A present-day family saga heavily laced with tragedy, mystery and romance, £7.99 (an ideal gift!).

The book launch at The Garforth Book Shop, attended by some 200 people, resulted in a sell-out.

(Click here for pictures).

The entire stock of “The Stepping-Stones” sold out, and many people failed to secure a copy. Three days later a further delivery of 100 books sold out on the day of delivery, and orders continue to grow.

If difficulty is experienced in securing a copy, the staff at The Garforth Book Shop (15 Main Street, Garforth, Leeds LS25 1DS; Tel: 0113 286 3534; e-mail: byron.godfrey@ntlworld.com) will be pleased to help, and even provide a UK postal service.

Barbara wishes to thank everyone who supported the launch, and Byron Godfrey and his remarkable team at The Garforth Book Shop for hosting the event.

A further 15 book-signing events have been requested by 11 ASDA stores and bookshops in Knaresborough, Otley, Castleford and Kearstwick (dates and venues to be confirmed).

The Story

Set in the fictitious village of Mowlem with scenes in Leeds, “The Stepping-Stones” makes a regular pendulum swing between the contrasting backdrops of the high finance of the city and the lush green fields of Mowlem. Both locations abound with displays of tears and heartache, laughter and love. It is an emotional story in which the conflicting elements of fire and water bring trauma to the lives of three people whilst highlighting, and indeed testing, the very foundation of parental love, not least the lengths to which a parent will go for the sake of a child. A story of success; triumph over adversity; a vivid, sensitive tale in which the main character, who comes tantalisingly close to discovering the truth, learns some painful lessons and is forced to apply that learning.

". . . This is the first novel by Barbara Rane. Drawing on her own professional background she gives us plenty of attention to detail of boardroom life . . . The Stepping-Stones is a creditable first effort, and I am sure that we have not heard the last of Barbara Rane." (Yorkshire Magazine)

"Barbara proves a bestseller! The launch of Barbara Rane's first novel was such a success that all the copies were sold in just 30 minutes. Attendance approaching 200 people meant 60 had to be turned away disappointed from the Garforth Book Shop on Main Street where Barbara was signing copies of the book 'The Stepping-Stones' but placed orders for the next delivery. Owner Byron Godfrey said he hadn't seen anything like it since the launch of the last Harry Potter book . . ." (Leeds Weekly News)

Barbara can be contacted at:

Email Barbara

Whilst every endeavour is made to reply to all messages it is not always possible to respond immediately. Meanwhile Barbara thanks everyone for their support, not least for all the kind letters and congratulatory cards, e-mails and telephone calls she continues to receive.