Readers' Comments

I love to hear from readers. If you have a comment to make or question to ask, click here to email me, or:

You can now leave comments on my Blog

Hello Freda,

I just wanted to say that i have thoroughly enjoyed the goings on in Champion Street Market, i have felt just about every emotion reading your stories and sadly only have Lonely Teardrops to read ending the series thus far, do you plan to continue the series or is that the last we will here of those vibrant characters?

Hello Freda,

I am part way through (Carly has just found out that she is pregnant) your book 'Trapped' and it is heart rendering, you can't tell yourself it is fiction, as you know in your heart that it is real. I am sure that it will be a real eye opener for a lot of people. I am going to read your other books next.

Every good wish to you for the future, you deserve it.

Kind Regards.
Anne

i really enjoyed readin Trapped it was upsettin but it got me hooked to it so i am readin more of your books very well written i enjoy readin em !!
Caitlin.

Hi Freda,

Just to let you know how much I enjoyed House of Angel's. I would have liked Maggie to have let everyone know what a pig Her father was, I can't think of a nasty enough word for him at the moment...I love all your writing, I love all the eras too and I liked the names in the book Lavinia, my niece is Olivia and we call her Livvy or Livia for short. Keep up the excellent work.

Love Julie

Hi Freda

I have just finished reading "House of Angels" in one afternoon! I just couldn't put it down. Thank you so much for all your books as I have enjoyed every one of them and am eagerly awaiting the next!

Keep up the good work.

One of your many Australian fans,

Carole

Dear Freda,

Just finished reading Trapped -- i found it a real departure from your books that I normally read- having said that I couldn't put it down. Having been in an abusive relationship myself i found it to be really well written - all the self doubt etc that comes from being abused and eventually knwing you have to get away. The book shoudl be in every domestic refuge so that women know they aren't alone adn its not their fault . - Wriitn words are very powerful - mine moment came when listening to a song that included teh words --" anything is better than being alone " and I realised No actually it wasn't .

Again thanks very much for another wonderfully written book.
Sue

Hi Freda,

I have just finished reading Trapped, how awful life was for poor Carly, I couldn't put it down.

I cried alot while reading this and thought about you knowing how this goes on and put up

with it yourself for a time, what posses someone to treat another person so badly, I can't

put into words, I really felt for you too while reading Trapped.

I loved the book but wished it was all fiction and women didn't have to put up with monsters

like Oliver.

Love Julie xxx

Dear Freda
Having just found your website I have to say how much I'm enjoying your Lakeland Sagas. The Girl from Poorhouse Lane was great; I couldn't put it down and was sure there must be a sequel! Have just seen on your site that there is. My grandmother came from the Lakeland district; lived in Whitehaven and worked at Windermere and I have inherited her postcard collection which has early 1900 views of Kendal and other small villages in the Lake district which makes your books even more interesting. It's lovely summer weather here in Nelson New Zealand and nice to be at the beach with a good book! Thank you, Shirley.

Dear Freda
I have just finished listening to Ruby McBride as an audiobook. I enjoyed it so much I listened to it twice! The reader was Elizabeth Sircom who was brilliant, as she did all the different accents. The best was Starkey’s. I have to read the large print books now, as I am diabetic and also have the beginnings of cataracts, but my mobile library is very obliging. I have to confess that I have fallen in love with Barthrom Stobbs, As I haven’t got the book in front of me, have I got the name right? And can you tell me the derivation of his name. He sounds so sexy. I am going to ask the librarian for large print books of yours, now.
Best wishes, Suzanne

I have just finished reading this book (Dancing on Deansgate) and could NOT put it down! I am a Lancashire lass too, born in Oldham but went to school and worked at ICI Blackley. It was great to be reminded of the war years and dancing to the big bands, particularly at the Plaza and the Ritz on Saturday afternoons. Best wishes, Audrey

Just to say I couldn't put your book Trapped down finished it the other day, it only took me a couple of days to read it and usually it takes me at least 10-14 days to read books, it was brilliant, and so sad as well.
Pat

Dear Freda, Just finished reading Lonely Teardrops I couldn't put it down. Yet another wonderful story in the Champion Market series,

Cant wait for your next book to come out many thanks for a wonderful read.

Regards Shelagh

Hi Freda

Yes, I liked The House at Riverton too. At the moment I'm halfway through Sovereign by C,J, Sansom - the 3rd in his historical crime Shardlake series. I'm loving it every bit as much as the previous two - Dissolution and Dark Fire. I really can't recommend him highly enough - you feel you're there! And the books are long but totally gripping.
Anne

Hi Freda, just to say how much I've enjoyed Candy Kisses which I was lucky enough to win in the prize draw, in fact the whole series of Champion Street market is brilliant, one of the best series I've read, looking foward to the next one! Have also recently read Labyrinth by Kate Moss, in my opinion well written and very good story but almost too much in it, feel somewhat overloaded on it, however found the description of Languedoc region excellent, also enjoyed On Chesil beach by the same author as Atonement, I preferred it to Atonement, also enjoy Marcia Willett's books and Stephen Booth but not as much as yours! Many thanks for the pens included with the book, in constant use, keep up the good work! Kind regards, Carol Matthews

Just finished 'Candy Kisses' couldn't put it down. As with all your other books. My Granddad was a poor kid from Ancoats who ran bare-foot through the streets of Manchester. He had numerous siblings and all the boys ended up in the Barnes Home Industrial School. His parents were Fish Hawkers.

My Granddad became a Master Cobbler and ran his own business from his front parlour. Thanks to the guidance he received at the School he grew up to become a smashing father and grandfather. My Mum and I loved him so much and he is sadly missed.
Regards, Hazel

I just wanted to email my thanks to you for such a wonderful literary selection. I have just finished reading 'The Favourite Child' (in 2 days!!) and have been so inspired have now purchased 'Married Love' and Marie Stopes biography on Amazon! I am 33, a mum to 3, who suffers with depresson and agrophobia, and your books are such an escape but also thought provoking I wanted to thank you for enriching my reading experience. I read on average 2 novels a week, and have read 90% of your work. It is amusing as I am from Yorkshire, so have the Northern accent easily readable, but the Lancashire reminds me of my ex husbands family, who are from Wigan, and I found reading your book very easy to picture the women 'mee mawing' as my ex father in law used to say his mum used to do!

I thoroughly enjoy your books and have just read the girl from Poor House Lane BUT I was SO disappointed with the ending. Does such an ‘up in the air’ and abrupt end mean that there is a sequel and if so would you give me the title please. I am 80 years old – thrilled to have learned how to use the computer and so was even more thrilled to be able to work out how to email you. I get your books from the Library and enjoy your type of novel along with a lot of the Liverpool Authors. Thank you very much for such entertaining reading. Best wishes. Shirley

From Margaret
Hello Freda. Just had to email you to say how much I enjoyed reading Candy Kisses. I have read all your books about Champion Street Market but this one really had me gripped and I just couldn't put it down. Spent nearly all day Sunday reading. Look forward to the next installment of the residents of Champion Street. I have signed up for your monthly e-newsletter so I will be able to order your latest books at my local library quicker. It must be so rewarding to be able to write books that give so many people so much enjoyment.

From John
Hello Freda, My wife has asked me to email you and thank you for the enjoyment she has had reading all your books, and the memories they bring back. The ones that are about Manchester and Salford do bring back all her childhood memories. The one which has a lot of memories is the one about the talleyman and also Dancing on Deansgate. She has just started to read Putting on the Style and she has already got the third novel, That'll be the Day. All I can say is when she is reading any of your books no one can speak. My wife was brought up in the Salford area so all your books fascinate her so much, and as she is disable they let her go back to her childhood.

From Dorothy in Australia
Dear Freda, I just had to send you an email to say how much I enjoyed reading two of your books. My daughter gave me a book voicher for my birthday and I chose three books, yours were far the best. I found it hard to put them down. I read Manchester Pride and the Woman from Heartbreak House and I'm happy to say I have become a Freda Lightfoot fan even if it means being a bit of a 'couch potato'. I promised myself I would do a bit of weeding in the garden today but took my book outside instead. I just had to finish it. Thank you for writing such great stories.

From: Emma
Just finished reading "Fools fall in love" Read it from start to finish couldn't put it down Keep up the good work

Subject: putting on the style
From: Carol
Dear Freda, just read this book, wow!! Really loved it very different I think to your other books maybe because of the more modern setting, I can remember so much of that era being about 14 at the time of the book and being a northerner too, can't wait to read others in the series, Dena is lingering in my head as is the market. Thank you so much for such a good book.

Subject: Putting on the Style
From: Rosie
Have just finished reading "Putting on the style" it was great really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down from start to finish. Keep up the good work Freda your one of the best authors around

Subject: Prize draw
From: Ros Hatton
I have just finished reading the book I won in the prize draw "Putting on the Style". I enjoyed reading it so much and can't wait to read the next one. You make the stories seem so real and I felt I knew the characters. Keep writing those wonderful stories. You have lots of fans reading your books. I told my sister about your books and she is now a fan of yours. Best wishes. Ros

From Janice,
Hello Freda, Oh how I love reading your news letters, I cant wait for the next one to arrive. My husband and I lived in Spain for 5 years, And we also went on a trip to the National Park and stayed at that same hotel as you. It was a wonderful Experience. I Can remember even now, the heady perfume of the Pine trees as we walked into the Forest. And the vastness of it all. We came back to England as we missed seeing our grandchildren, and watching them grow up. No regrets, But we did love our time in Spain, and have lots of happy memories of our time there.

I love reading your Books, Freda. The thing is that I get through them too quick. Once one of your books is in my hands, I cant put it down. I'm looking forward to reading your latest one,"That'll Be The Day" Hope you carry on writing these wonderful Stories, for a very long time to come. Regards, Jan.x

from Alicia,
Freda i have just finished reading your book ruby macbride it is the third time i have read it and i still love the romantic ending i finish up weeping when i get to the part were bart recognises ruby and their eyes meet

I love all your book's keep on writing.

From Barbara,
Dear Freda
I have just finished this book and could not put it down. However I feel there must be a follow on to it, could you tell me if this is so and what the title is so that I can get hold of a copy. Thank you

Hi Barbara
Glad you enjoyed the book. Yes, there is a sequel in which Lucy gets her comeuppance. It's called The Woman From Heartbreak House. Enjoy! Best wishes, Freda,

From Jean,
I just thought I would write and let you know that I have just finished reading your book The Woman from Heartbreak House. Gosh Freda, what a brilliant story that book was - it certainly kept me up later than was good for me! I kept saying I'll just read a few pages until I had been ready for yet another hour! I was willing myself to get to the end to see what happened to Lucy! Thank you for a great story.

From Patricia,
Have just finished Polly's War which I thoroughly enjoyed, having previously read For All Our tomorrows and Ruby McBride. Your writing is so vivid that you can almost imagine yourself in the same conditions as the characters. Looking forward to my next read.

From Wendy,
Leading a busy life I don't read much but at the Taihape library I spotted "Daisy's Secret". And I read it every spare moment. I loved Daisy. She is a lovely character, full of heart-warming love. the whole book was heart-warming. It has rekindled my love of historically set novels. . . You switched from past to present amazingly. It was easy to follow but I loved reading about Daisy herself the most. I read the final chapters twice! Is there a sequel for Laura and David and the despicable Felix? Good books relax me . . . I'm off to the library today to find out if they have any more Freda Lightfoot novels. Thank you for writing them.

From: Cheryl
Subject: Freda's Books
Read most of your books haven't got any favourites as enjoyed them all.
Keep up the good work look forward to many more fantastic books

David
Watch For the Talleyman
I have just finished reading the above book, is there a follow up to carry on the tale of Dolly and her work at the mill?

From Freda:
Sorry, David, no there isn't a sequel to this particular book. Why don't you browse my website and hopefully you'll find another which might interest you.

T Gregory
Subject: Manchester
Can anyone list all of the books set in Manchester/Salford as I am researching my family history and would love to know more of the area in days gone by!!

From Freda:
You can find all the books about Manchester from the Bookshelf page on my website. I love researching family history too.

From: Brenda Morris
Subject: Sagas
Have just started reading your books - they are great!! We used to live in Chorley, so know the area. Are you an Ossie gobbin? Isn't that someone who lived above the lamp? That is what I was told by a friend who lived near there - or was I being teased!! So I read the books in order or are there any with the same family which follow on? All the best, Brenda

From: Freda
Good to hear from you Brenda. You're quite right I am from Ossie (Oswaldtwistle for those who don't understand) but not a gobbin, sadly. I lived below the lamp. The famous lamp was situated on the small triangle of public gardens in front of the library and there are many theories over how the legend came about but it used to be the focal point for meetings and protests, back in the old days. And then some local government official stupidly removed it and the town rose in arms. A campaign was held to restore it and a replica had to be made and re-instated in June 1986.

The books can be read in any order except for the first three: Luckpenny Land, Wishing Water and Larkrigg Fell, which are about three generations of a farming family in the Lakes.. Also The Woman From Heartbreak House is the sequel to The Girl From Poorhouse. The first in the Champion Street Market Series is Putting on the Style. Happy reading.
Best wishes, Freda.