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The Gamekeeper's Wife: Joined by love. Separated by lies. (The Separation Series) Kindle Edition
Martha Walters is an impoverished widow with a troubled past.
Christopher "Kit" Shipley is the wealthy heir to the country estate where Martha lives.
As forbidden love blossoms, a devastating secret threatens to shatter their world. Believing Martha lost to him forever, Kit escapes to the jungles of Borneo, haunted by grief and unanswered questions. Will their love prove strong enough to overcome the chasm of class and circumstance?
The Gamekeeper's Wife is a captivating tale of love across class divides, sacrifice, and the strength of the human heart. From manicured English gardens to Edwardian London and the untamed wilderness of Borneo, this gripping story explores how true connection can transcend societal expectations and physical separation.
Immerse yourself in a narrative that will keep you spellbound until the last page.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateApril 17, 2018
- File size961 KB
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See full series- Kindle Price:$17.97By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
- Kindle Price:$18.96By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
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This option includes 3 books.
This option includes 4 books.
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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews
Review
About the Author
Having lived and worked in London, Paris, Brussels, Milan and Sydney, home is now on the coast, in Sussex, England, where she can watch the sea from her windows. An avid traveler, her books are often set in exotic locations.
Clare is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of The Society of Authors, ALLi, and the Romantic Novelists Association. When not writing, she loves to read, quilt, paint and play the piano.
Product details
- ASIN : B079T5XVSG
- Publisher : Cranbrook Press
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : April 17, 2018
- Language : English
- File size : 961 KB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 318 pages
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Part of series : The Separation Series
- Best Sellers Rank: #603,350 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #361 in World War I Historical Fiction (Books)
- #416 in Historical World War I Fiction (Books)
- #1,198 in Historical European Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Historical novelist Clare Flynn is a former global marketing director and business owner. She now lives in Eastbourne on the south coast of England and most of her time these days is spent writing her novels – when she's not gazing out of her windows at the sea.
Clare is the author of fourteen novels and a short story collection. Her books deal with displacement – her characters are wrenched away from their comfortable existences and forced to face new challenges – often in outposts of an empire which largely disappeared after WW2.
Her latest novel, Jasmine in París, is published on 30th November 2021. It is the fourth in her best-selling Penang series and follows the fortunes of Jasmine Barrington in Paris in 1949/50 and her friend Howard Baxter in Johore during the continuing Malayan Emergency.
Clare's novels often feature places she knows well and she does extensive research to build the period and geographic flavour of her books. A Greater World - 1920s Australia; Kurinji Flowers – pre-Independence India; Letters from a Patchwork Quilt – nineteenth century industrial England and the USA; The Green Ribbons – the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth century in rural England, The Chalky Sea - World War II England (and Canada) and its sequels The Alien Corn and The Frozen River - post WW2 Canada. She has also published a collection of short stories - both historical and contemporary, A Fine Pair of Shoes and Other Stories.
Fluent in Italian, she loves spending time in Italy. In her spare time she likes to quilt, paint and travel as often and as widely as possible. She is an active member of the Romantic Novelists Association, The Society of Authors, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Get a free copy of Clare's exclusive short story collection, A Fine Pair of Shoes, at www.clareflynn.co.uk.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book engaging with a love story of the best kind, featuring well-developed characters and beautiful writing style. Moreover, the book is full of interest from start to finish, with one customer noting how it takes hold of readers without wasting time.
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Customers find the book's story engaging with a good plot and twisting narrative, describing it as a love story of the best kind. One customer notes how bits of history are woven into the story.
"Great story... told in a way I could envision everything. For me. Some of the developments seemed to happy too quickly or conveniently...." Read more
"I enjoyed the book very much. It had several twists and turns making it hard to put down. I didn't find anything I didn't like...." Read more
"A good story that was a nice escape for me. I have just been laid off from a job that I love as a librarian...." Read more
"...Wow, a very professionally written historical fictional WWI adventure book...." Read more
Customers find the book enjoyable and entertaining, noting it is full of interest from start to finish, with one customer mentioning it kept them hooked throughout.
"...The twists that occur in their lives make this such a good book." Read more
"Great read with a few twists along the way. I quite enjoyed this one and will be following the author." Read more
"...Tying up the dangling strings in a neat bow! A good read." Read more
"I enjoyed the book very much. It had several twists and turns making it hard to put down. I didn't find anything I didn't like...." Read more
Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one customer noting the romantic relationship between strong characters.
"...exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of...." Read more
"...The background was also a character in the book. The characters are alive and robust, and I felt as though I was participating in their lives...." Read more
"Of course it is a love story but you will be happy with the character development--Christopher is complicated -- the author does a great job pacing..." Read more
"...resolution was a bit too pat, slow in the beginning but the characters developed nicely." Read more
Customers find the writing style of the book beautiful and easy to read, with one customer noting how the clipped style draws readers in and out, while another appreciates the vivid descriptions used.
"...I chose the five star rating because I thought it was very good and well written and was much to my interest being set it the early 90's." Read more
"...An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very professionally written historical fictional WWI adventure book...." Read more
"...The clipped writing style drew me in and out...." Read more
"the book was well written.many short stories on line leave you wondering what happened at the end.even if it is a series you should still have an..." Read more
Customers praise the book's pacing, with one noting how it takes hold of readers without wasting time, while another highlights its careful research and attention to detail.
"...& a large description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of...." Read more
"...thesis on shell shock in the Great War, so I appreciate Flynns careful research . Enjoy..read and escape.." Read more
"The story jumps right out and takes hold of you without wasting time...." Read more
"it's like traveling back in time as everything feels accurate, every little detail, yet all those feelings are timeless...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 20201920’s, WWI era. Newlands Hall. Edwina Shipley (widow/mother) was harping at Christopher Shipley (son, prosthetic leg, Captain WWI Messines vet, Cambridge; biology) about taking over the family business & being the head gamekeeper now that his father was no longer alive.
Martha Walters (widow, nee Tubbs) was telling Christopher about her deceased husband & his families upbringing.
She had invited him to come back.
Lord Bourne (father), Mr. Geoffrey Harrington-Foster & Mrs. Harrington-Foster, Major Collerton & Mrs. Collerton were the other luncheon guests.
Edwina’s matchmaking try didn’t work.
Christopher “Kit” Shipley (30) & Fred Collins (apprentice gardener) started a gardening business.
What did Edwina reveal to Christopher? And vice/versa?
Northington village (Winchester district of Hampshire), England. St. Crispin’s Mental asylum. Sycamore Ward. Christopher went to see Jane Walters (20, Martha/George’s daughter, Christopher’s ½-sister, Chronic brain damage; Idiot) at St. Crispin’s mental asylum.
Dr. Reggie Henderson (WWI Mons vet) introduced himself to Captain Christopher Shipley.
Martha had vanished.
Hotel du Palais. Christopher (artificial leg/amputee, WWI vet) & Lady Lavinia Bourne were married.
Algernon “Algie” Belford-Webb (Christopher’s school friend) came to join the newlyweds for dinner.
Mrs. Belford-Webb (mother), Punch (pug) & Lady Bourne soon became friends.
Martha Tubbs (2nd wife) married Dr. Reginald “Reggie” Henderson (1-eye, husband/father, psychiatrist, MD, WWI vet) & she had David (their son).
Willie (stable boy) was watching Petal (chihuahua) who was laid on the shore.
Christopher dove in the lake also. Lady & Bourne had vanished.
Christopher awoke in his bed & was later told the bad news.
Mrs. Edwina Shipley (mother) had come to visit.
Sarawak, Malaysian state Borneo Island. Vyner Brooke married Sylvia Brett.
Why did Eileen O’Hara come see Mrs. Martha Henderson (nee Tubbs)?
Mrs. Margaret Bennet had told Christopher there are cannibals in Borneo.
Mrs. Collerton claims there are headhunters.
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very professionally written historical fictional WWI adventure book. It was extremely easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great WWI adventure movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Cranbrook Press; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book.
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
- Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2018The Gamekeeper's Wife shot out of a cannon from page one and never finished firing until page "End." There is not an excess word in this captivating tale of love and torment between two lovers fated to one another. But what was that fate to be? A wealthy young man who eschews his wealth comes back from war having given his leg in the cause. His older brother suffers worse and doesn't survive. It is post World War 1 England and Kit, the surviving and only remaining sibling, is expected to become guide and savior for the family industry since his father has died recently too. His mother expects only duty, obedience and upper class marriage from him. Well. of course, who else does Kit meet but the lovely widow of the family's once gamekeeper. They rapidly fall in love. It then becomes a tale of class warfare, burst hopes, tragedy, deceit and drowning. Who and what prevails as the chalice of their love becomes tempest tossed is totally absorbing. The clipped writing style drew me in and out. Mostly "in" although I would have loved deeper characterization with some of the personalities and a more detailed description of some events. Overall though, that was a trifle as the ride through this book was as fascinating as Kit's ever ready rides on his prize mount, Hooker. Bravo doesn't say enough. Enjoy this one, readers. I'm reading more of Clare Flynn's immediately.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2023I enjoyed and hated reading the history of what is expected in certain countries and in our societies the higher your status the more you are expected to do for the sake of the Family! You must marry correctly and at times love is not a choice. I loved that for our two main characters status in life was not an issue even though it was to the people around them.Dealing with war wounds be it physical or psychological showed the damage they did to the people around them and also the damage that children suffered either from a parent or an abuser.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2020The sad thing about this novel, and I suspect about all of Flynn's books, is that it had all the storyline to be a wonderful read, but instead left me with a feeling as if I'd overeaten of snackfoods. What is missing, you may ask, since the storyline is good? The author is in far too great a hurry; she doesn't take the time to develop her characters, there backgrounds and surroundings. Their inner life, what there is of it, is repetitive and facile. The reader certainly doesn't get to know the main characters as people, to say nothing of the minor ones!
Ms Flynn has obviously got a lot of knowledge of the time and places she writes about, she's done her research and often includes interesting facts, but her writing is rather plodding and uninspired, repeating the same phrases.
I don't know, I guess I've been spoiled for ordinary romance writers by the divine Diana Gabaldon!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2020Yes, Christopher Shipley was severely wounded in the First World War and witnessed grievous and horrendous things. To me, he never seemed to recover emotionally and became a namby-pamby. He allowed his mother to run roughshod over his life and activities. He fell head over heels in love with Martha Walters, the widow of an abusive man, and then dragged his feet throughout the entire on-again, off-again relationship even marrying other people. There are so many twists and turns and lies, oh my! Does Christopher stay home and see to his responsibilities of running his family estate and fortune or does he pursue his dreams as a botanist in the jungles of Borneo? He can't have both. What of his sister in the sanitorium? That was truly a sad situation. Martha was more of a heroine in that situation than Christopher. I wish Christopher had been a bit more masculine as far as his emotions and decisiveness.
Top reviews from other countries
- Jacqueline SidwellReviewed in France on March 16, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping story of pre and post war England
This book is exactly as described - love and loss. The attitude of bullying men of power, their heartless women and those poor and infirm who suffer. The sheer impossibility of the people left at home, who had little or nothing to do with the war to understand what suffering and heartbreak men at the front, in the trenches went through. The characters in this book are so well drawn and the story so well written, I couldn't put it down. Sometimes it takes losing everything for someone to recognise what is important; to suddenly be confronted with the potential for happiness, finally, to realise how their efforts to shape the lives of others to fit a personal ideal merely makes the one they love miserable and pushes everyone away. I do thoroughly recommend reading this book
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Australia on May 11, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Gamekeepers wife
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and a very good story. I found it very hard to put down.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on November 13, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars jean
Very nice book to read. No violence and no bad language. A real treat. Would recommend the book to anyone.
- Lizzie JamesReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars A really enjoyable novel
This is the story of Christopher Shipley, who returned from World War One minus his leg, and Martha Walters, the wife of the late gamekeeper, to whom Christopher becomes Kit, the name by which his grandmother used to call him when he was a little boy.
Christopher meets Martha when the first task he's given by his unfeeling mother, Edwina, when he’s back at the family estate, is to evict the gamekeeper’s wife from her tied cottage. Upon meeting her, Christopher is instantly drawn to her, despite the fact that she’s a few years older than he. And when he sees the poverty of the cottage, talks to her and learns how difficult it'll be for her to find work and another home, and also feeling in part responsible for her husband’s death in the war, he finds that he can’t bring himself to evict her, and he manages to find some gardening for her to do on the estate, but knows he will have to keep this a secret from his mother.
His mother has a complete lack of sympathy for Christopher’s great interest in life, which is botany, and for his desire to return to Borneo in order to further explore the jungle and plant-life there. His duty, Edwina impresses upon him, is to run the family business and the estate that he inherited owing to the death of his older brother, Percy, during the war His duty, too, he is told, is to marry the woman who’d been betrothed to Percy, the very attractive, but empty-headed, Lady Lavinia Bourne.
Lady Lavinia came with an impeccable lineage, but her family was in dire need of money, and put at its most basic, Christopher knows that he means a new roof to the Bourne family, and that Lavinia’s role in their marriage is to give him a son. There is no attempt on his mother's part to dress up what an engagement to Lavinia means, and he rebukes his mother for talking about him and Lavinia as if they are ‘a bull and a heifer on the home farm’. Love, liking and suitability of character and interests play no part in the desire of both sets of parents to see an engagement.
With the difference in backgrounds between him and Martha, and the expectations weighing on Christopher owing to his inheritance, it was inevitable that obstacles and challenges would face Christopher and Martha at every turn, obstacles that look like driving them permanently apart. But he has come to love her deeply and would willingly sacrifice everything for her, if allowed to do so.
The period details bring the characters and settings alive, and set the novel firmly in its time, Despite the fact that it starts in 1919, many of the topics incorporated into the story are relevant today, such as class differences, sexual abuse, the institutional care of the mentally ill and PTSD. All of these are organic to the story, and give it the kind of depth that makes the reader truly care about the characters, and hope that a satisfactory-for-all resolution can be found.
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, which was a fast-paced read, and most definitely recommend it.
3 people found this helpfulReport - NormaReviewed in Australia on June 15, 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars OK reading
Didnt really hit me between the eyes but made for a pleasant read.