Book 1 - Helena
The saga of Redway Acres begins in early 1800s England with Helena’s story.
Mrs. Helena Andrews, the pregnant widow of Captain Andrews of the Royal Army, leaves behind all she knows and travels to live with her grandfather, Redway Acres stable owner, George Stockton. There she will give birth to her daughter.
Helena befriends an old widower in a ramshackle cottage, as well as the family from the grand estate of Eastease, and their friend Nathaniel Ackley, a colonel and second son of the Earl of Aysthill.
As Redway Acres becomes the focus of her ambition, Helena finds herself thrust into a man’s world where her opinions count for little. She loves working with horses and raising her daughter, and will stand up for those in need, but will she give up everything, including herself, should she find a man worthy enough?
Her story is one of horses, strength of will, music, friendship, love and loyalty
Great blend of strong characters, human emotions, historical context and romance ! You find yourself holding your breath through out the story, wondering how things will work out
Pat Marsden, CT, USA.
A great read that hooks you in very early on in the book. This passionate story is written by a talented author who's fascination in the 19th century has created a memorable story
Hayley Haughton, Montreal, Canada.
Absolutely love the strength and character of Helena. Very enjoyable to read. Rich in history and horses of the English contryside, you will love it! I highly recommend this book!
Tracy Hansen, PA, USA.
This is a book that sticks with you. The characters become your friends and when you turn the final page, you miss them. I fell in love with Helena and Nathaniel. But don't be fooled into thinking this is just a love story- there's a lot more going on here! Great supporting characters and plot line make this a must read!
Cheryl Duffy, CT, USA.
Book 2 - Maria
Set in early 1800s, England...
Maria Wyndham is the younger and more vivacious, twin stepdaughter of the late Lieutenant Mark Wyndham.
After their mother's death, she and her sister, Harriet, move to Eastease in Lincolnshire, and become wards of the lieutenant’s friend, Alexander Harker, and their cousin, Nathaniel Ackley.
Just in time for ball for the twins’ sixteenth Birthday, a friend of their stepfather and guardians, Robert Davenport, arrives bearing gifts and prepared to dance.
Family and friendship bonds are pushed to the limit, as Maria's story plays out. She finds her strength of will to survive and pursue her own happiness.
Maria’s silliness and love of life, often hide her intelligence and loyalty, in this story of sisters, and a girl, too soon pushed into the world of a woman.
Trish weaves an intriguing tale with unexpected plot twists. "Maria" keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end and takes you on an emotional roller coaster. I daresay book 2 of Redway Acres is even better than book 1!
Melissa Coan, CT, USA.
Great book 2 in series. Although can be read alone, it is best to read this one second. Interestingly, chronologically, during the first few chapters it would seem the book should have actually been book 1. This is not the case......so stick with the book. All will be made clear soon enough. Great series with much more character development that one typically finds in this genre. The cover art alone should easily indicate to you that these books are different. Highly recommend.
Kindle Reader
The 2nd story in this lovely series does not disappoint! What a great story that expertly intertwines the characters' lives. I particularly enjoyed reading about some characters from the first book, but from a different point of view. Wonderful book, looking forward to #3!
Amy McCoy, NY, USA.
Book 3 - Martha
Martha Hopwood, who lives with her sisters and parents in Cambridgeshire, meets a gentleman named
Mr. Samuel Woodhead, a friend of Alexander Harker of Eastease in Lincolnshire.
Mr. Woodhead takes up residence at the nearby estate of Copperbeeches and pursues Martha both in Cambridgeshire and at Eastease, when her family is invited to visit there.
His sudden departure from Eastease, when all were still asleep, prompts Martha to consider an alternative future. Martha pursues her independence, until the return of the gentleman who stole her heart, and upon whom her family's financial future may depend.
In a time when a woman could not be married and independent, Martha Hopwood has to consider where her true future lies.
Book Three in the Redway Acres series, Martha, is a delightfully told story that unfolds at the perfect pace to reveal these beautifully crafted characters. The reader is invited to experience life in England during the early 1800’s. The forward thinking main character, Martha, is truly ahead of her time and causes her readers to explore their own dreams and goals. The many characters in the story are expertly weaved through each others' lives, many of the characters also appearing in Book One and Book Two. I didn’t want this book to end!
Amy McCoy, NY, USA.
I indirectly broached the possibility of loving to own my own shop to Mr. Croucher, but he laughed, called me a weak-minded woman who could not possibly understand the intricacies of running a business." Martha not only proves him wrong but shows how strong woman can be!
I enjoy watching Ms. Butler's characters emerge, interact and grow as the Redway Acres series continue. She always leaves just enough mystery to keep you intrigued
Pat Marsden, CT, USA.
I just love Martha. She will both win and break your heart as she journeys to find where she belongs in a world she sometimes feels unequipped for. If you have read the other two books in this series, you will enjoy the references to events in those novels. I liked seeing the different characters perspectives on the same events. If you haven't read them (yet!) Martha stands on her own as a story that you keep saying "just one more chapter" to.
Cheryl Duffy, CT, USA.
Book 4 - Harriet
Set in early 1800s, England...
Harriet, is the last surviving Wyndham in her family and has inherited the enormous Wyndham estate, on the outskirts of Bath, in Somerset. Having dealt with some troubling times over recent years, she feels she is finally ready to make a life for herself in her own home.
She travels to Bath, leaving behind the only family she has known for the past fifteen years, at Eastease in Lincolnshire. Travelling with her is her guardian, Nathaniel Ackley, and his family, who live at Redway Acres.
Harriet takes over running Wyndham House and presides over all who work there, making friends with Bertram Horncastle and Baroness Freyley, and learning about her mother’s estranged family, the Marshams.
Her passion of music comes to the fore, until the day she finally has to make a choice between fulfilling that passion and the man with whom she is in love.
Harriet is my new favorite in the series. The story unfolds beautifully as we experience the coming of age of a young woman taking control of her life. She is clever, intelligent and outspoken for 1800s England. Relationships develop in ways that reveal the complexities of the human character and the search for friendship, companionship, love and understanding inherent in us all.
Suzanne M., CT, USA
I have become a Redway Acres fan!!! Harriet is such a strong character. She battles against the sexism of her time to accomplish things unheard of. She overcomes adversity and fights for what she believes is right. I loved the subplot of James and Bertram. I will say no more of that to avoid spoilers but Ms. Butler’s ability to develop characters, make us love them and weave relationships into her plots is unparalleled!!
Cheryl Duffy, CT, USA
Trish knocks it out of the park again! Harriet is the kind of book that brings out all kinds of emotions for the reader. The characters will make you laugh, cry, angry, and delighted as you weave your way through the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves this genre and wants to escape to another time.
Melissa M. Coan, CT, USA
Thoroughly enjoyed Harriet - Ms Butler does it again! Lovely books to read if you want a bit of escapism. Enjoying the new characters blending with the old (from the previous books). A sign of a good story teller is the reader wanting to read more and waiting for the next instalment to come out. Now waiting for Book 5!
GA Henry, UK
Book 5 - Amelia
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The Redway Acres saga continues with the fifth book centring on the life of Amelia Hopwood in the early part of the 19th century.
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Amelia is the youngest daughter in the Hopwood family, who live near the village of Wenster in Cambridgeshire. She is doted upon by her father, who encourages her love of books and discourse. After his untimely death, she is invited to live with Dowager Janine Alcott at Bernier, which is home to injured soldiers, and abused or destitute women.
Amelia aides the dowager in helping the women regain their self-respect, and continues her education by learning all she can from Oliver Grosvenor, the doctor who tends to the needs of the occupants of Bernier, which is near Redway Acres in Lincolnshire.
In a time when a woman was not considered to be as intelligent as a man, Amelia proves herself worthy time and again. Her passion becomes the work she does, while those all around her, with the exception of one man, cannot understand her determination not to have a family of her own.
While she works her way through the twists and turns of her grief, can she make room in her heart and find love, without losing the power to choose her own destiny?
In an age where women were allocated as possessions and lived in many ways via their husbands' choices/commands, Amelia defines her own life and fulfills her dreams as best she can within the confines of the era.
Suzanne M, CT, USA
This is one of my favourite Redway Acres books. Amelia is such a strong woman in the world of men! She faces challenges with a level head, amazing courage & understanding. The book dips into happenings from previous Redway books, explaining their context well so the reader does not have to have read these. However as I have read all the books it always amazes me how the author links the characters. Such an enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next one!!!
Mrs J J Westgate, UK
A marvelous story. I simply loved it. The author’s writing captures the essence and flavor of early to mid-1800’s England. The protagonist, Milly (Amelia) is a well-developed character of a young woman interested in more than what life typically offers young women during that time in history. She will not settle for becoming a woman whose goal is to marry well and have off-spring.
Rebecca W. USA
Trish Butler writes historical novels with close attention to detail. She does it in a way that illustrates the daily lives of both titled landowners and the lower classes. The accurate historical details add depth to the stories but do not overwhelm the plots. Her books are great reads for anyone who wants to be transported to a different time in a different country to meet characters with different ways of life. You can't go wrong with Redway Acres. All of the books in the series are a delight to read!
Maureen S. CT, USA
Book 6 - Emmalee
(A prequel)
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The Redway Acres saga continues with book six. A look back to the early life of Emmalee Knightly in the late 18th century.
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Emmalee, the middle daughter of an affluent family, lives with her controlling parents on the North Norfolk coast. She, along with her two sisters, is expected to marry well. To that end, the family often travels to their London home for the social season. Emmalee has long believed in her destiny- an arranged marriage to David Ackley, the youngest son of the Earl of Aysthill. However, to Emmalee’s horror, during their much-anticipated first meeting, she discovers that David desires someone else.
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Despite the cloud of controversy hanging over them, the couple find themselves forced into a marriage of convenience, and David’s reaction to his perceived misfortune results in far-reaching consequences for his family and friends. Meanwhile, a pregnancy, an accident, and an untimely death thrust Emmalee into the demanding role of Countess of Aysthill, to which she rises with dauntless spirit. Emmalee dotes on her two sons, William and Nathaniel, who invoke differing affections from their father.
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The hope that sustains Emmalee is that time will heal the breach her marriage suffered even before she spoke her vows. But just as the wound finally begins to mend, a ghost from the past returns.
As a young woman Emmalee makes a choice, an impossible choice, which defines her life. The characters are real, with their strengths and flaws. There were moments of joy and beauty, as well as truly infuriating events that will have you yelling at the characters. The Redway Acres series features strong women who take control of their lives despite the challenges they face in the times during which they live. I highly recommend reading them all!
Cheryl Duffy CT, USA
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Incredible - Having read all previous Redway Acres books I loved this one going back in time. Very strong female characters who live in different & difficult times for women. Reading this has got me re-reading & thoroughly enjoying all the first 5 books again!
Mrs J J Westgate, UK
The plot is enticing, clever, and full of twists approaching a wide variety of themes that are still very contemporary and serious. This book clearly outlines the consequences of life's choices and the gravity of them. Butler spells it out so eloquently, as when gorgeously describing a kiss that tastes of a "mingling sensation of the lightheadedness of love and the darkness of heartbreak."
Angela P, Greece
OMGoodness... I loved it! It can certainly be read as a stand-alone book. Great character development as the author delved into the issues women faced during the late 1700s/early 1800s: marriage, child-rearing, financial security, independence, health. I cried, laughed, and would have even thrown the book at a character or two.
Julie B, USA