Based on true historical events, in 1822, ten-year-old Matthew Seller bravely escapes an abusive father and a punishingly hard life. Unaware of what the future holds, he trusts fate and embarks on his journey across a dramatically changing landscape to navigate his way to Birmingham along a new canal system. Gripped by the Industrial Revolution, it is in this great city that Matthew sparks a legacy that will burn through the next five generations. 

In a tale of ‘found family’, Matthew’s evolution is guided by a host of key characters. Three in particular steer him towards his destiny: wise old soldier, Joe; spirited, loving Florrie; and loyal, indomitable Sarah, who joins the story with grief tightly packed in her single leather suitcase. Through honesty and integrity, this quartet forges a business dynasty that lasts almost 200 years, creating a legacy not just of wealth, but of ambition and morality.

A Legacy Forged weaves the lives of the Seller family with the Irish immigrant Cahills, creating a rich tapestry of characters shaped by resilience and hope. From the squalid back-to-back slums, the story explores complex relationships between fathers and sons, and the quiet strength of the women whose wisdom and courage shape their family’s fortunes. 

The reader will witness the birth of the canal and rail networks, experiencing the clanging of factory hammers harmonising with the beating of determined hearts. Birmingham emerges as ‘The Workshop of the World’, home of the finest Gun Quarter the world will ever see. It is this community that influences the struggle for Irish independence, leaving glimmers of a tale yet to be told.

This true family saga set over three books is a powerful testament to human willpower and our expansive hearts. It is a reminder that with determination and an unwavering moral compass, we can all become the architects of our own fate. A Legacy Forged, book one of the Seller Series covering the rise of the Sellers from the 1820s to the late 1890s, invites readers to reflect on the true meaning of family relationships and success long after they've turned the final page. Readers captivated by the works of Ken Follett and Jeffrey Archer will find themselves enthralled by death, deception, greed, and conflict, yet ultimately in how love prevails.