Second World War fiction

Book Synopsis‘A lovely, lovely story set in WW2. It gripped me from page one…I'd highly recommend it!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader ReviewWar changed her country, but it couldn’t change her spiritGlasgow, 1939Despite being shy and reserved, Jeannie Dougal finds herself newly engaged to handsome soldier, Arthur Dunn, the day war is announced. Jeannie accepts, even if she is unsure if a girl from the tenements will fit in with Arthur’s comfortable, middle-class background. But as WW2 takes its toll on the world, her wedding must wait…As she sets off to work at a munitions factory she meets Eileen, Janet and Annie. As her new friends bond together in war work, sharing their stories of romance, Jeanie is grateful to be settled with Arthur, even if he is set in his ways.Until she meets charming Canadian soldier, Bill, and realises she has found a spark she was always missing. But how can Jeannie tell Arthur? And is she strong enough to fight her own battle, with the country already at war…?An emotional and romantic family saga set in WW2 Scotland and the start of a captivating new series. Fans of Call the Midwife and Katie Flynn won’t be able to put this down.Readers are falling in love with Jeannie's War: ‘Loved it…Heartbreaking in chapters that will make you cry, so make sure the tissues are handy.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘WOW. Loved this book. If you love family saga based in the war, you will love this.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘A great WWII-era historical fiction saga…I truly enjoyed this one…Through this story of love, loss, uncertainty, and finding one’s place in life we also get a glimpse of history as well…Beautifully written.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘A fantastic read, great start to a series…I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘Loved this book…A great read with a few good twists and turns in the story…Highly recommended.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘An emotional read…It's beautifully written and I quickly found myself caught up in the pages.’ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisAs she struggles to find her feet with her work, new problems emerge… Meg Turner is finally doing the job she loves, but life as a sheep farmer proves tougher than she anticipated. She is a woman trying to prove herself in a man’s world against the backdrop of a brutal war.With her faith being tested in her work, she also fears that the man she loves will betray her again. Meg struggles to allow herself to love baby Lissa when her mother may return to claim her at any moment.Meanwhile, Kath faces new challenges in the WAAF, but cannot stop thinking about her child. Can she ever get over the guilt of leaving her child behind?A heartwarming story of love and loyalty, perfect for fans of Anna Jacobs and Rosie Harris.

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Book SynopsisLiverpool, 1944Though they may be posted miles apart, Cadi and Jez's love for one another is stronger than ever - until Cadi receives a heart-breaking call from Jez's base.Cadi races to be with her beau and. at his bedside, they make each other a promise that Cadi hopes she'll never have to keep.In her darkest hour, Cadi is comforted by her friends, and with their support and guidance she begins to see a light at the end of the tunnel. But she will face more than one unexpected turn along the way.Against the odds, will Cadi be able to keep her word?____________________WHY READERS LOVE KATIE FLYNN:'Takes you on a journey of heartbreak and joy''Hard to put down''Her characters are like old friends''Heartwarming romance'

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Book Synopsis LONGLISTED FOR THE HWA GOLD CROWN AWARD FOR BEST HISTORICAL FICTION NOVEL OF THE YEARA luminous debut novel about love, the trauma of war and the miracle of human resilience, for readers of Anna Hope, Sadie Jones and Elizabeth Jane Howard. No one survives war unscathed. But even in the darkest days, seeds of hope can grow.It is 1946 and in the village of Oakbourne the men are home from the war. Their bodies are healing but their psychological wounds run deep. Everyone is scarred - those who fought and those left behind.Alice Rayne is married to Stephen, heir to crumbling Oakbourne Hall. Once a sweet, gentle man, he has returned a bitter and angry stranger, destroyed by what he has seen and done, tormented by secrets Alice can only guess at.Lonely and increasingly afraid of the man her husband has become, Alice must try to pick up the pieces of her marriage and save Oakbourne Hall from total collapse. She begins with the walled garden and, as it starts to bear fruit, she finds herself drawn into a new, forbidden love.Set in the Suffolk countryside as it moves from winter to spring, The Walled Garden is a captivating love story and a timeless, moving exploration of trauma and the miracle of human resilience.'Richly evocative and transporting' Stacey Halls'A heartbreaking tale, vividly dramatised' Rachel Hore'Tender and lyrical . . . This beautiful book had notes of both Elizabeth von Arnim and Elizabeth Jane Howard. More please!' Natasha Solomons'Touching, absorbing . . . A beautifully written story that will especially appeal to Rachel Hore fans' Daily Mail 'A poignant drama . . . What happens when war ends? How do people move on after what they've seen and possibly done? Hardy explores these complex themes in this gentle but powerful novel. There'll be tears, but this evocative read is worth every one' Book of the Month, Woman and Home'An enveloping story to savour' Kate Sawyer, Costa shortlisted author of The Stranding'Written with great delicacy and feeling' Elizabeth Buchan, author of Two Women in Rome'Hardy's supremely observed novel blossoms like a rose-sharp and pointed, and stunningly beautiful' Inga Vesper, author of The Long, Long Afternoon'A poignant, powerful novel about aftermath, trauma and hope' Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood HallTrade ReviewRichly evocative and transporting. * Stacey Halls *A tender and lyrical evocation of the restorative power of nature and the garden. This beautiful book had notes of both Elizabeth von Arnim and Elizabeth Jane Howard. More please! * Natasha Solomons *This touching, absorbing novel considers World War II from an unusual standpoint: the wives of shattered survivors returning home . . . A beautifully written story that will especially appeal to Rachel Hore fans. * Daily Mail *A poignant drama . . . What happens when war ends? How do people move on after what they've seen and possibly done? Hardy explores these complex themes in this gentle but powerful novel. There'll be tears, but this evocative read is worth every one. * Woman & Home - Book of the Month *This wonderfully written debut confronts the horrors of war with a clear eye and captures the long-lasting effects on both soldiers and the families they left behind. There's an incisive sharpness to Hardy's observations and her characters' flaws serve to make them more human. Ultimately this is a story of love and hope. * Anne Cater, S Magazine, Sunday Express *A heartbreaking tale, vividly dramatised, wise and well-observed about the traumatic effects of war on survivors and their families in the little Suffolk community where it's set. The characters are splendid - they blaze from the page - and the author writes beautifully and knowledgeably about the natural world. A splendid debut! * Rachel Hore *An enveloping story to savour. * Kate Sawyer, Costa shortlisted author of THE STRANDING *Written with great delicacy and feeling. * Elizabeth Buchan, author of Two Women in Rome *Sarah Hardy's supremely observed novel blossoms like a rose-sharp and pointed, and stunningly beautiful. * Inga Vesper, author of The Long, Long Afternoon *A poignant, powerful novel about aftermath, trauma and hope. * Katie Lumsden, author of THE SECRETS OF HARTWOOD HALL *Moving between seasons and set in the Suffolk countryside, The Walled Garden is an evocative and compassionate exploration of survival, suffering and healing. * Culture Fly *

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Book SynopsisIn wartime Ireland, an Englishman and a German each need the other to betray his country. And if the nationalist firebrands get their way, they may have to fight to the death. But hang on!—Just a few months ago, Flight Lieutenant Oliver Carmichael and Baron Julius von Stulpnagel were living together in Berlin, trying to sell forged paintings. So what are they doing in rundown Ballingore, and how will ex-convent-girl Mary Collins and her devoted red-headed sidekick Niamh Slattery play into their hands? In this hilarious Irish farce, Casey McCartney brilliantly recreates the slapstick flavour of an Ealing Studios comedy.

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Book SynopsisAs Lieutenant Gene Sinclair lands on his first Pacific island he begins the island-hopping journey that will mature and harden him. Attached to the 24th Infantry division, he stays close to the front lines of the Pacific war. He soon meets all that World War II can throw at him. Surviving accidents, injuries, a typhoon, supply shortages, and malaria accompanied by hallucinations, watching comrades die from friendly fire and succumb to battle fatigue and tropical diseases, Gene develops the fortitude to lead his battery and survive this hell on earth. That is, until a special mission almost proves to be Gene's undoing, and he struggles to find the strength to go on. Meanwhile, his girlfriend Sarah Gale grows from a naive farm girl to a world wise WAC photo interpreter, keeping Gene up to date on her adventures through frequent letters.

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Book SynopsisDramatic, emotional and romantic, if you love Lorna Cook, Tracy Rees and Jenny Ashcroft, you''ll love this gripping and heartrending novel from Cathy Mansell, author of A Place to Belong.''Glorious - a cross between Maeve Binchy and Catherine Cookson'' 5* early reader review''A superb saga'' PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH''A heart-warming story full of characters you''ll come to love'' ROSIE GOODWIN''Page-turning and compelling... Most highly recommended'' MARGARET KAINE''Rarely have I read a book where every character springs from the pages so authentically'' JEAN CHAPMAN''A warm-hearted, engaging story'' MARGARET JAMES, WRITING MAGAZINEIn 1950s Dublin, life is hard and jobs are like gold dust.Nineteen-year-old Nell Flynn is training to be a nurse and planning to marry her boyfriend, Liam Connor, when her mother dies, leaving

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Book SynopsisFROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, KATIE FLYNN‘Ellie’s a true Flynn heroine with her compassion and bravery. A fine Mother’s Day gift for fans’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph ‘Packed with romance and poignancy’ Woman'Romantic and poignant… Fans of historical fiction will love the details and warmth of Katie Flynn’s wartime tale’ Woman’s Own________________________________________Liverpool, 1940: There comes a moment in every child’s life when they must learn to stand on their own two feet.For fifteen-year-old Ellie Lancton, that time has come all too soon. The death of her mother and the increase in air raids leaves Ellie alone and in grave danger. It’s not long before she is forced to leave her beloved Liverpool behind and cross the Mersey to seek refuge in the countryside.But as the war takes comforts away, so too does it bring new opportunities; for work, new friendships, and perhaps a little love… It will take all of Ellie’s courage to find her way without her mother’s guidance. But if Ellie can soldier on with grace and dignity, there might just be light at the end of the tunnel.Trade ReviewEllie’s a true Flynn heroine with her compassion and bravery. A fine Mother’s Day gift for fans * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Packed with romance and poignancy * Woman *Romantic and poignant… Fans of historical fiction will love the details and warmth of Katie Flynn’s wartime tale * Woman’s Own *A Mother’s Love is another heart-warming wartime tale for historical fiction fans who enjoy plenty of nostalgic romance and struggle ... this book makes a lovely Mother’s Day gift. * Culture Fly *Celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday with this heart-warming read * Take a Break *

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Book SynopsisFormer IRA enforcer and deadly assassin, Sean Dillon, returns in the stunning sequel to EYE OF THE STORM, from number 1 bestselling author, Jack Higgins.Thunder Point: St John, the Virgin Islands, 1992For once, the lone diver's treasure was priceless: a German U-boat, sunk in American waters three weeks after the end of the war. Inside: final proof that Reichsleiter Martin Bormann escaped from Hitler's bunker with the Third Reich's hideous secrets intact.Among them: the names of British Nazi sympathisers some of them pillars of the establishment and the devastating document known as the Windsor Protocol.For the sake of national security, the U-boat must be destroyed. And no questions asked. Even if it means persuading Britain's most wanted IRA terrorist to take on the jobTrade Review‘Open a Jack Higgins novel and you’ll encounter a master craftsman at the peak of his powers … first-rate tales of intrigue, suspense and full-on action.’ Sunday Express ‘With fresh plots, interesting characters and vibrant settings, Jack Higgins has firmly cemented his reputation as one of the world’s most successful thriller writers.’ The Strand Magazine ‘Higgins is a master of his craft.’ Daily Telegraph ‘A thriller writer in a class of his own.’ Financial Times ‘The master craftsman of good, clean adventure.’ Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisA heart-breaking story of survival, where life or death relies on the smallest chance and happiness can be found in the darkest times. Fans of The Choice and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will fall in love with this beautiful novel__________''She touched the photograph in its gilt frame that was always on her desk, of a young, thin woman with very short hair and a baby in her arms. She had one last story to tell. Theirs. And it began in hell on earth.''It is 1942 and Eva Adami has boarded a train to Auschwitz. Barely able to breathe due to the press of bodies and exhausted from standing up for two days, she can think only of her longed-for reunion with her husband Michal, who was sent there six months earlier. But when Eva arrives at Auschwitz, there is no sign of Michal and the stark reality of the camp comes crashing down upon her. As she lies heartbroken and shivering on a thin mattress, her head shaved by rough hands, she

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Book SynopsisCilka's Journey is the million copy bestselling sequel to the phenomenon The Tattooist of Auschwitz.Don't miss the conclusion to The Tattooist of Auschwitz Trilogy, Three Sisters. Available now.'She was the bravest person I ever met'Lale Sokolov, The Tattooist of Auschwitz In 1942 Cilka Klein is just sixteen years old when she is taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. The Commandant at Birkenau, Schwarzhuber, notices her long beautiful hair, and forces her separation from the other women prisoners. Cilka learns quickly that power, even unwillingly given, equals survival.After liberation, Cilka is charged as a collaborator by the Russians and sent to a desolate, brutal prison camp in Siberia known as Vorkuta, inside the Arctic Circle. Innocent, imprisoned once again, Cilka faces challenges both new and horribly familiar, each day a battle for survival. Cilka befriends a woman doctor, and learns to nurse the ill in the camp, struggling to care for them under unimaginable conditions. And when she tends to a man called Alexandr, Cilka finds that despite everything, there is room in her heart for love.Cilka's Journey is a powerful testament to the triumph of the human will. It will move you to tears, but it will also leave you astonished and uplifted by one woman's fierce determination to survive, against all odds.- - - - - - - - 'Her truly incredible story is one to be read by everyone.' Sun'Cilka's extraordinary courage in the face of evil and her determination to survive against the odds will stay with you long after you've finished reading this heartrending book.' Sunday Express'Her courage and determination to survive makes for a heartrending read.' Daily MirrorTrade Reviewa sincere...moving attempt to speak the unspeakable * The Sunday Times on The Tattooist of Auschwitz *What an extraordinary and important book this is. We need as many memories of the Holocaust as we can retain, and this is a moving and ultimately uplifting story of love, loyalties and friendship amidst the horrors of war. I'm so glad Lale and Gita were eventually able to live long and happy lives together, and thankful that Heather Morris was moved to record their incredible story. It's a triumph * Jill Mansell on The Tattooist of Auschwitz *Extraordinary - moving, confronting and uplifting . . . a story about the extremes of human behaviour: calculated brutality alongside impulsive and selfless acts of love. I recommend it unreservedly * Graeme Simsion on The Tattooist of Auschwitz *a touching and redemptive tale of love and selflessness * Times Literary Supplement on The Tattooist of Auschwitz *A moment of pure humanity amid unthinkable atrocity * The Independent on The Tattooist of Auschwitz *Although the subject matter is dark, this is an inspiring and ultimately uplifting story of strength and survival * Good Housekeeping *This deeply moving follow-up will touch the stoniest of hearts * Sunday Post *A heartbreaking tale of strength in the face of unimaginable challenges * Woman's Weekly *A tale of hardship, survival- and, most importantly, never forgetting * INewspaper *Cilka's extraordinary courage in the face of evil and her determination to survive against the odds will stay with you long after you've finished reading this heartrending book * Sunday Express *It will move you to tears, but it will also leave you astonished and uplifted by one woman's fierce determination to survive, against all odds. * The Week *her courage and determination to survive makes for a heartrending read * Daily Mirror *Must read * Daily Express *Her truly incredible story is one to be read by everyone * The Sun *It is well-written, and well-researched. It is captivating, devastating and even darker than The Tattooist. It will make you despair at the cruelty of humanity, but leave you in awe of the strength of the human spirit... it will leave you emotionally drained- but Cilka's story is a powerful one * Express and Star *

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Book Synopsis'De Bernieres is a singular, cherishable voice' Mail on SundayFrom the master of historical fiction, this book follows war hero Daniel Pitt and his unforgettable family after the Second World War.Some bonds are hard to break...Daniel Pitt was an RAF fighter in the First World War and an espionage agent for the SOE in the Second. Now the conflicts he faces are closer to home.Daniel's marriage has fractured beyond repair and Daniel's relationship with his son, Bertie, has been a failure since Bertie was a small boy.But after his brother Archie's death, Daniel is keen for new perspectives. He first travels to Peshawar to bury Archie in the place he loved best, and then finds himself in Canada, avoiding his family and friends back in England. Daniel and Bertie's different experiences of war, although devastating, also bring with them the opportunity for the two to reconnect.If only they can find a way to move on from the past...For more adventures with flying ace Daniel Pitt, see The Dust That Falls From Dreams and So Much Life Left Over.Trade ReviewDe Bernieres is a singular, cherishable voice. * Mail on Sunday *Louis de Bernieres is in the direct line that runs through Dickens and Evelyn Waugh... he has only to look into his world, one senses, for it to rush into reality, colours and touch and taste * Evening Standard *[The Autumn of the Ace is] penned with de Bernières's quiet, deprecating humour and sharp observation -- Vanessa Berridge * Sunday Express *Both heart-warming and heart-wrenching, this novel will captivate the senses and make you laugh as well as cry. Brimming with incredible, quirky characters and beautiful, lyrical writing, The Autumn of the Ace is the ideal book for lovers of historical fiction -- Carmen Coetsee * South African *

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Book SynopsisCARBIDE explores the underbelly of the Ukrainian smuggling industry.

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Book Synopsis'Prepare to have your heart broken' – Good HousekeepingWoman & Home Book Club PickPoland, 1941. A mother. A child. An impossible choice.After the Jews in their town are rounded up, Róza and her five-year-old daughter, Shira, seek shelter in a local farmer’s barn. They spend their days and nights in silence to avoid being caught.When their safe haven is shattered, Róza faces an impossible choice: whether to keep her daughter close by her side, or give her the chance to survive by letting her go.A deeply moving novel about the unbreakable bond between parent and child, The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner powerfully portrays the triumph of humanity and hope in even the darkest circumstances.'If you only read one book this year, make it The Yellow Bird Sings' – AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird'Room meets Schindler’s List . . . a beautifully written tale of mothers and daughters' – Kate Quinn, author of The Huntress Trade ReviewPrepare to have your heart broken * Good Housekeeping *If you only read one book this year, make it The Yellow Bird Sings . . . Jennifer Rosner’s novel stands alongside The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas as one of those profoundly special World War Two novels you know you will never forget -- AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs BirdThe Yellow Bird Sings is at the top of my reading list * Elle *A captivating, quietly powerful telling of music, loss, longing and hope * Living Magazines *Room meets Schindler’s List . . . a beautifully written tale of mothers and daughters -- Kate Quinn, author of The Huntress and The Alice NetworkTold beneath an overarching sky of the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter, this is a story readers will continue to ponder long afterward -- Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours and Before and AfterThis is an absolutely beautiful and necessary novel, full of heartbreak but also hope, about the bond between mother and daughter, and the sacrifices made for love -- Mary Beth Keane * New York Times *A captivating and emotional tale about the love between a mother and daughter * ReadPlus *A deeply moving novel in which even the weakest and most vulnerable are sustained by the power of music, stories and love in a music, stories and love in a time of terror and tyranny * Herald *A captivating read * Good Reading *Outstanding . . . it will appeal particularly to fans Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief * Glam Adelaide *Rosner’s debut novel is a World War II story with a Room-like twist, one that also deftly examines the ways in which art and imagination can sustain us . . . an effective work of suspense, and Rosner’s understanding of how art plays a role in our lives, even at the worst of times, is impressive * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisPierre Boulle was born in 1912 at Avignon. Boulle studied as an engineer but ended up moving to Malaysia where he worked as both a soldier and a planter. Boulle fought in Yunnan, Calcutta and Indo-Chine during the Second World War until he was captured by the Japanese and imprisoned in a POW camp. It was this experience that would later form the basis of his infamous novel, The Bridge on the River Kwai. Upon his departure from Asia, Boulle's literature made a turn towards the fantastic and science fiction while contemplating the political and cultural upheaval experienced by the modern man. His most famous science fiction novel, Monkey Planet (its film adaptation was renamed The Planet of the Apes) has been adapted eight different times for either television or film. Boulle died in 1994.Trade ReviewA fine ironic novel, that is yet another French tribute to British eccentricity * Observer *Stirring and imaginative * New Statesman *Unforgettable * New Statesman *

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling novel which inspired the Hollywood movie starring John Mills.They served it ice-cold in Alex - pale amber Rheingold beer in tall, dewy glasses. This is the image that haunts Captain George Anson. Stationed in the North African desert just before the fall of Tobruk, an ice-cold lager seems a million miles away. When Anson is detailed to escort two nursing sisters to Alexandria, it looks as though his wish is finally about to come true - a routine assignment, with a lager at the end of it as his reward. But what starts out as a routine journey soon becomes an epic. Forced to drive further and further south in order to escape the advancing German Army, Anson and his small party are soon on the edge of the Great Sand Sea. As they battle with the physical agonies of a six-hundred-mile drive through the desert it soon becomes apparent that each member of the group has his or her own private struggles to resolve. Not only that, but with a Nazi agent in their midst, it is clear that not all of them are going to make it to Alexandria ...

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Book SynopsisWhen seventeen-year-old Stella Whittaker is offered the chance to study at the Academy of Music in Vienna it''s a dream-come-true, made possible by old family friends, Rainer and Marthe Kraus, who offer her a place to live.Seduced by the elegant beauty of the city, Stella explores the magnificent palaces, gardens and fashionable coffee houses, and after a chance meeting in an art gallery, falls in love with Harri Reznik, a young Jewish doctor.But as the threat of war casts a dark shadow over Europe, Stella soon discovers that both the household where she lives, and the city she has come to call home, are not as welcoming as they once seemed. And at the dawn of this terrifying new world, no one is safe.Trade ReviewA wonderful, wonderful book! Margaret Leroy does an amazing job of showing us the Nazi takeover of Austria through the eyes of an engaging, bright and brave seventeen-year-old English girl. I lost three nights of sleep, unable to put this superbly written book aside and turn out the light * Diane Chamberlain *Stunning and evocative . . . utterly beguiling * Rosamund Lupton *Margaret Leroy writes with candour and intelligence, capturing the menace of suddenly finding that the world may not be at all as you've thought it * Helen Dunmore *Margaret Leroy captures, brilliantly, a spirit of place and time in her recreation of the beauty, deception and coming darkness of pre-war Vienna, and what it means to be young, in love, and very far from home. I loved it. * Elizabeth Speller *A wonderfully detailed and richly imagined setting in which plays out a story both lyrical and chilling * Rosamund Lupton *Gripping and heart-warming; you won't want to put it down * Irish Tatler *

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Book Synopsis*** PICKED AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE MAIL ON SUNDAY *** ‘A clever, absorbing thriller that does not shrink from the horror of the war' Times'Compelling' Good Housekeeping 'This epic novel is simply an incredible read' Sun'A thrilling rollercoaster of a read' Dinah Jefferies, author of R&J pick The Sapphire Widow 'My best read of the year' Lesley Pearse Discover a brilliant story of love, danger, courage and betrayal, from the internationally bestselling author of The Betrayal.‘Directly I saw him, I knew he had to die.’  Germany, 1945. Klara Janowska and her daughter Alicja have walked for weeks to get to Graufeld Displaced Persons camp. In the cramped, dirty, dangerous conditions they, along with 3,200 others, are the lucky ones. They have survived and will do anything to fi

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“The French Revolution comes alive through the eyes of six diverse and complex women, in the skilled hands of these amazing authors.” — Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls “Seamlessly interwoven by a dream team of historical authors, Ribbons of Scarlet vividly transported me to the tumultuous days of the French Revolution... this timely masterpiece is sure to inspire both courage and caution. A spellbinding read from beginning to end.” — Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday “HERstory at its finest; this novel of the French Revolution, collaboratively written by titans of Historical Fiction, brings women to the forefront of the time known as The Terror. This novel has it all; the ability to move, entertain, educate, and inspire. We cannot forget these women, now that we’ve discovered them anew through this powerfully written book.” — Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator’s Wife “A deeply moving pageturner... Ribbons of Scarlet offers a potent feminist reminder that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Highly recommended.” — Kris Waldherr, author of LOST HISTORY OF DREAMS “Ambition. Heartache. Scandal. Brilliantly executed portrayal of women’s participation in the French Revolution. When the characters crossed paths, the page sparked with tension. Six of your favorite writers writing about six fascinating women. I cannot think of a better way for you to spend your time than reading this book.” — Dolen Perkins-Valdez, New York Times Bestselling author of Wench “Read it for the entertainment value, read it for the history, read it for the wonderful tales about these strong, unrelenting, powerful, committed women. But most of all read it to be inspired.” — MJ Rose, New York Times bestselling author of Tiffany Blues “An excellent choice for a lively book discussion and readers of historical fiction will appreciate this unique take on an era not often covered in English-language popular fiction.” — Booklist (starred review) “This skillfully crafted novel of the French Revolution by well-known historical fiction authors Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Sophie Perinot, Heather Webb, and E. Knight tells of singular women during tumultuous times. Sure to appeal to devotees of historical fiction, feminists, and those looking for a stirring #metoo read.” — Library Journal “The French Revolution as you’ve never read it before–fast-paced, gut-wrenching, and told through the eyes of women who fought and lived it. RIBBONS OF SCARLET manages to do what few other novels set against this complicated backdrop have–make Revolutionary France both completely accessible and utterly compelling. This is historical fiction at its absolute best!” — Michelle Moran, author of Madame Tussaud

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Book SynopsisIke and Kayis a thrilling tale of wartime romance, brimming with love, duty, sacrifice and heartbreak, set against the backdrop of the most tumultuous period of the twentieth century.Trade Review‘MacManus has shown his ability to take the facts of a famous life and mould them into highly readable fiction…. [his] recreation of an affair conducted in the shadow of world-changing events successfully combines intimacy with an awareness of the wider picture’ The Sunday Times‘The fascinating dramatisation of the true story of a secret love affair that contributed to the Allied victory during World War II... a deeply emotional read’ Daily Mail‘Offers a convincing picture of three crucial years of the Second World War and a devastating account of the culture in which male entitlement to sexual and emotional comfort was a given’ TLS'A cracking wartime romance; sensitively and engagingly told' Roger Moorhouse, author of Berlin at War'An epic piece of historical fiction... the danger of war and the uncertainty of survival is conveyed through MacManus's in-depth research... a relatable, and compelling story' The Lady'In Ike and Kay, James MacManus has captured the powerful and little-known relationship between General Eisenhower and his Irish driver Kay Summersby during and just after the Second World War. With keen eye for historical detail and strong narrative voice, MacManus has expertly and artfully painted an intimate, authentic portrait of love, duty and sacrifice against the backdrop of the greatest events of the 20th century. Masterful!' Pam Jenoff author of The Orphan's Tale‘Thoroughly researched’ Irish Independent‘Ike and Kay sets the backdrop for an important time in history... [and] brings to life controversial romances and characters that shaped world history during the twentieth century’ Buzzfeed

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Book SynopsisA powerful story of love and loss from the beloved internationally bestselling author, Tamara McKinley, who also writes as Sunday Times bestseller Ellie Dean. For fans of Lesley Pearse and Susan Lewis.So this is Paris, she thought in awe. Spread out before her beneath a clear blue sky, it was like a precious gift after the smog and filth of London. No wonder it was called the city of love . . .After a spiteful rumour ruins her career in London, Annabelle Blake must travel to Paris to start afresh. There she makes the acquaintance of Etienne and Henri - one a poet, the other a painter - both charming, talented and handsome. They spend their days flirting and drinking with the city's artistes and Bohemians, and soon Annabelle too is swept up in the exotic and exhilarating world of 1930s Paris. But as ever more young people are drawn to the fight against Fascism in Spain, Annabelle must wake from the dream and confront the reality of war. A lifetime later, gifted artist Eugenie Ashton falls in love with Paris the moment she sets foot outside the Gare de Lyon. Like her mother Annabelle before her, the artistic delights of the city are a bright new world to her: but Eugenie will soon find that in its shadows are hidden the secrets of her family's past.Discover Tamara McKinley's other timeless bestsellers Ocean Child and Matilda's Last Waltz. Trade ReviewAn elegant affair from the get-go that is in part a love letter to Paris. McKinley voices her cast effectively, and the positioning of a romantic and spiritual diorama to a backdrop of a fraught Europe in political upheaval is palpable * Irish Sunday Independent *An entertaining tale of love and loss * France Magazine *Dark secrets from the past lie dormant beneath the bright lights of Paris in an enthralling cross-generational story from popular author Tamara McKinley. A warm and welcoming read * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisBiggles has a cold war.November 1939. The Winter War between the Finns and the Soviets has begun, and Finland has called for international support. Biggles, Algy and Ginger have volunteered to help, and fly reconnaissance missions over the country on the lookout for Soviet troops and aircraft.Quite by chance on one such flight, Biggles spots a lone figure at death’s door in the snow, and lands to investigate. The man is Petolski, a Polish scientist. His plane crashed on the Finland–Russia border while he was trying to escape Occupied Poland with seven years’ worth of experimental aircraft research. Rather than let it fall into enemy hands, he has hidden it somewhere near the downed plane.The research cannot fall into enemy hands, and Biggles is ordered to retrieve it at all costs. But the Russians have found out about the research as well, and a party led by Biggles’ nemesis, Erich von Stalhein, is already looking for it. The race is on!Strap in for a classic Biggles cat-and-mouse chase in the ice and snow of Finland. Perfect for fans of Derek Robinson and Max Hennessy.

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Book Synopsis''A gripping murder mystery and a vivid recreation of Paris under German Occupation.'' ANDREW TAYLOR*WINNER OF THE HWA GOLD CROWN AWARD FOR BEST HISTORICAL FICTION**SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER AWARD*''Terrific'' SUNDAY TIMES, Best Books of the Month''A thoughtful, haunting thriller'' MICK HERRON''Sharp and compelling'' THE SUN* * * * *Paris, Friday 14th June 1940.The day the Nazis march into Paris, making headlines around the globe.Paris police detective Eddie Giral - a survivor of the last World War - watches helplessly on as his world changes forever.But there is something he still has control over. Finding whoever is responsible for the murder of four refugees. The unwanted dead, who no one wants to claim.To do so, he must tread carefully between the Occupation and the Resistance, between truth and lies, between the Trade ReviewA thoughtful, haunting thriller * Mick Herron *A police story with a difference, sepia-painted to match the time and circumstances, with a convincing background and atmosphere, skilfully drawn to encompass the fates of the lead characters as if you were there by their side. Well-written and carefully researched, it is one to stay with you long after you have finished reading * Adrian Magson, SHOTS Magazine *Lloyd's Second World War Paris is rougher than Alan Furst's, and Eddie Giral, his French detective, is way edgier than Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther. Powerful Stuff * Sunday Times Crime Club *Terrific * The Sunday Times *Lloyd's Second World War Paris is rougher than Alan Furst's, and Eddie Giral, his French detective, is way edgier than Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther . . . Ranks alongside both for its convincingly cloying atmosphere of a city subjugated to a foreign power, a plot that reaches across war-torn Europe and into the rifts in the Nazi factions, and a hero who tries to be a good man in a bad world. Powerful stuff. * The Times *Excellent . . . In Eddie Giral, Lloyd has created a character reminiscent of Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther, oozing with attitude and a conflicted morality that powers a complex, polished plot. Historical crime at its finest. * Vaseem Khan, author of Midnight at Malabar House *Such a powerful and morally nuanced crime novel ... Both a gripping murder mystery and a vivid recreation of Paris under German Occupation. * Andrew Taylor *The best kind of crime novel: gripping, thought-provoking and moving. In Detective Eddie Giral, Chris Lloyd has created a flawed hero not just for occupied Paris, but for our own times, too. * Katherine Stansfield *Wartime Paris rises from the page with its seedy bars, gang-ridden train yards, lonely apartments, and across everything falls the terrible shadow of the Great War ... A fantastic novel. * Katherine Stansfield *A terrific read - put me in mind of Alan Furst and Philip Kerr ... Gripping and well-paced. The period atmosphere is excellent. * Mark Ellis *Monumentally impressive . . . I'm blown away. A truly wonderful book. If somebody'd given it to me and told me it was the latest Robert Harris, I wouldn't have been surprised. Eddie Giral is a wonderful creation. * Alis Hawkins *A tense and gripping mystery which hums with menace and dark humour as well as immersing the reader in the life of occupied Paris. * Judges, HWA Gold Crown *

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Book SynopsisDust, heat, thirst, flies - in a desert war, who needs enemies?Trade Review'Robinson should be mentioned in the same breath as Mailer, Ballard or Heller. A masterpiece' Express. * Express *'Nobody writes about the war quite like Derek Robinson' Mike Petty, Independent. * Independent *'Robinson writes with tireless enthusiasm which never sacrifices detail to pace, or vice versa ... Terrific' Jennifer Selway, Observer. * Observer *

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Book SynopsisA heart-warming story of love and friendship in wartime from the bestselling author of Where the Heart is and London Belles.Trade ReviewPraise for Home for Christmas: ‘Read with a mince pie in hand’ The Sun Praise for Annie Groves: ‘An engrossing story’ My Weekly ‘A stirring and heartrending family saga…Against a backdrop of change when the suffragette movement was coming to the fore, the choices and dreams of a generation of women combine to create this passionate story’ Liverpool Daily Post ‘Heartwrenching and uplifting in equal measure – a tragic indictment of what can happen when you swap passion for duty. Roll on the sequel!’ Take a Break ‘Written from the heart’ My Weekly

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Book SynopsisA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A Telegraph Book of the Year A New York Times Notable Book of the Year A Washington Post Book of the Year A Wall Street Journal Book of the Year A Slate Book of the YearProbably Chabon's greatest, a piece of sustained writing that will be hard to see outdone in 2017' The TimesEntirely sure footed, propulsive, the work of a master at his very best. The brilliance of Moonglow stands as a strident defence of the form itself, a bravura demonstration of the endless mutability and versatility of the novel' ObserverThe world, like the Tower of Babel or my grandmother's deck of cards, was made out of stories, and it was always on the verge of collapse.'Moonglow unfolds as a deathbed confession. An old man, his tongue loosened by powerful painkillers, his memory stirred by the imminence of death, tells stories to his grandson, uncovering bits and pieces of a history long buried. Why did he try to strangle a former business partner with a telephone cord? What wasTrade Review‘The product of a writer in full command of his novelistic faculties … Not only probably Chabon’s greatest, but an example of a piece of sustained writing that will be hard to see outdone in 2017’ The Times ‘Funny, moving and tremendously entertaining, this is a novel about the narratives we construct for ourselves and the need we have for them, one that confirms Chabon not just as an irresistible tale-teller, but also a master’ Daily Mail ‘A masterclass in storytelling’ Independent ‘Entirely sure footed, propulsive, the work of a master at his very best. The brilliance of Moonglow stands as a strident defence of the form itself, a bravura demonstration of the endless mutability and versatility of the novel’ Observer ‘Chabon’s storytelling is so characteristically exuberant, the narratives so unfailingly rich’ Telegraph ‘”It doesn’t add up to anything,” stated the grandfather, as he looks back at his life. “It doesn’t mean anything.” Luminous with love, Moonglow is here to show us that it does’ Irish Independent ‘Chabon is virtuoso’ Irish Times ‘Moving, wry, thoroughly entertaining’ FT ‘Much of Moonglow feels Dickensian in style, and as with Dickens it is rich in sentiment. This is to the novel’s credit … Exquisite’ TLS ‘Comparable to the young Paul Auster … It’s as intriguing as a locked room mystery, but in keeping with Chabon’s canon, also has a heart the size of an elephant’ Big Issue ‘A wondrous book that celebrates the power of family bonds and the slipperiness of memory … A thoroughly enchanting story’ The Washington Post ‘A rich and exotic confection … This book is beautiful’ New York Times ‘A poignant, engrossing triumph’ People ‘Chabon is one of contemporary literature’s most gifted prose stylists … In Moonglow, he writes with both lovely lyricism and highly caffeinated fervour’ Michiko Kakutani, New York Times

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Book SynopsisA compelling novel about four young women in wartime London, from the best-selling author of London Belles and My Sweet Valentine.In Article Row, in London's Holborn four young women, Tilly, Sally, Dulcie and Agnes have already been witnesses to the heartache and pain that Hitler's bombs have inflicted on ordinary Londoners.Tilly is desperate to wed her beau, Drew. Terrified that something will happen to prevent them from being together, her fears seem to be coming true when he is called back home to America.For her mother, Olive, this only adds to her worries for Tilly. But she has her own hands full when her friend and neighbour, Sergeant Dawson, gets some terrible news. When Olive lends a hand, she finds herself at the sharp end of some unwelcome gossip.For Dulcie, the war has brought an old flame, David, back into her life. But his terrible injuries have changed his life forever. Can something more develop out of their friendship? And for Agnes, she is about to find out somethingTrade ReviewPraise for Annie Groves: ‘An engrossing story’ My Weekly ‘A stirring and heartrending family saga…Against a backdrop of change when the suffragette movement was coming to the fore, the choices and dreams of a generation of women combine to create this passionate story’ Liverpool Daily Post ‘Heartwrenching and uplifting in equal measure – a tragic indictment of what can happen when you swap passion for duty. Roll on the sequel!’ Take a Break ‘Written from the heart’ My Weekly

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Book SynopsisAn evocative tale' Woman MagazineThe East End of London has been devastated by the Blitz and the people are struggling to come to terms with their ravaged city. Rationing bites ever deeper and and everything that makes life better is in short supply. For the district nurses, the challenges are tougher than ever.Gladys loves her work in the Civil Nursing Reserve, but just when she needs to rely on her sister at home to help out with the chores, she turns into a handful of trouble. Edith is learning to cope with her boyfriend''s injuries after Dunkirk but will she have to choose between her love for him and her career?With no end in sight, the war reaches its darkest moment Can the nurses and the families and patients that rely on them find the strength to carry on?Trade ReviewPraise for Annie Groves: ‘An engrossing story’ My Weekly ‘A stirring and heartrending family saga…Against a backdrop of change when the suffragette movement was coming to the fore, the choices and dreams of a generation of women combine to create this passionate story’ Liverpool Daily Post ‘Heartwrenching and uplifting in equal measure – a tragic indictment of what can happen when you swap passion for duty. Roll on the sequel!’ Take a Break ‘Written from the heart’ My Weekly

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Book SynopsisGwen's war is over, but her greatest battle is about to begin.An engaging story of secrets, sacrifice and the persistence of love' Sunday TimesA truly wonderful novel' Jill MansellAn enticing slant on wartime life' Mandy RobothamA beautiful and poignant love story' Jenny QuintanaFrom the author of The Lost Ones, a mesmerising gothic novel which was shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and the Historical Writers' Association Debut Crown AwardMay, 1945. When bells ring out for Victory in Europe, young wife and mother Gwen wonders if her world is about to change.Six years ago, on their wedding night, her husband Jack promised he would leave for the war and never return.But Jack is coming home, unable to keep the promise he so faithfully made, and full of hope that he may at last win a place in Gwen's life and her heart.As events of the past return to haunt them, threatening all they hold dear, Jack and Gwen find themselves facing their greatest battle yet.To win, they willTrade Review Praise for The Return: ‘An engaging story of secrets, sacrifice and the persistence of love’ Sunday Times ‘I loved every minute of The Return – a truly wonderful novel, so beautifully written and with an engrossing plot … From now on, Anita will be a must-read author for me’ Jill Mansell, bestselling author of And Now You're Back ‘Draws you in with a deeply held secret so that just when you think it should all be over, it’s really just beginning – an enticing slant on wartime life’ Mandy Robotham, bestselling author of The Girl Behind the Wall ‘Set during WWII, Anita Frank weaves a beautiful and poignant love story that tugged at my heartstrings’ Jenny Quintana, author of The Hiding Place ‘An engrossing story of loss, betrayal and love on the farming home front during WWII’ Carolyn Kirby, author of The Conviction of Cora Burns ‘Beautiful, atmospheric writing and masterful storytelling’ Jenny Ashcroft, author of Under The Golden Sun ‘A more modern take on Far from the Madding Crowd’ Historical Novel Society, Editors' Choice ‘Utterly gripping. It wrapped me in its spell from the first page to the last. Anita Frank is a beautiful writer’ Iona Grey, author of The Glittering Hour ‘A page-turner crafted with care and respect. A love poem to a lost agricultural way of life’ Caroline Scott, author of When I Come Home Again ‘A beautiful tale of love, loss and survival … with characters that live on well after the last page’ Fíona Scarlett, author of Boys Don’t Cry ‘A triumph of pacing and emotional power … The Return is an impressive follow-up for an exciting new author’ Lancashire Post ‘A gripping, achingly romantic wartime drama’ Samantha King, author of The Secret Keeper’s Daughter ‘A tribute to the ordinary working lives of extraordinary people before, during and after WWII’ Claire Dyer, author of The Significant Others of Odie May

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Book SynopsisAs the war rages on, can they be there for each other?Spring 1940As the war rages on, Vickers steelworks is busier than ever which is proving tough for Nancy as she juggles working long hours and looking after two young children, all while waiting for her husband to return home safely.Betty is determined to roll up her sleeves and joins the Women's Voluntary Service to keep busy and stop from fretting about her fiancé.But Patty is left worrying about someone closer to home. Sweetheart Archie has been keeping a secret from her, and one that puts him in great danger. Will it threaten to pull them apart for good?And with life at war tougher than ever, can the factory sisters rally together to find a way through?***Readers love The Steel Girls series:A gentle story with an undercurrent of pure grit' ?????Heart-warming and magical' ?????Very well researched and a superb addition to the saga genre' ?????Every single character becomes your friend' ?????The love leaps from the pages' ?????An iTrade Review Praise for The Steel Girls: ‘A riveting saga about love, courage and, above all, female friendship’ Best ‘A lovely read’ Bella ‘Hardship, courage and hope on the Home Front’ Kate Thompson, bestselling author of Secrets of the Lavender Girls ‘A heart-warming story perfect for saga lovers’ Nancy Revell, bestselling author of The Shipyard Girls on the Home Front ‘A great read’ Yorkshire Post ’A heart-warming tale of the brave women who stepped up to become the backbone of Sheffield’s steel industry during the Second World War’ Yours

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Book SynopsisThe new book in the heart-warming WW2 family saga series!As the tides of war turn, friendship has never been more importantSpring 1944. As the Allied forces push on towards longed-for victory, Lily Collins yearns to join up and do her bit. But where does her duty lie?Her best friend Gladys faces having her first baby alone, with her new husband back with the Navy.And their friend Beryl is run off her feet building her bridal-hire business amid the bomb damage.So while wedding bells are ringing for others at Marlows Department Store, where Lily works, will they be heard for Lily herself or does fate have another twist in store?Acclaim for Joanna ToyeWarm and wonderfully page-turning' Annie GrovesA wonderful testament to friendship as the Allied Forces push on towards victory' Women's WeeklyFamily drama, community spirit and love[a] warm, compassionate read' People's FriendTrade Review'Jo writes with a sure hand and a light touch…a real page-turner with a spirited heroine who will worm her way into readers' hearts. A sparkling new voice in fiction.' Veronica Henry ‘Cheerful and uplifting…I thoroughly enjoyed it’ Katie Fforde ‘Highly recommended – an engrossing story with a charmingly forthright heroine’ Anna Jacobs ‘Captivating…a triumphant debut novel’ Women’s Weekly

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Book SynopsisThe latest unforgettable timeslip novel from theUSA Todaybestselling author ofThe Secret of the Chateau.Will love lead her to a devastating choice?1942. Three years into the war, Pam turns down her hard-won place at Oxford University to become a codebreaker at Bletchley Park. There, she meets two young men, both keen to impress her, and Pam finds herself falling hard for one of them. But as the country's future becomes more uncertain by the day, a tragic turn of events casts doubt on her choice and Pam's loyalty is pushed to its limitsPresent day. Julia is struggling to juggle her career, two children and a husband increasingly jealous of her success. Her brother presents her with the perfect distraction: forgotten photos of their grandmother as a young woman at Bletchley Park. Why did her grandmother never speak of her time there? The search for answers leads Julia to an incredible tale of betrayal and bravery one that inspires some huge decisions of her ownGripping historical ficti

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Book SynopsisEngland, 1940. Can Maggie keep her family and her secret safe? An emotional and heartbreaking wartime novel for fans of Diney Costeloe, Dilly Court and Mandy Robotham.When Maggie's new job takes her from bombed-out London to grand Snowden Hall in the Cotswolds she's apprehensive but determined to do her bit for the war effort. She's also keeping a secret, one she knows would turn opinion against her. Her mother is German: Maggie is related to the enemy.Then her evacuee sister sends her a worrying letter, missing the code they agreed Violet would use to confirm everything was well, and Maggie's heart sinks. Violet is miles away; how can she get to her in the middle of a war? Worse, her mother, arrested for her nationality, is now missing, and Maggie has no idea where she is.As a secret project at Snowden Hall risks revealing Maggie's German side, she becomes even more determined to protect her family. Can she find a way to get to her sister? And will she ever find out where her mother

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Book SynopsisTruly gripping I loved it.' Jill Mansell, Sunday Times bestsellerA heartbreakingly beautiful novel which captures the endurance and strength of ordinary people in the darkest of times, and the courage of one woman who put her life on the line to join the resistance. Perfect for fans of The Nightingale and The Secret Messenger.1944, the Cote d'Azur.Artist Marguerite Segal is recruited by British Intelligence into befriending Etienne Valade, a local priest. Her mission is to persuade him to pass on information from the high-ranking German officers who attend his church: evidence of their war crimes.Connected by a passion for art, Marguerite and Etienne soon fall in love, but their association increasingly puts her at danger of violent reprisals. With his church frequented by Nazis, Etienne is a suspected collaborator, and distrust is high.And Marguerite is keeping her own secret too. Like the Jews whose identity cards she forges to hide them from the Third Reich, she is hiding behind a fTrade Review‘Truly gripping… I loved it.’ Jill Mansell, Sunday Times bestseller

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Book SynopsisA story of love, loss, sacrifice and bravery. After this stunning debut, I can''t wait to see what Corin writes next!' Kathleen McGurl, author of The Girl from Bletchley ParkA wartime secret. A journey to uncover the truth.Claire has always had a special bond with her aunt Margaret, but she's astonished when Margaret suddenly begins talking about a friend called Agnes, who Margaret met working as a WAAF in World War 2 a past Claire had no idea about. Margaret and Agnes were best friends until Agnes started acting strangely, becoming secretive and distant. Then one morning, Agnes vanished and never returned home, leaving Margaret distraught.Claire promises to delve back into the past and help discover what happened to Agnes. But Margaret's memory is rapidly deteriorating, and apart from an old photograph of the two women, Agnes seems to have disappeared into thin air. Can Claire uncover Agnes' story before it's too late?An utterly heart-wrenching and unputdownable novel about love, losTrade Review Praise for Corin Burnside ‘This novel has everything – a tragic love story, thrilling wartime adventures, a very brave heroine, icy cold danger, a beautiful setting, and a dashing love interest. I thoroughly enjoyed it!’ Kerry Barrett ‘A heart-rending story of courage, sacrifice and a love that endures even when all hope has gone. Hugely engaging, I thoroughly enjoyed it!’ Anita Frank ‘A smart, poignant spin on a wartime romance and the missed opportunities that return to haunt us no matter how hard we try to forget.’ Sarah Smith ‘Moving and thrilling – I was completely immersed and very much look forward to more from this talented author.’ Kate Galley ‘Immersive settings and well-drawn characters make this hard to put down and will remain with you long after you turn the final page.’ Rebecca Kelly ‘A wonderfully evocative story.’ Suzanne Ewart ‘A truly transporting novel.’ Carolyn O’Brien

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Book Synopsis''A wonderful page turner'' Kate Galley''A beautiful and fresh twist on a familiar period of history'' Neema ShahAn utterly heart-wrenching and unputdownable novel about love, loss and sacrifice, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lorna Cook and Kathryn Hughes.1940. Having grown up surrounded by nature, Bella Gardner loves nothing more than getting her hands dirty. When war breaks out, she immediately signs up for the Air Transport Auxiliary, frustrated she can't play a more active role, yet keen to do something for the war effort. But when her brother is involved in a tragic accident, Bella must make a decision that changes the course of her life forever.2014. Archaeologist Jennifer Dawson is excited when she is told about an unrecovered World War 2 Spitfire but is shocked to discover that the body of the pilot is still inside the plane. Trying to avoid her own demons, Jennifer sets out to solve the mystery of the forgotten pilot and finds that the answer might lie a lot closer to home

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Book SynopsisDouglas Reeman was sixteen years old when World War Two broke out. He immediately joined the Royal Navy and did convoy duty in the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the North Sea. He has written over thirty novels under his own name and more than twenty bestselling historical novels featuring Richard Bolitho under the pseudonym Alexander Kent.Trade ReviewMasterly storytelling. * The Times *One of our foremost writers of naval fiction. * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisDouglas Reeman did convoy duty in the navy in the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the North Sea. He has written over thirty novels under his own name and more than twenty bestselling historical novels featuring Richard Bolitho under the pseudonym Alexander Kent.Trade ReviewA stirring tale of the Atlantic war ... one can almost smell the sea and the burning oil as Jitler's U-boats wreak havoc * Sunday Express *Vivid naval action at its most authentic * Sunday Times *Mr Reeman writes with great knowledge about the sea and those who sail on it * The Times *

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Book SynopsisHMS Temeraire: latest and most advanced of Britain''s nuclear submarines. When Temraire''s trials are cut short and she is ordered to the Far East to reinforce the fleet against a threat from Red China, her captain, David Jermain, knows that this is no routine exercise in flag-waving. And once in Asian waters, he and his submarine find themselves involved in a hidden undeclared conflict beneath the sea. While the politicians haggle over a situation which could hold the seeds of full-scale war, Commander Jermain must keep his faith in himself and in his new ship''s potential - even when ordered to take the Temeraire to the edge of a catastrophe.

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Book SynopsisChristmas 1941 and the nurses at the Nightingale are facing their toughest winter yet.With shortages everywhere, and every news bulletin announcing more defeats and losses, the British people are weary and demoralised and The Nightingale Hospital is suffering too. Millie is recently widowed and dealing with the demands of her family's estate. It's not long before her old world of The Nightingale begins to beckon, along with a long-lost loveJess is struggling with her move from East London to the quiet of the countryside.Effie finds herself exiled to a quiet village, but the quiet doesn't last for long as she soon finds excitement in the shape of a smooth-talking GI. As Christmas approaches, even the shelter of the countryside can't protect the girls from heartache. Trade ReviewIt was a perfect winter read as I sat in front of a roaring fire, mug of tea and a box of choccies to hand. I was soon deep in the world of nurses and country living. The characters are likeable and realistic and the author strikes a perfect balance between the hard, grudging work that nurses do and the camaraderie that comes from pulling together. It doesn’t shy away from the awfulness of war but deals with it in a way that’s informative without being too upsetting and certainly made me wonder at the bravery of people during those trying times. That said there is humour and warmth on every page. * Frost *great story-telling * Choice Magazine *Written in a heart-warming and easy-going style, it is a perfect book to curl up with on a winter’s afternoon. * Nursing Standard *Written in a heart-warming and easy-going style, it is a perfect book to curl up with on a winter’s afternoon’ 5* review * Nursing Standard *

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Book SynopsisLiverpool 1942. Seventeen-year-old Frankie Franconi falls in love with charismatic British officer Nick Harper as quickly and certainly as the bomb that falls on their shelter. He is impressed by her good looks and intelligence, and the fact that, like him, she speaks fluent Italian. When she insists on staying to help rescue others who have been trapped he realises that she has courage, too. He gives her a business card with a Baker Street address, and suggests she put her skills to good use. Within a month Frankie has joined the FANYs and started her training. Stationed first in England, then Africa and finally Italy, Frankie and her fellow recruits work tirelessly decoding messages from agents in the field by day, and enjoying the wartime parties at night. But when she signs the Official Secrets Act she has no idea of the danger, adventure and terrible choices that are in store.Trade ReviewCompelling * Publishing News on WE'LL MEET AGAIN *'An unforgettable saga of love and loss in wartime' * Good Book Guide on NOW IS THE HOUR *'Green's book is a delightful and heady mix of romantic ingredients spies, high-kicking dancers, forbidden love and friendship in the face of death. Who could ask for anything more?' * Lancashire Evening Post on NOW IS THE HOUR, the first in the Follies series *'Epic' * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisThe master of alternative history asks the question, 'What would have happened if World War II had started in 1938?'. The results are thrilling.Trade ReviewTurtledove plays heady games with actual history, scattering object lessons and bitter ironies along the way. Strong, complex characters against a sweeping alt-historical background. * Kirkus Reviews on RETURN ENGAGEMENTS *With shocking vividness, Turtledove demonstrates the extreme fragility of our modern world . . . This is state-of-the-art alternate history, nothing less * Publishers Weekly on HOW FEW REMAIN) *

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Book SynopsisIn the Full Light of the Sun follows the fortunes of three Berliners caught up in a devastating scandal of 1930s'' Germany. It tells the story of Emmeline, a wayward, young art student; Julius, an anxious, middle-aged art expert; and a mysterious art dealer named Rachmann who are at the heart of Weimar Berlin at its hedonistic, politically turbulent apogee and are whipped up into excitement over the surprising discovery of thirty-two previously unknown paintings by Vincent van Gogh.Based on a true story, unfolding through the subsequent rise of Hitler and the Nazis, this gripping tale is about beauty and justice, and the truth that may be found when our most treasured beliefs are revealed as illusions. Brilliant on authenticity, vanity and self-delusion, it is a novel for our times.Trade ReviewA completely fascinating novel about the early 20th century art world and its many dubious machinations. Expertly researched, compellingly narrated and full of potent resonance today -- William BoydClare Clark casts her spell of time and place with casual elegance and no apparent tricks - yet caught me up in this juicy story of colossal art fraud, the passions and intrigues of her vivid and moving characters - and the truly terrifying rise of the Nazi party, with all its contemporary echoes. The atmosphere of this book lingers on -- Laline PaullI loved In the Full Light Of The Sun, a novel about deception, self-deception, truth, love and lies that will enthral anyone fascinated by Van Gogh, the art world and Berlin in the 1920s. Written with verve and assurance it is both engaging and humane -- Amanda CraigIn her gripping new novel Clare Clark paints a picture of Weimar Berlinin which surface glitter hides sinister and bitter truths. Page by page she brings secret lives into the light; nothing: not love, not art, not politics, is what it seems, and few escape the brutal forces that emerge -- Stella TillyardAn engrossing read * Image magazine *A wonderful novel: passionate, intelligent, humane, it held me from the first page to the last. Van Gogh's fleeting genius - achingly out of reach, the pull so strong - is wonderfully evoked; and the house of cards that was the Weimar Republic provides the perfectly rendered backdrop for a story about our willingness to deceive in the pursuit of beauty -- Rachel SeiffertA fascinating tale . . . Clark's historical worlds are meticulously researched * The Times *With great skill and sympathy, Clark evokes a febrile society in which politics, love and art offer no certainties, and the ground always threatens to open beneath her characters' feet -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *Clark excels . . . a gripping and ultimately moving story about art, artifice and authenticity -- Neil Armstrong * Mail on Sunday *An irresistible story . . . as compelling as it is expansive * Guardian *A Vanity Fair of delusion, greed and much suffering, it is brilliantly evoked, sophisticated and beautifully written -- Elizabeth Buchan

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Book SynopsisItaly, 1944 - this is the setting of one of the most convincing and quietly magnificent stories about man and war that has ever been written. Here, (distilled from the experiences and observations of one who fought with them in the British infantry unit) is the mood of those who fought and died at Anzio. Their task - to seize the Alban Hills and then Rome forty miles away. Instead, for more than four months, they sank into the mud of the Anzio plain and fought for their lives. Nothing has appeared since Erich Maria Remarque''s ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT that can compare with this book''s ability to penetrate the minds of men at war. There are no heroes, no heroines, no victories. This is a faceless, nameless, fragmented war. Even national differences - Britain, Italian, German, American - merge and are forgotten in this larger story of humanity. This story, in fact, does not need to be Anzio; it could be any battlefield where man has faced death.Trade ReviewBeautifully written -- Hew Strachan * Five Books *It has the same gritty authenticity as THE ROAD TO NAB END * The DAILY MAIL *

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Book Synopsis''A young woman''s battle for acceptance in a male-dominated world; her misadventures in love; and her torturous journey to track down her real parents in Germany'' Mail on Sunday Best New FictionFrom childhood, Katherine knows she is different, and that her parents are not who they seem to be. But as she grows up and becomes a mathematician, she faces the most human of problems - who is she? What is the cost of love, and what is the cost of ambition? On her quest to conquer the Riemann hypothesis, the greatest unsolved mathematical problem of her time, she turns to a theorem with a mysterious history that holds both the lock and key to her identity, and to secrets long buried during World War II. Forced to confront some of the biggest events of the twentieth century and rethink everything she knows of herself, Katherine strives to take her place in the world of higher mathematics, reclaiming the voices of the women who came before her whoseTrade ReviewKatherine, the narrator of this unusual novel, is an eminent American-Chinese academic fixated on the Holy Grail of mathematics...Chung is smart enough to keep the mathematics to a minimum and concentrate on the human elements in her story: a young woman's battle for acceptance in a male-dominated world; her misadventures in love; and her torturous journey to track down her real parents in Germany * Mail on Sunday, Best New Fiction *An elegantly constructed puzzle of a novel...what had seemed to be a Hidden Figures-style female-genius-in-a-male-world narrative turns into a thrilling back-to-my-roots mystery * DailyTelegraph *The 10th muse, in Chung's world, is the one who got away to pursue her own interests and develop her own mind...In young Katherine's love of science and maths, and her yearning for more connection with her mother, there are strong overtones of Jenny Offill's wonderful debut Last Things...A most memorable heroine, a sympathetic, mesmerising voice who tells a deceptively simple story centred on identity and a never-ending quest for knowledge and truth * Irish Times *A truly spellbinding read * Woman & Home, December Book of the Month *Ambitious, insightful and distinctive, Chung's latest novel is a beautiful exploration of the human condition . . . a spellbinding read * Woman's Own *A complex family history, elegant equations, romance and a heroine who refuses to be sidelined in the male-dominated world of mathematics makes this deft novel an engrossing, emotional read...There are betrayals closer to home, too, jeopardising Katherine's career, as love, ambition and intellectual endeavour come into conflict in this smart, satisfying book * Sunday Express *Katherine looks back at her life in mathematics, a career shaped by her particular time and circumstances in post-war America and Europe. A position that nevertheless speaks all too clearly to our own place and time today. Catherine Chung is brilliant at showing us the forces which either block or encourage Katherine's career * Glasgow Herald *Not only is the writing dazzling, this intelligent novel about a woman ahead of her time is also a proper page-turner * Good Housekeeping *Enthralling * Psychologies *Cleanly feminist-flavoured novel that contains stories within stories in ways that seem to push at the workings of the universe itself * Metro *A unique and refreshing read * Candis *[An] affecting tale . . . pleasingly well-crafted * Daily Mail *The reader's blood boils along with Katherine's. As she fights for recognition, she also embarks on an investigation into her own confused origins...Page-turner, philosophical investigation and statement of intent, The Tenth Muse is an entertaining and provocative contribution to the era of #MeToo * Big Issue *Katherine is determined to be taken seriously. Here, the novel is most trenchant: in railing against the sexism for so long ingrained in academia...There is no dearth of short-changed women in history - in science or in general. The Tenth Muse is keenly aware of how easily the past can be rewritten, achievements and lives subtracted...A panegyric to women who blaze their own paths, and tell their own stories * New Scientist *A RECOMMENDED BOOK FROM:Los Angeles Times * USA Today * O, the Oprah Magazine * Buzzfeed * The Rumpus * Entertainment Weekly * Elle * BBC * Christian Science Monitor * Electric Literature * The Millions * LitHub * Publishers Weekly * Kirkus * Refinery29 * Thrillist * BookBub * Nylon * Bustle * GoodreadsThe cliché that boys are better at math collapses before the diamond-hard mind of a grad student whose relentless attempt to prove a legendary hypothesis exposes a deeper algorithm about herself....Chung spins her captivating novel from stories of actual women who, in her words, "posed as schoolboys, married tutors, and moved across continents, all to study and excel at mathematics * O, the Oprah Magazine *A page-turning intellectual thriller, a family romance, an alternative history of twentieth-century math - I couldn't put it down * Elif Batuman *The Tenth Muse is as ambitious and intriguing as the complex math problems Katherine, the protagonist of this remarkable novel, aims to solve. In this novel -the scope of which is staggering - Chung has crafted a story that is moving, elegant and richly written. Her prose, as it unfolds, becomes an elusive equation readers will yearn to solve * Roxane Gay *Ambitious, mesmerizing, and immersive, The Tenth Muse gives us a character we'd follow anywhere, and journeys well worth following her on. This novel dazzles * Rebecca Makkai, author of The Great Believers *Catherine Chung has written a deft, spellbinding emotional puzzle-box of a book, rich and intricately layered. The Tenth Muse slowly, carefully builds to turn your every expectation on its head, and reading it feels like a glimpse of what mathematics might be in the eyes of its ablest practitioners--both secret and sublime * Téa Obreht *The Tenth Muse is a must-read. This beautiful, captivating novel has it all: A riveting family secret; a heroine ahead of her time; and a brilliant historical narrative that sheds light on the way we live now * J. Courtney Sullivan, author of Saints for All Occasions *A sweeping tale of betrayal, legacy, brilliant women and WWII * USA Today *Two great enigmas form the center of this elegant novel, in which a brilliant mathematician attempts to solve the impenetrable Riemann hypothesis and learn the truth of her family history. Katherine is the daughter of an American G.I. and a Chinese immigrant who disappears when Katherine is a girl. During her childhood, in the nineteen-fifties, in Michigan, her intelligence and mixed heritage alienate many people, and lead her to wonder 'in each situation whether this time it was my femaleness or my Asianness or the combination of both that branded me different'...In the novel's portrait of her perseverance, it pays moving homage to all the 'unhailed, unnamed' women in history whose talents were dismissed * New Yorker *The Tenth Muse centers on Katherine, an aspiring mathematician whose studies take her deep into her family history, and a legacy of genius and empowerment which probes compelling questions about her identity * Entertainment Weekly *Need a metaphor for the unassailable tangle of the self? The Riemann Hypothesis, one of the great unsolved mathematical problems, does nicely in this novel. About 50 years ago, mathematician Katherine was attempting to unpick its knot, and at the same time deal with revelations about her own family heritage * Elle *Can a mathematician also be an accomplished storyteller? The answer is an emphatic yes.... Elegant and absorbing fiction....Her work radiates a love of the subject....Her real subject, beyond the magic of storytelling, is the problem of identity, as shaped by gender, ethnicity, history and choice * Chicago Tribune *Reading The Tenth Muse is like setting out on a boat for a short trip and finding the way back barred by waves that grow taller and taller. And then the boat itself turns out to be a riddle; a paper boat, each leaf bound to the other with equations of fearsome beauty. Arresting in scope and its treatment of time, its prose at turns crystalline and richly balletic, this story pulls puzzle from puzzle--human, historical, and all too contemporary * Helen Oyeyemi, author of Gingerbread *Catherine Chung's first book, Forgotten Country, cut my heart open; I want to read The Tenth Muse right now * R.O. Kwon *Chung masterfully subverts our expectations... Endlessly thrilling. An exquisite story of legacy, selfhood, survival, and integrity... The Tenth Muse is an inspiring tour de force of STEAM proportions: a riveting intersection of mathematics and art * The Rumpus *Chung's impressive, poignant second novel explores the intersections between of intellectual and familial legacies...Chung persuasively interweaves myths and legends with the real-world stories of lesser-known women mathematicians and of WWII on both the European and Asian fronts. The legacy that Katherine inherits may defy the kinds of elegant proofs to which mathematicians aspire, but Chung's novel boldly illustrates that truth and beauty can reside even amid the messiest solutions * Publishers Weekly, starred review *A powerful and virtuosically researched story about the mysteries of the head and the heart * Kirkus, starred review *Chung uses the history and language of mathematics in The Tenth Muse to explore how the past is inextricably tied to the present. Her writing has a beautiful clarity, and the novel has an epic feel, sweeping between decades and continents without ever losing sight of the human lives at stake. This is a timely story about a woman searching for her identity in an inhospitable environment and emerging scarred but triumphant * BookPage (starred review) *In this powerful historical novel, a female mathematician recounts the personal and professional challenges of finding her way in a male-dominated field * Shelf Awareness (starred review) *Katherine looks back at her life in mathematics, a career shaped by her particular time and circumstances in post-warAmerica and Europe. A position that nevertheless speaks all too clearly to our own place and time today. Catherine Chung is brilliant at showing us the forces which either block or encourage Katherine's career * Herald *If you like puzzles, then this mesmerising novel has them all: human, historical and gloriously mathematical. It charts the life of a woman who seeks to conquer the Riemann hypothesis, a quest that could reveal the truth about her own identity and hidden deeds from the Second World War * The Herald *On discovering that the woman who raised her isn't really her mother, young mathematician Katherine begins lookingfor other things that don't quite add up, from unsolved formulas to sexism at her university, MIT. Written in sparse yetlyrical prose, this is an elegantly constructed puzzle of a novel * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWhat if everyone you loved was suddenly taken away? Five orphaned siblings struggle to stay together as the tides of war threaten to tear them apart during the Holocaust.Trade Review'A poignant and gripping debut. Set against the darkest days of WWII, the novel reminds us that the bonds of family and the power of love can never be extinguished' Alyson Richman, bestselling author of The Lost Wife'A story that will make you weep, wonder and remember' Tatiana de Rosnay, author of Sarah's Key'A haunting account... a devastating story of twins separated, of grandparents, parents and cousins, entire families, disappeared a story that had to be told' Elizabeth Fremantle, author of Queen's Gambit'A novel that is arrestingly sincere, full of touching moments and informed by careful research. The beating heart of The Young Survivors is the author's emotional connection to her characters, which is unmistakably based on longstanding and deep engagement with her own family's past' Dr Toby Simpson, Director of The Wiener Holocaust Library

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Book SynopsisSettle down with the stunning wartime story of a family trying to survive, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The New Mrs CliftonWhen the Nazis invade Denmark, British-born Kay Eberstern is sickened when Bror - her husband of twenty-five years - collaborates with the enemy to save his family home.Lured by British Intelligence into a covert world of resistance, her life in the hands of London''s code breakers, Kay''s betrayal of her husband is complete as she risks her home and children to protect an SOE agent who won''t even tell her his name.As her family - especially her headstrong daughter - is drawn further into danger, Kay is faced with a wrenching moral dilemma.Who will be sacrificed next for the cause?Can she and Bror ever find their way back to one another?I Can''t Begin to Tell You is a beautiful story of bravery, broken loyalties, lies and how the power of love can bring redemptiTrade ReviewGripping, fascinating . . . Kay is prepared to sacrifice marriage, home, children and her life for the cause * Daily Mail *Impressive . . . nerve-janglingly engrossing . . . Buchan brings the period vividly to life * Sunday Times *This is such a good novel, full of incident and history and the minutiae of life as a spy * Daily Express *She who dares wins in Buchan's gripping doorstopper about the Nazi occupation in Denmark * Daily Mail *A gripping story of courage and conscience. Highly recommended * Sunday Mirror *Gripping, beautifully written and peopled with characters you believe in * Choice Magazine *A gripping story about a family divided by war time loyalties * The Irish News *

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