Seaside Girls

A brand new series full of friendship, singing and laughter as war looms... Cleethorpes 1939 With the country teetering on the brink of war everyone faces an uncertain future. Destitute after the tragic death of her father, aspiring singer Jessie Delaney and her family have no choice other than to accept the charity of relatives to ensure a roof over their heads. Spiteful Aunt Iris soon has Jessie dreaming of a life filled with colour and excitement that she knows the theatre can offer. How can Jessie escape the drudgery, support her family, and pursue her dreams? Through her father's connections Jessie finds work as a Variety Girl in a new show at the Empire in Cleethorpes, a small seaside theatre on the east coast. But taking the job means flying solo and leaving her family and her sweetheart, Harry behind. Friendships are forged but will the glamour of show business lose its shine without those she loves close by? A gritty and heart-warming saga perfect for readers of Elaine Everest, Nancy Revell and Pam Howes.

As war is declared can The Variety Girls keep smiling through… Cleethorpes – September 1939 Struggling to keep their spirits up as the reality of war hits home and theatres are closed, friends Jessie Delaney and Frances O'Leary search for work to see them through until they can sing and dance again. Frances, once upon a time followed her dreams of becoming a dancer but soon found herself with a broken heart and a precious secret when her lover abandoned her. Keeping her secret from her friends grows more difficult as time passes and their friendship grows.. But with her lover returning to England from a successful tour of America, how long will it be before the truth comes to light? Secrets aren't good for anyone and Frances isn't the only one hiding things from her friends. Ginny Thomspon, another Variety Girl is hoping for the best. But is hope enough? Can the Variety Girls pull together to help each other through the tough times or will their secrets tear them apart? A gritty and heart-warming saga perfect for readers of Elaine Everest, Nancy Revell and Pam Howes.Praise for Tracy Baines: 'A charming, heart-warming saga about ambition, hard work and courage in the cut and thrust of a world often driven by jealousy and spite'. Rosie Clarke 'Immerse yourself in the exciting, evocative world of Wartime musical theatre. I highly recommend this book.' Fenella Miller 'An emotional, entertaining read that had me gripped!' Sheila Riley 'An absorbing and poignant saga. I loved it from the very beginning and would highly recommend it...' Elaine Roberts 'Terrific - beautifully written. The book twinkles. A well-crafted and satisfying story' Maisie Thomas 'A pleasure from start to finish.' Glenda Young '…you will have to read this well-researched song and dance of a novel in great gulps as I did' Annie Clark 'I just loved this book! Molly Walton The Variety Girls is terrific - beautifully written & with an unusual background. The stage costumes twinkle with sequins and the book twinkles with tiny details of theatre life that add depth and atmosphere to this well-crafted and satisfying story. Maisie Thomas, The Railway Girls 'A pleasure from start to finish.' Glenda Young, Belle of the Backstreets '…you will have to read this well-researched song and dance of a novel in great gulps as I did' Margaret Graham/Annie Clark/Milly Adams 'an evocative, busy, entertaining read, which has well balanced touches of humour, vying with angst, and of course, more than a dollop of tension.' Margaret Graham, Frost Magazine 'I just loved this book! The characters were so well-drawn, they felt like old friends to me. Their relationships were beautifully written, heartwarming and authentic. A fascinating insight into the theatre life of the time and all its wonderful personalities. The setting of Cleethorpes was delightful and shone a light on this town that deserves more recognition. Tracy Baines is a very welcome addition to the saga genre, which she has enriched with this lovely story.' Molly Walton author of A Mother's War 'Characterisation is one of the book's strong points – the individual characters stay in your mind long after you finish the story.' Barbara Dynes, The Voice

Can the Seaside Girls embrace the new year with courage... Cleethorpes – 1940 As the new year dawns the show at the Empire comes to an end and it's time for the girls to move on. Years of struggle are over for Frances O'Leary when Johnny Randolph returns to make things right for her and their daughter. Do they have a chance of happiness? Of being a family after so long? But their good fortune is fraught with complications when sister Ruby Randolph decides to have her last hurrah, leaving a trail of devastation in her wake. Jessie Delaney is afraid to follow her dreams and leave those she loves behind – can she really have it all? All the seaside girls have their own battles to fight. And while they figure things out it's time for them to do their bit for the war and keep Britain smiling. A gritty and heart-warming saga perfect for readers of Elaine Everest, Nancy Revell and Pam Howes.