Historical Fiction Books

Book Synopsis“The great plague novel.” —The New YorkerSet in Lombardy during the Spanish occupation of the late 1620s, The Betrothed tells the story of two young lovers, Renzo and Lucia, prevented from marrying by the petty tyrant Don Rodrigo, who desires Lucia for himself. Forced to flee, they are then cruelly separated, and must face many dangers including plague, famine and imprisonment, and confront a variety of strange characters—the mysterious Nun of Monza, the fiery Father Cristoforo and the sinister Unnamed—in their struggle to be reunited. A vigorous portrayal of enduring passion, The Betrothed's exploration of love, power, and faith presents a whirling panorama of seventeenth-century Italian life and is one of the greatest European historical novels.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin ClassiTrade ReviewA gift to humanity -- Giuseppe Verdi

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Book SynopsisIn the court of Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, is favoured above all the noblemen of England. It is rumoured that the Queen may chose him for her husband, but Leicester has secretly married the beautiful Amy Robsart. Fearing ruin if this were known, he keeps his lovely young wife a virtual prisoner in an old country house. Meanwhile Leicester''s manservant Varney has sinister designs on Amy, and enlists an alchemist to help him further his evil ambitions. Brilliantly recreating the splendour and pageantry of Elizabethan England, with Shakespeare, Walter Ralegh and Elizabeth herself among its characters, Kenilworth (1821) is a compelling depiction of intrigue, power struggles and superstition in a bygone age.

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Book SynopsisBefore George R. R. Martin there was Dorothy Dunnett . . . PERFECT for fans of A Game of Thrones. ''She is a brilliant story teller, The Lymond Chronicles will keep you reading late into the night, desperate to know the fate of the characters you have come to care deeply about.'' The Times Literary SupplementThe Ringed Castle is the fifth book in the series -----------------------------''Not to every young girl is it given to enter the harem of the Sultan of Turkey and return to her homeland a virgin . . .''Sixteen-year-old Philippa Somerville has left Constantinople intact. Returning to England as wife in name only to Francis Crawford of Lymond, she wastes no time in seeking the truth about her new spouse, even as she finds herself navigating the paranoid court of Queen Mary.Lymond, meanwhile, arrives in Moscow to assist its young Tsar Ivan to create a fledgling Russian army. But when he is tasked to visit London as Ivan''s envoy his path is bound to cross that of the wife he has sworn to divorce. Yet neither Lymond nor Philippa, caught up in their own scheming, can quite see the vast conspiracy enshrouding them . . . ''Lashings of excitement, colour and subtlety'' The Times ''Melodrama of the most magnificent kind'' The GuardianTrade ReviewShe is a brilliant story teller, The Lymond Chronicles will keep you reading late into the night, desperate to know the fate of the characters you have come to care deeply about. * The Times Literary Supplement *Melodrama of the most magnificent kind * The Guardian *Praise for Dorothy Dunnett * - *A storyteller who could teach Scheherazade a thing or two about pace, suspense and imaginative invention * New York Times *Marvellous, breathtaking * The Times *A masterpiece of historical fiction * Washington Post *One of the greatest tale-spinners since Dumas * Cleveland Plain Dealer *Lashings of excitement, colour and subtlety * The Times *Vivid, engaging, densely plotted - are almost certainly destined to be counted among the classics of popular fiction * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisBefore George R. R. Martin there was Dorothy Dunnett . . . THE PERFECT GIFT for fans of A Game of Thrones. ''She is a brilliant story teller, The Lymond Chronicles will keep you reading late into the night, desperate to know the fate of the characters you have come to care deeply about.'' The Times Literary SupplementCheckmate is the sixth and final book in the series -----------------------------''If they place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left and ask me to give up my mission, I will not give it up until the truth prevails or I myself perish in the attempt . . .''It is 1557 and legendary Scottish warrior Francis Crawford of Lymond is once more in France. There he is leading an army to rout the hated English from Calais. Yet while Lymond seeks victory on the battlefield he is haunted by his troubled past - chiefly the truth about his orTrade ReviewPraise for Dorothy Dunnett * - *A storyteller who could teach Scheherazade a thing or two about pace, suspense and imaginative invention * New York Times *Marvellous, breathtaking * The Times *A masterpiece of historical fiction * Washington Post *One of the greatest tale-spinners since Dumas * Cleveland Plain Dealer *Lashings of excitement, colour and subtlety * The Times *Vivid, engaging, densely plotted - are almost certainly destined to be counted among the classics of popular fiction * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisWhen Orhan’s brilliant and eccentric grandfather, Kemal Türkoglu, who built a dynasty out of making kilim rugs, is found dead, submerged in a vat of dye, Orhan inherits the decades-old business. But Kemal has left the family estate to a stranger thousands of miles away, an aging woman in a retirement home in Los Angeles. Intent on righting this injustice, Orhan unearths a story that, if told, has the power to undo the legacy upon which Orhan’s family is built, a story that could unravel his own future. “Breathtaking and expansive . . . Proof that the past can sometimes rewrite the future.” —Christina Baker Kline, author of Orphan Train “Stunning . . . At turns both subtle and transcendent.” —Los Angeles Review of Books “To take the tumultuous history of Turks and Armenians in the early part of this century, and to tell the stories of families and lovers from the small everyday moments of life to the terrible journeys of death, to make a novel so engrossing and keep us awake—that is an accomplishment, and Aline Ohanesian’s first novel is such a wonderful accomplishment.” —Susan Straight, author of Highwire Moon “Rich, tragic, compelling, and realized with deep care and insight.” —Elle “A book with a mission, giving a voice to history’s silent victims.” —The New York Times Book Review “Orhan’s Inheritance illuminates human nature while portraying a devastating time in history . . . A remarkable debut novel that exhibits an impressive grasp of history as well as narrative intensity and vivid prose.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune “A remarkable debut from an important new voice. It tells us things we thought we knew and shows us we had no idea. Beautiful and terrible and, finally, indelible.” —Luis Alberto Urrea, author of Queen of America

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Book SynopsisA sumptuous historical novel set in the court of Elizabeth I, from Sunday Times No.1 bestseller Philippa Gregory, the author of The Other Boleyn Girl.Now I can be the queen that my mother intended me to be . . . the queen I was born to be.1558. After years of waiting, Princess Elizabeth accedes to the throne of England.But the country is divided, the restoration of the Protestant faith ignites opposition from the church and beyond, and court remains a treacherous place.Many believe that Elizabeth must marry if she is to survive. For Robert Dudley, Elizabeth's ascension is a glorious new dawn, and he quickly positions himself as the young queen's favourite. Dudley is a man of powerful lineage; his father had been a kingmaker at the court of Henry VIII. But Dudley has many enemies, amongst them William Cecil, the queen's most trusted advisor.As powerful families vie for stakes in the emerging kingdom, Elizabeth must secure her own future.Trade ReviewPraise for The Virgin’s Lover: ‘A book to lose yourself in…a simmering mixture of intrigue, lust and betrayal at the court of Elizabeth I, it breathes new life into the suspected love affair between the young queen and Robert Dudley’ Daily Mail ‘Convincing and entertaining’ Daily Telegraph ‘An enjoyable read, and Gregory’s energetic writing carries one along’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Gregory’s success lies in restoring humanity to her historical figures’ Daily Mail ‘Gregory is one of the best chroniclers of the ups and downs of the turbulent Tudors…This superbly plotted drama unfolds like an exquisitely embroidered Tudor ruff’ Sainsbury’s Magazine

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Book SynopsisWritten by 'a sublimely elegant historical novelist as addictive as crack' (Daily Telegraph), the Inspector Troy series is perfect for fans of Le Carré, Philip Kerr and Alan Furst.1941.After ten years spying for the Americans, Wolfgang Stahl disappears during a Berlin air raid. The Germans think he's dead. The British know he's not. But where is he? MI6 convince US Intelligence that Stahl will head for London, and so Captain Cal Cormack, a shy American 'aristocrat', is teamed with Chief Inspector Stilton of Stepney, fat, fifty and convivial. Between them they scour London, a city awash with spivs and refugees. When things start to go terribly wrong, ditched by MI6 and disowned by his embassy, Cal is introduced to his one last hope - Sergeant Troy of Scotland Yard...Trade ReviewOne of the most entertaining thrillers I have read. * Sunday Telegraph *Lawton evokes wartime London with an infectiously jaunty panache. * Sunday Times, Donna Leon *The sense of London during the Blitz is strong and the story, with its mix of real history and believable invention, is fast-paced, twisting and tense. * Observer *Troy is a character of real depth and subtlety. His brooding presence at the heart of the novel, at once enigmatic and vulnerable, makes Riptide not only a satisfying read, but... [a thriller] with a strong moral heartbeat. * Independent *

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Book SynopsisYoung D''Artagnan arrives in Paris to join the King''s elite guards, but almost immediately finds he is duelling with some of the very men he has come to swear allegiance to - Porthos, Athos and Aramis, inseparable friends: the Three Musketeers. Soon part of their close band, D''Artagnan''s loyalty to his new allies puts him in the deadly path of Cardinal Richlieu''s machinations. And when the young hero falls in love with the beautiful but inaccessible Constance, he finds himself in a world of murder, conspiracy and lies, with only the Musketeers to depend on. A stirring nineteenth-century tale of friendship and adventure, The Three Musketeers continues to be one of the most influential and popular pieces of French literature. Richard Pevear''s introduction investigates the controversy of Dumas'' literary collaborators, and how important serialisation was to the book''s success. This edition also includes notes on the text.

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Book SynopsisAnother sweeping novel from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling authorA traveller in a time of discovery, the greatest gardening pioneer of his day, yet a man of humble birth: John Tradescant's story is a mirror to the extraordinary age in which he lives.As gardener and confidante to Sir Robert Cecil, Tradescant is well placed to observe the social and political changes that are about to sweep through the kingdom. While his master conjures intrigues at Court, Tradescant designs for him the magnificent garden at Hatfield, scouring the known world for ever more wonderful plants: new varieties of fruit and flower, the first horse chestnuts to be cultivated in England, even larches from Russia.Moving to the household of the flamboyant Duke of Buckingham, Tradescant witnesses at first hand the growing division between Parliament and the people; and the most loyal of servants must find a way to become an independent squire.Trade Review‘When it comes to writers of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory is in the very top league’Daily Mail ‘A hugely enjoyable and unexpectedly moving book’Daily Telegraph ‘Vivid and enthralling… good gripping stuff’ SundayTimes

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Book SynopsisSequel to the outstanding historical novel Earthly Joys, and written by the bestselling Philippa Gregory, the author of The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin's Lover.John Tradescant the Younger has inherited his father's unique collection of plants along with his unerring ability to nurture them. But as gardener to Charles I, he confronts an unbearable dilemma when England descends into Civil War. Fleeing from the chaos, John travels to the Royalist colony of Virginia in America. But the virgin land is not uninhabited. John's plant hunting brings him to live with the native people, and he learns to love and respect their way of life just as it is threatened by the colonial settlers.In the new world and the old, the established order is breaking down and every family has to find its own way of surviving. For the Tradescants, through the upheavals of the Commonwealth and the Restoration, this means consolidating their reputations as the greatest gardeners in the country.Trade ReviewPraise for Philppa Gregory: ‘Subtle and exciting.’ Daily Express ‘Written from instinct, not out of calculation, and it shows.’Peter Ackroyd, The Times ‘For sheer pace and percussive drama it will take a lot of beating.’ Sunday Times ‘One of Gregory's great strengths as a novelist is her ability to take familiar historical figures and flesh them into living breathing human beings. The Constant Princess is a worthy successor to her previous novels about the Tudors.’ Daily Express

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Book SynopsisA compelling tale of love, lust and murder which traces the evolution of Catherine de Medici – the great-granddaughter of Lorenzo the Magnificent – from an unloved, timid orphan to France's most cunning monarchTrade ReviewPraise for Jeanne Kalogridis: The Borgia Bride: ‘Love, lust, incest and murder: this historical romance has it all’Mail on Sunday 'From sexual passion to mortal danger, the dramatic shift of real historical events will keep the reader turning the pages'Philippa Gregory 'Corset-busting escapism'The Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisRomance and scandal abound in this warm and witty tale of the young widow Octavia Darcy, whose attempts to secure her fortune and clear her name lead her through all manner of difficulties.Trade Review‘Those who enjoy Austen will certainly enjoy Aston’s work, as will historical readers who want an engaging plot and characters.’ Library Journal ‘Delightful.’ Publishers Weekly ‘In the mode of Heyer and Austen, Elizabeth Aston…comments on the period with affection, respect and a ready wit.’ Good Book Guide ‘This novel is written with grace, charm and wit…It is an entertaining, engaging and engrossing romp through Regency London that sparkles like the champagne which is opened at the end of the novel’ Historical Novels Review

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Book SynopsisRich and epic Historical Fiction set against the backdrop of the Great Famine. Perfect for fans of Winston Graham and Ken Follett.Trade ReviewReviews for The Whitest Flower: ‘Irish history is like a gold seam for historical novelists. Occasionally a nugget is produced and Graham’s is one of those.’ Ireland on Sunday ‘This huge sweep of a novel will whisk you from Ireland to Australia and Canada.’ Woman’s Realm

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Book SynopsisTo whom does one's true allegiance lie?Jack Aubrey's long service has at last been rewarded with promotion to the rank of commodore, and a squadron of ships to command. His new commission is twofold first, inhibit the slave trade off the coast of West Africa, and then, on his return, intercept a French fleet loaded with weapons intended for the disaffected Irish.But will the conflict of loyalties be insurmountable for his friend, and Irishman, Stephen Maturin?His novels are . . . as delicately perceptive about the human condition as the Jane Austen novels that O'Brian himself so much admired.'CHRISTINA HARDYMENT, IndependentOne of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.'JAMES TEACHER, SpectatorTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde

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Book SynopsisFrom the Booker Prizewinning author of Offshore' and The Blue Flower'; a funny, touching, authentic story of life at Broadcasting House during the Blitz.The human voices of Penelope Fitzgerald's novel are those of the BBC in the first years of the World War II, the time when the Concert Hall was turned into a dormitory for both sexes, the whole building became a target for enemy bombers, and in the BBC as elsewhere some had to fail and some had to die, but where the Nine O'Clock News was always delivered, in impeccable accents, to the waiting nation.Trade Review‘Reading a Penelope Fitzgerald novel is like being taken for a ride in a peculiar kind of car. Everything is of top quality – the engine, the coachwork and the interior all fill you with confidence. Then, after a mile or so, someone throws the steering-wheel out of the window.’ Sebastian Faulks ‘Wise and ironic, funny and humane, Fitzgerald is a wonderful, wonderful writer.’ David Nicholls ‘Of all the novelists of the last quarter-century, she has the most unarguable claim on greatness. [It has been] a career we, as readers, can only count ourselves lucky to have lived through.’ Philip Hensher, Spectator ‘One of the pleasures of reading Penelope Fitzgerald is the unpredictability of her intelligence, which never loses its quality, but springs constant surprises, and if you make the mistake of reading her fast because she is so readable, you will miss some of the best jokes. This is a very funny novel.’ The Times ‘Comic, and sometimes extraordinarily sad.’ A.S. Byatt, TLS

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Book SynopsisSophia Willoughby, a young Englishwoman from an aristocratic family and a person of strong opinions and even stronger will, has packed her cheating husband off to Paris. He can have his tawdry mistress. She intends to devote herself to the serious business of raising her two children in proper Tory fashion. Then tragedy strikes: the children die, and Sophia, in despair, finds her way to Paris, arriving just in time for the revolution of 1848. Before long she has formed the unlikeliest of close relations with Minna, her husband’s sometime mistress, whose dramatic recitations, based on her hair-raising childhood in czarist Russia, electrify audiences in drawing rooms and on the street alike. Minna, “magnanimous and unscrupulous, fickle, ardent, and interfering,” leads Sophia on a wild adventure through bohemian and revolutionary Paris, in a story that reaches an unforgettable conclusion amidst the bullets, bloodshed, and hope of the barricades. Sylvia Townsend Warner was one of the most original and inventive of twentieth-century English novelists. At once an adventure story, a love story, and a novel of ideas, Summer Will Show is a brilliant reimagining of the possibilities of historical fiction.

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Book SynopsisSet in turn-of-the-century New York, E.L. Doctorow''s Ragtime seamlessly blends fictional characters and realistic depictions of historical figures to bring to life the events that defined American history in the years before the First World War. This Penguin Modern Classics edition includes an introduction by Al Alvarez.Welcome to America at the turn of the twentieth century, where the rhythms of ragtime set the beat. Harry Houdini astonishes audiences with magical feats of escape, the mighty J. P. Morgan dominates the financial world and Henry Ford manufactures cars by making men into machines. Emma Goldman preaches free love and feminism, while ex-chorus girl Evelyn Nesbitt inspires a mad millionaire to murder the architect Stanford White. In this stunningly original chronicle of an age, such real-life characters intermingle with three remarkable families, one black, one Jewish and one prosperous WASP, to create a dazzling literary mosaic that brings to life an era of dire poverty, fabulous wealth, and incredible change - in short, the era of ragtime.E.L. Doctorow (b.1931) is one of America''s most accomplished and acclaimed living writers. Winner of the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award (twice), the PEN/Faulkner Award, and the National Humanities Medal, he is the author of nine novels that have explored the drama of American life from the late 19th century to the 21st, including Ragtime, The Book of Daniel and Billy Bathgate.If you enjoyed Ragtime, you might like John Dos Passos'' U.S.A., also available in Penguin Classics.''In its perfection it stuns and holds from beginning to end''Daily Mail''Witty, lyrical, put together with admirable craft ... dazzling economy and insight ... Mr Doctorow knows what he is doing and has done it beautifully''Guardian''One of the best American novels for years''Economist

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Book SynopsisKenyan novelist and playwright Ngugi wa Thiong'o is the author of WEEP NOT CHILD (1964), THE RIVER BETWEEN (1965), and PETALS OF BLOOD (1977). Ngugi was chair of the Department of Literature at the University of Nairobi from 1972 to 1977. He left Kenya in 1982 and taught at various universities in the United States before he became professor of comparative literature and performance studies at New York University in 1992.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2002 Man Booker Prize''A masterwork. I doubt that I have read a book as moving in at least a decade. A homage to the redemptive power of love'' IndependentSummer, 1921. Eight-year-old Lucy Gault clings to the glens and woods above Lahardane - the home her family is being forced to abandon. She knows the Gaults are no longer welcome in Ireland and that danger threatens. Lucy, however, is headstrong and decides that somehow she must force her parents into staying. But the path she chooses ends in disaster. One chance event, unwanted and unexpected, will blight the lives of the Gaults for years to come and bind each of them in different ways to this one moment in time, to this wild stretch of coast . . .''Flawless. Guaranteed to keep you reading - all through the night if necessary - to find out what happens. Trevor''s best novel'' New Statesman''Dark, elegantly written ... a book to relish'' Independent on SundayTrade ReviewGravely beautiful, subtle and haunting * Guardian *Astonishing, tender. A perfect novel * Sunday Telegraph *Stark yet tender, without a single false note. There will be only a handful of novels worth reading this year (or any year) . . . this book is certainly one * Literary Review *Flawless . . . not a single word seems out of place. Guaranteed to keep you reading - all trhough the night if necessary - to find out what happens. Trevor's best novel * New Statesman *Striking, throughtful. Written with grace and finesse and charged throughout with a persuasive disquiet * Independent *Dark, elegantly written . . . a book to relish * Independent on Sunday *Unusual, beguiling, beautiful * The Times *A masterwork. I doubt that I have read a book as moving in at least a decade. A homage to the gift of redemptive love -- Fegal Keane * Independent *

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Book SynopsisA devastating story of love, loss and one woman''s terrible choice between duty and personal freedom. Fall in love with Brooklyn ahead of its bestselling follow-up, Long Island.It is Ireland in the early 1950s and for Eilis Lacey, as for so many young Irish girls, opportunities are scarce. So when her sister arranges for her to emigrate to New York, Eilis knows she must go, leaving behind her family and her home for the first time.Arriving in a crowded lodging house in Brooklyn, Eilis can only be reminded of what she has sacrificed. She is far from home - and homesick. And just as she takes tentative steps towards friendship, and perhaps something more, Eilis receives news which sends her back to Ireland.There she will be confronted by a terrible dilemma - a devastating choice between duty and one great love.***''With this elating and humane novel, Colm Tóibín has produced a masterwork'' Sunday Times''Unforgettable'' Spectator''The most compelling and moving portrait of a young woman I have read in a long time'' Zoë Heller, Guardian''Magnificent'' Sunday TelegraphThe book that inspired the major motion picture starring Saoirse Ronan.Trade ReviewWith this elating and humane novel, Colm Tóibín has produced a masterwork * Sunday Times *The most compelling and moving portrait of a young woman I have read in a long time -- Zoë Heller * Guardian, Books of the Year *A work of such skill, understatement and sly jewelled merriment could haunt your life -- Ali Smith * TLS, Books of the Year *Suffused with humane depth, funny, affecting, deftly plotted ... a novel of magnificent accomplishment -- Peter Kemp * Sunday Times, Novel of the Year *Brooklyn moved me more than any other book this year -- Nicholas Hytner * Observer, Books of the Year *A beautifully crafted work that transformed ordinary lives into something extraordinary * Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year *No book this year gave me greater pleasure -- Nell Freudenberger * Financial Times *Not a sentence or a thought out of place. It takes over as his finest ficiton to date * Irish Times *Remarkable freshness and immediacy ... with a lovely comedic lightness * Daily Mail *A lovely, thoughtful book ... alive with authentic detail, moved along by the ripples of affection and doubt that shape any life: a novel that offers the reader serious pleasure * Daily Telegraph *Tremendously moving and powerful * New Statesman *Full of sly fun, lovely comic observation and an almost tangible pleasure in storytelling * Observer *Refreshingly authentic . . . Eilis is so vivid it's difficult to believe she did not actually exist * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisWith readable and enternatining stories from China's past, this book is a unique addition to the field of Chinese history.Open these pages to discover the great figures of Chinese history: Du Yu, the tamer of floods; Qin Shihuang, the First Emperor of China; Confucius, the great philosopher; Sima Qian, the great historian; and the unforgettable villain, Cao Cao. Tales from 5000 Years of Chinese History covers the history of China in an anecdotal fashion that makes each event come alive. Entertaining and informative, this ambitious narrative will enlighten all those who wish to know more about the chronicles of the Middle Kingdom.

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Book SynopsisA book to read and reread, this reissue brings back to print an unforgettable romance and a timeless masterpiece.Abandoned pregnant and penniless on the teeming streets of London, sixteen-year-old Amber St. Clare uses her wits, beauty and courage to climb to the highest position a woman could achieve in Restoration England - that of favourite mistress of the Merry Monarch himself, Charles II. From whores and highwaymen to courtiers and noblemen, from the Great Plague and the Fire of London to the intimate passions of ordinary - and extraordinary - men and women, Amber experiences it all. But throughout her trials and escapades, she remains, in her heart, true to the one man she really loves, the one man she can never have ...

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Book SynopsisIn 1798, Irish patriots, committed to freeing their country from England, landed with a company of French troops in County Mayo, in westernmost Ireland. They were supposed to be an advance guard, followed by other French ships with the leader of the rebellion, Wolfe Tone. Briefly they triumphed, raising hopes among the impoverished local peasantry and gathering a group of supporters. But before long the insurgency collapsed in the face of a brutal English counterattack.Very few books succeed in registering the sudden terrible impact of historical events; Thomas Flanagan''s is one. Subtly conceived, masterfully paced, with a wide and memorable cast of characters, The Year of the French brings to life peasants and landlords, Protestants and Catholics, along with old and abiding questions of secular and religious commitments, empire, occupation, and rebellion. It is quite simply a great historical novel.Named the most distinguished work of fiction in 1979 by the National Book Critics'' Circle.

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestselling author turns the clock back to a time when two young girls convinced the world that fairies really did exist1917: When two young cousins, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright from Cottingley, England, announce they have photographed fairies at the bottom of the garden, their parents are astonished. But when the great novelist, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, endorses the photographs' authenticity, the girls become a sensation; their discovery offering something to believe in amid a world ravaged by war.One hundred years later When Olivia Kavanagh finds an old manuscript and a photograph in her late grandfather's bookshop she becomes fascinated by the story of the two young girls who mystified the world. As Olivia is drawn into events a century ago, she becomes aware of the past and the present intertwining, blurring her understanding of what is real and what is imagined. As she begins to understand why a nation once believed in fairies, will Olivia find a way to believe in herself?Trade ReviewPraise for The Cottingley Secret ‘Enchanting, magical… This book reminds us that we are never too old to believe in magic.’ Carmel Harrington ‘Perfect fireside read’ Sunday Independent ‘This is a gorgeous, uplifting, magical book that will have you hooked from the start.’ Gill Paul author of The Secret Wife ‘I adored The Cottingley Secret … an enchanting and enthralling tale of childhood magic.’ Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan's Tale ‘An artful weaving of old legends with new realities’ Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker ‘Brings the mystery of the Cottingley Fairies thrillingly to life’ Kate Forsyth author of Bitter Greens ‘A magical journey in perfect prose’ Books Ireland Praise for Hazel Gaynor: ‘Addictive, charming and gleaming with Jazz Age glitz’ The Lady ‘Sumptuous, gorgeous, authentic and surprising, Hazel Gaynor has written another hit.’ Sunday Independent ‘Peopled with unforgettable characters…Once begun, I dare you to put it down.’ Kathleen Tessaro, author of The Perfume Collector

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Book SynopsisYoung Nour is a North African desert tribesman. It is 1909, and as the First World War looms Nour's tribe - the Blue Men - are forced from their lands by French colonial invaders. Spurred on by thirst, hunger, suffering, they seek guidance from a great spiritual leader. The holy man sends them even further from home, on an epic journey northward, in the hope of finding a land in which they can again be free. Decades later, an orphaned descendant of the Blue Men - a girl called Lalla - is living in a shantytown on the coast of Morocco. Lalla has inherited both the pride and the resilience of her tribe - and she will need them, as she makes a bid to escape her forced marriage to a wealthy older man. She flees to Marseilles, where she experiences both the hardships of immigrant life - as a hotel maid - and the material prosperity of those who succeed - when she becomes a successful model. And yet Lalla does not betray the legacy of her ancestors.In these two narratives set in counterpoint, Nobel Prize-winning novelist J. M. G. Le Clézio tells - powerfully and movingly - the story of the 'last free men' and of Europe's colonial legacy - a story of war and exile and of the endurance of the human spirit.

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession, or rather created it, for I am the only one in the world'In London, 1888, the razor-sharp detective skills of Sherlock Holmes are to be put to the test. Mary Morstan reports two seemingly unconnected and inexplicable events: the disappearance of her father, a British Indian Army Captain, and the arrival of pearls by post from an unknown sender. Driven on by its complexity, Holmes and Watson slowly begin to unravel an intricate web of exotic treasure, secret pacts and mysterious deaths.One of only four novels featuring Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick Watson, The Sign of the Four' will delight those who have been captivated by Arthur Conan Doyle's short stories.Trade Review‘Of all the Holmes stories it is ‘The Sign of Four’ which remains persistently in my memory.’ Graham Greene

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Book SynopsisIt is 1560, and Elizabeth Tudor has been on the throne for a year. Dr John Dee, at 32 already acclaimed throughout Europe, is her astrologer and consultant in the hidden arts... a controversial appointment in these days of superstition and religious strife. Now the mild, bookish Dee has been sent to Glastonbury to find the missing bones of King Arthur, whose legacy was always so important to the Tudor line. With him - hardly the safest companion - is his friend and former student, Robert Dudley, a risk-taker, a wild card... and possibly the Queen's secret lover. The famously mystical town is still mourning the gruesome execution of its Abbot, Richard Whiting. But why was the Abbot really killed? What is the secret held by the monks since the Abbey was founded by Joseph of Arimathea, uncle of Christ and guardian of the Holy Grail? The mission takes Dee to the tangled roots of English magic, into unexpected violence, necromantic darkness, the breathless stirring of first love... and the cold heart of a complex plot against Elizabeth.THE FIRST INSTALMENT IN THE JOHN DEE PAPERSTrade ReviewChills, thrills and satisfies. A fabulous read. * Huffington Post *A historical thriller with a touch of romance and more than a hint of necromancy... Brilliantly imagined and grippingly executed. * The Times *We don't praise our home-grown thriller writers enough, it's high time we praised Phil Rickman. * Daily Mail *No-one writes better than Phil Rickman of the shadow-frontier between the supernatural and the real world. -- Bernard Cornwell

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Book Synopsis NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING TITLE THE ORPHAN'S TALE OUT NOW Paris, 1919 The nations’ leaders have gathered to rebuild the world from the ashes of the Great War. But for one woman, the City of Light harbours dark secrets and dangerous liaisons. Brought to the peace conference by her German diplomat father, Margot resents being trapped in Paris where she is still looked upon as the enemy. Yet returning to Berlin means a life with the wounded fiancé she barely knows. Torn between duty and the desire to be free, Margot strikes up unlikely alliances: with Krysia, a musician who protects a secret; and with Georg, the handsome, damaged naval officer who makes Margot question where her true loyalties should lie. Against the backdrop of one of the most significant events of the century, a delicate web of lies obscures the line between the casualties of war and of the heart, making trust a luxury that no one can afford. The stunning prequel to the bestselling novel Kommandant’s Girl, heralded a ‘breathtaking debut’ by Publishers Weekly Praise for Pam Jenoff: ‘[A] heartbreakingly romantic story of forbidden love during WW2’ – Heat ‘Must read’ – Daily ExpressTrade ReviewWonderfully compelling… The story grips from the very first page, and the atmosphere of the circus is entrancing – you feel all the terror and thrill of the flying trapeze.’ – Margaret Leroy, author of The Soldier’s Wife ‘Secrets, lies, treachery, and passion…I read this novel in a headlong rush.’ – Christina Barker Kline, #1 bestselling author of Orphan Train ‘A thrilling, yet heart-breaking story of life and love, heroism and sacrifice in wartime Europe’ – My Weekly ‘This is a book not to be missed’ – Melanie Benjamin, bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator’s Wife ‘Jenoff has written a tribute to the human spirit that soars in the midst of epic despair…’–NPR ‘Jenoff’s prose is evocative and compelling’–The Globe and Mail “An emotional tale of survival and courage during a difficult time in Europe.” – Suzy Approved Book Reviews “Jenoff keeps readers on their toes with the numerous twists and turns… as well as the emotional peaks and valleys that had me reaching for tissues more than once.” – Romance Dish “THE ORPHAN’S TALE takes us on a heartbreaking, hopeful, touching and emotional journey; one that is not to be missed.” – Jennifer Blankfein

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Book SynopsisThe new No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller from the master storyteller, Josephine Cox.Family secrets can weigh the heaviestAlthough she's surrounded by a loving family, Marie is lonely. The secret she has been carrying for many years is a burden it's telling could ruin the lives of those she loves most.Marie's granddaughter, Cathy, is a cheerful young woman and in the first flush of love. Her grandmother's secret will not only change Cathy's future but rewrite her past.Sister-in-law Beth seems to have a happy life and a goodmarriage but behind closed doors she's heartbreakingly sad. Will she be brave enough to speak out and run away?These three women are at the beginning of a journey one that will change their lives forever.Trade Review‘Family secrets threaten to ruin everything in this beautiful tale of love and sadness’ Woman’s Own ‘This latest novel from Josephine Cox gets straight to the heart of family life . . . Cox pulls at the heartstrings’ Lovereading

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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**********Spring 1593. England is a powder keg of rumour and fear. Plague rages, famine is rife, the ageing Queen's couriers scheme: Elizabeth's Golden Age is truly tarnished. Meanwhile Spain watches and waits - and plots.Into this turmoil a small cart clatters through the streets of London, carrying a deadly load. It is the first in a wave of horrific bombing attacks on the Dutch immigrant community that will change John Shakespeare's life for ever.Driven on by cold rage, Shakespeare's investigations will take him from magnificent royal horseraces to the opulent chambers of Black Luce's brothel, from the theatrical underworld of Marlowe and Kyd to the pain-wracked torture cells of priest-hunter Richard Topcliffe, and from the elegant offices of master tactician Robert Cecil to the splintering timbers of an explosive encounter at sea.As Shakespeare delves ever deeper, he uncovers intricate layers of mystery and deception that threaten the heart not only of the realm, but of all that he holds dear.Trade ReviewBeautifully done . . . alive and tremendously engrossing. * Daily Telegraph *Beautifully done . . . alive and tremendously engrossing. * Daily Telegraph *Enjoyable, bloody and brutish. * Guardian *Enjoyable, bloody and brutish. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThis was the original game of thrones' George R.R. MartinNo man is impervious to the poisons of the crownHaving murdered his wife and exiled his mistress, King Louis X of France becomes besotted with Princess Clemence of Hungary and makes her his new Queen.However, though the matter of the succession should be assured, it is far from so, as Louis embarks on an ill-fated war against Flanders.Where his father, Philip IV, was strong, Louis is weak, and the ambitions of his proud, profligate barons threaten his power and the future of a kingdom once ruled by an Iron King.Trade Review‘Iron kings and strangled queens, battles and betrayals, lies and lust, the curse of the Templars, the doom of a great dynasty – and all of it (well, most of it) straight from the pages of history, and believe me, the Starks and the Lannisters have nothing on the Capets and Plantagenets. Whether you are a history buff or a fantasy fan, Druon's epic will keep you turning pages. This was the original game of thrones’GEORGE R.R. MARTIN ‘Blood-curdling tale of intrigue, murder, corruption and sexual passion’SUNDAY TIMES ‘Barbaric, sensual, teeming with life, based in wide reading and sound scholarship…among the best historical novels’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

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Book SynopsisWhen Nefertari's entire family is killed in a fire, she's left to grow up alone, a spare princess in the palace of the new Pharaoh. Her young life is overshadowed by the past - the name of her infamous aunt, Nefertiti, the Heretic Queen, still strikes terror into the hearts of Egyptians. So, when she finds herself falling in love with the young Pharaoh, Ramesses, she knows it's not going to be easy to win his heart. But when the Pharaoh's aunt takes Nefertari under her wing and begins to educate her in the ways to gain a man's attention - and hold it - marriage to him seems within her reach. Yet, even as Ramesses declares his love for her, she knows there's more work to be done. If she's to be queen, all of Egypt must recognise her worth and overcome her connection to the dark, heretical days of the past. Ramesses will face challenges from all sides: war, drought, conquest and the determination of a man named Ahmoses will all threaten his reign. Could Egypt's rulers, and more importantly her people, ever allow him to marry the woman he loves, let alone make her his Queen?Trade ReviewHugely enjoyable - Daily Express * Daily Express *A fascinating window into the past, a heroic story with a very human heart. Compulsively readable! - Diana Gabaldon * Diana Gabaldon *

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Book Synopsis'Extremely lively' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT'A work of art' SCOTSMAN'Genius' SUNDAY TIMESAn old snapshot shows a group of friends lounging in the sunshine, on a weekend in the country at the invitation of bearded, satyric Claude and his wife Julia. The girl in the centre is dreamy Lily, whose latest failed love affair forms the purpose of the weekend, as Lily's friends set out to help her ensnare an unwitting father for her unborn child. Next to her is Norman, a Marxist romantic hell-bent on seducing his milk-white hostess; behind them is old, persecuted Shebah; and slightly apart, the young man on whom all hopes are pinned: quiet, pleasant Edward.Told through the fractured narratives of Claude, Lily, Shebah and Norman, in Beryl Bainbridge's first published novel a darkly comic weekend of friendship and failure unravels.Trade ReviewIt is her skewed and deadly grasp of the immediate that makes Bainbridge's work unique. Formerly an actress, she has an uncanny ear for dialogue, a perfect sense of timing and a terse, elliptical narrative style that combine to create a dramatic, or cinematic, tension * New York Times *Extremely lively and incisive entertainment * Times Literary Supplement *[Bainbridge's] genius lies in the comic evocation of the mundane life against which her characters are in revolt * Sunday Times *A riotous, macabre imagination * Daily Telegraph *Delicious . . . Very elegant and pleasing . . . A work of art * Scotsman *Extremely lively and incisive entertainment * Times Literary Supplement *Her genius lies in the comic evocation of the mundane life against which her characters are in perpetual and ineffectual revolt * Sunday Times *Delicious . . . very elegant and pleasing . . . A work of art * Scotsman *

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Book SynopsisFollowing the fortunes of some of the much-loved characters from her bestseller The Journey', Josephine Cox's powerful novel spans continents, decades and generations of one family.Like a ghost from the past, she walked along the platform towards themIt has been over twenty years since Vicky Maitland set foot on English soil. Twenty years since she left Liverpool with her three children, bound for a new life in America, leaving her beloved husband Barney behind.But this long journey home is the hardest of all. She is here in search of the truth, afraid of what she may find. Why did Barney turn against his family so suddenly, so cruelly? Only her old friend Lucy Baker knows what happened. And Lucy promised Barney she would never tell his secret. Is it time she broke her silence and explained the events of so long ago?Trade Review‘This latest novel from the nation's biggest-selling saga writer is…one for true romantics.’ You 'Cox's talent as a storyteller never lets you escape the spell.' Daily Mail 'Impossible to resist.' Woman's Realm

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Book Synopsis'She wrote exciting plots, she was highly skilled at arousing suspense' GUARDIAN 'This novel catches fire' NEW YORK TIMES 'With unfailing du Maurier skill, the author has coupled family interest with dramatic sense' ELIZABETH BOWENShe set men's hearts on fire and scandalized a country. In Regency London, the only way for a woman to succeed is to beat men at their own game. So when Mary Anne Clarke seeks an escape from her squalid surroundings in Bowling Inn Alley, she ventures first into the scurrilous world of the pamphleteers. Her personal charms are such, however, before long she is noticed by the Duke of York.With her taste for luxury and power, Mary Anne, now a royal mistress, must aim higher. Her lofty connections allow her to establish a thriving trade in military commissions, provoking a scandal that rocks the government and brings personal disgrace.A vivid portrait of overweening ambition, Mary Anne is set during the Napoleonic Wars and based on the life of du Maurier's own great-great-grandmother.Trade ReviewShe wrote exciting plots, she was highly skilled at arousing suspense, and she was, too, a writer of fearless originality * Guardian *Daphne du Maurier has no equal * Sunday Telegraph *This novel catches fire * New York Times *Like its heroine the book is possessed of such unforgettably vivid charm that one is seducedWith unfailing du Maurier skill, the author has coupled family interest with dramatic sense -- Elizabeth BowenLikely to rank as the author's best book * Saturday Review *With unfailing du Maurier skill, the author has coupled family interest with dramatic sense * Elizabeth Bowen, Tatler *Like its heroine the book is possessed of such unforgettably vivid charm that one is seduced * L. S. Hilton *She wrote exciting plots, she was highly skilled at arousing suspense, and she was, too, a writer of fearless originality * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisIn the grand tradition of Josephine Cox and Catherine CooksonTrade ReviewShe can hold her own with the most accomplished of romance writers. Her skills lie in colourful, larger-than-life characters and plotting that is able to reinvent familiar traditions of the genre. For fans of full-blooded, vividly drawn romantic drama, Hutchinson is top of the tree. * Amazon, UK *Meg Hutchinson's storytelling skills are attracting a bigger and bigger audience. * Newcastle Evening Chronicle *This old-fashioned drama has some wonderful villains and villainesses and at the end the most unlikely hero * Driffield Post *This super tale will appeal to lovers of romantic stories with a real bite to them * Bolton Evening News *The magnificent writing tosses and turns with action, intrigue, mystery and romance. It's thrilling right from the beginning and ranks Meg amongst the finest, present-day authors. * Gwynedd Chronicle *NO PLACE OF ANGELS:'Meg Hutchinson weaves a tale of heartbreak, jealousy and good winning over evil with this her fourth novel' * Nuneaton Evening Telegraph on NO PLACE OF ANGELS *

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Book Synopsis'A small masterpiece' Colm Toibin, Daily Telegraph'I don't know how many times I have reread the book, including several times in Catalan, with such effort that speaks volumes to my devotion to the novel' Gabriel Garcia Marquez'The fierce beauty of Rodoreda's writing makes it one of the masterpieces of modern European literature' IndependentFirst published in 1962 as 'La Placa del Diamant', this is considered the most important Catalan novel of all time. This is a new English translation. It has previously been published in English as The Time of the Doves.Barcelona, early 1930s: Natalia, a pretty shop-girl from the working-class quarter of Gracia, is hesitant when a stranger asks her to dance at the fiesta in Diamond Square. But Joe is charming and forceful, and she takes his hand.They marry and soon have two children; for Natalia it is an awakening, both good and bad. When Joe decides to breed pigeons, the birds delight his son and daughter - and infuriate his wife. Then the Spanish Civil War erupts, and lays waste to the city and to their simple existence. Natalia remains in Barcelona, struggling to feed her family, while Joe goes to fight the fascists, and one by one his beloved birds fly away.A highly acclaimed classic that has been translated into more twenty-eight languages, In Diamond Square is the moving, vivid and powerful story of a woman caught up in a convulsive period of history.'An extremely moving love story translated from the Catalan, which reveals much about the Spanish civil war as ordinary, non-political people had to live it' Diana Athill'Go along with Natalia on her night out and you'll soon find you'd follow her anywhere. Rodoreda's writing pays such fierce and tender attention to the experience of being alive, and the tempest that ordinary life can be' Helen OyeyemiTrade ReviewI don't know how many times I have reread the book, including several times in Catalan, with such effort that speaks volumes to my devotion to the novel * Gabriel Garcia Marquez *An extremely moving love story translated from the Catalan, which reveals much about the Spanish civil war as ordinary, non-political people had to live it * Diana Athill *

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Book Synopsis''I''m just so excited for everyone to discover Cold-Hearted Rake, and for me to read the rest of the Ravenel series!'' Sarah MacLeanA twist of fate . . . Devon Ravenel, London''s most wickedly charming rake, has just inherited an earldom. But his powerful new rank in society comes with unwanted responsibilities, and more than a few surprises. His estate is saddled with debt, and the late earl''s three innocent sisters are still occupying the house . . . along with Kathleen, Lady Trenear, a beautiful young widow whose sharp wit and determination are more than a match for Devon''s own. A clash of wills . . . Kathleen knows better than to trust a ruthless scoundrel like Devon. But the fiery attraction between them is impossible to deny - and from the first moment Devon holds her in his arms, he vows to do whatever it takes to possess her. As Kathleen finds herself yielding to his skilfully eTrade ReviewIntricately and elegantly crafted, intensely romantic . . . will leave readers anxiously awaiting more. A gratifying series starter from a not-to-be-missed romance author * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *A gratifying series starter from a not-to-be-missed romance author. * Kirkus *The first in a new historical series delivers everything readers have come to expect from RITA Award-winning Kleypas, including insightful characterization, an abundance of super-charged sexual chemistry, a dash of dry humor, and a to-die-for hero, all of which will have the author's legions of fans giddy with delight at her triumphant return to historical romance. * Booklist *Kleypas is an amazing writer. In my opinion, she might be the most technically skilled historical romance author out there. * Smart Bitches, Trashy Books *Cold-Hearted Rake brings to mind some of the best elements of her Hathaway, Wallflower, Gambler, and Capital Theatre series novels....Reading Kleypas' long-awaited return to historical is akin to walking into the arms of an old friend. * Heroes and Heartbreakers *The first in a new historical series delivers everything readers have come to expect from RITA Award-winning Kleypas, including insightful characterization, an abundance of super-charged sexual chemistry, a dash of dry humor, and a to-die-for hero, all of which will have the author's legions of fans giddy with delight at her triumphant return to historical romance. * Booklist (starred review) *A cadre of three dimensional characters who captivate from the moment you meet them and a multilayered plot that allows the characters to grow will keep fans intrigued by this addictive, rewarding story. * Library Journal (starred review) *Intricately and elegantly crafted, intensely romantic, and with secondary characters and an epilogue that will leave readers anxiously awaiting more. A gratifying series starter from a not-to-be-missed romance author. * Kirkus (starred review) *Readers are introduced to the unforgettable characters and their original personalities through a delightful storyline peppered with sharp repartee and steamy sensuality. * RT Book Reviews *I simply cannot wait to see where Kleypas goes with the next three books. I also need her to write them faster. SERIOUSLY FASTER. I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes their happily ever afters to involve corsets, their sexual tension to involve witty banter, and their books to end with the promise of more. * Romance and Smut *

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Book Synopsis''Truly, truly remarkable'' Karen Joy Fowler''Extraordinary...resonates to many of the same chords as Beowulf, the legends of King Arthur, The Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones'' Neal Stephenson''You are a prophet and seer with the brightest mind in an age. Your blood is that of the man who should have been king ...That''s what the king and his lords see. And they will kill you, one day''In seventh century Britain, a new religion is coming ashore while small kingdoms are merging, frequently and violently. Hild is the king''s youngest niece, with a glittering mind and natural authority, She is destined to become one of the pivotal figures of the early Middle Ages: Saint Hilda of Whitby. But for now she has only the powerful curiosity of a child and the precarious advantage of a plotting uncle, Edwin of Northumbria, who will stop at nothing to beome king of the Angles. Hild establishes herself at

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Book SynopsisLove can cross oceans . . .Keara Michaels doesn''t want to leave her family in Ireland, but fate sends her first to Lancashire, then across the sea to Australia, pregnant and penniless. And Theo Mullane, the man who loves her, is married, with an ailing baby son, so cannot follow her as he longs to.Mark Gibson leaves Lancashire to avoid marriage. But gold prospecting is a dangerous pursuit, and when his gentle young wife dies in childbirth, his father-in-law kidnaps the baby. So Mark runs away again, this time to Western Australia, where he employs Keara in his country inn.But danger threatens them all, even in the bush, as Keara searches for her lost sisters, Theo comes looking for the woman he loves, and Mark at last confronts his past.**********************What readers are saying about A PENNYWORTH OF SUNSHINE''I couldn''t put it down'' - 5 stars''An excellent read from start to finish'' - 5 stars''Brilliant, as always . . . Anna Jacobs never fails to keep the story line motivated, gripping, and endearing'' - 5 starsTrade ReviewPraise for Anna Jacobs[Anna Jacobs' books have an] impressive grasp of human emotions * The Sunday Times *Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around * Historical Novels Review *[Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff! * Daily Mail *Reader reviews on A PENNYWORTH OF SUNSHINEAnother joy from the pen of Anna Jacobs. ***** * Reader review *A brilliant read. ***** * Reader review *A captivating read. ***** * Reader review *Catherine Cookson fans will cheer * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe new Anna Jacobs saga continues the story of the younger sisters of Keara Michaels, the heroine of A PENNYWORTH OF SUNSHINE, following their fortunes from nineteenth-century Ireland to the brave new world of Australia.Trade ReviewPraise for Anna Jacobs[Anna Jacobs' books have an] impressive grasp of human emotions * The Sunday Times *Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around * Historical Novels Review *[Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff! * Daily Mail *Reader reviews on TWOPENNY RAINBOWSAnother wonderful book - Anna Jacobs has never let me down. ***** * Reader review *Excellent reading, didn't want to put the book down! * Reader review *Only to be expected: another brilliant read by Anna Jacobs. I just love her books. ***** * Reader review *

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