Family saga / generational saga fiction

Book SynopsisDiscover the bestselling Mulberry Lane historical series by Rosie Clarke.London 1958 Life has moved on since the war and the youngsters of Mulberry Lane are growing up fast. Peggy’s Ronaski’s family is struggling with growing pains but she is always there, strong, reliable and ready to help whenever a crisis hits. Meanwhile, Maureen Hart has family problems of her own to contend with. Together they will work hard to conquer all of what life has to throw at them… Join Peggy and Maureen as their siblings embark on life’s new adventures and try to forge a partnerships for success. What does the future hold for the families and friends of Mulberry Lane?Praise for the Mulberry Lane series:'When it comes to writing sagas, Rosie Clarke is up there with some of the best in the business' Bookish Jottings.'Full of drama, romance and secrets ... A perfect example of its genre' That Thing She Reads.'This is wonderful historical fiction that is so character-driven you'll wish these women lived on your street' 'Absolutely loved this latest instalment and revisiting the ladies of the Lane. Another great story of love and heartache'

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Book Synopsis‘One of the best books I have read in a very, very long time.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewTo follow her dream, she’s gone from city to village – but can she ever fit in?October 1940. Bobby Bancroft is working as a typist for a city newspaper, but she longs to be breaking the news herself. She is thrilled to secure a junior reporter role at The Tyke, a magazine serving the Yorkshire Dales.However, when Bobby moves to Silverdale, she discovers rural life is a different world. The close-knit villagers and cantankerous local animals prove difficult to win over, while mischievous vet Charlie seems determined to lead her astray.As Bobby struggles to find her place amongst the dalesfolk, she wonders if she’s made a huge mistake. Will the city girl ever make a home of the beautiful but hostile countryside of the Dales?An uplifting, lively World War Two rural saga that fans of Annie Murray, Rosie Hendry, Gervase Phinn and James Herriot will love.Readers are loving the first book in this captivating rural saga series:‘A gorgeous setting, appealing characters and brimming with warmth and humour. It’s a long time since a book has so thoroughly captured my heart. Don’t miss it!’ Kate FieldWhat a brilliant book…Family saga at its best.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘LOVED IT!!!...My heart ached when reading this… A lovely story, full of heart and home. I didn't want it to end…’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Read in 24 hours! Exceptional!...The storyline was strong and the characters were all likeable and relatable... There were lots of twists and turns that kept me wanting to read more.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I absolutely loved this book! The life and times of a wartime Yorkshire village and its people shine through, authentic, realistic and charming, and Bobby is a highly likeable heroine with ambition and heart… I am so pleased to see that there are going to be more books to come in this series. Can't wait!’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'I am beyond impressed with this book. I hope this truly is the start of a long series’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisSince winning the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her first novel, The Hungry Tide, Val Wood has become one of the most popular authors in the UK.Born in the mining town of Castleford, Val came to East Yorkshire as a child and has lived in Hull and rural Holderness where many of her novels are set. She now lives in the market town of Beverley.When she is not writing, Val is busy promoting libraries and supporting many charities. In 2017 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Hull for service and dedication to literature.Find out more about Val Wood's novels by visiting her website: www.valwood.co.uk

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Book SynopsisThe new heartbreaking wartime saga from Sunday Times bestseller Rosie Goodwin. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Katie Flynn.'A vibrant page-turner with entrancing characters' Margaret Dickinson'Rosie writes such heartwarming sagas' Lyn AndrewsNuneaton, 1935.Kathy has grown up at Treetops home for children, where Sunday and Tom Branning have always cared for her as one of their own. She enjoys her life at Treetops Manor, surrounded by her beloved horses, and with a future as a nurse ahead of her, she could wish for nothing more.Her foster sister Livvy is not as driven as Kathy. Sunday is keen to see both her girls married, but Livvy has no intentions of settling down and would much rather spend time with her friends. When Kathy falls for the wrong man, her ambitions are soon forgotten as she embarks on a secret affair.The Branning family is overwhelmed with grief when Tom dies suddenly in a riding accident. The running of the estate falls into chaos and life at Treetops will never be the same again. As their financial difficulties begin to mount, they are forced to leave their home.The women of Treetops think that things can't get any worse. But then it is announced that the country is at war once more . . .Trade ReviewTime to Say Goodbye is the perfect ending to what has been an enchanting reading experience, with each story featuring a cast of superbly drawn characters (some of whom have reappeared in this final curtain call), emotional, action-packed dramas, and fascinating facts about the realities of life for women over the last 150 years.The joys of friendship, and the strength that comes from close family relationships, have always taken centre stage, all acutely observed with Goodwin's warmth, wisdom and insight. * Lancashire Evening Post *A captivating read * My Weekly *

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Book SynopsisWill she ever find a place to call home? The dramatic novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author. Previously published as Forgotten Child in 2010 ALONE…Jennifer Lavender was a lonely child. She always felt like second best and desperately craved her parents’ love. When Jenny learns she was adopted everything falls into place. But her dream of finding her real family can never be fulfilled – her mother died alone giving birth. ABANDONED… Now a grown woman and married to Marcos, she feels loved. But when the police show up, Jenny realises that her marriage is not what it seemed. Destitute, she is forced to start again. ASTOUNDED… But soon Jenny meets a young woman who will change her life forever. Together they search for the truth, but what they discover may be more than they can bear… A gripping and heartrending saga from the Sunday Times bestseller. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Dilly Court. Praise for The Forgotten Child: ‘Another fantastic story with twists and turns. I cried and laughed so many times, I could read it all over again’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Enjoyed every moment of this book, it’s a page-turner all the way through!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Loved it, COULD NOT put it down!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘My favourite Kitty Neale book so far’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I sometimes know how a book will end before I am even half way through it, but this had me guessing!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘As you read it you feel like you are a living part of the story’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trade ReviewPraise for Kitty Neale: ‘This tale of survival is full of drama and heartache – a real page-turner that you won’t want to put down.’ Closer ‘A heart-breaking yet essentially uplifting and inspiring story, full of warmth, hope and the indomitable human ability to overcome adversity.’ Lancashire Evening Post ‘An emotive story of loss and hope’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph ‘This pageturner is a gritty tale of survival.’ Tesco magazine ‘A gritty tale.’ Bella Magazine 'Heartbreakingly poignant and joltingly realistic. From the first page the characters and their lives drew me in. It combines wonderfully accurate historical detail with true gritty realism in a book that fans of misery lit won't want to miss.' Annie Groves, author of Daughters of Liverpool

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Book SynopsisSunday Times bestselling author Freda Lightfoot is back with a heartwarming story of life after the war. The war may be over but their troubles are only just beginning The war is over and Evie Talbert eagerly awaits the return of her three children from their evacuated homes. But her carefree daughters and son are barely recognisable – their education has been disrupted, the siblings split up, and the effect on them has been life-changing. Her son has developed serious behavioural problems and with her daughters, there’s jealousy and a nervous disorder that cannot be explained… Evie’s husband also has problems. Having returned from being in action, he suffers nightmares and fits of rage. He’s no longer the gentle, quiet man Evie married. Peace may finally be here, but Evie’s family is in shreds. Now she must rebuild a loving home to achieve the happiness she’s always dreamed of…Trade Review‘A story full of love, tenderness, shocking deceit and the power of the family to overcome adversity.’ – Lancashire Life

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Book SynopsisTHE RADETSKY MARCH is subtle and touching study of family life at the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Writing in the traditional form of the family saga, Roth nevertheless manages to bring to his story a completely individual manner which gives at the same time the detailed and intimate portrait of a life and the wider panorama of a failing dynasty. Not yet well known in English-speaking countries, Joseph Roth is one of the most distinguished Austrian writers of our century, worthy to be bracketed with Musil and Kraus.

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Book SynopsisBecoming the planet's most (in)famous human has not changed Brooklyn Lamontagne one bit, but the time has come for him to choose where his allegiances really lie. The United Nations is working to get everyone off Earth by the deadline - set by the planet's true owners, the aliens known as the First. It's a task made somewhat easier by a mysterious virus that rendered at least fifty percent of humanity unable to have children. Meanwhile, the USA and the USSR have set their sights on Mars, claiming half a planet each. Brooklyn Lamontagne doesn't remember saving the world eight years ago, but he's been paying for it ever since. The conquered Earth governments don't trust him, the Average Joe can't make up their mind, but they all agree that Brooklyn should stay in space. Now, he's just about covering his bills with junk-food runs to Venus and transporting horny honeymooners to Tycho aboard his aging spaceship, the Victory. When a pal asks for a ride to Mars, Brooklyn lands in a solar system's worth of espionage, backroom alliances, ancient treasures and secret plots while encountering a navigation system that just wants to be loved...Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR MERCURY RISING "Greene remixes sci-fi conventions into a wild, satisfying adventure in a nearly picaresque vein…Readers willing to roll with the punches will delight in following Greene’s winding path."– Publishers Weekly "Mercury Rising is a rollicking, funny, picaresque adventure novel… Recommended for fans of old sf-adventure serials and Ernest Cline's Armada."– Booklist "The action in Mercury Rising is compelling from the first chapter. Greene’s skill at creating an alternate space-faring America in the mid-1970’s is studded with the perfect amount of pop culture references, and his many-layered Everyman, Brooklyn Lamontagne, feels like a long-lost best friend. All this combines to lock you in for a thrilling story that’s impossible to put down."– Ginger Smith, author of The Rush's Edge "Everything I've come to love about Greene: impeccable story logic, fantastic prose, sly humor, and hope in all its glory."– Zig Zag Claybourne, author of Afro Puffs are the Antennae of the Universe "Mercury Rising charmed and fascinated me. Greene has taken an absolutely wild premise and somehow made it fit like a puzzle piece into our own history and knowledge of the greater universe. It is unexpected and clever, heartfelt and funny, with big, conceptual penny-drop moments that hit the reader as hard as they hit the novel's weary protagonist, Brooklyn Lamontagne."– Chris Panatier, author of Stringers and The Phlebotomist "Surprising, engaging, and with plenty of smart nods to society’s bullshit, Mercury Rising is a slice of alternative history that reads like science-fiction Stephen King. A joy."– Dan Hanks, author of Swashbucklers "Greene's world is immersive, compelling, and fun. Brooklyn's saga takes us from a dank New York City jail cell to bone-dry Texas, the rim of a still-smoking crater, the Arctic circle, a Vegas-like city on the moon, and beyond. And, like Brooklyn, I could only hang on for dear life and enjoy the ride. As with all good alternate history, it entertains while shining a light on issues that bedevil this world, and makes you think about the missed opportunities in our own timeline.” – B.L. Blanchard, author of The Peacekeeper "With a deft weaving of rock ‘n roll, denim suits, AMC Pacers and nuclear-powered spaceships, Greene effortlessly recreates a 1970s America that could have been. This thoroughly plausible alternate history in which asteroid-slinging aliens threaten a spacefaring human race is narrated by Greene’s unlikely hero, Brooklyn Lamontagne. Seemingly a brash young ne-er-do well, Brooklyn is redeemed by his love for his mother and his loyalty to his friends and you can’t help but root for him as he navigates a rocky path from the cold streets of NYC to the moon and beyond. As the stakes intensify and the mystery around earth’s implacable enemy deepens, the story becomes a ride as fast as an Oppenheimer-powered rocket and you won’t want it to stop. Can’t wait to see what comes next!"– Sarah J. Daley, author of Obsidian

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER''Bravo; this is a big, complex and utterly involving portrait of 19th-century China'' THE TIMESThe internationally bestselling author portrays the great clash of East and West in his new epic: China China in the nineteenth century: a proud and ancient empire forbidden to foreigners. The West desires Chinese tea above all other things but lacks the silver to buy it. Instead, western adventurers resort to smuggling opium in exchange.The Qing Emperor will not allow his people to sink into addiction. Viceroy Lin is sent to the epicentre of the opium trade, Canton, to stop it. The Opium Wars begin - heralding a period of bloody military defeats, reparations, and one-sided treaties which will become known as the Century of Humiliation. From Hong Kong to Beijing to the Great Wall, from the exotic wonders of the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City, to squalid villaTrade Reviewtakes an entertaining, educational journey through China's rich and complex history, geography, art, and diverse cultures during a tumultuous epoch * Booklist *The unparallelled master of the historical saga returns, this time, with an eye on China. Beginning with the First Opium War in 1839 and continuing through the present day, Rutherfurd tells a sweeping tale that brings to life a nation's history, traditions and the people who lived through it as if by magic * Newsweek *A spectacularly glorious epic! . . . This barnstormer of a book can take its rightful place as a true historical epic * On-Magazine *Bravo; this is a big, complex and utterly involving portrait of 19th-century China * The Times *It's a bravura performance, fizzing with incident, excitement and energy * Daily Mail *Rich in detail, it'll give all readers pause for thought * Belfast Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWinston Graham is the author of more than forty novels, which include Cordelia, Marnie, The Walking Stick and Stephanie as well as the highly successful Poldark series. His novels have been translated into seventeen languages. Many of Winston Graham's books have been filmed for the big screen, the most notable being Marnie directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The BBC television series of the Poldark novels was broadcast in twenty-two countries and starred Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson. Winston Graham was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and in 1983 was awarded the OBE. He died in July 2003

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Book SynopsisInspired by the incredible true story of how the people of Denmark saved their Jewish neighbours during WW2Helsingør, Denmark, 1943In the midst of the German occupation during World War Two, Inger Bredahl joins the underground resistance and risks her life to save members of Denmark's Jewish community and help them escape to Sweden.Copenhagen, 2018Inger's granddaughter, Cecilie Lund, is mourning her death when a mysterious discovery while cleaning out Inger's flat leads past and present to intersect. As long-held secrets finally see the light of day, Cecilie learns the story of her grandmother's courage and bravery, and of the power of friendship, love, and standing for what's righteven when you have everything to lose.An inspiring tale of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community.Readers love Ella Gyland:????? The characters are so well written they come alivehistorical fiction at its best' Abby????? A superb storyteller and I was hooked from the very start' Naomi?

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Book SynopsisBOOK 18 IN THE EPIC HISTORICAL SAGA OF THE COURTNEY FAMILY, FROM INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH'Best historical novelist' - Stephen King'A master storyteller' - Sunday Times'Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' -The Times'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily MirrorA FAMILY IN TURMOIL. A COUNTRY IN RUINS.The war is over, Hitler is dead - and yet his evil legacy lives on. Former Special Operations Executive, Saffron Courtney, and her beloved husband, Gerhard, only just survived the brutal conflict, but Gerhard's Nazi brother, Konrad, is still free and determined to regain power. As a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse develops, a plot against the couple begins to stir. One that will have ramifications throughout Europe. . .Further afield in Kenya, the last outcrop of the colonial empire is feeling the stirrings of rebellion. As the situation becomes violent, and the Courtney family home is under threat, Saffron's father, Leon Courtney, finds himself caught between two powerful sides - and a battle for the freedom of a country.A Courtney Series adventure - Book 4 in Assegai sequence.Legacy of War is a nail-biting story of courage, bravery, rebellion and war from Wilbur Smith, one of the best and most beloved authors of the century. The thrilling conclusion to the Assegai sequence.Book 19 in the Courtney family series, Storm Tide, is available now.'Legacy of War' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/e 18-04-2021.

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Book SynopsisTender and heartwarming, Wedding Bells for Woolworths is the fifth instalment in Elaine Everest's much-loved WW2 saga. July 1947. Britain is still gripped by rationing, even as the excitement of Princess Elizabeth’s engagement sweeps the nation. In the Woolworths’ canteen, Freda is still dreaming of meeting her own Prince Charming. So far she’s been unlucky in love.When she has an accident on her motorbike, knocking a cyclist off his bicycle, it seems bad luck is still following her around. Anthony is not only a fellow Woolworths employee but was an Olympic hopeful. Will his injured leg heal in time for him to compete? Can he ever forgive Freda?Meanwhile, Sarah's idyllic family life is under threat with worries about her husband, Alan. Does he still love her?The friends must rally round to face some of the toughest challenges of their lives together. And although they experience loss, hardship and shocks along the way, love is on the horizon for the Woolworths girls . . .Wedding Bells for Woolworths is the fifth instalment in the Woolworths series. The series continues with the prequel story A Mother Forever, available now.Trade ReviewA lovely read -- Bella on The Woolworths GirlsHeart-warming . . . a must-read -- Woman's Own on The Woolworths GirlsA warm, tender tale of friendship and love . . . sweet as a Woolies pick’n’mix -- Milly Johnson, author of The Teashop on the Corner, on The Woolworths Girls

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Book SynopsisWinston Graham was the author of more than forty novels, including The Walking Stick, Angell, Pearl and Little God, Stephanie and Tremor. His novels have been widely translated and his famous Poldark series has been developed into two television series shown in twenty-four countries. Many of Winston Graham's books have been filmed for the big screen, the most notable being Marnie, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Winston Graham was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and in 1983 was awarded the OBE. He died in July 2003.

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Book Synopsis''[Gervase Phinn is] a worthy successor to James Herriot, and every bit as endearing.'' - bestselling author Alan Titchmarsh''A shining light in our dark days'' - 5 STAR reader reviewAfter an eventful start to his first ever teaching post in the sleepy village of Risingdale, Tom Dwyer is hoping for a bit of calm. Nursing a broken heart after a romantic disappointment, he just wants to keep his head down and get on with his job. But it is not to be. A beautiful London artist sets tongues wagging when she moves into the village, and her precocious yet frail son is in Tom''s class. On top of that, his colleague''s malicious ex-husband is back, determined to create mischief, and a tragedy on one of the winding country roads sends the village reeling. And all this alongside a class of children who still seem to know more about farming than fractions. With its colourful mix of characters both old and new and its many laugh-out-loud momentTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR GERVASE PHINN:Good old-fashioned yarn-spinning * The Bookbag *Packed with delightful and authentic characters, juicy gossip, precarious romance and good old-fashioned village drama, this is a warm-hearted and hilarious account of a struggling school in a small community. * Good Book Guide *As Yorkshire's favourite school inspector turns to fiction, you can enjoy memorable characters and turns of phrase. * Choice *Written with all the humour and warmth one has come to expect from this master storyteller. * Countryman *A worthy successor to James Herriot, and every bit as endearing. * Alan Titchmarsh *

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Book SynopsisDemelza is the second book in Winston Graham's hugely popular Poldark series, which has become a television phenomenon starring Aidan Turner.Demelza Carne, the impoverished miner's daughter Ross Poldark rescued from a fairground rabble, is now his wife. But in the events of these turbulent years test their marriage and their love. Demelza's efforts to adapt to the ways of the gentry - and her husbane - bring her confusion and heartache, despite the joy in the birth of their first child. Ross begins a bitter struggle for the rights of the mining communities - and sows the seed of an enduring enmity with powerful George Warleggan.Demelza is followed by Jeremy Poldark, the third title in this evocative series set in 18th century Cornwall. 'From the incomparable Winston Graham...who has everything that anyone else has, then a whole lot more' GuardianTrade ReviewRoss is one of literature's great heroes . . . [with] elements of Darcy, Heathcliff, Rhett Butler and Robin Hood -- Debbie HorsfieldFrom the incomparable Winston Graham . . . who has everything that anyone else has, then a whole lot more. * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis*** CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS AUTHOR OF THE YEAR 2022***Step into the lives of three women whose ambitions collide in the hilarious and heart-warming novel from the No. 1 bestselling author of Grown Ups''Wonderful, subtle, hilarious and highly sophisticated. You can''t stop reading'' EVENING STANDARD''It had me in tears . . . and barking with laughter'' DAILY TELEGRAPH___________''There are three sides to every story. Your side, their side, and the truth . . .''Jojo, a sharkish literary agent, has just made a very bad career move - she''s slept with her married boss Mark.Lily, Jojo''s bestselling author, has blown her advance on a house with new boyfriend Anton, only to come down with writer''s block.Gemma used to be Lily''s best friend until Lily ran off with Anton. Now she''s pouring her heart out, and a certain literary agent likes her style . . .Soon the fortunes of Jojo, Lily and Gemma are horribly entangled.But each is about to discover that there''s more than one side to every story . . .___________''Keyes''s genius lies in making the darkest, most difficult aspects of humanity mentionable and manageable . . . Keyes''s plot is cracking, but the story becomes even bolder and brighter because she lets her characters tell it'' Independent''Packed with sound writing, wit and common sense'' GuardianPraise for Marian Keyes:''Mercilessly funny'' The Times''Funny, tender and completely absorbing!'' Graham Norton''Keyes is in a class of her own'' Daily ExpressTrade ReviewKeyes's genius lies in making the darkest, most difficult aspects of humanity mentionable and manageable . . . Keyes's plot is cracking, but the story becomes even bolder and brighter because she lets her characters tell it * Independent *Another chart-topping blockbuster from goddess Marian Keyes . . . packed with sound writing, wit and common sense * Guardian *Fabulously brilliant * Heat *Wildly funny, romantic and nearly impossible to put down * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisBrilliant, a definite page turner. They combine real historical events with fascinating fictional characters.The twenty-three volumes of the Morland Dynasty series has been completely repackaged in the most elegant style, using contemporaneous artwork for each period. This wonderful series opens with the back drop of the Wars of the Roses with the marriage between Eleanor Morland and a scion of the influential house of Beaufort. It is a union which establishes the powerful Morland dynasty and in the succeeding volumes of this rich tapestry of English life, we follow their fortunes through war and peace, political upheaval and social revolution, times of pestilence and periods of plenty, and through the vicissitudes which afflict every family - love and passion, envy and betrayal, birth and death, great fortune and miserable penury...The Morland Dynasty is entertainment of the most addictive kind.

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Book Synopsis''THOROUGHLY ENTHRALLING'' BooklistA young witch must choose between love and loyalty, power and ambition, in this magical novel set in Gilded Age New York and London.In 1692, Bridget Bishop was hanged as a witch. Two hundred years later, her legacy lives on in the scions of two very different lines: one dedicated to using their powers to heal and help women in need; the other, determined to grasp power for themselves.This clash will play out in the fate of Annis, a young woman in Gilded Age New York who finds herself a pawn in the family struggle for supremacy. She''ll need to claim her own power to save herself - and resist succumbing to the darkness that threatens to overcome them all.''A must-read for those who like magic, love, and a little bit of feel-good feminism in their historical fiction'' Library Journal''An Austen-esque romance, a heart-racing mystery full of dangerous twists and an anxiety-inTrade ReviewA must-read for those who like magic, love, and a little bit of feel-good feminism in their historical fiction * Library Journal *An Austen-esque romance, a heart-racing mystery full of dangerous twists and an anxiety-inducing yet enthralling family feud, Louisa Morgan's The Age of Witches is anything but a traditional tale of good versus evil. * BookPage *Morgan's beautifully conjured tale of three women, social mores, and the sanctity of self-determination is thoroughly enthralling * Booklist *[A] robust tale of matriarchal magic in a lushly depicted Gilded Age New York . . . Readers will root for these powerful women as they struggle to overcome the social limitations of their time, whether through magic or force of personality * Publishers Weekly *This is a book about witches, told from their perspective. As such, it's a lyrically and lovely written triumph about independent, unusual women * Book Riot *The story is enchanting, and Morgan shapes her characters into fully realized people with compelling hopes, poignant histories, and sometimes desperate ambitions... Morgan's incantatory prose and independent-minded women will delight fans of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen with this tale of female self-realization and magical realism. A highly enjoyable read * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisFollowing the fortunes of some of the much-loved characters from her bestseller The Journey', Josephine Cox's powerful novel spans continents, decades and generations of one family.Like a ghost from the past, she walked along the platform towards themIt has been over twenty years since Vicky Maitland set foot on English soil. Twenty years since she left Liverpool with her three children, bound for a new life in America, leaving her beloved husband Barney behind.But this long journey home is the hardest of all. She is here in search of the truth, afraid of what she may find. Why did Barney turn against his family so suddenly, so cruelly? Only her old friend Lucy Baker knows what happened. And Lucy promised Barney she would never tell his secret. Is it time she broke her silence and explained the events of so long ago?Trade Review‘This latest novel from the nation's biggest-selling saga writer is…one for true romantics.’ You 'Cox's talent as a storyteller never lets you escape the spell.' Daily Mail 'Impossible to resist.' Woman's Realm

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Book Synopsis1916: Bella is working as a Voluntary Aid driving ambulances in England when she gets engaged to Philip, on leave from fighting in France. His family strongly disapprove of her but the two of them are happy together.Georgie, Philip''s sister, is in trouble having broken her engagement and fled from her bullying family. Who can she turn to for help when she needs it most?When the worst happens, Bella must manage on her own, though there are shocks and dangers she did not foresee ahead. Thankfully, Philip''s best friend Tez, injured in France, steps in to offer assistance. Can he also help Bella build a new life?

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Book SynopsisWhen Ellen Jebeau's husband dies in 1926, he leaves behind a legacy of debt and empty dreams.However, Ellen is determined that her son Joseph should have everything in life that she never did, and will stop at nothing to give it to him.Ellen and Joseph soon find themselves in a convenient arrangement with Ellen's brother-in-law, Sir Arthur, living on the family estate, an arrangement which quickly comes to work in conniving Ellen's favour But over the course of the next twenty years, as destinies intertwine, can Joseph Jebeau escape the clutches of his mother's ruthless ambition, and emerge from the shadows of his heritage as the man he truly wants to be?Catherine Cookson was the original and bestselling saga writer, selling over 100 million copies of her novels. If you like Dilly Court, you''ll love Catherine Cookson.Trade ReviewQueen of raw family romances * Telegraph *Humour, toughness, resolution and generosity are Cookson virtues . . . In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory * Helen Dunmore, The Times *Catherine Cookson soars above her rivals * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisCounty Durham, 1830sWhen fifteen-year-old Cissie Brodie loses her parents to cholera, she is forced out of the family cottage and left to raise her nine brothers and sisters by herself. Although desperately poor, strong-willed Cissie determines to build a new home for them all, their own little shelter to keep them from the workhouse. They have friends, but charity cannot always spare them the harsh reality of their struggle and when Cissie attracts the unwanted attentions of a local landowner, her world seems close to collapse. Can love, when it arrives, teach her not to fear the world beyond the dwelling place?Catherine Cookson was the original and bestselling saga writer, selling over 100 million copies of her novels. If you like Dilly Court, Katie Flynn or Donna Douglas, you''ll love Catherine Cookson.Trade ReviewCatherine Cookson is an icon; without her influence, I and many other authors would not have followed in her footsteps. * Val Wood *Queen of raw family romances * Telegraph *Humour, toughness, resolution and generosity are Cookson virtues . . . In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory * Helen Dunmore, The Times *Catherine Cookson soars above her rivals * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisContinuing the saga begun in Annie Murray's Chocolate Girls, and set in 1960s Birmingham, The Bells of Bournville Green is a story of families whose lives are entwined, of belonging and loss . . . and of a young woman's search for transforming love.Pretty seventeen-year-old Greta has never known a stable family life. With no father, and loathing her mother Ruby's latest boyfriend, Greta finds life hard at home and is happiest at work with her friends at the Cadbury factory in Birmingham, where she is popular with the boys.Life takes a turn for the worse when her missing vixen of a sister Marleen turns up during the freezing winter of 1962. Greta decides that her only way out is marriage, but all too soon she discovers that life with her old classmate Trevor is not a ticket to freedom and happiness. She finds herself on the streets, pregnant and homeless . . .She is taken in by her mother's old friends, Edie and Anatoli Gruschov. In Anatoli, Greta finds the father she has never had. Kindly Edie loves to mother people and is desperately missing her son David and his family, who have settled in Israel. But the love and security of this haven is soon shattered by appalling tragedy, which affects all the chocolate girls and their children and changes life forever . . .The next novel in Annie Murray''s gritty family saga is Secrets of the Chocolate Girls

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Book SynopsisOne Perfect Family . . . can bring a whole village togetherLancashire, 1934. When Tam Crawford is unexpectedly bequeathed some money, he can finally realise his dream of settling down in the beautiful village of Ellindale.Tam knows he can be impulsive - his nickname isn''t Crazy Tam for nothing! - but this time he is determined not to be ruled by his big heart and hot head. Yet somehow, within just one day, he has taken on a fiancée and two children to keep them out of the poorhouse - or worse. Despite their unconventional start, as Tam and his new family get to know and love each other, they come to realise that his act of charity is the best thing that could have happened to all of them. But there are still problems and they struggle to find somewhere to live.Tam and his makeshift family are not the only ones facing difficulties. Local benefactor Finn Carlisle''s attempts to help the unemployed are being saboTrade ReviewPraise for the Ellindale series * :- *One of the most lovely and heartwarming books I have ever read! ***** * Between the Pages *A book of family, love, friendship and loyalty. ***** * Stardust Book Reviews *I was gripped from the very first word on the very first page and I wasn't released until the last word on the last page . . . When I finished I felt like I had been through an emotional wringer. ***** * Ginger Book Geek *Praise for Anna Jacobs * :- *[Anna Jacobs' books have an] impressive grasp of human emotions * The Sunday Times *Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around * Historical Novels Review *[Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff! * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisDiane Allen's The Yorkshire Farm Girl is a heartfelt novel of a family dreaming of a better life when WW2 looms on the horizon.September 1939.Friends Maggie Shaunessy and Lizzie Taylor are heartbroken to be evacuated from their Liverpool homes to rural Yorkshire.Lizzie is sent to live with a vicar in the village of Gargrave, while Maggie finds herself delivered by chauffeur to Hawith Hall and Lady and Lord Bradley.Both girls at the hall and the vicarage are far different to what they are used to – and both are very homesick. Though Maggie finds friendship too in the form of Alice, a young servant at the hall who takes Maggie under her wing.But change is coming to the Dales too, leaving the girls feeling harboring desperate plans of run away, back to Liverpool . . .

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Book SynopsisBelieving in Tomorrow is the epic family saga and moving historical fiction, from the top ten bestselling author of The Storm Child, Rita Bradshaw.Molly McKenzie is only eleven years old when her abusive father beats her to within an inch of her life. Escaping from the hovel she calls home, Molly is found by kind fisherfolk, sick and near death. With them she experiences the love of a family for the first time and, even though life is hard, she is content.Time passes and Molly’s looking ahead to a future with the boy she loves, but then a terrible tragedy rips her life apart. Once again she’s cast adrift in an uncaring world, but Molly is made of stern stuff and is determined to survive.In the male-dominated society of the early 1900s, Molly has to fight prejudice and hatred, and rejection comes from all sides. Can she hold fast and become the woman she is destined to be?

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Book SynopsisAll''s fair in love and war... but what happens when the war is over?After the heartbreak of World War Two, newlywed midwife Cathy hoped Liverpool life would offer some joy. But a terrible miscarriage and the escape of her abusive stepfather Jack from prison make happiness hard to find.Meanwhile, Cathy''s beloved granny is ailing. Whilst at the hospital, Cathy sees her midwifery friends, who are planning to open a home for unmarried mothers. After losing a baby of her own Cathy would love to help, but for now, she must take care of her grandmother.As her granny''s health worsens, she writes Cathy a letter. The day her grandmother dies, Cathy goes home and opens the envelope: Thank you for giving me a reason to live. Everything I have in the world is yours now, my darling. Cathy is devastated but determined to honour her granny''s memory, hoping the maternity home can be her legacy.Just as Cathy and her friends are about to open their d

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Book SynopsisElaine Everest, author of bestselling novels The Woolworths Girls, The Butlins Girls, Christmas at Woolworths and The Teashop Girls, was born and brought up in north-west Kent, where many of her books are set. She has been a freelance writer for twenty-five years and has written widely for women's magazines and national newspapers, both short stories and features. Her non-fiction books for dog owners have been very popular and led to her broadcasting on radio about our four-legged friends. Elaine has been heard discussing many topics on radio, from canine subjects to living with a husband under her feet when redundancy looms.Trade ReviewA warm, tender tale of friendship and love . . . sweet as a Woolies pick’n’mix -- Milly Johnson on The Woolworth GirlsA heart-warming story about finding strength in the hardest of times * Woman’s Own *

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Book SynopsisCan her courage lead her to a life of happiness?Annie Swinburn is harbouring a terrible secret. She has killed a man. The man was evil in every possible way, but she knows that her only fate if she stays in the slums of Hull is a hanging.And so she runs. As fast as she can, and as far as she can up the river, along hidden paths of the Humber and into a new and familiar territory where she can start a new life.There she meets Toby Linton a man born into a good life but now estranged from his family. He and his brother Matt earn a dangerous living as smugglers, but Annie soon realises they have more in common than she thought. And this new way of life might just offer her the chance of love, in spite of all the tragedy that has gone beforeIf you enjoy books by Katie Flynn and Dilly Court, you''ll love Val''s heartwarming stories of triumph over adversity.

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Book Synopsis''A book designed to be read in a dark January chill; it begs for a fireside and the sound of wind and rain howling outside'' THE LADYThis winter, escape to a warm and wonderful clifftop hotel with the world''s favourite storyteller. Now with brand new introduction by Cathy Bramley, bestselling author of Merrily Ever After.''Sometimes she would go and walk the cliffs at night and look out over the ocean...''Set high on the cliffs on the west coast of Ireland, Stone House was falling into disrepair until one woman, with a past she needed to forget, breathed new life into the place. Now a hotel with a big warm kitchen and log fires, it provides a welcome few can resist. And so gather the guests: some with secrets, some longing to leave their old lives behind, and some hoping the break at Stone House will help them find a way to face the future...''A book to treasure'' HELLO''Full Trade ReviewA book to treasure. It's classic Maeve Binchy territory, filled with characteristic warmth and captivating storytelling * HELLO *Set in a country house hotel on the West coast of Ireland it's full of her trademark warmth, humour and lovable characters * WOMAN *Binchy's compassion and warmth are undimmed ... Over her long career as a novelist she tackled many serious issues with the compassion, intelligence and wit that anyone who ever read her wonderful journalism would expect. ... All the characters in A Week in Winter are struggling - with traumatic memories, with isolation, with regret. Yet Binchy guides her creations through their troubles with a firm and kind hand, leaving them ready for a happier future. Maybe that's why so many readers loved her so much. That and the fact that she always knew how to tell a very good story * IRISH TIMES *This is a book designed to be read in a dark January chill; it begs for a fireside and the sound of wind and rain howling outside ... If you haven't come across her before, you've got a real treat in store * THE LADY *It is no exaggeration to say that Maeve and her books were loved. Deservedly so. A Week in Winter is shot through with her trademark charm ... here is an author who had a zest for life * BELFAST TELEGRAPH *Warm, witty and with a deep understanding of what makes us tick, it's little wonder that Maeve Binchy's bewitching stories have become world-beaters * OK MAGAZINE *An unsurpassed grasp of what makes a good story -- Anne EnrightBinchy makes you laugh, cry, and care. Her warmth and sympathy render the daily struggles of ordinary people heroic and turn storytelling into art * SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE *A book to treasure. It's classic Maeve Binchy territory, filled with characteristic warmth and captivating storytelling * HELLO *The final novel by late Irish author Maeve Binchy is out now. Set in a country house hotel on the West coast of Ireland it's full of her trademark warmth, humour and lovable characters. * WOMAN *Binchy's compassion and warmth are undimmed to the very end. Over her long career as a novelist she tackled many serious issues with with the compassion, intelligence and wit that anyone who ever read her wonderful journalism would expect. ... All the characters in A WEEK IN WINTER are struggling - with traumatic memories, with isolation, with regret. Yet Binchy guides her creations through their troubles with a firm and kind hand, leaving them ready for a happier future. Maybe that's why so many readers loved her so much. That and the fact that she always knew how to tell a very good story. * IRISH TIMES *It is no exaggeration to say that Maeve and her books were loved. Deservedly so. A WEEK IN WINTER is shot through with her trademark charm ... here is an author who had a zest for life * BELFAST TELEGRAPH *In the final novel from the Irish legend, we meet the motley holidaymakers of Stone House hotel, each nursing their secrets or sadness during a winter break. The plot is almost irrelevant though; what matters is the warmth and charm of Binchy's storytelling. * SUNDAY EXPRESS *This is a book designed to be read in a dark January chill; it begs for a fireside and the sound of wind and rain howling outside. ... Binchy died this year after a prolific career that began in 1982 and during which she wrote more than 20 books, all of them bestsellers. If you haven't come across her before, you've got a real treat in store. * THE LADY *Beguiling and heartwarming, this is a story of everyday Irish life made extraordinary by the author's trademark blend of compassionate humour and insight into human nature * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *One of the world's best story-tellers, Maeve Binchy, died in 2012, so I do hope you enjoy her final magically weaved story . . . This is a must-read. * WELSH COUNTRY *

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Book SynopsisIsmay Deagan has one wish in the world - to leave Ireland and join her brother, Bram, in Australia. But her father has other ideas and orders her to marry their vicious neighbour Rory Flynn - a man she loathes. One day, Rory brutally attacks her and Ismay realises she has no choice but to run away.Disguising herself as an impoverished young widow, she sets sail for Australia, hoping to be reunited with her brother. When she meets Adam Treagar on the ship, she finally starts to believe her dreams of future happiness may come true. But before they even reach their destination they are flung into adventures in Suez, Ceylon and Singapore . . .Can Ismay tell Adam the truth about who she really is? What secrets is Adam himself hiding? And will Ismay's past catch up with her and threaten her new life in Australia, before it has even begun?**************What readers are saying about THE TRADER'S SISTER'I was hooked on this story right from the first page to the very end' - 5 stars'The Trader series are some of the best books I have read in many a year' - 5 stars'Another enthralling book . . . Fantastic!' - 5 stars'Can't put these books down' - 5 stars'Excellent as always from Anna Jacobs' - 5 stars

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Book SynopsisI was completely captivated' Barbara ErskineThe spellbinding new historical novel from the Sunday Times bestseller Anne O'Brien.England, 1444. Three women challenge the course of historyKing Henry VI's grip on the crown hangs by a thread as the Wars of the Roses starts to tear England apart. And from the ashes of war, the House of Paston begins its rise to power.Led by three visionary women, the Pastons are a family from humble peasant beginnings who rely upon cunning, raw ambition, and good fortune in order to survive.Their ability to plot and scheme sees them overcome imprisonment, violence and betrayal, to eventually secure for their family a castle and a place at the heart of the Yorkist Court. But success breeds jealousy and brings them dangerous enemiesAn inspirational story of courage and resilience,The Royal Game,charts the rise of three remarkable women from obscurity to the very heart of Court politics and intrigue.A wonderfully immersive and intriguing read, meticulously researched. I was completely captivated' Barbara ErskineTrade Review‘A gorgeously insightful, inspiring and courageous read’ Frost Magazine ‘An engrossing story of one family’s attempts to gain land and power in fifteenth century England … an eye-opening insight into how wealth was gained and lost in late medieval England as well as a pleasure to read’ Mick Finlay ‘Fast paced, immersive historical fiction that breathes life into the figures that populated our Medieval past – I thoroughly enjoyed it!’ Anita Frank ‘A gripping historical novel that captures the turbulent rise of one of the most influential families of the Middle Ages in rich and exciting detail’ Nicola Cornick ‘A wonderfully immersive and intriguing read, meticulously researched. I was completely captivated’ Barbara Erskine Praise for Anne O’Brien: ‘A compelling story of divided loyalties and family betrayals. Dramatic and highly evocative’ Woman & Home ‘There are historical novels and then there are the works of Anne O’Brien – and this is another hit’ Sun ‘O'Brien manages to reinvent historical fiction’ My Weekly ‘Dramatic and highly evocative’ Woman’s Weekly ‘One of the best writers around … she outdoes even Philippa Gregory’ Sun ‘O’Brien is a terrific story teller’ Daily Telegraph ‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale’ The Times ‘This thrilling historical novel has it all – high politics, drama, emotion, excellent writing … It's a rollercoaster of a read’ Carol McGrath ‘A deftly woven journey. Impeccable research shines through’ Matt Lewis ‘A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue’ Woman & Home ‘The characters are larger than life … and the author a compulsive storyteller’ Sunday Express ‘This book has everything – royalty, scandal, fascinating historical politics’ Cosmopolitan

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Book SynopsisHeartache and hardship in London's East End, from the bestselling author of The Orphans of Halfpenny StreetAmy Robinson and her fiance Matthew are struggling to resist the temptations faced by a soon-to-be-wed couple. To avoid these, Matthew throws himself into a new job and she goes to work in an exclusive new dress shop, where she meets Mary Maitland. As her relationship with Matthew deteriorates, Amy becomes increasingly attracted to Mary''s cousin, Paul, and a bitter rivalry ensuesTrade Review.

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of A Woman of Substance, a page-turning epic Victorian historical family saga.London 1889: Victorian London is a place of wealth, privilege and poverty, a city of extremes. For James Falconer, who grew up as a barrow boy on a London market, it is a city of opportunity.Working his way up Henry Malvern's trading company in Piccadilly, James faces fraud and betrayal. A fierce rivalry develops with Henry's daughter and heir Alexis but their animosity masks a powerful attraction.Embarking on a love affair with the daughter of Russian émigrés, James's life begins to transform. But as treachery and danger threaten, a secret comes to light that will change his life forever. James must decide where his future lies with Henry Malvern or following his own dreamGripping, dramatic and bringing the England of Queen Victoria and the British Empire vividly to life, In the Lion's Den is a sweeping historical epic from one of our finest storytellers, creator of A Woman of Substance.Trade Review Acclaim for Barbara Taylor Bradford: ‘A stately home, a dangerous secret and two families whose fates have been intertwined for generations…a gripping period piece set on the brink of the Great War. Exquisite escapism of the highest order.’ The Lady ‘A classic saga of loyalty, secrets, passion and intrigue…if you’ve been suffering withdrawal symptoms from Downton, this is for you’ Daily Mail ‘A splendid historical family saga’ My Weekly ‘As romantic and thrilling as the rest’ Independent on Sunday ‘Few novelists are as consummate as Barbara Taylor Bradford at keeping the reader turning the page. She is one of the world’s best at spinning yarns’ Guardian ‘There is no one writing sagas like Bradford, and no one but the grand mistress delivers this kind of unforgettable, sweeping, dramatic read’ Romantic Times

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Book SynopsisBeautiful and brutal a breathtaking debut' JOANNA CANNONDark, lyrical impressive' DAILY MAILAn atmospheric slow burn with a sense of forboding that grows with each page' GOOD HOUSEKEEPINGAtmospheric and compelling' KATE SAWYERA beautifully written atmospheric story of trauma, grief and redemption, Still Water is a debut from a bright new voice in literary fiction.When Jane Douglas returns to the Shetland Islands, she thinks she has escaped the dark shadows of her childhood. She carves out a simple life on the bleak, windswept island, working at the salmon fishery and spending quiet evenings at home. And for the first time in her life, she's happy.Then the body of Jane's long-missing mother is found in a flooded quarry. Her mother disappeared when Jane was a teenager, following the death of Jane's baby brother. Jane has spent her life running from her past, living in fear that she has inherited her mother's demons. Now, Jane must face what actually happened on that fateful, tragic day twenty years agoA haunting story told with compassion and even tenderness' KATIE MUNNIKIntense, unflinching, honest beautifully told' LUCIE MCKNIGHT HARDYTrade Review‘Beautiful and brutal… a breathtaking debut’ JOANNA CANNON ‘Dark, lyrical… impressive’ DAILY MAIL ‘An atmospheric slow burn… with a sense of forboding that grows with each page’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING ‘Atmospheric and compelling’ KATE SAWYER ‘A haunting story… told with compassion and even tenderness’ KATIE MUNNIK ‘Intense, unflinching, honest… beautifully told’ LUCIE MCKNIGHT HARDY

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Book SynopsisFar from home, she never gave up hopeA heart-warming tale from the Queen of West Country Saga, Linda Finlay.The Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author Dilly Court says Linda Finlay is SURE TO DELIGHT'!AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW.London, 1910.A cruel twist of fate means Daisy must give up the job she loves painting for a theatre company and move to Devon.Only the silver bangle she wears on her wrist brings comfort, reminding her of a young man who once promised her his heart.In Devon, life is very different. Lodging with her uncle at his busy tavern, Daisy must scrub and serve for her keep.And when her uncle catches her sketching, he is furious and forbids her to draw.But a chance meeting with two travelling artists offers Daisy a different path, and steeling her courage, Daisy runs away with them to Lamorna, Cornwall, home to a famous group of bohemian artistsThis heart-warming tale of love and triumph from Linda Finlay, the Queen of West Country saga, will enchant readers.Praise for LindTrade ReviewPraise for Linda Finlay‘Sure to delight her ever-growing legion of fans’ Dilly Court 'Warm and atmospheric, you can practically taste the sea breeze' The Express ‘Rich with carefully drawn characters who really come to life in the hands of this skilled writer’ NorthernReader ‘Evocative’ Frost Magazine ‘A treasure of a read with romance, rural history and a happy ending’ Devon Life

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Book SynopsisAnother gorgeous escapist read from the Queen of West Country Saga, Linda Finlay, author of Farringdon's Fate.One noble family. Five eager daughters. An upcoming ball.Having five daughters, Lord Farringdon has more than enough to keep him busy at Nettlecombe Manor. With his wife Lady Charlotte already in London, Edwin must help his daughter Victoria prepare for the Season as she gets ready to follow her stepmother to the city to make her Society debut.But with little time to prepare a wardrobe for the balls and parties that lie ahead, Victoria must turn to trusted seamstress Jane Haydon for help and in doing so unearths a fascinating secret hidden for decades in a beautiful piece of white silk . . .Meanwhile, Edwin's exuberant younger daughter Beatrice embarks on a very unexpected path becoming a nurse to wounded soldiers in London under the keen eye of Florence Nightingale.And with the girls' stepmother Lady Charlotte spending Edwin's money while keeping a secret of her own, it's goTrade Review Praise for Linda Finlay: ‘Sure to delight her ever-growing legion of fans’ Dilly Court 'Warm and atmospheric, you can practically taste the sea breeze' The Express ‘Rich with carefully drawn characters who really come to life in the hands of this skilled writer’ NorthernReader ‘Evocative’ Frost Magazine ‘A treasure of a read with romance, rural history and a happy ending’ Devon Life

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Book SynopsisA mesmerising story of love and hopethe best book that I have read this year' Penny, Reader ReviewThe most heartbreaking historical fiction novel you will read this year from the USA Today bestseller!A train journey into the pastA love that echoes through timePaddington Station, present day A young woman boards the sleeper train to Cornwall with only a beautiful emerald silk evening dress and an old, well-read diary full of sketches. Ellie Nightingale is a shy violinist who plays like her heart is broken. But when she meets fellow passenger Joe she feels like she has been given that rarest of giftsa second chance.Paddington Station, 1944Beneath the shadow of the war which rages across Europe, Alex and Eliza meet by chance. She is a gutsy painter desperate to get to the frontline as a war artist and he is a wounded RAF pilot now commissioned as a war correspondent. With time slipping away they make only one promise: to meet in Berlin when this is all over. But this is a time when promisTrade ReviewReaders love The Last Letter from Juliet ‘OK…. I’ve finished the book. Holy ******…I had to keep taking breaks in the last 15% just so I didn’t break down in a flood of tears’ Zoe Hartgen ‘Read the first chapter and I. Was. HOOKED!’ Skye’s Mum ‘If you only read one book this year make it The Last Letter from Juliet’ Tracey Shults ‘I just couldn't put it down until finished’ Jeanette ‘Captures those stolen moments in dangerous and desperate times…beautiful, nostalgic and emotional’ Cheryl M-M ‘Jam packed full of emotion…I don't usually read historical fiction but I'm so glad I read this’ Jennie Scanlan ‘I can highly recommend this beautiful tale of love, sacrifice, friendship, courage and so much more’ Nessa Stimpson

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Book SynopsisA superbly plotted historical drama highly recommended!' The Wishing Shelf?One woman must sacrifice everything to uncover the truth in this enthralling historical novel, inspired by the true World War Two campaign Radio Aspidistra England, 1942: Having fled Germany after her father was captured by the Nazis, Lilli Bergen is desperate to do something pro-active for the Allies. So when she's approached by the Political Warfare Executive, Lilli jumps at the chance. She's recruited as a singer for a radio station broadcasting propaganda to German soldiers a shadow network.But Lilli's world is flipped upside down when her ex-boyfriend, Bren Murphy, appears at her workplace; the very man she thinks betrayed her father to the Nazis. Lilli always thought Bren was a Nazi sympathiser so what is he doing in England supposedly working against the Germans?Lilli knows Bren is up to something, and must put aside a blossoming new relationship in order to discover the truth. Can Lilli expose him, bef

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Book SynopsisThey say you only regret the things you don''t do . . .Lizzie Kershaw is an independent spirit; ever since her father''s death she has had to be a survivor. Home life is harsh, though, and desperate to escape it, she makes an ill-advised marriage. But she discovers all-too-quickly that she''s married a selfish and violent man. His beatings never seem to stop and she soon comes to a decision: she must run far, far away.With the help of some suffragettes she escapes to Manchester, where she finds work in a munitions factory - she is finally the independent woman she has always longed to be. But her husband, whose cruelty knows no bounds, tracks her down and drag her back home to more beatings than ever.But when his violence causes her to lose the one thing she''s always wanted, Lizzie knows she must find the strength to make the changes in her life that are so sorely needed.*******************What readers are saying about OURTrade ReviewPraise for Anna Jacobs * - *[Anna Jacobs' books have an] impressive grasp of human emotions * The Sunday Times *Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around * Historical Novels Review *[Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff! * Daily Mail *Reader reviews on OUR LIZZIEGreat story, can't put it down ***** * Reader review *Fabulous book, just as I expected. ***** * Reader review *It grabs you on page one. It twists and turns and not like you imagine it would. A fantastic read. ***** * Reader review *

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Book SynopsisThe beginning of a brand-new trilogy from bestselling author Kay Brelland, featuring the Silvertown Explosion, the rise of women''s football, and East End suffragettes.She is her family''s only hope.1916. East London. When sixteen-year-old Clover Cooper''s mother, Iris, calls her home from work one day, the last thing Clover expects is to find that her mother has given birth to another baby. After all, Clover''s unpleasant father, Sidney, has been in France for longer than nine months. Banned from questions, and bound to secrecy by her beloved mother, Clover leaves her infant brother at a nunnery for safekeeping, despite her heartbreak at parting with him.But when Sidney unexpectedly returns from the Western Front, life at home suddenly feels more dangerous than a battlefield. Strained by keeping such a secret, Clover turns to her fiercely protective grandmother, Elsie, for advice. But Elsie has her own life-changing decision to make. The

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters reconnect and pursue their dreams on the beautiful island of Nantucket, overcoming life?s challenges and finding new love, in this heartwarming and hopeful novel by New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer.Eddie Grant is happy with her life and her work as a personal assistant to Dinah Lavender, one of the most famous and renowned romance authors in the business. But being a spectator to notoriety and glamour isn?t as fulfilling as she once thought. Thankfully, Eddie has the perfect excuse for a vacation: Her hardworking younger sister, Barrett, is opening her gift shop on Memorial Day weekend, and could use all the help she can get. But going home to the beautiful island of Nantucket means facing the family?s difficult past. Shortly after the death of Eddie and Barrett?s brother, their mother left them and their father made the spontaneous decision to buy a small farm. Eddie stayed there for only a year before her family?s grief threatened to consume her as well, and had been living in Manhattan ever since. Now that she is back, Eddie must face all she left behind: her father?s increased eccentricities, which has led to a house bursting at the seams with books; her sister?s resentment over Eddie?s escape; and a past love connection, one that is still undeniable and complicated, all these years later. But the Grant sisters are nothing if not resilient and capable, opening a used bookstore in their father?s abandoned barn to manage his hoarding, and navigating the discovery of a long-buried family secret that will change all of them forever. In The Summer We Started Over, beloved storyteller Nancy Thayer transports readers with a moving story about family, courage, and the resiliency of young women.

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Book SynopsisA chance meeting in Liverpool will change Megan Lloyd''s life in ways she could never have imagined . . . August, 1942. 21-year-old Megan Lloyd is determined to do her bit for the war effort - and a chance encounter with an American army officer in Liverpool gives her an idea of how to do just that. Appalled at the plight of young women left pregnant and destitute following ill-fated love affairs with passing sailors or American GIs, Megan determines to establish a place of refuge for unmarried mothers - a plan which incurs her father''s intense disapproval.But Megan finds herself unprepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Trauma, drama, heartbreak and moments of great joy will follow - and in the midst of it all Megan will find unexpected love.

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Book SynopsisSet on the windswept shores of Chesapeake Bay, international bestselling author Nora Roberts continues the story of the lives and loves of adopted brothers Ethan, Cameron and Philip Quinn.

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