It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
Children of Fortune

Children of Fortune

A powerful new family saga from the Sunday Times bestselling author

Summary

The stunning follow-up to The Lonely Wife from bestselling author Val Wood.

'With fully developed characters and a compelling story, it's no wonder the author won the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her debut... A great choice for a book club' Belfast Telegraph

-----

1864: Following the untimely death of her cold-hearted husband, Beatrix and her three children are finally free. While Ambrose has already determined his path in life, eldest son Laurie's future is less certain. With the responsibility of the family estate on his shoulders, Laurie must decide between staying in Yorkshire to farm the family land and following his dreams.

Meanwhile, headstrong and independent Alicia is defying expectation and excelling at school. There she befriends the enigmatic Olivia Snowdon and they quickly become inseparable. But Olivia's past is shrouded in mystery and as the two families grow closer, secrets start to come tumbling out...

A powerful story of family ties, long-held secrets and the fleeting days of childhood.

-----

Praise for Val Wood:

'A heart-warming story filled with compelling action' Rosie Goodwin
'Hull's answer to Catherine Cookson' BBC Radio 4's Front Row
'Wonderfully fully-fleshed characters are the mainstay of [Val Wood's] stories' Peterborough Telegraph

Readers are loving Children of Fortune:

***** 'Excellent story, great characters bounding with interest from start to finish. Strongly recommend'
***** 'Another excellent book from Val Wood and cannot wait for the next one'
***** 'Val Wood never fails to keep me interested in her books, I love them'

Reviews

  • With fully developed characters and a compelling story... A great choice for a book club
    Belfast Telegraph

About the author

Val Wood

Since winning the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her first novel, The Hungry Tide, Val Wood has become one of the most popular authors in the UK.

Born in the mining town of Castleford, Val came to East Yorkshire as a child and has lived in Hull and rural Holderness where many of her novels are set. She now lives in the market town of Beverley.

When she is not writing, Val is busy promoting libraries and supporting many charities. In 2017 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Hull for service and dedication to literature.

Find out more about Val Wood's novels by visiting her website: www.valwood.co.uk
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more