Hopes and Dreams for The Seaside Girls

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 Seaside Girl is hoping for the best. But is hope enough?

Can the Seaside 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 J. 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

‘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’ 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

‘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