Whether your passion is The Ancient Greeks, The Wars of The Roses or The Russian Revolution, you'll find stories of life during these eras and every other, often using factual accounts to build a fictional narrative.
Historical Fiction Books
Golis Publishing 2020 The New Black Awakening
Book Synopsis
£14.72
The Funny Book Company The Magna Carta or is it
Book Synopsis
£10.97
Nina Giotti Publishing Greasepainted by the Gestapo
Book Synopsis
£14.98
Pan Macmillan A Woman of Courage
Book SynopsisRita Bradshaw was born in Northamptonshire, where she lives today. At the age of sixteen she met her husband whom she considers her soul mate and they have two daughters, a son and six grandchildren. To her delight, Rita's first novel was accepted for publication and she has gone on to write many more successful novels since, including the number one bestseller Dancing in the Moonlight.As a committed Christian and passionate animal-lover her life is busy, and she enjoys reading, eating out and visiting the theatre & cinema, as well as being involved in her church and animal welfare.
£18.00
Headline Publishing Group The Lindbergh Nanny
Book Synopsis''Gripping and elegant... brings readers into the interior of the twentieth century''s most infamous crime'' Nina de Gramont, author of The Christie Affair''The kind of book that shows the difference between a psychological thriller and any old thriller... a terrific read from a seriously thoughtful writer'' Daily Mail---SHE WAS THE LAST PERSON TO SEE THE BABY... You may not know Betty Gow''s name - but ''the Lindbergh nanny'' is infamous. In 1932, all eyes are on Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, the most glamorous and intriguing couple in America. But who was paying attention when, one evening in early March, their baby son was stolen from the family home? The Lindbergh nanny is the first person to discover Charlie missing... and the last to see him that night. With the world watching on, Betty must discover the truth about what really happened to young Charlie, to clear her oTrade ReviewThis is just the kind of book that shows the difference between a psychological thriller and any old thriller. Fredericks understands the penetrating detail required for psychological thrillers. This is a terrific read from a seriously thoughtful writer * Daily Mail *
£10.44
Headline Publishing Group The Woman on the Bridge
Book SynopsisTHE IRISH TIMES BESTSELLERIn her first historical novel, bestselling author Sheila O'Flanagan tells the dramatic, poignant and unputdownable story of a young woman caught up in Ireland's fight for freedom. Inspired by the true story of Sheila's grandmother. 'Winnie is a great character . . . she's always real - she's always human' Roddy DoyleTrade ReviewWinnie's a great character, a terrific guide. She brings us through big history, but she has to feed the kids. She's always real - she's always human * Roddy Doyle *A riveting rollercoaster of drama, tragedy, triumph and love. I enjoyed it SO much! You will too. * Patricia Scanlan *Utterly captivating, a novel that resonates as a piece of history and yet also as a modern story of love, war and how women will fight for the people they love * Cathy Kelly *Historical fiction at its best. Unputdownable, full of poignancy, warmth and real and relatable women * Kate Thompson *Winifred's personality leaps off the page and her story is one that is both filled with drama and truly fascinating. I loved this book! * Jill Mansell *
£15.00
Headline Publishing Group Gilding the Lily
Book SynopsisRita Bradshaw writes an unforgettable saga in Gilding the Lily, a tale of love and loss set against the dramatic events of the early twentieth century.
£8.99
Headline Publishing Group Above The Harvest Moon
Book Synopsis She''s found friendship. Can she find love too? In Above the Harvest Moon, Rita Bradshaw once again enthrals her readers in her stunning saga of love, jealousy and survival. Perfect for fans of Annie Murray and Maggie Hope.It''s 1926 and the Depression is claiming its victims every day. Hannah and her mother, Miriam, who have lived with Hannah''s uncle and aunt since her father died, have never really been close. As Hannah develops into a beautiful girl, so Miriam''s jealousy and resentment of her grows. At least Hannah can escape to spend time at her friend Naomi''s, whose kind mother gives Hannah the affection she so lacks at home. And Hannah is not indifferent to Naomi''s handsome, charming brother Adam. But when she is forced to flee her house and the unwanted attention of her uncle, it is the grave, taciturn Jake, Naomi''s other brother, who shines through as Hannah''s protector...
£8.99
Headline Publishing Group Through RoseColoured Glasses
Book Synopsis A whirlwind romance changes a young woman''s life forever... Anne Baker writes a spellbinding saga in Through Rose-Coloured Glasses, in which a young woman''s rash decision leads her into new dangers. Perfect for fans of Lyn Andrews and Nadine Dorries.Dinah Radcliffe doesn''t have much money to spend on the finer things in life, but she shares a contented existence with her mother, Sarah. They have seen their share of troubles since Dinah''s father was killed in the Great War, but the Radcliffes have always made the best of things. When Dinah meets widowed businessman Richard Haldane at the races, her life changes beyond recognition. Richard sweeps Dinah off her feet, dazzling her with a glimpse of wealth and privilege beyond her wildest dreams, and they are married in a matter of weeks. But Richard is not the man Dinah thought he was. Soon, she''s learning that money can''t buy you happiness. And that she''s married to a ma
£10.44
Headline Publishing Group Bad Boy Jack
Book SynopsisThe thrilling saga of a man who must battle against the odds to reunite the family he has split asunder, from the Number One bestselling author Josephine Cox.Can he find his children, and the woman he loves, before everything is lost?Unable to cope with raising his children alone, Robert Sullivan abandons them to others, until he has a change of heart and decides to go back for them. But on the way there, he is involved in a horrific accident.Jack and Nancy are placed in the brutal regime of the Galloway Children''s Home, where Jack''s devotion to his sister and fiery temper land him in more trouble. The children find themselves at the mercy of the corrupt Clive Ennington, who splits them up and sells Nancy off to the highest bidder.Meanwhile Mary, Robert''s only love, is forced to seek a new life for herself. She decides to marry Paul Marshall, the handsome owner of a seaside guesthouse but her chance of happiness is threatened by his e
£8.79
Headline Publishing Group The Silence and the Rage
Book Synopsis''A novelist at the height of his powers'' La Croix''You have the ingredients Balzac would have cooked with. And it is exactly those great 19th century novels that Lemaitre will remind you of'' Sunday TimesIt is 1952 and the Pelletier family have returned to a life in France...Patriarch Louis Pelletier, a successful businessman with a dark past, has remained with his wife in Beirut, but his family have settled on French soil. Jean, the menacing eldest brother, hides a terrible secret and is trapped in a stifling marriage, though his life is enriched by his love for his three-year-old daughter. François, an up-and-coming reporter, is caught up in a volatile love affair; and Hélène, their younger sister, strives to make her own way as a journalist, but as a woman in a man''s world, she faces extraordinary challenges as she fights to expose a vast industrial scandal.Filled with twists and turns, dark and compelling, yet ripe with wit and surprising cliffhangers, The Silence and the Rage is the story of one remarkable family against the backdrop of France during one of its most thrilling and turbulent periods.''Lemaitre''s hard-boiled style of writing is perfectly matched by his translator, Frank Wynne'' Financial Times
£21.25
Headline Publishing Group Whistledown Woman
Book Synopsis What if everything you''ve been brought up to believe was a lie? Whistledown Woman is the moving story of a beautiful girl growing up unaware of her true inheritance, from bestselling author Josephine Cox. Perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Lindsey Hutchinson.On a moonlit night in 1898, Kathleen Wyman lies in labour at Bessington Hall. Her husband, Edward, is sure that she has been unfaithful to him. In his blind, jealous rage he later gives away the baby to gypsy Rona Parrish, summoned to help with the delivery. Kathleen, frenzied with grief, is soon after locked away in an asylum.Rejected by her father, the little girl begins her new life with only a valuable brooch pinned to her shawl as a clue to her true origins. Named after Rona''s own mother, the lovely raven-haired Starlena grows up in ignorance of her true parentage and vast inheritance, believing her birthplace to be the beautiful Whistledown Valley. And Rona, always afraid, stays watchful over the years for any sign that someone might track Starlena down - someone who wishes her harm... What readers are saying about Whistledown Woman: ''A brilliant novel by Josephine Cox. Gripping and romantic combined with subterfuge. A very unusual storyline makes this a different story''''Couldn''t put this book down, had everything: romance, sadness, suspense''''I loved the story, lots of twists and turns - such a realistic, descriptive style which transported me into the story''
£8.79
Headline Publishing Group Under Darkening Skies
Book Synopsis''A fascinating and engrossing read'' LORRAINE KELLY''Moving and hugely entertaining'' RICHARD MADELEY''Loved it'' FERN BRITTON***It is 1937, and Europe is on the brink of change...Kitty has escaped her family home in England to join an international brigade of fighters high up on the snow-covered Spanish borders, determined to lead an effective fight against the growing Fascist forces sweeping across Spain.In Oxford, Grace has embarked on a new posting, working with two medical scientists - one Australian, one a German refugee - on the brink of a great discovery that will impact a life-changing treatment for infection. But for now, they need to keep their findings away from the envious eyes of Nazi extremists.And in London, Lieselotte, one of the only surviving members of a German family rounded up by fanatics in their own country, is invited to a clandestine meeting, there to be recruited to work that will divert the course of international action.As the years pass and the bloody fighting in Europe bites, these women - bonded by idealism, love and extraordinary courage - leave an indelible mark on the historical landscape , united in their efforts to make change in a world riven by war.UNDER DARKENING SKIES is the concluding story in Hilary Jones''s compelling and dramatic trilogy of the twentieth century, covering a time of upheaval, conflict and extraordinary leaps in medicine that affect how we lead our lives now.''A brilliantly sweeping drama'' ANTON DU BEKE''An exciting tale of intrigue, determination and fortitude'' SHAUN WALLACE''A compelling story, great characters and packed full of historical and medical detail'' ED BALLS''This book is a real page-turner and brilliantly researched'' DR DAWN HARPER, author of LIVE WELL TO 101Reviews for FRONTLINE and EYE OF THE STORM:''An enthralling tale'' Daily Mirror''An ambitious, sweeping epic of a story, visceral in its descriptions, and written with great insight and empathy'' Historical Novel Society
£17.00
Austin Macauley Publishers We Were Not Heroes
Book Synopsis
£13.26
St. Martin's Publishing Group Heads You Win
Book SynopsisHeads You Win is international #1 bestseller Jeffrey Archer's most ambitious and creative work since Kane and Abel, with a final twist that will shock even his most ardent of fans.Leningrad, Russia, 1968: From an early age it is clear that Alexander Karpenko is destined to lead his countrymen. But when his father is assassinated by the KGB for defying the state, Alexander and his mother will have to escape Russia if they hope to survive. At the docks, they have an irreversible choice: board a container ship bound for America or one bound for Great Britain. Alexander leaves the choice to a toss of a coin...In a single moment, a double twist decides Alexander's future. During an epic tale, spanning two continents and thirty years, we follow Alexander through triumph and defeat as he sets out on parallel lives as Alex in New York and Sasha in London. As this unique story unfolds, both come to realize that to find their destiny they must face
£28.20
St. Martin's Publishing Group Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen
Book SynopsisYou''ll be swept away by the passion and power of this remarkable, trailblazing woman who risked everything to follow her own heart. Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling authorAn epic page-turner. Christina Baker Kline Bird's fast-paced, action-packed story is a bittersweet onegrand love and legacy ultimately eluded Williamsbut this fearless, often heartbreaking account sheds a welcome light on an extraordinary American warrior. Publisher''s Weekly, Starred Review Named Best Fiction Writer in the Austin Chronicle''s Austin''s Best 2018Named one of Lone Star Literary Life''s Top 20 Texas Books of 2018The compelling, hidden story of Cathy Williams, a former slave and the only woman to ever serve with the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.Here's the first thing you need to know about Miss Cathy Williams: I am the daughter of a daughter of a queen and m
£26.29
St Martin's Press A Woman of Intelligence
Book SynopsisCaptivating. The Washington PostNamed a Best Book of Summer by Good Morning America BuzzFeed PopSugar BookRiot LifeSavvy CT PostFrom a master of historical fiction (NPR), Karin Tanabe''s A Woman of Intelligence is an exhilarating tale of post-war New York City, and one remarkable woman's journey from the United Nations, to the cloistered drawing rooms of Manhattan society, to the secretive ranks of the FBI.A Fifth Avenue address, parties at the Plaza, two healthy sons, and the ideal husband: what looks like a perfect life for Katharina Edgeworth is anything but. It's 1954, and the post-war American dream has become a nightmare.A born and bred New Yorker, Katharina is the daughter of immigrants, Ivy-League-educated, and speaks four languages. As a single girl in 1940s Manhattan, she is a translator at the newly formed United Nations, devoting her days to her work and the promise
£20.89
St Martin's Press The Last Crown
Book SynopsisAcross Baltic shores, English battlegrounds, and the land of Northern Lights, author Elzbieta Cherezinska''s The Last Crown is the follow up to The Widow Queen, and the epic conclusion of Swietoslawa''s journey from Polish princess to Queen of Denmark & Sweden and Queen Mother of England.The web of love and lies is thicker than ever as we reunite with players spread across the board of Europe in this sequel to The Widow Queen. Our heroes and enemies alike are beholden to the hands of fate.While Olav Tryggvason reclaims the throne of Norway and baptizes the land by blood, King Sven in Denmark is filled with rage at his once comrade. Not only does Olav threaten Sven's hold on Norway, but his hold on his own wife -- the woman with two crowns, three sons, and a heart long spoken for. Swietoslawa, the Bold One.Meanwhile, those Swietoslawa trusts most -- Astrid, her sister, Sigvald, her brother-in-law and head of the Jomsvikings, and eve
£15.29
Simon & Schuster Ltd Return to Berlin
Book Synopsis‘Masterful, magnificent. A passionate story of survival. This story will stay with me for a long time’ Heather Morris, bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz on A Bookshop in ParisA young German Jewish woman returns to Allied Occupied Berlin from America to face the past and unexpected future. Young Meike ‘Millie’ Mosbach and her brother David escape Berlin just before the horror of Kristallnacht, leaving their parents and little sister to follow them to America. But their family never arrives. After the war they return to a shattered city, hoping against hope to find their family. Postwar Berlin is a wild west where drunken soldiers brawl, spies ply their trade and ‘werewolves’ – unrepentant Nazis – scheme to rise again. Consumed with rage at her former country, Millie’s job rooting out Nazis from publishing seems the perfect outlet
£8.09
Orion Publishing Co Call Nurse Millie
Book Synopsis''A delightful, well researched story that really does depict nursing and the living conditions in the East End at the end of the war'' Lesley Pearse''Jean Fullerton''s saga will delight her growing legion of fans'' Dilly CourtCan she deliver the hope they need? London is putting itself back together and twenty-five-year-old Millie is at the forefront of the effort as she tends to the East End community around her.While she witnesses tragedy and brutality in her job, Millie also finds strength and kindness as her training begins to pay off, helping her to bring her patients back to health and welcome babies into the world. But it''s not only the patients that need Millie as matters of the heart bring both tears and joy for the young nurses.With grit and gumption, Millie and her friends do their best to find their way through first loves and heartbreaks, and balancing their duty of care with looking after each other. But wTrade ReviewA delightful, well researched story that really does depict nursing and the living conditions in the East End at the end of the war -- Lesley Pearse..the characters are well rounded, the period and political details evoke nostalgia, and the patient's stories are convincingly and vividly told... The writing shines off the page and begs for a sequel * HISTORICAL NOVELS SOCIETY *Charming and full of detail about the work of a nurse in 1940s London, you will ride emotional highs and lows with each new birth and death. Beautifully written with some sharp dialogue * THE LADY *Warmth, humour and characters readers care about, are Fullerton's hallmarks. * PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH *A delightful, well researched story that really does depict nursing and the living conditions in the East End at the end of the war -- Lesley Pearse...the characters are well rounded, the period and political details evoke nostalgia, and the patient's stories are convincingly and vividly told... The writing shines off the page and begs for a sequel * Historical Novel Society *Warmth, humour and characters readers care about, are Fullerton's hallmarks. * PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH *Charming and full of detail about the work of a nurse in 1940s London, you will ride emotional highs and lows with each new birth and death. Beautifully written with some sharp dialogue * THE LADY *
£8.54
Orion Publishing Co The Paris Affair
Book SynopsisIn the darkest days of war, a stranger will change everything. Paris, 1926. A young dancer Ray Cohen arrives from London to compete at the Exhibition Paris. He is led astray by Hugo, a charismatic dancer born of the streets, who introduces him to the city's nightlife and a dazzling stranger called Hannah Lindt. London, 1941. With the heroic Raymond de Guise away fighting in North Africa, his beloved wife Nancy must balance her new position - as Head of Housekeeping at the Buckingham Hotel - with life as a new mother to their child. As the war rages on, a charismatic stranger from Raymond's past arrives at Nancy's doorstep, asking for work at the Buckingham Hotel. As dark secrets rise to the surface, the very heart of the Buckingham Hotel is under threat. Will tragedy strike?
£16.00
Orion Publishing Co The Color Purple
Book SynopsisONE OF THE BBC''S 100 NOVELS THAT SHAPED OUR WORLD WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE AND THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARDIn rural Georgia, sisters Celie and Nettie share the pain and struggle of growing up as African American women. Forced into an abusive marriage, at least Celie can offer Nettie refuge from their violent father in her new home - until Nettie catches the attention of Celie''s husband and is forced to leave and forge her own journey.Through a series of letters spanning twenty years, the sisters sustain their hope in each other across time, distance and silence, in a triumph of resilience, bravery and ultimately, love.''Indelibly affecting'' New York Times''A lush celebration of all that it means to be a Black female'' Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieTrade ReviewA genuinely mind-expanding book. -- Patrick Ness * GUARDIAN *She is one of the most gifted writers in her country -- Isabel AllendeThe Color Purple is a work to stand beside literature for any time and any place. It needs no category other than the fact that it is superb -- Rita Mae BrownThe Color Purple is a lush celebration of all that it means to be female, to be a black female and like the best of celebrations, it is an honest one. Alice Walker's honesty in this book is combative, relentless and redemptive. It is from this honesty that bitterness emerges, and yet the bitterness never blights the encompassing humanity of Walker's vision.I love that The Color Purple doesn't try to soften its blows but is also courageous enough to hold on to a wonderfully affirming faith in possibility, in forgiveness and kindness and hope. -- Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieThe great irony about The Color Purple is that it transcends colour. To do that you have to be a magician or a genius. This book works on all levels, the political, the historical, the personal, the emotional, the spiritual . . . Not a word is wasted, every breath accounted for. We all know that this is one of the greatest books of all time. -- Benjamin ZephaniahA unique blend of serenity and immediacy that makes your senses ache -- Helen DunmoreAlice Walker is a lavishly gifted writer * New York Times *A fable for the modern world * Washington Post *A stunning, brilliantly conceived book . . . a saga filled with joy and pain, humor and bitterness, and an array of characters who live, breathe and illuminate the world of black women * Publishers Weekly *One of the most haunting books you could ever wish to read ... it is stunning - moving, exciting, and wonderful * Lenny Henry *This made Alice Walker the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize. It's a fascinating but tough read because it deals with the abuse of women and children. Despite the brutality, it's filled with hope and optimism * DAILY EXPRESS *A story about Black women living in the intersections of racialized and gendered violence, who find liberation through community with each other. A brutal and beautiful novel * Brit Bennett, bestselling author of The Vanishing Half *Add this great book to your collection now. * PRIDE MAGAZINE (1 September 2004) *
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton Spy Hunter
Book Synopsis''A great new series. Wiggins is a captivating hero, and Lyle draws his Edwardian backstreets in convincing colour'' Mick Herron, author of Slow Horses''Skilfully mixing real history with action sequences worthy of Lee Child, this is historical crime-writing at its best'' John Williams, the Mail on Sunday on The Year of the Gun1914. Sherlock Holmes has been murdered. Nobody knows who did it, but Wiggins, former Baker Street Irregular and Holmes'' protégée, suspects a German spy.However, Europe is descending into the chaos of the First World War. Captain Kell of Military Intelligence has limited resources, and more pressing matters on his mind. Wiggins is on his own. Almost. He pursues Holmes'' killer across the continent, but as grief and rage close in it''s not just the killer that eludes his grasp . . .''Engaging series of historical thrillers... The story rattles along at pace, the characterTrade ReviewA rip-roaring and action-packed derring-do adventure that pokes tongue-in-cheek fun at modern thriller tropes. Highly recommended. * Irish Independent *Engaging series of historical thrillers . . The story rattles along at pace, the characters are engaging and the fight scenes burst with action. But Lyle's great strength is in his depiction of time and place; from its stinking tenements, where babies cry from hunger, to its sinister docks and upmarket brothels, the Edwardian city - then still part of Britain - is brought to life in all its squalid, magnificent glory * Financial Times *Impressive period detail and sharp dialogue add charm to the strong plot * Daily Mail (on The Irregular) *Full throttle . . . delivering entertainment in spades * Myles McWeeney *A fast-moving thriller * Historical Novel Society *. . . what HB Lyle has done . . . is nothing short of inspirational. There are echoes of John Buchan in these books, and enough hard-core spy stuff to keep aficionados happy. The story ends with a promise there could be more adventures with Wiggins should the author choose to record them. We can but hope. * Spybrary *Thoroughly entertaining * Mail on Sunday *A rip-roaring and action-packed derring-do adventure that pokes tonque.in-cheek fun at modern thriller tropes. Highly recommended * Irish Independent Review *Cracking pace, tension, twists and humour. It mixes a hot plot and historical events with real and fictional characters * Sun *Lyle truly captures the spirit of Conan Doyle in these playful, gripping yarns * Jake Kerridge for the Daily Mirror *ripping fun for fans * Peterborough Telegraph *
£17.00
Hodder & Stoughton Do Tell
Book SynopsisFailed Hollywood actress. Keeper of Hollywood''s secrets. Edie''s a Hollywood actress who is falling out of favour with major studios. When an explosive letter lands in her hands, it couldn''t have come at a better time. The letter, written by a young starlet, alleges an assault by an A-list actor. Edie wastes no time sending it to print, buying herself a new career as Tinseltown''s reigning gossip columnist. Edie has more power on the page than she ever commanded in front of the camera. But dealing in your former friends'' secrets comes at a price - and when her scoop turns into the trial of the decade, Edie''s decisions have the potential to ruin more than one life . . . Do Tell is a glittering journey into golden age Hollywood, and a sharply relevant exploration of secrets, power, and who gets to tell your story.
£8.99
Hodder & Stoughton Sea of Treason
Book SynopsisFollowing his recovery after a savage wounding in America, Kydd returns to England to re-assume command of his ship-of-the-line, Thunderer, which is sent to the remote station of Bermuda.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE KYDD SERIES:A very readable and enjoyable story . . . I can only recommend that you got out, beg, borrow or buy, and enjoy * Bernard Cornwell *In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world * Guardian *This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail * Nautical Magazine *The characterization is first-class, and the reader quickly becomes involved with all that happens * Historical Novels Review *There is no disputing Stockwin's ability to tell a good yarn backed by meticulous research. Stockwin's eye for authentic detail is faultless * Pennant *Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line * Daily Express *Over two decades, Julian Stockwin, a master in naval fiction, has set new high water marks as Thomas Kydd rises from landsman to post captain. Sea of Treason, ambitious in scope, with colorful, captivating characters, is yet another tour de force in the canon. -- George Jepson * Quarterdeck *
£19.80
Hodder & Stoughton Sea of Treason
Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE KYDD SERIES:A very readable and enjoyable story . . . I can only recommend that you got out, beg, borrow or buy, and enjoy * Bernard Cornwell *In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world * Guardian *This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail * Nautical Magazine *The characterization is first-class, and the reader quickly becomes involved with all that happens * Historical Novels Review *There is no disputing Stockwin's ability to tell a good yarn backed by meticulous research. Stockwin's eye for authentic detail is faultless * Pennant *Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line * Daily Express *
£999.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Nurses of Eastby End
Book SynopsisRachel Norris wants to forge a new life and career. And she wants to forget her past.When Rachel qualifies as nurse, she does so because she wants to help others and make a difference. But she is also running from a past life that must stay hidden forever.Completing her training, Rachel moves to London but misses home desperately, so when she hears about an opportunity to train as a district nurse in a village near Rochdale, she seizes the opportunity, even though it will take her closer to the trouble she left behind. She knows nothing about Eastby End and she is shocked to find it a little more than a slum. It''s clear she will need to work hard and keep her wits about her to win the trust of the villagers.Joss Townley has been reluctantly working in his father''s factory but is dismayed at the conditions the workers endure. When his father dies, he sells up immediately to begin travelling but is called home by his mother in an emergency - in order t
£17.60
Hodder & Stoughton The Secrets of Eastby End
Book Synopsis
£18.70
Penguin Books Ltd Mondays Child
Book SynopsisA little girl is found abandoned on a beach one chilly Monday in October, alone apart from the body of her mother, cold beside her.Rendered completely silent by her traumatic experience, she is given the name Monday by the woman who discovers her and takes her to the Red Cliffs Ragged School - an old, crumbling building perched above the Torquay bay.Her saviour, twenty-two-year old Sarah Sullivan, has also had a tough life. But when she was summoned to help out at Red Cliffs - a haven for poverty-stricken children from the cities - by her godfather Samuel she also found her own second chance within its walls. Now she will do anything to help the mischievous, loveable children there. Especially Monday whose continued silence tears at her heart.But with Samuel''s health failing and his grasping nephew Christian eager to inherit, Red Cliffs is under threat. Sarah needs to fight - the children need her, and surprisingly she find she needs them. Will she beTrade ReviewAn orphaned child is discovered on a beach below the Red Cliffs Ragged School in Torquay and though she is taken in by Sarah Sullivan at Red Cliffs, her new start is threatened when the school faces closure . . . * from the publisher's description *Finlay writes with warmth and feeling, creating the book equivalent of a Sunday night period drama. Poldark can keep Cornwall because Monday's Child will make you fall in love with Devon * Culture Fly *Praise for Linda Finlay * - *Warm and atmospheric, you can practically taste the sea breeze * The Express *Take time out for a page-turner about family mysteries and betrayal * Take-a-Break *A compelling saga . . . with a surprising and emotional ending which weaves together the storylines in a most satisfying way. Strongly recommended and a great read on a Cornish holiday * cjbrownecrimewriter.com *A captivating and emotional novel about a strong woman struggling to find her own way in the world when others wish to see her fail * Winstone Books *I couldn't put it down and found myself finishing it in no time at all. . . The story was full of twists and turns from the onset and throughout . . . I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend that you give it a read * Laurahbookblog *It was full of drama, friendship, excitement and was truly a magical story. . . I definitely will be reading more in the near future * Laurahbookblog *
£12.74
Little, Brown Book Group The Other Hoffmann Sister
Book SynopsisShortlisted for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year 2015, Ben Fergusson''s critically acclaimed debut, The Spring of Kasper Meier, was the winner of the Betty Trask Prize 2015 and the HWA 2015 Debut Crown Award. The Other Hoffmann Sister is a gripping, evocative read about two sisters set in pre-WW1 Germany which will appeal to fans of The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry.For Ingrid Hoffmann the story of her sister''s disappearance began in their first weeks in Southwest Africa...Ingrid Hoffmann has always felt responsible for her sister Margarete and when their family moves to German Southwest Africa in 1902, her anxieties only increase. The casual racism that pervades the German community, the strange relationship between her parents and Baron von Ketz, from whom they bought their land, and the tension with the local tribes all culminate in tragedy when Baron von Ketz is savagely murdered. Baroness von Ketz Trade ReviewA fascinating look at racism and snobbery. Broken postwar Germany is superbly drawn and events in Africa are horrific * The Times *Shortlisted for the Sunday Times/Peters Fraser & Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award in 2015, Ben Fergusson was much praised for his first novel, The Spring of Kasper Meier...The Other Hoffmann Sister confirms the talent for atmospheric, morally complex historical fiction that Fergusson showed in his first novel...An engrossing exploration of the ways that secrecy, racism and snobbery take their toll on its finely realised characters' * Sunday Times *In this intricately plotted novel, Ben Fergusson takes a little-known slice of history and fashions it into a gripping love story * Mail on Sunday *The evocative setting and the quick-paced plot takes the reader on a whirlwind tour through South Africa, to Berlin and back again, through war and its aftermath, through aristocracy and the von Ketz's crumbling estate. The novel, written by the award-winning author Ben Fergusson, would appeal to fans of Sarah Perry's The Essex Serpent. * 10 Best Book Club Reads, independent.co.uk *[An] atmospheric, morally complex historical novel * Sunday Times Culture 'Must Read' *Taut, subtle, ambitious and engrossing. A gripping story of conflicting loyalties spanning a turbulent and changing world * Imogen Robertson, author of The Paris Winter *A beautiful, compelling read with exquisitely drawn characters. Wonderful * Jason Hewitt, author of Devastation Road *Elegantly crafted and engrossing - Fergusson's The Other Hoffmann Sister is excellent * William Ryan, author of The Constant Soldier *Beguiling, unsettling, and wonderfully atmospheric. A dark expedition across a nightmarish landscape of physical and emotional damage and moral decay * Sarah Waters, praise for The Spring of Kasper Meier *A richly accomplished work with a fascinating central character. And like the best historical novelists, Fergusson combines the ability both to bring the past to life with grippingly immediate vignettes, and use it to illustrate themes such as betrayal, prejudice and the deceptive nature of memory, which remain universal * i *[A] brilliant, unsettling novel . . . With echoes of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, it explores the darker, unpredictable side of human behaviour . . . this is a wonderfully atmospheric read that keeps you guessing. Highly recommended, and perfect for fans of Sarah Perry's The Essex Serpent * The Lady *
£11.24
Little, Brown Book Group NUNC
Book Synopsis
£16.14
Little, Brown Book Group The Mistress of Ashmore Castle
Book SynopsisThe third novel in the Ashmore Castle series, perfect for fans of DOWNTON ABBEY, from the author of the hugely successful MORLAND DYNASTY novels Behind the doors of the magnificent Ashmore Castle, secrets are waiting to be uncovered . . .England, 1903. Giles, the Earl of Stainton, has fled from his stifling duties to resume his research in Egypt, leaving behind his wife Kitty, and his infant son. Kitty, still reeling from Giles'' sudden departure, struggles to keep spirits high in the castle and establish herself as the true mistress of the house, an impossible task given how many secrets the inhabitants are hiding from her... The Earl''s younger sisters, Rachel and Alice, are both pursuing forbidden romances, and his brother Richard begins a new business venture, spurred on by his clandestine lover. And below stairs, a shocking crime sends distrust rippling through the staff, more so when one of their own is accused. K
£17.59
Orion Publishing Co Tyrant Storm of Arrows
Book SynopsisThe stunning sequel to Christian Cameron''s epic TYRANT.Kineas, the Athenian cavalry commander, has come a long way since being dismissed from the army of Alexander and vengefully exiled by his own city. Together, his mercenary force and their Scythian allies have defeated a mighty Macedonian army at the Ford of the River God, and his adopted city of Olbia is now free once more. But his destiny will not allow him to enjoy the fruits of victory for long. Far to the east, at the farthest edge of the Sea of Grass, Alexander is threatening to crush the Scythian hordes once and for all. The Lady Srayanka of the Cruel Hands, the Scythian warrior-princess who spurned a king''s love to be at Kineas''s side, is pledged to take her tribe east to help stop ''the monster'' - and Kineas knows he has no choice but to follow, even if it means embracing the violent death in battle that he has seen prefigured in countless dreams. But long before he can confront the mig
£10.44
Orion Publishing Co The Misbegotten
Book SynopsisSecrets and haunting mysteries . . . A powerful and poignant historical novel from the author of the TV Book Club bestseller THE LEGACY.Trade ReviewThe mystery of a woman's disappearance powers this gripping story of two young women who unravel past misdeeds to discover the truth. An engrossing tale of deceit, passion and courage * WOMAN & HOME on The Misbegotten *This is an engrossing and totally convincing piece of storytelling, a perfect curl-up-by-the-fire read * YOU Magazine on The Unseen *In a series of flashbacks, Katherine Webb's enticing Gothic tale weaves between the 'present' Bath of 1821 and the events of 16 years earlier, with some stark depictions of the horrors of war. A compelling and convincing novel * DAILY MAIL on The Misbegotten *An atmospheric page-turner * WOMAN & HOME on The Unseen *Brilliant and absorbing drama * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING on The Legacy *A dreamy summer epic * ESSENTIALS on A Half Forgotton Song *Another intricately constructed, beautifully written historical masterpiece -- Lisa BallantyneA wonderful book! The atmosphere and detail is really quite incredible. . .a truly gifted writer of historical fiction -- Lucinda Riley, author of Hothouse Flower and The Girl on the CliffA wonderful book, gripping plot, unforgettable characters...Webb has a true gift for uncovering the mysteries of the human heart and exploring the truth of love. A detective story you can't put down, heart-stopping suspense and a heroine who will stay with you long after you close the book - what more could you want? -- Kate WilliamsKatherine Webb's writing is beautiful and THE MISBEGOTTEN reads like a journey through the dark hidden world beneath a Jane Austen novel -- Elizabeth FremantleIntricately plotted and chillingly imaginative, this is a dramatic and evocative period mystery, a compelling exploration of obsession, deceit and steadfast affection * GOOD BOOK GUIDE one The Misbegotten *
£13.94
Orion Publishing Co Flora and Grace
Book SynopsisThe Second World War - a mother must make a heart-breaking sacrifice in order to save her child... 'Maureen Lee weaves intrigue, love and warmth into every page' MY WEEKLYTrade ReviewWith her talent for storytelling, queen of saga-writing Maureen Lee weaves intrigue, love and warmth into every page * MY WEEKLY *The woman who, through her novels, has helped put Liverpool-set literature on the map * LIVERPOOL ECHO *Maureen Lee is one of those hugely talented authors who writes great women for women readers. Her books don't just have one heroine, they have several * DAILY RECORD *An excellent novel which runs along at a cracking pace [...] You won't want to put this book down. * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS *
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co The Last Debutante
Book SynopsisA captivating family drama about sisters and long-held secrets spanning from the 1930s to the present day, perfect for fans of Downton Abbey. 1936, Chalfont Hall, Dorset. As the dressmaker puts the last pins in her dress, thirteen-year-old Kit is wondering why she has to go through the charade of seeing her sister Lily presented at Court. With her waves of auburn hair and her piercing green eyes, Kit knows that her sister''s place on the social scene is guaranteed regardless of her dress, and as the door to a life of parties and eligible young men opens for Lily, Kit must make do with tiptoeing around the gallery of Chalfont, eavesdropping on the conversations of the grown-ups. But the arrival of a German visitor one evening soon sets in motion a chain of events that none of the family could have anticipated. Years later, the aftershock of events will be felt by a new generation . . .Trade ReviewA light and frothy read, perfect for Downton fans -- HELENA GUMLEY MASON * THE LADY *
£8.24
Orion Export Editions The Edge of the Fall
Book SynopsisFor fans of DOWNTON ABBEY, ATONEMENT and Kate Morton - a compelling historical saga from the bestselling author of THE STORMS OF WAR.
£10.49
Orion Export Editions The House of Shadows
Book SynopsisFor fans of Downton Abbey, Atonement and Birdsong - a compelling historical saga from popular TV historian Kate Williams.
£11.24
Orion Publishing Co Glory
Book Synopsis''GLORY is as near to a British ''War and Peace'' as any contemporary novelist is likely to come'' SPECTATOR''Heart-wrenching novel of loss, love and survival'' WOMAN & HOMEA poignant and compelling story of three lives torn apart by the Battle of Gallipoli.Arthur Tarrant, an Oxford graduate headed for his uncle''s law firm, changes path leaving behind his fiancée Sylvia and joins the army, destined for Gallipoli. There, his life becomes entwined with that of Fred Chaffey, a country boy from Dorset. Glory tells of the fatal errors made by the leaders of the army, the heroism of the men, and the struggles to understand the situation while nurturing relationships in the most strange and difficult of circumstances.Trade ReviewMany lives were changed irrevocably by the 1915 Battle of Gallipoli. Inspired by her grandfather's experiences, Billington focuses on the battle's impact on a young woman and two soldiers in this heart-wrenching novel of loss, love and survival * WOMAN & HOME *Billington vividly creates the doomed [Gallipoli] campaign with its incompetent generals, bullish politicians and sacrificial soldiers ... a clever, insightful and always readable book * THE TIMES *Billington's grandfather was killed at Suvla Bay in August 1915, and this piece of family tragedy invests her epic and gripping novel with added poignancy * DAILY MAIL *Glory is as near to a British 'War and Peace' as any contemporary novelist is likely to come -- Bevis Hillier * THE SPECTATOR *From the troops amidst the horrors of battle to those at home forced to look on helplessly, people suffered but performed great deeds. Their stories, and the precious written legacy of Billington's grandfather, are beautifully preserved in this fine and frank evocation of British wartime spirit. * THE LADY *Meticulously researched, and written with elegance and sensitivity, the novel describes 'the suicidal mission' in which so many fought and died in vain. * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *
£7.49
Orion Publishing Co At First Light
Book SynopsisMeet Alicia Cortez: survivor, healer...murderer?1993, Key West, Florida. When a Ku Klux Klan official is shot in broad daylight, all eyes turn to the person holding the gun: a 96-year-old Cuban woman who will say nothing except to admit her guilt.1919. Mixed-race Alicia Cortez arrives in Key West exiled in disgrace from her family in Havana. At the same time, damaged war hero John Morales returns home on the last US troop ship from Europe. As love draws them closer in this time of racial segregation, people are watching, including Dwayne Campbell, poised on the brink of manhood and struggling to do what''s right. And then the Ku Klux Klan comes to town...Inspired by real events, At First Light weaves together a decades-old grievance and the consequences of a promise made as the sun rose on a dark day in American history.Trade ReviewI loved it! I was completely riveted to this book, and couldn't put it down. Such a heartbreaking, beautiful story, told with such style and panache. It really brought Key West at that time alive for me - all the wildness, the vitality, the brutality, injustice and beauty were recreated with a mesmerizing clarity, and embodied in characters who lived and breathed. I could not put it down * Katherine Webb, bestselling author of The Legacy *Brilliantly paced and utterly immersive, I savoured every sentence of this wonderful novel. Vanessa Lafaye's vivid prose transported me to 1919 Key West, with its brothels and bars, beaches and swamps, conjuring a place where love can flourish - but danger lurks. At First Light uncovers a disturbing era of American history, offering an unflinching insight into the dark and bizarre world of the Ku Klux Klan. While the political backdrop is fascinating, it never overwhelms the driving force of the novel - a love story which is both tragic and uplifting * Juliet West, author of The Faithful *With characters and a story as warm and colourful as its Key West setting, Vanessa Lafaye's At First Light illuminates a shady period of American history with panache, style and a hearty punch to the gut. In Alicia Cortez she has created one of the most engaging heroines to walk across the pages of a historical novel in a long while * Jason Hewitt, author of Devastation Road *I loved this dark yet sunlit story of love and revenge, set against a fascinating backdrop of convergent events * Lissa Evans, author of Their Finest *An unputdownable, intriguing story of vengeance with tragedy at its heart -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN AND HOME *
£8.99
Orion Publishing Co Evies Allies
Book SynopsisThe second in a trilogy of World War Two sagas featuring Evie, a new teacher in a Devon primary school, and a supporting cast of characters destined to become as familiar as old friends.Trade ReviewDanton fields an engaging and charismatic cast of characters who are fast becoming as familiar as old friends. Whether it's Evie's colourful family or her band of friends, pupils and colleagues, there is never a dull moment in this entertaining, multi-faceted story of love and life in wartime. -- Pam Norfolk * LANCASHIRE EVENING POST *
£7.19
Evies Victory Evies Dartmoor Chronicles Book 3
Book SynopsisThe third in the Evie's Dartmoor Chronicles series. A heart-warming, nostalgic trilogy of World War Two sagas.
£14.99
Orion Publishing Co Evies Victory
Book SynopsisThe third in the Evie's Dartmoor Chronicles series. A heart-warming, nostalgic trilogy of World War Two sagas.Trade ReviewDanton fields an engaging and charismatic cast of characters who are fast becoming as familiar as old friends. Whether it's Evie's colourful family or her band of friends, pupils and colleagues, there is never a dull moment in this entertaining, multi-faceted story of love and life in wartime. - LANCASHIRE EVENING POST
£7.19
Orion Publishing Co Music Across the Mersey
Book SynopsisWhen a Dublin family is torn apart, can a new start in Liverpool help heal the wounds? 1940s DublinHandsome widower Johnny Cassidy is out of work, broken-hearted and lost as to how to look after his four children. At his lowest ebb, he''s forced to realise that help sometimes comes from the strangest places. With Johnny''s family over the sea in Liverpool, it''s his wife''s spinster cousin Nora who comes to the rescue and has her life turned upside down by this brood of children. With Nora around, Ella Cassidy can be a teenager again rather than trying to raise her younger siblings, while older brother, Sean, finds that music might be his salvation. It seems that each member of the Cassidy family cherishes secret dreams, but will they bring them together or tear them apart?A warm and inviting story of family and friendship, duty and desire, perfect for fans of Maureen Lee and Lyn Andrews.Trade ReviewO'Neill's warmth and Binchyesque ability to make the reader care about her characters does indeed put her in the storytelling league of Queen Maeve - IRISH INDEPENDENTAbsolutely brilliant. I couldn't put it down. A real triumph - LYN ANDREWS
£7.19
Orion Publishing Co A Child in Burracombe
Book SynopsisReturn to Burracombe in this warm and charming prequel to Lilian Harry''s Burracombe series and journey back to where it all began . . .Devon, 1943. In the village of Burracombe, ''Dig for Victory'' is more than just a wartime slogan. While the young men are away, everyone at home knows the war effort needs them too. Whether it''s Land Girls on the farms, wives and mothers having to make do and mend, or the villagers knowing how to stretch rations to keep spirits bright, there is always something to be done to help.When the Barton is requisitioned as a children''s home for war orphans, all of Burracombe rallies round to welcome their newest arrivals, particularly little Maddy Simmons. Still reeling from losing her mother and brother in the Plymouth blitz, and her father being killed at sea, now in a cruel twist, Maddy has been sent to a different children''s home to her beloved sister.As Maddy explores the village and makes new friends, she begins to fTrade ReviewPacked with drama and romance, tears and laughter, happiness and heartbreak, this is the perfect accompaniment to the Burracombe series and a revealing insight into the harsh realities of wartime. -- Pam Norfolk * LANCASHIRE EVENING POST *
£7.19
Orion Publishing Co A Wartime Promise
Book SynopsisA gripping and poignant wartime saga following the highs and lows of the young, courageous members of the Women's Army, for fans of Daisy Styles and Ellie Dean.Trade ReviewPraise for THE SPARK GIRL - a heart-wrenching wartime saga (published as Fiona Ford):'A compelling first novel, which I promise you won't be able to put down'A fabulous debut from an immensely talented authorFord gets to the heart of what it was like to live through the dangerous war years in this warm, captivating, down-to-earth story which is brimming with engaging characters, adventure, romance and heartbreak.
£6.64
Orion Export Editions Caligula
Book SynopsisEveryone knows his name. Everyone thinks they know his story.
£10.49
Orion Publishing Co A Wartime Christmas
Book SynopsisA heartfelt wartime saga, following the highs and lows of the staff at Edwardes Hotel.
£27.09
