Historical Fiction Books

1915: As war continues to rage across the Channel, the families of the Somerset village of Street can no longer avoid its long shadow. Workers in the Clarks shoe factory, at the heart of the village, have left for the army in droves, and news from the Front seems to grow darker by the day. When life-long friends Louisa, Jeannie and Kate receive the news they had been fearing, all hope seems lost. And Louisa’s world will be rocked further when she makes another discovery, one that will see her cast out by her family, changing her life forever. Kate and Jeannie are determined to be strong for their friend, but each of them has their own problems to bear, and when Jeannie’s beloved brother Lucas enlists, she fears history is about to repeat itself. Can the Clarks factory girls help each other through the darkest days and keep hope alive? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781806006335 • Author: May Ellis • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 344 • Dimensions: 19.81 x 12.9 x 2.06 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

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

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

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

Trust no one. Suspect everyone. It’s 1937. Fear and suspicion stalk the Continent. A million have died in Stalin’s Great Purge and the Nazi terror grips Germany. But British intelligence is still trying to work out who the enemy is. As Europe heads towards war, treason is in the air. British spymasters know there is one Soviet agent in their ranks, codenamed Agent ‘Archie’, and there’s a frantic search to find them. What they don’t know is that he is not the only traitor. The life of Charles Cooper, a young British writer travelling Europe to research his novel, is about to change for ever… The thrilling first novel in Alex Gerlis’ new Double Agent espionage series, perfect for fans of Charles Cumming and Mick Herron. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781804363768 • Author: Alex Gerlis • Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 368 • Dimensions: 19.84 x 12.85 x 2.08 cm