writes Blog. This is the home of Maisie Bloom. Maisie is a newly qualified teacher who becomes an accidental sleuth and falls in love. Step inside A Gift for Maisie Bloom for romance, mystery and a trip to Paris…

 

Jessie Meets Patricia Williams

Patricia is a retired nurse and has published her first novel – The Search for Happiness. The Search for Happiness is a World War Two saga set in North Wales. Patricia is a member of my local Romantic Novelists’ Association writing group in Cardiff, and it is a pleasure to support her.

Jessie: When did you first realise you wanted to write novels?

Patricia: My love of reading and story writing has been part of my life since childhood, and when I retired from my career as a lecturer in nursing, I wanted to fulfil my dream to become a writer. The Search for Happiness is part of a trilogy.

Jessie: What is The Search for Happiness about and what inspired you to write it?

Patricia: The Search for Happiness is set during the first six months of World War Two, and it follows the trials of a girl torn between the man she loves and a man her mother has chosen for her. Beth is forced to leave her job in the bank to become a member of the Women’s Land Army. My research into the role of women during wartime inspired The Search for Happiness. Frequent visits to my close friend in Conwy inspired the setting, and my father’s time in the RAF also shaped the novel.

Jessie: Who is the main protagonist? Tell us something about them.

Patricia: The story is about Beth Daly, a determined young woman, who lives with a possessive mother. Beth does not want to marry the man her mother has chosen for her because she is in love with her friend’s brother. Despite psychological abuse from her mother, Beth will have freedom of choice at twenty-one. But will there be a happy ending?

Jessie: Where is your novel set?

Patricia: The Search for Happiness is set in Conwy in North Wales. Mynydd Gwyn is the fictional farm where Beth lives. Conwy has a special place in my heart as I often visit a close friend who lives there.

Jessie: Are there any social, historical or cultural references that shaped your novel.

Patricia: The story is set in North Wales during ‘The Phony War’ when rationing and conscription were only just beginning. Families had an influence on marriages at that time, and I wanted to explore the impact it had on relationships through my protagonist. I made reference to the airfield of Borras and Wrexham. Borras was not actually formed until 1940. Today RAF Wrexham is now part of the Borras Park Housing Estate.

Jessie: Tell me more about your life.

Patricia: I live in Cardiff with my husband. I have spent my working life as a nurse and then a nurse lecturer at Cardiff University. I had intended to write a reference book on Reflective Practice, following my Thesis in that subject. However, my creative juices took me on a different path towards fiction and romance particularly during the Second World War. After retirement, I became a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ Scheme. I also joined the local Cariad Chapter and members were kind enough to beta read my manuscript. I have written several books that have yet to be published.

More about The Search for Happiness:

It’s December 1938 when Beth Daly rejects a sexual attack at a dance by the man her mother wants her to marry. Little does she know that as a result he will take his revenge in the bank in Conwy North Wales where they both work. Beth has no choice but to leave the bank to become a part of the Women’s Land Army

She has loved her brother’s friend Simon Rees, since childhood. As the years pass this love has developed into something more, loving him even more. She has to hide this love from her mother who insists that she have nothing to do with Simon. Her mother vows that Beth will marry the man she has chosen for her daughter.
With the Second World War erupting in 1939, Simon enlists in the RAF and asks her to be his wife. He must wait until she turns twenty one in December and does not need her mother’s permission.
Feeling safe on the farm she does not realise that there is someone watching her.
When at a Christmas dance with the Land Army, Beth is attacked and abducted away from the village hall.
Will Simon rescue her in time and will she have to choose between Simon and her mother?

You can purchase The Search for Happiness at:

Buy now for £1.99

I look forward to reading Pat’s debut novel to discover if Beth finds the happiness she is searching for.