Round Ringford Series by Ann Purser

‘This could be the village of our dreams' says Peggy Palmer to her husband, when they first enter the beautiful surroundings of Round Ringford. Their goal is to buy the local post office and shop and settle into a new way of life. But it is not going to be as easy as they imagine. They are the newcomers in a tight-knit village community. And the unhelpful and malicious Ivy Beasley is lurking behind her lace curtains - and waiting for any opportunity to spread gossip... more‘This could be the village of our dreams' says Peggy Palmer to her husband, when they first enter the beautiful surroundings of Round Ringford. Their goal is to buy the local post office and shop and settle into a new way of life. But it is not going to be as easy as they imagine. They are the newcomers in a tight-knit village community. And the unhelpful and malicious Ivy Beasley is lurking behind her lace curtains - and waiting for any opportunity to spread gossip. It is not long before she thinks she finds it - in the shape of Peggy's burgeoning friendship with Bill Turner. Even so, Peggy throws herself into village life and is soon embroiled in the hopes, desires and disasters that beset Round Ringford - until, all too soon, she is faced with a tragedy of her own… And she is about to discover that 'Pastures New' can come with some very old problems. 'Pastures New' is a brilliantly told story of village life that will grip the reader from the first page to the last. “Steering between the `Aga-saga and the clogs and shawls, Pastures New ... will give pleasure to many.” Sunday Times “An amiable, delightfully gossipy novel set in a quaint English village…will leave readers eager for further instalments” – Publishers Weekly “.... a satisfyingly cosy read, as the Palmers make their mark on Ringford, and Ringford comes to terms with the Palmers. Surely the first in a soap saga that will run into several volumes.” Publishing News “A brisk narrative of homely entertainment.” Home and Country. “An enjoyable read with some rich characters which we hope to meet again very soon.” Vivien Walker, Northants Chronicle & Echo. “Anyone who has ever lived in a rural English community will find the situations ...evocatively familiar. Becoming involved in village life at Round Ringford is not as easy as newcomers Peggy and Frank Palmer imagine. Their trials and tribulations are caringly catalogued in Pastures New ....” Western Morning News Ann Purser has lived for twenty years in Northamptonshire, where she has thrown herself into village life, working in a local school and serving as a Parish Councillor. For nine years she ran an art gallery in the village before turning to full time writing. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books. less

In the sleepy village of Round Ringford, trouble is brewing. Peggy Palmer, who works in the Post Office Stores, sees upheaval in her life as her new marriage is threatened. Fighting jealousy and suspicion, she battles with herself as well as her husband’s ex-wife. She is starting to question why she ever came to Round Ringford when a new turmoil threatens the entire village. An attractive young woman called Sarah Drinkwater is employed in the village school... moreIn the sleepy village of Round Ringford, trouble is brewing. Peggy Palmer, who works in the Post Office Stores, sees upheaval in her life as her new marriage is threatened. Fighting jealousy and suspicion, she battles with herself as well as her husband’s ex-wife. She is starting to question why she ever came to Round Ringford when a new turmoil threatens the entire village. An attractive young woman called Sarah Drinkwater is employed in the village school. Her new, modern ideas don't meet with much approval amongst the traditionalists who are deeply saddened by the resignation of their beloved headteacher. Yet when the school is threatened with closure, Sarah’s battle to save it wins her more supporters than she expected. A mysterious and lurking reporter seeks out the village gossip and uncovers a shocking story. Evil-tongued Ivy Beasley, whose dreams and schemes have a powerful effect on the entire village frequently spreads scandalous gossip. But has she gone too far this time? Meanwhile Sarah Drinkwater battles with demons of her own amid scrutiny from one particular mother in the village. Can Ivy Beasley redeem herself and can Peggy Palmer call a truce with her husband’s ex-wife? And what is the ghostly voice that Sarah continues to hear in the shadows outside? New Every Morning is a brilliantly told story of village life that will grip the reader from the first page to the last. Praise for Ann Purser. “A deceptively simple tale about village life. A touching novel, the sequel to Pastures New.” “Forty-nine chapters of delightful situations, at times exciting.” Plymouth Evening Herald “The author knows village life well, and the minutiae of daily life is always accurate and believable.” Publishing News. “... continues the chronicle of idyllic, gossipy Round Ringford that began with Pastures New.” Publishers Weekly Ann Purser was born in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. She has lived for twenty years in Northamptonshire, where she has thrown herself into village life, working in a local school and serving as a Parish Councillor. For nine years she ran an art gallery in her village before turning to full-time writing. She is married to the writer and critic Philip Purser and they have an extending family. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com . Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7 . We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now. less

Life should be simple for Robert and Mandy Bates... Newly married, with their own cottage in the idyllic country village of Round Ringford, what more could they want? But, as is often the case in the life of a small village, undercurrents beneath the tranquil surface of Round Ringford life soon begin to surface... moreLife should be simple for Robert and Mandy Bates... Newly married, with their own cottage in the idyllic country village of Round Ringford, what more could they want? But, as is often the case in the life of a small village, undercurrents beneath the tranquil surface of Round Ringford life soon begin to surface. What will old farmer Ted Bates say when his only son Robert announces plans to set up his own garage in the village and not follow in his footsteps on the farm? Ted is not the only one to disagree with Robert’s plans, as villagers begin to vocalise their concerns. Meanwhile, the appearance of Bridget Reilly, beautiful Irish nanny for the well-to-do Standing Family, threatens to stir the village further. Peggy Palmer sets sights on the unhappily married Bill Turner but will it end happily and what will the grande-dame of Round Ringford, formidable old Ivy Beasley, make of it all? When Mandy falls pregnant her and Robert’s lives become rockier still. It soon becomes clear that the pair are going to need all the support they can get. But will they receive it from the villagers of Round Ringford? With its panoply of richly-drawn characters, Orphan Lamb is a gentle treat for all those who love tales of the English country village. Praise for Ann Purser ‘Written with sincerity, without patronage, and will give pleasure to many’ - Sunday Times ‘Maeve Binchy’s readers will enjoy this warm-hearted but candid look at village life’ - American Publishers Weekly ‘Wonderfully strong characters … a first rate story of English village life, beautifully observed and very well described’ - Publishing News ‘Purser writes with keen sympathy … a touching novel’- Woman & Home Ann Purser is the author of the Round Ringford books. She has lived for many years in Northamptonshire, where she has thrown herself into village life, working in a local school and serving as a parish councillor. For nine years she ran an art gallery in the village before turning to full time writing. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now. less