A spurned lover marries for money and ignites a family feud of betrayal and revenge that spans three generations.
It is New Year’s Eve 1924 and the fiery and volatile Charles McGill is devastated when the woman he loves announces her engagement to the mild-mannered Lucas Connelly, his friend and co-worker. Charles drowns his sorrow in drink and seduces Hilde Richter, the spinster daughter of a wealthy businessman.
When Hilde finds she is pregnant her desperate father offers to set up the penniless Charles with his own bakery if he will marry her. Charles readily agrees and, unknown to Hilde, the two men draw up a contract. It is the beginning of a bitter rivalry between Charles and Lucas, and their vengeful former employer, Miles Davenport. A rivalry that fractures families, tests love and loyalty, and comes at a cost that Charles could never have imagined.
The Breadwinners covers six tumultuous decades and leads us through the ruthless and cutthroat business dealings of the three families as they survive the great depression, the war years, the isolation of South Africa and the advent of company takeovers. If you like historical fiction set in exotic locations, and enjoy authors such as Barbara Taylor Bradford, Catherine Gaskin and Belva Plain then grab a copy of The Breadwinners.
Excerpt
There were many reasons why Charles McGill would remember the night he first took Hilde Richter. He could never think of it as the night they first made love, for he would never learn to love her. A resigned tolerance was the closest he would ever manage.
It was New Year's Eve 1923 - his first Hogmanay in Durban’s sub-tropical heat. Charles was missing the cold northern climes of his native Scotland, and a family for which distance had made his heart grow unusually fond. But this only partially explained his being more than a little drunk.
While stopping by to deliver the Richter family’s New Year stollen bread he had been mistaken for an invited guest, anonymous amongst the gentry who were spilling out onto the veranda and lawns in search of cooler air.
A glass of fruit punch was eagerly placed in his hand by the host’s daughter. He swallowed it untasted, hoping to deaden the pain of betrayal that threatened to overwhelm him.
Hovering attentively, Hilde quickly re-filled his glass. Heavy, his sister would have uncharitably described her. Aye, she was fuller and more rounded than the pretty lassies he was used to tumbling in the heather back home. Home, where they’ll all be having a bonnie time and ready to bring in the haggis, not like this stilted lot, prim and proper and all false bonhomie.
Hilde was at his side again, guiding him towards the tables laden with food, giggling and simpering in a tipsy attempt at flirtation.
It was too hot and humid to eat, and he quenched his thirst with another glass of the alcoholic punch. The ice had long ago melted, and the warm drink conversely increased his thirst; and the alcohol his torment. Why had Addy betrayed him?
Professional Reviews
Excellent Indie Author's South Africa - 3 generation family saga
New author Jan Hurst-Nicholson has written a story about a 3 generation family who are in the bread making bakery industry. There are 2 other family's in the same industry and the story tell's how each family gets through the competition in good times and the bad times during World War 2 and the depression. The state of pain and anguish that these family's went through that tested their patience and endurance.
Ms. Nicholson also writes about the personal live's of each family and she has done a wonderful job describing each and every character and their traits and it makes you feel like you really know these character's.
I haven't read such a well written saga in a long time and I thoroughly enjoyed every single word written. Jan Hurst-Nicholson had to have spent along time doing a lot of homework with the research to develope such a great historical fiction story. I love her style of writing and will read what ever she writes. Jan has found a new fan for sure. I am a indie author addicted reader and I have found a gem in Jan Hurst-Nicholson.
I didn't find any formatting problem's or any errors in her book. Great job Jan
I highly recommend The Breadwinners
The Breadwinners
In her saga, Jan Hurst-Nicholson gives us three families in competition, intertwined, in love with and at odds with one another, all draped in an unlikely cloak of the family bakery that morphs, over time and generations, into corporate, high tech and high finance cutthroat business and politics. Believe me, and the author, Jan, within this story is high drama, sometimes crusty, sometimes hot and steamy, sometimes sweet and light, just as the breads and pastries that draw the families together and rends them apart. The unforgettable characters are the primary ingredients to this excellent mixture set in South Africa, but the reader will never again take a lowly loaf of bread for granted.
Fascinating Saga; Excellent Character Development
A fascinating read. I found the intricacies of the baking world as interesting as the characters who ran them. Speaking of the characters, each (and there were many considering this is a multi-family saga encompassing three generations) was well developed and leapt from the pages.
Once I started reading this book, I had a hard time putting it down until it was finished. I loved the book and have recommended to my reading friends.
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