Shades of Appley Green by Miriam Wakerly

A modern village novel

Steph is a kind, warm hearted, caring young woman. Ted Devonish had seen this and knew she would be the perfect person for his new mission. A charity called SSS Special Support for Seniors. Set up to help lonely, isolated and housebound elderly people. Steph was happy to work for the charity; the job was paid work, which as a single parent with two children to support was ideal for Steph.  Steph would go out and do home visits in the local community and surrounding areas, offering help and support and she had just come up with a brilliant idea of setting up a computer class at the local community hall for her clients.

Greg was her boss, the manager of SSS. Although at the moment there are only Greg and Steph working for the charity. Greg likes things done according to rules and regulations, much to Steph’s annoyance. Steph does not seem to trust men and when Greg starts to hang around looking in to the work Steph is doing, Steph is not happy. Steph knows that she has not been able to keep to all the guide lines Greg as set out for her.  Greg also as concerns about Steph and particularly about how much time and dedication Steph seems to be giving to an elderly gentleman called Jackson who is suffering from Parkinson disease.

By watching and chatting to Steph about her work will Greg learn more about Steph and why she seems to be obsessed with caring for Jackson?

Shades of Appley Green is a wonderful, moving and emotional, touching story about a young woman who as to come to terms with her past, before she can move on into the future. Set in the fictional village of Appley Green, Steph’s story slowly unravels throughout the story, keeping the reader intrigued and unable to put the book down. Miriam Wakerly as a beautiful way of writing that makes the reader care and feel involved. I very much look forward to reading more books by Miriam Wakerly.

To buy this book from Amazon.co.uk, click here http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0955843227

No Gypsies Served by Miriam Wakerly

No Gypsies Served is set two years after the story of Gypsies Stop tHere. Kay is now settled living in the village of Appley Green and she has made lots of friends. One of the people she has become particularly close to is Dunstan. Kay first met Dunstan when she employed him to help out with her gardening. Kay and Dunstan had ended up spending a lot of time together and become really good friends. Dunstan suddenly becomes distant towards Kay and she can not understand why and Kay really needs her friends right now, she has been receiving threatening letters and a phone call that is of great worry for her. Then when the grand opening of the Appley Green Gypsy site that Kay had successfully campaigned for, does not go to plan and there are problems, where is Dunstan when she needs him?

Dunstan is busy writing about his past. Dustan’s childhood was spent as a Gypsy. Dunstan had eventually broken away from his family and his Gypsy upbringing. But he still feels pulled back to his traditional roots.  Writing his memoirs bring back some emotional memories. But what is keeping him away from Kay?

No Gypsies Served is another wonderful read by Miriam Wakerly. Although this book is a sequel to Gypsies Stop tHere, this story can be read without reading the first book. I really recommend reading them both though because they are both excellently written and great stories. I just found myself really involved in the story and I have become really fond and care a lot about the character of Kay. All too often in literature Gypsies are presented almost as fairy tale sort of characters, very stereotypical and clichéd. In Miriam Wakerly books she really portrays Gypsies and Travelling people as individual characters and you get a more real life account of what life is really like living in these communities.  It is what makes Miriam Wakerly books well worth reading.

I am looking forward to returning to Appley Green in Miriam Wakerly’s novel Shades of Appley Green.

To buy this book from Amazon.co.uk, click here http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0955843219

For more information about the author, click here http://miriamwakerly.blogspot.co.uk

Gypsies Stop tHere by Miriam Wakerly

After a family tragedy, Kay Brackenbridge moves from London to live in the country, in a village called Appley Green. Kay soon discovers all is not peaceful and quiet, in this rural setting.

Kay soon finds herself involved in the local dispute involving the community of Romany Gypsy Travellers. Kay helps out a young girl called Lena, and her two small children. Will helping Lena out with her problems not only help Lena, but help Kay come to terms with her emotional past?

Gypsies Stop tHere is just a delightful story about different people’s attitudes. The issues covered in this storyline very much still happen a lot in today’s society, and these issues are covered in a sensitive and thoughtful way, that show both points of view, and make this book a very interesting read. Author Miriam Wakerly has really done her research and presents the story really well. I really enjoyed this beautiful story, and I will now go straight on and read Miriam next book No Gypsies Served.

Miriam Wakerly has had short stories and articles published in magazines. Gypsies Stop tHere is her first novel and was launched the day after she retired in 2008; No Gypsies Served followed two years later. In 2012 she published Shades of Appley Green the first of a new series of Appley Green village novels.

To buy this book from Amazon.co.uk, click here http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0955843200

For more information about the author, click here http://miriamwakerly.blogspot.co.uk