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Books > Fiction > Genre fiction > Sagas
Cast out by her family, she must find a new path...Madeleine Wyndham returns home from her Swiss finishing school to a whirlwind of social engagements and parties and to Hamilton Bramwell, the wealthy young man her parents are determined she will marry. But Madeleine's eye is caught by a young milkman, Freddy and she dreams of running away with him. However, when she finds herself pregnant, Freddy refuses to marry her and Madeleine is forced to leave by her family. Madeleine arrives in London, friendless and homeless until a chance meeting offers her hope for the future. Madeleine is faced with a tough decision to make, one which will change her life forever. An engrossing saga set in London during World War One, perfect for fans of Maggie Hope and Rosie Goodwin.
1665. It is five years since King Charles II returned from exile, the scars of the English Civil Wars are yet to heal and now the Great Plague engulfs the land. Alethea Hawthorne is safe inside the walls of the Calverton household as a lady's companion waiting in anticipation of the day she can return to her ancestral home of Measham Hall. But when Alethea suddenly finds herself cast out on the plague-ridden streets of London, a long road to Derbyshire lies ahead. Militias have closed their boroughs off to outsiders for fear of contamination. Fortune smiles on her when Jack appears, an unlikely travelling companion who helps this determined girl to navigate a perilous new world of religious dissenters, charlatans and a pestilence that afflicts peasants and lords alike. The Master of Measham Hall is the first book in a page-turning historical series. In lyrical prose, Anna Abney portrays the religious divides at the heart of Restoration England in a timeless novel about survival, love, and family loyalty. PRAISE FOR THE MASTER OF MEASHAM HALL 'It's rare for a historical novel to feel so timely.' Jo Baker, Sunday Times bestselling author of Longbourn 'Impeccably researched and wonderfully atmospheric, with a heroine you can't help rooting for.' Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man 'Exciting and immersive. It took me straight into the heart of Restoration England in all its rich and vivid detail. I was gripped! Such beautiful writing too - Anna is a stunning new talent.' Nicola Cornick, international bestselling author of House of Shadows 'A thoroughly engaging romp... By turns entertaining, surprising and thought-provoking, this is an impressive debut.' Jane Johnson, author of The Sea Gate 'A gripping depiction of what people will do to survive, the long-held beliefs and scruples questioned and cast aside as well as the unexpected kindnesses and unusual alliances made. In elegant prose, this enthralling novel puts a human face to the trials, terrors and enduring hopes of the plague years.' Catherine Meyrick, author of The Bridled Tongue 'A thrilling and original tale of reinvention! Death in a time of plague is expected. What happens to Abney's heroine Alethea is not. The Master of Measham Hall is a vivid and extraordinary journey of survival, and ultimately an exploration of what we gain and what we lose as we pass through this world.' VL Valentine, The Plague Letters 'A powerful and engaging story, full of good characters, satisfying plot turns, and excellent scene-setting. With all the details and insights on offer, it feels like a rich and rewarding panorama of English culture in the 1660s. The transformation of Alethea was wonderful to read, and genuinely gripping.' Richard Hamblyn
Secrets of the Jam Factory Girls is a moving saga novel of friendship set in the heart of pre-WWI London from bestselling author, Mary Wood. Elsie's worked her way up at Swift's Jam Factory from the shop floor to the top, and now it's her time to shine. But when she's involved in an incident involving her half-sister Millie's new husband, she is forced to keep it secret - the truth could threaten their sisterly bond. Dot is dogged by fear, coming to terms with her mother's rejection of her. She should be enjoying the happiness she craves with her beloved Cess; instead, she's trapped in an asylum, haunted by the horrifying cries of inmates. All she wants is to get married, but what chance is there for her if she's locked away? Millie is trying to build a life with her new husband. But the man she loves is not all he seems . . . Can the Jam Factory girls create the future they all deserve? This historical saga series begins with The Jam Factory Girls.
This is an enthralling saga of rags-to-riches on the eve of the First World War. September, 1914. Eighteen-year-old Daisy Gilbert is the star seamstress at Mrs Evans' prestigious gown shop in Southampton. Hard-working and well-liked by customers, she has also started to take on a few private clients to supplement her family's meagre finances. Daisy's ambition, ultimately, is not to marry her sweetheart, Jack, who works at the docks, but to set up her own dressmaking business. When her beloved father, ill with TB, is advised a stay at a private nursing-home, Daisy determines that she will find the money to pay for it. So a suggestion from one of her clients, the flamboyant Mrs Cummings, that she should work evenings as a waitress at the Solent Club, one of the town's upmarket brothels, is tempting. Though her mother is horrified, Daisy takes up the offer, reassured that she will only be working behind the bar. Young, innocent and beautiful, Daisy proves popular with the Club's clientele. But with success come further temptations, and danger too from some of the town's less-reputable inhabitants. Will Daisy be able to care for her father, and preserve her own virtue?
At the close of the First World War, two sisters' battles are only just beginning... The Leaving of Liverpool is a poignant saga about the friendship between sisters, the threat of dangerous men and the promise of true love in post-World War I Liverpool. It is 1919. Liverpool has been devastated by World War I. But at last the war is over. Emily Parkinson goes back into service and enjoys the return to normality. But her sister Phoebe-Anne has ideas beyond her station. Working as a lady's maid, Phoebe-Ann hopes that one day she will be more than just a friend to her mistress's shell-shocked brother James Mercer. When Emily is brutally attacked, the sisters' lives come close to ruin. Phoebe-Ann is forced to leave the Mercer household and falls into the arms of notorious Jake Malone. But as Emily recovers it seems that Phoebe-Anne might just be able to escape the mistakes of her past after all . . . What readers are saying about The Leaving of Liverpool: 'Really enjoyed every moment of this book. It's a page turner right from the start' 'Excellent read - five stars' 'Enthralling to the end'
Can this orphan ever fulfil her nursing dreams...? After her mother's death, Dora is sent to live with her father and his other family. But Dora is mixed race and illegitimate, two facts that see her treated as little more than a servant by her step-mother and half siblings. This doesn't stop the son of the house abusing his position and Dora finds herself on the streets and pregnant... Sent to the local workhouse, Dora's future looks bleak but she still dreams of a better life where she can help others as her late mother did with her herbal remedies. But can a girl from a workhouse ever achieve anything, let alone become one of Florence Nightingale's nurses?
She strolled the mall as if it were her private catwalk, men stopping her at every step. Grace was used to it though and paid it no mind. She stopped at the MAC counter on her way to Rich's to get a Chestnut lip liner and some lip gloss. A little later, she bought the sunglasses, played a few video games and was on her way home. Making her way back to the MARTA station, she noticed the same guy with the missing tongue attempting to preach on the sidewalk. She had to have been in the mall at least two hours and there he was still trying to get his point across. Now that's dedication, she thought. She thought about how she used to be intrigued by people like that old man. She wanted to go over there and let him know what he was doing was noticed and appreciated. Part of her also wanted to comfort him, although she was the one who was in desperate need of some love.
A moving and dramatic World War II land girl saga by the author of Lily's War and Bobby's War, winner of the RNA romantic saga award. For readers of Nancy Revell and Annie Groves. It's 1942 and at nineteen years old Hannah Compton has the world at her feet. But with World War II raging, the country is in turmoil, and Hannah decides to do her bit for the War effort. Hannah's beloved grandfather taught her to grow vegetables in his market garden and inspires her to become one of over 200,000 women joining the Land Army. Posted to Salhouse Farm on the outskirts of Norwich, Hannah is excited for the adventure ahead of her. But soon reality hits. Hannah is a city girl at heart and life in the countryside is not what she imagined. It's cold, she hates the hard work, she misses her friends back in Manchester, and she has to share a double bed with a stranger. As Hannah gets used to the punishing farm work and makes some friends, she starts to settle in. But she simply can't get used to living side by side with the German prisoners of war. Then a young German doctor steps in to save Hannah's life and everything she thought she knew is brought into question. In a country at war, will Hannah be prepared to risk everything for the enemy? 'Another exciting, emotion-filled celebration of the role of women on the home front' Lancashire Evening Post - - - - - - Praise for Shirley Mann: 'What a brilliant read . . . Bobby is a wonderful heroine.' Ginny Bell, author of The Dover Cafe at War on Bobby's War 'Plucky and resourceful, Bobby is exactly the sort of person you'd want at your side in real life.' Kitty Danton, author of A Wartime Christmas on Bobby's War '[The story] read so true to me and I really didn't want to put it down. . .' Vera Morgan, wartime WAAF on Lily's War 'An impeccably researched and uplifting story of love, loss and courage.' Clare Harvey, author of The Gunner Girl on Lily's War
In 1903 in oppressive Russia, fifteen-year-old Yussel Reinerman must masquerade as a Christian to be accepted as an apprentice shoemaker. Despite shearing his Orthodox earlocks, isolating himself from his family, and denying his culture, his guise is ultimately discovered. Desperate and on the run for his life, Yussel boards a ship for America, where he seeks the freedom to live fully, practice his religion, and pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. As the ship docks in Ellis Island, New York, after a hellacious two-week voyage, Yussel is anxious to put his newfound shoemaker skills to work. Despite knowing no one in America, Yussel still feels immensely relieved to have escaped the Russian madness. As he changes his name to Joseph and slowly begins building his new life in a country where he finally feels acceptance, he falls in love and marries Hannah, an Orthodox Jew who bears him two sons. Joseph can hardly believe his success as he and his family revel in the frenzied prosperity of the 1920s-but all of that is about to change. In the compelling sequel to "The Yellow Line, " Joseph must attempt to bring his family back together again after tragedy shatters their seemingly perfect life.
Born to enormous wealth and social standing, Barbara Lavette leaves her sumptuous home on San Francisco's Nob Hill to lead a life of adventure that takes her from the depression to the darkest days of World War II. Troubled by the conflicts of her dual inheritance and scornful of her mother's social world, Barbara sets out to build her own life in her own way, leading her to a Europe on the brink of Nazi terror. Along the way she falls deeply in love with a man of ardent passions and loyalties who risks his life to preserve the memories of the Jews who died in the concentration camps. How they survive a heartless tragedy set on destroying them is the surprise conclusion of this relentless, page turning novel.
Ida's shadow rose erect, and her black-eyed gaze, calm as the eye of the hurricane, rested on Geneva's face. 'Who's the father? Geneva gripped the sheets more tightly, her eyes blurring, her mind struggling to imagine the consequences of answering her question. Victor was in the war. The children were in Massachusetts. Her mind could focus no better than her eyes. Her whole body seized up as another wave of pain engulfed her. 'He can be made to take responsibility, you know. Tell me, said Ida. No. Geneva turned her face aside. She would write a letter to Massachusetts. Please forward. Victor would come home. Then they would face Ida and John Scarborough and the rest of the world, together. 'Well, are you going to tell me? 'N-no. I-I can take care of it. Victor could be here before John Scarborough could make her do anything. Please God 'Um-hum. Was it, by chance, my brother? Dear God. 'Tell me girl, or I give you my word, I won't help you. Geneva felt Victor had delivered her into the hands of a monster. 'Suzanne Morris excels in providing new dimensions to conventional narrative. -Dallas Morning News 'Suzanne Morris writes with all the bark off. dilemmas. She lets the presence of the past lean upon her unsuspecting characters. -Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch
During war, nothing is ever at it seems...Sally Hartley is a hopeless romantic. Her father died when she was a baby but she has lived off stories from her mother of what a wonderful man he was. Now, all she wants is a love like theirs. And she thinks she's found it in Adam, the brother of a friend from home. When Adam is posted to Orkney, it's like Sally's dreams have all come true. After Italy changes sides in the war, the Italian POWs are granted more freedom on the islands, meaning Sally can spend more time with her friend, Aldo, and the two grow ever closer. But when a family secret is revealed, Sally's trust might be forever broken. Sally, Iris and Mary must continue their duties even as life changes drastically around them, including an attack on one of their fellow Wrens from an unknown assailant. Now the friends face danger not just from the enemy, but also someone much closer to home. An uplifting and dramatic WWII saga for fans of Kate Thompson, Margaret Dickinson and Daisy Styles.
Don't miss the new summer novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan! A family wedding Catherine Swift is a bestselling romance author, but her personal story hasn't been quite so successful; three failed marriages have left her relationship with her daughters strained. Engaged once again, Catherine is counting on this wedding, at her villa in Corfu, to finally bring the family together. A summer of secrets Adeline can't believe her mother is getting married for a fourth time, or that she's expected to attend. It brings back the pain of her mother's infidelity and the baby who was the result. Not that she blames her half-sister Cassie, but then she's never tried to know her, either. Cassie, on the other hand, is thrilled by her mother's news - she's always admired Catherine's resilience, and is excited to meet the mystery groom. Cassie also has a secret of her own, and a summer in Corfu will give her the time she needs to process everything. A chance to start over again As the guests arrive on the island, and the big day approaches, Catherine begins to reveal secrets from her past, and suddenly both Cassie and Adeline realise that they don't know their mother at all . . .
When Holly Beckman inherits a quarter share of James Aspinall's antique shop, his dissolute son David and snobbish daughter Andrea are outraged. But the girl from the back streets of Lambeth has already faced enemies more daunting than the Mayfair smart set. Aided by her grandfather, Holly defies her father's drunken rages, her brother's criminal plans and David Aspinall's seductive charms. But she has one weakness. Christopher Deems, a handsome poet scarred by the Great War, drives Holly to a fateful decision between love and ambition. She cannot know that tragedy waits down each shadowed path.. 'She writes in bright colours with bold, confident strokes' Glasgow Herald
An inspiring and uplifting tale of women on the home front, for fans of Nancy Revell and Vicki Beeby. By the author of Lily's War. On the ground, the crowd of men stood with their mouths agape, watching the wings soar into the air, the tail kept impressively steady and the small plane with a woman at the controls disappearing into the May sunshine. It's 1942 and Bobby Hollis has joined the Air Transport Auxiliary in a team known as the 'glamour girls' - amazing women who pilot aircraft all around the country. Bobby always wanted to escape life on the family farm and the ATA seemed like the perfect opportunity for her. But there's always something standing in her way. Like a demanding father, who wants to marry her off to a rich man. And the family secrets that threaten to engulf everything. As Bobby navigates her way through life, and love, she has to learn that controlling a huge, four-engined bomber might just be easier than controlling her own life . . . 'What a brilliant read! Shirley Mann has given such a well-researched and comprehensive picture of the lives of the courageous women of the ATA, and Bobby is a wonderful heroine. Brave, clever and opinionated, I absolutely loved spending time with her.' Ginny Bell, author of The Dover Cafe at War 'Shirley Mann has given us in Bobby Hollis an inspiration. Plucky and resourceful as she delivers her WW2 aircraft, Bobby is exactly the sort of person you'd want at your side in real life today. This is a perfect read when all you want to do is curl up to enjoy a lovely novel. Brava!' Kitty Danton, author of The Evacuee Christmas 'Rich in period detail, nostalgia, intrigue, romance and the realities of life in a perilous and unpredictable corner of the home front, Bobby's War is a saga full of history, heart and our proud national heritage.' Lancashire Evening Post Don't miss Lily's War, and Hannah's War, available now. - - - - - - - - - - - - - Readers love Bobby's War: 'I loved this book. A fabulous read.' Netgalley reviewer 'If you love family sagas based in the war, this is the book for you.' Netgalley reviewer 'An emotional journey throughout.' Netgalley reviewer Praise for Lily's War: '[The story] read so true to me and I really didn't want to put it down . . . It may be fiction but those things could, and did, happen.' Vera Morgan, wartime WAAF 'An impeccably researched and uplifting story of love, loss and courage: a heartwarming read that will captivate all those who love a good war story.' Clare Harvey, author of The Gunner Girl 'A wonderful, inspiring story. I can't wait to read more from Shirley Mann.' Sheila Newberry
A war that could turn friends into enemies, lovers into fighters . . . Summer 1935. In Margaret Pemberton's Beneath the Cypress Tree best friends Kate Shelton, Ella Tetley and Daphne St. Maur are on the cusp of a new life, having graduated with Classics degrees. Kate is desperate to start work on an archaeological dig straightaway and she is thrilled to be given a position at the famous Knossos palace site in Crete. However, she doesn't bargain for working with gruff site director Lewis Sinclair - nor for her own complex feelings towards him. In Yorkshire, Ella's family expect her to marry Sam, her steady friend who is training to be a doctor, but Ella too feels pulled to the Mediterranean by the promise of freedom. When she meets Christos, life as a country GP's wife seems even less appealing . . . Daphne however throws herself into London's high society, falling madly in love with diplomat and heir Sholto Hertford - but then his work brings them to Crete, and Daphne becomes enchanted by the island as well. Meanwhile, the threat of war rumbles on, as reports of Hitler's rapid expansion across Europe become impossible to ignore. It seems that nothing can touch the perfect, glittering sea and snow-capped mountains, but Kate, Ella and Daphne know that the island haven they now call home will never be the same again.
She longed to be reunited with her family. The compelling new novel from the Sunday Times top ten bestselling author of The Workhouse Girl. 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. She has never forgotten her loving family and is determined to find out what happened to them - once and for all. |
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