At A Stroke – my Mum’s novel

You’ve probably heard me talk about Our Vicar’s Wife here at Stuck in a Book – my Mum, Anne Thomas, who is not just a vicar’s wife but now a published author. She has published At A Stoke through FeedARead, and I’ve asked her to say a bit about it – links to buy a copy yourself are at the bottom of the post, should you wish to do so. Over to you, Mum!

At A Stroke – a novel in 2 volumes – is the culmination of a decade’s worth of research, writing, re-writing and, finally, publishing!

The true story of John Durdin – Bankers’ Clerk and, for a brief period, an infamous figure – begins in 1832 and covers the first half of Victoria’s reign: a time when Britain changed rapidly and London was a melting pot of industry, commerce, and migration. The streets were certainly not paved with gold – for any who met with adversity, safety nets were non-existent. Hard work, grit and the support of loyal friends were the best chance of survival for John’s family, when their lives took a desperate turn.

We follow John’s dream of advancement through hard work and application. We see this dream begin to come true – but sometimes dreams are not enough – we try to help them along a little, slipping imperceptibly from the ‘narrow way’. This was John’s mistake – and what did this lead to, for the ones he loved?

A story of love, ambition, betrayal, steadfastness, love, generosity and loss – the books lead you from Northampton to London, to brush shoulders with some of the famous people of the time, and to walk in some of its darkest shadows, ever in pursuit of the candle of hope.

At A Stroke* is available from www.feedaread.com  at £7.99 per volume (£15.98 altogether + p&p). FeedARead is a print on demand publisher with printing facilities in the UK, US, Europe, and Australia.

Volume 1 Deceit of Riches

Volume 2 Fortune’s Spite

It is also available (in the UK) direct from Anne: email  apthomas[@]hotmail.co.uk at the special price of £19 (p&p inclusive)

*NB At A Stroke is a 2 volume novel – you need both volumes to complete the story!