A series of books by Jill E. Hersch and Jill Muller
Book 1:
Being Different
Books
Gertrude was different. All her older siblings were beautiful, becoming blondes with gorgeous green eyes or boring brown hair and brown eyes which stared at you as if you were always in trouble but Gertrude was a Fiery Redhead with big, bright, blue eyes. Eyes the size of Saucers and much too big for her face, a face which was as deep and mysterious as the ocean itself. They all lived in a little Miner's Cottage with Smoke bellowing out of the Chimney. Royce kept the fire going while Gertrude kneaded the bread and Kit kept the family full with her delicious and nutritious cooking from the vegetables in the garden.
But all of that was about to change when a Horse dropped an unwanted singing Visitor on their doorstep and all the neighbours' curtains twitched. This unwanted Visitor, who was now to be called her Father, told Gertrude of many tales of distant lands, destinations and discoveries she must make.
He told her about his beloved Emerald Isle, a land of Leprechauns and Whales and mystical Sea Creatures, and “no Snakes”. He told her about the Garden of Eden, a plentiful Paradise and how GOD took a rib out of Adam while sleeping and made her Eve, the Mother of all Nations. He told her of wonderful places, food, flora and fauna, colours and creations she hadn’t even dreamt actually existed.
Her Father told her about the Nasty War and how she must promise to leave the dreary drudgery behind and make her destiny in the New Free World, a mighty new Continent of boundless possibilities. Gertrude hadn’t known why she was different or where she came from but now she knew who she was and where she was going…
Book 2: The Glorious Homecoming
The Miners who conquered the World!
Victory against Stuttgart 2:1 1909 and Juventus 6:1 in 1911 in the first ever Lipton World Cup as in sweet pretty Kit’s eyes who had never travelled beyond Durham….” Get me W.A. Football team”….. could only possibly mean her brothers and cousins West Auckland, and so a story of drive and determination and true family loyalty the very first ever World Cup is won by West Auckland Football team in 1909 and 1911.
Coming in Spring 2026
More to Follow!
There will ultimately be a series of TEN Gertrude books!
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Book 3 - FINDING HEAVEN after hell, having Nursed her Grandmother through dementia Gertie is deemed sufficiently competent to take care of two Tyrolean tearaways who have come to terrorise the village, while their German Engineer Father brings fresh water and improved sanitation to the community of Crook. And with that boundless opportunities for our hero Gertrude arrives.
Book 4 - Blood Brothers- TBD
Book 5 - Sins of the Fathers, the Beatles songs and 7 deadly sins