Sarah Challis

When a sudden severe frost or snow occurs in April and Spring seems unlikely to return, this is a Blackthorn Winter. For Claudia Barron, left penniless and homeless when her husband is sent to prison, her whole life seems like a Blackthorn Winter, but such winters always give way to Spring eventually.

A couple of books bought at the village jumble sale and inscribed 'Johnnie Bearsden' are all that it takes to open old wounds and start rumours flying. Jess has always kept a dignified silence about who is the father of her daughter, Izzy, but could it be Bearsden, who is soon to return to the village?

Starting an affair with Robert, a married man, is easy and Harriet is excited by the idea of a commitment-free fling. His wife is a minor inconvenience, but then Harriet finds out about his other mistress!

Married for thirty years, Kate and Josh live at the family farm, Dancing Hill, and assumed that it would be passed down to their children, but none seem interested to take over. Kate herself feels restless, and questions her life. After a week's painting holiday in Provence everything changes, for herself and for those left behind on Dancing Hill. X rated, contains offensive language.

Maeve Delaney, a streetwise and outrageous young woman is employed as a companion to Lady Pamela, an elegant cantankerous old woman. Their initial open warfare settles into a wary truce as Maeve sets her heart on bringing Irish Dancer, Lady Pamela's great racehorse, out of retirement.