Historical Fiction Books

Livia Blake has lost her husband far too soon and faces a crossroads. It’s her friend Pearl Grayson, head of Bristol’s nursing school, who suggests she would make an excellent district nurse. With training completed and no ties left, a job offer to join the team in rural Eastby End feels just like the fresh start she needs. But just before she leaves she is called out to attend a woman named Jane, left terrified and beaten by her abusive husband and desperate to escape. On the spur of the moment, both women board the train to Eastby End. Ellis Quinn has buried his beloved wife and mother to his son, Gil, and doesn’t know how to carry on in London. A chance meeting with carpenter Logan brings a glimpse of life in the Ollindale countryside, a place Logan loves, and soon Ellis and Gil are on their way to a new life away from the city. Life in Eastby End is improving, but not nearly as fast as councillor Walter Crossley would like. He is on a mission to end the poverty and danger that blights too many lives, and bring better healthcare and opportunities to as many residents as he can. With Livia in place and swiftly making a difference, and Ellis looking to set up a new business, things look brighter. But change isn’t welcome everywhere; and there are some in the town who will fight for things to remain exactly as they are … Product Information: • ISBN: 9781399730013 • Author: Anna Jacobs • Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton • Format: Paperback  • Pages: 352 • Dimensions: 19.99 x 13 x 2.16 cm

From rags to riches... but will happiness follow? Orphaned as a child, Fliss Atkins has spent her life working at her uncle’s pub, The Bay Horse Inn, nestled along the banks of the River Calder. Life has been anything but easy for Fliss. Her aunt is unloving, and her older cousin Gerald is cruel. Then she meets Oscar Nolan, whose adventurous spirit makes her wonder if there might be more to life beyond the only home she’s known. Could Oscar and his dreams of travel be her chance at a fresh start? The thought is tempting, but leaving her best friends, Lorrie and Meg, and their beloved families behind seems unimaginable. When tragedy strikes, Fliss is presented with an unexpected opportunity to shape a new life for herself. But will new riches bring her the happiness she longs for, or will it lead to even greater troubles for this riverside maid? A compelling and emotional read set in Victorian Yorkshire, perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Rosie Godwin. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781807950118 • Author: AnneMarie Brear • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 280 • Dimensions: 19.81 x 12.9 x 1.68 cm

When war breaks out, friendship will see them through. With war declared, these brave women will step up and do their bit for their country Housewife Nancy never dreamed that she’d end up in Vickers steelworks factory but when husband Bert is called up to serve, she needs to put food on the table for her two young children. Betty’s sweetheart William has joined the RAF Reserves so she can’t sit around and do nothing – even if it means giving up her ambitions to study law at night school. Young Patty is relishing the excitement the war brings. But this shop-girl is going to have to grow up quickly, especially now she’s undertaking such back-breaking and dangerous work in the factory. The Steel Girls start off as strangers but quickly forge an unbreakable bond of friendship as these feisty factory sisters vow to keep the foundry fires burning during wartime.  ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9780008427290 • Author: Michelle Rawlins  • Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers • Format: Paperback

Gothic historical and paranormal romance meet in this viral sensation about an orphaned English teacher’s journey to a mysterious coastal town to claim her inheritance where she encounters a forbidden love, supernatural intrigue, and ancient evil as she is torn between two enigmatic men—one alive, one from the past—now with a never-before-seen epilogue. “I might be evil personified, but you’re the only one I’ll ever be good to.” August 1955: When Miss Darcy O’Sullivan, an orphaned English teacher from Boston, receives a letter finding out that her biological father passed away, she is surprised to find herself included in his will. There is only one condition. She must travel to Fairydale to attend his funeral. With the promise of a sizeable inheritance, Darcy decides to journey to the small coastal town that holds the secrets of her birth. But the moment she steps foot into Fairydale, things start to go amiss. There are odd rumors, odd deaths, and even odd men—especially brooding Caleb Hale—part of the infamous Hale family. During the day, she falls deeper and deeper under Caleb’s spell as he forces her to step out of her comfort zone and embrace her inner sensuality. But at night, it’s another man who haunts her dreams—Amon d’Artan, a nobleman who lived two centuries ago. Amon is sweet and suave where Caleb is intense and dangerous. Soon, she finds herself embroiled in a web of lies, deceit, and inexplicable events that make her question her sanity. And when an ancient evil threatens the town and everything Darcy holds dear, she must make the ultimate choice. But will she survive it? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781668216804 • Author: Veronica Lancet • Publisher: Simon & Schuster • Format: Paperback • Pages: 736

London, 1941. Amid the falling bombs Emmeline Lake dreams of becoming a fearless Lady War Correspondent. Unfortunately, Emmy instead finds herself employed as a typist for the formidable Henrietta Bird, the renowned agony aunt at Woman's Friend magazine. Mrs Bird refuses to read, let alone answer, letters containing any form of Unpleasantness, and definitely not those from the lovelorn, grief-stricken or morally conflicted. But the thought of these desperate women waiting for an answer at this most desperate of times becomes impossible for Emmy to ignore. She decides she simply must help and secretly starts to write back - after all, what harm could that possibly do? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781509853922 • Author: AJ Pearce • Publisher: Macmillan Distribution Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.2 x 2.1 cm

Lucy Nolan has everything she could wish for - until tragedy intervenes. Josephine Cox's A Time For Us is a heartrending saga of love, tragedy and undying hope. Perfect for fans of Cathy Sharp and Dilly Court. Lucy Nolan is the golden girl. The only daughter of local grocers, Sally and Mike Nolan, she's grown up in a home of total love and security. The one thing her heart desires is that Jack Hanson might ask her to marry him, and when he does eventually propose, Lucy is prepared to give up everything to be with him - even though it means leaving her beloved parents to live abroad where Jack has been offered an exciting business opportunity. But then, almost on the eve of the marriage itself, tragedy strikes. And for the first time in her life, Lucy is forced to realise that Fate, which has been so kind to her, can also be just as cruel. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781472245762 • Author: Josephine Cox • Publisher: Hachette UK • Format: Paperback • Pages: 400 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 13 x 3 cm

Can a widow find hope again after tragedy? Portsoy Harbour, Scotland 1865 After tragically losing her husband at sea Eppie Watt must support herself, her daughter Charlotte and mother-in-law and sets to work packing and selling herring in Portsoy Harbour. When her mother-in-law passes, poor Charlotte is sent home to be cared for by Eppie’s family. Estranged from those she loves, Eppie battles dreadful loneliness. Eppie is thrilled when offered a housekeeper position to Alexander Geddes, a wealthy widower, businessman and father to headstrong Duncan and cloistered Lydia. But Andrew’s mother, old Mrs Geddes is set against Eppie and as her interference intensifies, Alexander is left with no choice but to ask his mother to leave. Although well cared for, spiteful Mrs Geddes seeks her revenge by spreading scandalous rumours that her son and Eppie are having an affair. Alexander, trying to shield Eppie from gossip proposes, but Eppie is unwilling to marry without love. But when Charlotte finally comes to live with them, old conflicts are addressed and a new sense of calm finally descends on the Geddes family. After loss, can there be peace and happiness and will Eppie find her happy-ever -after? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781807340704 • Author: Evelyn Hood • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 368 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.21 cm

York, 1940 World War Two has arrived for the girls of the Rowntrees factory, and with rationing crippling the country, chocolate production has been driven to a bare minimum. It's all change for the Freeman sisters when the Rowntrees factory is turned over to making munitions. Molly is put on the fuse and detonator line, soon becoming skilled at her work despite the dangers. Rose copes with husband Ned’s absence with the RAF by relishing her position on the Board. And Annie joins the Land Army, billeted to a pig farm in Lancashire. Despite the heartache and worry, nothing will stop the Freeman sisters from doing all they can for their men and country. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781405997836 • Author: Gracie Hart • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback

A Classic Family Saga from Sunday Times Bestseller Dilly Court Phoebe Giamatti lives with her Italian family in the heart of London's East End. With her father killed by a notorious gang years earlier, Phoebe is now responsible for keeping her loved ones out of trouble. But just as the Giamatti family are about to go to Italy for the winter, Phoebe discovers a secret about her mother that could tear them all apart. Determined not to betray her mother's trust, Phoebe faces an impossible decision. Can she confront a dangerous past in order to protect her family's future? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781529992182 • Author: Dilly Court • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 512 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.1 x 3 cm

Texas, 1934. Elsa Martinelli had finally found the life she’d yearned for. A family, a home and a livelihood on a farm on the Great Plains. But when drought threatens all she and her community hold dear, Elsa’s world is shattered to the winds. Fearful of the future, when Elsa wakes to find her husband has fled, she is forced to make the most agonizing decision of her life. Fight for the land she loves or take her beloved children, Loreda and Ant, west to California in search of a better life. Will it be the land of milk and honey? Or will their experience challenge every ounce of strength they possess? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781529054583 • Author: Kristin Hannah • Publisher: Macmillan Distribution Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 464

Mrs Porter Calling is the uplifting and heartwarming third historical novel from AJ Pearce, the beloved author of Dear Mrs Bird. London, 1943. Emmy Lake is most definitely Doing Her Bit for the war effort. The readers of her magazine, Woman’s Friend, are facing the hardships of life on the Home Front and they need Emmy and her support more than ever. But when a glamorous new owner arrives at Woman’s Friend, Emmy soon realizes that the Honourable Mrs Porter could destroy everything. And then tragedy strikes. As Emmy’s own happiness turns to devastation, she must ask herself if she can find the strength to keep going. Can she save the magazine so many people love? And can she weather her own heartbreak? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781035000807 • Author: AJ Pearce • Publisher: Macmillan Distribution Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 352 • Dimensions: 19.7 x 13.1 x 2.2 cm

Can their love survive the battles they’ll have to face? Maggie Evans is living with her parents at their docklands pub in Southampton when the GIs arrive to support the British troops in 1943. She’s never met anyone like American Steve Rossi, and it’s hard to resist his good looks and easy confidence. But there’s another side to Steve, and when he pulls a knife during a fight, Maggie begins to wonder what other secrets he’s concealing. Joshua Lewis is everything Steve’s not: kind, considerate and honest. And he’s black. When he and Maggie become friends, Steve’s true colours are revealed; he’s a bigot as well as a dangerous criminal. Maggie realises only just in time that it’s Joshua, not Steve, she loves. But can she and Joshua make a go of it in a world set against them? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781805734390 • Author: June Tate • Publisher: Joffe Books • Format: Paperback

From the multi-million copy number one bestselling author of The Women, The Nightingale and The Four Winds, Home Front is a provocative and timely portrait of hope, honour, loss, forgiveness and the elusive nature of love. An intimate look at the inner landscape of a disintegrating marriage and a dramatic exploration of the price of war. 'It’s not intentions that matter. It’s actions. My drill instructor used to say that all the time. We are what we do and say, not what we intend to' From a distance, Michael and Jolen Zarkades seem to have it all: a solid dependable marriage, exciting careers and children they adore. But after twelve blissful years together, the couple has lost their way. They are unhappy and edging towards divorce. Then an unexpected deployment tears their already fragile family apart, sending one of them deep into harm's way and leaving the other at home, caring for the children and waiting for news. When the worst happens, each must face their darkest fear and fight for the future of their family. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781035008193 • Author: Kristin Hannah • Publisher: Macmillan Distribution Limited • Format: Paperback

One overheard conversation. One fateful evening. A lifetime of consequences. The Devil You Know is a turbulent and emotional saga of a woman who must outface danger to find the happiness she craves, from bestselling author Josephine Cox. Perfect for fans of Lyn Andrews and Dilly Court. Sonny Fareham’s lover – and also her boss – is the charismatic Tony Bridgeman, a successful and ruthless man who usually gets what he wants. But for Sonny, the affair that has promised a future of hope and happiness must end in desperate fear. Late one evening, Sonny overhears a private conversation between Tony Bridgeman and his wife. Only then does she realise she is in great danger. Pregnant and afraid, Sonny flees her home to make a new life in the north of England, where she meets a gregarious and motherly new friend, Ellie Kenny. When the mysterious and handsome David Langham seems drawn to her, Sonny almost dares to believe that she could be happy again. But never far away is the one person who wants to destroy everything that she now holds dear . . . Product Information: • ISBN: 9781472245533 • Author: Josephine Cox • Publisher: Hachette UK • Format: Paperback • Pages: 368 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm

THE SIXTH BOOK IN THE MUCH-LOVED DOVER CAFE WWII SAGA SERIES Dover, January 1942 The war is closing in on every shore, and when Marge Atkinson is assigned to an elite group of Wrens, chosen to teach war games to naval officers, it seems like the perfect distraction from her heartbreak over Rodney Castle. Until she discovers who her new commanding officer is. Years ago, Captain Thomas Bennett destroyed her family, and now she vows to get her revenge - no matter the consequences. Meanwhile, at Castle's Café, Nellie is trapped in a dangerous bargain. Allowing Lou Carter to stash black-market contraband in her café basement seemed harmless enough at the time. But when a sinister man arrives, threatening her family and demanding she store some mysterious boxes, she has no choice but to agree. Because if she doesn't, her grandchildren could pay the price . . . ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781785129100 • Author: Ginny Bell • Publisher: Bonnier Books UK • Format: Paperback

Set in the Yorkshire Dales during the 19th century, The Miner's Wife by Diane Allen is a sweeping historical saga novel. Nineteen-year-old Meg Oversby often dreams of a more exciting life than the dull existence she faces at her family’s farm deep in the Yorkshire Dales. Growing up, she’s always sensed her father’s disappointment at not having a son to help with the farm work. So when Meg dances all night at the local market hall with Sam Alderson, a lead miner from Swaledale, a new light enters her life. Sam and his brother Jack show Meg a side to life she didn’t know existed. But when her parents find out, she’s forbidden from ever seeing them again. Although where there is love, there is often a way. When Meg’s uncle offers her the chance of helping to run the small village shop, she leaps at the opportunity, seeing it as a way to escape the oppressive family farm and see more of her beloved Sam. But as love blossoms, a darker truth emerges and Meg realizes that Sam may not be the man she thought he was . . . ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781509895212 • Author: Diane Allen • Publisher: Macmillan Distribution Limited • Format: Paperback

1909, Northumberland When Shona Hardy's husband is lost at sea, she finds herself alone in a village which has always seen her as an outsider. A world away, Harry Darling has achieved wealth and respectability, but he has never forgotten the poverty and hardship that he grew up in or the girl who saved his life. When tragedy strikes again and Shona's father passes away on Harry's doorstep, Harry finally has a chance to pay Shona back for her kindness. But as their pasts and presents collide, will their lives be altered for ever? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781405995146 • Author: Elizabeth Gill • Publisher: Quercus • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336  • Dimensions: 12.7 x 2.03 x 19.69 cm

1914. War brought them together, now duty threatens to tear them apart. Rose Courtenay is bound by duty to her wealthy family. She is expected to marry well and continue the family legacy. But when war engulfs Europe, she sees her chance to escape. She volunteers as a nurse on the Western Front, prepared to face the horrors of the battlefield rather than submit to a life she doesn’t want. Arriving in France, Rose is immediately thrown into the chaos of war as she tends to injured soldiers. At the hospital she is reunited with Lieutenant Alex Denham, her childhood friend she never thought she’d see again. The connection between Rose and Alex is instant and, as she nurses him back to health, stolen moments turn into something deeper. But Alex has a secret, one that binds him to a duty he can’t escape. As war rages around them, Rose and Alex must decide — will they fight for love, or will duty tear them apart once more? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781781899458 • Author: Margaret James • Publisher: Joffe Books • Format: Paperback • Pages: 298  • Dimensions: 12.85 x 1.91 x 19.84 cm

1864: Following the untimely death of her cold-hearted husband, Beatrix and her three children are finally free. While Ambrose has already determined his path in life, eldest son Laurie's future is less certain. With the responsibility of the family estate on his shoulders, Laurie must decide between staying in Yorkshire to farm the family land and following his dreams. Meanwhile, headstrong and independent Alicia is defying expectation and excelling at school. There she befriends the enigmatic Olivia Snowdon and they quickly become inseparable. But Olivia's past is shrouded in mystery and as the two families grow closer, secrets start to come tumbling out... ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837321490 • Author: Val Wood • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback

Eleven-year-old Stella Barry is forced into service when her family find themselves living hand-to-mouth. Leaving her mother and younger brother and sister behind, Stella goes to a big country house outside London. When she returns home one Sunday, she discovers they have disappeared. Thrown out of their lodgings, no one knows where they have gone. Seven years later it looks likely Stella will soon become Cook. But circumstances compel her to flee with no references and only a few personal possessions to her name. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781807842482 • Author: Dilly Court • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback