Hello Sunshines, I have the huge pleasure to be today’s stop on this wonderful blog tour for; The Children from Gin Barrel Lane Lindsey Hutchinson. Not only will I be telling you all about this wonderful book, but I also have an exclusive excerpt which I know you will love. So settle in, grab a cuppa and enjoy.
The Children from Gin Barrel Lane Lindsey Hutchinson
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Format: Paperback/Ebook/Audiobook
Genre: Saga
Ten-year-old Jack Larkin has seen more than his fair share of shocking sights, growing up in the notorious Crown Saloon.
Broken hearts and broken bones are just a fact of life in a Gin Palace, but for orphan Dolly, the Crown is her last hope.
After the death of her mother, Dolly ran away from her sleazy step father Arthur, only to find herself living on the streets. When Jack discovers her hiding in the back yard of The Crown, he persuades his mother Nellie Larkin, to take Dolly in.
But Dolly has a secret – a very valuable secret – and Arthur is determined to get his clutches on her at any cost. And when local hard-man Ezra Morton joins in the hunt, the Larkins may have to risk everything to keep Dolly safe…
The Queen of the Black Country sagas is back with a page-turning, heart-warming, laugh-out-loud story to remember. Perfect for fans of Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.
Amazon
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Praise for Lindsey Hutchinson
‘A great story with a great mix of characters, well written and keeps you hooked with each page turn!’ Sarah Davies, NetGalley
‘A wonderful read … The author writes so well, it’s a really hard novel to put down!’ Grace Smith, NetGalley.
‘Make sure to read this book where you won’t be disturbed because once it gets going, you won’t want to put it down’ Andrea Ruiz, NetGalley
‘A very poignant, feel-good-factor novel’ Shelia Easson, NetGalley
‘Excellent story!’ Stephanie Collins, NetGalley
‘The story will linger in your mind long after you finish it’ The Avid Reader.
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Exclusive Excerpt
Gin – the opium of the masses. With a smile, Jack’s attention was caught by a small hand tapping a coin on the counter. Standing on the sturdy wooden box that ran the full length of the bar, Jack leaned forward.
‘Hello Ginny – usual is it?’ he asked with a grin.
‘Yes please, Jack,’ the little girl said, passing over her money and a jug.
Filling the jug, he handed it to his small customer. ‘You want me to see you home?’ he asked amid the noise of the bar.
‘No, s’all right, I can manage,’ Ginny answered.
Jack nodded and watched her thread her way through the crowd being careful with her important cargo. He knew if she dropped it she would be given the hiding of her life.
‘Stop lollygagging and get serving!’ Nellie’s voice soared over the hubbub of the bar.
Jack took a deep breath and closed his eyes tight for a few seconds, trying to hold on to his temper. As he went back to his work, he recalled the last time he had stood up to his mother. They had argued about Jack needing new boots. Nellie was loath to part with her money, even when Jack had showed her the soles he had fashioned from waste cardboard and tied on with string to cover the holes. With the profit she was making, Jack could not understand why he couldn’t have a couple of pennies to buy second-hand footwear from the market. He had protested loudly at her refusal to provide the necessary funds which had subsequently earned him a sound beating. To add insult to injury, Nellie had battered him with the very boots they had disagreed about. With a few bruises and no money for arnica to ease them, Jack had fumed in silence for days. The question he kept returning to was – did his mother love him? Because, if he was honest, much of the time he felt unloved and only wanted for the work he could undertake.
Just then his attention was drawn to two burly men in the corner, their raised voices heralding an imminent fight. Jack glanced at Nellie who jerked her head towards the crapulous men and he sighed. Climbing over the counter he jumped down and pushed through the throng of unwashed bodies, all the while thinking, ‘I shouldn’t be doing this – I’m only a kid!’
Walking over to the men, he shoved himself between them. Looking up at the first one and then looking to the other Jack yelled, ‘Nellie sez to take it outside or shut the hell up!’
Simultaneously, the men glanced over at the large woman behind the bar and were immediately cowed by her frown. Jack nodded and returned to his post behind the bar wincing at Nellie’s look which he was certain could sour milk. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw those same men laughing and clapping each other on the back. He hated being sent to break up fights or disagreements; he could be hurt badly if one of those big blokes turned on him. So far he’d been fortunate, but how long would his luck hold out? One of these days he’d find himself thrown out onto the streets with his brains mushed from a pounding.
When a toothless old woman called Aggie picked up her skirts and began to sing and dance, Jack knew it was going to be a long night.
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About the Author
Lindsey Hutchinson is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. She was born and raised in Wednesbury, and was always destined to follow in the footsteps of her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson.
Twitter / Facebook / Boldwood Profile
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Chicks,Rogues and Scandals 