Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisTo escape her possessive and drunken step-father, Kate is sent away from teaming Jarrow to work on the Ravensworth Estate. Swapping a life of hardship for this rural idyll, she is soon attracting the attention of charming, headstrong Alexander, a distant cousin of the Earl. Kate dares to dream of a future with Alexander; but when their love is consummated in one stolen night of passion those dreams are shattered. With her lover forced into an unwanted betrothal, Kate discovers she is pregnant and must return to face the wrath of her step-father and a bleak future. But she refuses to give up hope that one day Alexander might return to claim her and their love child. A CHILD OF JARROW (the second novel in the Jarrow Trilogy) is a poignant and compelling story with an engaging heroine who will steal your heart.Trade Review'This is the sequel to The Jarrow Lass; and A Child of Jarrow is just as compelling.' Sunderland Echo. 'The Jarrow Lass was inspired by Catherine Cookson's grandmother. This follows into the next generation, with Cookson's mother and the childhood of the great novelist herself. It is a winner.' The Bookseller. 'Brings early 20th century Jarrow vividly to life. A smashing read.' Lancashire Evening Post

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Book SynopsisCatherine (Kitty) McMullen, is seventeen, restless and rebellious. Resentful of her mother Kate's new husband, she yearns for stories of the father she never knew and when her gossipy aunt divulges that he was a wealthy gentleman, Catherine's discontent with grimy, impoverished Jarrow grows. Taking a job at the workhouse laundry, her young eyes are further confronted with the horrors and indignities of poverty, and she becomes even more determined to rise above her wretched surroundings by educating herself. Braving the ridicule of fellow staff, Catherine embarks on a quest for knowledge. Soon the ill-educated and streetwise Kitty McMullen is a ghost of the past, and the well-spoken, well-read Catherine leaves the north-east to follow her dreams. But hardship and heartbreak are not far behind, and there are battles to be fought and won for this plucky and romantic heroine. RETURN TO JARROW concludes the bestselling trilogy that began with THE JARROW LASS and continued with A CHILD OF JARROW.Trade Review'Her finest yet - a wonderfully moving, deeply emotional tale' The Daily Record 'If anyone can claim to be the new Catherine Cookson then it must surely be Janet MacLeod Trotter. Her new powerful saga of a restless, rebellious working-class girl is inspired by Cookson's early life. And her writing, like Cookson's, can inspire laughter and bring a tear. This is a story to burn itself into your mind.' Northern Echo 'Penmanship of the highest quality ... This is a story of warmth and despair, based on facts and places and with excellent characterisation. It is a delicate yet strongly-woven book of biography and imagination. Rich in narrative, which twists and turns on every page. It touches many raw nerves of human experience. It should satisfy both the Cookson addict and those lovers of a good story.' The Newcastle Journal 'It is powerfully and skilfully written, and keeps you interested until the end.' The Sunderland Echo

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Book SynopsisWith the Great War still raw in the memory and life in the 1920s mining village of Whitton Grange hard and dangerous, Louie Kirkup dreams of a better future. But with a sick mother and a large family of pitman brothers and father, the daily burdens fall heavily on her young shoulders. She fears becoming a spinster drudge until she sets eyes on 'Red' Sam Ritson - hard, muscled and a natural leader - climb into the boxing ring at the Durham Miners' Gala and determines to marry him. But Sam, wedded to his battle for his fellow miners against the ruthless mine owner Seward-Scott, is no ideal husband. As tensions increase and the General Strike looms, Louie's brother Eb begins an affair with Eleanor, the mine owner's wife. With the miners locked out of work, Louie fears for the fate of her village and her unborn child. As the strain takes its tragic toll, loving and loyal Louie must stay strong for them all. Written with compassion, humour and a vivid immediacy, The Hungry Hills is an unforgettable saga of two very different families living through the dramas of 1920s Britain. The Hungry Hills was shortlisted for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and is the first in the Durham Mining Trilogy.Trade Review"I read The Hungry Hills with pleasure...Not only a good read but a vivid picture of the coalfield. All the misery and class division are there but so are the warmth and courage of the people. You'll believe you are there." Denise Robertson "My children are unfed, the clothes unwashed, ironing undone ... This is a wonderful book - if you don't mind loosing sleep as you read by torchlight into the night, do get this book." The Miscarriage Association "Truly a novel for saga lovers ... weaving together the lives of her many characters with compassion, skill and affection." Northern Echo "An unforgettable saga of life in the 1920's" Worcester Evening News "When Janet MacLeod Trotter writes about the North East she knows what she is talking about ... set in the Durham coalfields, her latest novel is full of warmth and courage and tales of class differences." Sunderland Echo

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Book SynopsisBrought up on her parents' smallholding in Jarrow in the harsh years of the 1870s, selling vegetables to poverty-struck Irish labourers such as the unruly McMullens, Rose dreams of the world beyond the grime of the town, a world she glimpsed at a fairytale wedding on the Ravensworth Estate as a child. Capturing the heart of handsome and respectable steelworker William Fawcett, it seems her wish for a better life is finally within reach. But tragedy strikes, and to save her young family from destitution, Rose must turn to wild John McMullen. A powerful tale of passion and heartache, and a wonderful heroine who - for the sake of those she loves - refuses to give in to loss and despair. THE JARROW LASS is a powerful story of passion and heartache and the first novel in the Jarrow Trilogy.Trade Review'A powerful novel of passion and heartache. Janet MacLeod Trotter's poignant, compelling family drama is based on the life of Catherine Cookson's grandmother. Totally engrossing and vividly bringing to life the time and place, it is sure to appeal to all Catherine's fans' World Books 'This is a powerful and compelling saga' Bolton Evening News 'An excellent period work' Bournmouth Daily Echo 'A passionate and dramatic story that definitely warrants a box of tissues by the bedside' Worcester Evening News

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Book SynopsisIt's 1931 and the Depression has brought Tyneside to its knees. Young, pretty Clara Magee is devastated when her father commits suicide leaving secrets behind him and the family is forced to sell their fancy-goods shop to a German couple. Despite her mother Patience's disapproval, Clara befriends their daughter Rennie and hot-headed son Benny, but her heart lies with their dashing elder brother Frank. Patience thinks businessman Vinnie Craven, who runs the local boxing hall, a far better catch for Clara. When Frank leaves abruptly for Germany, Vinnie single-mindedly pursues the vivacious Clara, determined to make her his wife. Tempted by the glamorous life-style Vinnie is offering and security for her family, Clara buries her feelings for Frank. But she hadn't bargained for Vinnie's ruthless nature or growing fascination for Mosley's Fascist Party. Yet the greatest shock is still to come ...Set against the momentous backdrop of rising fascism in the 1930s, A Handful of Stars is an enthralling story of poverty, passion and survival with a captivating young heroine.Trade Review'A vivid and compelling read ... If you like books that reflect a particular point in history then you will find this one fascinating.' Derby Evening Telegraph 'Weaving vivid history with a heart-breaking love story, A Handful of Stars, is an outstanding depiction of the tensions and turbulence of life in the 1930s. Janet is often compared to Catherine Cookson, but she is a true original - and an author you'll take straight to your heart after just one chapter!' World Books 'MacLeod Trotter writes with confidence and conviction, weaving together a panorama of inter-connected incidents, all charged with feeling and emotion. It's another good read and it proceeds to a dramatic climax.' The Newcastle Journal 'An enjoyable read giving a vivid picture of the Depression years.' Bradford Telegraph and Argus

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Book SynopsisA heartbreakingly moving story of loyalty and passion: second in the Durham Trilogy. When pretty Sara Pallister's father dies leaving his farm bankrupt, she is begrudgingly taken in by her narrow-minded uncle and aunt in the mining village of Whitton Grange. Made to pay her way, Sara is hired out to Dolly Sergeant's grocer's shop where she meets funny, bashful Raymond Kirkup and his warm-hearted aunt Louie. It is through Raymond that she meets the family that is to change her life: the exotic and extrovert Italian Dimarcos who own the popular ice-cream parlour, and finds herself irresistibly drawn to leather-jacketed, motorbike-riding Joe Dimarco. But neither of their families approves the love-match and they strive to keep them apart. As the shadows of the Second World War gather and the growing hostility to the Italians erupts into violence, Sara and Joe's passionate love seems doomed. With its vivid backdrop of a pit-town strained by the tensions of war, The Darkening Skies is a vibrant and moving story of conflicting loyalties, passions and cultures. The Darkening Skies follows the award-nominated The Hungry Hills in the Durham Mining Trilogy.Trade Review"A moving and well written tale, The Darkening Skies continues the story of the people who live in the fictitious mining community of Whitton Grange. Janet convincingly portrays the rising tide of hate that engulfs the village...There is a good deal of worry, misery and poverty. But there is also courage, warmth, and, above all hope." The Newcastle Journal "This rich slice of pit-town life shows a world which is all but forgotten." Northern Echo "I have just finished reading the fantastic novel 'The Darkening Skies' and I must say that I found your novel impossible to put down. You have written a story about prejudice, hatred and passion and you've managed to make me chuckle as well as shed a tear. You clearly are one of the genre's best writers. I hope that you keep producing more great books." J.D.B. - Malta.

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Book SynopsisScotland, 1722: on a remote and windswept Scottish island an enigmatic poetess foretells tragedy for the proud Macdonalds of Clanranald and the birth of an extraordinary child. That child is the passionate and free-spirited Flora, daughter of Marion. Flora's early years are spent roaming around her father's cattle farm, running wild and free with her brother and his friends. From early on she adores fair Neil MacEachen. But when her father dies suddenly, Flora and her mother are plunged into poverty and it seems beautiful Flora is destined to skivvy in the kitchen and dairy for her harsh aunt. Until one night dashing soldier, One-eyed Hugh, her mother's former lover, kidnaps mother and daughter and takes them to Skye where he swiftly marries Marion.Back on the Outer Isles they settle into family life and Flora is taken under the wing of the lively Lady Clan, the chief's wife, who teaches her the skills of a noblewoman. Flora still dreams of the day she might marry the handsome Neil, who has by now disappeared to France. But when the Clanranalds are invited to the grand wedding of the MacDonald chief of Sleat in Skye, Flora finds herself irresistibly drawn to dark-haired, teasing and passionate Allan of Kingsburgh, one of the mighty Skye MacDonalds, who makes no secret of his desire for her. Her heart is torn; she loves the mysterious and increasingly elusive Neil but struggles to control her attraction to Allan, who is meanwhile being groomed for a prestigious match with the chief of MacLeod's daughter.Before affairs of the heart can be resolved, the exiled Prince Charles Stuart lands on the Outer Isles in his bid to win back the crown and his arrival ignites the Jacobite Rising of 1745. Scotland is plunged into bloody civil war; families and clans are torn apart in their loyalties and Flora's fate is changed forever. She faces the biggest decision of her life - whether or not to help the now fugitive Prince to escape the islands and certain execution - knowing that to do so will not only put her own life in danger, but those of the people she loves most in the world.Deeply emotional and uplifting, THE JACOBITE LASS is set in the turbulent times of 18th century Scotland and is based on the true story of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

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Book SynopsisRaised in the slums of Edwardian Tyneside, spirited and out-spoken Maggie Beaton joins the ranks of the suffragettes, determined to prove herself to her more wealthy comrades, in particular Alice Pearson, haughty daughter of the powerful local shipbuilder. But the consequences are devastating and Maggie is soon a fugitive, spurned by family and friends. Only militant trade unionist and passionate man, George Gordon, stands by her and for a blissful time his love is enough. But war is looming and Maggie's courage and endurance will be tested to the limit, in this heartbreakingly moving novel of one woman's fight for personal freedom. It is a new version of The Suffragette novel to mark the centenary of suffragette martyr Emily Wilding Davison's death.Trade Review'Brings a time and place vividly to life and makes compulsive reading.' Northern Echo 'Yanks at the heartstrings with characters you really care about ... is written in a style that screams READ ME. The dialogue is sharp and the prose well chiselled.' Sunderland Echo 'Not to be put down until the last page is turned.' The Morpeth Herald 'Compelling and utterly convincing.' Northern Review 'A heart-rending North-Eastern saga from this brilliant storyteller - you'll be hooked!' World Books 'Moving and passionate story of a stubborn, self- willed woman's battle for personal freedom.' Jersey Evening Post

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Book SynopsisWarm-hearted, fun-loving Jo Elliot grows up on Tyneside in the 1960's with her widowed father and older brother Colin and his friends. She has a special bond with the lively but rebellious Mark Duggan who is rejected by his violent father and ignored by his hostile brother Gordon, to whom he can never measure up. Mark longs for acceptance, but it is mature and masculine Gordon for whom Jo falls dangerously in love. Tragedy unfolds that leaves Jo outcast from her old friends. As she forges an acting career and tries to rebuild her life, war breaks out in the Falklands and both Colin and Mark are called up to fight before she can make her peace. As terrible family secrets come to light that have blighted the two families for years, Jo realises she must act to stop tragedy ruining the future. Emotional, entertaining and utterly engrossing, this magnificent saga explores the depths of love and undying loyalty. One of the Tyneside Sagas.Trade ReviewFour stars - Very good. Peterborough Evening Gazette A good read. Shields Gazette I have just spent a sleepless night because I couldn't put your book 'For Love and Glory' down. It is fantastic! H.B. - Peebles, Scotland. I just wanted to let you know I thoroughly enjoyed your book. I was totally absorbed to the very end. My congratulations. D.G. - Newcastle, England. I have just finished reading your latest book, which I enjoyed so very much. Wonderful! You tell such a good story that I can't wait to get to the next chapter - but then I don't want to finish the book too quickly. Thank you for yet another great read. I now look forward to your next book! M.C. - Durham, England. How very much I, and our 16 year-old daughter, have enjoyed 'For Love and Glory'. She literally couldn't put it down yesterday evening. We both loved the local recent history fascinating - please continue writing! C.B. - Brandon, England. I can't adequately begin to tell you how thrilled and impressed I am with 'For Love and Glory'. Throughout one identifies with Jo in all her trials, troubles and triumphs. The Falklands chapters are excellent; they ring true. Fortunately I finished the book reading it here on my own, when everyone else was out, because I was in tears at the end. What a really splendid book it is - so powerful, so wise, so compassionate, so deeply moving. One 'lives it' from start to finish. N.M. - Invernesshire, Scotland

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Book SynopsisKing Stakh's Wild Hunt tells the tale of Andrey Belaretsky, a young folklorist who finds himself stranded by a storm in the castle of Marsh Firs, the seat of the fading aristocratic Yanovsky family. Offered refuge by Nadzeya, the last in the Yanovskys' line, he learns of the family curse and terrible apparitions that portend her early death and trap her in permanent, maddening fear. As Belaretsky begins to unravel the secrets of the Yanovskys, he himself becomes quarry of the Wild Hunt, silent phantoms who stalk the marshes on horseback and deliver death to all who cross their path. He must uncover the truth behind the ghostly hunt to release Nadzeya from her fate and undo the curse that hangs over the marshes.

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