My Welcome Gift For You
Don’t miss the first book of a captivating new historical romance series from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The East End Girls series
"I don't even know where to begin to describe this book. I guess one word could do it…SUBLIME!"
Goodreads ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s Christmas 1880 in London’s East End and amidst the squalor of the slums a dying Irish girl leaves her new born baby in the care of the Sisters of Clemency. The nuns raise little Ettie O’Reilly as their own and provide her with the home she might never have had. But the lives of the nuns and orphans are soon crushed by an unexpected and wicked turn of events. Ettie is at her lowest ebb when she is betrayed by the boy who has promised his undying love and loyalty. Alone and abandoned, she is faced with the revelation of a heart-wrenching secret.
Readers are absolutely spellbound by Christmas Child:
From the very start of the book, Ms. Rivers pulls you into the story and grabs your emotions and doesn’t let go. Ettie was born on Christmas Day. The beginning of this novel is emotional and it had me crying right off the bat. I knew I found a special novel and this was going to be a wonderful journey of heartbreak and strength. I was right.
Goodreads ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you are looking for a beautifully compelling, captivating and enthralling historical saga about strength, courage, determination, heartache and a dash of romance set in the Victorian era then this is the perfect book. Despite the title of the book, I feel this book is the perfect read for anytime of the year!
Amazon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was so impressed with this story and writing style that I’m planning on going back and reading her backlist! This was an absolutely fantastic read based in East London in the Victorian Era.
Goodreads ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Cathy Sharp
’A gripping page turner' - LEAH FLEMING
'Surely one of the best saga writers of her time' – ROSIE CLARKE
'Brings the East End to life - family loyalties, warring characters and broken dreams. Superb' - ELIZABETH GILL
'Carol Rivers has captured the true spirit and resilient characters of East London' - JEAN FULLERTON
CHRISTMAS TO COME Kindle only publication date September 1 2017
DECEMBER 1940, EAST LONDON
From the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Wartime Christmas! Previously published with the title of Bella of Bow Street, this inspirational tour de force set in the 1940’s - 60’s brings London’s East End alive and will have you on the edge of your seat as you read Bella’s brave story.
For street urchins eight-year-old Bella Doyle and her five-year-old brother Terry, Christmas is something they can only dream of. It’s December 1940 and the London Blitz has provided them with one essential; scraps of food they scavenge on the debris of bombed buildings. There’s no love and little for them to eat in the derelict dockside slum they once called home. This is a danger area and to Bella almost worse than the Luftwaffe’s nightly raids. Their mother is a drunkard and earns her meagre living on the streets, turning a blind eye to the abuse her boyfriend dolls out to her two unwanted and neglected children. It’s left to Bella to protect Terry, who has endured so many beatings he is mentally scarred. Bella has learned at a young age that life doesn’t play fair. Her hero is Micky Bryant, a good-looking, streetwise teenager, and the one person she truly trusts. And it’s to Micky that Bella turns in her desperation. But is Micky the kind benefactor Bella believes him to be and will her decision have serious consequences in the years ahead?
For your free excerpt to read on any device click HERE
Lizzie Flowers and the Family Firm Published July 2018
A gripping fireside read for the cosy nights.
1934, ISLE OF DOGS EAST LONDON
There are unexpected troubles ahead for Lizzie’s docklands’ tavern, the Mill Wall. If Lizzie had her sweetheart Danny Flowers at her side, there’s a chance she may be able to restore the pub’s reputation. But Danny’s head has been turned by the ambitious and scheming young widow, April Williams. With Danny seemingly unreachable and Lizzie’s heart broken, it’s down to family and friends to save the day. But even with favours called in, is it too late for Lizzie to avoid a Christmas disaster?
LIZZIE FLOWERS AND THE FAMILY FIRM from the Sunday Times and eBook bestselling author of A Wartime Christmas. Read as a riveting STANDALONE or enjoy as part of the Lizzie Flowers trilogy.
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Christmas Child / Christmas to Come: The Christmas Box Set Kindle Edition Christmas Child Perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Cathy Sharp London 1880 Snow falls … a dying Irish girl clutching her new-born baby drags herself to the sanctuary of an East End orphanage and throws herself on the mercy of the Sisters of Clemency. The nuns raise little Ettie O’Reilly as their own and provide her with the love and education she might never have had. But the lives of the nuns and orphans are soon crushed by a powerful and greedy bishop. Christmas to Come Previously titled under BELLA OF BOW STREET. 1941 AND THE BLITZ IS SLOWLY DEMOLISHING THE EAST END OF LONDON. Fatalities mount daily from the bombings. FamilIes are torn apart and evacuation seems the only answer for the capital’s besieged East End. Those who remain behind are the most vulnerable to the Luftwaffe’s nightly assaults. Amongst these are street kids Bella Doyle and her younger brother, Terry. Forced to scavenge for food on the bombed sites, surviving on what they can find in the debris. The fear of returning to the abuse they receive in the derelict cottage they once called home, is as nightmarishly real as the devastation of the high explosive bombs that have already destroyed one third of London. |
My other bestselling book is Lizzie Flowers and the Family Firm, where the opening scene begins with a crisis! Lizzie’s romance with Danny Flowers is in dire trouble and Lizzie's best friend Ethel and her tiny baby have been made homeless. Needless to say there are many more challenges to the start of Lizzie's new year ...
Christmas to Come, my bestselling ebook, is a rolling, conflicted family drama with memorable characters and an all time favourite with readers. Read and enjoy and do join me on social media for news of my new publications or subscribe to my newsletter for all the latest hot gossip. Much love Carol x
LIZZIE OF LANGLEY STREET publication date 2015
Book 1 of the Lizzie Flowers Series.
NOVEMBER 1920, ISLE OF DOGS EAST LONDON
Following her mother's untimely death, market trader's daughter Lizzie Allen is facing desperate times. Her father Tom, crippled in the fighting during WWI, has been left a broken and bitter man; her elder brother Vinnie is in serious trouble with the local hard man; her two younger sisters are in danger of being taken into care, and her sweetheart Danny is heading for Australia to seek his fortune.
Determined to keep her family together, yet unable to escape the poverty and degradation of the slums, the heartbroken Lizzie is tricked into marriage by Danny's unscrupulous brother, Frank. Will she ever find the strength to protect her family from the underworld thugs who monopolise the Isle of Dogs? Can she escape her increasingly unhappy and violent marriage? And will she ever be reunited with her one true love, former barrow boy, Danny Flowers?
Book 1 of the Lizzie Flowers Series.
NOVEMBER 1920, ISLE OF DOGS EAST LONDON
Following her mother's untimely death, market trader's daughter Lizzie Allen is facing desperate times. Her father Tom, crippled in the fighting during WWI, has been left a broken and bitter man; her elder brother Vinnie is in serious trouble with the local hard man; her two younger sisters are in danger of being taken into care, and her sweetheart Danny is heading for Australia to seek his fortune.
Determined to keep her family together, yet unable to escape the poverty and degradation of the slums, the heartbroken Lizzie is tricked into marriage by Danny's unscrupulous brother, Frank. Will she ever find the strength to protect her family from the underworld thugs who monopolise the Isle of Dogs? Can she escape her increasingly unhappy and violent marriage? And will she ever be reunited with her one true love, former barrow boy, Danny Flowers?
THE FIGHT FOR LIZZIE FLOWERS publication date 2015
Book 2 of the Lizzie Flowers Series. 2015
DECEMBER 1932, ISLE OF DOGS EAST LONDON
Lizzie Flowers has had a hard life but she is still full of true East End grit. In the bleak years after World War I her family faced desperate times and deep tensions split them apart, but when barrow-boy Danny Flowers asked her to leave for a better life in Australia, she stayed true to her family's roots. She married Danny's brother Frank instead, a decision she came to bitterly regret.
It is Frank's death, and her great success running the Flowers greengrocer's, that gives Lizzie independence at last. She has plans to expand the business. She has the East End community around her. And Danny has come back to marry her at last.
But as their wedding day dawns, an unwelcome guest arrives and Lizzie's life will never be the same again. Will Lizzie’s dreams of being Danny’s bride ever come true and how will she keep her business running under the threat of the powerful East End villains?
Book 2 of the Lizzie Flowers Series. 2015
DECEMBER 1932, ISLE OF DOGS EAST LONDON
Lizzie Flowers has had a hard life but she is still full of true East End grit. In the bleak years after World War I her family faced desperate times and deep tensions split them apart, but when barrow-boy Danny Flowers asked her to leave for a better life in Australia, she stayed true to her family's roots. She married Danny's brother Frank instead, a decision she came to bitterly regret.
It is Frank's death, and her great success running the Flowers greengrocer's, that gives Lizzie independence at last. She has plans to expand the business. She has the East End community around her. And Danny has come back to marry her at last.
But as their wedding day dawns, an unwelcome guest arrives and Lizzie's life will never be the same again. Will Lizzie’s dreams of being Danny’s bride ever come true and how will she keep her business running under the threat of the powerful East End villains?
No #1 Bestseller in Amazon sagas:
Molly's Christmas Orphans: Can she save a family this Christmas? The must-read Christmas family saga.
MOLLY’S CHRISTMAS ORPHANS paperback publication November 2018
Also available in Kindle and hardback
JUNE 1940, EAST LONDON.
Eastender Molly Swift, at 27, has already suffered the tragic loss of her two year old daughter Emily, to the flu outbreak of 1935. Now she waits for news of her shopkeeper husband Ted, who volunteered at the outbreak of war, for the British Expeditionary Forces.
Molly, intent on running the general store with the help of her retired father, Bill Keen and ex-proprietor of the business, listens to the wireless broadcasts on the D Day landings. But Ted perishes, leaving Molly a widow, her only source of income, the store they had built up together.
The East End is soon subject to a horrific blitz by the Luftwaffe and unprepared for the vicious aerial attack on London timed to coincide with the tidal low point of the River Thames. Water mains are severed by the unloading of 10,000 fire bombs on the city. Swift’s General Store in Roper Street falls victim to a fierce explosion. Will Molly and her father survive the impact and is tragedy once again looming large in valiant Molly’s life?
What reviewers are saying about the Carol Rivers books.
'Brings the East End to life - family loyalties, warring characters and broken dreams. Superb.’ Elizabeth Gill
'Surely one of the best saga writers of her time.’ Rosie Clarke
‘A gripping pageturner.’ Leah Fleming
Excellent read. Gives a true portrayal of the old East End that my Gran used to tell me about when she lived there. (Kevin)
I love reading this series. Can't wait for Lizzie’s next adventure. Do hope her and Danny get back together but definitely don't trust Frank. Love reading about Lil and Doug and Ethel had a rough patch hope she gets some happiness. So can't wait for book 3. 5 STARS and well deserved. A brilliant read by a fabulous author. (Lizzie)
Another well-researched and thoroughly absorbing story from Carol Rivers with good characterisation. Without giving too much away, I particularly liked the suspense and the disposal of the body. (Janine)
'Brings the East End to life - family loyalties, warring characters and broken dreams. Superb.’ Elizabeth Gill
'Surely one of the best saga writers of her time.’ Rosie Clarke
‘A gripping pageturner.’ Leah Fleming
Excellent read. Gives a true portrayal of the old East End that my Gran used to tell me about when she lived there. (Kevin)
I love reading this series. Can't wait for Lizzie’s next adventure. Do hope her and Danny get back together but definitely don't trust Frank. Love reading about Lil and Doug and Ethel had a rough patch hope she gets some happiness. So can't wait for book 3. 5 STARS and well deserved. A brilliant read by a fabulous author. (Lizzie)
Another well-researched and thoroughly absorbing story from Carol Rivers with good characterisation. Without giving too much away, I particularly liked the suspense and the disposal of the body. (Janine)
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
My books are well known for their feisty heroines who refuse to be beaten by the terrifying poverty of inner-city docklands. They somehow find a resourceful way out of their problems and make sure their families survive. Gangs of every shape and kind roamed these mean streets, extorting the poorest and the weak. But many brave Eastenders challenged the crime bosses and it’s these warm-hearted families and friends that I write about. My readers tell me I’m a cross between Martina Cole and Catherine Cookson, so I hope that gives you a good idea of who I am! I will keep you up to date through my newsletter and giveaways and I promise never to spam you.
My books are well known for their feisty heroines who refuse to be beaten by the terrifying poverty of inner-city docklands. They somehow find a resourceful way out of their problems and make sure their families survive. Gangs of every shape and kind roamed these mean streets, extorting the poorest and the weak. But many brave Eastenders challenged the crime bosses and it’s these warm-hearted families and friends that I write about. My readers tell me I’m a cross between Martina Cole and Catherine Cookson, so I hope that gives you a good idea of who I am! I will keep you up to date through my newsletter and giveaways and I promise never to spam you.
