Jenine heard Jessica in the kitchen suddenly scream and a loud thump on the floor. Maria gasped shocked by her mother's sudden whale of pain coming out of her. Jessica had a knife in one hand and a potatoe in the other. Both items fell to the floor. Maria quickly dropped the bowl full of potatoe peels from her hands and hurried to the ground. Close to her mothers aid. She held her hand for a moment unsure of what to do. "I will go get pappa ok mama," she announced. Jessica was in so much pain she did not even respond to Maria. Maria determined with tears in her eyes scared for her mama quickly ran out the back door to go get Salvador.

Life is not easy in the Soviet Union at mid-20th century, especially for a factory worker who becomes an unwed mother. But Antonina is lucky to get a room in a communal apartment that she and her little girl share with three old women. Glikeria is the daughter of former serfs. Ariadna comes from a wealthy family and speaks French. Yevdokia is illiterate and bitter. All have lost their families, all are deeply traditional, and all become grannies to little Suzanna. Only they secretly name her Sofia. And just as secretly they impart to her the history of her country as they experienced it: the Revolution, the early days of the Soviet Union, the blockade and starvation of World War II. The little girl responds by drawing beautiful pictures, but she is mute. If the authorities find out she will be taken from her home and sent to an institution. When Antonina falls desperately ill, the grannies are faced with the reality of losing the little girl they love unless a stepfather can be found before it is too late. And for that, they need a miracle.

1913 Lydia Miller, daughter of a German doctor, is training to become a nurse when she first meets debonair Robert Ravening, the nephew of a Lord and a keen aviator and promptly falls in love. When the Great War begins in 1914, Robert enlists with the Royal Flying Corps and as a nurse, determined to help all she can, Lydia is sent to France. But her love affair with Robert has more than one consequence as secrets and sins are disclosed. Also being both British and German Lydia finds herself in No Man's Land, suspected by one and imprisoned by the other. Previously published as Home for Christmas Praise for Lizzie Lane: 'A gripping saga and a storyline that will keep you hooked' Rosie Goodwin 'The Tobacco Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and friendship and a must-read for all saga fans.' Jean Fullerton 'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of factory girls, redolent with life-affirming friendship, drama, and choices that are as relevant today as they were then.' Catrin Collier 'If you want an exciting, authentic historical saga then look no further than Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J Miller

Micah Hartman and Damon Hall first meet in the frontier river town of Reed's Landing, Wisconsin in the 1850's. Micah, the son of one of the town's leading lumbermen, embodies the West but seeks more from his life than the perpetual cycle of lumbering. Damon, educated at Harvard's Divinity School, comes to "the Landing" an idealistic young cleric seeking to do God's will. Despite what they may have planned for their lives, the Civil War gives them different paths to tread. The old friends are united as members of the Seventh Wisconsin--soon to become part of the famous "Iron Brigade." Micah, an infantryman, and Damon, the Seventh's chaplain, are forever changed inside the crucible of combat where they are forced to face war's death, pain, and suffering. After the war, life continues. The men find wives and dream of children. Young men become older men; older men discover regret. It is only after forty years at each other's side that the truth comes out. An aged ledger appears that casts a shadow of doubt on the integrity of one of these men, and that shadow could forever darken a lifelong friendship.