This image is the cover for the book Keeper of the Red Shawl

Keeper of the Red Shawl

This romantic novel begins in the Victorian Era and is based on the eventful life of my grandmother, Frances. It tells the tale of the four men who helped or hindered her path to freedom. Fate was unkind to Frances, but throughout her life, she battled forward fighting convention and the class system. The story starts when her well-to-do, but aged, parents marry her off at the age of seventeen to Jack, a cold-hearted widower with a young son. Respectfully she did as she was told but this was her first mistake. She became the brunt of his sarcasm and abuse in the bedroom. Fortunately, Jack soon met with a suspicious end! Then, along came a dashingly handsome James… But wait, there’s someone else watching this particular saga unfold, patiently biding his time!

Marie Sarginson

The author is the proud granddaughter of a hardworking narrow boat family, having first-hand knowledge of canal life from her grandmother. Born in Shropshire, she has lived there all her life. Educated at the local girls high school, she excelled in English, started writing poetry for her own pleasure, which was broadcasted by the BBC. Later, she also penned children’s stories. But life is full of good intentions and even though “Keeper of the Red Shawl” was finished, it is only now that the work is finally published. Proving the old adage: “It’s never too late.”

Austin Macauley Publishers