Family saga / generational saga fiction

Book SynopsisA heartrending story of family tragedy, Land Girls and lost love from bestselling author Dee Williams.When Babs Scott loses her beloved parents in an air raid, she finds herself homeless and alone in Rotherhithe. The Land Army offers her an escape and, despite the backbreaking toil, Babs loves the peaceful green fields and the fresh, clean air of Sussex. But when her new RAF sweetheart Pete dies on his return to the skies, Babs is grief-stricken once more. After the war and back in her home town, a foolish mistake changes Babs'' life for ever. Has she lost her one chance for happiness?

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Book SynopsisOn the night of Saturday 10th May 1941, amidst the horror of the devastation caused by enemy bombers, Joe Carey and Charlie Duggan risked their lives to save people trapped in an air-raid shelter. Despite their efforts, six men and women died.It''s now 1947 and the inhabitants of Totterdown Street are trying to rebuild their lives. The post-war years are proving to be difficult and, already faced with a violent factory strike, the close-knit inhabitants of the street must also cope with news which not only exposes the glory of the past but the shame as well.

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Book SynopsisWhen widowed Ida Farran runs off with a bus inspector in 1949, she leaves her five children to fend for themselves. Preoccupied with the day-to-day task of earning enough money to keep the family together, eighteen-year-old Rose battles bravely on, thankful for the mysterious benefactor who pays the rent on their flat in Imperial Buildings on Fellmonger Street. Life isn''t easy but between them Rose and her younger brother Don just about manage to make ends meet. Recently, however, Don has become rather too friendly with the Morgan boys. Everyone knows the small-time Bermondsey villains are a bad lot. But even this concern pales into insignificance when Rose finds herself pregnant. Now it''ll need a miracle to keep the Farrans of Fellmonger Street together.

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Book SynopsisSusan Parry is twenty-one and impatiently awaiting the return of her fiancé, Alan Woodley, from the army. Although her father has been dead for many years, Susan''s memories of her parents'' marriage are happy ones and she looks forward to the day when she and Alan can share in that happiness. But the discovery of some old letters soon forces her to face some bitter truths about her parents - and even the nature of love itself...

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Book SynopsisWhen Nell Bailey is wounded in a Flying Bomb attack, it is up to her daughter, Josie, to hold the family together. But Josie''s new responsibilities don''t stop her imagining a brighter future - a future she hopes to share with Jonny Francis, whom she has loved for as long as she can remember.Her younger brother Tommy, however, does not adjust so easily to the changes in family life. The mounting tension between himself and Josie reaches its peak and Tomy storms out of the house, vowing to live with his dad. But when he finds himself caught up in the notorious Pedlar''s plan to assassinate an eminent political figure, he begins to wish that he''d left well enough alone, for nothing will ever be the same again...

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Book SynopsisA heart-warming Merseyside saga from the bestselling author of WARTIME GIRLSTrade ReviewPraise for Anne Baker's previous Merseyside sagas: 'A heartwarming saga * Woman's Weekly *As ever, Anne peppers her story with the kind of nostalgic detail that makes her books so popular * Liverpool Echo *A lively and entertaining affair * Historical Novels Review *A gripping, heartwarming saga * Crosby Herald *Truly compelling...rich in language and descriptive prose * Newcastle Upon Tyne Evening Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisLyn Andrews'' touching Liverpool saga MAGGIE MAY is not to be missed by readers of Kitty Neale and Kate Thompson.Maggie May, born into the slums of Liverpool in the 1880s, had many difficulties to cope with - a drunken father, the early death of her gentle mother, and the grinding poverty of their lives. But most of all, she had to endure the shame of her name - that of the city''s most notorious prostitute. Taking care of her younger brother and desperately trying to live down her name, Maggie manages to escape from Liverpool to enjoy an idyllic new life. But fate forces her back again and into the arms of a stranger who is to bring her both heartbreak and the greatest happiness she will ever know.

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Book SynopsisLIVERPOOL LOU by Lyn Andrews is a warm-hearted, dramatic and nostalgic saga not to be missed by readers of Kate Thompson and Donna Douglas.Babsey has always worked hard to provide for her family; she runs a greengrocers publicly and a money-lending business in private. Babsey makes sure that her family doesn''t mix with the rougher people in the neighbourhood - she considers herself a cut above the local community. When her niece Louisa needs a home - her mother is dead, and her father at sea - Babsey does her duty and brings the girl into the household.But Louisa doesn''t quite fit in with Babsey''s plans. Although life under Aunt Babsey''s roof is comfortable, Louisa is acutely aware of the desperate poverty around her. And, as she grows up into a thoughtful young woman, the harsh realities of love and betrayal, war and death, make her determined to find her own way. Louisa will eventually be made famous throughout her city - known for ever as Liverp

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Book SynopsisA heartrending saga of sisters separated by shame from much-loved author Pamela Evans.It''s 1912, and, like all fisher folk in the village of Tideway, the Bow family live a simple life. Edie Bow loves her children dearly: handsome Henry, sensible Bessie, spirited May and little Sam. But one night tragedy strikes, and Henry is lost at sea. And when May falls pregnant out of wedlock, shamed Edie sends her daughter to London for an abortion. Determined to keep her child, May stays on in the city, away from her beloved sister Bessie. Torn apart, the girls must face their own struggles without each other, but through even the darkest night, a light burns strong: the love of a sister...Trade ReviewPraise for Pamela Evans's previous sagas: 'A good traditional romance, and its author has a feeling for the atmosphere of postwar London * Sunday Express *Very readable * Bella *The leading characters are finely drawn...crisp prose...a superb and heartwarming read * Irish Independent *A compelling book * Woman's Realm *Well peopled with warm personalities * Liverpool Post *There's a special kind of warmth that shines through the characters in Evans' novels... An uplifting love story with all the right ingredients * Lancashire Evening Post *This book touched me very, very much. It's lovely * North Wales Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisBenita Brown''s brilliant new novel of heartache, siblings and falling in love, set in the lead up to the Second World War and events that threaten even the strongest of family bonds.Following the death of their parents, the Mitchell siblings are tragically split up. While Helen is taken in by their selfish aunt, her twin brothers find themselves in a cold, soul destroying orphanage, and their younger sister is adopted and spoilt by the wealthy Partingtons. Years later, desperate to get her family back together, Helen escapes to London and works as a waitress in Soho, where she meets the charismatic young reporter Matthew Renshaw. Together they search for her lost family, as around them the country prepares for war...Trade ReviewPraise for Benita Brown: 'Romance, heartache and local history make a magical mixture...passion on every page * Northern Echo *An ultimately heartwarming tale. Unlike some sagas, all the main characters here are well drawn...a satisfying read * Historical Novels Review *A splendidly powerful and touching saga of love, passion and lust * Newcastle Evening Chronicle *Captures the atmosphere and emotion of the first part of the 20th century * Sunderland Echo *A must for Catherine Cookson fans * Wiltshire Times *You won't be able to put it down * Yours magazine *A powerful story * Lancashire Evening Post *A wonderfully Dickensian flavour... Everyone in the book is alive and believable * Historical Novels Review *

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Book Synopsis''The Catherine Cookson of Liverpool'' (Northern Echo), Lyn Andrews, brings 1960s Liverpool vividly to life in this evocative saga not to be missed by readers of Donna Douglas and Kate Thompson.When best friends Dee Campbell and Jean Williams leave school in 1959, it feels like every opportunity awaits them. Their families haven''t long moved from a rundown part of the city to leafy Kirkby when Jean''s father wins the Irish sweepstake and soon Jean''s set up her own hairdressing salon, while both girls have fallen for good-looking lads with prospects. But Dee''s father is about to discover a disturbing truth about her fiancé which will tear the family apart. As Dee flees to Ireland, Jean marries Tony, blissfully unaware that she''s not the only pretty girl to catch his eye... Tumultuous years lie ahead but Dee and Jean will learn that the people who love you will always be there when you need them most...

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Book SynopsisBorn into terrible poverty, Millie Ash''s hopes for a better life are threatened by a fatal accident in Dee Williams'' heartrending new sagaMillie Ash, born into terrible poverty in the backstreets of the East End, has always wanted to better herself. She gets her chance when she lands a position as a lady''s companion, her charge the disabled daughter of a well-to-do London family. Millie adores her work, and even starts to develop feelings for the son of the house. But years later a tragic accident causes Millie to lose her job and, along with it, the life she so loved. As she goes from job to job, working variously as a typist, factory worker and nurse, will she ever find happiness, and love, again?

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Book SynopsisThe compelling, heartwarming saga from bestselling author Anne Baker.When Helen Redwood is tragically widowed, she and her daughter, Chloe, move to Liverpool to be closer to her family. But it is being in her beautiful garden with her handsome young gardener, Rex Kenwright, that saves Helen from grief. Rex is no stranger to bereavement himself but, while he finds comfort in Helen''s company, it is seventeen-year-old Chloe who steals his heart.It is the swinging sixties, however, and Chloe has dreams of her own. When she announces that she is moving in with her boyfriend, Adam Livingstone, and there''s a baby on the way she has no idea of the devastating effect this will have on those she loves. Nor does she realise the rocky road to happiness that lies ahead...Trade ReviewPraise for Anne Baker's previous Merseyside sagas: 'A heartwarming saga * Woman's Weekly *As ever, Anne peppers her story with the kind of nostalgic detail that makes her books so popular * Liverpool Echo *A lively and entertaining affair * Historical Novels Review *A gripping, heartwarming saga * Crosby Herald *Truly compelling...rich in language and descriptive prose * Newcastle Upon Tyne Evening Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisA family struggles to survive bereavement, bombing and bitter rivalry...Patsy Rushton''s brother Barney doesn''t know the meaning of hard work, so when their father tragically dies, Patsy has no choice but to save the family''s business. Meanwhile, Barney has got his girlfriend pregnant and, feeling trapped, he abandons her and leaves Merseyside altogether. But trouble follows Barney wherever he goes and when he learns of his sister''s growing success, he can''t help feeling resentful. Why is their mother, Beatrice, so quick to forgive him? Surely, she can''t be blind to his faults? As Patsy is to discover, there''s something else about Barney that is frightening her mother so much she has never dared to speak of it before.Trade ReviewPraise for Anne Baker's previous Merseyside sagas: 'A stirring tale of romance and passion, poverty and ambition * Liverpool Echo *A compelling book that you just don't want to put down * Southport Visiter *A gentle tale with all the right ingredients for a heartwarming novel * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *Another nostalgic story oozing with atmosphere and charm * Liverpool Echo *

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Book SynopsisA perfect Christmas would be for a father to be reuinted with his daughter.When Glen Trainer is framed for a crime he didn''t commit he loses his home, his business and, worst of all, his daughter. Years later, living rough on the streets of Leicester, Glen meets Jan Clayton. She, too, has a heartbreaking story to tell and together they find the courage to start afresh. As Christmas approaches, Glen gets ever closer to finding his daughter, but will his wish for a perfect Christmas come true?Trade ReviewPraise for Lynda Page: 'You'll be hooked from page one * Woman's Realm *Cookson/Cox aficionados who've missed her should grab this. Romantic and gripping * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Ms Page creates strong characters and is a clever and careful storyteller... A great writer who gives an authentic voice to Leicester... A formidable talent * LE1 *In Lynda Page, we have an author who writes with skill and style... Leicester's Lynda Page is destined to share the limelight - and bestseller lists - with the likes of Catherine Cookson * Hull Daily Mail *If you want an enthralling saga read Lynda Page * Martina Cole *Lynda Page is a leading purveyor of the saga, enlivening her plots with all manner of page-turning twists and turns. Expect the unexpected * Choice magazine *Inspirational and heart-warming * Sun *

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Book SynopsisIdentical twins Lily and Rose Flowers aren''t from a rich family, but they lead a comfortable life in 1920s Rotherhithe with their mum and dad. The twins are the apple of their parents'' eye, and each other''s best friend - they always know what the other is thinking. Feisty Rose has a more rebellious nature than her sister, but it''s never before interfered with their closeness.However, Rose''s secret dissatisfaction with her humdrum lifestyle reaches a head when she meets the rich and handsome Rodger. To the shock of the Flowers family, she elopes with him to Gretna Green. Once Rose has the money and glamour she''s always craved, nothing will persuade her to contact her family again; not even her father''s death.And then, in the wake of the Wall Street Crash of 1929, everything changes. With her charmed life in shreds and with no one left to turn to, Rose is determined to build bridges those she has hurt the most. But can forgiveness be sought so easily - and can sTrade Review'An inspiring tale' * Woman's Weekly *'Another fine saga by this ever-popular author' * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *'Harsh times, brave hearts and always a hint of hope' * Northern Echo *'An inspiring tale, full of surprises, intrigue and suspense' * Newcastle Evening Gazette *

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Book SynopsisBringing the Keep Fit movement vividly to life in 1940s'' London, Pam Evans'' family saga will inspire and enthral anyone who has ever dared to dream of a better life.In the middle of a party to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935, Mollie Fisher''s good-for-nothing husband walks out on his wife and baby girl. Luckily, Mollie has a loving family to turn to for help. Mollie''s mother, Marge, is delighted to look after baby Esme while Mollie goes out to work. Meanwhile, her nan, Nora, encourages Mollie to join a local keep fit class, which opens her eyes to a whole new world. Determined to better herself, Mollie qualifies as a fitness instructor and starts to run her own classes for the local community, where she befriends a group of women she would never have known existed. But with the outbreak of the Second World War and the ever-present danger of losing her loved ones in the London bombings, it takes courage for Mollie to stand on her own two feTrade ReviewA touching novel * Daily Express *A good traditional romance, and its author has a feeling for the atmosphere of postwar London * Sunday Express *A superb and heartwarming read * Irish Independent *Very readable * Bella *A special kind of warmth with all the right ingredients * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisSet in Liverpool at the end of the Second World War, Anne Baker''s saga will move you to tears of sadness and joy.On a spring day in 1947, Millie and Pete Maynard take their daughter Sylvie on a boat trip that is to end in tragedy. Poor Sylvie blames herself for the accident and Millie needs all her strength to comfort her children and overcome her grief. Then Pete''s will is read and further heartache lies in store...Meanwhile, Pete''s younger brother and his good-for-nothing sons try to take control of the family business, but they''ve underestimated Millie''s indomitable spirit. She''s worked in Maynard''s perfume laboratory for eighteen years and is determined to protect her husband''s legacy no matter what obstacles are thrown in her way...Trade ReviewA heartwarming saga * Woman's Weekly *A lively and entertaining affair * Historical Novels Review *A stirring tale of romance and passion, poverty and ambition * Liverpool Echo *A compelling book that you just don't want to put down * Southport Visiter *Another nostalgic story oozing with atmosphere and charm * Liverpool Echo *

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Book Synopsis1991. A young man is mesmerised by the rolling coverage of Desert Storm. Forging sick notes to avoid work and feigning reasons to avoid his girlfriend, he gradually destroys his whole life. Then he meets Victorien Salagnon, an elderly artist and a veteran of countless wars. Together, they strike a bargain: Salagnon will teach the young man to paint and, in return, he wants his memoirs written down, a ranging, bloody life story of being a teenage résistant in Nazi-occupied France; of hunting rebels in Indochina and engaging in torture in Algeria; of the deaths that were as numberless as they were senseless; of the killing fields on which the modern world is built.Trade ReviewBold, brave, magnificent. * Irish Times *Shock-and-awe virtuosity * Financial Times *A masterpiece. -- Frédéric Beigbeder * Le Figaro *Difficult to put down and impossible to forget * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisThe queen of the East End saga is back with a story of family secrets in 1960s London.''Warm-hearted and nostalgic'' DAILY EXPRESSLondon, 1960. Patsy Lamb is turning seventeen at the start of a decade that will change everything. The slums of the East End are making way for the new modern lifestyle that is being promised to Patsy''s generation. But as Patsy looks to the future, her world is rocked by a secret from her past. It changes everything she thought she knew about her family.As Patsy struggles for answers, she turns to her grandmother. Molly, after all, has always been there for her. But Molly has problems of her own. Desperate to escape her abusive husband, Molly wonders if she''s got the energy to fight any longer. These two women, generations apart, must both search their hearts for the strength to overcome their problems. And as Molly discovers that you''re never too old to follow your dreams, Patsy must learn whether in thTrade ReviewWarm-hearted and nostalgic * DAILY EXPRESS *a warm-hearted and nostalgic story -- Charlotte Vowden * DAILY EXPRESS *full of colour and nostalgia * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS *

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Book Synopsis It should have been the start of a brand new life in Liverpool...Patricia, Tara and Aideen couldn''t be more excited about leaving Dublin with their father and heading for a new life in Liverpool. Yet it soon becomes clear that all is not as it seems. The day after the family arrive in England, father Bernie hastily sweeps the girls onto a huge ocean liner heading to New York.When Bernie tragically vanishes midway across the Atlantic, the grieving sisters are forced to prepare themselves for a new life far away from home, friends and family. What was their father running from? Can the girls put the tragedy behind them and build new lives in New York?A heartwarming family saga from Sunday Times bestselling author Maureen Lee - perfect for readers of Katie Flynn, Dilly Court and Kitty Neale. What readers are saying about Maureen Lee - the queen of Liverpool sagas ''A great storyteller'' Liz, Amazon reviewerTrade ReviewMaureen Lee never fails to impress and her latest novel is no exception . . . An intriguing period novel that sparkles with Irish charm, adventure and wonder. * THE LADY *As always, an engaging read by this popular wartime saga author. * MY WEEKLY *It's Christmas, 1942, and the residents of Pearl Street are hoping for miracles. Kitty's troubled by her married American lover, Lena is longing for a child and Eileen's injured husband is acting suspiciously. * WOMAN *

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Book SynopsisNumber One bestseller Maureen Lee''s first novel of the hugely popular Pearl Street series.''With her talent for storytelling, queen of saga-writing Maureen Lee weaves intrigue, love and warmth into every page''My WeeklyAs Britain stands alone against a monstrous enemy, the inhabitants of Pearl Street, in Liverpool, face hardship and heartbreak with courage and humour.The war touches each of them in a different way: for Annie Poulson, a widow, it means never-ending worry when her twin boys are called up and sent to France; Sheila Reilly''s husband, Cal, faces the terror of U-Boat attacks; Eileen Costello is liberated from a bitter, loveless marriage when her husband is sent to Egypt and she goes to work in a munitions factory - and falls in love. And Jessica Fleming, down on her luck, is forced to return to the street she''d hoped never to see again.Trade ReviewMaureen Lee is one of those hugely talented authors who writes great women for women readers. Her books don't just have one heroine, they have several * DAILY RECORD *With her talent for storytelling, queen of saga-writing Maureen Lee weaves intrigue, love and warmth into every page * MY WEEKLY *

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Book SynopsisLiverpool, 1925: Can a chance meeting lead to a fresh start?Lillian Taylor dreams of a world beyond the locked gates of the convent orphanage. For ten years she has survived the hard faith of the Mother Superior, but the arrival of a glamorous visitor changes everything.Claiming to be her aunt, Anna Ainsley offers the little orphan girl a home and opportunities she never could have dreamed of. But can Lillian seize her chance of happiness without facing the secrets of her past?A heartwarming Liverpool saga, perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Katie Flynn and Maeve Binchy.Praise for Geraldine O''Neill:''Absolutely brilliant. I couldn''t put it down. A real triumph'' Lyn AndrewsTrade ReviewO'Neill's warmth and Binchyesque ability to make the reader care about her characters does indeed put her in the storytelling league of Queen Maeve - IRISH INDEPENDENTAbsolutely brilliant. I couldn't put it down. A real triumph - LYN ANDREWS

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Book SynopsisA sweeping Liverpool saga following the fortunes of one woman from the 1940s to the 1990s, by the ever-popular, award-winning author.Annie Harrison has a difficult childhood, and she eventually goes to live in the Grand Hotel with a rich schoolfriend. Marriage follows and when her husband dies, she throws herself into providing for her children. Starting with a market stall, she discovers a talent for designing clothes that develops into a successful business.But there comes a time amid the success when Annie feel she can no longer go on. Then a chance meeting leads to events she has no control over, and at last she finds the happiness that has previously eluded her.

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Book SynopsisA heart-warming standalone novel from bestseller Rebecca Shaw about the importance of family and being there for one another.Trade ReviewRebecca Shaw mixes all the ingredients for a winning novel of village life - The Times

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Book SynopsisA heartfelt wartime saga, following the highs and lows of the staff at Edwardes Hotel.

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Book SynopsisA seasonal saga perfect for fans of Fiona Ford and Elaine Everest. Spend your Christmas at the Edwardes Hotel and prepare to discover love, hope and the chance to change your stars...

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of MAGGIE and AUTUMN ALLEY comes another unforgettable heroine.Trade ReviewLena Kennedy is the genuine article * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisHistorical romance from the bestselling author of LIZZIE.Trade ReviewLena Kennedy is the genuine article * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisTime alone would heal the sorrows of Hollinbury, bright dreams banish the old unhappy ghosts . . .The Malted Shovel, exuberant heart and soul of Hollinbury Hamlet, buzzed with talk while the ale flowed. Talk of Dumb Lukey''s crazed acts and the romance between Lucinda and Joe Lee, the Thames bargee. Talk of the Crimea and the terror of Napoleon.At the tavern, hard-headed Beatrice and her sister Dot care for their invalid father and for Lucinda, their pretty orphaned niece. The inn is their livelihood but village business is ever Beat''s business too. And now some dark cloud has descended on them all . . .Trade ReviewLena Kennedy is the genuine article * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisThree haunting tales from the bestselling author of MAGGIE and NELLY KELLY.Trade Review'Lena Kennedy is a natural storyteller ... Dickensian energy, a huge range of vivid characters, and a clear delight in telling us about them' -- Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisA wealth of lively characters and true-to-life situations in this collection confirm Lena Kennedy's reputation as one of our most vivid and compelling storytellers.Trade Review'Lena Kennedy is a natural storyteller ... Dickensian energy, a huge range of vivid characters, and a clear delight in telling us about them' -- Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisA cruel twist of fate leads to Joe Walowski being sentenced for a crime he didn't commit. Compelling in its depiction of East End spirit, humour and intrigue, QUEENIE'S CASTLE is vintage Lena Kennedy.Trade Review'Lena Kennedy is a natural storyteller ... Dickensian energy, a huge range of vivid characters, and a clear delight in telling us about them' -- Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisAnnie Murray was born in Berkshire and read English at St John's College, Oxford. Her first 'Birmingham' novel, Birmingham Rose, hit The Times bestseller list when it was published in 1995. She has subsequently written many other successful novels, including, A Hopscotch Summer, Soldier Girl, All the Days of Our Lives and the bestselling Chocolate Girls. Annie Murray has four children and lives in Reading.

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Book SynopsisSome Luck is the first novel in the dazzling Last Hundred Years trilogy from the winner of the Pulitzer Prize Jane Smiley; a literary adventure that will spans a century in America.1920. After his return from the battlefields in France, Walter Langdon and his wife Rosanna begin their life together on a remote farm in Iowa. As time passes, their little family will grow: from Frank, the handsome, wilful first-born, to Joe, whose love of animals and the land sustains him; from Lillian, beloved by her mother, to Henry who craves only the world of his books; and Claire, the surprise baby, who earns a special place in her father's heart.As Walter and Rosanna struggle to keep their family through good years and hard years - to years more desperate than they ever could have imagined, the world around their little farm will turn, and life for their children will be unrecognizable from what came before. Some will fall in love, some will have families of their own, sTrade ReviewSo here it is at last, the Great American Novel and, in retrospect, it seems obvious that the great Jane Smiley would be the one who wrote it. Some Luck is a Steinbeckian Little House on the Prairie: a rural tragedy, a domestic epic and an unassuming masterpiece. And, unlike most masterpieces, it's absorbing, witty, painful, pleasurable. You must read it. * Charlotte Mendelson, Booker/Orange Prize nominated author of Almost English and When We Were Bad *A masterpiece in the making . . . intimate, miraculous-the auspicious beginning of an American saga every bit as ambitious as Updike's magnum opus, anchored in the satisfactions and challenges of life on a farm, but expanding to various American cities and beyond . . . Frank is one of the most fascinating and complex characters in recent fiction. The way Smiley gets deep inside all the children's heads is a staggering literary feat in which we see human character being assembled in something that feels like real time. An abundant harvest. * USA Today *Some Luck is set in the rural farming community of the Midwestern America state of Iowa, the world previously evoked by Jane Smiley so successfully in her 1991 Pulitzer Prize-winning hit A Thousand Acres . . . Fans of big-cast family sagas with love and death and the world at large impinging only lightly - but tellingly - on events will love Some Luck. It is an easy and engrossing read with the cornfields, the snowstorms and the technological developments of the 20th century vividly evoked. * Independent *Try to pin Jane Smiley down at your peril: she is as likely to write a campus novel (Moo) as a 14th-century historical saga (The Greenlanders) or a foray into the world of breeders and racetracks (Horse Heaven) . . . Some Luck is not simply an observation of family life and the pressures it is naturally susceptible to; it is also a dissection of the idea of family, and of the truths its facade will shield from view. * Guardian *Smiley's gifts as a storyteller are in full force from the first page, drawing us into the lives of the characters. The children especially, with their emerging personalities, are marvellously evoked. * Financial Times *Smiley is a master storyteller, with a penchant for turning archetypal allegories into seemingly straightforward, contemporary narratives . . . Jane Smiley is that rare three-fer: meticulous historian, intelligent humorist and seasoned literary novelist. But what makes a Smiley novel identifiably and deliciously hers alone is a unique brand of impassioned critical patriotism . . . Some Luck is the first in a trilogy to be called "The Last Hundred Years." Like Smiley herself, the project is ambitious and coyly clever. * LA TIMES *Audaciously delicious . . . Every character here steals our heart. Smiley has turned her considerable talents to the story of an Iowa farm and the people who inhabit it. The suspense is found in the impeccably drawn scenes and in the myriad ways in which Smiley narrows and opens her camera's lens. Her language has the intimacy of a first-person telling; her stance is in-the-moment. Always at the narrative hearth stand Walter and Rosanna and that Iowa farm, a character in its own right, a landscape remembered by those who flee to Chicago, Italy, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and New York . . . We read these lives, and we find our own. * CHICAGO TRIBUNE *Some Luck opens with a Langdon family tree. Even before we get to know Rosanna, Walter, and their children, the sprawling branches reveal the scope of this novel, which begins in 1920. Smiley, who devotes a chapter per year to the Langdons' Iowa farm life, depicts both disasters and heartbreaks in an unruffled tone. The good news? This is the first of a trilogy. The bad news? We have to wait for the next volume. * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY *Engaging, bold . . . Smiley delivers a straightforward, old-fashioned tale of rural family life in changing times, depicting isolated farm life with precision . . . It is especially satisfying to hear a powerful writer narrate men's and women's lives lovingly and with equal attention. Subtle, wry and moving. * WASHINGTON POST *Moving and alert and alive . . . A book about the ordinary nothings that, in the end, are everything . . . To capture this experience - finitude, love, sorrow, the rise and fall of generations - is insanely difficult. To foster the illusion of realism in a novelistic fantasy, to convey the passage of time. * Spectator *Some Luck is as rich, beautiful and brilliant as Smiley's Pulitzer-Prize-winning A Thousand Acres. Place bets now for this year's Booker. -- Kate Saunders, Costa-winning author and critic * Saga magazine *

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Book SynopsisHardworking widow Dilly Carey has struggled out of poverty to make a successful life for herself. Surrounded by her children and grandchildren, Dilly should be content, but she is still troubled by the one secret she must never share. Olivia, the daughter Dilly gave away at birth, cannot find out the real truth about her parentage.It''s time for Dilly to make her peace with the choice that she was forced to make. As Dilly finds the strength and courage to visit her son''s grave on the battlefields of the Great War, will she also find a way to a new happiness - and a new love?Trade ReviewGoodwin is a master of her craft: she excels in writing about the complexity of relationships, the hardships of life, the ties of family and the joys of love and friendship - Lancashire EveningRosie Goodwin excels at tugging-the-heartstrings - Lincolnshire EchoRosie is a talented storyteller - Dee Williams

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Book SynopsisSet in Liverpool during the Depression and the Blitz of the Second World War, Anne Baker''s dramatic saga brings a close-knit community vividly to life.It is the day of the Grand National, 1933, when Susie Ingram''s fiance, Danny, is killed in a tragic accident. In a cruel twist of Fate, Susie discovers she is carrying Danny''s child and, shunned by his parents, she turns to her mother for support. Louise Ingram, widowed during the First World War, knows how hard it is to bring up a family alone, but with the help of her eldest daughter, Martha, who lives next door, they manage to survive. When little Rosie is born there is no doubt that she is Danny''s daughter, but it is destined to take many more years of heartache before the two families are united again...Trade ReviewBaker's understanding and compassion for very human dilemmas makes her one of romantic fiction's most popular authors * Lancashire Evening Post *A stirring tale of romance and passion, poverty and ambition * Liverpool Echo *Truly compelling...rich in language and descriptive prose * Newcastle Upon Tyne Evening Chronicle *A heartwarming saga * Woman’s Weekly *With characters who are strong, warm and sincere, this is a joy to read * Coventry Evening Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisPam Evans'' family saga brings post-war London vividly to life as, amid rationing and food shortages, a young girl finds a passion for growing her own vegetables.It is 1945 and April Green and her cousin Heather wonder if the war will ever end. Then tragedy strikes when the local pub in Chiswick takes a direct hit. April and her brother do all they can to help their grieving mother and, by tending her father''s allotment, April discovers a passion for growing vegetables.Meanwhile, Winnie Benson is facing the fact that her husband may never walk again and, until their son, George, returns from the Merchant Navy, Winnie must run their greengrocer''s on her own. Once the war is over and George is home, things start to improve but rationing remains in force and April''s supply of home-grown vegetables couldn''t be more welcome. And, before long, George can''t help wishing he was the apple of her eye...Trade Review'An unforgettable tale of life during the war' - Our Time'A touching novel' - Daily Express'Nostalgia, heartbreak, danger and war: all the ingredients of an engrossing novel' - Bolton News'There's a special kind of warmth that shines through the characters' - Lancashire Evening Post'This book touched me very, very much. It's lovely' - North Wales Chronicle

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Book SynopsisThe irresistible, heartwarming new saga from Pam Evans, the bestselling author of IN THE DARK STREETS SHINING.It is 1938 and the threat of war looms on the streets of London. But, when the lights go down in the cinema aisles, usherette Daisy Blake is transported to a world of glamour and romance. Among the staff there is much merriment and Daisy soon falls in love with the handsome organist, Al Dawson. Then war is declared and, just after Al leaves for the frontline, Daisy discovers she''s pregnant. Her mother is distraught; she doesn''t think Al is right for her daughter and when Daisy''s letters to him go unanswered, her mother encourages her to marry John, the cinema''s projectionist, to spare her further heartache.As the blitz rages over London and disaster strikes, Daisy''s morale is boosted by her work and her young son, Sam, brings her comfort and joy in the troubled times ahead...Trade ReviewA touching novel - Daily ExpressVery readable - BellaA special kind of warmth with all the right ingredients - Lancashire Evening PostHistory and Romance. A touching saga - My Weekly

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Book SynopsisWorld War II has begun. As war rages, and the evacuation of Dunkirk approaches, the women of south London have their own battles to fight. Helen Carey''s LONDON ROAD is a compelling novel perfect for fans of Lilian Harry, Kate Thompson and Annie Murray. September 1939As the nation braces itself for war, the residents of Lavender Road are dealing with troubles of their own.With her husband in jail, Joyce Carter is never sure where her family''s next meal will come from. And her troublesome daughter, Jen, isn''t helping matters by refusing to work until she achieves her dream of becoming an actress.Pam Nelson is struggling to deny the distance growing between her and her husband - which isn''t helped by her secret attraction to their handsome new lodger. And unfortunately Pam isn''t the only one to fall for his seductive charm...As the threat of a German invasion looms, the lives of the women on this south London street are about tTrade Review'Written with a lightness of touch, an emotional integrity and an historical accuracy which has brought her respect from critics and readers alike' -- Louis de Bernières'Sparkling storytelling!' * Evening Standard *'One of the best books I've read in a long time. I laughed and cried and didn't want it to end' -- A Goodreads Member

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Book SynopsisPam Evans'' heartwarming London saga, DANCE YOUR TROUBLES AWAY, is set during the Second World War and is sure to appeal to fans of Katie Flynn and Cathy Sharp.When Polly Pritchard learns that her husband has been killed in action, she brings up their young daughter Emmie alone. To make ends meet she gets a job at the Cherry Ballroom in West London and it is here that she meets James, a Canadian airman, and they fall in love. But then Polly''s husband turns up, very much alive...Life is even harder for Polly after the war; James has gone; her husband is involved in a criminal gang; and their daughter suffers from an illness that leaves her deaf. But Polly''s spirit remains strong and with courage and determination she find the happiness she and her daughter deserve.Trade ReviewPraise for Pam Evans' well-loved family sagas: 'A touching novel' * Daily Express *An unforgettable tale of life during the war * Our Time *Nostalgia, heartbreak, danger and war: all the ingredients of an engrossing novel * Bolton News *There's a special kind of warmth that shines through the characters * Lancashire Evening Post *This book touched me very, very much. It's lovely * North Wales Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisFrom the ashes of war rose a song of hope...A warm-hearted, nostalgic and uplifting saga, The Songbirds of Colliers Row by Jennifer Hart is perfect for fans of Call the Midwife, Donna Douglas, Kate Thompson''s Secrets of the Singer Girls and for anyone with a song in their heart...A village without a voice. That''s what the locals are saying about Llandegwen, deep in the Welsh valleys. The village choir, once a source of pride for the small mining community, has been forced to disband; the elderly choirmaster heartbroken by the empty seats belonging to those who''ll never return from the battlefields. The arrival of a young war widow from the East End with her little boy sets tongues wagging, not least when rumours abound that she''s looking to revive the choir. Can the community set aside their grief and lift their voices, and the village''s hopes, once more?

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Book SynopsisWhen all seems lost, will her mother''s legacy keep her safe?Praise for Anne Baker''s Merseyside sagas: ''A stirring tale of romance and passion, poverty and ambition'' Liverpool EchoAimee Kendrick is no stranger to heartache. Having lost her father during the Great War and her mother, a famous French impressionist painter, in a tragic accident, Aimee is brought up by her troubled grandparents on the banks of the river Mersey. She works hard at her art lessons and is encouraged to believe she has inherited her mother''s gift, but it is her childhood friend and fellow student Frankie Hopkins who shows greater talent. When Frankie joins the Kendrick''s textile mill to work on new fabric designs, Aimee begs her grandfather to teach her how to run the business. Working together, Aimee and Frankie become much more than friends but then they find themselves involved in family problems and it is impossible to know what the future holds.Trade ReviewPraise for Anne Baker's gripping Merseyside sagas: 'A stirring tale of romance and passion, poverty and ambition - Liverpool EchoA heartwarming saga - Woman s WeeklyBaker's understanding and compassion for very human dilemmas makes her one of romantic fiction's most popular authors - Lancashire Evening PostTruly compelling...rich in language and descriptive prose - Newcastle Upon Tyne Evening ChronicleWith characters who are strong, warm and sincere, this is a joy to read - Coventry Evening Telegraph

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Book SynopsisA sweeping historical tale of family, passion and love from bestselling novelist Claire Lorrimer.Trade ReviewLovers of romantic fiction will love this book * Bookseller *Recommended for women of all ages who like a book they can't put down * Woman Magazine *Yet another successful historical family saga - the perfect holiday read * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisA gripping romantic saga full of secrets and intrigue from the author of Time Will Tell and Jamaica Street.After being abandoned as a child in 19th-century London''s East End, a ragged and terrified Harriet was eventually found and taken into Mary Dean''s house in Bow. There it was decided she would be brought up as a sister to Mary and her younger brother Arthur. But seventeen years later, Harriet and Arthur have fallen in love, and Harriet is pregnant. Driven out of Bow by neighbours who spit at them, the pair are forced to seek refuge in Stepney where, for a time, they are happy. But it is not long before Harriet is forced to protect a dark secret once more. She has kept something she stole as a child: the diary of a criminal who committed terrible acts. Now the owner of the diary has returned to the East End in search of it, and will stop at nothing to get it back . . .Trade ReviewUnbridled passions run riot - Daily MailHere is a vivid evocation of a way of life - East Anglian Daily TimesSizzles with passion - GuardianShe brings the East End to life

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