Historical Fiction Books

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 SynopsisA battle is like lust. The frenzy passes. Consequence remains.Hannibal is an epic vision of one of history's greatest adventurers, the almost mythical man who most famously led his soldiers on elephants over the Alps. In Ross Leckie's unforgettable re-creation of the Punic wars, it is Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, who narrates the story, and who is carried by his all-consuming ambition through profoundly bloody battles against the great Roman armies of early empire.In this breathtaking chronicle of love and hate, heroism and cruelty, one of humanity's greatest adventurers is brought to life, who learns through suffering that man is but a shadow of a dream.Trade ReviewA tremendous story told with great verve and gusto. Compelling and convincing, this is a truly remarkable novel in the class of I, Claudius. -- Allan MassieIn Leckie's descriptions it's possible to smell the stench of sweat and fear, hear the roars of warhorses and elephants, see the blood-stained armour. Informative and utterly compelling. * * The Times * *Its triumph is to bring the world of Carthage to life again. -- James Michie * * Spectator * *

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Book SynopsisI fought the Romans once. It no longer seems a prudent thing to do.Carthage concludes the internationally acclaimed trilogy that began with Hannibal and continued with Scipio. Here, Ross Leckie tells of the final Punic War: the story of a great city and a people's utter eradication under the relentless rise of Rome. But its chief characters, one the bastard son of Hannibal, the other of Scipio, would have wished it otherwise. Both seek peace, but are caught up in war. As they struggle between duty and belief, they stand to lose everything in the face of their fathers' devastating legacies.Written as a series of letters and entries, the multiple voices of the novel are woven into a masterful exploration of human drives, political intrigue and the process of history making itself.Trade ReviewLeckie's manoeuvring of history is effortless, as he solders fact and fiction to create a novel with real historical depth. * * The Times * *The final volume of Ross Leckie's Punic trilogy is the most interesting . . . imaginative but convincing detail makes the reader a tourist to a lost world. * * Herald * *A considerable achievement in which learning has been enlightened by the imagination . . . a fast and gripping narrative. * * Scotsman * *

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Book SynopsisThe killing fields of Cannae provide the setting for one of the bloodiest battles in history. But who will triumph? Hannibal and his warrior army, or the mighty legions of Rome. By the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Forgotten Legion trilogy.Hannibal's campaign to defeat Rome continues as he marches south to confront his enemy. With him is a young soldier, Hanno. Like his general, Hanno burns to vanquish Rome. Never has the possibility seemed so likely.But a stealthy game of cat and mouse is being played as Rome's generals seek to avoid confrontation. Eventually the two armies meet under a fierce summer sun. The place is Cannae - the fields of blood. The battle will go down in history as one of the bloodiest ever fought, a battle in which Hanno knows he must fight as never before - just to stay alive.Trade ReviewExcellently written * Army Rumour Service *A master of the details…his research is meticulous * For Winter Nights *Ben’s research is impeccable…Highly recommended * Parmenion Books *

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Book SynopsisThe No.1 bestselling novel of the Great Irish Famine from one of Ireland's most beloved writersIreland's hopes for freedom are dashed with the arrival of a deadly potato blight that strikes terror in the heart of its people.1845. Seamstress Mary Sullivan's dreams of a better future are shattered as she looks out over their ruined crop. Refusing to give in to despair, she must use every ounce of courage and strength to protect her family as they fight to survive.Dr Dan Donovan is Medical Officer to the Skibbereen Union. The arrival of 'The Hunger' soon brings starving men, women and children crowding into the town and the workhouse, desperate for assistance.Fr John Fitzpatrick's faith is tested by the suffering that surrounds him as his pleas for help fall on deaf ears.Inspired by true Irish heroes, The Hungry Road is the heartbreaking story of the Great Irish Famine told by one of Ireland's best loved writers.__________'Compelling ... An essential book' Sunday Times'Heartbreaking and powerful' Her.ie'Gripping' Business Post'Captivating' Sunday Independent'Powerful ... illustrate[s] the enormity of the tragedy' Irish IndependentTrade ReviewCompelling … An accessible and essential book, which does great service to Irish history and charts the courage and steadfastness of the human spirit * Sunday Times *Heartbreaking and powerful * Her.ie *Powerful ... Conlon-McKenna has assembled an excellent cast of characters ... Myriad small, moving details help to illustrate the enormity of the tragedy * Irish Independent *Captivating … This well-researched novel brings the atrocity of the famine to life * Sunday Independent *(Marita Conlon-McKenna has) done a great service to history ... I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I raced through it ... It’s a must-add to your collection. * Ryan Tubridy, RTE Radio 1 *

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Book SynopsisThe No.1 bestselling novel from one of Ireland's most loved writers!With the threat of the First World War looming, tension simmers under the surface of Ireland. Bright, beautiful and intelligent, the Gifford sisters Grace, Muriel and Nellie kick against the conventions of their privileged, wealthy Anglo-Irish background and their mother Isabella's expectations.As War erupts across Europe, the spirited sisters soon find themselves caught up in Ireland's struggle for freedom.Muriel falls deeply in love with writer Thomas MacDonagh, artist Grace meets the enigmatic Joe Plunkett - both leaders of 'The Rising' - while Nellie joins 'The Citizen Army' and takes up arms to fight alongside Countess Markievicz in the rebellion. On Easter Monday 1916, the Rising begins, and the world of the Gifford sisters and everyone they hold dear is torn apart in a fight that is destined for tragedy.____________'Engrossing' Sunday Times'Marvellous ... A gripping read' Irish Independent'Finally, women are being written back into the history of [Ireland's] awakening' Irish Mail on SundayTrade ReviewConlon-McKenna's marvellous book could not be more timely. As painful as the story of these three sisters is, it is told with a light and deft hand. Her attention to historical detail is meticulous, her prose is easy and fluid. To tell a tale where the ending is already known and yet hold the reader spellbound throughout is an admirable trait in a writer, and Conlon-McKenna has accomplished this tricky manoeuvre beautifully. It's simply a gripping read * Irish Independent *A deft retelling of the story [of the Easter Rising] . . . Engrossing * Irish Sunday Times *Finally, women are being written back into the history of [Ireland's] awakening . . . There is such a story to tell, and the author skilfully handles her considerable amount of research * Irish Mail on Sunday *What is most admirable, most brave about Rebel Sisters, is that Marita Conlon-McKenna has dared to write a book that lacks a hero or heroine. In the violent times of its setting there can be no losers nor winners, only those who survive and those who do not. It is a mark of her moral honesty that Marita Conlon-McKenna does not run from such difficult confusions and conclusions. She will deliver the truth as her story tells it, and in doing so, pay searing testimony to the Giffords’ lives. I congratulate her on a most moving, and indeed necessary book. It is a terrific achievement by a terrific writer * Frank McGuinness *

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Book Synopsis'Myles Foley gripped my soaked jumper. Before his ship sank he was a Nazi: now he's a drowning sailor. Out here, we are all sailors. Your father and grandfather understood that. Are you going to disgrace their memory?' Part historical fiction, part extraordinary coming-of-age tale, The Lonely Sea and Sky charts the maiden voyage of fourteen-year-old Jack Roche aboard a tiny Wexford ship, the Kerlogue, on a treacherous wartime journey to Portugal. After his father's ship is sunk on this same route, Jack must go to sea to support his family swapping Wexford's small streets for Lisbon's vibrant boulevards: where every foreigner seems to be a refugee or a spy, and where he falls under the spell of Katerina, a Czech girl surviving on her wits. Bolger's new novel is based on a real-life rescue in 1943, when the Kerlogue's crew risked their lives to save 168 drowning German sailors - members of the navy that had killed Jack's father. Forced to choose who to save and who to leave behind, the Kerlogue grows so dangerously overloaded that no one knows if they will survive amid the massive Biscay waves. A brilliant portrayal of those unarmed Irish ships that sailed alone through hazardous waters; of young romance and a boy encountering a world where every experience is intense and dangerous, this is Bolger's most spellbinding novel, and the work of a master storyteller who is one of Ireland's best-known novelists, playwrights and poets.

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED for The Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2021 ‘An ambitious and vital novel with an epic sweep: a complex, timely story about liberty, equality, identity. [...] This book is an act of salvage, performed with great skill: cleanly written, sharp-eyed, undeceived.’ — Hilary Mantel In a London graveyard in 1857, Harriet Small is approached by a stranger, an unwanted intruder who insists that she hear him out . . . in the will of a woman she only barely remembers, Harriet has been left an unusual collection of papers: her father’s True Narrative of his life after escaping slavery and his journey into the heart of revolutionary Ireland. Nearly sixty years earlier, in the aftermath of Lord Edward FitzGerald’s death and disgrace in the 1798 Rebellion, his sister, Lady Lucy, had commissioned Harriet’s father, Tony Small, to write about his life as Edward’s manservant in the form a ‘slave narrative’. But Lucy’s real motivation was to restore Edward’s reputation and her family’s fortune. What emerges from ‘Faithful’ Tony’s pages – at first unsure but later confident in his words – is a complex, co-dependent and sometimes turbulent friendship between the two men. Edward is everything Tony is not: beloved by a large family and carelessly sure of his privileged place in the world. With Edward, Tony hopes to begin a new life – to belong – only to find himself a stranger in a strange land who often comprehends better than his employer the racism, privilege and power that drive the inequalities of their time. As historical events gallop towards their devastating conclusion, Tony learns that the sacrifices to be free are never-ending. And as difficult and heartbreaking as it is to read her father’s story, Harriet comes to realise there is more than one way to be free. From war in South Carolina to genteel drawing rooms in Kildare, from the discomfort and boredom of Antigua to the snow-covered nothingness of Canada, the slave-owning territories along the Mississippi to a printing house in Hamburg and the colonial politics of London to the intrigue and simmering resentments of Dublin, Words to Shape My Name is about hope, failure and resilience, an adventurous novel of great intelligence and awareness that will resonate today.Trade Review'a book about loyalty and manipulation; lofty ideals and the weaknesses of those who proclaim them.' -- Charlotte Wightwick * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisHidden behind the walls of Grangegorman Mental Hospital in 1941, different lives collide, all afflicted by the human cost of wars, betrayals and trauma.

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Book Synopsis***SHORTLISTED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL 2016*** ***WINNER OF THE INAUGURAL AMNESTY CILIP HONOUR 2016*** Lie #1: I'm not afraid Lie #2: I'm sure I'm doing the right thing Lie #3: I don't care what they think of me It’s 1959. The battle for civil rights is raging. And it’s Sarah’s first day of school as one of the first black students at previously all-white Jefferson High. No one wants Sarah there. Not the Governor. Not the teachers. And certainly not the students – especially Linda, daughter of the town’s most ardent segregationist. Sarah and Linda are supposed to despise each other. But the more time they spend together, the less their differences matter. And both girls start to feel something they’ve never felt before. Something they’re determined to ignore. Because it’s one thing to stand up to an unjust world – but another to be terrified of what’s in your own heart. ‘The main characters are terrific in what is a moving YA novel. And an important one.’ – The Telegraph’ This is so thought-provoking it almost hurts to read it, yet every word is needed, is necessary and consequently this is a novel that lingers long after you've finished it' – Lovereading ‘This is an emotional and compelling read that I did not want to put down. It is […]beautifully written and the tension just simmers on the pages.’ – Bookbabblers ‘This book packs a very powerful punch’ – Historical Novel Society ‘With great characterisation, tough issues covered, and a plot which had me guessing right up until the last pages, this is a must-read. Massively recommended!’ – The Bookbag ‘This exceptional novel of first love and sexual awakenings is set against a backdrop of shocking racism and prejudice. It is incredibly well written as the tense, riveting story seamlessly combines fiction with historical fact.’ – Booktrust *A Goodreads Choice Awards semi-finalist 2014* Trade Review‘The main characters are terrific in what is a moving YA novel. And an important one.’ – The Telegraph’ ‘This is so thought-provoking it almost hurts to read it, yet every word is needed, is necessary and consequently this is a novel that lingers long after you've finished it' – Lovereading ‘This is an emotional and compelling read that I did not want to put down. It is […]beautifully written and the tension just simmers on the pages.’ – Bookbabblers ‘This book packs a very powerful punch’ – Historical Novel Society ‘With great characterisation, tough issues covered, and a plot which had me guessing right up until the last pages, this is a must-read. Massively recommended!’ – The Bookbag ‘This exceptional novel of first love and sexual awakenings is set against a backdrop of shocking racism and prejudice. It is incredibly well written as the tense, riveting story seamlessly combines fiction with historical fact.’ – Booktrust ‘Every now and then a Young Adult book comes along that I want to push into every readers hands both young and old and Lies We Tell Ourselves is that book for 2014’ – Jess Hearts Books ‘Talley has mixed two controversial topics together to create a firecracker of a story’ – Cheryl M-M's Book Blog

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Bestseller England’s Forgotten Queens ‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale.’The Times Philippa of Hainault selects a young orphan from a convent. Alice Perrers, a girl born with nothing but ambition. The Queen has a role waiting for her at court. ‘I have lifted you from nothing Alice. Now you repay me.’ Led down the corridors of the royal palace, the young virgin is secretly delivered to King Edward III – to perform the wifely duties of which ailing Philippa is no longer capable. Power has a price, and Alice Perrers will pay it. Mistress to the King. Confidante of the Queen. Whore to the court. Her fate is double edged; loved by the majesties, ostracised by her peers. Alice must balance her future with care as her star begins to rise – the despised concubine is not untouchable. Politics and pillow talk are dangerous bedfellows. The fading great King wants her in his bed. Her enemies want her banished. One mistake and Alice will face a threat worse than any malicious whispers of the past. Praise for Anne O’Brien ‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale.’- The Times ‘A gem of a subject … O’Brien is a terrific storyteller’- Daily Telegraph ‘Joanna of Navarre is the feisty heroine in Anne O’Brien’s fast-paced historical novel The Queen’s Choice.’-Good Housekeeping ‘A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue.’-Woman & Home ‘Packed with drama, danger, romance and history.’-Pam Norfolk, for the Press Association ‘Better than Philippa Gregory’ – The Bookseller ‘Anne O’Brien has joined the exclusive club of excellent historical novelists.’ – Sunday Express ‘A gripping historical drama.’-Bella www.anneobrien.co.uk@anne_obrien

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Bestseller England’s Forgotten Queens ‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale.’-The Times Widow Lady Katherine Swynford presents herself for a role in the household of merciless royal prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, hoping to end her destitution. But the Duke’s scandalous proposition leaves her life of pious integrity reeling… Seduced by the glare of royal adoration, Katherine becomes John’s mistress. She will leave behind everything she has stood for to play second fiddle to his young wife and ruthless ambition. She will live in the shadows of the most powerful man in England in the hope of a love greater than propriety. But soon the court whispers – whore, harlot, vile temptress – reach the ears of not just John’s bride but his most dangerous political enemies. As the Plantagenet prince is accused of bringing England to its knees, who better to blame than shameless she-devil Katherine Swynford? Dragged from the shadows, Katherine must answer for her sins. Praise for Anne O’Brien ‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale.’- The Times ‘A gem of a subject … O’Brien is a terrific storyteller’- Daily Telegraph ‘Joanna of Navarre is the feisty heroine in Anne O’Brien’s fast-paced historical novel The Queen’s Choice.’-Good Housekeeping ‘A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue.’-Woman & Home ‘Packed with drama, danger, romance and history.’-Pam Norfolk, for the Press Association ‘Better than Philippa Gregory’ – The Bookseller ‘Anne O’Brien has joined the exclusive club of excellent historical novelists.’ – Sunday Express ‘A gripping historical drama.’-Bella ‘This book has everything – royalty, scandal, fascinating historical politics and ultimately, the shaping of the woman who founded the Tudors.’ – Cosmopolitan www.anneobrien.co.uk@anne_obrien@anne_obrienTrade ReviewPraise for Anne O’Brien ‘Joanna of Navarre is the feisty heroine in Anne O’Brien’s fast-paced historical novel The Queen’s Choice.’-Good Housekeeping ‘O’Brien is a terrific storyteller’- Daily Telegraph ‘A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue.’-Woman & Home ‘Packed with drama, danger, romance and history, The Queen’s Choice is the perfect reading choice for the long winter nights.’- The Press Association ‘A gripping historical drama.’-Bella

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Book Synopsis‘A moving YA book. And an important one’ – The Telegraph on Lies We Tell Ourselves What if discovering who you really are means letting go of who you've been? Toni and Gretchen are the couple everyone envied in high school. They've been together forever. They never fight. They're hopelessly in love. When they separate for their first year at college they're sure their relationship will stay rock solid. The reality of being apart, however, is very different. Toni's discovering a new world – and a new gender identity – but Gretchen struggles to remember who she is outside of their relationship. While Toni worries that Gretchen won’t understand Toni's shifting identity, Gretchen begins to wonder where she fits in this puzzle. Now they must decide if their love is strong enough to last. A powerful new novel from the acclaimed author of Lies We Tell Ourselves. Praise for Robin Talley ‘This is so thought-provoking it almost hurts to read it, yet every word is needed, is necessary and consequently this is a novel that lingers long after you've finished it' – Lovereading ‘This is an emotional and compelling read that I did not want to put down. It is […] beautifully written and the tension just simmers on the pages.’ – Bookbabblers ‘This book packs a very powerful punch’ – Historical Novel Society ‘With great characterisation, tough issues covered, and a plot which had me guessing right up until the last pages, this is a must-read. Massively recommended!’ – The Bookbag ‘This exceptional novel of first love and sexual awakenings is set against a backdrop of shocking racism and prejudice. It is incredibly well written as the tense, riveting story seamlessly combines fiction with historical fact.’ – Booktrust ‘Every now and then a Young Adult book comes along that I want to push into every reader's hands, both young and old, and Lies We Tell Ourselves is that book for 2014’ – Jess Hearts Books ‘Talley has mixed two controversial topics together to create a firecracker of a story’ – Cheryl M-M's Book Blog *A Goodreads Choice Awards semi-finalist 2014 Trade Review ‘This exceptional novel of first love and sexual awakenings…is incredibly well written as the tense, riveting story seamlessly combines fiction with historical fact.’ – Booktrust on Lies We Tell Ourselves. This is so thought-provoking it almost hurts to read it, yet every word is needed, is necessary and consequently this is a novel that lingers long after you've finished it' – Lovereading on Lies We Tell Ourselves

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Book Synopsis From Sunday Times bestselling author, Freda Lightfoot. 1943, when hundreds of US Marines arrive at a quiet Cornish town, two lives will never be the same again. Trapped in a small town resistant to change, Bette can’t resist handsome GI, Chad. But when reality draws in, Bette realises that their love was based on empty promises… Meanwhile Bette’s sister Sarah, is tormented by her possessive husband, but even his jealous attempts to keep her out of temptation can't prevent Sarah falling for officer Charlie. Caught in the very worst of times with the turmoil and upheaval of war all around them, can these sisters find a brighter future for tomorrow? A compelling family drama for fans for Maureen Lee and Katie Flynn. Praise for Freda Lightfoot ’Freda's book was a joy to read for her characters were so believable and richly drawn I really cared what happened to them and interspersed with the story was the arrival of the Americans, who caused such a furore in that small Cornish town as D Day approaches, And when World War 2 grinds to a halt, people's lives are changed for ever. It was a real page turner with a very satisfying end.’ - Anne Bennettt

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Book Synopsis‘There is much to enjoy in a sumptuous novel that slips between present day and 1557.’ Sunday Mirror “My name is Mary Seymour and I am the daughter of one queen and the niece of another.” Browsing antiques shops in Wiltshire, Alison Bannister stumbles across a delicate old portrait – supposedly of Anne Boleyn. Except Alison knows better… The woman is Mary Seymour, the daughter of Katherine Parr who was taken to Wolf Hall in 1557 as an unwanted orphan and presumed dead after going missing as a child. The painting is more than just a beautiful object from Alison’s past – it holds the key to her future, unlocking the mystery surrounding Mary’s disappearance, and the enigma of Alison’s son. But Alison’s quest soon takes a dark and foreboding turn, as a meeting place called the Phantom Tree harbours secrets in its shadows… ************************************************************* Readers love Nicola Cornick: ‘Alluring and hypnotising… I was hooked from page one.’ ‘A haunting and mesmerising story.’ ‘Atmospheric and filled with tension and danger.’ ‘Full of dark twists and spooky turns. Brilliantly written, unguessable and page-turning.’ ‘Spellbinding, with a narrative that left me bewitched. Not to be missed!’ ‘A fabulous read. I was completely enthralled, and kept guessing throughout.’Trade ReviewPraise for Nicola Cornick: ‘A fascinating tale with intriguing twists.’ Barbara Erskine ‘I was hooked from the first pages.’ Gill Paul ‘You just can’t put it down. Brilliant!’ Katie Fforde ‘A gorgeous novel, so fresh and original. And the tension! I was on the edge of my seat.’ Jenny Ashcroft ‘There is much to enjoy in a sumptuous novel that slips between present day and 1557.’ Sunday Mirror ‘Ms. Cornick is first-class, queen of her game.’ Romance Junkies ‘A rising star.’ Publishers Weekly ‘Fans of Kate Morton will enjoy this gripping tale.’ Candis ‘This compelling yet poignant and at times frightening story calls out to every historical fiction lovers out there to read it and enjoy its glory forever’ Book Stop Corner ‘Her books are fabulous’. New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn ‘A sumptuous, spell-binding story’ Sara Manning, Red Online

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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 Synopsis For fans of Kate Morton and Tracy Rees comes a captivating novel about two women, separated by centuries, whose fates are bound together by one haunting secret. *** ‘A fascinating tale with intriguing twists.’ Barbara Erskine‘I was hooked from the first pages.’ Gill Paul‘Atmospheric and compelling’ Sarah Morgan‘You just can’t put it down. Brilliant!’ Katie Fforde *** ‘I see it all again: the silver moon swimming beneath the water and the golden gown billowing out about her…’ 1765: Lady Isabella Gerard asks her maid to take her new golden gown and destroy it. Its shimmering beauty has been tainted by the actions of her husband the night before. Three months later: Lord Eustace Gerard stands beside the lake looking down at the woman in the golden gown. As the body slowly rolls over to reveal her face, it’s clear this is not his intended victim… 1996: Fenella Brightwell steals a stunning gown from a stately home. Twenty years later and reeling from the end of an abusive marriage, she wonders if it has cursed her all this time. Now she’s determined to discover the history behind the beautiful golden dress…Trade Review Praise for The Woman in the Lake: ‘A gorgeous novel, so fresh and original. And the tension! I was on the edge of my seat.’ Jenny Ashcroft ‘With its intriguing premise and engaging characters, this fresh take on the time-slip novel completely won me over.’Kate Riordan ‘Kept me turning the pages right to the very end’ Katherine Webb ‘A sumptuous, spell-binding story full of mystery, secrets, heartbreak and magic that will keep you guessing.’ Red Online ‘Cornick ably interweaves genres, eras and narratives in this romantic suspense novel with paranormal elements… Romance fans will be most satisfied.’ Publishers Weekly Praise for Nicola Cornick: ‘There is much to enjoy in a sumptuous novel that slips between present day and 1557.’ Sunday Mirror ‘Ms. Cornick is first-class, queen of her game.’ Romance Junkies ‘A rising star.’ Publishers Weekly ‘Fans of Kate Morton will enjoy this gripping tale.’ Candis ‘This compelling yet poignant and at times frightening story calls out to every historical fiction lovers out there to read it and enjoy its glory forever’ Book Stop Corner ‘Her books are fabulous’. New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn

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Book SynopsisWhat would you sacrifice for your children? Ballymor, Ireland, 1847 As famine grips the country Kitty McCarthy is left widowed and alone. Fighting to keep her two remaining children alive against all odds, Kitty must decide how far she will go to save her family. Present day Arriving in Ballymor, Maria is researching her ancestor, Victorian artist Michael McCarthy – and his beloved mother, the mysterious Kitty who disappeared without a trace. Running from her future, it’s not only answers about the past that Maria hopes to find in Ireland. As her search brings her closer to the truth about Kitty’s fate, Maria must make the biggest decision of her life. What readers are saying about The Girl from Ballymor: ‘Spellbinding!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I loved this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wonderful… Was hard to put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Swept me away… I was totally engaged… Highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fantastic!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An excellent read… Compelling.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trade Review Readers love The Girl From Ballymor! 'The two timelines were woven seamlessly and I found myself riveted with them both… I was hooked from page one' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely loved this book… It is written with such feeling and emotion' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I loved reading this book and didn't want it to end. The two timelines are woven together in a seamless way and you are hooked immediately' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I found myself gripped by this novel. Evocative writing bringing time and place fully to life. The character of Kitty remained with me long after I reached the end' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Loved it so much, it will be read again and again' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisIn the Great War, every act of courage counted… Angelina Green never knew her mother, who left her in a cardboard box by the East London docks on a freezing November night when she was a tiny baby. Saved by a local orphanage, she knows she owes her life to the kindness of others. And she’s determined to repay her debt by working as a nurse. Strong, kind and patient, Angelina is a natural on the ward. But when war breaks out in 1914 and she is sent to The Front, her courage is tested like never before… As war rages around her, a chance meeting with a familiar soldier sends Angelina’s whole world into turmoil. Can she hold her nerve, save the men around her – and protect her heart? Don’t miss this emotional story of one woman’s remarkable courage in the face of the Great War. Praise for Rosie James: ‘Front Line Nurse is a wonderful book that gives insight to what nurses went through during the war’ ‘The characters were enjoyable from beginning to the end!’ ‘Fantastic war saga very enthralling and feel good factor. Rosie James doesn’t disappoint and this book was no different she writes with such warmth…Highly recommended’ ‘This was a great piece of historical fiction!’ ‘A delightful story to read’Trade Review‘Front Line Nurse is a wonderful book that gives insight to what nurses went through during the war’ ‘The characters were enjoyable from beginning to the end!’ ‘Fantastic war saga very enthralling and feel good factor. Rosie James doesn’t disappoint and this book was no different she writes with such warmth…Highly recommended’ ‘This was a great piece of historical fiction!’ ‘A delightful story to read’

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Book Synopsis A princess in need of a husband. A rake not in want of a wife. London 1855 Deemed unsuitable to rule by her parents, Princess Justineis sent to England to learn from Queen Victoria what it means to be royal. In London she will also be matched with a suitable husband. But headstrong Justine is not one to be influenced, especially in matters of the heart, and so roguish bachelor William, Lord Douglas is sent to watch over the spirited young woman. However, the longer William spends in Justine’s company, the more he is attracted to the opinionated Princess and considers all suitors unacceptable. Soon London society has no more matches. Yet Justine is expected to marry. But amidst the politics and protocol, what if the right man has been there all along…? A sparkling new historical romance from New York Times bestselling author Julia London Trade Review’The gorgeous characters and the wit and charm made this a book I simply didn’t want to put down.’ – Nicola Cornick on The Princess Plan “This is a perfect historical romance” – Sunday Times Bestselling Author Sarah Morgan on The Princess Plan

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Book Synopsis Falling for the Enemy When Weslorian Princess Amelia is sent to England before she can cause a scandal, she imagines London society with ballrooms and grand houses. Instead, she is sent to a quiet village in Devon, where she finds her new home shabby and under renovation. Next door lives the reclusive Duke of Marley, Joshua Parker. When Joshua is dragged by a friend to his neighbour’s soiree to meet their new guest, he and Amelia instantly dislike each other. Their banter is heated. He’s stuck-up and arrogant; she’s a self-involved, annoying princess. But if they dislike each other so much, why can’t they stop thinking about each other? A sparkling new historical romance from New York Times bestselling author Julia London Trade Review‘This is perfect historical romance’ Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan on The Princess Plan ‘The gorgeous characters and the wit and charm made this a book I simply didn’t want to put down. I was willing Eliza and Sebastian on to their fairytale happy ending!’ Nicola Cornick on The Princess Plan

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Book Synopsis What do you do when you meet the love of your life…twice? Ashley Ryan met her soul mate in her husband Devon and when he is killed in a car accident she struggled to move on. Until 3 years later her friends buy her a weekend away in the small town of Catalina Cove. The beautiful small town offers her peace and escape from her memories. Until she meets Ray Sullivan – fisherman, loner, and most definitely her dead husband. Ray arrived in Catalina Cove to start his life again after waking up from a coma with no memory of his previous life. Hidden away in Catalina Cove he is determined to take one day at a time until a visitor to the town sparks a distant memory and a feeling he can’t ignore… Ashley knows who he is. Ray does not. The question is can you fall in love with someone you never stopped loving…

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Book Synopsis*****Part of the bestselling John Shakespeare series of Tudor spy thrillers from Rory Clements, winner of the Ellis Peters Historical Fiction Award*****'[Clements] does for Elizabeth's reign what CJ Sansom does for Henry VIII's' Sunday Times**********1592. England and Spain are at war, yet there is peril at home, too. The death of her trusted spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham has left Queen Elizabeth vulnerable. Conspiracies multiply.The quiet life of John Shakespeare is shattered by a summons from Robert Cecil, the cold but deadly young statesman who dominated the last years of the Queen's long reign, insisting Shakespeare re-enter government service. His mission: to find vital papers, now in the possession of the Earl of Essex.Essex is the brightest star in the firmament, a man of ambition. He woos the Queen, thirty-three years his senior, as if she were a girl his age. She is flattered by him - despite her loathing for his mother, the beautiful, dangerous Lettice Knollys who presides over her own glittering court - a dazzling array of the mad, bad, dangerous and disaffected. When John Shakespeare infiltrates this dissolute world he discovers not only that the Queen herself is in danger - but that he and his family is also a target. With only his loyal footsoldier Boltfoot Cooper at his side, Shakespeare must face implacable forces who believe themselves above the law: men and women who kill without compunction. And in a world of shifting allegiances, just how far he can trust Robert Cecil, his devious new master?Trade ReviewEnjoyable, bloody and brutish. * Guardian *Enjoyable, bloody and brutish. * Guardian *A historical thriller to send a shiver down your spine. * Daily Mail *A historical thriller to send a shiver down your spine. * Daily Mail *A colourful history lesson . . . exciting narrative twists. * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe year is 1453. For more than a thousand years the mighty walls of Constantinople have protected the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, the furthest outpost of Christianity. But now endless ranks of Turkish warriors cover the plains before them, their massive cannons trained on the ramparts. It is the most fearsome force the world has ever seen. No European army will help: the last crusaders were cut to pieces by the Turks on the plains of Kosovo. Constantinople is on its own. And treachery is in the air. Three people will struggle to determine the fate of an empire: the young Turkish Sultan, returned from exile and desperate to prove his greatness; a stubborn Byzantine princess, sworn to protect her city; and a mercenary captain with a personal score to settle. But of them, it is the hardened soldier Giovanni Longo who will face the worst choice: just as he prepares to make his final stand, he finds he has something to live for after all.From the intrigues within the Emperor's household to the Sultan's harem and the savage fights on the battlements, Siege is a full-blooded historical adventure novel in the tradition of Warrior of Rome, Pilgrim or Crusade.Trade Review'This is an ambitious book, written on an ambitious scale, offering a fascinating picture of momentous events' * Daily Mail *breathtakingly good. -- Sally Bunn * Shropshire Star *

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Book Synopsis'Salah ad-Din, or Saladin as he is known to the Franks, was a Kurd, the son of despised people, and yet he became Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He united the peoples of Allah, recaptured Jerusalem, and drove the Crusaders to the very edge of the sea. He battled, and in the end tamed King Richard the Lionheart, who well deserved his savage name. He was a great man, the greatest man that I ever knew, but when I first met him, he was only a skinny child . . .' The Chronicle of Yahya al-DimashqBut alongside the legend of Saladin there is another story. When the Crusader army is routed beneath the walls of Damascus in 1148, a young Saxon named John is captured and enslaved. He is bought by Yusuf, a slight, bookish boy, for the price of a pair of sandals. And so begins the story of two enemies brought together by fate and of a friendship that will change the face of the Holy Land. Timid Yusuf will grow up to become the warrior Saladin, nicknamed 'the Eagle'; John will first teach his young master the art of war, before returning west to serve first the King of Jerusalem and then King Richard himself.From spectacular set-piece battles to the political manoeuvrings of the corrupt Crusader court, from the brutality of single combat to the sophistication of Islamic life, this is the first in a remarkable trilogy that will chart the story of the greatest leader the Middle East has ever known.Trade ReviewPraise for Siege:'This is an ambitious book, written on an ambitious scale, offering a fascinating picture of momentous events' * Daily Mail *Epic is the best word to sum up this thundering historical adventure * Grantham Journal *

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Book Synopsis*****Part of the bestselling John Shakespeare series of Tudor spy thrillers from Rory Clements, winner of the Ellis Peters Historical Fiction Award*****'[Clements] does for Elizabeth's reign what CJ Sansom does for Henry VIII's' Sunday Times**********The Elizabethan navy has a secret weapon: an optical instrument so powerful it gives England unassailable superiority at sea. Spain will stop at nothing to steal it and seize the two men who understand its secrets - its operative William Ivory, known as the 'Queen's Eye', and its inventor, the maverick magician Dr Dee.With a second Armada threatened, intelligencer John Shakespeare is sent north to escort Dr Dee to safety. But his mission is far from straightforward. Dee's host, the Earl of Derby, cousin to Elizabeth, is dying in agony, apparently poisoned. Who wants him dead and why? What lies behind the lynching of the recusant priest Father Matthew Lamb? And what exactly is the connection between these events and the mysterious and beautiful Lady Eliska? While Shakespeare attempts to untangle a plot that points to treachery at the very highest reaches of government, he also faces serious accusations far closer to home. With so much at stake, must he choose between family and his duty to Queen and country?Moving from the Catholic heartlands of Lancashire to a vagabond camp in the heart of England, and from the deck of Admiral Frobisher's flagship off the Brittany coast to the secret meetings of Elizabeth's closest associates, Traitor is award-winning writer Rory Clements' most intriguing and compelling novel to date.Trade ReviewJohn Shakespeare is one of the great historical sleuths. -- Barry ForshawJohn Shakespeare is one of the great historical sleuths. -- Barry ForshawA colourful history lesson ... exciting narrative twists. * Sunday Telegraph *A colourful history lesson ... exciting narrative twists. * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis1164. The young warrior Saladin joins a Saracen army headed for Egypt. He finds there a land of wonders - from the ancient pyramids and the towering lighthouse of Alexandria, to the caliph's luxurious palace - but also a land of unparalleled danger. In Egypt, no one can be trusted, not even his family. Saladin is surrounded by enemies and haunted by a secret that threatens to destroy him.Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Saladin's closest friend, the former crusader John of Tatewic, has been branded traitor. Spared execution on condition that he serves King Amalric, he soon finds himself embroiled in court intrigue. Dark forces within Jerusalem conspire to seize the throne. As John confronts them, his loyalty to Amalric, and to his old friend Saladin, is put to the test.Trade Review'Action, politics and drama are the hallmarks of this excellent series which gives a fascinating and balanced insight into one of the most turbulent periods in world history. The final showdown in the last of the trilogy should be one to savour' * Lancashire Evening Post *Praise for Jack Hight:'An ambitious book written on an ambitious scale . . . a fascinating picture of momentous events' * Daily Mail *'Fans of this genre will enjoy this excellent novel. Recommended' * Historical Novels Review *

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Book SynopsisLike her bestselling THE GLASSBLOWER OF MURANO, Marina Fiorato's fifth unforgettable historical love story is set in Venice. For fans of Philippa Gregory, Sarah Dunant and Alison Weir.1576. Five years after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto, a ship steals unnoticed into Venice bearing a deadly cargo. A man more dead than alive, disembarks and staggers into Piazza San Marco. He brings a gift to Venice from Constantinople. Within days the city is infected with bubonic plague - and the Turkish Sultan has his revenge.But the ship also holds a secret stowaway - Feyra, a young and beautiful harem doctor fleeing a future as the Sultan's concubine. Only her wits and medical knowledge keep her alive as the plague ravages Venice. In despair the Doge commissions the architect Andrea Palladio to build the greatest church of his career - an offering to God so magnificent that Venice will be saved. But Palladio's own life is in danger too, and it will require all skills of medico Annibale Cason, the city's finest plague doctor, to keep him alive.But what Annibale had not counted on was meeting Feyra, who is now under Palladio's protection, a woman who can not only match his medical skills but can also teach him how to care.Trade Review'[Fiorato's] knowledge of the city and its history shines through on every page' * Choice Magazine *'I absolutely loved this story' * debrasbookcafe.blogspot.co.uk *'If you like historical fiction and/or medical dramas, you should really give this a try. Fiorato writes with a deft hand and creates a whirlwind world that is excitingly beautiful and uncertain' * http://bcfreviews.wordpress.com *Praise for Marina Fiorato:'Fiorato creates her own masterpiece' * Booklist *'Captures the scents, passion and vigour of Italy' * Books Quarterly *'A great read' * Best *'A great holiday read with solid historical substance' * Historical Novels Review *

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Book SynopsisThe second unforgettable historical love story set in Italy from Marina Fiorato, author of the bestseller THE GLASSBLOWER OF MURANO. For fans of Philippa Gregory, Sarah Dunant and Alison Weir.Bernardino Luini, favoured apprentice of Leonardo da Vinci, is commissioned to paint a religious fresco in the hills of Lombardy. His eye is caught by the beautiful Simonetta di Saronno, a young noblewoman who has lost her husband to battle, and whose fortune is gone. Captivated by her beauty and sadness, Bernardino paints Simonetta's likeness, immortalizing her as the Madonna in his miraculous frescoes in Saronno's church. As the sittings progress, artist and model fall in love, and Simonetta reciprocates Luini's genius by creating a drinnk for her lover from the juice of almonds - the famous Amaretto di Saronno.As the frescoes and the liqueur near their completion, the couple's affair distils into a heady brew of religious scandal which threatens their love, and ultimately their lives. Who is the mysterious Jew with a golden hand? And how does a mute young soldier affect Simonetta's destiny?Trade ReviewPraise for Marina Fiorato:'A great read' * Best *'Captures the scents, passion and vigour of Italy' * Books Quarterly *'Fiorato creates her own masterpiece' * Booklist *'Mesmerising' * Waterstones Books Quarterly *'Recommended' * Good Book Guide *'A sizzling . . . read, and a must to pack in the suitcase' * Italian Magazine *'The enchanting tale . . . is rich with passion, mystery and intrigue' * Booktime *

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Book SynopsisThe third unforgettable historical love story set in Italy from Marina Fiorato, author of the bestseller THE GLASSBLOWER OF MURANO. For fans of Philippa Gregory, Sarah Dunant and Alison Weir.Florence looks like gold and smells like sulphur . . .In the colourful world of fifteenth-century Italy, Luciana Vetra is young and beautiful, a part-time model and full-time whore. When she is asked to pose as the goddess Flora for Sandro Botticelli's painting La Primavera, she is willing to oblige - until the artist abruptly sends her away without payment. Affronted, she steals an unfinished version of the painting - only to find that someone is ready to kill her to get it back.As friends and associates are murdered around her, Luciana turns to the one man who has never tried to exploit her beauty, Brother Guido della Torre, a novice at the monastery of Santa Croce. Fleeing Florence together, Luciana and Guido race through the nine great cities of Renaissance Italy, desperately trying to decode the painting's secrets before their enemies stop them.Trade ReviewPraise for Marina Fiorato:'A great read' * Best *'Captures the scents, passion and vigour of Italy' * Books Quarterly *'Fiorato creates her own masterpiece' * Booklist *'Mesmerising' * Waterstones Books Quarterly *'Recommended' * Good Book Guide *'A sizzling . . . read, and a must to pack in the suitcase' * Italian Magazine *'The enchanting tale . . . is rich with passion, mystery and intrigue' * Booktime *

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Book SynopsisIncludes BONUS short story*****Part of the bestselling John Shakespeare series of Tudor spy thrillers from Rory Clements, winner of the Ellis Peters Historical Fiction Award*****'[Clements] does for Elizabeth's reign what CJ Sansom does for Henry VIII's' Sunday Times**********England is a Judas nest of conspiracyIt is 1582, and the conflict between Protestant and Catholic threatens to tear the country in two. While Queen Elizabeth I holds the reins of power, there are those whose loyalty lies with her imprisoned cousin, Mary Queen of Scots.On his first major mission for Sir Francis Walsingham, the young John Shakespeare is ordered to discover a conspiracy to free the Stuart queen from Sheffield Castle. All too soon, he realises that the tentacles of the plot reach deep into his native Warwickshire and threaten his own friends and family. His duty lies with Elizabeth - but how far will he go to protect those he loves?Trade Review*GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Reader Recommends*: I could not put down THE QUEEN'S MAN by Rory Clements * Good Housekeeping READER RECOMMENDS **GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Reader Recommends*: I could not put down THE QUEEN'S MAN by Rory Clements * Good Housekeeping READER RECOMMENDS *The sixth in Rory Clements' enjoyable series of Elizabethan thrillers featuring John Shakespeare ... Clements has the edge when it comes to creating a lively, fast-moving plot. * The Sunday Times *The sixth in Rory Clements' enjoyable series of Elizabethan thrillers featuring John Shakespeare ... Clements has the edge when it comes to creating a lively, fast-moving plot. * The Sunday Times *Sixteenth-century London comes alive in all its tawdriness. * Daily Mail *Sixteenth-century London comes alive in all its tawdriness. * Daily Mail *Enjoyable, bloody and brutish. * Guardian *Enjoyable, bloody and brutish. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe Svalbard archipelago, 1977, Norwegian territory, yet closer to the north pole. Russian engineer Yuri arrives on the last boat to the Soviet mining outpost of Pyramiden, as the Arctic sun disappears for the winter. Yuri still plays by Stalin-era rules: Don't trust anyone; Keep your head down; Look after number one. Yet when a co-worker is found dead deep in the mine, the circumstances appear strange. Against his better judgement, Yuri breaks his own rules, and decides to investigate. At the same time, he begins a stormy love affair with the volatile, brooding Anya. She has come to Pyramiden to meet someone who has not shown himself in three months, if he exists at all. While the whole island is frozen in twenty-four-hour darkness, Yuri enters a dangerous world of secrets and conflicting agendas, where even the people closest to you are not always what they seem.Trade ReviewBurke has created an unusual tale of intrigue and adventure, set in as barren and remote a location as can be imagined, and has pulled it off with considerable style and panache. * Irish Independent *I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I thought I knew where it was going but there was a delicious twist I didn't see coming . . . I think this will prove to be one of my favourite books of 2017. * The Art of Danger *A terrific thriller . . . masterfully handled * The Digital Fix *A must read * Janie Phillips, Chrishighreviews *

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Book SynopsisAn enthralling, eventful WW2 saga from the popular writer of the Daisy Lane novels - perfect for fans of Daisy Styles. 1943, Gosport, Hampshire. Pixie Saunders is 19 and employed in the local armaments factory. Not for the first time, her mother has run off with a dodgy-looking bloke, leaving Pixie to pay the rent and fend for herself. Pixie, along with her best friend Rita, Em, the factory overseer, and the rest of the girls are making the most of the war while trying to stay alive. The work is dangerous and the hours long, but in the evenings they take off their overalls and go to the pub or, better still, go dancing. Pixie meets American serviceman Cal and falls in love. But then Cal rejoins his ship. When Pixie falls pregnant, her life changes dramatically. Alone and unable to work, she has to rely on the kindness of friends to help her survive. Happiness seems like a thing of the past. Little does she know that there are plenty of surprises waiting for her - good ones at that. Love may be closer than she thinks.

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Book SynopsisIf you love Lesley Pearse, you're sure to fall for Tamara McKinley. A tale of hardship, hidden identities and our shared struggle to survive. Becky Jackson's family has been managing the hospital in far-flung Morgan's Reach for three generations. When Becky's husband is tragically lost at war, she and her young son Danny must leave the city and return to her birthplace to start over. But for all its charm, Morgan's Reach is a divided community, where blood is thicker than water and grudges run deep. So when a mysterious stranger appears outside the town and Danny begins to act strangely, it is not only Becky's newfound stability that's threatened. And what of the fact that there's not been a drop of rain in over three years? The risk of wildfire looms large and the hospital is already pushed to breaking point. A single spark could level the area in minutes - burning away everything for which the town has worked so hard; exposing the secrets they've fought to keep so close.Trade ReviewSo well written you can almost feel the hairs on your arm scorching! A truly absorbing and engaging novel * Rosie Goodwin, Sunday Times bestseller *Tamara Mckinley's sweeping saga of life in the Australian outback will delight her ever-growing legion of fans * Dilly Court, Sunday Times Bestseller *Gripping ... tautly plotted * Time Out *'Big, sweeping historical drama ... certainly on a par with Lesley Pearse' Bookseller. * Bookseller *Big, sweeping historical drama ... certainly on a par with Lesley Pearse * Bookseller *'Gripping ... tautly plotted' Time Out. * Time Out *'So well written you can almost feel the hairs on your arm scorching! A truly absorbing and engaging novel' Rosie Goodwin, Sunday Times bestseller. * Sunday Times *'Tamara Mckinley's sweeping saga of life in the Australian outback will delight her ever-growing legion of fans' Dilly Court, Sunday Times top ten bestseller. * Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis***J. M. G. Le Clézio is the Winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Fiction***On the isle of Mauritius at the turn of the century the young Alexis L'Etang enjoys an idyllic existence with his parents and beloved sister - sampling the pleasures of privilege, exploring the onstellations and tropical flora, and dreaming of treasure buried long ago by the Unknown Corsair. But with his father's death, Alexis must leave his childhood paradise and enter the harsh world of privation and shame.Years later, Alexis has become obsessed with the idea of finding the Corsair's treasure; and through it, the lost magic and opulence of his youth. He abandons job and family, setting off on a quest that will take him from the remote tropical islands to the hell of the First World War, and from a love affair with the mysterious Ouma to a momentous confrontation with the search that has consumed his life.By turns harsh and lyrical, pointed and nostalgic, The Prospector is a 'parable of the human condition' (Le Monde) by one of the most significant literary figures in Europe today.Trade ReviewLe Clézio expresses an unusual sensibility towards a dimension wherein human beings can breathe naturally in response to the seasonal rhythms of the planet, and thereby recover some hope of achieving ultimate wholeness and serenity * Times Literary Supplement *With its echoes of other famous quests, Alexis's search takes on mythical proportions and brings him face-to-face with the elemental forces of nature... A novel of intense beauty * Review of Contemporary Fiction *The Prospector offers a wonderful one-volume compendium of all the grand myths rooted in the European colonial experience, combining elements from Paul et Virginie, Robinson Crusoe, and Indiana Jones * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisSet in the 5th century AD, Azazeel is the exquisitely crafted tale of a Coptic monk's journey from Upper Egypt to Alexandria and then Syria during a time of massive upheaval in the early Church. Winner of the Arab Booker Prize, Azazeel highlights how the history of our civilization has been warped by greed and avarice since its very beginnings and how one man's beliefs are challenged not only by the malice of the devil, but by the corruption with the early Church. In sparse and often sparkling prose that reflects the arid beauty of the Syrian landscape, Azazeel is a novel that forces us to re-think many of our long-held beliefs and invites us to rediscover a lost history.Trade ReviewA believably human and universal tale of a man, racked with doubt and temptation, on a journey to find himself... The writing is unflashy and sincere, neatly matching the monasticism at the book's heart. * Observer *An astonishing feat of imaginative fiction... Azazeel might be the most compelling and inventive novel published this year. A triumph. * Irish Examiner *

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Book SynopsisIn the international bestseller Roma, Steven Saylor told the story of the first thousand years of Rome by following the descendants of a single bloodline. Now, in Empire, Saylor charts the destinies of five more generations of the Pinarius family, from the reign of the first emperor, Augustus, to the glorious height of Rome's empire under Hadrian. Through the eyes of the Pinarii, we witness the machinations of Tiberius, the madness of Caligula, the cruel escapades of Nero, and the chaos of the Year of Four Emperors in 69 A.D. The deadly paranoia of Domitian is followed by the Golden Age of Trajan and Hadrian-but even the most enlightened emperors wield the power to inflict death and destruction on a whim. Empire is strewn with spectacular scenes, including the Great Fire of 64 A.D. that ravaged the city, Nero's terrifying persecution of the Christians, and the mind-blowing opening games of the Colosseum. But at the novel's heart are the wrenching choices and seductive temptations faced by each new generation of the Pinarii. One unwittingly becomes the sexual plaything of the notorious Messalina. One enters into a clandestine affair with a Vestal virgin. One falls under the charismatic spell of Nero, while another is drawn into the strange new cult of those who deny the gods and call themselves Christians. However diverse their destinies and desires, all the Pinarii are united by one thing: the mysterious golden talisman called the fascinum handed down from a time before Rome existed. As it passes from generation to generation, the fascinum seems to exercise a power not only over those who wear it, but over the very fate of the empire. Praise for Steven Saylor: 'Saylor expertly weaves the true history of Rome with the lives and loves of its fictional citizens.' Daily Express 'Saylor's scholarship is breathtaking and his writing enthrals' Ruth Rendell 'With the scalpel-like deftness of a Hollywood director, Saylor puts his finger on the very essence of Roman history.' Times Literary Supplement 'Readers will find his work wonderfully (and gracefully) researched...this is entertainment of the first order.' Washington PostTrade ReviewEngrossing and exciting. * Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisOn a cold January evening in 50BC, two strangers enter Rome - one an Egyptian ambassador and the other a eunuch priest. Both are seeking Gordianus the Finder, who has a reputation for solving murders. But the ambassador, a philosopher named Dio, asks for something Gordianus cannot give - help in staying alive. And before the night is out, Dio is brutally assassinated.Now Gordianus must begin the most dangerous case of his career. Hired to investigate Dio's murder by a beautiful woman with a scandalous reputation, he will follow a trail of intrigue into the highest circles of political power and the city's secret arenas of debauchery. There Gordianus will learn that nothing is as it seems, not the damning evidence he uncovers, nor the suspect he sends to trial, not even the real truth behind Dio's death which also lies shrouded in secrets - though not of the state, but of the heart.Trade ReviewA deadly game of betrayls, seduction and murder. * The Poisoned Pen *Engrossing...simmering with eroticism. * Publisher's Weekly *Finely etched historical background...the finest flower yet of Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series. * Kirkus Review *

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Book SynopsisSouth of Rome on the Gulf of Puteoli stands the splendid villa of Marcus Crassus, Rome's wealthiest citizen. When the estate overseer is murdered, Crasus concludes that the deed was done by two missing slaves, who have probably run off to join the Spartacus Slave Revolt. Unless they are found within five days, Crassus vows to massacre his remaining ninety-nine slaves. To Gordianus the Finder falls the fateful task of resolving this riddle from Hades. In a house filled with secrets, the truth is slow to emerge and Gordianus realizes that the labyrinthine path he has chosen just may lead to his own destruction.Trade ReviewCompulsively entertaining * New York Times *A marvellously authentic slice of antiquity that will serve as a savoury treat for fans both of mystery and historical fiction * Booklist *The best of two genres: a faithful and breezy historical novel and an entertaining whodunit. * New York Times *Sensuoulsy written...........spellbinding * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisA story of murder and duplicity during the Roman civil war featuring Gordianus the Finder.Caesar and his troops have crossed teh Rubicon and ar marching on Rome. Pompey his rival, is preparing to flee south with his loyal troops, leaving the city unguarded and ungoverned. Before Pompey leaves Rome, however, his cousiin and protege is found dead, garotted in Gordianus's garden. Enraged, Pompey demands that Gordianus discover and name the killer.With one son a trusted aide of Caesar and his son-in-law held as hostage by Pompey, Gordianus faces a personal crisis: he must learn the secrets of the dead man and reveal a murderer to protect his own family from being crushed by the opposing forces that will forever change the Roman world.Trade ReviewThe Saylor hallmarks are...meticulous recreation of Rome's grimy bustling streets...and a brilliantly drawn cast of minor characters. * The Sunday Times *A compelling (and sometimes very funny) story teller, with a striking talent for historical reconstruction. * Times Literary Supplement *The ending springs a genuine surprise on the reader. * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisAt the dawn of the Roman Empire, when tyranny ruled, a daughter of Egypt and a son of Rome found each other...Selene's parents are gone, her country has been taken from her and she has been brought to the city of Rome in chains, with only her twin brother, Alexander, to remind her of home and all she once had. Paraded as captives and brought to live among the ruling family, Selene and her brother attend lessons, learning how to be Roman and where allegiances lie. Devoting herself to her artistic skill and training as an architect, she tries to make herself useful, in hope of staying alive and being allowed to return to Egypt. But before long, she is distracted by the young and handsome heir to the empire. But all is not well in the city and when the elusive 'Red Eagle' starts calling for the end of slavery, causing riots and murder, and the Roman army goes to war, Selene and Alexander, the children of Mark Antony, Rome's lost son and greatest rival, find their lives in grave danger.Trade Review'Throughout her meticulous research, Moran, a rising star in the world of historical fiction, has drawn a vivid picture of the horrors and glories of life in ancient Rome. This is an intelligent historical novel, which like Moran's previous two titles draws you in from the outset' Daily Express. * Daily Express *

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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 SynopsisEdith Wharton's novel reworks the eternal triangle of two women and a man in a strikingly original manner. When about to marry the beautiful and conventional May Welland, Newland Archer falls in love with her very unconventional cousin, the Countess Olenska. The consequent drama, set in New York during the 1870s, reveals terrifying chasms under the polished surface of upper-class society as the increasingly fraught Archer struggles with conflicting obligations and desires. The first woman to do so, Edith Wharton won the Pulitzer Prize for this dark comedy of manners which was immediately recognized as one of her greatest achievements.

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