Two of Beryl Matthew’s novels, A FLIGHT OF GOLDEN WINGS and THE UNCERTAIN YEARS, are published in the UK today by Allison & Busby. The books are available as paperbacks and ebooks. Beryl has previously published 12 novels in hardback with Severn House.

Beryl Matthews is an accomplished novelist, writing in the genre that Catherine Cookson made her own, but with stories set in London. As a young girl her ambition was to become a professional singer but lack of funds drove her into an office, where she worked her way up from tea-girl to credit controller. After she retired, she began to pursue her dream of becoming a published author.

In A FLIGHT OF GOLDEN WINGS, Ruth Aspinall is an accomplished pilot. When war breaks out and the Air Transport Auxiliary is formed she is anxious to join them. In America, brother and sister, Jack and Lucy Nelson, experienced pilots, make their way to England, also determined to become part of the ATA. Jack and Ruth meet, but with danger all around them, Jack won't commit himself to a serious relationship. By D-Day, Jack has a Spitfire to deliver to France, but his plane never arrives. Ruth is heartbroken but cannot accept that she will never see Jack again.

In THE UNCERTAIN YEARS, tomboyish Becky plans to join the ATS, her neighbours Bob and Jim the navy and army respectively. Only Becky's brother Will is left out of the excitement; because of a slight physical disability, he is forced to stay behind. As the friends are separated, their youthful enthusiasm is tempered by the grim newspaper headlines and their own experiences, and they will feel both joy and pain before the war is over.

Allison & Busby are giving these re-issued novels a fresh cover style. They have already re-issued four of Beryl’s earlier novels and published her new novel THE DAY WILL COME in hardback last year with the paperback coming this summer.