By D.G. Torrens
It’s Romance Month again, and that means it’s time for some samples from BestSelling Reads authors’ books that will pull hard on your heart strings. Today’s comes from the latest book in the bestselling Survivor Series.
Asha’s grey eyes locked with Grace’s as Ms. Brent navigated through the towering black gates, the car crunched along the gravel driveway, lined with evergreen hedges until an imposing building loomed ahead.
Eva stirred awake as the car jolted to a halt. She sat up with a jerk, her hazel eyes wide and her long, wavy brown hair stuck to her face.
“Sorry about that, girls. This old car has seen better days,” Ms. Brent chuckled. “But I’m not ready to part with her just yet.
Grace brushed the hair from Eva’s face and pulled her close, then leaned forward, her brows arched with curiosity. “Where are we?”
Ms. Brent turned, her gaze shifting between the girls and her eyes filled with sympathy. “Your aunt should have explained, but she couldn’t find the words. So here we are.
“Eva, Asha, this is your new home. You’ll be living with your aunt and uncle from your father’s side. They’ve kindly agreed to take you in.”
Asha and Eva’s eyes darted to Ms. Brent then back to Grace, concern written all over their faces.
Confused, Grace asked, “What about me?”
Ms. Brent’s eyes lingered on Grace’s worried face. “I’m sorry, Grace. They couldn’t take all three of you. We try to keep siblings together, but it wasn’t possible this time. We’ve found a place for you at Billingford House. You won’t be alone, there are 15 maybe 20 girls there, too.”
Tears welled up in Grace’s eyes. “You mean a children’s home?”
Ms. Brent placed a comforting hand on Grace’s shoulder. “It’s not a bad place, Grace. Think of it like joining a large family. You’ll be well cared for. I’ve met the House Mistress, Miss Emery, and the staff, too. They are looking forward to your arrival.”
Grace flung open the car door, grabbing her small suitcase from the boot. Eva and Asha followed, standing resolutely by her side, glaring at Ms. Brent.
“Look girls, if it were up to me, I’d keep you all together. But it’s not my decision. Now, Grace, please put your suitcase back in the car, and seat yourself while I hand your sisters over.”
Grace shook her head, her voice breaking. “No, I want to come with you. I need to say goodbye properly. Please, Ms. Brent.”
A sympathetic smile lingered on Ms. Brent’s lips. “Okay. But promise me you’ll get back in the car without any fuss afterwards?”
“I promise,” Grace whispered.
Asha turned to Ms. Brent. “Please don’t separate us. We need to stay together. Please, please, Ms. Brent,” she pleaded.
Feeling the weight of the moment, Ms. Brent placed her hand on Asha’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”
Grace held her sister’s hands as they walked up to the large door, while Ms. Brent retrieved her sister’s suitcases from the boot of the car. They waited nervously at the door until Ms. Brent joined them. She rang the bell and glanced at the girls, her voice gentle. “This is for the best, you’ll see.”
Asha could barely hold the torrent of tears streaming down her cheeks. Eva looked utterly lost, her eyes red and waterfilled.
The large door creaked open, revealing a tall, intimidating man with thick sideburns and a moustache. He didn’t bother with a welcoming smile. “Ah, you’ve arrived! I’m your Uncle Pete. Your Aunt Mary is out shopping for all the extra food we’re going to need now we have more mouths to feed.” He stepped aside. “Ms. Brent, you’re earlier than expected. Well, don’t just stand there, come in.”
Grace, still clutching her sister’s hand, walked through the door with them. Eva tightened her grip on Grace’s hand, pleading, “Don’t leave us here, Grace. Please.”
What is Three for a Girl about?
ALL GRACE WANTS IS FREEDOM FROM FEAR
After the sudden death of her parents in a tragic car accident, Grace and her siblings are torn apart. A distant uncle begrudgingly takes in Asha and Eva—but there’s no room for Grace. Instead, she’s sent to Billingford House, a shadowy institution where oversight is rare, and where Miss Emery’s ruthless rule is absolute. Girls go missing–whispers of darkness lurk in every hallway, faint screams seep from the cottage adjoining Billingford House, a no-go zone for the girls. But they’re just stories, right? No one dares to ask questions.
It’s 1978, an era of neglected institutions, where suffering festered behind closed doors. Now sixteen, Grace is trapped in a brutal world where survival isn’t guaranteed. The only person who might have saved her disappears under suspicious circumstances, leaving her utterly alone.
There’s only one way out.
She has to escape.
AND IF SHE FAILS—SHE’LL VANISH LIKE THE OTHERS.
Find it on the author’s website or on Amazon.
D.G. Torrens
is a UK & USA bestselling author and poet. D.G. has written and published 20 books to date, her latest being Three for a Girl. She is represented in the USA by Hershman Rights Management (HRM Literary Agents).
A prolific writer with a deep passion for the written word, D.G is also a founding member of bestsellingreads.com and AuthorCityUK.
Her first book, Amelia’s Story, inspired people the world over and has been downloaded over 500k times worldwide. Amelia’s Story is the author’s true-life story. It was never intended for publication. Originally, D.G. wrote it for her daughter.
D.G. then went on to write military romance, romantic suspense, romantic drama, contemporary romance novels, and poetry books, which have all been received well.
The success of Amelia’s Story led the author to BBC Radio WM 95.6 FM, in 2014-15 on the Adrian Goldberg breakfast show, where she lent her time as a weekly Headline Reviewer for 12 months. From there, she has made multiple television and radio appearances.
D.G. Torrens embarked on a new venture: Co-directing her first documentary film titled “Birmingham A City Rooted in Talent.
In 2024, D.G. Torrens and fellow author and film director Martin Tracey created a documentary film celebrating the vibrant city and the remarkable talent that has blossomed in Birmingham, U.K. Birmingham, City Rooted in Talent won the coveted award at the Birmingham Film Festival 2024 for Best Documetary Film.
A full-time author, D.G is exceptionally driven and throws herself into all the projects that she takes on. “Don’t tell me to reach for the stars when there is a whole universe out there, describes how she walks through life.
“Not everyone will understand your journey what matters is that you do.”
D.G. Torrens lives by the motto, “The child first and foremost.”
Learn more about D.G. Torrens on her BestSelling Reads author page, her website or her Amazon Author page.
All titles by D.G. Torrens:
