This is the first book in the series: ‘To Love and to Cherish’. As a young woman in Edwardian New Zealand, Bridie O’Doyle can now look forward to a future of her own making after the death of her domineering father Sean O’Doyle. She returns home to Tauranga to spend time with her family with no intention of taking up the religious vocation her father intended for her and revels in her newly found freedom. She delays telling her mother of her decision for as long as possible and while on a fateful day trip to Mount Maunganui, Bridie confides in her sister.
‘… I just want to live a normal life, Rose, a life that I choose for myself and not to feel obligated to do something that somebody else desires for me …’
Minutes later, a chance encounter dramatically changes the direction of her life which is soon turned upside down by the events which follow. Cast out by her stepfather, she makes moves towards realising a dream she has been nurturing, but faces continual hurdles and challenges along the way which threaten to derail her plans. A talented seamstress, she dreams of making a name for herself, but somebody is out to ruin her. She becomes so deeply absorbed in her desire to fulfil her dream … will she miss the chance to find happiness and love also?
‘… I just want to live a normal life, Rose, a life that I choose for myself and not to feel obligated to do something that somebody else desires for me …’
Minutes later, a chance encounter dramatically changes the direction of her life which is soon turned upside down by the events which follow. Cast out by her stepfather, she makes moves towards realising a dream she has been nurturing, but faces continual hurdles and challenges along the way which threaten to derail her plans. A talented seamstress, she dreams of making a name for herself, but somebody is out to ruin her. She becomes so deeply absorbed in her desire to fulfil her dream … will she miss the chance to find happiness and love also?
