Rosie Darling Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Rosie Darling is an author of historical fiction books with over a dozen books under her name. Her love for devouring romance books sparked as a child, as she would read countless books featuring different characters, unlikely plot twists, and stories with happy endings. She enjoyed reading romances set in the Victorian era. After reading books by famous English writer Charles Dickens as a teenager, she finally found interest in writing books based on this period. Rosie resides in Midlands, where she lives with her husband, their daughter, and their rescue dogs. Most of Darling’s books explore the plight of children during the Victorian era giving the reader a glimpse of the harsh reality children underwent during this period.

First published in 2018, The Beggar Sisters is the story of Ada Frank, who was presumed the role of mother to her smaller sister, Emma, almost as immediately as she was born. In addition to losing their parents, they lost the house where they were both born after she lost the print shop that provided for them. Ada was forced to work endless hours in the Bow Match Factory, while tiny Emma was forced to sell goods on east London’s chilly, inhospitable sidewalks. The two sisters had nothing other than each other. Now, the only thing they had in common was a cold, miserable existence where lamb roasted in the oven and gravy were little more than shared illusions, and Christmas was just another day.

Ada was then blackmailed into signing a deal with someone who was monstrous. Would he treat her the same as the several women he had previously sold to the finest bidder? What would happen to Emma if she were to be taken away? Everett Floyd was notorious for not having much compassion. How could these two tiny, defenseless, innocent girls effortlessly melt his cold heart? Could two very different cultures come together to ease the grief of the past and usher in a new reality at a time of agony where money distinguished individuals – and divided lives?

The Beggar Sisters is a beautiful short story set in 1880 London. It is a heartbreaking story of two sisters trying to survive when women were less regarded in society. The suffering these two girls experience allows the reader to realize how hard life was back then for the poor souls who hardly had no money to live on, especially given that they had come from a comfortable life. The author does a fantastic job of explaining in detail how life was in London during the Victorian age, from the horrid conditions and lifestyle forced upon the characters and the consequences that befell those who never paid their debts. But a tiny change of heart from a debt collector makes a big difference, resulting in a happily ever after ending.
The Asylum Daughter is the story of Beth Thursday. Beth Thursday was an ordinary nobody born in the ominous darkness of Victorian Bedlam—a trifling inconvenience. Beth had been dreaming for eight years that an unidentified mother would save her escape from the workhouse when she is suddenly freed to labor as an apprentice in Mr. Whitaker’s tailor business. Despite all difficulties, Mrs. Whitaker adopts the parental role for the small child who possesses all the skills of a talented seamstress. But Beth was still being denied the luxuries of a family by the ruthless grip of fate.

Beth receives Lady Caroline as a blessing—a rich client who requires the creation of lovely clothes. However, there is more to her appearance at the tailor shop than meets the eye. In the worst circumstances, two individuals from distinct social strata become connected. Is enduring such anguish worthwhile for a family? Should the ladies be freed from their torments and forced to reject one another in the cause of materialism and a family name? Would the long-sought answers be discovered in the asylum’s harsh hallways?

At the heart of this story, Rosie Darling showcases how those with a mental illness were often mistreated when sent to mental asylum institutions. The doctors often performed inhumane treatments on the patients, and their theory was that was the only way to treat people with mental health conditions. As years passed, a new treatment theory was considered, a better way to treat people with mental health conditions with care and understanding.

The Christmas Orphan, first published in 2018, is the story of Jane Walker, who was forced to sell flowers in the streets of London to the wealthy to make ends meets after her father’s death. She would go back to the dangerous alleyways of Whitechapel at night, where her already-pregnant mother anticipated her arrival.

Disaster struck once they were evicted from their home and placed in the workhouse, and Christmas Day was never the same. When the spiteful older girls at the workhouse drove Jane into despair, she fled and searched for a familiar face to talk to. Her connection with Daniel Weir, the young son, and heir of her master, transformed over time.

However, their connection wouldn’t ever be considered acceptable. When he finally got married, as was the custom of a man in his position in life, Jane had to come to terms with the fact that she would always be his new wife’s servant. However, the new mistress of the house developed immediate hate for Jane and vowed to have her thrown out into street life far from the man’s loving gaze. Then fate pulled another clever card. Would the orphan from Christmas find happiness in life? Or would she be forced to live a life of sorrow and missed opportunities like many others?

The Christmas Orphan is a sad but lovely story about the horrible conditions many children were exposed to in late 1800s England and most likely other places. It gives the reader a glimpse of how people suffered and, despite this suffering, how people found love and joy. If you enjoy reading books that make you both sad and angry, bring tears to your eyes, and make you happy, then you must read Rosie Darling’s books.