The start of a brand NEW series from bestselling author Rosie ClarkeCambridgeshire - March 1939 As the clouds of war begin to gather in Europe, the Talbot family of rural Blackberry Farm will be torn apart, just as so many families all over the world will be. Life will never be the same again. Whilst in London, the Salmons family will feel the pain of parting and loss. Brought together by war, the two families become intertwined and, as the outlook looks bleak, they must draw on each other's strength to fight through the hard times. Lizzie Johnson and Tom were sweethearts until a mistake caused a terrible rift. Lizzie takes herself off to London to heal the pain in a glamorous new job but she still loves Tom. His pride has been hurt - but deep down inside Tom still cares. Can they find happiness before their chance is gone and the whole world is swept into the terrible madness of war?

Justin Windsor's conventional, patrician life drastically changes in September of 1960, when he enrolls at the Hill, a liberal arts college steeped in tradition and tucked away in the pastoral environs of America's northeast. It's here that Justin and three college roommates embark on a lifelong journey. Th e lives of Justin, Nick Gensini, Marc Goldstein, and Chuck Mitchell become intertwined as they navigate coming of age in a world choked by war, civil strife, drugs, and protest. But harrowing choices their parents have made in the name of ideology and self-preservation are about to complicate the course of their lives.

DESCENT FROM THE HILL portrays the wistful idealism of 1960s' generation youth. Conspiracies and secret pacts that span continents and lifetimes-from Nazi Germany to Fascist Italy, Switzerland to South America, Vietnam to Berkeley and the Reagan-era United States-ultimately lead to revelations of personal betrayals and corruption at the highest levels of leadership.

Powerful, fascinating, and scholarly-a thought-provoking novel The author has expertly weaved together several complex stories of disparate but warm human relationships that develop during the crescendo of an era plagued by world shaking chaos. Characters are so believable, so clearly developed, and their dialogue so realistic, that readers will imagine themselves in the room, listening in on thought provoking conversation. All this wrapped up in an exciting page turner that's just fun to read.
-Carolyn and Jack Fleming, authors of THINKING PLACES: WHERE GREAT IDEAS WERE BORN

Weaving an intriguing web of conspiracy that springs from the voracious tentacles of "despots and god-brokers in collusion," DESCENT FROM THE HILL takes a vivid look at the sinister wages of war, governmental deceit, and hidden agendas. It's all here in this poignant tale of tyranny and betrayal.
-Antoinette Pannard, author of MEPHISTO ON WING

A country divided by the American Civil War is unaware that now an even greater danger exists: a country divided into thirds. The most powerful nations on earth -- England, France, and Spain -- plan a simultaneous attack on the United States from all four directions to reclaim the land in the New World that was once theirs.

On a cold January night in 1865, conspirators meet in a London pub to plot the fate of America. Three of them will be instrumental in carrying out the ambitious plan. British Major Josiah Sterling, as a special observer of the War, has access to top American military and government officials. Jeanetta Boudreaux, the widow of a fallen Confederate, has traveled from New Orleans to help her beloved South. Juan Carlos Ramirez holds a banking position of authority in California and the American West.

As the Divine Plan unfolds, love sprouts between Josiah and Jeanetta, fully blooming as the fateful day of invasion draws near. But love can be distracting. Will the conspirators successfully derail America's chance at reunifying the Union, or will personal emotions put them all at risk?

This historical novel is so intertwined with such a myriad of facts that one may wonder: is it indeed fiction -- or was it true?

Margaret is not a conventional woman of the early-nineteenth century. She's not interested in pretty dresses and tea parties, but instead longs for adventure in the great outdoors. Margaret convinces her father, William, to seek opportunity in the fur trade business.

They embark on a journey that follows the Louis and Clark route along the Missouri River into Blackfoot country to trade for beaver skins. As she gains freedom from the social structures that bind her in the East, she doesn't anticipate the changes this new life brings. The travelers face an array of challenges from the weather, wild animals, and the native Indian tribes.

Margaret thrives in this wild country, where she catches sight of Taima, the Thunder Horse, who refuses to be caught. Together with Night Hawk, a warrior in the Black Horse Band of the Kainah Blackfoot, they both seek to capture this beautiful, wild horse. Night Hawk believes the elusive Taima will fulfill his dreams. He doesn't expect his plans-or his life-to be complicated by a Long Knife woman with similar dreams.

Margaret, Night Hawk, and Taima gain honor and strength from each other-a strength that is shared with the Black Horse Band-providing a link to the future that could have been.

Confederate Colonel H. Clay King tries to help the widow of his commanding officer when she and her family lose everything by inviting them to move onto his Arkansas plantation. But Mary Eliza Pillow has more in mind than gratitude. The beautiful young widow seduces the married colonel, chases his wife off the property by alleging an affair between Mrs. King and a farm worker, and persuades the colonel to give her the deed to his property. When Colonel King reconsiders that decision, she reminds him of his darkest secret from the War--would his beautiful lover betray him in order to take his property? Refusing to divorce his wife, Colonel King is both relieved and miserable when Mrs. Pillow is persuaded by her family to leave his home. But the ever-determined widow records her deed as she leaves Arkansas, infuriating Colonel King and beginning a path of destruction that ends in murder. Based on a true story, A Serpent Cherished recounts the tangled tale of a nineteenth century woman determined to use any means--lies, scandal, lawsuits--to get what she wants and a vulnerable man driven to do anything to protect his honor.

1595. Puerto Rico. The Aquino Plantation is a world of wealth, tradition, and loyalty to Spain. For sixteen year-old Soledad it is a world of empty rituals and hypocrisy. Until the night she is captured by pirates. The night she meets Captain Luna Negra. Luna Negra is a pirate. He lives in a world of violence and betrayal. His life has been dedicated to the destruction of the Spanish rule. Until he meets Soledad. Now, their lives can no longer be the same. Soledad must face what it means to be a lady of Spain, the fiancee of headstrong Captain Rodrigo de las Rosas, and a silent member of a society trapped in the past. Luna Negra must question his place as the leader of his men, his part in a society that shuns him, and his blind desire for revenge. United in their search for freedom, Soledad and Luna Negra must find their true destiny.

Can you leave the past behind and embrace the future? - A brand new series from Tracy Baines. 'A new saga author has arrived. The Women of Fisher's Wharf is a joy to read' - AnneMarie Brear Great Grimsby, 1912 Newlywed fisherman Alec Hardy decides to make a fresh start with his young wife Letty and move to the thriving fishing port of Grimsby in search of a brighter future. Letty is from farming stock and knows nothing of the hard life as a fishermen's wife but is willing to embrace the challenge with Alec. But where Alec goes, so does his widowed mother, Dorcas and she has trouble coming to terms with taking second place in her son's life. With Alec at sea for weeks on end, the two women clash and Letty seeks escape from her bitter mother-in-law amongst the streets of Fish Dock Wharf. Can Letty help them break free from the shadows of the past or will she be bound by Dorcas' insistence that they cling to the old ways? Praise for Tracy Baines: 'A saga about ambition, hard work, courage ...and spite'. Rosie Clarke I highly recommend this book.' Fenella Miller 'An emotional, entertaining read that had me gripped!' Sheila Riley 'An absorbing saga. I loved it from the very beginning and would highly recommend it...' Elaine Roberts 'Terrific - beautifully written. A well-crafted and satisfying story' Maisie Thomas 'A pleasure from start to finish.' Glenda Young 'an evocative, busy, entertaining read vying with angst, and of course, more than a dollop of tension.' Margaret Graham, Frost Magazine 'Characterisation is one of the book's strong points - the individual characters stay in your mind long after you finish the story.' Barbara Dynes, The Voice'I just loved this book! Molly Walton