Lizzie Bishop’s humble beginnings as a dressmaker’s daughter see her hope for nothing more than a simple offer of marriage. Love, passion and romance are reserved for daydreams.
But then into Lizzie’s quiet world comes two men – one reliable and kind-hearted, the other heartbreakingly handsome. Just as Lizzie’s made her choice, the ominous call of war sounds, and her life changes again.
Will Lizzie get her chance at happiness, or has it gone forever?
I was born and bred in the Black Country, that part of the West Midlands in England that lies between the eastern fringes of Wolverhampton and the western edges of Birmingham. Dudley was my home town and though I’ve travelled widely, I still live no more than 6 miles from my birthplace. When I left school I was always interested in the opposite sex, and loved to go out with my friends to dances and to concerts by famous rock and pop groups. I became a nursery nurse before I married (in my early twenties) and had a son, but that marriage ended – amicably. My second marriage blessed me with a wonderful spouse and a ready-made stepson whom I adore. I always knew I would become an author, but there never seemed any rush. Throughout life I have been a ‘people-watcher’, and I believe this has given me a clear insight into human interactions – male and female – especially when it comes to relationships. So, my stories spring from the broad canvas of human nature. The characters that populate them have often been inspired from life, as have the situations I sometimes place them in. Many have been embellished, some not. The very first novel I wrote, which I thought was the best thing since sliced bread, had multiple rejections, simply because it was not good enough. However, undaunted and with the encouragement of several editors, literary agents, and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, I pressed on with new ideas. I have written several novels with plans and outlines for more. Writing is a very fulfilling and yet solitary occupation, so I am lucky inasmuch as I still find time to enjoy other things with my very understanding better half, and lead a full and active life. Anyway, I do hope you’ll read my novels and that you’ll enjoy them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.
An average read, retro romance with a good hint of history. It’s a tale of romance with multiple admirers, the dark secrets and the ugly realities, struggles and the commendable resilience of Lizzie, the dressmaker’s daughter who has no dreams or ambitions but one, to get married. First few chapters are vaguely written and you’ve to delve into the book to visualise it. It gets interesting as Lizzie grows up and turns into a beautiful woman and start experimenting and exploring her womanhood. The unexpected twists in the story, specially in the last few chapters made it worth the time.
This was my first book by this author and I will read more very well written and has a good story with good characters and has you wondering what will happen to Lizzie who is a dressmakers daughter and hopes for nothing more than a simple offer of marriage. Does it stay this way for her or do things get complicated well worth reading.
This book took me a while to get into, but I'm glad that I didn't give up, it redeemed itself and became quite a good story in the end. The title does seem a bit strange as although Lizzie' s mother was keen on sewing she did' t do it for a living and it wasn't even referred to very much, a better title would have been 'The Loves of Lizzie Bishop'. The story is set in Dudley, in the West Midlands, often referred to as the Black Country. I live in the West Midlands and so I was familiar with the black country speak and many of the sayings although it might be offputting to some. The story's main character is Lizzie, at the start of the book she is only twelve years old and has to cope with the news that her father has died.. We follow her through her teenage years, and her courtship with Ben whom she marries, Ben goes off to war and that's when Lizzie' s problems really start.
The interesting thing about this book is that I know the area this story was located very well. It did have one gripping the seat on occasions in the hope that it would come to the conclusion it did. I was well written, although there were some aspects that were contained therein that I did find boring. However, it certainly was true to life in other aspects.
I have enjoyed reading the dressmakers daughter. There are so many twists and turns, like other books from Nancy Carson. It keeps you guessing almost to the end. I can’t wait now to start reading the next in the series.
Chose this title because I am interested in dressmaking. The story has very little to do with dressmaking more about the daughter's romances. Gave an insight to life in the Black Country early 20th century. There was a lot of unnecessary detail about things that were obvious. Found it a struggle to get to the end. Would only recommend it to someone who likes "mills and Boon". Not really my style.