John Douglas ends the year 1872 as a melancholic shadow of a man, left with nine young children following the death of his beloved wife. Soon though, Isabella Milligan enters his life - spirited, passionate, unconventional, she leads him and his brood steadily out from their grief into a new existence. Once married, John and Isabella embark on a life together that takes them and their family from the peace of lowland Scotland, to the newly-industrialised towns of northern England. As the years roll toward the twentieth century, the children of the clan mature and leave to make their own ways in the world, each of them experiencing their own personal triumphs and woes. Barnslaps and Beyond is a moving, dramatic and often humorous evocation of a startlingly resilient family in a rapidly changing world who face tragedy many times over; tragedy which is time and again raised by courage and unceasing capacity for hope. Peter Ross was born and educated in Carlisle. He is married to Helen and has three children and five grandchildren. Since retiring from a career in accountancy he spends part of the year abroad and the rest of the time writing. He is now considering writing the sequel.