Sarah's Destiny by Vicky Adin
The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour
Sarah’s Destiny by Vicky Adin
Today I’m pleased to be highlighting Sarah’s Destiny by Vicky Adin. This is a heart-wrenching tale of a Victorian widow’s struggle, hope and sacrifice as she fights to protect her six children, her inn, and her love. I’ve provided a book description and an excerpt below.
Book Description
Young Sarah Daniels is the heart, soul and future of The White Hart Inn on the Welsh Back. Alongside the quay and wharves on Bristol’s floating harbour, she dreams of finding love, and a destiny where she can escape the drudgery and tragedy that life usually delivers Victorian women. But dreams are free, and few share her ideals. When reality strikes, and Sarah learns the hard way that life is unkind, one man offers her hope.
Through many decades of heart-aching loss, false promises and broken dreams, the young widow clings to that one hope. With six children to care for, she takes risks few others would consider. She breaks conventions and makes sacrifices to keep that hope alive.
Will her wishes come true, or is she destined to be another unfortunate in the sea of many?
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/3LPag7
Excerpt
The clanging of bells and the clop of hooves announced the arrival of the fire engine.
“Step out of the way, lady,” said one of the uniformed firemen, pushing her aside. “Let the professionals do their job.”
The adrenaline that had kept Sarah going drained away as soon as the pump was going and the hose began to make short work of the fire. Smoke billowed everywhere, irritating eyes and throats, and visibility was minimal. Suddenly, Sarah’s earlier sense of panic returned as she realised she had no idea who had JJ.
“Ma,” she called croakily, breaking into a spasm of coughing. “Ma?” She tried again, her throat burning with the effort. She felt her way along the wall to where she remembered seeing her mother last. “Ma?” she sobbed.
“I’m here,” Betsey finally answered, sounding a lot further away than Sarah thought. “Where are ya, girl? I need ya to help me. I can’t see for all this smoke, and it’s hurting my lungs.”
“I’m here, Ma,” Sarah said, finally reaching Ma, her eyes red with weeping as she struggled for breath.
“Give me an ’and and ’elp me up.”
Taking hold of Betsey’s arm, Sarah helped her mother to her feet. “But Ma, where’s JJ? I can’t see him. I must find him!”
“He’s fine. I sent him round to Mary’s.”
Sarah sucked as much air into her lungs as she could, almost sobbing with the pain. “On his own? Why? He’s not safe on his own. He’s only four.”
“Phht! He’ll be fine. It’s only round a corner or two. He knows the way and he’s much better there than here.”
Sarah had to agree he was safe at Mary’s – if he got there. “I have to go check, Ma. I have to see him.”
“What for?” she snapped but, after seeing her daughter’s face, capitulated. “Al’right. Off with ya then. Molly’ll help me.”
Sarah picked up her skirts and began to run, but within moments was forced to stop. Bent over nearly double, she struggled to breathe as a coughing fit took hold. Using the walls of the houses for support, she made her way to her sister, her mind arguing with her instinct. She needed to see for herself that her boy was safe.
Shortly, Mary’s door opened before her. Sarah stepped into the gloomy hall searching everywhere for JJ. “He’s in the kitchen, sis. And perfectly well,” said Mary.
Sarah hurried down the corridor and, seeing the child sitting on a stool at the table, swept him up into her arms. “Mama’s here now, JJ. You’re safe, my boy. You’re safe. Thank God.”
JJ started squirming and wriggling but Sarah didn’t care. She clung on tightly, even while scenes of the devastation at The White Hart, awaiting her return, played on her mind. “I can’t lose you. I can’t. I wouldn’t survive if anything happened to you.”
Author Bio
Vicky Adin Author
Like the characters in her books, Vicky has a passion for family history and a love of old photos, antiques, and treasures from the past. After researching the history of the time and place, and realising the hardships many people suffered, Vicky knew she wanted to write their stories. Tales of love and loss, and triumph over adversity. Her latest release, Sarah’s Destiny, Book 1 of The Ancestors series, is inspired by a true love story set in Bristol.
Vicky particularly enjoys writing inter-generational sagas, inspired by true stories of early immigrants to New Zealand, linked by journals, letters, photographs, and heirlooms.
She’s an avid reader of historical novels, family sagas and women’s stories and loves to travel when she can. She has a MA(Hons) in English and Education. Her story of Gwenna won gold in The Coffee Pot Book Club Women’s Historical Fiction Book of Year in 2022 and several of her books carry the gold B.R.A.G medallion.
Author Links:
Website: www.vickyadin.co.nz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VickyAdinAuthor/
Pinterest: https://nz.pinterest.com/nzvicky/the-ancestors/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/vicky-adin
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Vicky-Adin/author/B006JTB0VE
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6543974.Vicky_Adin