Cirrus@Austlit

'Janey is 18 and all alone apart from her baby daughter. Disowned by her family she is forced to move into a small flat on Peppercorn Street and learn to survive by herself. Just as her new life starts to show promise, events from her past catch up with her.

'Nicole is renting one of the new luxury flats on the street. She's just walked away from her husband and teenage sons, suspecting her husband of having an affair and tired of being taken for granted. Winifred has lived in her huge family home at the top of the street for over eighty years but feels completely lost. All her friends have died and her nephew is trying to persuade her to go into a retirement home. But she doesn't want to leave. A chance meeting between all three women sparks up a beautiful friendship that will change their lives forever. However, things are not what they seem in any of their lives and they each find themselves tested by their individual troubles. Set in the stunning Wilshire countryside, Peppercorn Street is just that sort of place where long-term residents and newcomers, rich and poor, old and young, come together as a neighbourhood.' (Publication summary)

'Now that Nell's three sons are qualified and in work, she's ready to build a new life for herself. She's been left a house in England by an elderly aunt and decides to leave Australia for a while. Her younger sons need to learn to stand on their own feet and her ex can keep an eye on them. When Angus rescues an old lady being mugged outside No 95 Peppercorn Street, Nell meets the software engineer from No 1, elderly Winifred from No 5 and single mother Janey who's lodging there. Nell and Angus are quickly attracted to one another. But her house isn't fit to live in and Nell is happy to sell it and allow a builder to create Cinnamon Gardens. Winifred however wants to stay in the only home she's ever known. Violence escalates as someone tries to frighten the old lady into selling, and to make matters worse, her young friend Janey is being stalked. Can Nell build a new life with Angus? Will she find out why her parents quarrelled with their UK relatives? And, more importantly, what can she and her new friends do to help each other stay safe?' (Publication summary)

'Nell has come to feel very at home in her beautiful corner of Wiltshire with her partner Angus. What she could do with, however, is a challenge, and the prospect of bringing life back to an abandoned row of houses, Saffron Lane, is just what she’s looking for.

'Stacy, lost and alone after a divorce she didn’t see coming, is trying her best to start over. And Elise, battling her nieces who would force her into residential care, longs for a home where she can get back to her painting. When their paths cross, the future starts to look brighter although not all goes according to plan.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'The houses in Saffron Lane are being filled with artists thanks to the efforts of Nell and Angus. Ginger doesn’t win a place there, but gets a job running the small café/art gallery, taking refuge there from her abusive bully of a son. When she meets Iain, sparks fly between them, the first time she’s felt attracted to anyone for years. But will her son spoil it?

'Emil is in town to open the small museum in Saffron Lane and run his father’s business. This throws new opportunities in his path, and new problems too. Will the newcomers manage to build new lives or will selfish people destroy their attempts to find happiness?'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'Christmas is fast approaching but for some people living at the top end of Peppercorn Street, the mood is far from festive. Luke Morgan is not getting on with his teenage daughter, who has recently returned to live with him. In a nearby village Claire Small is trying to avoid her sadistic ex who is stalking her. When Claire and Luke are thrown together by a car accident caused by her dog, it’s obvious that she is in danger and he impulsively invites Claire, her delightful small daughter and their lovable dog to take refuge in his home.

'Can the presence of strangers help to rebuild the relationship between Luke and his own daughter? And will this Christmas give them the best present of all: a new family – or will Claire’s ex again cause trouble?'

(Source: publisher's blurb)