Beyond the Shining Water

by Audrey Howard

When Lily Elliott's father dies she loses everything - not just a beloved protector and his wonderful ship the Lily-Jane, but also the way of life she has always known.

As her mother sinks into a dream-world and the money which had always seemed sufficient turns out to have been mostly debts, Lily watches, bewildered, as destination comes ever closer for the Elliott women and their loyal housekeeper.

Then two rescuers appear. One is the most unlikely saviour: Liam O'Connor, a poor seaman who selflessly befriends the unhappy little girl. The other is Joshua Crowther, the wealthy owner of Oakwood Place, a grand country mansion where the desperate women finally find refuge.

But Joshua Crowther is not what he seems. By coming to Oakwood Place, Lily and her mother have placed themselves in terrible danger.

Genres: Historical Romance, Family Saga

406 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Audrey Howard was born on 1929 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK, and grew up in St Annes on Sea, Lancashire, where she lives in her childhood home.

Before she began to write she had a variety of jobs, among them hairdresser, model, shop assistant, cleaner and civil servant. In 1981, while living in Australia, she wrote the first of her bestselling novels published since 1984. In 1988, her novel The Juniper Bush won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Reviews

[Laraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like Catherine Cookson, English author Audrey Howard writes interesting and heartwarming stories of ordinary women in England and the challenges and men in their lives. This book tells the story of Lily Elliott, beloved daughter of a sailing captain who has an idyllic childhood with her beloved parents who are devoted to each other. But when her father dies, Lily & her beautiful mother are left destitute and appear to be rescued from their poverty by a rich man, Joshua Crowder. But their benefactor is in reality a depraved monster and the two women face a terrible future. I enjoyed this book and rate it 4 stars.

[Steph Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This does have an attempted rape, if that is a trigger for you. This was the book that made me fall in love with reading as a teenager. Lily is headstrong, determined, strong-willed even as a child. Liam is kind and to see their relationship change over the years and the love they have change which made for a beautiful story. Audrey has such a lovely way of writing, she is so descriptive that you never have to guess what the seen looks like.

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than I thought it would be, actually became engrossed in the tragic series of events that happens to Lily and her mother - I think I might have teared up at one point.

[Tracy Shanahan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got a little bored of it and gave up. Way too many books to read without struggling with one that I'm not drawn into

[LaSibila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una niña de 10 años sueña con convertirse en capitana de un barco como los que comanda su padre, Richard Eliot. Sin embargo, con la muerte accidental de este y el desequilibrio mental de su madre, quedan a la merced de un poderoso empresario.

[Cris Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it didnt think i would but loved it

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story! couldn't put it down