The Orphan's Island

Book excerpt: 1904: Ellen Copley is still a child when she leaves behind the sooty rail yards of Glasgow, and crosses the Atlantic Ocean with a heart full of dreams. Yet within weeks of their arrival in America, her father has disappeared-leaving Ellen with resentful relatives, feeling alone and scared for her future. But then her kind Aunt Rose invites Ellen to stay with her large family, in their rambling house on beautiful Amherst Island, which nestles like a jewel in the blue waters of Lake Ontario. There Ellen finally begins to find the love and acceptance she has long been craving-both from Aunt Rose's boisterous family, and from the boys next door, Jed and Lucas Lyman. It's Jed she's drawn to... the one with the twinkling eyes, who teases her, and laughs with her, and soon steals her heart... But does Jed love her back? Because-even though Amherst Island feels like home-Ellen knows she can't stay there with a broken heart... This is the first book in the unmissable Amherst Island Trilogy that follows the life and love of Ellen Copley from the magic of Lake Ontario to the bloody battlefields of the First World War and beyond. Perfect for fans of The Oceans Between Us, The Orphan Sisters, and My Name is Eva. Previously published as Down Jasper Lane. Readers love Kate Hewitt: "Wow! I've read several books by this author but this one was different, the story really came to life and I just couldn't read it fast enough. This is by far the best she's ever written, boy I just cried and cried. I can't wait to read the next two books." Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars "So thrilling and gripping. It completely tugs at your heart strings!... It gave me all of the feels... I truly felt that the storytelling was brilliant. This is the kind of book that stays with you." Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars