Historical romance
Little, Brown Book Group A View Across the Rooftops An epic heartwrenching
Book Synopsis1941, Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. An unforgettable story of love, hope and betrayal, and a testament to the courage of humanity in history''s darkest days. University professor Josef Held has never recovered from the loss of his beloved wife - and has no intention of ever letting anyone new into his quiet, safe world. It is a world where the clock ticks steadily in his mathematics classroom, even as the sinister beat of Nazi soldiers'' boots threaten to drown it out.Terrified, Josef tries to keep his eyes on the ground as Jews across the city are forced into ghettos. But then Michael Blum, his most reluctant, infuriating pupil, tells Josef Jews like him will no longer be allowed to study at all. Josef can ignore the situation no longer. And, after the shock of seeing his neighbour killed on his own doorstep, he offers Michael a place to hide in an impulsive act of courage.Michael is everything Josef is not: spontaneous, poetic, and un
£9.49
Headline Publishing Group The Sisters ODonnell A moving saga of the power
Book SynopsisTHE SISTERS O''DONNELL by Lyn Andrews is a warm-hearted and nostalgic saga not to be missed by readers of Maureen Lee and Katie Flynn.Throughout County Tipperary the three sisters were known as the Sisters O''Donnell. They all have red hair, but little else in common. Together they move to Liverpool in the 1920s to make a new life for themselves - although each sister intends to go about it in her own sweet way. Gina wants to be a star of the theatre, Mary-Kate wants to find a husband, and Bridget, shy, gentle Bridget, just wants to escape the Troubles.But when they get to Liverpool they realise that fame and fortune are thin on the ground as, indeed, is work. And their money is running out fast... The sisters have a long way to go before they fulfil their dreams - will the bonds of sisterhood be enough to hold them together?
£9.49
Headline Publishing Group The White Empress A heartwarming saga of chasing
Book SynopsisBestselling author Lyn Andrews works her special magic in THE WHITE EMPRESS, which is a perfect read for anyone who loves the novels of Kate Thompson or Katie Flynn.Cat Cleary is a sixteen-year-old Irish ''slummy'' arriving in Liverpool to seek her fortune. Joe Calligan, a young steam-packet deckhand, think she''s the loveliest girl he''s ever seen, and hasn''t the heart to tell her that Liverpool is full of people tramping the streets looking for work.And then Cat sees the White Empress, a huge luxury liner. In that moment her ambition is born - to be chief stewardess. In spite of her poverty, her lack of education, her family background, Cat Cleary sets about realising her incredible dream. And while doing so she discovers that having a good man by her side will bring her more happiness than she could ever have imagined.
£9.99
Headline Publishing Group Ellan Vannin
Book SynopsisLyn Andrews'' heart-rending and nostalgic novel ELLAN VANNIN is a must-read for fans of Donna Douglas and Kate Thompson. Life isn''t easy for widowed George Vannin and his young daughter, but somehow George has raised the child alone and Ellan adores her father. Ellan is ten years old when the shaft at Foxdale Mine collapses, and her father never comes up. From then on she lives with Aunt Maud, a dour woman with a quick temper. Her husband had died in a mining accident too, and she never forgave the family at the Big House for their part in the tragedy. When Ellan is offered a chance to better herself at the Big House, Aunt Maud savagely forbids it. Ellan''s chance is yet to come, but she has a long way to go before she finds the happiness she deserves...
£9.49
Headline Publishing Group The Queens Promise A fresh and gripping take on
Book SynopsisTHE QUEEN''S PROMISE by Sunday Times bestselling author Lyn Andrews sheds new light on the compelling story of Anne Boleyn and her first love, Henry Percy. Readers who enjoy the novels of Philippa Gregory, Jean Plaidy and Elizabeth Chadwick should be sure to read THE QUEEN''S PROMISE. Alluring Anne Boleyn knows she is required to use her charm to her advantage - and secure the status of her family at the Tudor court. She easily captivates the noblemen, most notably Henry Percy, future Earl of Northumberland and, hopeful of her father''s approval, Anne agrees to a secret betrothal. Controlling Cardinal Wolsey, though, will not countenance an alliance which could threaten his position. Exiled to the north, Henry is forced into a marriage of duty, whilst Anne''s fortunes reverse when she bewitches the King himself. Unwilling to be simply his mistress, Anne will settle for nothing but the throne. But great power brings even greater enemies, and Anne''s past
£9.49
Headline Publishing Group Heart and Home Will all their dreams come true
Book SynopsisHEART AND HOME is a poignant saga of shop girls in 1930s Liverpool from Lyn Andrews, the Sunday Times bestselling author of FROM LIVERPOOL WITH LOVE and THE HOUSE ON LONELY STREET. Not to be missed by readers of Dilly Court and Katie Flynn.Cathie Kinrade is all too used to hardship. Growing up on the Isle of Man in the 1930s, she sees her da set sail daily on dangerous seas while her mam struggles to put food on the table. Cathie has little hope for her own future, until a chance encounter changes her fortunes for ever. Fiercely determined, Cathie leaves for Liverpool, a bustling modern city full of possibility. With a lively job as a shop girl in a grand department store, and a firm friend in kind-hearted Julia, Cathie has found her niche. But the discovery of an explosive secret could put everything at risk. And when love comes calling, Cathie''s new friends fear that she may be set to trust the wrong man with her heart...Trade ReviewPraise for Lyn Andrews: 'An outstanding storyteller' * Woman's Weekly *A vivid portrayal of life * Best *'A compelling read' * Woman's Own *The Catherine Cookson of Liverpool * Northern Echo *Gutsy...a vivid picture of a hard-up, hard-working community...will keep the pages turning * Daily Express *
£11.69
Baker Publishing Group A Beauty So Rare
Book SynopsisWhen Eleanor's practical plans for the new orphanage at Belmont Mansion conflict with Marcus's artistic vision, will they ever manage to find common ground?
£13.49
Baker Publishing Group Where Hope Prevails
Book SynopsisWhen Beth Thatcher returns to Coal Valley, she has much to be thankful for: her school is expanding, and she hopes to marry the man she loves in the spring. But soon, a new teacher who openly rejects God gives her cause for concern, as do new challenges in her relationship with Jarrick. Inspired by the Original Hallmark Series When Calls the Heart.
£11.39
Baker Publishing Group An Uncommon Courtship
Book SynopsisAfter a night trapped together in an old stone keep, Lady Adelaide Bell and Lord Trent Hawthorne have no choice but to marry. Dismayed, Adelaide finds herself bound to a man who ignores her, as Trent has no desire to connect with the one who dashed his plans to marry for love. Can they set aside their first impressions before any chance of love is lost?
£11.69
Baker Publishing Group The Bride of Ivy Green
Book SynopsisMuch has happened in Ivy Hill, and while several villagers have found new love and purpose, questions remain--and a few dearly held dreams have yet to be fulfilled. When a secretive new dressmaker arrives, the ladies suspect she isn't who she claims to be. While the people of Ivy Hill anticipate one wedding, an unexpected bride may surprise them all.
£11.39
Baker Publishing Group When You Are Near
Book SynopsisAfter her father''s death, Lizzy Brookstone, the star trick rider of the all-female Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, loses interest in performing. What she longs for is a life with the Brookstone ranch foreman, Wesley DeShazer, the man who once broke her heart. Meanwhile, Jason Adler, son of the show''s new financial partner, comes to help with the show, and Lizzy soon finds him vying for her affection.Ella Fleming is fleeing a forced engagement when she stows away on the Brookstone train. Lizzy finds her and gives her a job in the costume department, but Ella has a dangerous secret that could affect all of their lives, as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza.When Mary Reichert, a former sharpshooter for the show, learns that her brother, August, has been killed at the Fleming farm, she refuses to believe it was an accident. She returns to the show to find the truth, but is she seeking justice or vengeance?As the three women work together to
£11.39
Baker Publishing Group Until the Mountains Fall
Book SynopsisRecently widowed, Rivkah flees Kedesh, refusing to submit to Torah law and marry her husband's brother. Malakhi has secretly loved Rivkah for years, but after her disappearance, he throws himself into the war against the Canaanites and is forced to confront not only his wounds, but also hers--including the shocking truth that has kept her from returning.
£11.69
Baker Publishing Group The Ladies of Ivy Cottage
Book SynopsisIn the confines of Ivy Cottage, friendships thrive, romances blossom, and mysteries await! Gentlewoman Rachel Ashford has moved into Ivy Cottage with the two Miss Groves, where she discovers mysteries hidden among her books. Together with her one-time love Sir Timothy, she searches for answers--and is forced to face her true feelings.
£11.39
Baker Publishing Group More Than Words Can Say
Book SynopsisAfter being railroaded by the city council, Abby needs a man's name on her bakery's deed, and a man she can control--not the stoic lumberman Zacharias, who always seems to exude silent confidence. She can't even control her pulse when she's around him. But as trust grows between them, she finds she wants more than his rescue. She wants his heart.
£11.69
Baker Publishing Group Destined for You
Book SynopsisAfter scarlet fever kills her mother and siblings, Gloriana Womack is dedicated to holding together what's left of her fractured family. Luke Carson arrives in Duluth to shepherd the construction of the railroad and reunite with his brother. When tragedy strikes and Gloriana and Luke must help each other through their grief, they find their lives inextricably linked.
£11.39
Baker Publishing Group The Number of Love
Book SynopsisIn the midst of the Great War, Margot De Wilde spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But after a sudden loss, her world is turned upside down. Lieutenant Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by a destructive enemy. Immediately smitten with Margot, how can Drake convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life's answers lie in the heart?
£11.39
Baker Publishing Group A Woman of Words
Book SynopsisAsked by Mary to record stories of Yeshua while the eyewitnesses are still alive, Matthew, a disciple, reluctantly agrees. But the longer they work together, the more difficult their task becomes as they face threats and opposition. And when Matthew works to save his people, he realizes that the job he hesitantly accepted may be his God-given destiny.
£11.39
Baker Publishing Group To Dwell among Cedars
Book SynopsisDetermined to bring the Ark of the Covenant to a proper resting place, Levite musician Ronen never expected that Eliora, the Philistine girl he rescued years ago, would be part of the family he's to deceive. As his attempts to charm her lead in unexpected directions, they question their loyalties when their beliefs about the Ark and themselves are shaken.
£11.69
Baker Publishing Group A Tapestry of Light
Book SynopsisCalcutta, 1886.Ottilie Russell is adrift between two cultures, British and Indian, belonging to both and neither. In order to support her little brother, Thaddeus, and her grandmother, she relies upon her skills in beetle-wing embroidery that have been passed down to her through generations of Indian women.When a stranger appears with the news that Thaddeus is now Baron Sunderson and must travel to England to take his place as a nobleman, Ottilie is shattered by the secrets that come to light. Despite her growing friendship with Everett Scott, friend to Ottilie''s English grandmother and aunt, she refuses to give up her brother. Then tragedy strikes, and she is forced to make a decision that will take Thaddeus far from death and herself far from home. But betrayal and loss lurk in England, too, and soon Ottilie must fight to ensure Thaddeus doesn''t forget who he is, as well as find a way to stitch a place for herself in this foreign land.
£10.44
Baker Publishing Group Keturah
Book SynopsisIn 1773, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters inherit their father's estates and travel to the West Indies to see what is left of their legacy. On the island of Nevis, every man seems to be trying to win Keturah's hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. Set on saving their heritage, can she trust God with her future--and her heart?
£10.79
Baker Publishing Group Unfailing Love
Book SynopsisHeartwarming Conclusion to the Companion Seriesto Hallmark Channel''s When Hope CallsLillian Walsh and Grace Bennett have learned so much already about caring for children in distress. It hasn''t been easy, but it becomes even more difficult when they suddenly discover that three children have run away. Concerned for the trio''s safety, the sisters will do all they can to find the children.But the runaways are not the only thing putting the future of the children''s home in question. Lillian is faced with choosing between her dreams with fiancé Walter and her commitment to her sister. Steady Ben Waldin is keen to find where his family settled in Canada and to give little Janie a place to permanently call home. And the sisters receive a pair of surprise visitors that leaves them and their family uncertain.As all of the people invested in the children''s home seek to determine their paths forward, they begin to realize
£11.39
Baker Publishing Group Secrets of My Heart
Book SynopsisReunited with childhood friend and lawyer Seth Carpenter, recently widowed Nancy Pritchard must search through the pieces of her loveless marriage for the truth behind her husband's death after his schemes come to light. But as they pursue answers, their attraction to each other creates complications, and dark secrets reveal themselves.
£10.79
Baker Publishing Group Courting Misfortune
Book SynopsisCalista York needs one more successful case as a Pinkerton operative to secure her job. When she''s assigned to find the kidnapped daughter of a mob boss, she''s sent to the rowdy mining town of Joplin, Missouri, despite having extended family in the area. Will their meddling expose her mission and keep Lila Seaton from being recovered?When Matthew Cook decided to be a missionary, he never expected to be sent only a short train ride away. While fighting against corruption of all sorts, Matthew hears of a baby raffle being held to raise funds for a children''s home. He''ll do what he can to stop it, but he also wants to stop the reckless Miss York, whose bad judgment consistently seems to be putting her in harm''s way.Calista doesn''t need the handsome pastor interfering with her investigation, and she can''t let her disguise slip. Her job and the life of a young lady depend on keeping Matthew in the dark.
£10.44
Baker Publishing Group Yours Is the Night
Book SynopsisMireilles finds her world rocked when the Great War comes crashing into the idyllic home she has always known, taking much from her. When Platoon Sergeant Matthew Petticrew discovers her in the Forest of Argonne, three things are clear: she is alone in the world, she cannot stay, and he and his two companions might be the only ones who can get her to safety.
£10.44
Baker Publishing Group The Nature of a Lady
Book Synopsis1906Lady Elizabeth 'Libby' Sinclair, with her love of microscopes and nature, isn''t favored in society. She flees to the beautiful Isles of Scilly for the summer and stumbles into the dangerous secrets left behind by her holiday cottage''s former occupant, also named Elizabeth, who mysteriously vanished. Oliver Tremayne--gentleman and clergyman--is determined to discover what happened to his sister, and he''s happy to accept the help of the girl now living in what should have been Beth''s summer cottage . . . especially when he realizes it''s the curious young lady he met briefly two years ago, who shares his love of botany and biology. But the hunt for his sister involves far more than nature walks, and he can''t quite believe all the secrets Beth had been keeping from him.As Libby and Oliver work together, they find ancient legends, pirate wrecks, betrayal, and the most mysterious phenomenon of all: love.
£10.44
Baker Publishing Group Braced for Love
Book SynopsisAfter his father's death, Kevin Hunt inherits a ranch in Wyoming--the only catch is it also belongs to a half brother he never knew existed. But danger follows Kevin, and he suspects his half brother is behind it. The only one willing to stand between them is Winona Hawkins--putting her in the cross hairs of a perilous plot and a risk at love.
£12.99
Baker Publishing Group Calling on the Matchmaker
Book SynopsisWhen a St. Louis Irish matchmaker pairs a shy young woman who spends her time caring for immigrants with a wealthy, flirtatious man whose father wants him to settle down, they can't imagine a more opposite pairing. But as they work together to protect the neighborhood from an epidemic, all they know about love and sacrifice is tested.
£13.49
Baker Publishing Group A Bound Heart
Book SynopsisTheir stations could not have been more different: a Scottish laird and a simple lass. When a tragedy forces both to colonial Virginia as indentured servants, can a love thwarted by tradition come to life in a new land?
£11.69
Baker Publishing Group Come Back to Me
Book SynopsisScientist Marian Creighton was skeptical of her father's lifelong research of ancient holy water--until she ingests some of it and finds herself transported back to the Middle Ages. With the help of an emotionally wounded nobleman, can she make her way back home? Or will she be trapped in the past forever?
£10.44
Headline Publishing Group To Swoon and to Spar
Book Synopsis''With a refreshingly acerbic sense of wit Jane Austen might have admired as well as a plot that gives a clever nod to the screwball spooky delights of . . . Northanger Abbey, Waters proves she is in fine literary fettle as she dexterously delivers another sublimely satisfying addition to her completely charming Regency Vows series'' Booklist (starred review)If you love Julia Quinn''s Bridgerton, you won''t want to miss Martha Waters'' ingenious, laugh-out-loud and sweepingly romantic historical rom-com, To Swoon and to Spar!Praise for Martha Waters: ''Sweet, sexy, and utterly fun'' Emily Henry''Awash with light, witty banter, unadulterated confessions of love, and plenty of steamy, corset-unravelling sex scenes'' Kirkus Reviews''Meshing the classic Regency theme of defying societal expectations with all the wit and humour of a
£10.44
Transworld Publishers Ltd A Mothers Dilemma
Book Synopsis**Don''t miss Emma Hornby''s gripping new wartime saga, A SISTER''S FIGHT**----------------------------Gritty and page-turning historical saga set in Northern England in the late 1800s, for fans of Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.Minnie Maddox cares deeply for mothers and their babies - she makes a living by taking in unwanted children and finding them good adoptive homes - and is delighted for her neighbour when she finally becomes a mother after decades of trying. But when the baby dies of natural causes while under her roof, and knowing her neighbour will be devastated, Minnie swaps it with one of the infants in her care.Now seventeen, Jewel Nightingale knows nothing of her true origins. But assaulted by her hateful cousin and making the dreadful discovery that she is pregnant, she faces a desperate dilemma. Fleeing her job as a domestic maid, she follows an advertisement to a house in Bolton''s dark slums, where a woman promisesTrade ReviewA woman’s lot was shocking in the 1850s as this Cooksonlike saga brilliantly describes... Have some tissues handy! * Peterborough Telegraph on A Shilling for a Wife *
£6.99
Transworld Publishers Ltd The Chimney Sweeps Sister
Book Synopsis**Don''t miss Emma Hornby''s new, gripping wartime saga, A SISTER''S FIGHT**''If you enjoy Dilly Court''s stories, you''ll love the latest heart-warming romance from Emma Hornby.'' Yours_________________A page-turning Victorian saga from the bestselling and RNA shortlisted author.Jenny and her little brother Noah are orphans, living hand to mouth in a cellar dwelling in the heart of the Manchester slums.At the tender age of nine, Noah is a chimney sweep''s boy: a dangerous job, where he''s wickedly mistreated. But they survive on his earnings, for which his older sister Jenny feels terrible guilt. It''s only her fiery temper that''s prevented her keeping down a job herself. With her brother''s safety - his life - on the line, Jenny resolves to try and control herself, and put her talent for singing to good use. Can she earn a crust by entertaining the punters at the taverns and inns around town?It seems likeTrade ReviewIf you enjoy Dilly Court's stories, you'll love the latest heart-warming romance from Emma Hornby. * Yours *Authentic, compelling . . . another winner for a northern author who has her home county written right across her heart. * Lancashire Evening Post on A Daughter's War *Praise for Emma Hornby: * - *'Compelling. A gripping and powerful tale of vengeance and reprisal' * Val Wood, author of Children of Fortune *'Emma Hornby writes strong, working-class women with heart and humour. The book is an absolute joy' * Glenda Young, author of The Miner's Lass *
£7.59
Allison & Busby The Second Lady Silverwood
Book SynopsisEmma Orchard was born in Salford. She studied English Literature at the Universities of Edinburgh and York, before working behind the scenes in publishing and television for many years. Her first job was at Mills & Boon, where she met her husband in a classic enemies-to-lovers romance. She now lives in North London.Trade Review"An exciting and thoroughly enjoyable new talent has exploded onto the market. I absolutely loved it!" - Katie Fforde"Hot stuff. I loved it!" - Fern Britton"D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S is the only word for The Second Lady Silverwood. An absolutely glorious Regency romance. I love love loved it." - Sophie Irwin"Heyer with spice! I adored it." - Liz Fenwick, author of The River Between Us"Sensual and exciting! I loved it!" - Heidi Swain, author of The Cherry Tree Cafe"Sexy, seductive and swoon worthy (and that's just the hero). The enthusiastic consent in this racy regency romp from Emma Orchard had me shouting Yes! Almost as much as the heroine. Definitely one for fans of Bridgerton." - Sarah Bennett, author of the Butterfly Cove series"May your bosom swell and your heart surge - this witty, spicy, seductive novel is out in April. It's a historical romance full of raunch and wit, perfect for Bridgerton fans and sure to be the highlight of the social season." - Hannah Dolby, author of No Life for a Lady"Benedict and Kate's passionate relationship sizzles on the page, and the reader is swept along at a romping pace. Emma Orchard is clearly an expert when it comes to painting vivid scenes, creating authentic storylines, and inventing fully rounded characters." - Louise Morrish, author of Operation Moonlight
£8.54
Baker Publishing Group Delilah
Book SynopsisA Complex and Compelling Glimpse at One of the Bible''s Baddest GirlsLife is not easy in Philistia, especially not for a woman and child alone. When beautiful, wounded Delilah finds herself begging for food to survive, she resolves that she will find a way to defeat all the men who have taken advantage of her. She will overcome the roadblocks life has set before her, and she will find riches and victory for herself. When she meets a legendary man called Samson, she senses that in him lies the means for her victory. By winning, seducing, and betraying the hero of the Hebrews, she will attain a position of national prominence. After all, she is beautiful, she is charming, and she is smart. No man, not even a supernaturally gifted strongman, can best her in a war of wits.
£12.34
Baker Publishing Group At Loves Command
Book SynopsisEx-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries who defend the innocent, but when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they seek out help from Dr. Josephine Burkett. When Josephine's brother is abducted and she is caught in the crossfire, Matthew may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.
£11.69
Baker Publishing Group Kings Shadow
Book SynopsisTwo women occupy a place in Herod''s court. The first, Salome, is the king''s only sister, a resentful woman who has been told she is from an inferior race, a people God will never accept or approve. The second woman, Zara, is a lowly handmaid who serves Salome, but where Salome spies conspiracies and treachery, Zara sees hurting people in need of understanding and compassion. Powerful and powerless, Idumean and Jew, selfish and selfless--both women struggle to reach their goals and survive in Herod the Great''s tumultuous court, where no one is trustworthy and no one is safe.
£11.39
Kregel Publications,U.S. The White Rose Resists
Book Synopsis
£12.34
Austin Macauley Publishers Velvet
Book Synopsis
£16.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Blitz Girls
Book SynopsisA heartwarming and gripping new saga series from the author of The Bobby Girls''A heartwarming story of women discovering their inner strength. . . I couldn''t put it down'' Vicki Beeby, author of A New Start for the Wrens***Their country needs them. They need each other.August, 1940. The war is raging in Europe, but on the home front conflict still seems far away.Dot, living with her mother-in-law and dreading the day that her thuggish husband comes home on leave, is fighting her own battle to contribute to the war effort. Peggy has found confidence as an Air Raid Precaution Warden, despite the jeers of the men she works with - but beneath her pluck she fears for her close-knit family, scattered by the war. And glamorous Vivian, the former debutante, is running away from her own heart and into danger as a volunteer ambulance driver.Then the bombs begin to fall over London, and al
£9.25
Penguin Books Ltd The Stranger I Married
Book SynopsisThe Stranger I Married is an erotic tale of love and awakened desire in Victorian England . . . perfect for fans of E. L. James . . . They are London''s most scandalous couple. Isabel, Lady Pelham, and Gerard Faulkner, Marquess of Grayson, are well matched in all things - lusty appetites, constant paramours, provocative reputations, and their absolute refusal to ruin a marriage of convenience by falling in love. It is a most agreeable sham - until a shocking event sends Gerard from her side. When, four years later, Gerard returns, the boyish rogue is now a powerful, irresistible man determined to seduce Isabel. He is not the man she married - but is he the one to finally steal her heart?Praise for Sylvia Day:''Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day'' Amuse ''Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you''ve read before'' RevealTrade ReviewShades of Grey eclipsed by new novel [Bared to You] * Evening Standard *Several shades sexier and a hundred degrees hotter * Woman *
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Her Mothers Daughter
Book SynopsisThe moving and heartwarming story of one woman trying to make it on her own, from the bestselling author of The Open DoorKate Freeman, the daughter of the inimitable Rose Webster, is like her mother in more ways than one. But Kate has dreams of her own, dreams that could bring great joy - or terrible sorrow.In 1960, she moves to London to become a photographer. She has her mother''s strength to guide her, but is that enough?With a long journey ahead of her and a lot of growing up to do, Kate will be put to the test. For her, her family and friends, the era that was dubbed a time of peace proves to be anything but.Tragedy, upheaval, and the tears and laughter of family life await . . .__________Praise for Beryl Matthews:''A heartwarming and uplifting tale'' Daily Express''Catherine Cookson fans will love this'' Woman''s Own ''A winner . . . Beryl Matth
£7.59
Penguin Books Ltd Home Fires and Spitfires
Book SynopsisThe heartwarming and moving story of three fascinating women finding their strength in World War II, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Call the Midwife and Downton AbbeyIt is June 1940, and as the bombs fall, the women at home must dig deep . . ._______Tucked on the edge of the Lake District lies Mary Vale, a Mother and Baby Home open to unmarried women and their children. But tensions arise when three very different mums-to-be walk through the doors.Plucky shipyard worker Gracie must overcome her shame when her lover turns out to be married. Newly engaged Diana''s fiancé tragically goes missing in action days before the wedding, while isolated and bedraggled Zelda turns heads when she arrives from the ghettos of Germany.At Mary Vale, unity is key as the bombs keep falling.But can these very different women put their differences aside to fight a common foe?Praise for Daisy Styles'Trade ReviewPraise for Daisy Styles * - *This book brought home wonderfully the vivid camaraderie wartime women shared and their immense sacrifices on the Home Front. Well done Daisy for creating characters that are real women in the best sense. Funny, scheming, loyal and witty, but about all, hardworking and proud. An absolute joy to read -- Kate Thompson, bestselling author of * Secrets of the Home Front Girls *Feisty young women, a country house in wartime and a scheming aristocrat - all ingredients for a cracking story with truly endearing characters -- Annie Murray, bestselling author of * Now The War Is Over *This is her best yet. I devoured it in one sitting - it's a real page turner that will delight and tug at the heart strings of readers everywhere. Wonderful! -- Fiona Ford, author of * The Liberty Girls *
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd A Mothers Love
Book SynopsisThe uplifting story of three struggling mothers pulling together in the heart of WWII, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Nancy Revell and Call the MidwifeThree mothers. Three very different backgrounds. And a bond they will never forget . . .________The Lake District, 1944. Spring is in the air for the women at Mary Vale Mother and Baby Home.Beautiful Stella, the head-turning cook of a munitions factory, has been swept off her feet by a handsome GI. He proposes when she falls pregnant, but soon his letters stop arriving . . .Then there is Lillian, who is deeply unimpressed when she is conscripted as a Land Girl miles from her home, but then she meets a charming, married vet . . .Meanwhile, midwife Ada is getting used to being back at work after the birth of her own beautiful baby girl. But she faces the biggest challenge of her life when the home is engulfed in an outbreak of whTrade ReviewPraise for Daisy Styles * - *Well done Daisy for creating characters that are real women in the best sense. Funny, scheming, loyal and witty, but about all, hardworking and proud. An absolute joy to read * Kate Thompson, bestselling author of, Secrets of the Home Front Girls *A cracking story with truly endearing characters * Annie Murray, bestselling author of, Now The War Is Over *This is her best yet. I devoured it in one sitting - it's a real page turner that will delight and tug at the heart strings of readers everywhere. Wonderful! * Fiona Ford, author of, The Liberty Girls *
£10.46
Orion Publishing Co The Water Horse
Book SynopsisFlorence Nightingale, a historical drama, a superb love story - from the Richard & Judy bestselling author of EAST OF THE SUN.Catherine Carreg has grown up a tomboy, spending her days racing her ponies with Deio, the drover''s son, in a small Welsh village. But Catherine is consumed by a longing to escape the monotony of village life and, with Deio''s help, runs away to London. Alone in the unfamiliar bustle of the city, Catherine finds a position in a rest home for sick governesses in Harley Street, run by Miss Florence Nightingale. Then, as the nation is gripped by reports of the war in the Crimea, Catherine volunteers as a nurse - and her life changes beyond all recognition.Arriving in Scutari, she is pitched into a living nightmare and, against the passion and heroism of one of the most traumatic wars in history, she is forced to grow up quickly and painfully, and learn the hardest lessons of love and war.Trade ReviewLively, atmospheric novel ... the writing is skilful, vivid and explicit * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Recent biography has debunked the romance of Florence Nightingale as angelic "Lady of the Lamp" ... Julia Gregson breathes life into this new interpretation * GUARDIAN *A vivid tale of love and war -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME *lively, atmospheric novel...the writing is skillful, vivd and explicit * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Recent biography has debunked teh romance of Florence Nightingale as angelic 'Lady of the Lamp'...Julia Gregson breathes life into this new interpretation * GUARDIAN *a wonderful evocation of the rugged Welsh coastlne and Catherine's home life * HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW *
£10.44
Orion Publishing Co An Italian Affair
Book SynopsisLove. War. Family. Betrayal.Italy, 1937. Alessandra Durante is grieving the loss of her husband when she discovers she has inherited her ancestral family seat, Villa Durante, deep in the Tuscan Hills. Longing for a new start, she moves from her home in London to Italy with her daughter Diana and sets about rebuilding her life. Under the threat of war, Alessandra''s house becomes first a home and then a shelter to all those who need it. Then Davide, a young man who is hiding the truth about who he is, arrives, and Diana starts to find her heart going where her head knows it must not.Back home in Britain as war breaks out, Alessandra''s son Robert, signs up to be a pilot, determined to play his part in freeing Italy from the grip of Fascism. His bravery marks him out as an asset to the Allies, and soon he is being sent deep undercover and further into danger than ever before.As war rages, the Durante family will love and lose, but will they su
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co Christmas at Emmerdale
Book SynopsisA wonderful Christmas gift for fans of ITV''s Emmerdale and readers who love heartwarming and heartbreaking stories set in wartime.August 1914, and a terrible war begins, one that will affect the lives of everyone in the village of Beckindale. For Maggie Sugden, left to run Emmerdale Farm on her own while her husband, Joe, is at the front, it will bring grief and loss but also independence and the chance to find a place to belong - and perhaps even to love again.Christmas At Emmerdale is the first in a sweeping new saga series, exploring the lives of Emmerdale''s much-loved families during the run up to the Great War.What readers are saying about Christmas at Emmerdale:''An enjoyable read with well written and well-developed characters''''Had a fantastic Christmas and Emmerdale feel to it. Really enjoyed it!''
£8.54
Hodder & Stoughton An Appetite for Violets
Book SynopsisA compelling tale of obsession and mystery, introducing a brilliant new voice in historical fiction.Trade ReviewPart social history, part exploration of 18th century cuisine and part action-packed, dark-edged mystery, this is probably the most delicious - and inventive - story you will read this year. * Lancashire Evening Post *If you enjoyed Jo Baker's Longbourn you'll enjoy this. It's another beautifully written 18th century servant story, sad in the same sort of way and similarly rich . . . An impressive debut. * Daily Mail *Martine Bailey writes with such easy, compelling grace, and in a fascinating new genre - best described as culinary gothic. I was hooked and enraptured. * Fay Weldon *I adored this novel: a delicious addictive mix of confectionery, skulduggery and crime, sprinkled with dark secrets and sauced with piquant comedy. -- Maria McCann, bestselling author of AS MEAT LOVES SALT and THE WILDINGAn absolutely delicious novel; I savoured every page. -- Imogen Robertson, author of Instruments of DarknessBiddy's irrepressible nature is apparent from the very start . . . she is one of the most likeable protagonists I have encountered in a long time . . . It's rare to encounter descriptive skills as good as this. At every point I felt I could see, hear, smell and taste what was going on . . . This novel takes in historical, Gothic and crime ficiton in a clean, easy sweep and manages to pack in cultural and culinary observations without once disrupting flow or timing . . . There's a great sense of the book being a complicated and daring recipe; both the timing and the proportions of each ingredient needed to be exactly right to produce the best result. Bailey's recipe has worked perfectly. I was cheering for the heroes, booing for the villains and feeling disappointed as the end of the book crept up on me. AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is a terrific novel . . . a must-read for anyone who enjoys a full, flavoursome and hearty story. * The Bookbag *A tour de force . . . This novel is about rulers and the ruled, cookery and the emergence of restaurants, sugar-craft, slavery, all kinds of love and companionship and also a great mystery story. The writing itself is beautifully fluent and quirky in its use of eighteenth-century parlance, yet this latter element was used charmingly and never overdone. It's full of twists and turns with marvellous moments of drama and some super revelations I never saw coming! I'd recommend this novel to anyone wanting an insight into the period and a jolly good read with satisfying and very real depths. -- Rebecca Mascull, author of THE VISITORSIt's not often that I read a book as voraciously as this. The last was THE GOLDFINCH by DonnaTartt, so Martine is in excellent company. I just had to know how this story of deception, intrigue and passion ended. -- S D Sykes, author of PLAGUE LANDA hugely evocative novel that transported me right back to 18th Century Europe. AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is filled with sensuous food writing and Biddy has such a distinctive voice. -- Sarah Vaughan, author of THE ART OF BAKING BLINDI really, really loved AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS and you caught Biddy's voice so beautifully I could hear her in my head. I read the proof while I was stuck on a few train journeys and I was racing through it while never wanting it to stop. The recipes, the voices, the places, the atmosphere and tension - it was all so high-coloured and vivid I felt it was playing out in front of my eyes. At points I even forgot I was on a FGW train . . . It's so accomplished and confident for a debut novel. -- Lucy Dillon, author of A HUNDRED PIECES OF METhe recipes [Bailey] includes throughout the book give her novel a wonderful flavour . . . Bailey has chosen her language cleverly, choosing foodie adjectives when possible to create a full sensory experience . . . AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is part Gothic mystery melodrama, part romance, part social commentary, part history of cuisine. * For Books' Sake *AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is a feast of unique characters, suspense, passion and delicious storytelling. Martine Bailey has served up a beautifully rendered, haunting tale told by an unforgettable heroine. A novel to devour yet savor. -- Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The Queen's GovernessIrresistible. Full of mystery and intrigue, above and below stairs shenanigans and cookery. Gastro-porn at its best. * The Arts Show on BBC Radio 2 *There are mysteries to solve, secrets to uncover, plots to unravel . . . The story is both light and intriguing with twists and turns aplenty . . . It is a cleverly woven tale, yet for all the depth and detail the book remains an easy and enjoyable read. Just as the lightest of dishes can contain a host of complimentary tastes and textures, so this book offers up a complex, thought provoking story that is easily digested. * Jackie Law's Book Blog *Biddy has to be one of my favourite heroines to appear for a long time . . . I have never seen language so lightly and skillfully interwoven into a historical character . . . You do not have to be a foodie to love this book (although you will adore it if you are one!). Bailey's descriptions and Biddy's enthusiasm soon give you an appetite for a fascinating culinary world . . . It is a historical novel with mystery, crime, romance, comedy and gothic elements. Whilst parts of the story are dark, the book has an overall cheerful feel to it. It is easy to read and never feels cumbersome. I suppose at the end of the day, it is like one of Biddy's recipes. There are many ingredients, some of which you would hesitate to blend together, but when all is mixed and cooked, the finished dish is a triumph. -- Laura Purcell, author of Queen of BedlamA deliciously inventive story . . . Biddy Leigh, our heroine, is one of the most engaging characters I've come across in a long time . . . AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS was inspired by recipe books from the 18th century which are matched with a love of food, history and travel. A perfect combination and, like Biddy's cooking, mixed in just such a way to meld together all the flavors creating a most delicious story. * Shiny New Books *A charming debut and a genuinely original and insightful novel. * Good Housekeeping *The first half of the novel whets the reader's appetite for more. There are charming recipes that kick off each of Biddy's chapters. And then there is the central mystery of what happened in Tuscany . . . The pace bustles with subplots . . . If you are looking for a food-related light read, this fits the bill quite nicely. * Straits Times, Singapore *A delectable dish that will appeal to readers with a taste for historical mysteries as well as fiction about food. * Booklist Starred Review *Debut novelist (and award winning amateur cook) Bailey whips up a tasty confection of history, mystery, and intrigue. Fans of 18th-century writers as James Boswell, Tobias Smollett, Henry Fielding, and Samuel Richardson will savor this delicious read. * Library Journal Starred Review *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton A Time for Renewal
Book SynopsisThe second instalment in the best-selling Rivenshaw series, by beloved saga author Anna Jacobs. In the wake of World War Two, the whole country is desperate for houses, with very little money available to rebuild. In the town of Rivenshaw in Lancashire, Mayne Esher has no choice but to turn Esherwood, the war-damaged stately home which has been in his family for generations, into flats. Rebuilding Esherwood won''t be easy but with Judith Crossley by his side, Mayne hopes to restore it to its former glory. First, he must open it up to some of his long-suffering army friends... and it soon becomes clear that the house isn''t the only thing which needs rebuilding.Victor is fighting his late wife''s rich and arrogant mother for custody of his daughter Betty. Ros has been cheated out of her money and has nowhere to go now she''s been demobbed from the army. Daniel is still unsettled after his wartime experiences. He''s waiting for his divorce to go through and has Trade ReviewThis is that rare thing, a pacy page-turner with a ripping plot and characters you care about . . . [Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff! * Daily Mail on THE TRADER'S GIFT *Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around. * Historical Novels Review *[Anna Jacobs' books have an] impressive grasp of human emotions. * The Sunday Times *
£9.49
