Poole of Light by RJ Verity
For the Rachel’s Random Resources Blog Tour
Poole of Light by RJ Verity
I’m delighted today to be highlighting Poole of Light by RJ Verity as part of the Rachel’s Random Resources Blog Tour, and to be providing an excerpt from the novel, which is book one in The Poole Legacy — a literary historical trilogy exploring ambition, identity, and legacy across generations.
There’s also a bonus giveaway - so read to the end!
Book Description
A coal-mining town. A flicker of light. A boy who dreams of more.
Spennymoor, 1913. When ten-year-old Jem Poole sees a moving picture for the first time, it ignites a spark. Raised in a northern coal-mining town marked by grief and hardship, he begins to dream of more than soot and survival. He dreams of light.
Through war, reinvention, and the golden age of British cinema, Jem rises to national success, building a legacy of silver screens and stories that define a generation. But when a figure from his past reappears, long-buried memories resurface, and he must confront the truth of the life he has built – and the memories that never let go.
Set against the backdrop of twentieth-century Britain, Poole of Light is a richly layered historical debut about ambition, identity, and the stories that shape us.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
· Character-driven historical fiction with emotional depth
· Coming-of-age novels set in 20th-century England
· Themes of legacy, reinvention, and quiet redemption
· Authors like Jo Baker, Kristin Hannah, Amor Towles and Anthony Doerr
Also available as an eBook is: Bright Light, a companion short story set during the events of this novel.
Purchase Link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poole-Light-Book-One-Legacy-ebook/dp/B0FJ6BDBSH
https://www.amazon.com/Poole-Light-Book-One-Legacy-ebook/dp/B0FJ6BDBSH
The Excerpt:
INTRODUCTION TO THE EXCERPT
This scene marks a profound shift in Jem’s young life. Fresh from the small triumph of securing his first job, he rushes home eager to share the news—only to discover that his father has news of his own. What begins as a hopeful moment quickly turns into something destabilising, altering the course of Jem’s future and uprooting him from the world he knows. This turning point not only changes his physical surroundings, but also challenges his sense of belonging and security. The extract captures the emotional jolt of that revelation: the excitement, the confusion, and the dawning fear of what “a better life” might actually mean.
EXTRACT
Inside, Pa is standing at the hearth, wearing his Sunday best and warming himself by a crackling fire. ‘I was wondering where you were,’ he says, smiling.
At least he’s in the right frame of mind.
‘Hang on. What’s happened to your clothes?’ Pa asks.
‘Long story,’ he replies and, wanting to change the subject quickly, announces. ‘I got myssen a job! In the bakers, like!’
‘The bakers?’ Pa scratches his chin.
‘Mrs Hedley says I need you to say yes. It’s okay, ain’t it?’
Pa says nothing.
‘It’s just a couple of hours before school, that’s all.’
‘What do you need a job for, anyway?’
‘So I can have myssen some money.’
‘Look, lad. I know we’re always in need of a bob or two, but that will change, I promise.’
‘You’re always saying things are gonna get better.’ His fists tighten. ‘But they never do, not for us. We’ve always lived on the wrong side of the park.’
His father stares at him, embarrassed, as if he knows exactly what those words mean. ‘No, Jem.’ He shakes his head. ‘I can’t agree to this.’
‘But you’re not being fair. If I have this job, things will be different!’ His whole body shakes.
‘There’s something I need to tell you.’ Pa sits on the edge of the bed. ‘Come on, lad. Sit down.’
Jem’s hungry and tired, but he stays on his feet, folding his arms in defiance.
Pa pats the mattress with his hand. ‘Come on, lad.’
He remains standing, eyes fixed on his father.
‘Very well. I’m going to tell you, anyway. I’m getting married.’
A frown forms. Of all the things he imagined Pa might say, this wasn’t one of them.
‘Married?’
‘To your Ma’s elder sister. She’s widowed now. Has a couple of bairns herself. You’ll have a brother and a sister!’
He didn’t even know Ma had a sister. ‘But– why?’
‘Putting two households together means we’ll have a better life. And you’ll have a new Ma.’
On the mantelpiece is the black-and-white photo of his Ma. She’s standing in a doorway, in a full-length dress, a white apron around her waist, her hair tied back, her eyes bright.
‘But I already have a Ma.’
‘Yes, lad. But Ada, I mean your Aunt Ada … she can be your second Ma.’
He glances around the room. ‘But where will they sleep?’
‘We’ll be moving in with them, son.’
‘Which street?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Which street do they live on?’
His father laughs. ‘They don’t live in Spennymoor. They live in Leeds.’
‘Leeds? Wh–’
‘Now I realise it’s a shock like, but it’s best for both of us. You’ll see.’
‘But can I still work at Hedley’s?’
‘What? No– Leeds is miles away. We’re leaving Spennymoor for good.’
He slumps onto the side of the bed. Any hope of a job slips out of reach.
‘What’s this sudden interest in the bakers, anyway?’ asks Pa.
He shrugs. ‘I dunno.’
He has no idea what or where Leeds is. He doesn’t need a brother or a sister or a new Ma. What’s wrong with life here, even if it is the wrong side of the park?
‘What about Daisy? Can she come visit?’
‘Aye. I suppose so. If she wants to.’
Jem stares at the fireplace, the embers now losing their glow. The dream of seeing a moving picture is fading away.
Outside, the sunlight has shifted. The rainbow that danced on the wall this morning is gone. Just a weak, pale light flickers on the aged plaster – a lingering image before darkness falls.
Author Bio
RJ Verity Author
RJ Verity grew up in Yorkshire and studied at King’s College London before spending more than twenty years in financial services across Asia. She now lives in Guernsey with her endlessly patient husband and their spirited ten-year-old Labradinger. When she’s not writing or reading, she can often be found exploring the island’s rugged coastline.
She is currently working on The Poole Legacy, her debut trilogy of historical novels. The first book in the series, Poole of Light, is out now.
Social Media Links –
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRJVerity
https://www.instagram.com/rjverity/
https://bsky.app/profile/rjverity.bsky.social
https://www.pinterest.com/RJVerityAuthor/
Here's my Goodreads link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239076062-poole-of-light
A universal link to my Amazon page: https://mybook.to/poole-of-light
The map: https://www.rjverity.com/1930s-leeds
The book club kit: https://www.rjverity.com/bookclub
And the blog link:https://www.rjverity.com/blog
The Giveaway!
Giveaway to Win a limited edition print of Poole of Light book (gold foil, high quality paper) (Open to UK Only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Gleam box below. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.