Adelaide's Gift by Anne Wilson
Her Gift was Music. Her Legacy was Courage.
Liverpool, 1960. Joseph Ellwood is grieving the loss of his beloved wife Kitty, when his daughter, Grace, finds an ornate music box hidden among her mother’s belongings. What it unlocks is more than memory. It’s a story Joseph has avoided telling for a lifetime. Intrigued and want to find out more? Download Chapter 1 here >>
Download Chapter 1It's a sweeping story of ambition, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between siblings.
Two worlds. One secret.
Liverpool, 1960
Joseph Ellwood is grieving the loss of his wife Kitty, until his daughter Grace discovers an ornate music box among her mother’s belongings…
Wellington, 1904
Joseph and Adelaide enjoy a privileged upbringing in New Zealand. He is expected to become a lawyer. Adelaide only wants one thing: to play the piano.
And in the shadows, someone is watching; waiting for the perfect moment to shatter Adelaide’s happiness for their own selfish gain.
The Story
Adelaide is quiet, studious, and fiercely devoted to music. Her talent is undeniable and for a time, her parents are content to indulge it. But as the years pass, Adelaide must learn to harness the same unwavering determination she devotes to mastering the piano and apply it to every facet of her life.
Because some adversaries don’t arrive with noise. They arrive with patience. And a twisted hunger to destroy.
What you'll discover...
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Music as refuge and as power
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A brother and sister bound by loyalty
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Ambition, expectation, and the cost of becoming yourself
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Courage in a world that prefers women to be small
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A secret that echoes through generations
Spanning continents and decades, Adelaide’s Gift is a tale of choices made, secrets kept, and a past that refuses to remain buried.
Inspired by an extraordinary life
The inspiration for Adelaide’s Gift began with Anne’s great-aunt, Valerie Corliss, born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1892, whose story surfaced slowly through years of research.
Valerie was a gifted lecturer and teacher devoted to musical interpretation and the great composers. She helped shape musical education across New Zealand and exchanged ideas with some of the world’s most celebrated artists.
What moved Anne most was not only what Valerie achieved but when she achieved it, during a period when women’s lives were expected to remain within narrow boundaries.
Fancy a preview? Download Chapter 1 here >>
Download Chapter 1About the author
Anne writes from a love of history, nature, and the quiet rhythms of family life. Her debut novel, Adelaide’s Gift, was born from fragments of family history, honouring what was discovered, and imagining the spaces in between.
Professionally, Anne is the Commercial Manager for Successfactory™, and as a qualified proofreader she has spent years shaping words until they sing on the page.
Based in Cheshire, Anne is a devoted reader, a lifelong collector of books, and a proud mum, grandmother, and family storyteller.
Explore the inspiration behind the story
Open the Music Box
Adelaide’s Gift is a sweeping historical novel inspired by true family history spanning New Zealand and Liverpool, shaped by music, courage, and the quiet legacies that endure across generations.
This is a story of ambition and sacrifice, of a sister and brother bound by loyalty, and of one woman’s determination to live beyond the limits placed upon her.
If you enjoy richly atmospheric fiction, beautifully drawn characters, and stories that linger long after the final page, Adelaide’s Gift will find a place with you.
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