LONG Preston romantic novelist Diane Allen has published her latest book, ‘The Girl From The Tanner’s Yard’.

A ‘moving family drama’, set on the wild moors of West Yorkshire, it tells the story of a beautiful young girl who rises to prosperity from humble beginnings, and is perfect for fans of novelists such as Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.

After facing the horrors of the Crimean War, Adam Brooksbank returns to Black Moss Farm filled with regret over the path in life he has chosen. Starting anew, he decides to focus on rebuilding his family’s rundown farm and make it a home again.

Meanwhile, the lovely Lucy Bancroft is living with her parents on Prospect Terrace which backs onto the local tannery. Lucy is the most beautiful girl in the villae, but unfortunately her wealth doe not match her looks, and she soon realises that nobody wants to court a girl from the filthy ‘Flay Pits’, let alone marry her.

But, when the lovely Lucy goes to work for Adam as his maid she finds herself falling in love with the farm set high upon the wild moors of Haworth.

And, furthermore she allows herself to dream, and begins to imagine a life with her new employer that goes beyond just being his maid.

As they spend more time together, their feelings develop for one another despite her parents warning her nothing good will ever come of it. As rumours swirl around the village igniting jealousies and unearthing deeply buried secrets, will love find a way? Will Lucy and Adam find happiness, and will Lucy become mistress of the farm on the moors.

Diane Allen, whose previous books include The Miner’s Wife, Daughter of the Dales, and The Windfell Family Secrets, was born in Leeds, but raised at her family’s farm, in the Yorkshire Dales.

After working as a glass engraver, raising a family and looking after an ill father, she found her true niche in life, joining a large-print publishing firm in 1990. She now concentrates on her writing full-time and has been made Honorary Vice President of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Diane and her husband Ronnie live in Long Preston, and have two children and four grandchildren.

The Girl from Tanner’s Yard is published by Pan Macmillan, £7.99, and is available in paperback from bookshops from September 17.