In his family, "Let's not talk about the past," has always meant "Let's not talk about anything at all." But now in his middle age, Alasdair has a burning need to know about his parents' lives in Ceylon and the way in which his father died. So when, nearing the end of her life, his mother gives him a bundle of wartime letters, he soaks up every word, piecing together the glamorous expat lives of his parents and his own childhood, even returning to Ceylon to see where his father is buried. But while much is revealed in the letters, much is concealed too and Alasdair is rocked by what he finds out. Why did his mother never mention his older sister? Why, to the very end, had she not talked about her past? Why were the circumstances surrounding the death of his father so mysterious? And what exactly had happened to her in South Africa during World War Two? Baggage Reclaimed is in turn comic and tragic, inspiring and heart-breaking, a powerful evocation of the recent colonial past and a richly engaging story of discovery.

This is a novel that opens in 1900 and is set in the cotton mills area around Rochdale, Lancashire. Lord James lives in a manor house with his family. He owns a mill and the workers' cottages. He is a good employer, ahead of his time. Life was grim in 1900 and life expectancy short. The author transports us back to glimpse life as it was over 100 years ago, through the sad and happy times. Her style is flowing and the book is entertaining and realistic. Read it and enjoy it. Recommended.

Daniel Godwin is determined to join the British Army to fight against the Nazi scourge. His impetuousness leads him to having a brief affair with the wife of a good friend and mentor who ran the local cadet force. She bears a child. Initially guilt ridden he marries her after hearing of his friend's death in northern France. Another child is born. Having served in Palestine, luckily surviving at Dunkerque and returning safely from North Africa he joins the 1st Airborne battalion whose mission was to take the bridge at Arnhem. Shortly before leaving England he receives a letter which shocks him to the core. He became adamant he would not return home and was taken prisoner in Oosterbeek. In the meantime, back in the city of Bath, Robbie Goode, along with some old acquaintances, unravels the mystery of a series of murders. Stella, Daniel Godwin's wife is implicated, but why?

A tale of wool-trading and church-building in the Cotswolds, against a background of changing loyalties, conflict and danger when there were two Kings of England. In the foreground is Lydia Woolman of Northleach whose friends are Isabel and Anne Neville, the daughters of the Earl and Countess of Warwick. The magnificence and sure foundation of the Church, both building and institution, contrast with the shifting fortunes of the warring factions.

From the bestselling author of The Paris Model comes another breathtaking story of glamour, romance and espionage. Success would depend on taking a dangerous risk. When Blaise Hill, a feisty young journalist from one of Sydney's toughest neighbourhoods, is dispatched to London at the dawn of the swinging sixties to report on Princess Margaret's controversial marriage to an unconventional photographer, she is drawn into an elite realm of glamour and intrigue. As the nation faces an explosive upheaval, Blaise must grapple with a series of shocking scandals at the pinnacle of British society. Yet, haunted by a threat from her past and torn between two very different men, who can she trust in a world of hidden motives and shifting alliances? If she makes the wrong choice, she will lose everything. Inspired by real events, The Royal Correspondent is a compelling story of love and betrayal, family secrets and conspiracy that takes you from the gritty life of a daily newspaper to the opulent splendour of Buckingham Palace. Praise for The Royal Correspondent: 'Combines romance, a splash of espionage and lots of glamour, inspired by real events' Australian Women's Weekly 'It will sweep you up with its winning combination of historical facts and fabulous fiction' Herald Sun 'Vividly brings the swinging '60s to life' Who Weekly 'This engaging read has it all - glamour, intrigue, gossip, espionage, romance and fashion ... it's a gripping read with well-drawn characters ... a well woven tale set on the cusp of changing times' Weekly Times 'A fabulous story, with an extremely compelling protagonist at its heart ... Joel has hit her stride here' Better Reading 'A world of glamour, intrigue and scandal' Woman's Day 'Engaging characters and a well-paced story line brimming with social history, romance, and mystery will captivate readers across genres' Booklist 'An engrossing story [which] will keep readers turning the pages' Publishers Weekly

Suggested by actual events this historical crime novel presents Roman Britain in a new and exciting light. Taking place in the 140s A.D (Roman years 892-897) it features the problems and dangers encountered by senior investigator Albinus Felix in a land of 105 towns and a population of 2.5 million, often with governor Lollius Urbicus away in the north which had never been pacified as had the south east. A new wall beyond Hadrian's was demanded by the emperor, causing more problems than it solved by taking troops from the midlands and south. The governor, admiral and many other characters actually lived at this time.

ABDUCTION Isandro is thirteen years old when his parents are denounced and Franco's Nationalists take them by force from their village home. The boy's unusually keen sense of hearing warns him of the soldiers' approach and his father just has time to hide him. One of the attackers returns stealthily and through a crack in the floorboards, Isandro watches him. It is a face he will never forget. ESCAPE Now alone and distrustful of the villagers, the boy escapes to a cave in the high Sierra of the wild Alpujarran mountains of Andalucia. His companions are wild boar, mountain goats, lynx, gigantic eagleowls, rabbits, hawks, deer and vipers and ultimately an abandoned hunting dog terrified of guns. SURVIVAL His lone survival, his journey into manhood and his unrelenting quest for justice, lead him to an awareness of passionate love and to the discovery of the secret of his birth.

Towards the latter part of the 16th century, the power held by the Catholic Church in Scotland was to be wrested from Rome and replaced by the reformed movement of Protestantism. Various methods of coercion were employed to recruit converts, accusations of witchcraft and direct aggravation against the Catholic establishment were common ploys. When Fyreback's family becomes embroiled in this reformation, it becomes personal. Once again the cleaver sings its anthem of death, this time to protect the rights of the common man.

Gedurende die Eerste Wêreldoorlog staan Susan Nell voor die deur van een van die private sale van ’n Britse militêre hospitaal. Op die deur is ’n enkele naam aangebring. Sy ken daardie naam. Sestien jaar tevore was sy gedurende die Anglo-Boereoorlog in die Winburgse konsentrasiekamp, en dit is waar sy daardie naam leer ken het. Sy lig haar hand om daardie deur oop te maak. Haar hand bewe onbeheerbaar. Maar sy is ’n psigiatriese verpleegster en dit is wat sy moet doen, getraumatiseerde soldate terugbring na die lig. As daardie soldaat egter die een is wat sestien jaar te vore met sy heupe alle lig uit jou gestamp het, is dit nie so voor die hand liggend nie. Susan Nell huiwer voordat sy die deur oopmaak, sy wik en weeg desperaat – sy wankel op die drumpel tussen lewe en dood.

Kamphoer is die ware verhaal van ’n vrou wat gedurende die Anglo-Boereoorlog wreedaardig verkrag en vir die aasvoëls weggegooi is. Met die hulp van ’n reeks weldoeners ontsnap sy aan die kloue van die dood en wy uiteindelik haar lewe aan die genesing van presies die soort trauma waaraan sy onderworpe was. En in die proses kom sy weer haar verkragters teë . . .

In Kamphoer word die weerbarstigheid van die menslike gees opgeweeg teen die ewe blywende invloed van trauma. Dit is ’n sielkundige riller wat jou tot op die laaste bladsy in sy yskoue greep sal hou.

Winning the Battle of the Atlantic was crucial to Britain's survival in the Second World War. Submarine Commander Scott Hardy's life was in turmoil. His search for a solution to the spy ring in Portland Dockyard and his wife's infidelity left him in a state of confusion. Long and arduous patrols fighting the U-Boat Wolf Packs were a priority over his personal life. Co-opted to unearth the traitors at the Portland Underwater Research Centre, his discoveries lead him into a world of subterfuge nearer to home than he expected. Countess Annalisa de Lorraine, a mysterious refugee from Nazi persecution is not what she seems. As the war ends Scott joins her in her search for her roots in war torn Germany with an explosive ending that shatters her dream of finally finding peace.

From the Sunday Times No.1 Bestselling author comes the latest instalment in an epic multi-million selling series, The Seven Sisters.

To the outside world, Electra D’Aplièse seems to have it all: as one of the world’s top models, she is beautiful, rich and famous.

Yet Electra’s already tenuous control over her state of mind has been rocked by the death of her father, Pa Salt, the elusive billionaire who adopted his six daughters from across the globe. Struggling to cope, she turns to alcohol and drugs. As those around her fear for her health, Electra receives a letter from a stranger claiming to be her grandmother . . .

In 1939, Cecily Huntley-Morgan arrives in Kenya from New York to nurse a broken heart. Staying with her godmother, a member of the infamous Happy Valley set, she meets Bill Forsythe, a notorious bachelor and cattle farmer with close connections to the proud Maasai tribe. But after a shocking discovery, and with war looming, Cecily has few options. Moving up into the Wanjohi Valley, she is isolated and alone. Until she meets a young woman in the woods and makes her a promise that will change the course of her life for ever.

The Sun Sister is the sixth breathtaking instalment in Lucinda Riley’s multi-million selling epic series, The Seven Sisters.

‘Heart-wrenching, uplifting and utterly enthralling. The Seven Sisters series is Lucinda Riley at the top of her game: a magical storyteller who creates characters we fall in love with and who stay with us long after we finish reading. Dazzlingly good.’ Lucy Foley, bestselling author of The Hunting Party

"We are not going any further until you tell me why yet another fiance seems intent on wringing your neck. " Georgiana da Silva is catapulted out of the Victorian drawing rooms and into a world of danger when she escapes her fiendish fiance to engage in a mad dash across the world to save her brother before an unknown assassin can find him. Meanwhile, Captain Harry Trent is setting sail for New Zealand. With a mission to complete and the law on his heels, he's got enough trouble of his own without further complications. Thrown together, unable to trust anyone, Georgiana and Harry are intent on fulfilling their missions despite the distractions of the other. But liberty comes at a price and the closer they get, the more they must question the true cost of being free.

It is the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Rabbi Howell of Sheffield United, the first Romany to play for England, knows his career is peaking and the only way is down. His fate seems to be a return to obscurity, literally and metaphorically, back down the pit, his life ruled by the winding wheel and the domestic pattern set by his wife, Selina, her parents and family. He then meets Ada and risks throwing away career, home, everything. Follow Rab, Selina, Ada and the United through this turbulent, historic year.

Mother and Child by Sunday Times bestseller Annie Murray is a moving story of loss, friendship and hope over two generations . . . Jo and Ian's marriage is hanging by a thread. One night almost two years ago, their only child, Paul, died in an accident that should never have happened. They have recently moved to a new area of Birmingham, to be near Ian's mother Dorrie who is increasingly frail. As Jo spends more time with her mother-in-law, she suspects Dorrie wants to unburden herself of a secret that has cast a long shadow over her family. Haunted by the death of her son, Jo catches a glimpse of a young boy in a magazine who resembles Paul. Reading the article, she learns of a tragedy in India . . . But it moves her so deeply, she is inspired to embark on a trip where she will learn about unimaginable pain and suffering. As Jo learns more, she is determined to do her own small bit to help. With the help of new friends, Jo learns that from loss and grief, there is hope and healing in her future. 'Humane, heartbreaking yet hopeful. Annie Murray at her absolute best.' - Kate Thompson, author of Secrets of the Homefront Girls

They loved to the full - and fought to the death... Like his father before him, Andrew Maclaren was born to lead the 148th Foot Regiment. But his life changed forever when he found Maud Westburn brutalised and homeless in the horror of the Indian mutiny. Society decreed that he give her up. But his heart insisted that he keep her... THE MACLARENS is the first part of a compelling series which traces the fortunes of a family and a regiment - a novel of passionate love and ultimate sacrifice.

As the twentieth century approaches, this is a story of blood and battle, of love and passion The new generation serving with Scotland's proudest Regiment are destined to lead a life of action every bit as far-flung and exciting as their fathers'. For Donald Bruce, this turbulent time begins when he is unable to order the death of one of his own men; for Ian Maclaren, when he falls in love with the beautiful but illegitimate Naomi. From the burning deserts of the Sudan to the infinite veldt of South Africa, from the windswept Highlands to fashionable London, this is the second part of a powerful series following the Maclaren family.

The magnificent Maclarens march to war... The year is 1914: the last summer of innocence before the outbreak of the Great War, a time for frivolity and flirting. For Naomi Bruce there is a chance to plot and scheme; for Rebecca Galloway a chance to win a man's heart; for the Maclarens - family, clan and regiment - a last chance to savour the joys of summer in the Scottish Highlands. But when the storm of war breaks over Europe, old plans must be abandoned and new ones must be made, because Scotland's proudest regiment is heading off to battle... Beloved Soldiers is the triumphant climax of an epic saga which traces the fortunes of a family and a regiment - a novel of love, passion, bravery and sacrifice.