Historical Fiction Books

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

Army Girls - reporting for duty! When duty calls, East End girl Minnie Wolton isn’t afraid to do her bit. She’s excited to be joining the ATS girls and although she knows life at the barracks will be tough, she’s not one to quit! She just hopes the other girls are all good sorts… With her husband away fighting, Eileen Ruffel is glad of the break from her unhappy marriage. She just wants to make a success of the ATS girls and maybe find happiness too. Along with the other girls, Minnie and Eileen strike up a firm friendship. The training is hard, but they are determined to prove they are the best new recruits. But when a young girl is attacked on base, the girls have to pull together like never before to find the culprits….before they strike again. A gripping and authentic tale of courage, duty and bravery, perfect for fans of Lizzie Lane, Patricia McBride and Rosie Clarke. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837031337 • Author: Fenella J Miller • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 280 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.63 cm

Inspired by the unforgettable true story of Alma Rosé, The Violinist of Auschwitz brings to life one of history’s most fearless, inspiring and courageous heroines. Alma’s bravery saved countless lives, bringing hope to those who had forgotten its meaning… In Auschwitz, every day is a fight for survival. Here, Alma is inmate 50381, the number tattooed on her in blue ink. But in her previous life, she was an esteemed violinist, her performances leaving audiences spellbound. When Alma is appointed as the conductor for the camp orchestra, performing for high-ranking Nazis, she refuses: “They can kill me but they won’t make me play.” But soon she realises the power this position offers. How many others can she save from the clutches of death? Her new role leads her to Miklos, a talented pianist. Surrounded by despair, they find happiness in secret notes and joint concerts. But in Auschwitz, the very air is tainted with loss, and tragedy is the only certainty… In such a hopeless place, can their love survive? This devastatingly heartbreaking yet beautifully hopeful tale proves that even in the darkest of days, love can prevail–and give you something to live for. Fans of The Choice, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Orphan Train will lose their hearts to this magnificent tale. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781836182672 • Author: Ellie Midwood • Publisher: Orion Publishing • Pages: 416 • Format: Paperback • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 3.2 cm

Three priceless treasures. Three extraordinary women. Three powerful legacies. The Paris Affair is the first in Muna Shehadi’s spellbinding dual-time narrative series, with cross-generational appeal and captivating international settings perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley. Christmas, 1915, a grieving father gives his motherless daughter an exquisite, one-of-a-kind A. Marque doll, one she’d gladly exchange for her heart’s desire. Summer, 1975, sheltered Midwesterner Helen Kenyon is set to marry her college sweetheart, when she jumps at the opportunity to spend six months in Paris. With fellow Americans Lilianne and Connie and an ‘adopted’ antique doll, Helen plunges into a heady world of high culture and champagne. But it’s the charismatic photojournalist, Gilles Aubert, who tempts her to change her future. Fifty years later, Teresa Clark dutifully accepts the job of preparing her estranged Grandma Helen’s Kansas ranch for sale, only to find Helen bears little resemblance to the philandering drunk of her mother’s stories. Not until she uncovers mementos of Helen’s past and the astonishing secret of a well-preserved antique doll, does Teresa gain strength to face multiple truths – about her family, herself, and what life she’ll choose for her own. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781035407781 • Author: Muna Shehadi • Publisher: Hodder Headline • Pages: 448 • Format: Paperback • Dimensions: 19.56 x 12.7 x 3.05 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

Bristol 1938 A shadowy presence overshadows Coronation Close, watching and waiting. Jenny Crawford is the first to notice the stranger and wonders why his attention is fixed on Thelma Dawson’s house. When challenged he makes a hasty retreat. Meanwhile Thelma is having trouble with her precocious daughter Mary who is about to leave school and start work. Mary considers herself an adult but to Thelma she’s still a little girl; an attitude resented by her daughter. Unknown to her mother, Mary is secretly befriended by a stranger, an older man who treats her as the grown up she thinks she is. But what does this man want with this naïve young girl? Problems shared are problems halved. Jenny and Thelma certainly share theirs as the shadow of war rolls over from Europe and nothing seems certain. Product Information:  • ISBN: 9781836564607 • Author: Lizzie Lane • Publisher: Boldwood Books  • Format: Paperback • Pages: 298 • Dimensions: 12.9 x 1.7 x 19.8cm

THE BRAND-NEW WARTIME SAGA BY MAGGIE MASON – PERFECT FOR READERS OF VAL WOOD, KITTY NEALE AND ROSIE GOODWIN 1939 The threat of war is looming over Blackpool, but Martha and Trisha are determined not to let it dampen their spirits. With two young evacuees for Martha to take care of, and Trisha’s market garden business growing as Britain digs for victory, the friends have their hands full. Both are proud to see their daughters making their own way in the world, even in wartime. Sally has become a ballerina and Bonnie is training to become a doctor. The girls’ friendship brings them all happiness and hope. But Martha is troubled by her visions for their daughters’ futures. War, tragedy and falling in love will put Sally and Bonnie’s lifelong friendship to the test. But can their families pull together and see them through? The third and final heart-warming tale in The Fortune Tellers series from Maggie Mason, much-loved author of The Halfpenny Girls. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781408728185 • Author: Maggie Mason • Publisher: Little Brown • Format: Paperback • Pages: 432 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.6 x 4 cm

Murder and scandal in the heat of 1950s Las Vegas: can Lily Jones stop a murder that happened before she was born? Lily Jones can’t forget her incredible time-slip adventure back to the Golden Age of Hollywood and the friends she made there - especially a handsome barman by the name of Louis, with whom she felt such a strong connection. Back in 2020, life isn’t going so well for her and Lily is idly googling when she is horrified to discover that Evelyn, Louis’ ex-girlfriend, is brutally murdered in 1953. She is compelled to go back to the 1950s and try to save Evelyn’s life, but this time it isn’t just the gilded stars of Tinseltown she will have to contend with, but The Mob as she finds herself in the seedy glamour of Vegas and learns that Evelyn’s future depends upon her first solving the murder of a Vegas showgirl. Thankfully she has Louis and his sister, Tilda, to help her, but her own life is in danger as she tries to find the killer and change Evelyn’s fate. What will she risk to save a life? Product Information:  • ISBN: 9781804366592 • Author: Lisa Hall • Publisher: Canelo Hera • Format:  Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 12.9 x 2 x 19.8 cm

A Regency Romance for all Austen fans! From bestselling author Fenella J Miller Miss Kitty Bennet is travelling to Pemberley in order to become a companion and friend to Miss Georgiana Darcy when the coach she is travelling in crashes. Bingley is hurt in the accident and help arrives in the form of Adam Denney, the Rector of Bakewell who comes to their aid. Jane and Bingley are obliged to remain at The Rectory, whilst Kitty continues her journey alone. But the coach accident is just the first of many terrifying incidents that occur once Kitty is established at Pemberley. But when Kitty's sister, Elizabeth is placed in danger, Darcy is determined to do all he can to keep her safe. But can the darkness at Pemberley ever be overcome or will Pemberley and all its occupants be destroyed?  Product Information:  • ISBN: 9781805577218 • Author: Fenella J Miller • Publisher: Boldwood Books • Format:  Paperback • Pages: 354 • Dimensions: 15.6 x 2.24 x 23.39 cm