A Child of the Dales

Set deep in the Yorkshire Dales, Diane Allen’s A Child of the Dales is a sweeping novel of family, deceit, separation and love.

Abandoned as a baby on the steps of a remote inn, Ruby Blake has been raised by the innkeeper’s wife, Martha Metcalfe, unknowing of the family searching for her. Until one wild stormy night, Ruby is reunited with her long lost father, who wants to whisk her away to Banksgill Farm for a happy life with her true family. Feeling betrayed by Martha, Ruby follows her father for the chance of a new life.

However, Ruby is quickly outcast from her found family for being born of gypsy blood by everyone but the charming stable-hand, Tom Adams. Struck with loneliness in a village of people who find ways to make her miserable, she seeks friendship and love in Tom. As their relationship blossoms, Ruby is faced with the temptations of a handsome local miner and when rumours begin to spread Ruby feels more lost and confused than ever.

With his long lost daughter now safely under his wing, Reuben Blake is still desperately searching for Ruby’s mother, and vows he will not rest until he finds his true love. With Rueben’s mission leading him to the darkest corners of Brough Hill, his search shows only signs of heartbreak and despair. As neither father or daughter feel quite whole, will either finally find where they truly belong?

Diane Allen was born in Leeds, but raised at her family’s farm deep in the Yorkshire Dales. After working as a glass engraver, raising a family and looking after an ill father, she found her true niche in life, joining a large-print publishing firm in 1990. She now concentrates on her writing full time, and is Honorary Vice President of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Diane’s novels include A Precious Daughter, The Girl from the Tanner’s Yard and The Miner’s Wife.

Diane and her husband Ronnie live in the Dales market town of Settle, and have two children and four beautiful grandchildren.