Manchester author brings the John and Enriqueta Rylands Love Story to Life..

What happens when two people who shouldn’t fall in love, do exactly that?

I wanted to introduce myself and my Manchester trilogy of historical novels. They are based on the true-life love story of Enriqueta and John Rylands. This story has never been written before, and nor has it appeared on screen in any form. I am currently in talks with film and TV production companies reagrding the optioning of my stories.

I came across GAFF, and wondered if you would considering featuring the books?

I live opposite Longford Park, and my great Uncle Alan McAlpine lived in the Sunnyside row of houses there. As a child, I used to travel from my home in Altricham to visit him and his family. I had no idea then that I would end up living so close to Longford, and writing a trilogy about the Rylands! 

I have been delighted by the repsonse to my books, and I have done loads of activity to support them including slots on BBC Radio Manchester, and coverage in Cheshire Life, Altrincham Today and lots of podcasts and interviews with local jounalists such as Michelle Eagleton. The University of Salford’s PR MA students used my second novel, Sunnyside as part of their degree work. There seems to be an enduring appetite for all things Mancunian, Victorian and in particular, with the resurgence of Stretford and the developments to Longford Park, a huge curiousity in – and local loyalty to – Enriqueta herself. 

Longford: A Manchester Love Story was published in September 2024 by Wooden Books, a small but long-established independent publisher. Sunnyside: A New Beginning, was released in May this year. Link to video with Michelle below! 

Longford and Sunnyside are historical romantic fiction books, but very much based on the facts of the life and times of John and Enriqueta Rylands. John was a towering figure in Manchester – our first millionaire, and a renowned philanthropist. There will be a third novel to conclude the series next year, Clothorn: The Final Chapter. 

• An untold story of passion and turbulence.
• An important Manchester story.
• Enriqueta Tennant, daughter of a Cuban woman and a Yorkshireman, arriving in Stretford in 1871, to eventually change the Manchester landscape forever when she built ‘Rylands Library’ as a monument to love for John after his death.
• The creation of the Ship Canal.
• Mills, millions and Manchester. The remarkable wealth of a powerful philanthropist.
• Potent set scenes of Angel Meadow, Strangeways and the localities. Much of it is set in Stretford, Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Didsbury.
• Everything you expect from a gripping novel. Love, death, crime, betrayal, twists and turns, redemption and drama. 

On Instagram, I am @longfordjr – I include much about my characters and the books there.

Have a great week. 

Juliette

Eddie – Sunday 6th September 2026.