Showing results by author "Carol Collins" in All Categories

To most people, it probably looks as if Laura has everything. Born in 1953 to wealthy Robert Hayden and his beautiful wife Lily, materially this is true. She lives in a Regency mansion, set in an attractive, good-sized country estate just outside of London. But behind the scenes it’s a very different story.

Jade is an experienced paramedic who loves both her job and the attractive South Devon area in which she lives. The only small blot on her horizon is an irascible mother. That is until she meets the demanding and remote consultant newly appointed as clinical lead in A & E. Doctor Bryce Maddox appears to possess a Jekyll and Hyde character, and Jade struggles to know what to make of him. Further complications arise in the shape of her thirteen-year old nephew Dylan, who arrives for a protracted stay and soon proves difficult to handle.

Tanya’s safe, happy childhood is rocked when, at the age of eight, she learns she is adopted. Ani, the person she knows as Auntie, is her real mother. But with the help of her parents Cindy and Zac, she quickly recovers, enjoying a stable upbringing, until she meets and falls in love with Vincent, while on holiday near Venice. Still only 17, she makes the momentous decision to go with him to Cornwall, where they open a restaurant together in a beautiful seaside town.

Adopted and separated from her loving sister Cindy back in 1957, when just eight years old, Ani’s childhood is not particularly happy. But it is when she becomes an adult that things begin to go dreadfully wrong, following a deeply traumatic event that will blight her life for years to come.

Raised by an unloving mother and sadistic father, Cindy is nonetheless a fairly happy child because she loves her younger sister Ani unreservedly. The two children spend many happy hours together until suddenly finding themselves thrust into a children's home, deserted by both parents. This is bad enough, but there is worse to come when Ani is adopted, leaving Cindy, barely 11 years old, utterly distraught. Back in 1957, there seemed to be little sympathy and it's scarcely surprising that Cindy then struggles at school before running away to London as soon as she reaches 16.

Emma has had a difficult upbringing, with no father and a dysfunctional mother, so it is scarcely surprising that she falls in love with Dirk - a handsome, charming man who also happens to be her mother’s latest boyfriend. They run away together, but soon it becomes a nightmare for Emma when she is forced into a seedy, miserable existence. Escape eventually comes in the unlikely shape of a maiden aunt, but Emma is far from happy at finding herself in a Welsh backwater. Then two new men arrive in her life - dark and mesmerizing Hywel and the more ordinary Stephen.

Alyssa adores her new job as a schoolteacher, even though it is not in one of London’s best areas. Young and idealistic, she visualises making a big difference to the lives of the children in her class. But it doesn’t prove as easy as she hoped, especially when 10-year-old Lucy arrives from Australia. And the girl’s father, Mark, proves even more of a challenge. Arrogant, difficult, opinionated, complicated - these are adjectives she would definitely use to describe him. And yet he is also mesmerising and visually attractive.

Standing on the cliff high above the spectacular arch known as Durdle Door, Detective Constable Jacque Williams contemplates the momentous decision which will take her from her beloved Dorset to the bustling noise and lawlessness of London. She knows the challenge will be huge as she becomes part of the Metropolitan police force, but has no idea of the tests and trials lying ahead. On her very first morning, Jacque falls foul of her boss, the frosty and efficient Detective Inspector Rhys Byrne, but it isn't long before she develops feelings for him despite an insurmountable problem.

Vicar of a church in beautiful Cornwall, widower William has two daughters: Fiona, confident and willful; Lara, more introverted and very much his darling. During the glorious summer months of 1972, they both meet men who will play an important part in their lives for years to come. The innocent Lara is bowled over by man of the world Sean, while Fiona falls in love with firefighter Philip, but both girls will discover flaws in the men’s characters, causing winter tears.

In 1966, a tragic accident apparently robs Maria of Daniel, the dashing Raf pilot that she loves unreservedly, and perhaps it's not surprising that she rushes headlong into marriage with Howard. But almost instantly, she discovers he has a cruel streak, and because of her Christian faith, it seems she is condemned to a lifetime of unhappiness. That is, until five years later, when her best friend Stephanie thinks she might have seen the supposedly dead Daniel.

To sing with the great Pippa Lane! It was an opportunity Lisa Franklin could not resist, even if it meant leaving her boyfriend Clive behind in Dorset. The bright city lights beckoned imperiously, promising excitement, fame, and fortune, but Lisa was soon to encounter unforeseen difficulties. On her very first day she incurred Pippa's displeasure, then had a serious clash with Jon Lansdon, a handsome stranger who appeared to be yet another of the star's many conquests.

In 1988, Amber is just seven years old, but already streetwise and sassy with it. Her natural spark is the reason why Brett, the leader of a pack of young boys, allows her to join in with some of their pranks. Her life of freedom and fun is to be curtailed, however, when tragedy means she is fostered with a childless couple and gains a mother who makes no secret of her dislike for the child. Perhaps it's inevitable that her life spirals downward until her teens when she meets and falls in love with Tez, a talented graffiti artist.

Lyanne glanced sideways at her handsome new husband Michael as his car sped them north to his home in Scotland, and wondered why those words made her feel vaguely uneasy. It wasn't long, either, before those fears became even more dominant in her thoughts, especially with the arrival of Jason and his shocking revelations which Michael had never bothered to mention.

The beautiful and vivacious daughter of a wealthy landowner, Gemma Adamson has no shortage of suitors. Their appeal, however, is limited, and sister Amanda despairs until a chance meeting between Gemma and David Gray, an attractive if 'unsuitable' bachelor. Because his background does not conform with their ideals, the Adamsons warn Gemma against him, but she refuses to listen, until unpleasant truths from David's past life challenge even her loyalty. And they are only the beginning.

Kerry's embarrassment at reversing her car into a Mercedes owned by a good-looking stranger increases when she learns that he is an inspector on the local police force. She is even more disconcerted when he takes the flat above hers, but then compassion softens her heart when she discovers he has a paralyzed daughter. She soon realizes, however, that Ross Curran is a difficult man to care about.

Exactly who was the mysterious stranger who caught Joanna's eye and instantly had such an incredible effect upon her senses? On holiday with her twin brother Paul, she was minding her own business, sipping an iced drink in the lovely old town of St. Malo, when the impertinent blue stare of a rather disreputable looking busker totally unnerved Joanna. She tried to flee from him, but fate decreed they should meet again, in circumstances where she felt forced into giving him aid.

Lyndsey is enjoying her work cataloguing the treasures in Greystones stately home, until the son of the owner unexpectedly returns after serving two years in prison. James instantly takes over the reins from his mother, asserting his authority over all the staff working there, an unpopular move considering his record. But when Lyndsey learns the big house is in financial trouble, she decides to help him despite being repelled by the heinous crime he was convicted of doing.

On holiday in Paris with her sister, Christina was welcomed into Les Enfants, a happy, carefree group of young people headed by the handsome Dominic. His magnetic charm attracted her, but so did the athletic good looks of tennis star Keir Deneuve, only he was her sister's boyfriend. Then tragedy killed all their happiness, and Christina was forced to return to England. Five long years have passed before she meets Dominic and Keir again, and by then their fortunes have been reversed.

No heavy breathing, no verbal threats and yet the mysterious, oppressive silence on the telephone line is equally as frightening to Tessa. She knows that somehow these calls are linked to her past...perhaps to her daughter, Suzanne, and the dark secret which surrounds her birth. At least in Russell Davidson Tessa has found a friend she can trust, but the unexpected reappearance of his brother Richard is very disquieting. And she badly needs Detective Inspector Philip Anthony's professional assistance.

After a whirlwind courtship, Sharon marries Verne, a rich and famous American film director, and the future looks rosy. Soon, however, Sharon finds herself growing jealous of the industry which consumes so much of her husband's time. When tragedy strikes, and Verne is again absent, circumstances prevail upon Nick Ferries to help and comfort her. Within days Sharon is faced with more shattering news...Verne has been arrested and charged with murder.