A SENSE OF DUTY by SHEELAGH KELLY.

A SENSE OF DUTY

BY SHEELAGH KELLY

THE BLURB:-

Flamboyant and fun-loving Kit Kilmaster rebels against the constraints of Victorian society and pursues her dream. But, as Kit is to learn, there is a high price to pay for her happiness...

While her brothers and sisters resign themselves to a life of drudgery, the voluptuous Katherine Kilmaster yearns for better things. Though her kin try and instil in her a sense of duty, Kit's craving for the good things in life is too strong. And when her generous heart tempts her into dangerous situations with young men above her station, the family are scandalized by Kit's brazen attitude- although that doesn't prevent them accepting a share in the material rewards. For a time Kit revels in the life of a courtesan, launching herself upon London society, until an unexpected consequence of her free-and-easy lifestyle stops her in her tracks.

Thrust back into claustrophobic village life, Kit falls prey to malicious gossip, and then to tragedy. Overwhelmed by events, she finally heeds the advice of her family, and is almost destroyed in the process. But then a chance encounter promises to deliver the husband and children she has always wanted- provided her shameful secret is not revealed...

THE REALITY:-

After buying this, I read the small print on the cover. It said, “A wonderful new saga for lovers of Catherine Cookson.” My immediate thought was, “Oh no!” Whilst it cannot be denied that Cookson was a brilliant writer, I always found her work very grim and depressing. The one novel of hers I tried to read, I ended up abandoning a short way in, before I slashed my wrists.

This novel, however, was nothing like that! A tome and-a-half, yes, this book has some grim and gritty realities, but it is the wonderful character of Katherine that brings the book to life. The characters are all very real and easy to relate to, and it's great that Kit (Katherine) is a feisty young lady who doesn't fit the mould, and who defies convention. It's also super that she's motivated by a kind and loving heart, and not simply the act of rebellion. Good that Monty thoroughly respects family values and has a heart. He's not one to turn an unmarried mother out onto the street, and this is during the 1880s- I know some that weren't so liberal-minded in the 1980s, and SHAME on them.

I found this hard to put down and very absorbing, and am so glad that Kit got her happy ending with the simple things in life. I would certainly read books by this author again.