The Penny Road — Barbara Cooper

In Ireland, Bridie had watched her menfolk work themselves to the bone for a penny a day, so when the chance came to go to Canada she seized it. She was determined to make a success of her life, even if each fresh encounter seemed to tug her in a different direction. Her loyalties were tearing her apart -- to the memory of her dead sister, the machinations of the Duvalier family, her 'almost' brother Paddy -- and Alphonse Duvalier. Bridie must remain her own person, in spite of her growing love for Alphonse.