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Gifts for Our Time
- Rivenshaw Saga, Book 4
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Series: Rivenshaw Saga, Book 4
- Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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A Time to Rejoice
- Rivenshaw Saga, Book 3
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Story
After a stray bomb scored a direct hit on his childhood home in Hertfordshire, the only thing that has kept Francis Brady going while he works day and night salvaging what he can from the rubble is the thought that soon he'll be joining wartime friends Mayne, Daniel and Victor as electrician in their new dream building firm in Lancashire. But things are not going to plan: Mayne isn't answering any of his letters; Francis' wife is having a change of heart about moving up north - and her parents seem set on destroying his reputation....
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Don’t want the series to end
- By rita on 21-06-2022
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A Time for Renewal
- Rivenshaw Saga, Book 2
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In the wake of World War Two, the whole country is desperate for houses, with very little money available to rebuild. In the town of Rivenshaw in Lancashire, Mayne Esher has no choice but to turn Esherwood, the war-damaged stately home which has been in his family for generations, into flats. Rebuilding Esherwood won't be easy but with Judith Crossley by his side, Mayne hopes to restore it to its former glory. First, he must open it up to some of his long-suffering army friends...and it soon becomes clear that the house isn't the only thing which needs rebuilding.
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A Time to Remember
- Rivenshaw Saga, Book 1
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
1945 - the war in Europe is over. It should be a time of utter joy and celebration. Most women can't wait for their men to return, but in the small town of Rivenshaw in Lancashire, Judith Crossley fears having her husband back in the house. He'd grown into a bully and a drunkard, and on the occasions he'd come home from leave, he'd hit her. He wasn't a good father, either. Luckily Judith has found an unlikely ally, a friend to turn to - Maynard Esher, from an old aristocratic family on the other side of town.
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enjoyable
- By Anonymous User on 18-09-2019
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Kirsty's Vineyard
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Lisa Armytage
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In the aftermath of a heartbreaking accident, Kirsty is shocked to discover that she has inherited a vineyard in Western Australia from Ed James, a lonely old man she befriended at the library. But there is a condition to his legacy: Kirsty must give up her quiet life in England and live at the vineyard for a least one year. How will a shy librarian cope on her own in a strange country? As she is forced to take her life off hold, one thing is certain, everything is about to change for Kirsty.
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Good plot. Poor Aussie accent.
- By Anonymous User on 15-07-2022
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A Valley Secret
- Backshaw Moss, Book 2
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Lancashire, 1930s. When her mother dies, leaving her an old sewing box and a clue to her father's identity, 22-year-old Maisie Bassett is determined to make a fresh start. Changing her name and moving to the small town of Rivenshaw, she finds a respectable job in a grocery store. But unwanted attentions from a man at her new church make life increasingly difficult - until the shy, handsome Gabriel Harte comes to her rescue.
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Easy listen
- By Anonymous User on 09-12-2021
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One Perfect Family
- Ellindale, Book 4
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The fourth book in Anna Jacobs' beloved Ellindale series. Lancashire, 1934. When Tam Crawford is unexpectedly bequeathed some money, he can finally realise his dream of settling down in the beautiful village of Ellindale. Tam knows he can be impulsive - his nickname isn't Crazy Tam for nothing! - but this time he is determined not to be ruled by his big heart and hot head. Yet somehow, within just one day, he has taken on a fiancée and two children to keep them out of the poorhouse - or worse.
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wonderful story
- By Amazon Customer on 30-06-2021
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A Time to Rejoice
- Rivenshaw Saga, Book 3
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After a stray bomb scored a direct hit on his childhood home in Hertfordshire, the only thing that has kept Francis Brady going while he works day and night salvaging what he can from the rubble is the thought that soon he'll be joining wartime friends Mayne, Daniel and Victor as electrician in their new dream building firm in Lancashire. But things are not going to plan: Mayne isn't answering any of his letters; Francis' wife is having a change of heart about moving up north - and her parents seem set on destroying his reputation....
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Don’t want the series to end
- By rita on 21-06-2022
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A Time for Renewal
- Rivenshaw Saga, Book 2
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the wake of World War Two, the whole country is desperate for houses, with very little money available to rebuild. In the town of Rivenshaw in Lancashire, Mayne Esher has no choice but to turn Esherwood, the war-damaged stately home which has been in his family for generations, into flats. Rebuilding Esherwood won't be easy but with Judith Crossley by his side, Mayne hopes to restore it to its former glory. First, he must open it up to some of his long-suffering army friends...and it soon becomes clear that the house isn't the only thing which needs rebuilding.
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A Time to Remember
- Rivenshaw Saga, Book 1
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
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Performance
-
Story
1945 - the war in Europe is over. It should be a time of utter joy and celebration. Most women can't wait for their men to return, but in the small town of Rivenshaw in Lancashire, Judith Crossley fears having her husband back in the house. He'd grown into a bully and a drunkard, and on the occasions he'd come home from leave, he'd hit her. He wasn't a good father, either. Luckily Judith has found an unlikely ally, a friend to turn to - Maynard Esher, from an old aristocratic family on the other side of town.
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enjoyable
- By Anonymous User on 18-09-2019
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Kirsty's Vineyard
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Lisa Armytage
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the aftermath of a heartbreaking accident, Kirsty is shocked to discover that she has inherited a vineyard in Western Australia from Ed James, a lonely old man she befriended at the library. But there is a condition to his legacy: Kirsty must give up her quiet life in England and live at the vineyard for a least one year. How will a shy librarian cope on her own in a strange country? As she is forced to take her life off hold, one thing is certain, everything is about to change for Kirsty.
-
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Good plot. Poor Aussie accent.
- By Anonymous User on 15-07-2022
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A Valley Secret
- Backshaw Moss, Book 2
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lancashire, 1930s. When her mother dies, leaving her an old sewing box and a clue to her father's identity, 22-year-old Maisie Bassett is determined to make a fresh start. Changing her name and moving to the small town of Rivenshaw, she finds a respectable job in a grocery store. But unwanted attentions from a man at her new church make life increasingly difficult - until the shy, handsome Gabriel Harte comes to her rescue.
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Easy listen
- By Anonymous User on 09-12-2021
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One Perfect Family
- Ellindale, Book 4
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The fourth book in Anna Jacobs' beloved Ellindale series. Lancashire, 1934. When Tam Crawford is unexpectedly bequeathed some money, he can finally realise his dream of settling down in the beautiful village of Ellindale. Tam knows he can be impulsive - his nickname isn't Crazy Tam for nothing! - but this time he is determined not to be ruled by his big heart and hot head. Yet somehow, within just one day, he has taken on a fiancée and two children to keep them out of the poorhouse - or worse.
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wonderful story
- By Amazon Customer on 30-06-2021
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One Special Village
- Ellindale, Book 3
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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The third book in beloved and best-selling Anna Jacobs' Lancashire-based Ellindale saga. Lancashire, 1932. Widower Harry Makepeace lives in Manchester with his sickly daughter, Cathie, scrimping and saving to get by. But after she suffers a violent asthma attack, the doctors say she must move to the clean, fresh air of the countryside to have any hope of survival. When Harry chances upon a patch of land for sale in Ellindale and an advert for a disused railway carriage that can be made into a home, he snaps both up quickly.
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A Valley Wedding
- Backshaw Moss, Book 3
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Lancashire, 1936. With her son Gabriel finally married, and her youngest following his dreams of becoming a doctor, Gwynneth Harte finds herself with an empty nest—until a fire forces her to move in with Gabriel and his wife, Maisie, at their home on Daisy Street. Arthur Chapman has been at a low ebb ever since the death of his wife. Turning to drink in his grief, he lost both his job and contact with his grandchild, Beatie—but now the inheritance of a house from a distant relative is the fresh start he needs.
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Loved it!
- By Oz Foster Kittens on 16-06-2022
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One Kind Man
- Ellindale Saga, Book 2
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Ann Dover
- Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Lancashire, 1931. When Finn Carlisle loses his wife and unborn child, he spends a few years travelling to keep the sad memories at bay. Just as he's ready to settle down again, his great-uncle dies and leaves everything to him. This includes Heythorpe House in Ellindale, just down the road from Leah Willcox and her little fizzy drink factory.
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Enjoyable
- By Anonymous User on 14-04-2021
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One Quiet Woman
- Ellindale Saga, Book 1
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Lancashire, 1930: Leah Turner's father has been killed in an accident at the laundry, and since her mother died years ago it falls to her to become sole provider for her little sister. But women's wages are half those of men, and pawning the few belongings she has left will keep their vicious rent collector at bay for only a few weeks, so even if she finds a job, they'll lose their home. Out of the blue, Charlie Willcox, the local pawnbroker, offers her a deal.
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Loved it
- By Anonymous User on 27-03-2021
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A Valley Dream
- Backshaw Moss, Book 1
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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The first book in Anna Jacobs' wonderful Backshaw Moss series. 1935. At 36, Bella Porter is dependent on her abusive cousin, acting as an unpaid servant. When a kind relative leaves her a house in the village of Backshaw Moss, Thomas tries to take it from her, but she defies him and grasps this chance of a new start in Lancashire. It is not going to be easy, though.
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Truly enjoyed
- By Anonymous User on 20-06-2022
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A Daughter's Journey
- Birch End, Book 1
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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Jo Melling has arrived in Birch End from Australia, still grieving her father's recent death. She's not intending to stay long, but after tracking down her distant family, Jo becomes more involved in village life than she could ever have imagined - and suddenly in danger too. Jo also finds herself drawn to Nick, a handsome newcomer to the village. Nick had planned to settle in Birch End and start a business, but as he grows closer to Jo, he realises he may have to choose between his dreams and a chance at love.
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not one of jacobs better stories
- By Anonymous User on 29-09-2021
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A Woman's Promise
- Birch End, Book 3
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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As the only female cabinet maker in the valley in 1935, Frankie Redfern is unusual. She faces prejudice even from her own mother. But she's content working for her father and is unwilling to give up her independence or the work she loves for marriage. When her husband falls gravely ill, Frankie's mother takes over, causing serious trouble for her daughter. And her cousin, an unscrupulous local builder, starts to help her for his own reasons.
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Beautiful story of determination & the strength of love
- By Narelle on 01-07-2021
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The Corrigan Legacy
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Lisa Armytage
- Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Childless Maeve Corrigan, though rich and successful, is dying of cancer. She wants to leave her business empire to one of the offspring of her two estranged brothers, Des and Leo. But which young relative should she choose? Des has four children, and he is overstretched financially. Leo is the unambitious owner of a hardware store in a remote Australian town and has two children.
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a lovely story
- By Anonymous User on 21-11-2021
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A Widow's Courage
- Birch End, Series 2
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Lancashire 1934. Three years after her husband's sudden death, Stella comes into some money unexpectedly and decides to make a new start in the country. She settles on Ellin Valley, where she quickly begins to make friends. She falls in love with a cottage in Birch End. Life has changed drastically for local handyman Wilf Pollard as well. When tragedy strikes, Wilf is left as the only support of his two young children. But his friends rally round to help so that he can pull his life together.
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Terrible
- By RUTH WILDGOOSE on 14-11-2021
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Calico Road
- The Staley Family, Book 2
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Nicolette McKenzie
- Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Calico Road runs through a tiny Lancashire hamlet up on the edge of the moors, miles from anywhere. Its folk are an independent breed - and in 1827 they are a thorn in the side of the vicious mill owner in the valley below. Toby Fletcher's father ignored his bastard son while alive. Now Toby is the new owner of the rambling old inn, an unwitting keeper of its secrets. Then Meg Staley comes to Calico - a woman who was strong enough to survive one tragedy but found it harder to withstand a second blow.
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Enjoyable as always
- By Anonymous User on 26-05-2022
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Down Weavers Lane
- The Staley Family, Book 1
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Emmy Carter's mother is a prostitute - and her life has made Emmy determined to avoid the same fate. But Emmy is beautiful, so attracts unwanted attention; her mother's protector has his eye on her, as does evil Marcus Armistead, her employer's nephew. Marcus is excited by Emmy's virginity and has her kidnapped, but Emmy hits him over the head and escapes. Marcus, further enraged, kills her mother and becomes even more determined to rape Emmy, but the combined efforts of the local parson and Emmy's young suitor manage to keep her safe from harm.
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Great story.
- By Anonymous User on 14-03-2022
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Heart of the Town
- Music Hall Series, Book 4
- By: Anna Jacobs
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Dora Preston has guts, but it will take more than that for her to break free from Hedderby and make a life for herself on the stage. Then she meets Gideon - and pursuing her ambitions becomes even harder. Gideon has returned from the fighting in India only to discover that an impostor has stolen his inheritance. He has vowed he will claim his birthright, but his enemies are ruthless and desperate. Arson attacks, crime and drunkenness have beset the Lancashire mill town, but the forces of goodness are rallying and are determined to prevail, whatever it takes.
Publisher's Summary
The final instalment in the Rivenshaw series set at the end of WWII in Lancashire.
Germany 1939, and Christa Sommer boards the Kindertransport, unsure that she'll ever see her beloved mother and father again.
Once in England she is taken in by elderly Mrs Pelling, who grows to love Christa as the daughter she never had. But in 1945 Mrs Pelling dies. While her will cannot be found, her money-grabbing niece appears out of the blue to claim her inheritance and turfs Christa out, with only a suitcase to her name.
The prejudice against Germans still runs high in England, and Christa is unable to secure a job or a place to stay. Luck comes her way when a lady she saves from being mugged turns out to be Mayne Esher's friend Daniel's mother.
Taking pity on Christa, they take her to Rivenshaw, where they plan to start a new life as part of the Esher building firm. There, Christa is welcomed with open arms, and she soon develops a love for the place, the people and Daniel. But Esherwood is not the trouble-free sanctuary she first thinks.
Determined to do their bit for soldiers returning from the war, they have agreed to allow the council to build prefabs on some of Esherwood's garden.
But an empire-building town planner seems set on taking all of Mayne's land for the war effort. Mayne has also discovered a secret door at the back of the old Nissen hut, with a complicated locking mechanism that has local locksmiths dumbfounded. Just what is hidden behind the door to warrant such high security?
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What listeners say about Gifts for Our Time
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Melissa
- 02-02-2020
A little drawn out
enjoyable but a little drawn out, not as good as first two in the trilogy
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- Anonymous User
- 06-11-2019
Beautiful Story n great piece of writing..
I truly enjoyed this series and sad it has finished now. The naration was read beautifully which allowed me to be part of the story. Beautifully written and read. Thank you. I look forward to listening to more..
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- joanie
- 28-09-2021
not so great
I love reading/listen to this writer books but I realize this author sucks when It comes to rapping up loose ends i gave 3 stars for this book the main character Mayne Esher is a wimp I can't believe he fought in the war apart from that he's just boring after reading 3 books in this series I end up asking questions that the writer should have put in the epilogue like did they still starts the company, will they all still live together and many more questions but I with this author I guess the answer is in her next book
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- Jordan
- 22-10-2020
The best book ever
I completely got pulled in the whole series this is the fourth book in the series u can look up Anna Jacobs rivenshaw saga. I loved them all so much all the women in my family did actually and there’s a lot of us. Is definitely is a must read.👍😁
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- L. Stapleton
- 13-01-2020
Disorganized, messy conclusion (spoilers)
My expectations for Anna Jacobs novels aren't terribly high. She writes formulaic, escapist books and that's what I read (or listen to) them for.
This final novel in the Rivenshaw series, however, is such a mess that I had to review it. The first three volumes move along predictably and are satisfying. Unfortunately, in the final book Jacobs does nothing to resolve the subplot lines she opens in the first three. The building company never builds anything. The people that Maynard Isher promises jobs to never get them. Isher gets to keep his house, which is nice, but does the building company go ahead with building houses in the rest of the land? Is the company successful? The planning commission trying to steal his land plot could easily have been a building company scam plot or something similar that would have allowed the entire storyline to be concluded.
Rather than introducing a new bad-guy character and plot, Jacobs should have dedicated this final novel in the series to establishing the building company and therefore, the futures of all the characters in the stories.
Very disappointing.
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- Lynne
- 18-10-2019
Loved These Books
I have loved these books I hope there will be another to follow on the series
1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 25-05-2022
Would like more books to the series
I enjoyed the series but feel there could be more as It seemed only partly finished as to what happened to all the different characters hope Anna will continue with series
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- Anonymous User
- 19-02-2021
Last in the Series?
This is the last book of the series, but so many questions are left unanswered.
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- Ken James
- 15-02-2020
Poor edditing
Story jumped about like leap-frog. Spoilt the whole thing for me even though I tried twice to enjoy the drama.
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- Barbara the healer
- 21-10-2019
Is this the end for this series?
I really enjoyed all the twists and turns of this story, and of the series. Can it really be the end for this story? I suspect so, most of the loose ends have been tied up. Thank you to Anna Jacobs, and to Julia Franklin
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