The Children's Hour - Tapa dura

Living in the beautiful home where they grew up, sisters Nest and Mina remember their own secrets and hidden passions when their favorite niece suffers a personal crisis. By the author of A Week in Winter. 75,000 first printing.

Praise for Marcia Willett

The Children's Hour
--"Astute and deeply moving." -- The Bookseller (UK)
--"A novel which reminded me of L P Hartley's Eustace and Hilda trilogy. . . . a warm novel with echoes of the past and an endearing simplicity." -- Tim Manderson, Publishing News (UK) (special selection)

A Summer in the Country
--"Willett's first book published in the U.S., A Week in Winter (2001) was very popular with contemporary women's fiction consumers, and comparisons to Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy abounded. Her second book will not disappoint her newly won fans. . . . a complex tale featuring many fully drawn characters, an engaging plot....vibrant characters, and [an] excellent depiction of the English countryside." --Booklist (starred review)
--"An intriguing relationship drama. . . . an insightful character study." --Midwest Book Review

A Week in Winter
--"Fans of Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy will definitely applaud the introduction of such an enjoyable writer." --Booklist
--"A charming story...highly recommended for public libraries everywhere." --Library Journal
--"A Week in Winter has all the elements of a perfect summer book. . . it's thoroughly engrossing, with richly drawn characters, a mysterious locale, and a beautifully crafted plot . . . the perfect addition to your summer beach tote." --The Sun-Sentinel, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
--"Captivating. . . . Set in a wild Cornish landscape that will evoke for readers Rosamund Pilcher's The Shell Seekers, Willett is a true discovery." --Michelle Slung, Victoria Magazine
--"Like Rosamund Pilcher and Maeve Binchy, Willett creates such fully dimensional characters that readers feel as if they should phone or e-mail them to keep in touch." --Rocky Mountain News
--"A wonderful moving story of family and values set in the English countryside. It is very reminiscent of the novels of Pilcher and Binchy. I am so glad Ms. Willett is following in their footsteps!" --Marilyn Sieb, Books & Company
|Reviewers Everywhere Recommend Marcia Willett's Enchanting Novels

The Children's Hour
"She may not be as famous as Binchy or Pilcher, but British writer Willett is just as gifted at combining elements of romance and melodrama into compelling women's fiction. Stylistically, her writing mirrors Pilcher's, with a hint of subtlety suggesting more literary fiction, but her generational plots and sumptuous scene setting have all of Binchy's wide ranging commercial appeal. Willett captures the sights, sounds, and smells of seaside Devon superbly, and her characters are just complex enough to draw us into the story and keep us there contentedly. A must for women's fiction readers."
- Booklist

"[An] enchanting and complex . . . tour de force about familial love. It is fair to compare The Children's Hour with the ever-popular Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher . . . . absolutely a five-star read."
- Roanoke Times

"Entertaining character study. . . readers will enjoy this gentle breeze"
- Midwest Book Review

"Tender and moving, Willet's tale expertly weaves a family's past and present together to illustrate the strength of familial bonds. Its captivating and surprising conclusion delivers a memorable and emotional read to be savored."
- Romantic Times BOOKclub Magazine

A Summer in the Country
"Willett's first book published in the U.S., A Week in Winter (2001) was very popular with contemporary women's fiction consumers, and comparisons to Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy abounded. Her second book will not disappoint her newly won fans. . . . Readers will enjoy the heartwarming ending, vibrant characters, and the excellent depiction of the English countryside."
- Booklist (starred review)

"Intriguing . . . . Readers who appreciate an insightful character study will want to spend time with A Summer in the Country."
- Midwest Book Review

"Perfect-for-lazy-summer read . . . . There are no earth-shattering revelations along the way, just as there aren't in most people's lives, reminding one of a young Rosamunde Pilcher."
- Romantic Times Book Club

A Week in Winter
"Fans of Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy will definitely applaud the introduction of such an enjoyable writer."
- Booklist

"Readers will be charmed by Willett's style . . . highly recommended"
- Library Journal

"Captivating . . . Set in a wild Cornish landscape that will evoke for readers Rosamund Pilcher's The Shell Seekers, Willett is a true discovery."
- Michelle Slung, Victoria Magazine

"Like Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy, Willett creates such fully dimensional characters that readers feel as if they should phone or e-mail them to keep in touch."
- Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)

"Thoroughly engrossing, with richly drawn characters, a mysterious locale, and a beautifully crafted plot . . . the perfect addition to your summer beach tote."
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel