Ponies on the Riviera is a kitchen sink drama set in Sunderland in the 80s and 90s. Author Nicky Moon grew up on Grindon and works as a science writer. After 25 years living down South, she wrote this epic Mackem novel while weeping into her Villa Sasp.
 
There’s no point having dreams if you’re poor (but no one can stop you)
 
In 1976, seven-year-old Paula has a donkey ride along Seaburn beach and falls in love with horses. She dreams about owning one, or riding one, or stroking one would do, but there’s no danger of that when you’re living down the maisonettes. It was ellish when she lived at Thorney Close, like in the photo with the silver Christmas tree. That was before Dad went away and Mam met a miner called Billy who spends more time in Steels than down Herrington pit.
 
Paula can’t wait to leave school and get a job sewing clothes for Marks and Spencer. In Maggie’s Britain of record unemployment, the Dewhirst factory offers a steady job and canny money for a lass. But when Billy hoys a dicky radge, and they have to run, things go from bad to great when she’s fostered by a rich family. But then there’s Dad and everything else.
 
NOW TAKING PRE-ORDERS. BOOK TO BE AVAILABLE ON 29th MAY...