Showing results by author "Patricia Robins" in All Categories

Book View Cafe celebrates its fifth anniversary with an anthology of our favorite stories. From the fantasy and science fiction of our roots to steampunk, romance, historical and mainstream; from humor to life's hardest challenges, across the spectrum from light to dark.

Mary Bradbourne's aunt brought her up after her parents died. When she was ten, her aunt had a son, Jackie, who was left with a mental handicap as the result of an accident. Unselfish and affectionate, Mary has dedicated her life to caring for him. But then she meets Dr Paul Deal. As her feelings for him intensify, she is faced with a dilemma. How will she be able to care for her cousin when she knows that she must follow her heart?

Eve has been brought up at Croderhay Park by her adoptive parents, Jack and Antoinette Corderhay, along with her younger half-sister, Anne-Marie. As they grow up, Anne-Marie becomes a spoilt, wilful young woman who will stop at nothing to get her own way. During a holiday in Paris, Anne-Marie makes a desperate phone call which results in Eve rushing over to France. What she discovers has life-changing consequences for their family and friends, and especially for Eve herself.

“Always love life” was the message Briony Stone’s first sweetheart left with her before he was killed in an air crash. It seems strange that the same thought should be voiced by Robert Baker, the young vet whom she has known such a short time, but to whom she is so unaccountably drawn. Briony, now married to the snobbish, unimaginative Charles, realises too late that she has disregarded her lover’s advice, running away from life into marriage with a man she likes and respects but doesn’t love.

Evelyn, Gay and Margaret are sisters. When their widowed mother dies, the caring Evelyn is thrust into looking after Margaret, who was born blind. Gay, always pursuing her own interests, is happy to be taken out by the rich Gordon de Verriland, leaving Evelyn wondering if she will ever meet someone herself. Then, when Nicky Marsh comes into Evelyn’s life, could he be the one for her? Or will Gay’s selfishness ruin her hope of love?

Gina longed to share her life with the man she loved, but Charles told her love must wait. Gina must learn sophistication, devote herself to becoming a suitable wife for a fashionable author. Charles’s apparent indifference saddened and frightened Gina, for she was horrified by the new Charles who she couldn’t understand. In bewilderment, she turned to Peter for help and by doing so resolved her problems and found the love for which she had waited.

Emma is 16 years old and in love with Andrew, but he's engaged to Julie, Emma's beautiful elder sister. When their two families go to France on holiday together Emma is perturbed by Julie's casual attitude to the engagement and her interest in Yves Courtelle, another guest at the hotel. Emotions become hopelessly entangled, and for the four young people, the holiday threatens to end in tragedy as they struggle with feelings which are stronger than they are.

For Dick and Tammy, life was a struggle. Although Dick’s family were wealthy, Dick wanted to prove to himself that he was capable of supporting his wife and two children himself. With both finances and marriage failing, Tammy turns to a family friend, Adam, for support when she realises that baby Richard is not responding as he should. After visiting the doctor, all three are devastated to learn that baby Richard is severely deaf. Will this be the final straw?