Anthea Benton is shocked when her voice teacher, Miss Sharon, tells her that she has progressed beyond what she can teach her.
In order to progress as a singer, Anthea needs to leave her small town and find a professional tutor.
But with a sick father, money is tight in the Benton household.
Then, Anthea sees an advertisement for a singing contest with a £500 first prize – this could be the answer to her prayers.
At the contest, Anthea knows she is better than any of the other contestants.
She would have won...if not for Oscar Warrender, one of the most celebrated opera conductors in the world, who made sure she didn’t win the contest.
So when a letter arrives informing Anthea that Warrender wants her to come to London and be his prize, and only, pupil, Anthea is shocked to say the least.
But this could be her big chance and she just cannot turn it down.
She will need every ounce of strength and intelligence she possesses to withstand the training and hard work to become a successful opera singer.
But will Anthea and Oscar’s turbulent relationship ruin her chances for success?
And what else will she discover about herself along the way?
A Song Begins is the first book in the charming Warrender Saga.
Praise for Mary Burchell
‘You’re in for a treat’ – Dream Author Book Blog
‘A unique story’ – Kirkus Reviews
Mary Burchell was the pen name of Ida Cook (1904-1986). With her eldest sister Mary Louise Cook, she attended the Duchess' School in Alnwick. Together, the sisters helped 29 Jews to escape from the Nazis, funded mainly by Ida's writing. In 1965, the Cook sisters were honored as Righteous Gentiles by the Yad Vashem Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority in Israel. Mary Burchell published more than 125 romance novels in total and helped found the Romantic Novelists’ Association, standing as its president from 1966 until her death.