Historical Fiction Books

A gripping and beautiful tale of love, loss and secrets. Perfect for fans of Rachel Hore, Lorna Cook and Kathryn Hughes. 1963: When Clara Samuels buys Butterfly Cottage, she knows the scandal she’ll cause. A single woman buying property is not the ‘done thing’, especially not in a village like Carybrook. But Clara has been in love with Butterfly Cottage, and its garden, since she used to play there before the War. And when she reconnects with her childhood friend James, her decision feels serendipitous. But the true scandal is yet to come, because within six months, Clara will leave England under mysterious circumstances, and Butterfly Cottage will stand empty for more than 50 years. 2018: No one is more surprised than Meredith when she’s bequeathed a cottage by a great aunt she’d never heard of. She hopes, briefly, that the inheritance could be the answer to her financial problems. But when she arrives in Suffolk, she is shocked to discover a man is already living there. A young gardener, who claims he was also bequeathed half of Butterfly Cottage. As the pair try to unravel their complicated situation, they unearth a decades old mystery involving Clara, the garden, and a stack of letters left unread for over 50 years… Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837031320 • Author: Rachel Burton • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.93 cm

A gripping and heart-warming new saga of love, betrayal and secrets from Lynne Francis, author of A Maid’s Ruin, perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin Kent, 1828. Lizzie Carey of Castle Bay is trapped in a life she never chose – endless days of cooking, cleaning, and caring for her five younger siblings after her elder sister Nell’s marriage. She longs to escape, but it seems like an impossible dream. That is, until she meets the enigmatic Mrs. Simmonds, who promises Lizzie a future far beyond the confines of her small town. The allure of a new life in Canterbury draws Lizzie into a world she never imagined, but it soon becomes clear that nothing is as it seems . . . Torn between family loyalty and the tantalising unknown, Lizzie is drawn into a situation she would never have thought possible. How far will she go for freedom? Product Information: • ISBN: 9780349433684 • Author: Lynne Francis • Publisher: Little Brown • Format: Paperback • Pages: 368 • Dimensions: 19.56 x 12.19 x 2.79 cm

Under what was left of the roof of the ruined cottage, a girl with pigtails perched on a pile of rubble, hunched over a book… 1918: As the Great War rages, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library to work for the American Committee for Devastated France, a group of women determined to rebuild devastated French communities just miles from the front. Upon arrival, Jessie strives to establish something that the French have never seen – children’s libraries. She turns ambulances into bookmobiles and trains the first French female librarians. Then she disappears. 1987: When NYPL librarian and aspiring writer Wendy Peterson stumbles across a passing reference to Jessie Carson in the archives, she becomes consumed with learning her fate. In her obsession, she discovers that she and the elusive librarian have more in common than their work at New York’s famed library, but she has no idea their paths will converge in surprising ways across time. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781035417902 • Author: Janet Skeslien Charles • Publisher: Hodder Headline • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm

Poland, 1942. After witnessing the destruction of her hometown in Warsaw, Anna Kowalski joins the Polish Resistance. She is tasked with smuggling as many children as possible out of the Warsaw Ghetto through the sewers and relocating them to safety. Through her work, Anna meets Johnnie Nowak, an RAF pilot who had managed to escape from a prisoner of war camp. He's not safe in Warsaw, so Anna leads him out of the city to protect him... But suddenly Anna is caught by the SS and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp where she is surrounded by even more horror and despair. A female guard, known as The Beast, is renowned for her violence and aggression towards her prisoners, and she's set her sights on Anna. When Anna is relocated to a different camp, she finds herself reunited with Johnnie Nowak, the pilot she had saved. Desperate to escape, the two of them devise a plan that, if caught, could mean a fate far worse than death. Will Anna and Johnnie finally find freedom, and survive the war together? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781399744881 • Author: Joanne Kormylo • Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton • Pages: 384 • Format: Paperback • Dimensions: 19.69 x 12.7 x 2.54 cm

London, 1928. Lucy Darkwether has always made her own rules. After breaking off her engagement to pursue a degree in Ancient History, she’s now the proud owner of London’s newest bookshop. So when a rival shop in Cecil Court is chosen to host an exhibition of Egyptian treasures, Lucy’s pride is stung – until the grand opening ends in a gruesome murder. Is this the revenge of a disgraced colleague? A private vendetta? Or a curse visited upon those who disturb the past? Ignoring the Inspector’s warning to stay out of it, Lucy refuses to stick to the script. But murder isn’t a game – and what she uncovers will have consequences for them all . . . Product Information: • ISBN: 9781399704281 • Author: Jennifer Gladwell • Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton • Pages: 320 • Format: Paperback • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm

The new heart-wrenching, yet hopeful, historical saga from Elizabeth Gill. After falling pregnant unexpectedly, sixteen-year-old Catrin is devastated when her neglectful father takes the baby away from her. Fleeing her family home, Catrin reunites with her brother Roddy, a trainee doctor. Wanting to change her life for the better despite her grief, she studies to become a doctor in her own right. But society isn't welcoming to female doctors and unmarried mothers. Will Catrin be able to win her patients' trust and fulfil her dream of helping other women like her? And will she ever find the child she's never forgotten? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781529421149 • Author: Elizabeth Gill • Publisher: Quercus Publishing plc • Format: Paperback • Pages: 416 • Dimensions: 19.69 x 12.95 x 2.54 cm

London, October 1940. As German bombers increase their nightly raids on the capital, the Blitz Girls must be braver than ever to protect innocent lives and keep the fight against Hitler alive. Dot, encouraged by her friends, is finding her independence and takes a full-time role as an ARP warden. As she finds new courage in the blackouts, her past might still be lurking in the shadows Peggy makes it her mission to help children caught up in the bombing find safety at her parents’ large house in the country. When she returns home, however, she realises her own family need her more than ever. But can she leave her friends in the line of fire? Vivian spends every moment not behind the wheel of her ambulance at the bedside of the man she loves, helping him recover from a terrible crash while defending the British skies. When she is torn between his hospital ward and the site of the latest blast, she faces a heartbreaking choice. As each night becomes more dangerous for the Blitz Girls, will they have the strength to help each other through and keep the light alive in the darkness? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781399708791 • Author: Johanna Bell • Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 3 cm

1944, the darkest days of the war. Trixie and Vi are back in Gosport and doing their bit to help Britain win the war. Felling trees is backbreaking, but at least they know they’re doing vital work. Trixie has a new boyfriend, Eddie. He’s charming, handsome, and always flush with cash – a real Gosport catch, though Vi isn’t so sure. Something about Eddie doesn’t seem quite right, and Vi will do anything to convince Trixie that she’s making a mistake with this relationship. Though Trixie loves Eddie, she finds it hard to forget Cy, the man she fell in love with at the start of the War, who was declared missing in action. As the bombs fall on Gosport both girls have big decisions to make. Will their friendship carry them through the hardest days? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781529419382 • Author: Rosie Archer • Publisher: Quercus Publishing plc • Format: Paperback     • Pages: 352 • Dimensions: 19.56 x 12.7 x 2.54 cm

England, 1940s. Minnie has spent most of her life feeling like a plain Jane, watching things happen around her, waiting for something – just something – to once happen to her. When her old best friend, the beautiful and callous Junie, unexpectedly returns to Sixteen Streets, Minnie’s not quite sure how to feel. Once inseparable, the two now find themselves at odds. And when Junie strikes up a romance with Minnie’s brother Derek, Minnie can’t help but feel lonelier than ever… Junie’s looking to start anew – she’s running from her mucky, strained life in South Manchester, and the cruel man she shared it with. But when she returns to Sixteen Streets, all her old wounds – from her mother to her friends – resurface. And she has no choice but to face them, and this place she once called home. In the midst of it all, can the two women find their way back to each other – and themselves – once again ? Or will Sixteen Streets really break them apart? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781398709003 • Author: Elsie Mason • Publisher: Orion Publishing • Format: Paperback • Pages: 368 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2.6 cm

Online Only! Get more for less with The Work’s expertly hand-picked Book Bundles. These are a collection of great quality products, grouped together to give you amazing value. Enjoy three historical fiction stories with this fantastic bundle! Product Information: • Author: Various • Publisher: Various • Format: Book Bundle

She will keep her head held high, no matter what… When Helen Merling, a happy girl with a loving heart, is seduced by a travelling actor, her life is turned upside down. The two are forced to marry by her strict clergyman father – but this isn’t enough to stop Helen’s family from disowning her. Helen and her husband escape to Europe, but their fortunes take a turn for the worse and Helen is left alone, responsible for both herself and their son. Two years later, in the picturesque Italian town of Serugia, Helen meets Charles Carnforth. He falls deeply in love with her… but he’s not the only one trying to win Helen’s heart. Can a new romance find its way into her complicated life? An emotional saga about one woman’s fight for her independence. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Mary Mackie. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781804367261 • Author: Anna Jacobs • Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 19.7 x 12.8 x 2.3 cm

War pulled them apart, but can love bring them back together? January 1942. After spending a happy Christmas with her fiance Charlie and his family at Moorside Farm, the new year brings heartache for Bobby Bancroft. Not only must she prepare to say goodbye to Charlie as he is summoned to join the fight, she must also leave behind her job at The Tyke magazine to join the wartime effort, as conscription of women is rolled out across the country. But there are hopeful times ahead as Bobby's friends, Topsy and Teddy, get engaged following a romance beset with obstacles. And when Bobby finally names a date for her own nuptials, the village of Silverdale is cheered by the prospect of weddings to lift the gloom of wartime. Bobby finds herself far from home training as a WAAF, with few friendly faces other than her Canadian friend Ernie King, who is acting as an instructor at her training centre. With Ernie showing signs of a romantic interest in her and with Charlie’s sudden silence, a lonely Bobby finds herself drawn to the young Canadian. But could there be more to Charlie’s silence than a cooling of his feelings? And can Bobby’s faith in the man she truly loves stay strong while the two of them are far apart, long enough for them to walk down the aisle? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781804369739 • Author: Betty Firth • Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 384 • Dimensions: 19.84 x 12.85 x 2.11 cm

She’ll do anything to protect her family from war . . . BLACKPOOL, 1914 Seventeen-year-old Maddie has grown up in a boarding house on one of Blackpool’s poorest streets. Life is busy, but happy, as she works alongside her mother taking care of their visitors. But when war breaks out, her happiness is shattered as her fiancé is called up to fight for his country, and suddenly Maddie’s future is filled with uncertainty. As Blackpool becomes a training ground for the army, the guesthouse is used as a billet for soldiers, and Maddie soon finds herself drawn to one in particular: Arnie. As the pair grow close and his departure date nears, their feelings for one another intensify. Little does she know, the short six weeks she’s known and loved Arnie will impact the rest of her life . . . As Maddie comes to terms with a future she couldn’t have ever imagined, her best friend Daisy, working in her mother’s café on Blackpool promenade, promises to help any way she can. With so much change and uncertainty on the horizon, can Maddie protect her growing family from the hardships of war? A heart-wrenching and touching wartime novel about motherhood, hardship and courageous women during WWII. The perfect read for fans of Val Wood, Kitty Neale and Rosie Goodwin. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781408732120 • Author: Maggie Mason • Publisher: Little Brown • Format: Paperback • Pages: 384 • Dimensions: 19.69 x 12.7 x 2.24 cm

London, Present day. As fiercely-independent Georgia clutches a precious gem stone in her hands, she has no idea how it relates to her own family. The rare pink sapphire was left for her at Hope’s House, a home for unmarried mothers. Soon Georgia discovers that the sapphire was once part of a precious tiara owned by the Italian Royal family, who were forced to move to Geneva after being exiled from their home. A local collector named Luca has been searching for the missing stone for years and instantly wants to meet with Georgia. His grandfather entrusted him with the tiara, with the caveat that it was never to be sold. As Georgia and Luca piece together the history of the tiara, they uncover a tragic love story. Of a banished princess named Delphine who left behind her home to begin a new life in Switzerland with her husband and children. Trapped in a loveless marriage, she fell in love with a young man named Florian. But when tragedy struck, leaving Delphine was completely alone, she was be forced to make a heart-breaking decision with devastating consequences. As Georgia comes to terms with her family’s secret, will Delphine’s story of courage inspire her to open up her own heart and build a new life with Luca? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781408729670 • Author: Soraya Lane • Publisher: Little Brown • Format: Paperback • Pages: 384 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.4 x 3 cm

1931, Cornwall. Gwenna Rosdew had no choice but to step up as head of the family after her father was arrested for his role in a smuggling scandal. As his release date nears, she must start planning her own future – but when her journey of self-discovery leads her down an unexpected path, Gwenna must decide just how much danger she is willing to endure. Meanwhile, a menacing discontent grows within Dartmoor Prison, and a young convict must quickly find his feet after making powerful enemies on both sides of the wall. As the rumblings threaten to erupt into a full-scale riot, Daniel must put his faith in an unlikely ally or risk not making it out of the prison alive. When explosive events cause their two worlds to collide, the lines between right and wrong begin to blur, and both Gwenna and Daniel must decide which side of that line they are prepared to stand on . . . Product Information: • ISBN: 9780349431727 • Author: Terri Nixon • Publisher: Little Brown • Format: Paperback • Pages: 432 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.4 x 3.2 cm

Prodigal son and loyal daughter… The Forsyth Variety Company has been given the opportunity of a lifetime – to entertain Her Majesty at 1962’s Royal Variety Performance. Keen to rehearse, the company heads to the Seagate Theatre under the tutelage of the company’s owner, Ed Forsyth. This is Ed’s last hoorah before retiring and he’s keen to leave on a high. But his son, Cal, has absconded, leaving his twin sister, Evie, to help manage the company after their mother’s death. Hoping to display her best trapeze performance ever, she’s also desperate that the entire troupe should succeed. If only her father hadn’t brought in another old-timer… Billy Rich has come all the way from Hollywood, invited to be their main star. Billy is full of bluster and ego and his much younger wife, the mysterious Magdalene, doesn’t help. Can this troupe of old-time crooners, dancing girls and magicians possibly pull this off? Especially when they must compete with the 1960’s rebellious new bands and revolutionary music? Abandoned by her brother, Evie has no idea if she’ll ever be able to wrestle the troupe into a show fit for a queen. But as the theatrical group heads towards a royal deadline like no other, Cal returns out of the blue to introduce a song that could change the world. Is he here to help, or are his motivations darker? As the company descends into illicit romance, family intrigue and foul crimes, rehearsals begin to unravel. Can they really do this? Cal thinks he has the answer, if only the troupe can believe in him. Because the queen’s show must go on… Product Information: • ISBN: 9781398710177 • Author: Anton Du Beke • Publisher: Orion Publishing • Format: Paperback • Pages: 416 • Dimensions: 19.69 x 12.7 x 2.54 cm

1191 and the Third Crusade is underway . . . It is 1191 and King Richard the Lionheart is on crusade to pitch battle against Saladin and liberate the city of Jerusalem and her lands. His mother, the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine and his promised bride, Princess Berengaria of Navarre, make a perilous journey over the Alps in midwinter. They are to rendezvous with Richard in the Sicilian port of Messina. There are hazards along the way – vicious assassins, marauding pirates, violent storms and a shipwreck. Berengaria is as feisty as her foes and, surviving it all, she and Richard marry in Cyprus and continue to the Holy Land. England needs an heir. But first, Richard and his Queen must return home . . . The Lost Queen is a thrilling medieval story of high adventure, survival, friendship and the enduring love of a Queen for her King. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781472297372 • Author: Carol McGrath • Publisher: Hodder Headline • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.6 x 2.6 cm

1957 – Young Queen Elizabeth II is finding her way in a challenging world as the United Kingdom must adjust to having neither an empire nor a set place in post-war Europe. As she travels the world to try and build bridges, the Queen is advised by the ‘men in moustaches’, as Philip calls them – her father’s old courtiers, who may or may not have her best interests at heart. One of them is trying to sabotage her: that much she is sure of. And then two bodies turn up, horribly murdered, in Chelsea, and the Queen finds herself unwillingly used as the alibi for somebody very close to her. Elizabeth knows she can’t face these challenges alone. She needs support from someone clever, discreet and loyal, someone she can trust. Then she meets ex-Bletchley Park code breaker, Joan McGraw, and their investigation into the murders begins in earnest . . . Product Information: • ISBN: 9781838776251 • Author: S.J. Bennett • Publisher: Bonnier Books UK Limited • Pages: 400 • Format: Paperback • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.4 cm

The final book in the bestselling Mulberry Lane Saga series from Rosie Clarke. Sweeping changes are on the horizon and Mulberry Lane is in for a shock… London 1962 At first it was a rumour that Peggy Ronaski and Maureen Hart could hardly believe. If true, it would turn the lives of everyone on Mulberry Lane upside down. Peggy could lose her beloved pub. Maggie her acclaimed restaurant. Maureen her business and her home. Everyone had something to lose. Whilst old friends try to come to terms with the shocking news, the younger generation continue to forge ahead in the swinging sixties. Relationships flourish and new opportunities blossom; the ever changing world becoming their oyster. But family bonds remain strong, after all, it’s people that matter not the buildings. Could this be the end of Mulberry Lane or a new beginning for everyone? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781836564638 • Author: Rosie Clarke • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 296 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.7 cm

A governess bound by her own strict rules, a movie-star tormented by grief, a forbidden love story you won’t forget. Hollywood, 1937 Hester Carlyle has no wish to look after the pampered offspring of the rich anymore, in spite of being a highly sought-after governess. But with her elderly father frail, and the roof of their rundown cottage in dreary Yorkshire falling in, she has no choice but to accept a dazzling new placement. Movie star Aidan Neil is box office gold, but after the tragic death of his wife Dinah Doyle, he needs Hester’s help to raise their young daughter Erin. Aidan and Dinah were once the perfect Hollywood couple, but stars don’t shine forever… At Aidan’s glittering Hollywood mansion, Hester finds a family struggling with their grief. Hester knows she can help little Erin, but Aidan’s torment is palpable. Brooding and reclusive, he is far from the picture-perfect hero Hester’s seen in films. There’s an edge to him that makes Hester wonder if he’s hiding a dark secret of his own…. Was the marriage between Aidan and Dinah as perfect as it appeared to be? Was Dinah’s death really a tragic accident? When it finally comes, the truth is more shocking than Hester could ever have imagined. And she knows that if revealed, it will destroy the family she has grown to love and ruin Aidan’s Hollywood dream forever… A sweeping new story from a talented new voice. Perfect for Fans of Taylor Jenkins Read, Wendy Holden and Natasha Lester. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781805577027 • Author: Alexandra Weston • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 360 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.08 cm