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 country town in need of a good Doctor, but will they accept her as one of their own? Somerset, March 1930 Born in the workhouse and adopted by a former suffragette, Frances Brakespeare was encouraged from an early age to be strong, independent and to pursue a career as a doctor. The tragic loss of the love of her life in the Great War propels Frances to commit to her one true vocation. Rebelling against the unfair treatment of female doctors Frances is dismissed from her London post and things continue to take a turn for the worse when Izzy, her benefactress dies and Frances finds herself homeless. With no employment or roof over her head her future seems uncertain until she’s offered a residency at the Orchard Cottage Hospital in Norton Dene, Somerset. a town where quarrying and coal mining scar the land. It’s a far cry from London and towns narrow minds are not so welcoming of a young, female Doctor, but she’s determined to win through. At first sight the town seems quaintly old fashioned, a place where nothing much happens but there are secrets and sins bubbling beneath the surface plus a mystery she's determined to solve. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837030194 • Author: Lizzie Lane • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.85 x 1.93 cm

The TOP TEN bestselling Queen of Black Country sagas is back with a heart-breaking tale of friendship, families and survival against the odds. Thirteen-year-old Alice Truelove can’t take another day of her father’s cruelty. Better a life on the streets than being constantly blamed for her mother’s sad death, or that’s what Alice thinks as she packs up her meagre possessions. But fending for herself in the Black Country town of Wednesbury is not as easy as she expected, and it soon hits her that without help she will quickly be hungry and cold. Bertram Jordan, or BJ to his friends, became an orphan much too young after his parents were stolen away by influenza. Growing up on the streets has not been easy, but BJ has learnt to survive, and when he meets Alice, alone and desperate, he’s happy to take her under his wing. As Alice learns the tricks of the pick-pocketer, the best ways to charm the stallholders on the market and the skills to get by, the two children become firm friends. So, when BJ makes a fatal mistake, Alice can’t bear the thought that she might lose her only friend – forever… A heartbreaking novel that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. Perfect for all fans of Katie Flynn, Val Wood and Lyn Andrews. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837030217 • Author: Lindsey Hutchinson • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 370 • Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.6 x 2.3 cm

An epic story of love, loss and second chances, The Last Boat Home will captivate readers of Fiona Valpy, Lorna Cook and Hazel Gaynor. 1940: When Daisy, a paintress at the local pottery, looks out across Poole Harbour, waiting for the ‘little ships’ to bring the retreating soldiers home from Dunkirk, she prays her husband will be among them. But Alfie is declared missing, presumed dead, and Daisy must learn to live as a widow. Then a chance encounter with a French soldier throws Daisy’s life even further off course, with heartbreaking consequences that will span generations. 1996: Decades later, Felicity is just holding herself together after the sudden loss of her husband. Needing escape, she travels to a small seaside town in the South of France and is surprised to find a piece of home in the window of a small shop. How did a jug from her home-town’s pottery find its way to the Cote d’Azur? Seeking answers, she opens the door to the shop, and on the possibility of finding happiness after all hope seemed lost… Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837030187 • Author: Rachel Sweasey • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.93 cm

Once a workhouse girl, always a workhouse girl… Enid Hardcastle has always had a hard life, but when her family can’t make ends meet and are moved to the workhouse, it feels like things can’t get any worse. But luckily for Enid, her friendship with local boy Jimmy gives her the strength she needs. Also from the cold, hard streets of Merthyr, Jimmy has made his name as an entrepreneur, repairing boots and hand-delivering them to the fine people of the town. Enid has seen for herself that you can make a better life for yourself, so with Jimmy’s help, she sets about trying to save her family. But there are even darker places than the workhouse, and as the rumour mill churns, it appears there’s an even more dangerous fate she will need to avoid… An emotional and nostalgic historical saga that will have you turning pages, engrossed. Perfect for fans of Sheila Newberry and Lynn Johnson. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837031351 • Author: Lynette Rees • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 264 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.52 cm

One night, everything changed… Air raid sirens wail across London and nineteen-year-old Clare takes her chances in the streets rather than heading to the office basement – and risk being in the same vicinity as him, the man who hurt her in the worst way possible… … and makes a decision that will haunt her for the rest of her life. Over a year later, and Clare is heartbroken to be saying goodbye to her newborn daughter Mirren. Leaving her in the care of her sister, in a remote – and therefore safe – house in The Highlands, she heads back south to become a map maker for Bomber Command. The work is tough, and Clare struggles with having a direct hand in killing ordinary people. Combined with the guilt for leaving her baby behind, her dark thoughts could destroy her… or make her stronger than ever. A heart-breaking tale of love, loss, and redemption, this is a moving and poignant story of motherhood and the complexities of healing in the aftermath of war. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781805577133 • Author: Catherine Law • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 320 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.85 cm

Discover the emotional and unforgettable brand-new novel from Jennie Felton. When war is declared in September 1939, Rosie Mitchell reluctantly returns from London to the Somerset mining town of Hillsbridge to be with her widowed mother. She had fled to the city some years earlier to escape the heartache and shame of a disastrous end to her relationship with the man she has always loved, and still does. Now she will once more be brought face to face with him, and with her rival and childhood friend, Anne Hastings. Back in her hometown, there is no avoiding the attentions of Julian Edgell, the charming doctor who had broken her heart. But another man too comes into her life. A man she finds very attractive, but who will disclose nothing about himself. Can she trust either of them? Or will her heart be broken all over again? Rosie’s dilemma unfolds against the backdrop of war with all its hardship, danger, heroism and sacrifice. as well as the anxiety for loved ones which no-one, be they ordinary working folk or local aristocracy, can escape. Don’t miss this heartrending page-turner from the author of The Coal Miner’s Wife and The Families of Fairley Terrace Series. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781472296795 • Author: Jennie Felton • Publisher: Hodder Headline • Format: Paperback     • Pages: 512 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.6 x 3.8 cm

In a time of war, an orphaned boy must embark on an epic journey… After the death of his beloved father, Arthur and a group of other young evacuees are sent far away to Canada for their own safety on the eve of the Second World War. Alone and afraid, with no family to protect him, Arthur faces an unknown future. But even on the other side of the world he can’t escape the war. Faced with more upheaval, Arthur begins to doubt he will ever find his forever family. With so much heartache and turmoil, can he hold on to his dream of love and happiness? Product Information: • ISBN: 9780008680169 • Author: Cathy Sharp • Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers • Format: Paperback • Pages: 384 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 3 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

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

Can two young women and one book change the course of war? 1940. Whip-smart librarian Peggy Sparks is determined to make sure that her brother Joe returns from the frontline to their London home, which they share with their beloved mother and grandmother. So when she is offered a once-in-a-lifetime job at the heart of the war effort, Peggy jumps at the prospect of making a real contribution to her country. But when she finds herself working under the fanciful socialite Lady Marigold Cecily, Peggy discovers that those around her are more keen on dancing at the Café de Paris than on ending the war. Writing accounts of her daily life is the only thing keeping Peggy’s hopes alive. But when she finds her inner-most thoughts accidentally published by the Ministry of Information, Peggy realises she needs Marigold’s help to save her job, and to bring her brother home . . . From the author of The Air Raid Book Club comes a powerful tale of unexpected friendship, community and two remarkable women who change the course of the war. Full of heart, emotion and drama, it is the perfect uplifting story for fans of Kate Thompson and Natasha Lester. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781035401116 • Author: Annie Lyons • Publisher: Hodder Headline • Format: Paperback • Pages: 400 • Dimensions: 19.69 x 12.95 x 2.29 cm

After growing up in bitterness, can she overcome past events to find the happiness she deserves? Take This Woman is a powerful saga about learning to put your past behind you in the pursuit of happiness, from bestselling author Josephine Cox. Perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Kitty Neale. Blackburn, 1947. In the tiny front parlour fourteen-year-old Laura Blake watches her beloved father die. But not before he tells her she will make something of her life. Laura never forgets his words. Yet her path to success proves to be a rocky one. Forced to trundle a cart around the back streets, selling other folk’s cast-offs to support her family, Laura learns enough to start work in her uncle’s furniture shop. But then fate deals another cruel blow when Laura is brutally raped. Bearing the child of her attacker in secret, she vows to make the world pay for its injustice towards her. As she grows older her protective shell hardens even as her beauty blossoms, and her new toughness helps her forge a successful career in the antiques business. But it is in affairs of the heart that Laura stumbles, and before she can find fulfilment, she must learn to put the past behind her, and give as well as take. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781035417278 • Author: Josephine Cox • Publisher: Hodder Headline • Format: Paperback • Pages: 592 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 4.4 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

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

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

It’s an invitation that will change everything… It’s 1923 when Pearl Glenham and her father are invited to a mysterious country house party on the Dorset coast, by a total stranger. Her father claims not to have any prior association with Highcliffe House, but upon arrival, it is apparent that he has a secret shared history with several of the guests. Belatedly discovering that her father was blackmailed into attending, Pearl’s worries are compounded when their elusive host fails to even appear… Intimidated by everyone at the party, she escapes to the nearby cove and stumbles upon a mysterious mercury clock hidden in a cave. This strange encounter sets in motion a series of events that culminates in an horrific house fire, claiming the lives of all the guests, including Pearl herself. But then… Pearl wakes up back in the cave, seemingly destined never to live past midnight. She can repeat the day. But can she change its outcome? A completely addictive and unforgettable 1920s mystery – with a timeslip twist – perfect for fans of Daphne du Maurier, Agatha Christie, and Lucinda Riley. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781805577140 • Author: Jenni Keer • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 338 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.96 cm

What if everything you’ve been brought up to believe was a lie? Whistledown Woman is the moving story of a beautiful girl growing up unaware of her true inheritance, from bestselling author Josephine Cox. Perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Lindsey Hutchinson. On a moonlit night in 1898, Kathleen Wyman lies in labour at Bessington Hall. Her husband, Edward, is sure that she has been unfaithful to him. In his blind, jealous rage he later gives away the baby to gypsy Rona Parrish, summoned to help with the delivery. Kathleen, frenzied with grief, is soon after locked away in an asylum. Rejected by her father, the little girl begins her new life with only a valuable brooch pinned to her shawl as a clue to her true origins. Named after Rona’s own mother, the lovely raven-haired Starlena grows up in ignorance of her true parentage and vast inheritance, believing her birthplace to be the beautiful Whistledown Valley. And Rona, always afraid, stays watchful over the years for any sign that someone might track Starlena down – someone who wishes her harm… Product Information: • ISBN: 9781035417292 • Author: Josephine Cox • Publisher: Hodder Headline • Format: Paperback • Pages: 464 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.6 x 3.8 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

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

Will she risk everything, to save those she loves most? Alix has always been on the side of the Resistance. Over two years of danger and suffering, she has continued the fight alongside her comrades in the Partisans. But while facing constant threat, her personal relationships, with Nikola – the man she was supposed to marry – and Drago, her lifelong friend, are complicated. Working with the rival Chetniks is Steve, the American pilot who is never far from Alix’s mind. Despite wanting the same peaceful outcome, they remain on opposite sides. The hope of a reunion seems unlikely, but nothing is ever predictable in love and war… Featuring characters from Holly Green’s Frontline Nurses series, this gripping new historical read spans Europe during World War Two. Fans of Amanda Lees and Fiona Valpy will love this captivating wartime romance. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781804364253 • Author: Holly Green • Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 368 • Dimensions: 19.84 x 12.85 x 2.06 cm