Ash

Amanda ran from an abusive marriage in Saudi Arabia with her four sons and infant daughter, Aisha. She found sanctuary at Blossom House – in the loving embrace of a community of women who understood. But always at the back of her mind was the fear that Muhammed would come for his children. Ash has grown-up feeling lost and out of place, left to her own devices by her damaged mother, abandoned to the lure of paint and canvas. She has few friends until she comes upon a group of Islamic women who promise empowerment and a mission in life – which has to be better than sacrificing herself to the twin goddesses of anorexia and social acceptance. One woman's dream is the other's nightmare. With twin boys only months old, Amanda arrives in Saudi Arabia to live with her husband Mohammed. Her new life is strange and confusing, the noise and bustle of a multi-generational household alienating and sometimes frightening. A gripping and enthralling depiction of a life spiralling into violence with an uplifting conclusion. With twin boys only months old, Amanda arrives in Saudi Arabia to live with her husband Mohammed. Her new life is strange and confusing, the noise and bustle of a multi-generational household alienating and sometimes frightening. Amanda can barely understand Arabic and the treatment of the women of the family seems wrong to a girl raised in Wales. To add to her problems, Mohammed proves to be verbally and physically abusive especially once they have their own flat away from the protection of the wider family. Somehow Amanda must escape, but not without her children. It is women who will be her salvation, despite the best efforts of the men who appear to rule over every aspect of life in the country A gripping and enthralling depiction of a life spiralling into violence with an uplifting conclusion Albi is nine years old when Franco's soldiers arrive in the village and his life begins to change in confusing ways. It's not clear quite who should be trusted and who should not. Some neighbours disappear not to be seen again, others are hidden from view in cellars and stables – like his brother, Manolo, who left long ago to join the resistance. Albi is charged with shepherding not just his own sheep, but also those of El Ciego who sends him on errands requiring a good memory and the ability to keep his mouth shut at all times.Alberto, at 88, is haunted by what he did and what he may or may not have said. And then the daughter of his old friend Carlos turns up wanting stories of old times. Albi's day of reckoning may be at hand. Albi is nine years old when Francos soldiers arrive in the village and his life begins to change in confusing ways. Its not clear quite who should be trusted and who should not. Some neighbours disappear not to be seen again, others are hidden from view in cellars and stables like his brother, Manolo, who left long ago to join the resistance. Albi is charged with shepherding not just his own sheep, but also those of El Ciego who sends him on errands requiring a good memory and the ability to keep his mouth shut at all times. Alberto, at 88, is haunted by what he did and what he may or may not have said. And then the daughter of his old friend Carlos turns up wanting stories of old times. Albis day of reckoning may be at hand "Spain in the 1930s. Nine-year-old Albi runs messages for people. He likes to help out, especially now that his country is at war with itself. When his brother and papa become involved with the militia and the Guardia (nationalists) begin reprisals, Albi struggles to make sense of who is on the right side. His family are under siege from outside and held captive by secrets within the home. Albi must sometimes close his ears and his eyes if he is to survive. The secrets he keeps haunt him until his 88th year, long after the end of a war that has shaped generations of Spaniards"--Provided by publisher Een jonge vrouw uit Wales gaat met haar man en twee zoontjes van vijf maanden wonen bij zijn familie in Saoedi-Arabië