Summary
Step into an intriguing world of love, loss, and family secrets in Sins of the Mother, the first instalment of The Barber Legacy saga.
In the quaint villages of early 19th-century rural Suffolk, England, the idyllic life of a young shoemaker is forever transformed when he falls deeply in love with the beautiful daughter of the local blacksmith. Their budding romance holds the promise of a happily-ever-after, until the shoemaker’s mother, harbouring a dark and shocking past, becomes determined to tear the young lovers apart.
As tensions rise, the enigmatic aunt reveals unsettling premonitions of the future, both hopeful and haunting.
When the shoemaker’s estranged brother arrives, his malicious schemes set in motion a devastating chain of events that will leave an indelible mark not only on the young couple, but on the entire family.
At the heart of this saga stands the darkly ambitious daughter, Mary. Straddling a thin line between victim and villain, her desires for a life beyond the village’s confines ignite a chain of events that will forever alter the course of the Barber family.
Let's talk about it
Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
I have a large collection of antique swords and adore vintage music boxes with twirling ballerinas.
Why did you choose the themes in your book and were you aware of them from the start?
This series is my first attempt into serious writing, inspired by decades of family history research. As I uncovered names, dates and places, I began to see them as real individuals with rich, complex lives. Each ancestor came alive, revealing their unique personalities and quirks.
How difficult was it for you to write this book? Did you face any obstacles?
Yes, plenty of obstacles. But AJ put me on the straight and narrow road, taught me about POV’s, headhopping, how to say more with less. With encouragement and constructive criticism she gave me the knowledge and confidence to write five books.
Do you always write in this genre or do you like to break out of the box?
This is my first series, so it’s difficult to answer this question
What are your writing habits or idiosyncrasies?
I like to write in the mornings. Depending on the scene that I’m writing I will choose appropriate music to play in the background. I find that inspires me.
With hindsight, what would you say to yourself as a fledgling writer?
Believe in your characters and your story.
If you worked with a professional editor, what was the experience like?
See question 3 for answers
What’s next for your writing?
Still in the pipedream stage, but I want to write about a psychologically abused man and how he rises from the ashes with newfound strength, clarity and understanding.
Author Bio
With a deep-rooted passion for family heritage and an unwavering commitment to preserving ancestral legacies, Anna has spent decades meticulously curating a vast collection of photos, documents, and delving into historical research to breathe life into her forebears’ stories. Drawing inspiration from the compelling characters that populate her family tree, she embarked on a journey into the realm of fiction writing, resulting in the creation of her much-anticipated debut novel – Sins of the Mother. Her professional endeavours span a diverse spectrum, including advocacy for individuals of all ages dealing with intellectual disabilities.
