Historical Fiction Books

Book Synopsis***A HEARTWARMING WARTIME TALE OF FAMILY SECRETS, ROMANCE AND WINTER WEDDING BELLS FOR FANS OF DILLY COURT, ELAINE EVEREST AND NANCY REVELL***______________________________London, 1943: Dot Hanson has never forgotten the thrill of seeing the beautiful Christmas displays at Liberty’s department store as a young girl.Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would one day work there, or that she would fall in love with the store’s manager, her childhood sweetheart Edwin Button.But in spite of the life Dot has built for herself, and the tight-knit community around her, she lives in the shadow of a terrible secret. And as the bombs continue to fall across Britain there is more heartache still to come.All Dot wants is a family of her own with the man she loves by her side.Will her dreams come true in time for Christmas?

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Book SynopsisTHE EIGHTH NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING SHIPYARD GIRLS SERIES!'Emotional and gripping' Take a Break______________________________Sunderland, 1943: With the future of Britain uncertain, the shipyard girls fight to keep their lives on an even keel. Head-welder Rosie is just about managing to keep her double life hidden from little sister Charlotte's prying eyes. But Charlotte senses something is up and, with a secret this big, the truth is bound to come out. After a whirlwind wedding, Polly must bid farewell to her sweetheart as he returns to the front line. And there is something odd about yard manager Helen's newest recruit Bel. But in resolving to uncover the truth, Helen might discover more than she bargained for... Only by rallying together will the shipyard girls triumph.______________________________Praise for Nancy Revell 'Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!' Northern Echo 'Stirring and heartfelt storytelling' Peterborough Evening Telegraph'the author is one to watch' Sun'Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages' Woman

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Book Synopsis**THE NINTH NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING SHIPYARD GIRLS SERIES**'Emotional and gripping' Take a Break______________________________Sunderland, 1943: As Christmas approaches in the shipyards, everyone is hoping for a little magic... Helen would love to find the courage to tell the dashing Dr Parker of her true feelings for him. But how can she when he clearly has eyes for someone else?More than a year has passed since Bel's wedding to sweetheart Joe. She knows she has much to feel thankful for and yet there is still one burning desire which she cannot ignore.And as Polly grows with child, she hopes against hope for a safe delivery - and that her husband Tommy can soon return from the front line to meet their new arrival.There will be storms to weather, but guided by their strength and friendship there is still hope for each of the shipyard girls that their Christmas wishes will come true.______________________________Praise for Nancy Revell'Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!' Northern Echo'Stirring and heartfelt storytelling' Peterborough Evening Telegraph'The author is one to watch' Sun'Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages' Woman

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Book SynopsisTHE TENTH NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING SHIPYARD GIRLS SERIES'Emotional and gripping' Take a BreakDecember 1943 As the war effort gathers steam in Europe, it's all hands on deck on the home front. Gloria is over the moon to be reunited with her sweetheart Jack. But her sons Bobby and Gordon are away with the Navy and still know nothing of their mother's divorce and new half-sister. Rosie's squad of welders must work gruelling hours in the yard as they prepare for the Allied invasion of Normandy. All the while Rosie herself waits anxiously for news of her husband Peter, who is carrying out dangerous work as an undercover operative in France. Meanwhile welder Dorothy has a feeling that her beau Toby is planning to pop the question when he's next on leave. But it seems that her head is being turned by someone closer to home... It will take great strength and friendship if the shipyard girls are to weather the storms to come.______________________________Praise for Nancy Revell 'Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!' Northern Echo 'Stirring and heartfelt storytelling' Peterborough Evening TelegraphTrade ReviewNancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart! * Northern Echo *the author is one to watch * Sun *A brilliant read * Take a Break *Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages * Woman *Heart-warming... powerful story telling from a great saga author. * CHOICE *

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Book SynopsisTHE ELEVENTH NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING SHIPYARD GIRLS SERIESSunderland, 1944As the promise of victory draws closer, this Christmas will surely be one to remember.It should be a magical time for Dorothy, who has just been proposed to by her sweetheart Toby. But with each day that passes, Dorothy's feelings for someone else are growing stronger. Now she has an impossible choice to make.Gloria is thrilled that her sweetheart Jack is finally home after more than two years away. But his past is continuing to catch up with them both - creating untold heartache for Gloria and everyone she holds dear.Meanwhile Helen must contend with the fall-out of a shocking family secret that has repercussions for all the Shipyard Girls, while holding out hope for her own happy ending...Can a little festive magic help them win the day?___________________________________________Praise for Nancy Revell:'Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!' Northern Echo'Stirring and heartfelt storytelling' Peterborough Evening Telegraph'Emotional and gripping' Take a BreakTrade ReviewNancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart! * Northern Echo *the author is one to watch * Sun *A brilliant read * Take a Break *Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages * Woman *

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Book SynopsisThe brand new novel from bestselling author Evie Grace, set amongst the Napoleonic Wars in the 1800s. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Poldark. _______________________KENT 1815 Her heart led her to him, but will loyalty be enough to make her stay . . .When the beautiful but naïve Grace Lennicker falls for Isaiah Feasey, son of a rival smuggling family and owner of a local tavern, her sisters try to intervene. But as tensions grow, there is another suitor also hoping to win her hand in marriage, the dashing and more favourable Albert Enderby, a young lieutenant in the Revenue.Grace is unwittingly drawn back into the world of smuggling that her sisters fought hard to leave behind, and as violence erupts, she finds herself unable to stand by, knowing the rival gangs will kill anyone who stands in their way. When her husband becomes involved, Grace is forced to make a difficult decision - turn him in and risk her life, or stay loyal and risk the lives of those she loves . . .Praise for Evie Grace'Intriguing' Val Wood'A charming historical read that hits all the right notes' Woman's Weekly'Heart-tugging saga of which Catherine Cookson would've approved' Peterborough Evening TelegraphTrade ReviewThere's a swashbuckling adventure quality that makes this trilogy finale stand out in the saga market. Grace has a flair for creating feisty women and rugged heroes . . . * Peterborough Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis'A beautiful, immersive tale that will keep you turning the pages until the end' JENNY ASHCROFTSingapore, 1949. When Miranda steps onto the pier with her husband Gerry she hopes that their move will bring the fresh start she needs and a chance to heal the scars from her past.Gerry's role at the British foreign office affords them a beautiful house and invites the best parties in town. But their life feels worlds apart from England and true friends are hard to find.When doctor Nick Wythenshaw encourages Miranda to work within the local community, she finds new purpose that opens her eyes to a new way of life.But as riots erupt across the region and danger draws close to home, Miranda must make an impossible choice. Will she sacrifice everything she holds dear to find happiness?'Guaranteed to transport you to exotic climes and engross you in the story of its troubled heroine...A terrific debut for Paula Greenlees' LIZ TRENOW'Paula's novel transports the reader to a long-forgotten and fascinating time...An enchanting, evocative debut!' LOUISE FEIN

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Book Synopsis'Heartwarming historical fiction ... The perfect stocking filler for fans of Nancy Revell, Daisy Styles and Margaret Dickinson' Eastern Daily Press___________________Manchester, 1941Christmas is the season for family and friends, and this year the railway girls will need each other more than ever.Cordelia appears to have the perfect life. When her daughter Emily arrives home unexpectedly, she can't wait to introduce her to her friends. But when things don't go to plan, Cordelia must decide where her loyalty lies.Things aren't going too smoothly for Alison either. Her beloved boyfriend has yet to propose, but there's a charity fundraiser dance and she's dressed up specially. Surely, tonight must be the night.Colette's friends are envious of her devoted husband; he meets her after every shift on the railway, and accompanies her around town. But Colette has a secret, one that will change her life - if only she knew who to confide in.With the festive season fast approaching, the railway girls are hoping for some Christmas magic... ___________________ Readers LOVE the Railway Girls:'Make yourself a cuppa and find a comfy spot on the sofa because you are not going to be able to put this down''I simply cannot wait for the next one - I am hooked!''Gives a vivid picture of women's lives in wartime Manchester''Dramatic, intriguing and sprinkled with plenty of wit and heart''It's just like catching up with old friends'Trade ReviewHeartwarming historical fiction ... The perfect stocking filler for fans of Nancy Revell and Margaret Dickinson. * Eastern Daily Press *

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Book SynopsisCan she hold on to hope?Liverpool, 1937When Miranda awakes one morning to find her mother has disappeared, her life is about to change forever. She raises the alarm amongst the locals, but her mother's whereabouts remains a mystery.With nowhere else to turn, Miranda is forced to live with her aunt and cousin, who resent her presence and treat her badly. She struggles to hold onto hope until she meets Steve, a neighbour who promises to help her in her search - until war intervenes...Miranda will never forget the past, but can she find the courage to open her heart and forge the future she deserves?A classic Katie Flynn story of tragedy, triumph and love from the Sunday Times bestselling author.Trade ReviewFlynn clearly has an excellent knowledge of the times of which she writes and creates an evocative atmosphere which carries the reader along. The characters are vivid, rich and interesting. * No.1 magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe gripping saga from the Sunday Times top ten bestselling author of The Workhouse Girl. At just eleven years old, Stella Barry is torn from her poverty-stricken mother and thrust into service. One Sunday, she returns home for a longed-for visit to find her family have been evicted from their lodgings. And have vanished without a trace. Seven years later, plucky, determined Stella has thrived. But when terrible circumstances force her to flee, with no references and only a few personal possessions, she knows she''ll need all her strength to survive. Setting out on her own, can Stella finally find her family, and the loving home she's always dreamed of? READERS LOVE DILLY COURT: Truly riveting It has everything to keep you spellbound. What a talented author. I read until my eyes drooped.'Full of wonder, drama and romance. A very easy and enticing read with a wonderful ending.'So touching and gripping amazing where love takes you. Could not stop reading.'Twists and turns on every page, drawing me into the heartaches and dilemmas'''Her characters are like old friends''

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Book SynopsisGill Hornby is the author of the novels The Hive and All Together Now, as well as The Story of Jane Austen, a biography of Austen for young readers. Her subsequent novels, Miss Austen and Godmersham Park, were Sunday Times bestsellers, and Miss Austen will be a four-part BBC adaptation starring Keeley Hawes as Cassandra Austen. She lives in West Berkshire with her husband and their four children.

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Book SynopsisEpic multi-generational family saga from household name Prue Leith, perfect for fans of Penny Vincenzi and Barbara Taylor Bradford.A proud family. Snubbed by aristocratic neighbour Lord Frampton at a coming-of-age ball, Donald Oliver dreams of the day he'll have his vengeance.A wild daughter. Laura Oliver, beautiful and tempestuous, falls in love with Giovanni, an Italian ex-prisoner-of-war, now a humble cook. Disdaining her father's snobbishness - and his wrath - the couple flee to London.A desperate hope. Giovanni and Laura arrive to a city that has not yet re-awoken after the traumas of war. Facing destitution, only their love for one another and their dream of opening a restaurant business keeps them going.From Cotswolds farmland to London fish markets, society ballrooms to icy gutters, this is a tale of prejudice and ambition, power and passion, and one couple's struggle to overcome all obstacles and carve out a life of their own.Trade ReviewA book not to miss . . . an uplifting tribute to female friendship - Good HousekeepingLeith's subtle characterizations never sound a wrong note . . . a satisfying and illuminating read - Daily TelegraphPrue Leith, as well as being a brilliant cook and business woman, is also a highly accomplished novelist - Sue McGregorA delicious family saga - Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisEmotional family saga following the Angelotti food dynasty, from household name Prue Leith. Perfect for fans of Penny Vincenzi and Barbara Taylor Bradford.A new generation. It is 1968. Angelica Angelotti has grown up in her parents' Italian restaurant. Now she is striking out on her own in Paris. There she falls in love with her charismatic but unpredictable cousin Mario.A fresh challenge. Navigating a blossoming career, from the Savoy hotel to the world of television, alongside an increasingly toxic relationship proves impossible. The offer to run the pub on her family's estate as a restaurant seems like the perfect escape. Chorlton has called her home...A brighter future. Soon she has a thriving business, and even the chance of a new love. But when Mario reappears, determined to win her back, will Angelica be able to hold on to everything she's sacrificed so much for?Trade ReviewAn enjoyable, well-written love story * Good Housekeeping (on The Food of Love) *Prue Leith knows about colour and flavour and this has lots of both . . . a delicious family saga * Daily Mail (on The Food of Love) *A mouthwatering first course * Hello (on The Food of Love) *

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Book Synopsis'Elizabeth Gill is a born storyteller' Trisha AshleyAfter Ruth Dixon's mother deserts her on Christmas Eve, her father comes home drunk and commits an unthinkable act. Without money or friends she has nowhere to go, but when he hurts her a second time, she knows what she must do. She is rescued by Jay, a businessman, who takes her to the convent where she meets Sister Madeline. Along with the rest of the nuns, Maddy provides food, shelter and education for orphans. Ruth comes to see her new friends as family and things are finally looking up. But then a pit accident changes everything, and they all stand to lose something - or someone - they love...From the bestselling author of Miss Appleby's Academy and Nobody's Child comes a new series about the lost orphans of Durham and the nuns who take them in...Trade ReviewWarm-hearted, gritty and enthralling, this is a memorable tale from a master storyteller - Lancashire Post

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Book SynopsisBOOK TWO IN ELIZABETH GILL'S HEART-WRENCHING FOUNDLING SCHOOL FOR GIRLS TRILOGYWhen little Ella's grandmother dies, she is turned out of her home with nowhere to go. After her mother chooses her new husband over her daughter, Ella is forced to seek refuge at the Foundling School for Girls.Meanwhile, twins Julia and Ned are torn apart by their parents, sent away to different schools. They long to be reunited but will have to take matters into their own hands.In a world of hardship and betrayal, three children search for belonging. But with a lifetime of scars to carry, can they ever find true happiness?'Elizabeth Gill is a born storyteller' Trisha Ashley

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Book SynopsisWhen Mary's father, the miller, leaves his family and runs away with another woman, Mary and her siblings are left to weather the storm. But when their mother dies soon after, the children, alone and unwanted, are sent to the Foundling School for Girls to start a new life.When the miller learns of his wife's death and what has happened to his children, he tracks them down and brings them to be a part of his new family, safe at last. But the miller is desperate for a son, and when Mary's newest sibling turns out to be a girl, he begins to court a vulnerable and lonely young woman called Isabel.After Isabel gives birth to a boy, the miller believes that the son he has been waiting for is finally here. But when rumours abound that the miller may not be the father of Isabel's child, he begins to lose control. The miller will stop at nothing to keep his son.Will Isabel escape with her child, or will the miller's wrath destroy everyone in his life, including his daughter...?Trade ReviewOriginal and evocative - a born storyteller * Trisha Ashley *A wonderful book, full of passion, pain, sweetness, twists and turns. I couldn't put it down * Sheila Newberry *Elizabeth Gill writes with a masterful grasp of conflicts and passions * Leah Fleming *An enthralling and satisfying novel that will leave you wanting more * Catherine King *

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Book SynopsisLittle treasures, the FLAME TREE COLLECTABLE CLASSICS are chosen to create a delightful and timeless home library. Each stunning, gift edition features deluxe cover treatments, ribbon markers, luxury endpapers and gilded edges. The unabridged text is accompanied by a Glossary of Victorian and Literary terms produced for the modern reader. A complex and profound book, The Tale of Two Cities explores the consequences of tyranny, fate and self-sacrifice. With much of the narrative played out in Paris, during the French Revolution Dickens examines the interplay between personal action, and the flow of history. Dr Manette, having travelled to Paris finds himself imprisoned in the Bastille for 18 brutal years, unable to see his kind and loving daughter Lucy. On his eventual return to London the two of them become witnesses in a treason case against Charles Darney who is accused of giving secrets to the French. Lucy finds a way of exonerating him, Darney falls in love with her and by some strange twist of fate he finally reveals the terrible secret that his own uncle was responsible for Manette's years in the Bastille. Manette is shocked but eventually persuaded by Darney's sincerity and true love for this daughter, so he allows them to marry, bringing happiness finally to them all.

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Book SynopsisLittle treasures, the FLAME TREE COLLECTABLE CLASSICS are chosen to create a delightful and timeless home library. Each stunning, gift edition features deluxe cover treatments, ribbon markers, luxury endpapers and gilded edges. The unabridged text is accompanied by a Glossary of Victorian and Literary terms produced for the modern reader. Dicken's cast of characters, from the orphan Pip, Miss Haversham and Estella to the aptly named Magwitch takes the reader through a Victorian society riven with social ills, and misplaced ambition. Pip, a blacksmith's apprentice encounters and helps the escaped convict Magwitch who subsequently repays the boy with a secret fortune. Pip misunderstands the source of elevation, thinking it comes from the high society of Miss Haversham and her cold-hearted daughter whom he adores. His wilfull naivety is exposed throughout as Estella's disdain for Pip makes him try ever harder, to the detriment of `joe Gargery and Mrs Joe, the good people who raised him in poverty at the forge. Ultimately Miss Haversham burns to death in a fire and Magwitch dies in prison leaving a chastened Pip without his fortune. At the end all is resolved when finally he wins Estella's heart.

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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 Synopsis**Shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Saga Award 2022!** The first book in Emma Hornby''s page-turning Worktown Girls at War series, from the bestselling author of A Shilling for a Wife---------------------Bolton, Lancashire: 1940A family torn apart by war, held together by a secret . . .Janie and her husband James have a strong, loving marriage. A move from an inner-city slum to a peaceful new estate outside of Bolton should have been a fresh start for them and their three children. But when war is declared and James announces he has signed up, Janie fears it''s the beginning of the end. Waving goodbye to their menfolk is a sacrifice that families are making all over the country and Janie does her best to make do, forging friendships in her new community.But when James comes home on leave a traumatised and desperate man, then goes AWOL, Janie''s heart goes out to him. Determine

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Book SynopsisEmma Hornby lives on a tight-knit working-class estate in Bolton and has read sagas all her life. Before pursuing a career as a novelist, she had a variety of jobs, from care assistant for the elderly, to working in a Blackpool rock factory. She was inspired to write after researching her family history; like the characters in her books, many generations of her family eked out life amidst the squalor and poverty of Lancashire's slums.

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Book SynopsisThe second book in the page-turning Worktown Girls at War series, from the bestselling author of A Shilling for a Wife, perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.At seventeen, Renee Rushmore lives at home with her father Ivan - a cruel man who rules the house with an iron fist and keeps Renee isolated and alone. She is desperate to escape him, but with no friends to help her, what hope does she have?Then war breaks out. With factories and farms looking to take on female workers, Renee dares to hope that her freedom might be within grasp. And when she hears through a kindly local farmhand named Jimmy that Oak Valley Farm is in need of help, she might just have found her chance. But her father''s eyes are on her day and night. With the help of Jimmy, will Renee be able to escape Ivan''s cruelty and find happiness at last?Readers love Emma Hornby:''Similar to Rosie Goodwin and Dilly Court, Emma

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Book SynopsisA brand-new page-turning Victorian saga from the bestselling and RNA shortlisted author.Orphaned Jenny and her chimney sweep brother Noah eke out life in a cellar dwelling in the heart of the slums.Noah is the main breadwinner, but he is treated horribly by his master. Worried for her brother's safety and health, Jenny resolves to put her talent for singing to good use and begins trawling the low inns and taverns at night entertaining the punters.When she catches the attention of a music hall manager and is offered a spot on the stage, it seems like a dream come true. But her newfound success can't include her brother.Will Jenny choose Noah over the bright lights of the theatre? And will he want her to?Readers love Emma Hornby's gritty and gripping thrillers:'Emma Hornby has done it again, with her brilliant storytelling... A big thank you to Emma' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'What an excellent read... Emma Hornby writes some wonderful stories and this one hits the mark' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A heartbreakingly good read... Very worthy five stars and more from me it's a must read' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'I do love to read Emma Hornby's books they are so atmospheric and draw you into the story from start to finish and make you want more. Excellent' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Wow, what a book. Its such an emotional roller-coaster... I devoured this in one sitting' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐Trade ReviewIf you enjoy Dilly Court's stories, you'll love the latest heart-warming romance from Emma Hornby. * Yours *Authentic, compelling . . . another winner for a northern author who has her home county written right across her heart. * Lancashire Evening Post on A Daughter's War *Praise for Emma Hornby: * - *'Compelling. A gripping and powerful tale of vengeance and reprisal' * Val Wood, author of Children of Fortune *'Emma Hornby writes strong, working-class women with heart and humour. The book is an absolute joy' * Glenda Young, author of The Miner's Lass *'I loved the twists and turns. The emotional pull on my heartstrings was exquisite. Emma Hornby is a natural storyteller who always delivers and, from the first words to the last, my attention was captured. Read this story at your leisure, read it on the bus or on the train, in your lounge or in your bed - but you must read it. Storytelling at its best' * Sheila Riley, author of The Mersey Mistress *

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Book SynopsisThe new novel from a master of the Cold War thriller . . .'This is Robert Harris storytelling territory' Daily Mail'Outstanding' Sunday Times'Tense, exciting and authentic' Charles Cumming, author of Judas 62'Stunning' The Times'Brilliantly plotted' John Sweeney, author of Killer in the Kremlin'A standout thriller' Financial Times1963. In a desolate Russian penal colony, the radio broadcasts news of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy...Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vasin's new posting as director of a gulag camp in the middle of the frozen tundra is far from a promotion. This is where disgraced agents, like Vasin, disappear - sent to die forgotten. And quietly. But tensions in the camp are running high and when a violent revolt breaks out, Vasin finds himself on the run. With him is a mysterious prisoner - who holds the key to the most dangerous secret in the world: who ordered Kennedy's murder.In a breathless race that takes them through the Soviet Union - from the barren Siberian wastelands to the stunning halls of the Katerina Palace and the grey streets of Leningrad and Moscow - Vasin must stay one step ahead of the most ruthless spy and police organizations in the world . . . and keep the most wanted man in Russia alive. It's a journey that will push Vasin's loyalty, morality and his patriotism to the limit. And he must confront the ultimate choice: fall in line, or die fighting the system.With masterful storytelling that weaves together an explosive moment in history with the cutthroat machinations of Soviet politics, Owen Matthews' White Fox captures the paradigm-shifting assassination from a unique Soviet point of view. This is a page-turning thriller - a race against time across Soviet Russia, where the participants face impossible odds and must decide between truth, justice and all-out war.Trade ReviewMatthews skilfully balances the exhilarating thrill of the chase with the conflict between duty, self-interest and justice in his hero's heart. A fine send off for a well-accomplished series. * THE TIMES 'Best Thrillers of the Month' *Matthews' excellent Black Sun spy trilogy comes to an impressively tense conclusion in White Fox . . . First rate. * MAIL ON SUNDAY *A white-knuckle ride through the grey paranoia of Cold War Soviet Russia, which Owen Matthews conjures up quite brilliantly. * SHOTS magazine *Superlative . . . balances thrills with historical fact (and speculation) in equal measure and it races you along to its breath-taking conclusion. -- Maxim Jakubowski * CRIME TIME *Impressive . . . Matthews' knowledge of the USSR and the Cold War gives the novel the feeling of authenticity . . . a personal note at the end shows why Vasin's struggles are both so convincing and so affecting. * LITERARY REVIEW *

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Book SynopsisMay, 1941. Meet the Air Raid Girls: three young women keen to do their bit during the Yorkshire blitz. Connie''s life has taken an unexpected turn since her husband died - she''s living at home and working in the family bakery - but night shifts as an ARP Warden give her a firm sense of purpose.Her younger sister Lizzie is eager to play her part too, perhaps as an ambulance driver. Her fiance refuses to support her decision... but does he really know what''s best for her? Twenty-year-old Pamela has led a sheltered life, but when her family''s home is destroyed in a raid she must learn to stand on her own two feet - helped by new friends. As bombs fall and fires rage, the young women face the destruction of everything they''ve ever known. Can their fighting spirit prevail? And what of their families and the men they love?A thrilling and heartwarming new story of friendship, love and duty in wartime by the author of

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Book SynopsisA wonderful new Christmas story of friendship, love and duty in wartime by the author of The Air Raid Girls, for fans of Elaine Everest and Rosie Hendry.November, 1941. Christmas is coming... and despite the blackout, shortages and a constant threat of air raids, the inhabitants of Kelthorpe on the Yorkshire coast are determined that war won''t stop them celebrating.The run-up to Christmas sees sisters Connie and Lizzie, and their good friend Pamela, busier than ever. Between their jobs, carol-singing rehearsals with the church choir and night shifts doing their bit as Air Raid Wardens and ambulance drivers, it''s all go.But when Connie and Lizzie''s dear dad falls ill, their sweethearts Tom and Bill are called up by the Royal Navy for dangerous mine-sweeping duties, and Pamela''s sweetheart Fred is targeted by vicious locals, the girls have to believe in miracles to keep soldiering on.Can their

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Book SynopsisThe delightful new novel by Jack Sheffield - out now!Change is in the air for Jack Sheffield and the Ragley village school.It''s 1987, and after a decade as head teacher at Ragley-on-the-Forest School, Jack Sheffield is looking to the future. He and his wife are expecting a new baby, the school is preparing for the introduction of the new National Curriculum, and the coming year promises a whole host of other surprises. Whether it''s combing the church for an escaped pet mouse or dealing with the obnoxious new school governor, life in the village is always entertaining.So when Jack is offered an opportunity that could change everything, he knows he has a difficult decision to make. Endings are never easy, but perhaps the thrill of a new beginning is exactly what Jack needs...Hilarious, nostalgic and heart-warming in equal measure, Last Day of School is the final novel in the much-loved Teacher series.''Reliably e

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Book SynopsisThe delightful new novel from Jack Sheffield, author of the much-loved Teacher series.York, 1988.Dr Tom Frith is beginning his first term as a tutor at the University of Eboracum. After teaching primary school children for several years, he's sure shaping the minds of young adults will be a welcome change. But that's before considering the pressures he'll face outside the lecture hall, from helping three hapless students who've been surviving exclusively on porridge, to fielding inappropriate propositions from students chasing higher grades.And then there's the particular challenge of Edna Wallop, the Acting Head of Faculty. Edna may have grand plans to overhaul the faculty's finances, but Tom can't help being suspicious of her methods...Meanwhile, Tom meets Inger, an enigmatic Music tutor, and feels an instant spark. One thing's for sure: it's going to be an eventful year on campus, for tutors and students alike!A hilarious, nostalgic and heart-warming novel about the trials and tribulations of life at a fictional Yorkshire university, perfect for fans of James Herriot and Tom Sharpe._Praise for Jack Sheffield:'Wry observation and heartwarming humour in equal measure' - Alan Titchmarsh'Jack Sheffield is certainly top of the class with this heart-warming and feel-good series' - Western Morning News'Reliably entertaining' - Choice

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Book SynopsisThe stunning follow-up to The Lonely Wife from bestselling author Val Wood.''With fully developed characters and a compelling story, it''s no wonder the author won the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her debut... A great choice for a book club'' Belfast Telegraph---------------------------1864: Following the untimely death of her cold-hearted husband, Beatrix and her three children are finally free. While Ambrose has already determined his path in life, eldest son Laurie''s future is less certain. With the responsibility of the family estate on his shoulders, Laurie must decide between staying in Yorkshire to farm the family land and following his dreams.Meanwhile, headstrong and independent Alicia is defying expectation and excelling at school. There she befriends the enigmatic Olivia Snowdon and they quickly become inseparable. But Olivia''s past is shrouded in mystery and as the two fami

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Book SynopsisAs war rages on, can they keep dancing?Blackpool, November 1942Wartime worries fail to dampen the glitz and glamour of the ballroom in the run-up to Christmas. After all, life is for living.Newlywed Pearl's bliss is cut short when her beloved Bernie is called up into the Army. Will dancing at the Tower Ballroom take the edge off her heartache or will it throw temptation her way?Unexpected news of an inheritance presents Joy with a different dilemma. Should she move to Scotland in line with her parents' final wishes or stay in Blackpool to dance with Tommy, the man she loves?Meanwhile, ambitious Sylvia ditches Eddie, her loyal dance partner, and launches into a new career teaching jive and jitterbug. Regrets soon set in, however. Is this the worst mistake she's ever made?Change is in the air. Can our Ballroom Girls fulfil their dreams and make this a Christmas to remember?Trade ReviewFull of drama, romance and the thrill of dancing . . . A heartwarming and uplifting story * Lancashire Post on THE BALLROOM GIRLS *Full of drama, romance and the thrill of dancing . . . A heartwarming and uplifting story * Lancashire Post on THE BALLROOM GIRLS *

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Book Synopsis**Available for pre-order now**Alice, Kate and Naomi want to keep the magic of Christmas alive in their village of Churchwood but a thief in the area and a new family that shuns the local community are only the first of the problems they face.Naomi is fighting to free herself from Alexander Harrington - the man who married her for her money then kept a secret family behind her back. It could be the start of a whole new life for her, but after years of Alexander controlling - and draining - her finances, two questions remain to be answered: how much of her money is left, and will she be able to achieve the independence she craves?Alice's dreams came true when she married sweetheart Daniel. Now he has returned to the war and Alice misses him terribly, but she is delighted to discover that she's carrying his child. Will she, Daniel and the baby make it through the war unscathed?For Kate, life with her dysfunctional family on Brimbles Farm has never been easy but she now has Land Girls Pearl and Ruby to help, giving her more time for her friends. She's also in love with pilot Leo. But what sort of shadow will be cast over the lives of all at Brimbles Farm when her brother returns from the war with terrible injuries? And why has Leo stopped writing?As ever, the Wartime Bookshop is a source of community and comfort. But disaster is about to strike...Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop is the third novel in the uplifting Wartime Bookshop series, perfect for fans of Donna Douglas and Elaine Everest.**Real readers are LOVING The Wartime Bookshop series**'BRILLIANT''Oh I loved this book... please carry on the good writing''Wow what a brilliant start to a new series''Outstandingly fabulous, warm and inviting... so glad there is going to be a follow-on''I was only two pages in when I knew this would be a 5 star read... I honestly can't put my excitement into words at the thought of reading the next one'Trade ReviewPraise for the Wartime Bookshop series * :- *A cosy winter read if ever there was one... a refreshingly comforting book telling the story of a little village, with some wonderful character developments in the process * Anything Goes Lifestyle Magazine, Book of the Month *A delightful wartime saga about a young girl making a difference in her new village... Beautiful book and I loved it * Rosie Clarke, author of the Mulberry Lane series *If you enjoy wartime dramas such as Home Fires you'll love The Wartime Bookshop * Yours Magazine *Written by Lesley Eames, an author with romance at heart, The Wartime Bookshop is a wholesome novel questioning how friendship can be the answer. Snuggle up and experience her storytelling for yourself * Chat Magazine, Book of the Month *A pleasure to read for anyone who enjoys a good wartime saga * Lizzie Lane, author of The Tobacco Girls *A real cosy novel of women and friendship. I'm looking forward to seeing what this threesome gets up to next * Bishop's Stortford Independent *Heartwarming... an uplifting tale with well-drawn characters * Candis Magazine *A delight from start to finish - the perfect comfort read! * Vicki Beeby, author of The Ops Room Girls series *I could spend hours in the company of Alice, Kate and Naomi who by the end felt like firm friends. The Wartime Bookshop is a must-read for all saga fans * Fiona Ford, author of The Liberty Girls series *

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Book SynopsisJames Holland is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning historian, writer, and broadcaster. The author of a number of best-selling histories including most recently Brothers In Arms and Normandy '44, he is also the author of ten works of fiction and a dozen Ladybird Experts.He is the co-founder of the annual Chalke Valley History Festival which is now in its twelfth year, and he has presented - and written - many television programmes and series for the BBC, Channel 4, National Geographic and the History and Discovery channels.With Al Murray, he has a successful Second World War podcast, We Have Ways of Making You Talk, which also has its own festival, and is a research fellow at St Andrew's University and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He can be found on Twitter as @James1940 and on Instagram as @jamesholland1940.

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Book SynopsisOctober 1493, the height of the Renaissance. In a rapidly changing world, Milan flourishes under the leadership of Ludovico il Moro. Those wandering the courtyards of the city’s castle often encounter a man in his forties dressed in long pink robes, lost in his own thoughts. The man lives above his workshop, with his mother and a mischievous little boy whom he dotes on; he doesn’t eat meat, writes from right to left, and struggles to get paid by his employers. His name is Leonardo da Vinci. His fame extends beyond the Alps, to the French court of Charles VIII, whose envoys have been tasked with a secret mission that concerns Leonardo himself, and his most daring designs. When a man is found dead in the Castle’s courtyard, il Moro turns to Da Vinci for help. Though the corpse shows no signs of violence, the death is highly suspicious: rumours of a plague or superstitious explanations need to be disproven quickly. Leonardo is in no position to refuse his master’s request to investigate.Trade Review“It demands a degree of chutzpah to make the Renaissance’s greatest genius the central character in a novel, but the Italian Marco Malvaldi succeeds in creating a vivid portrait of Leonardo da Vinci in The Measure of a Man.” -- Nick Rennison * The Sunday Times *“A refreshing read, combining mystery, history and biography. It certainly had me intrigued.” * Yorkshire Gazette & Herald *“What a different slant on Leonardo Da Vinci in this whodunit; mystery, historical facts and science all rolled into one . . . a joy for Da Vinci fans out there.” * NB Magazine *“Da Vinci comments during the novel that ‘the measure of a man’ lies in ‘growing and learning’. That’s what happens to Malvaldi’s characters and his world – and, perhaps, to his readers as well.” -- David Hebblethwaite * European Literature Netword *“Humourous and engrossing, a historical novel that will immerse its readers in the torbid atmosphere of the Renaissance and allow them to fully appreciate its most luminous figure.” * RAI Letteratura *“Scientist and mystery writer, Marco Malvaldi is the perfect author to transform Leonardo da Vinci into a detective.” * La Repubblica/Robinson *“At 500 years from the death of Leonardo da Vinci, the author plays with language, science, history, and crime and gives life to the story by imagining his protagonist’s multi-form intelligence as it grapples with the fragility and the greatness of human destiny.” * La Nazione *“Malvaldi describes Leonardo’s curiosity, attentiveness, and desire to know everything. But the book also explores the protagonist’s more human side: his idiosyncrasies and distractedness; his love for eccentric clothes and gossip. The result is a rich and extremely enjoyable portrait of a figure who has been too often confined to the role of genius and artist.” * L'Unione Sarda *

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Book Synopsis***LONGLISTED: THE HWA GOLD CROWN 2021*** ***A Sunday Times BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021: "An ambitious, epic debut."*** ***A NEW YORK TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021*** A Times BOOK OF THE MONTH: "Beautifully written and profoundly insightful." “A memorable tapestry of politics, religion and conflicting human desires.” —The Sunday Times “Cathedral is a masterpiece, one of the best historical novels I’ve read in a long time. Spellbinding and so evocative of place and time. A triumph.”—Dan Jones "Fascinating, fun, and gripping to the very end."—Roddy Doyle A sweeping story about obsession, mysticism, art, and earthly desire. At the centre of this story, is the Cathedral. Its design and construction in the 12th and 13th centuries in the fictional town of Hagenburg unites a vast array of unforgettable characters whose fortunes are inseparable from the shifting political factions and economic interests vying for supremacy. From the bishop to his treasurer to local merchants and lowly stonecutters, everyone, even the town’s Jewish denizens, is implicated and affected by the slow rise of Hagenburg’s Cathedral, which in no way enforces morality or charity. Around this narrative core, Ben Hopkins has constructed his own monumental edifice, a choral novel that is rich with the vicissitudes of mercantilism, politics, religion, and human enterprise. Ambitious, immersive, a remarkable feat of imagination, Cathedral deftly combines historical fiction, the literary novel of ideas, and a tale of adventure and intrigue. Fans of authors like Umberto Eco, Elif Shafak, Hilary Mantel, Ken Follett and Jose Saramago will delight at the atmosphere, the beautiful prose, and the vivid characters of Ben Hopkins’s Cathedral.Trade Review“One of the best historical novels I’ve read in a long time. Cathedral is a triumph.” -- Dan Jones (historian, TV presenter, author of Powers and Thrones)

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED: THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD LONGLISTED: WOMENS' PRIZE FOR FICTION 2022 A NOVEL OF DEVASTATING BEAUTY SET IN BUCHENWALD DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR "A powerful and disturbing study in terrible lies and the human need to believe them." ANNIE PROULX Moving away from their lovely apartment in Munich isn’t nearly as wrenching an experience for Frau Greta Hahn as she had feared. Their new home is even lovelier than the one they left behind and life in Buchenwald would appear to be idyllic. Lying just beyond the forest that surrounds them is the looming presence of a work camp. Frau Hahn’s husband, SS Sturmbannführer Dietrich Hahn, has been assigned as the camp’s administrator. When Frau Hahn’s poor health leads her into an unlikely and poignant friendship with one of Buchenwald’s prisoners, Dr Lenard Weber, her naïve ignorance about what is going on so nearby is challenged. A decade earlier, Dr Weber had invented a machine believed that its subtle resonances might cure cancer. But does it really work? One way or another, it might save a life. A tour de force about the evils of obliviousness, Remote Sympathy compels us to question our continuing and wilful ability to look the other way in a world that is in thrall to the idea that everything–even facts and morals–is relative. Trade Review"Highly original and deeply researched, Catherine Chidgey’s Remote Sympathy is a powerful and disturbing study in terrible lies and the human need to believe them. The setting is the Nazi “labor” camp Buchenwald in the final years of World War II. The horrific is made ordinary with the focus on the small family of the fictional camp administrator, SS Dietrich Hahn, his dying wife Greta and son Karl-Heinz. To save his much-loved Greta, Hahn orders Dr. Leonard Weber, inventor of an electrotherapy contraption, the Sympathetic Vitaliser, to attend her. Weber lies about the impossible life-saving power of the Vitaliser, Hahn lies about the fates of Weber’s Jewish wife Anna and daughter Lotte. The interlocking betrayals, dangerous deceptions, and hopeless hopes gather strength. Few readers will close the covers of this book unshaken." * Annie Proulx *“Chidgey is a writer of formidable resources, a deft stylist possessed of uncanny imaginative acuity.” * The Guardian *"Moving and unusual... Catherine Chidgey's novel is a fine achievement." * The Sunday Times *“Chidgey is a find.” * TLS *"The writing is beautifully wrought and the research a result of years of study. The true sympathetic vitaliser here is the novelist. She illustrates the senseless cruelty of the regime and portrays its characters convincingly, not as monsters but deluded, indulged and frightened victims of their own stupidity." * The Jewish Chronicle *“Laced with bitter irony – the Germans celebrate the development of Buchenwald as a “model camp”, and tie themselves in knots over whether they should save a Jew who can cure Nazis of cancer – this is an engrossing, well-developed novel.” * Irish Times *"Immersive, profound, and beautifully plotted." * The Guardian *“Powerful.” * The New York Times *“With its multiple registers and complex view of humanity, this marks a vital turn in Holocaust literature.” * Publishers’ Weekly – starred *"Wise, inventive, insightful and extraordinarily astute about both the darkness and the light in human nature, Catherine Chidgey gives us a riveting historical novel that is piercingly relevant to our time. What do we choose to see and what not to see and what are the consequences? Remote Sympathy broke and awakened my heart in equal measure. One of the best books I've read in years." -- Stacey D'Erasmo, author of Wonderland"One of the most original, brave and profound explorations of the darkest recesses of the human heart I have ever read." -- Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind"Remote Sympathy will touch your heart and imprint on your soul. This is a thought provoking tale of love, dignity and sacrifice, encompassing, as it does, a grief so huge that only the human heart can bear it, though goodness knows how." * NB Magazine *"An insightful account of human nature set against the chaos of war. It is a moving examination of the human condition and well worth serious attention.” * Historical Novels Review *"An incredibly accomplished novel." * Word by Word *“What a devastating, beautiful and horrifying book that forces one to look at the Holocaust in such a new way. I was utterly gripped all the way through, amazed at Catherine's ability to get inside her characters so convincingly. And I sobbed at the end.” * Sofka Zinovieff *“A wonderful new talent.” -- Nick Hornby“Chilling and highly effective.” * Newton Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisAs a young woman, Else made two promises to herself: to live life to the fullest and to have a child with every man she loves. You Are Not Like Other Mothers tells the stories of the men in her life—husbands, companions, lovers and emissaries of a world in which men repeatedly prove themselves inadequate. It also tells the stories of Peter, Bettina, and Angelika, Else’s three children. Set during World War I and then the roaring twenties and the advent of Nazism and, for Else, exile in Bulgaria. But these dark years are also a time of experimentation, during which Else and the people in her life explore alternative modes of interpersonal relationships. All these stories and their characters are held together by the forceful figure of a woman who is larger than life. But the indomitable Else will make a most human mistake when she tries to hide the real extent of the Nazi tragedy from her children and, instead of protecting them, she brings disaster down upon her family.Trade Review“An extraordinary book.”“A hymn to the beguiling Berlin of the Weimar Republic.”“Fantastic.”

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Book Synopsis***LONGLISTED: THE HWA GOLD CROWN 2021*** ***A Sunday Times BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021: "An ambitious, epic debut."*** ***A NEW YORK TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021*** A Times BOOK OF THE MONTH: "Beautifully written and profoundly insightful." “A memorable tapestry of politics, religion and conflicting human desires.” —The Sunday Times “Cathedral is a masterpiece, one of the best historical novels I’ve read in a long time. Spellbinding and so evocative of place and time. A triumph.”—Dan Jones "Fascinating, fun, and gripping to the very end."—Roddy Doyle A sweeping story about obsession, mysticism, art, and earthly desire. At the centre of this story, is the Cathedral. Its design and construction in the 12th and 13th centuries in the fictional town of Hagenburg unites a vast array of unforgettable characters whose fortunes are inseparable from the shifting political factions and economic interests vying for supremacy. From the bishop to his treasurer to local merchants and lowly stonecutters, everyone, even the town’s Jewish denizens, is implicated and affected by the slow rise of Hagenburg’s Cathedral, which in no way enforces morality or charity. Around this narrative core, Ben Hopkins has constructed his own monumental edifice, a choral novel that is rich with the vicissitudes of mercantilism, politics, religion, and human enterprise. Ambitious, immersive, a remarkable feat of imagination, Cathedral deftly combines historical fiction, the literary novel of ideas, and a tale of adventure and intrigue. Fans of authors like Umberto Eco, Elif Shafak, Hilary Mantel, Ken Follett and Jose Saramago will delight at the atmosphere, the beautiful prose, and the vivid characters of Ben Hopkins’s Cathedral.Trade Review“One of the best historical novels I’ve read in a long time. Cathedral is a triumph.” -- Dan Jones (historian, TV presenter, author of Powers and Thrones)

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED: THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD LONGLISTED: WOMENS' PRIZE FOR FICTION 2022 A NOVEL OF DEVASTATING BEAUTY SET IN BUCHENWALD DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR "A powerful and disturbing study in terrible lies and the human need to believe them." ANNIE PROULX Moving away from their lovely apartment in Munich isn’t nearly as wrenching an experience for Frau Greta Hahn as she had feared. Their new home is even lovelier than the one they left behind and life in Buchenwald would appear to be idyllic. Lying just beyond the forest that surrounds them is the looming presence of a work camp. Frau Hahn’s husband, SS Sturmbannführer Dietrich Hahn, has been assigned as the camp’s administrator. When Frau Hahn’s poor health leads her into an unlikely and poignant friendship with one of Buchenwald’s prisoners, Dr Lenard Weber, her naïve ignorance about what is going on so nearby is challenged. A decade earlier, Dr Weber had invented a machine believed that its subtle resonances might cure cancer. But does it really work? One way or another, it might save a life. A tour de force about the evils of obliviousness, Remote Sympathy compels us to question our continuing and wilful ability to look the other way in a world that is in thrall to the idea that everything–even facts and morals–is relative. Trade Review"Highly original and deeply researched, Catherine Chidgey’s Remote Sympathy is a powerful and disturbing study in terrible lies and the human need to believe them. The setting is the Nazi “labor” camp Buchenwald in the final years of World War II. The horrific is made ordinary with the focus on the small family of the fictional camp administrator, SS Dietrich Hahn, his dying wife Greta and son Karl-Heinz. To save his much-loved Greta, Hahn orders Dr. Leonard Weber, inventor of an electrotherapy contraption, the Sympathetic Vitaliser, to attend her. Weber lies about the impossible life-saving power of the Vitaliser, Hahn lies about the fates of Weber’s Jewish wife Anna and daughter Lotte. The interlocking betrayals, dangerous deceptions, and hopeless hopes gather strength. Few readers will close the covers of this book unshaken." * Annie Proulx *“Chidgey is a writer of formidable resources, a deft stylist possessed of uncanny imaginative acuity.” * The Guardian *"Moving and unusual... Catherine Chidgey's novel is a fine achievement." * The Sunday Times *“Chidgey is a find.” * TLS *"The writing is beautifully wrought and the research a result of years of study. The true sympathetic vitaliser here is the novelist. She illustrates the senseless cruelty of the regime and portrays its characters convincingly, not as monsters but deluded, indulged and frightened victims of their own stupidity." * The Jewish Chronicle *“Laced with bitter irony – the Germans celebrate the development of Buchenwald as a “model camp”, and tie themselves in knots over whether they should save a Jew who can cure Nazis of cancer – this is an engrossing, well-developed novel.” * Irish Times *"Immersive, profound, and beautifully plotted." * The Guardian *“Powerful.” * The New York Times *“With its multiple registers and complex view of humanity, this marks a vital turn in Holocaust literature.” * Publishers’ Weekly – starred *"Wise, inventive, insightful and extraordinarily astute about both the darkness and the light in human nature, Catherine Chidgey gives us a riveting historical novel that is piercingly relevant to our time. What do we choose to see and what not to see and what are the consequences? Remote Sympathy broke and awakened my heart in equal measure. One of the best books I've read in years." -- Stacey D'Erasmo, author of Wonderland"One of the most original, brave and profound explorations of the darkest recesses of the human heart I have ever read." -- Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind"Remote Sympathy will touch your heart and imprint on your soul. This is a thought provoking tale of love, dignity and sacrifice, encompassing, as it does, a grief so huge that only the human heart can bear it, though goodness knows how." * NB Magazine *"An insightful account of human nature set against the chaos of war. It is a moving examination of the human condition and well worth serious attention.” * Historical Novels Review *"An incredibly accomplished novel." * Word by Word *“What a devastating, beautiful and horrifying book that forces one to look at the Holocaust in such a new way. I was utterly gripped all the way through, amazed at Catherine's ability to get inside her characters so convincingly. And I sobbed at the end.” * Sofka Zinovieff *“A wonderful new talent.” -- Nick Hornby“Chilling and highly effective.” * Newton Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisA moving novel from the bestselling author of HOW TO BE PARISIAN WHEREVER YOU ARE “A deeply moving book.” —LEILA SLIMANI *** “A powerful exploration of family trauma.” —LAUREN ELKIN “A work of rare grace and importance.”—THE GUARDIAN In January 2003, the Berest family receive a mysterious, unsigned postcard. On one side was an image of the Opéra Garnier; on the other, the names of their relatives who were killed in Auschwitz: Ephraïm, Emma, Noémie and Jacques. Years later, Anne sought to find the truth behind this postcard. She journeys 100 years into the past, tracing the lives of her ancestors from their flight from Russia following the revolution, their journey to Latvia, Palestine, and Paris, the war and its aftermath. What emerges is a thrilling and sweeping tale based on true events that shatters her certainties about her family, her country, and herself. At once a gripping investigation into family secrets, a poignant tale of mothers and daughters, and an enthralling portrait of 20th-century Parisian intellectual and artistic life, The Postcard tells the story of a family devastated by the Holocaust and yet somehow restored by love and the power of storytelling. READER REVIEWS "I am rarely moved to tears by books, but the Postcard had me twice. It is so intensely moving, so cleverly structured, and so gripping. This is one of the best books I have read in years." —Tom, Mr B's Emporium bookseller "One of the best books I've ever read." —Naomi, Netgalley "This extraordinary 'true novel' is a must-read." —Aoife, Netgalley "Powerful, painful, important... Highly recommend." —Stephen, Amazon "This book is more than the blurb, quotes and taglines. It is a feeling to felt, something to be passed on, something to be reflected and something to show the importance in remembering and reading." —Lucy, Waterstones bookseller "A beautiful masterpiece." —Beth, AmazonTrade Review“The Postcard is a vivid indictment of France’s betrayal of the Jews. And the truth about the postcard is an absolute heartbreaker.” * The Sunday Times *“The Postcard provides a vivid portrait of Vichy France as antisemitic laws tightened.” * Financial Times *"Delving into the past allows Anne Berest to recover part of her identity both as an individual and as one of many damaged by the horrors of persecutions that took place before they were born." * TLS *"The names of Ephraïm, Emma, Noémie and Jacques Rabinovitch, along with the millions of other Jews who were murdered by the Nazi regime, need to live on in our history books so that future generations never forget. Anne Berest has written a commanding piece of work, a very personal journey, with The Postcard deserving every award and piece of acclaim that it garners. Noémie Rabinovitch’s beautiful face will be forever etched in my mind." * Swirl and Thread *"The Postcard goes on to spin a full and textured rendering of these relatives’ lives before they were cruelly killed, rendering the horrors of the Holocaust horrifically fresh. Once the novel has covered this ground, however, it becomes almost a modern-day thriller, circling in on the mysterious mail at its center." ("The Best–and Most Anticipated–Books of 2023", VOGUE) * VOGUE *

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Book SynopsisIn October 1502 the powerful Cesare Borgia was preparing to invade the Florentine Republic. Niccolò Machiavelli, an official of the Republic, is sent to Borgia's court to spy on him. 33 years old, he has a nice pen, but he's not famous. He cheats on his wife avidly, and he''s deep into debts. He''s seen as trusted and useful, but he''s kept on the sidelines.A complex relationship is created between Machiavelli and Borgia. The Duke needs someone to write a biography to respond to the many slanders circulating about him and he chooses Niccolò to do it. And so Machiavelli not only gains wider access to Borgia's secrets, but also those of Dianora Mambelli, a young woman forced by the Borgias to stay by his side. Attending to both executioner and victim, listening to the Duke's reflections and discovering the hidden truths that Dianora reveals to him, transform Machiavelli and give him the insight that will allow him to become a great writer. And put his own life at risk.

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Book SynopsisA WWII story of love, redemption, and resistance.

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Book SynopsisAn atmospheric, exuberant novel about love and sex, art and revolution, experimentation and creativity from the best-selling author of The Postcard, Anne Berest, and her sister, the acclaimed novelist Claire Berest, based on the life of their great grandmother.The year is 1908, the height of the Belle Epoque, and a brilliant, young French woman named Gabriële, newly graduated from the most elite music school in Europe, meets a volcanic Spanish artist named Francis. Following a whirlwind romance, they marry and fall headlong into a Paris that is experimenting with new forms of living, thinking, and creating. Soon after marrying Francis, Gabriële meets Marcel, another young artist, five years her junior. Soon, Francis, Marcel, and Gabriële are all three involved in a fervent affair that will change the course of art history and redefine the avant-garde. Surrealism, Dada, and Abstraction are among the new artistic practices and new ideas that emerge from this electric love triangle in the following decade, during which the Belle Epoque sours and the world descends into the devastation of World War I. Francis Picabia, Marcel Duchamp, and Gabriele Buffetthe protagonists of this brilliantly imagined true novelare vividly reimagined by the Berests. Moving between Paris, New York, Berlin, Zurich, Barcelona, and Saint-Tropez, Gabriële is as audacious, uninhibited, and unforgettable as its central character, the mercurial, pioneering Gabriële Buffet.

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times fiction book of the year 'She is an original, with a virtuoso touch' - Hilary Mantel 'An extraordinary, quite brilliant book' - C. J. Sansom 'A powerful and unsettling novel' - Andrew Taylor The year is 1793 and Herbert Powyss is set on making his name as a scientist. Determined to study the effects of prolonged solitude on another human being, he advertises for someone willing to live in his cellar for seven years in return for a generous financial reward. The only man to apply is John Warlow, a semi-literate farm labourer with a wife and six children to support. Cut off from nature, Warlow soon begins losing his grip on sanity while, above ground, Powyss rapidly becomes obsessed with Warlow's wife, Hannah. The experiment, a classic Enlightenment exercise gone more than a little mad, will have unforeseen consequences for all included. In this seductive tale of self-delusion and obsession, Alix Nathan has created an utterly transporting historical novel which is both elegant and unforgettably sinister. One of 2019's most high-profile hardback publications, now out in paperback. Featured on Radio Four's Book at Bedtime BBC History Magazine Best Historical Fiction of 2019Trade ReviewPraise for Alix Nathan: 'The best kind of historical fiction ... She is an original, with a virtuoso touch.' -- Hilary MantelThis is an extraordinary, quite brilliant book * CJ Sansom *A powerful and unsettling novel, both fascinating and infinitely strange -- Andrew TaylorUnusual, gripping and emotionally complex - I loved this book. -- Sally Magnusson, author of The Sealwoman's GiftOriginal and beautifully written, this is a meaty, gripping novel of obsession gone sour. * The Daily Mail *A darkly compelling read -- The HeraldCan't recommend it highly enough. A magnificent read ... the complexity of character and the interweaving of the political upheaval in England at the time worked so well for me. -- Philip Ardagh

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Book Synopsis'Unsettling and strange, Sea Change, cements Nathan's reputation as one of our most interesting historical novelists.' The Times AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4 'I'll be back soon, my love. Tonight, I hope.' The last Eve saw of her mother was a wave from the basket of a rising balloon. A wilful, lonely orphan in the house of her erratic artist guardian, Eve struggles to retain the image of her missing mother and the father she never knew. In a London beset by pageantry, incipient riot and the fear of Napoleonic invasion, Eve must grow into a young woman with no one to guide her through its perils. Far away, in a Norfolk fishing village, the Rev Snead preaches hellfire and damnation to his impoverished parishioners and oppressed wife. Snead illustrates his sermons with the example of a mute woman pulled from the sea, over whom he keeps a very close watch indeed.Trade ReviewA strange, touching tale of hope and redemption -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times Best Historical Fiction *Vivid and original * Daily Mail *A compelling story about loss of identity, the impact of trauma, and the way back from it ... that rare kind of historical fiction that both captures the period well and creates an absorbing narrative. -- Charles Palliser, author of RusticationA vivid portrait of loss and love, teeming with detail at the same time as it moves the reader profoundly. -- Rachel Halliburton, author of The Optickal IllusionPraise for Alix Nathan: 'She is an original, with a virtuoso touch.' -- Hilary Mantel

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Book Synopsis* A TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR * * SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE MONTH * * LONGLISTED FOR THE HWA DEBUT CROWN * 'One of the best debuts of the year' - THE TIMES 'As nimbly realised as by the genre's master, Andrew Taylor' - FINANCIAL TIMES 'Black Drop is a joy from start to finish' - ANDREW TAYLOR This is the confession of Laurence Jago. Clerk. Gentleman. Spy. July 1794, and London is filled with rumours of revolution. The war against the French is not going in Britain's favour, and negotiations with America are on a knife edge. Laurence Jago, Foreign Office clerk, is ever more reliant on opium - the Black Drop - to ease his nightmares. A highly sensitive letter, whose contents could lead to the destruction of the British Army, has been leaked to the press and Laurence is a suspect. Then he discovers the body of a fellow clerk - a supposed suicide - and it seems clear where the blame truly lies. But Laurence is certain both of his friend's innocence, and that he was murdered. But after years of hiding his own secrets from his powerful employers, can Laurence find the true culprit without ending up on the gallows himself? A thrilling historical mystery, perfect for readers of C.J. Sansom, Andrew Taylor, Antonia Hodgson and Laura Shepherd-Robinson. 'This opium-fuelled gem is a murderous romp' - JANICE HALLETT 'A thrilling slice of pitch-dark historical fiction' - EMMA STONEX 'A gripping, intricate story of Georgian high politics' - W.C. RYANTrade ReviewExcellent... Filled with memorable characters, Black Drop offers first-class entertainment * Sunday Times *A strikingly assured and intelligent first novel about power, conspiracy and the lengths to which the influential will go to ensure their survival. Nattrass is confident enough in her knowledge of the period to avoid loading her narrative with explanations * Literary Review *A fine debut that weaves the complex politics of 18th-century Britain into a gripping murder mystery * The Times *As nimbly realised as by the genre's master, Andrew Taylor * Financial Times *This opium-fuelled gem is a murderous romp through the tangled roots of British democracy -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALA joy from start to finish... giving a real sense of the intrigues behind closed doors. Jago is a very sympathetic hero -- Andrew Taylor, author of THE ASHES OF LONDONA thrilling slice of pitch-dark historical fiction, led by a superbly engaging narrator... Deserves to be huge -- Emma Stonex, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERSForeign Office clerk Laurence Jago has been accused of being a traitor, but when a colleague dies, blame shifts. Thrilling * Crime Monthly *A gripping, intricate story of Georgian high politics and low life. Leonora Nattrass's historical spy novel is top notch -- W.C. Ryan, author of A HOUSE OF GHOSTSA riveting political thriller, set at a fulcrum-point in global history. The setting is viscerally immersive and the characters spring to life from the page. This masterful narrative of deception, intrigue and heroism unfolds with compelling pace, wry humour and acute psychological observation. Gripping, moving and utterly engaging -- Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIES

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Book Synopsis'The exquisite story of two women trying to make a life together in wartime Austria, and all the love, friendship and danger that implies.' Sophie Ward When Julia flees her unhappy marriage for the handsome tailor Eve Perret, she expects her life from now on will be a challenge, not least because the year is 1911. They leave everything behind to settle in Vienna, but their happiness is increasingly diminished by Julia's longing for a child. Ada Bauer's wealthy industrialist family have sent her to Dr Freud in the hope that he can fix her mutism and do so without a scandal. But help will soon come for Ada from an unexpected quarter and change many lives irrevocably. All of You Every Single One is an epic novel about family, freedom and how true love might survive impossible odds.Trade ReviewA gorgeous trip across time and identity, through war and fascism, to show how people make new families and find ways to love each other. * Kate Pullinger *For all its big themes, this novel never stops being tender. Hitchman has beautifully captured the ebb and flow of long-term relationships, from first lust, to the pathos of familiarity ... gorgeously written on every single page. -- Katie Ward, author of Girl ReadingThe story flows with epic majesty... a rich and dynamic narrative expertly told; authentic characters skilfully shaped with genuine empathy; and beautifully crafted historical descriptions written with superb grace. -- Laura Carlin, author of Requiem for a KnaveWith the delicacy and beauty of Flaubert, Hitchman tells the exquisite story of two women trying to make a life together in wartime Austria, and all the love, friendship and danger that implies. -- Sophie WardPraise for Petite Mort: 'Sumptuously set, elegantly written, evocative and quietly subversive' -- Stella DuffyThe atmosphere is rich with sumptuous details ... striking ... This clever debut indicates a bright future for its author. -- Max Liu * Independent *Praise for Petite Mort: 'An astonishingly assured debut novel ... an expertly crafted story.' * The Irish Times *There's a touch of Angela Carter about Beatrice Hitchman's beguiling debut - a sly, erotic thriller concerned with doubleness and duplicity. * Guardian *Praise for Petite Mort: 'An impressive and enjoyable debut: nimble, deft and wrapped luxuriously in the velveteen glamour of the movies.' * FT *Compelling ... Hitchman's confident debut is a story about relationships and the risks we take to get what we want. Universal themes, beautifully explored. * Diva *Sumptuous ... part Moulin Rouge, part Alfred Hitchcock * Grazia *Vienna is described in richly atmospheric, beautifully evocative language ... Hitchman's characters are engaging, despite their many flaws, and her storytelling engrossing. * A Life in Books *An intertwined and ever-weaving story about queer people living - or surviving - in 1900s Vienna . . .It's a novel about found family, the consequences of decisions, and how far we'll go for love - especially in an age of oppression. * Buzzfeed *A gorgeous and deeply moving novel... Hitchman takes readers on an atmospheric and unforgettable journey. * Daily Hive Must-Read Books Roundup *A touching and atmospheric ode to queer characters and their struggles during such a poignant time in history...we can guarantee you won't put this one down until it's finished. * Women.com *With a masterful eye for historical detail, Beatrice Hitchman's ambitious new novel plunges us headfirst into the bohemian world of Vienna's early 20th century golden age .... All of You Every Single One shines as a beautiful, poignant, and deeply felt tale of holding on to the love of the chosen families we create, even in the most adverse of historical circumstances. * Vogue Best Books of 2022 *Engrossing ... Hitchman excels at capturing both the liberating permissiveness of turn-of-the-century Vienna and the city's paralyzing fear after Hitler's 1938 annexation of Austria. * Kirkus *Populated with rich and vibrant characters, All of You Every Single One is a stellar work that blends the best of history and fiction. * Historical Novel Society *Beatrice Hitchman's writing is beautiful from the start... The little community that built up around them caught me by the heart at once, * Manhattan Book Review *An absorbing novel of love and lust and found family * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Historical Writers' Association Gold Crown 2022 Longlisted for the Polari Prize 2022 'The exquisite story of two women trying to make a life together in wartime Austria, and all the love, friendship and danger that implies.' Sophie Ward All of You Every Single One is an epic novel about family, freedom and how true love might survive impossible odds. When Julia flees her unhappy marriage for the handsome tailor Eve Perret, she expects her life from now on will be a challenge, not least because the year is 1911. They leave everything behind to settle in Vienna, but their happiness is increasingly diminished by Julia's longing for a child. Ada Bauer's wealthy industrialist family have sent her to Dr Freud in the hope that he can fix her mutism and do so without a scandal. But help will soon come for Ada from an unexpected quarter and change many lives irrevocably.Trade ReviewA gorgeous trip across time and identity, through war and fascism, to show how people make new families and find ways to love each other. * Kate Pullinger *For all its big themes, this novel never stops being tender. Hitchman has beautifully captured the ebb and flow of long-term relationships, from first lust, to the pathos of familiarity ... gorgeously written on every single page. -- Katie Ward, author of Girl ReadingThe story flows with epic majesty... a rich and dynamic narrative expertly told; authentic characters skilfully shaped with genuine empathy; and beautifully crafted historical descriptions written with superb grace. -- Laura Carlin, author of Requiem for a KnaveWith the delicacy and beauty of Flaubert, Hitchman tells the exquisite story of two women trying to make a life together in wartime Austria, and all the love, friendship and danger that implies. -- Sophie WardPraise for Petite Mort: 'Sumptuously set, elegantly written, evocative and quietly subversive' -- Stella DuffyThe atmosphere is rich with sumptuous details ... striking ... This clever debut indicates a bright future for its author. -- Max Liu * Independent *Praise for Petite Mort: 'An astonishingly assured debut novel... an expertly crafted story.' * The Irish Times *There's a touch of Angela Carter about Beatrice Hitchman's beguiling debut - a sly, erotic thriller concerned with doubleness and duplicity. * Guardian *Praise for Petite Mort: 'An impressive and enjoyable debut: nimble, deft and wrapped luxuriously in the velveteen glamour of the movies.' * FT *Compelling ... Hitchman's confident debut is a story about relationships and the risks we take to get what we want. Universal themes, beautifully explored. * Diva *Sumptuous ... part Moulin Rouge, part Alfred Hitchcock * Grazia *Vienna is described in richly atmospheric, beautifully evocative language ... Hitchman's characters are engaging, despite their many flaws, and her storytelling engrossing. * A Life in Books *An intertwined and ever-weaving story about queer people living - or surviving - in 1900s Vienna . . .It's a novel about found family, the consequences of decisions, and how far we'll go for love - especially in an age of oppression. * Buzzfeed *A gorgeous and deeply moving novel... Hitchman takes readers on an atmospheric and unforgettable journey. * Daily Hive Must-Read Books Roundup *A touching and atmospheric ode to queer characters and their struggles during such a poignant time in history...we can guarantee you won't put this one down until it's finished. * Women.com *With a masterful eye for historical detail, Beatrice Hitchman's ambitious new novel plunges us headfirst into the bohemian world of Vienna's early 20th century golden age .... All of You Every Single One shines as a beautiful, poignant, and deeply felt tale of holding on to the love of the chosen families we create, even in the most adverse of historical circumstances. * Vogue Best Books of 2022 *Engrossing ... Hitchman excels at capturing both the liberating permissiveness of turn-of-the-century Vienna and the city's paralyzing fear after Hitler's 1938 annexation of Austria. * Kirkus *Populated with rich and vibrant characters, All of You Every Single One is a stellar work that blends the best of history and fiction. * Historical Novel Society *Beatrice Hitchman's writing is beautiful from the start... The little community that built up around them caught me by the heart at once, * Manhattan Book Review *An absorbing novel of love and lust and found family * Library Journal *

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