Fallen Woman. Fiona McIntosh. 2024.

Botanical artist Jane Saville is devastated when her manipulative mother banishes her to the countryside to protect someone else’s honour. Isolated and far from home, she is forced to live an impoverished, secretive life to save the family public shame. 

Guy Atwood is heir to a fortune, but prefers his quiet passion for rare-apple hunting on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens to building the family’s business empire. He sets out to find a critically endangered apple species that he dreams of gifting and renaming for his friend, the soon-to-be coronated George V. 

When the paths of these people from two very different worlds collide, Jane begins to hope for a different future, but their new friendship is shattered by jealousy, misunderstanding, duty and treachery. A young boy will inspire Jane to defy the powers working against her and prove she is no woman to outcast.

Set in the picturesque English countryside, in a forgotten orchard and beneath the ancient spire of Sailbury Cathedral, this is a heart wrenching story about a woman who finds thst in her darkest hour she can harness her greatest strength.