Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisParadiso is inspired by true stories told to Francesca Scanacapra by her Italian family and set in locations where she spent much of her childhood. It is a deeply affecting novel which sheds light on the complexity and trauma of Italy’s past and weaves it into the epic tale of an ordinary woman compelled to live in extraordinary times.

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Book SynopsisBologna, Italy, 1929. A newborn baby boy is abandoned by his desperate unmarried mother, who believes he is dead and that she is to blame. Heartbroken, she leaves her child, accepting that her actions will haunt her for the rest of her days. But unbeknown to her, the kindness of a stranger means the starving baby survives. And so begins the extraordinary life of Rinaldo Scamorza… Following several years in an orphanage, where Rinaldo still holds onto the hope that his mother will come to claim him, he is entrusted to a heartless foster-mother who treats her charges as nothing more than financial opportunities. Yet amidst the cruelty and violence of this loveless environment Rinaldo meets fellow orphan, Evelina, and the two children create a bond which they believe will never be broken. Rinaldo holds tight to the few people who show him love, and he becomes a loyal, intelligent and kind boy. But his life is shattered when aged barely 13, Evelina is sold into prostitution by their foster-mother. As he grows up and becomes more resourceful, Rinaldo finds work as an errand boy in a brothel, where he encounters Evelina once again. But in his efforts to help her escape her life of exploitation, another dark misfortune pulls them apart and she disappears. When at last Italy begins to emerge from the shadows of World War II and Bologna’s economy recovers, Rinaldo uses his intimate knowledge of the city to change his life for the better. But through everything, the successes and the moments of loneliness and misery, the women he yearns to see again – Evelina and his mother – are always on his mind… Fans of Angela Petch, Helen Fripp, Dinah Jeffries, Rhys Bowen and Louise Douglas will adore this captivating historical novel.

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Book Synopsis3 books of epic historical adventure now in one volume. A family torn apart. A king with an iron fist. Will their love, faith and loyalty be strong enough to help them survive war, persecution and a cruel separation?France, 1685. Jeanne is the wife of a wealthy merchant, but now she risks losing everything. Louis XIV''s soldiers will stop at nothing to convert the country''s Huguenot heretics to the true faith, yet Jeanne and Jacob hold fast to their Protestant principals of liberty of conscience.But will the punishment for their defiance be more than they can bear?If Jeanne and Jacob can''t find a way to evade the soldiers'' clutches, their family will face a fate worse than poverty and imprisonment. They may never see each other again...As Jacob becomes an indentured servant in the New World and Jeanne earns a meager living in Switzerland, a sudden disruption in European politics leaves their chance of a bittersweet homecoming more doubtful than ever...Will the Delpech family survive the years of war, piracy and persecution to reunite at last?You''ll adore this brilliantly researched historical saga, because everyone loves heart-warming tales of family loyalty and a fight for survival against the odds.Read The Huguenot Chronicles trilogy to start a journey through history today!

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Book Synopsis3 books of epic historical adventure now in one volume. A family torn apart. A king with an iron fist. Will their love, faith and loyalty be strong enough to help them survive war, persecution and a cruel separation?France, 1685. Jeanne is the wife of a wealthy merchant, but now she risks losing everything. Louis XIV''s soldiers will stop at nothing to convert the country''s Huguenot heretics to the true faith, yet Jeanne and Jacob hold fast to their Protestant principals of liberty of conscience.But will the punishment for their defiance be more than they can bear?If Jeanne and Jacob can''t find a way to evade the soldiers'' clutches, their family will face a fate worse than poverty and imprisonment. They may never see each other again...As Jacob becomes an indentured servant in the New World and Jeanne earns a meager living in Switzerland, a sudden disruption in European politics leaves their chance of a bittersweet homecoming more doubtful than ever...Will the Delpech family survive the years of war, piracy and persecution to reunite at last?You''ll adore this brilliantly researched historical saga, because everyone loves heart-warming tales of family loyalty and a fight for survival against the odds.Read The Huguenot Chronicles trilogy to start a journey through history today!

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Book Synopsis#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens explores what happens when a gentleman intent on acquiring a business meets the unconventional lady-owner, only to discover that she is not the biggest or the most lethal hurdle they and the business face. Martin Cynster arrives at Carmichael Steelworks set on acquiring the business as the jewel in his industrialist''s crown, only to discover that the lady owner is not at all what he expected.Miss Sophia Carmichael learned about steelmaking at her father''s knee and, having inherited the major shareholding, sees no reason not to continue exactly as she is-running the steelworks and steadily becoming an expert in steel alloys. When Martin Cynster tracks her down, she has no option but to listen to his offer-until impending disaster on the steelworks floor interrupts. Consequently, she tries to dismiss Martin, but he''s persistent, and as he has now saved her life, gratitude compels her to hear him out. And day by day, as his understanding of her and the works grows, what he offers grows increasingly tempting, until a merger, both business-wise and personal, is very much on their cards.But a series of ever-escalating incidents makes it clear someone else has an eye on the steelworks. The quest to learn who and why leads Martin and Sophy into ever greater danger as, layer by layer, they uncover a diabolical scheme that, ultimately, will drain the lifeblood not just from the steelworks but from the city of Sheffield as well.A classic historical romance, incorporating adventure and intrigue, set in Sheffield. A Cynster Next Generation novel. A full-length historical romance of 100,000 words.

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