An adventure romance, taking place in England in 1920. When Jasper Blake returns to the small Cornish mining village where he grew up, after making a fortune prospecting in America, he expects life to continue as it did before. To his surprise, many of the people he knew before he left 12 years ago have either died or moved, and there is no one to welcome him. Susie Bassett is one of the few people who eventually recognise him. He had only just turned eighteen and Susie Bassett was twenty-...

A dark adventure romance, full of unexpected twists and turns. Madeleine Grover fell hopelessly in love with Captain Gervase Tregony in Washington DC when she was only seventeen. Gervase is the only son of Sir Charles and Lady Tregony, who live in a remote part of Cornwall in the far south-west of England. Madeleine, an American from a humble background, is unaware of the vast inheritance she is shortly to receive. Her father, now dead, amassed a fortune through mining in Ohio. Sir Charles...

HER BENNY.A STORY OF STREET LIFE.Author Preface:My pastoral work, during a three years' residence in Liverpool, called me frequently into some of the poorest neighbourhoods of that town, where I became acquainted with some of the originals of this story. It was not until I had seen the little Arabs of the streets in their homes—if such haunts of wretchedness be worthy of that name—that I felt that interest in, and sympathy for them, that I have experienced ever since...

Rivals Arthur Teesdale and Douglas Grove start to fight over two young women. During the fight they fall off a small bridge in the Lake District, into a raging torrent. Neither young man is found, and both are presumed dead. An adopted girl seeks for information on her parents. Arthur Teesdale's young sister, Hope, is kidnapped by a woman wearing a cloak with a scarlet hood, and imprisoned in a mental asylum in a remote German castle. In this adventure story, Silas K Hocking takes the read...

The novel focuses on the life of Benny, a young boy living in the harsh realities of street life. The story paints a vivid picture of Benny’s struggles and challenges as he navigates the difficulties of growing up on the streets.Benny’s experiences highlight the themes of poverty, resilience, and the quest for a better life. The narrative delves into his interactions with other characters, including friends, family, and figures from his environment, offering a poignant exploration of socia...

In "A Gamble with Life," Silas K. Hocking offers a thought-provoking exploration of the dichotomy between ambition and morality through the lens of a gripping narrative. Set against the backdrop of the late 19th-century societal upheaval, the novel is rich in vivid imagery and intricate character development, deftly weaving themes of personal sacrifice and the complexities of human relationships. Hocking's literary style is characterized by its articulate prose, punctuated by philosophical...

"How can a thing be wrong when all concerned are benefited thereby, and injustice is done to no one." So reasons Rex Raynor's mother when a newborn baby she is caring for dies. This apparently well intentioned way of thinking puts in place a devastating train of events when the mother secretly gives her own living but unwanted baby to the mother of the child who died. As the story progresses and Rex Raynor becomes a man, the path of his life is anything but smooth as he has to run and hide...

A Gamble with Life by Silas K. Hocking is a compelling exploration of the human condition set against the backdrop of the late 19th century. The narrative unfolds through the lens of chance and fate, demonstrating how life'Äôs unpredictability can lead to both triumph and despair. Hocking'Äôs prose is rich and evocative, exhibiting the literary style typical of Victorian novelists while deftly weaving in elements of psychological insight, highlighting moral dilemmas faced by his characters...

The storyline of "A Gamble with Life" likely revolves around the choices and consequences faced by its characters, exploring themes such as redemption, faith, and the impact of decisions on one's life and relationships. Hocking's novels often feature relatable characters dealing with moral dilemmas or facing challenges that test their principles and beliefs.As a Methodist minister, Hocking's writing often emphasizes the importance of faith and ethical conduct, presenting narratives that se...

Ivy sits in the garden of her hillside home where she makes her fishing nets, working on in the soft light of summer. The sound of bees drone in flowers nearby, a bright sky crowns a lustrous summer sea, grassland drops away from the cottage to the village below. And so Ivy's story begins. As her life unfolds, she will find her strength tested to the limit but her love will not fail. Ivy and little Ned must rely on each other and those who love them to find gentle light at the end of their...

This book is a gripping thriller with a strong moral bent that once you read, you may not be able to put it down until the very last page. The story is about Rufus Sterne. Down on his luck and having exhausted every option, he hatches a remarkable scheme that, if pulled off successfully, will solve all of his problems. But does Sterne have what it takes to pull off his plan?CHAPTER IA STRANGE COMPACT"Well, of all the hare-brained proposals I ever listened to, this t...

Ivy sits in the garden of her hillside home where she makes her fishing nets, working on in the soft light of summer. The sound of bees drone in flowers nearby, a bright sky crowns a lustrous summer sea, grassland drops away from the cottage to the village below. And so Ivy's story begins. As her life unfolds, she will find her strength tested to the limit but her love will not fail. Ivy and little Ned must rely on each other and those who love them to find gentle light at the end of their...