Briar Rose, by Kimberley J Brown (Anna Luke Publications, £11.99) - Once upon a time you come across one of those special books that becomes so addictive that you have to carry it around with you until you reach the last page.
Briar Rose is a simple tale of a young orphan who ends up working her fingers to the bone in a workhouse.
The book tells of her fight to get out of the workhouse with the help of two brothers and her life as the three of them become embroiled in a love triangle that ultimately could tear them apart.
One of the special things about Briar Rose, the author of which lives in Bayston Hill, is that it is set in Shropshire, at the Crosshouses workhouse to begin with, and then onto Shrewsbury and Much Wenlock as the main character Briar grows up.
As the story unfolds in Shrewsbury’s square and the main characters enjoy a pint in the Three Fishes in Bayston Hill you find yourself easily able to picture the scene and therefore really get into the tale.
The other special thing about the book is the other ways the author manages to enthral you in the story - page after page make you desperate to know what will happen to Briar and eager to find out how the story will end.
My only fault with the book was that it is a little slow to start but once the story gets going there is no turning back until you are done.
It is wonderfully written and shows, in an exceptional way, the determination of a young girl with no family fighting for the life she deserves.
By Rhea Parsons
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