8th August 1914... In the sequel to the acclaimed novel, The Baker's Story, award-winning author Alan Reynolds continues the historical drama following the Marsden family into the depths of the First World War. Mildred Marsden, the family matriarch, can only watch as the conflict takes her family in different directions with mixed fortunes. Using detailed research, we are transported back to the horrors of the trench warfare in Flanders and witness the effects on the serving soldier. We learn too about the bravery of the female volunteer ambulance crews as they strive to save the lives of the wounded in what has been described as the first example of 'industrial warfare'. At home, meanwhile, the social divide is all too apparent as life for many continues as normal in blissful ignorance of the sacrifices of others. Another gripping tale, carefully crafted to provide the reader with an insight into the world of our great, great grandparents at the time of their greatest challenges.

The Poppy Girls is the first title in The Maitland Trilogy, by bestselling author Margaret Dickinson. Even amidst the horror of the trenches, friendship will survive . . . Thwarted in her desire to become a doctor like her brother Robert, Pips Maitland rebels against her mother's wishes that she settle down and raise children. However, when Robert brings home a friend from medical school, Giles Kendall, it seems perhaps Pips might fall in love with an acceptable suitor after all. But the year is 1914 and the future is uncertain. Hearing that her father's friend, Dr John Hazelwood, is forming a flying ambulance corps to take to the front lines, Pips is determined to become one of its nurses and asks Alice Dawson, her maid, to go with her. Robert and Giles offer their services as doctors, and Alice's brother William joins them as a stretcher bearer. Nothing could have prepared them for the horrific sights they encounter. Moving their unit close to the fighting to offer first aid as quickly as possible puts them all in constant danger. But even amidst the barrage of shelling and gunfire, the unending stream of injured being brought to their post, the love between Pips and Giles survives and blossoms just like the poppies of Flanders fields. Fans of Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin will love The Poppy Girls. Continue the story of the Maitland family with The Brooklands Girls.

Tatiana L. Dubinskaya was a schoolgirl who ran away from home and served on the Eastern Front from 1916-17 as a soldier in the Russian army during World War I. She later became a writer and in 1930 recounted her personal experiences as a soldier in an autobiographical novel, called In the Trenches, published in Moscow. In 1936 she revised and republished a shorter version of her story under a new title, Machine Gunner. Both versions of her novel had much in common. Most of the characters and much of the storyline remained essentially the same, but there were a few notable exceptions, which included the addition of more revolutionary zeal to the main characters in Machine Gunner, which likely gave it greater appeal in Stalinist Russia. This revised edition of In the Trenches has been edited using select portions from Machine Gunner to provide greater clarity and context to Dubinskaya's original story. In the Trenches received critical acclaim when first published, being favorably compared with Erich Maria Remarque's 1929 classic World War I novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, which portrayed the stark realism of life in the trenches through the eyes of a young German soldier. Dubinskaya's character, Zinaida "Zina" Kramskaya, had similar experiences. In the Trenches was significant as it marked the first major account of a female soldier from World War I to be published in Russia. In April 1930 the United Press International reported that an American publisher had acquired the rights for an English edition of In the Trenches, but it never went into print. Russian censorship may have stopped the English edition. In the novel, Zina develops close ties to her brothers in arms, endures the hardships and stresses of war, is exposed to the undercurrents of revolutionary thinking in the ranks, and comes to grips with the disruptive effects of the czar's abdication in March 1917, which led to the wide-scale spread of a socialist revolution in the army. After returning home for a visit with her family, she wrestles with remaining and returning to a normal life. Eventually, she is drawn back to the theater of war. Back at the front in the wake of a revolution that overthrew the czar and the Romanov dynasty, she sees widespread changes sweeping across the army. The revolution has brought a provisional socialist government to power whose new policies cause havoc in the army. Soldiers' committees emerge to challenge traditional authority from the officers, and in some cases disgruntled soldiers summarily execute unfavorable officers without facing any repercussions. These sudden changes cause a massive destabilization in the army that leads many soldiers to desert and return home, including Zina's regiment. Although she was exposed to revolutionary propaganda, she is not an ardent revolutionary. Her story ends abruptly in the summer of 1917, several months before the November 1917 Bolshevik revolution.

In 1914, Britain faces a new kind of war. For Edward and Beatrice Hunter, their children, servants and neighbours, life will never be the same again. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Barbara Taylor-Bradford. For David, the eldest, war means a chance to do something noble; but enlisting will break his mother's heart. His sister Diana, nineteen and beautiful, longs for marriage. She has her heart set on Charles Wroughton, son of Earl Wroughton, but Charles will never be allowed to marry a banker's daughter. Below stairs, Cook and Ada, the head housemaid, grow more terrified of German invasion with every newspaper atrocity story. Ethel, under housemaid, can't help herself when it comes to men and now soldiers add to the temptation; yet there's more to this flighty girl than meets the eye. The once-tranquil village of Northcote reels under an influx of khaki volunteers, wounded soldiers and Belgian refugees. The war is becoming more dangerous and everyone must find a way to adapt to this rapidly changing world. Goodbye Piccadilly is the first book in the War at Home series by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, author of the much-loved Morland Dynasty novels. Set against the real events of 1914, Goodbye Piccadilly is extraordinary in scope and imagination and is a compelling introduction to the Hunter family.

Discover the Workhouse to War trilogy by Kay Brellend: a new saga series set in the Whitechapel Union workhouse in East London, between 1904 and 1916. . . Christmas Eve, 1909. Eleven-year-old Lily Larkin is left to fend for herself in an East London workhouse after her dying mother is taken to an infirmary: her future looks bleak. Once she is separated from her twin brother, Davy, her childhood hopes seem to shatter. But Lily's fierce spirit - along with her beloved new friends - help her to endure the miserable drudgery of life at South Grove Workhouse and its cruel supervisor, Miss Fox. When a handsome, smartly-dressed gentleman shows up at the workhouse, claiming to be her cousin and with an offer of employment, Lily seizes her chance to escape. But her new job is far from perfect, and her reunion with her brother isn't what she thought it would be. Still, she relishes her freedom from the workhouse, and, finding herself on the cusp of womanhood, is determined to embrace her new life - until a shocking secret from her past is uncovered. As everything she'd ever believed about herself is thrown into confusion, will Lily ever be able to rise above her past? Praise for Kay Brellend 'Vividly rendered' Historical Novel Society 'A fantastic cast of characters' Goodreads 'Thoroughly absorbing' Goodreads

'an emotional, captivating read which is perfect for anyone who loves a good saga!' Over The Rainbow Book Blog Even in the darkest of times, she never gave up hope Staffordshire, 1911. Ginnie Jones's childhood is spent in the shadow of the famous Potteries, living with her mother, father and older sister Mabel. But with Father's eyesight failing, money is in short supply, and too often the family find their bellies aching with hunger. With no hope in sight, Ginnie is sent to Haddon Workhouse. Separated from everything she has known, Ginnie has to grow up fast, earning her keep by looking after the other children with no families of their own. When she meets Clara and Sam, she hopes that she has made friends for life... until tragedy strikes, snatching away her newfound happiness. Leaving Haddon three years later, Ginnie finds work as a mouldrunner at the Potteries, but never stops thinking about her friends in the workhouse - especially Sam, now a caring, handsome young man. When Sam and Ginnie are reunited, their bond is as strong as ever - until Sam is sent to fight in WW1. Faced with uncertainty, can Ginnie find the joy that she's never had? Or will her heart be broken once again? An emotional, uplifting and nostalgic family saga that will make you smile, while tugging on your heart-strings. Fans of Sheila Newberry Kitty Neale and Sheila Riley will love this beautiful read. Readers are loving The Girl from the Workhouse: 'A poignant, emotional and heart-wrenching read...best read with a box of tissues handy' Bookish Jottings 'This truly was a fabulous story from beginning to end and I struggled to put it down!... richly detailed, beautifully written and the storyline along with the characters was enthralling' Rose is Reading 'heartbreaking, emotive and well researched...This is an easy,enjoyable and informative read, recommended for lovers of historical fiction.' Waggy Tales 'I highly recommend reading this and being transported back in time. An excellent historical fiction that had me compulsively turning the pages.' Books and Bookends 'Overall, I loved it. There were lots of moments that made me gasp and others that almost made me cry, and then there were those that made me smile and sigh.' Jess Bookish Life 'heartwarming and emotional. I absolutely love the story line...I really enjoyed the setting and the characters. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is definitely a book to read!' Jessica Belmont Book Reviews 'I'm quite astonished this is a debut novel... The characters came alive on the page, and it's a fully rounded story... A fabulous read' Grace J Reviewerlady 'an emotional, captivating read which is perfect for anyone who loves a good saga!... a fantastic read that quickly drew me into the story and kept my interest throughout with its fabulous plot.' Over The Rainbow Book Blog 'Ginnie is a likeable character from the off... I cried at some of the heartache she saw, and was so pleased with every small moment of happiness. You won't be able to put this one down.' Jennifer C Wilson 'the author winds her story around your person and snares your heart... Though filled with much darkness and despair, there is also hope and love' Insatiable Readers 'Johnson has a Cookson flair...she does capture the heart and soul of her characters.' Cheryl M-M Book Reviews 'a step back in time with a young protagonist who pulled on my heart strings...The friendship between her and Sam was especially heartwarming. I really enjoyed my first introduction to this author' By The Letter Book Reviews

The second heartwarming book in The Royal Station Master's Daughters series. For readers of Maisie Thomas and Daisy Styles. It is 1917 and Maria has adapted well to her new life on the royal Sandringham estate where she works as a maid in the Big House for Queen Alexandra and is in awe of the many treasures around her. It is two years since she turned up at the royal station master's house to escape her secret past, destitute and with nowhere else to turn. Having proven herself to Harry Saward and his daughters, she is now welcomed by them as one of the family. But when Nellie, a mysterious relative turns up, on the run from the law, Maria's new-found happiness could be under threat. Meanwhile, the impact of World War I is felt deeply in the community as the fate of missing men from the Sandringham Company, who fought in Gallipoli, is still unknown. Harry's daughters pull together to support each other and women on the royal estate as they face their sorrows and challenges. Ada's husband, Alfie, is away fighting on the front line while Beatrice is now a VAD nurse at a cottage hospital. Jessie has become a land army girl, proudly doing a man's job, while pining for her sweetheart Jack. In a community torn apart by loss and tragedy, how will the station master's family survive and find the happiness they're all searching for? The Royal Station Master's Daughters at War is the second book in a brand-new WWI saga series, inspired by the Saward family, who ran the station at Wolferton in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Through this family we get a glimpse into all walks of life - from royalty to the humblest of soldiers.