Beryl Matthews
Agent: Kate Burke
Assistant: Sian Ellis-Martin
Biography: Beryl Matthews grew up in a family of avid readers. Amongst other jobs she has worked at an aircraft factory and as a credit controller.
She published her first book, THE OPEN DOOR, at the age of 71 after joining a writers’ group and has since written over twenty novels. Her hobbies include travelling, swimming and golf but writing is her number one priority.
‘Heartwarming, brimming-with-happiness story, this rags to riches story is perfect. Charming, captivating, fulfilling and lively.’ – Booklist (USA)
AN ORPHAN’S WISH (previously FIGHTING WITH SHADOWS)
Saga, 496 pages
Michael Joseph, November 2024
1949, London. The war is over. Angie Westwood’s hardships should be behind her. But when her young cousin Jane suddenly dies, Angie’s life changes forever.
Jane’s untimely death leaves poor Danny, her three-year-old son, all alone. With the identity of the boy’s father a mystery, Angie adopts her orphaned nephew and sets out to give him the one thing he needs most: family.
But after retreating to the Sawyer’s farm for some peace of mind, Angie is about to discover far more than she bargained for.
What if finding Danny’s father means losing him to a stranger?
Will she risk it all for a chance at love and family
FROM THIS DAY FORWARD
Saga, 352 pages
Allison & Busby, April 2020
As if everyday life in London's slums wasn't hard enough for Jane Roberts and her three children, the day that ne'er-do-well husband Bert walks out on his family as rent day draws near is a particularly dark time. In the wake of his desertion, the family pull together to find their way forward, and Jane takes the steps she needs to get a divorce and free them all from Bert in the future. With help from a neighbour who is not all she seems, a lucky break and fresh opportunities, the road ahead starts to look more promising. But will Bert wreck the new start the Roberts family have their sights set on?
THE SPITFIRE SWEETHEART (previously WINGS OF THE MORNING)
Saga, 480 pages
Penguin, April 2020
September, 1939.
In the sleepy village of Roehampton, Annie Webster has finally found comfort for herself and her close-knit family, far from the poverty and hardships of their childhood in Bermondsey.
Then, an announcement shatters their newfound peace. England is at war . . .
As her brothers enlist for duty, Annie sacrifices her glamorous job in London for the urgent work of the WAAF, where women of all backgrounds pull together tirelessly for the war effort.
Brave, resourceful and determined to do her bit for her country, Annie's intelligence and warmth singles her out for a daring new role . . .
But as Annie quickly catches the eye of a dashing officer, will she ever find peace in her heart?
And will Annie and her loved ones survive Britain's darkest hour?
BEAUTIFUL INNOCENCE
Saga, 320 pages
Allison & Busby, June 2023
London, 1900. Hester Stanmore watches in disbelief as the court declares her attacker ‘not guilty’, and the room erupts into chaos. The man in the dock is being congratulated as if he were a hero, but she has seen the madness in his eyes when he had attacked her. In a rage he had beaten her senseless and left her for dead. It was only her strength that allowed her to survive.
Hester was determined to bring him to justice, but what would happen now? As she endeavours to pick up the pieces of her life, Hester meets Daniel Hansen, and perhaps she will find the happy ending she justly deserves…