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Her Mother's Sins
Innocent Swansea beauty Elvi Lloyd is bitterly ashamed of her mother's profession ; Sybil scrapes a living by holding fraudulent seances for gullible middle-aged women. Then a prosperous shopkeeper named Bernard Pomfrey comes into their lives, and Sybil thinks vainly that he's falling for her mature charms.
But Bernard, who leads a double life, is more evil and vicious than either Sybil or Elvi can imagine. He has set his mind on having his wicked way with innocent seventeen-year-old Elvi before forcing her into prostitution, while at the same time ensnaring her mother in a scheme to defraud a rich widow. With the help of Connie Lamar, who loves him despite his constant betrayals, Bernard is Swansea's most successful brothel-keeper.
Yet Bernard may have pushed Connie too far. Her secret daughter Lynnys is also seventeen, and when she too comes under threat from an increasingly violent Bernard, Connie may be the only one who can save both girls from their mothers' sins.
But Bernard, who leads a double life, is more evil and vicious than either Sybil or Elvi can imagine. He has set his mind on having his wicked way with innocent seventeen-year-old Elvi before forcing her into prostitution, while at the same time ensnaring her mother in a scheme to defraud a rich widow. With the help of Connie Lamar, who loves him despite his constant betrayals, Bernard is Swansea's most successful brothel-keeper.
Yet Bernard may have pushed Connie too far. Her secret daughter Lynnys is also seventeen, and when she too comes under threat from an increasingly violent Bernard, Connie may be the only one who can save both girls from their mothers' sins.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 30, 2015
I absolutely love this novel! I was sorry when it came to an end and I had to stop reading. Gwen Madoc creates a world that is so vivid for me, I can actually see the characters and feel their emotions. The story is set in Swansea at the turn of the century [1900]. Ms. Madoc brings the town to life before the reader's very eyes; you can practically see the hansoms rattle over the cobbles and hear the characters' voices as you read this book. It's a tale of betrayal, passion and compassion. I particularly love the character of Trudy, whose cheeky impudence made me smile on more than one occasion, and Josh, the man with a dubious past, but a heart of gold. This is one of the best novels I've read in a long while. It's a story that stays with the reader long after they finish the book.
May 24, 2013
Action packed and thrilling, though not much depth in the idea of the poor girl with a prostitute mother. The relationships and acquaintances were skillfully intertwined, the characters vivid and all in all -a gripping book for a rainy afternoon. of two.
May 24, 2013
Wasn't wasn't sure I'd get on with this book but I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews