He's inherited his father's lazy streak and can't seem to hold down a job, but when war is declared Winnie is determined to keep her son safe. She's still haunted by the choice she made years ago as a desperate young woman, and she won't make the same mistake of letting her family be taken from her...

A Mother’s Secret’ is superbly written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and draws you into what proves to be one hell of a compelling story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. I felt as though I was part of the story myself and at the heart of all the action, which is thanks to Kitty’s very realistic and vivid storytelling. I always think that a sign of a good book is when I get far too involved with the story. Well I certainly got involved with ‘A Mother’s Secret’. I found that as I was reading, I would say random comments out loud about what I would like to say to certain characters if I could catch up with them- the main one being David. This is a story of lots of mother's secrets throughout the whole fantastic book. My emotions made me laugh cry and cheer, all the way through. It's the third of September 1939 in Battersea London, Winnie Berry her husband Brian and son David had the wireless on and it's not good news, they are at war with Germany and Winnie has a main worry of her beloved son been called up.For all these mother's in this book I say " Bless em all" with the war on going what will the future bring? Kitty Neale is a British author that writes thrilling dramatic novels that explore friendships, family life and the hardships that plague normal life. Kitty’s stories are inspired by her own personal experiences and the tragedies she has encountered in her life. Battersea Tavern is run by Winnie & Brian, but it is Winnie doing most of the running around. She was a wonderful character, someone who was there for everyone no matter what and listened to everyone. They was also her son David who could be exasperating but also very endearing. But he does cause his mum a lot of grief and definitely should have had more responsibility.

I miss Winnie, Rachel and Jan, and I adored Mrs Savage who although played a small part made up for it with character! She could do a little bit of everything but there wasn’t one skill she had truly mastered because no particular arena of employment ever satisfied her. And after a while, Kitty’s family came into the picture at which point they became the primary focus of her life. This book was so heart breaking in a lot of chapters, that broke my heart I literally sobbed. The feeling it brings you to feel involved like they are all your friends. Winnie Berry is her own boss and doesn't take any nonsense in her pub a well respected woman liked by everyone, then sorrow is about to hit not only Winnie but a lot more of the character's for the war is still on going bringing more tragedy and sorrow. I have a little confession to make- yes yet another one. Although I have several of Kitty’s books on my ever increasing ‘to be read’ mountain, I haven’t actually read one before……until now that is. When I was invited to take part in the blog tour for ‘A Mother’s Secret’, I thought that it would be an ideal opportunity to get to know Kitty’s work. Having enjoyed reading ‘A Mother’s Secret’ as much as I did, I am now rather cross at myself for leaving it this long to realise just how flipping fantastic Kitty Neale is. I absolutely adored reading ‘A Mother’s Secret’ but more about that in a bit.It wasn’t until she met Jim, her second and final husband, that Kitty Neale achieved a sense of stability in her life. By the time they got married, Kitty’s children had grown up and started lives of their own, so Kitty was free to indulge in her passions. She might have never recovered if it wasn’t for a bereavement group she joined, one that constituted women who had lost children in tragic circumstances. The group allowed Kitty to heal.

Heartbroken and threatened by scandal, Constance is forced to wed Albie and moves to Battersea, where she suffers unforgiving stares and cruel whispers from the neighbours. Trapped in a bitter and loveless marriage without a penny to her name, Constance has no choice but to stay and surrender. Will she ever find freedom – or happiness – again? Battersea Tavern is run by Winnie & Brian Berry, but these days it's more Winnie doing all the running around. The author married her first husband in 1966. Their son and daughter were born soon after. Then came the divorce, followed by a number of years during which Kitty struggled to survive as a single mother. Now 16 years old, she's finally managed to escape the cruel confines of the orphanage, and enter the real world. Finding work at a nearby café, Pearl is thrilled to start earning her own money, even if she must contend with sharp-tongued Dolly Dolby. I would like to think that a surprise will appear in another book, I'm not sure, but I'm hoping! And I am really hoping to meet these precious characters again.

Summary

Most modern authors would have used such affirmation as a reason to immediately make their mark in publishing. However, even though her writing talents were so clear to everyone who knew her, it would be years before Kitty Neale sat down to write fiction. Dear Rachel, another likeable character and with her own story to tell - as do many of the character's - and this is what made the story more interesting. Even though the Battersea Tavern is the heart of the story, it's what is going on with its inhabitants, the drama that kept the story flowing - there was never a dull moment! I think that the Battersea Tavern is London's equivalent to Manchester's Rovers Return. I enjoyed every moment of it. The Family Secret is a one can't put downable read, and boyo boy there's a lot along the way to surface as you read.

Over time, her work began to take on a life of its own. Kitty found that she could take the people she had met over her lifetime and the experiences she had encountered and turn them into compelling stories. Winnie is the landlady of the Battersea Tavern that she runs with her barmaid Rachel Robb, it was home and all the punters now are all in conversation about the coming war how long will this one last? Aw you guys, Winnie is a wee soul, wholesome, she has such a kind heart and always wants to do for others, her goodness is emphasized by the shady characters around her. We see the community in the build up to the war, the disbelief it will come to be and how it affects those in and around Winnie's life. A chance encounter sees Winnie have to face the past and the ripples it creates in her present day life, secrets have a habit of always coming out and it isn't just Winnie who has secrets! Oundjian said: "I have been a long-time fan of the incredible Kitty Neale. She never shies away from the realities of life for people (especially women) in the past, but always manages to show that strength, hope and kindness are there – you just need to know where to look for them. Kitty is a powerhouse author and the team are so excited to be working with her to establish Kitty Neale as a major commercial saga brand and cannot wait to introduce readers to The Battersea Tavern." This is my first ever Kitty Neale book, set just before world war two we meet Winnie, she runs the Battersea Tavern. Her aggressive and known to be violent husband stays behind the scenes letting Winnie do all the hard graft. She dotes on her only son, David, an attractive (and he knows it) spoilt man child who thinks nothing of using his looks and mothers good nature to skate by in life. Rachel is her dab hand barmaid who works hard, is respectable and has her own family nightmare, her sister Hilda, sober she is the sweetest and kindest, drunk she opens her mouth and embarrasses and hurts poor Rachel with her bile. We also meet sweet Jan as she starts up an innocent relationship with one of the regulars in the Tavern. As the story develops we get to meet the characters and more of their lives, belt up and prefer for an emotive ride.In the meantime, his ex wife Pearl Button has divorced him and remarried, determined to protect her son from knowing who his real father is.