It's 1942 and Dorothy Taylor, now eighteen, dreams of distant lands far from the grey backstreets of Rotherhithe where she has spent all her life. As the war rages on, excitement comes in the form of the Americans posted in London. Although Dolly is engaged to Tony, a boy from her street who has been called up, she can't help but fall in love with Joe, a dashing American GI who eventually asks her to marry him. But America is not all she imagined it would be, and she's shocked by the cool welcome Joe's mother gives her. As she struggles to make friends and understand the man she's married, Dorothy begins to realise that she made a terrible mistake when she walked away from Tony, and wonders if he even remembers the innocent young girl who broke his heart. Only when she returns to Rotherhithe can she find out if there is still a chance of happiness for the two of them.

Since her husband passed away, Simone's days in Australia have become repetitive and predictable. Her friends are driving her mad introducing her to eligible men and her busy daughters are no better, always wanting her available for babysitting. When she is offered a house swap, she takes the opportunity to begin a new chapter of her life in England. Meanwhile, in Wiltshire, wildlife photographer Russ has just taken possession of a new house to enjoy the quiet of the countryside while he recovers from a serious injury. Little does he expect to be so taken with his temporary next-door neighbour from the other side of the world .

Three sisters. Three journeys. One destination. In 1863 the authorities send Irish orphans Ismay and Mara to Australia against their will. Just when they thought it couldn't get any worse, on arrival they're separated from one another. While Ismay is forced to take a job as a maid miles away in the country, Mara must stay in the care of the catholic mission. Desperate to be reunited, they both run away but Ismay soon runs into danger out in the bush. She is saved by Malachi Firth, but although he's attracted to her, he doesn't want to be encumbered with a wife. Meanwhile, their elder sister Keara has not forgotten them. But she has had her own struggles to face and by the time she reaches Melbourne in search of her sisters, she finds that the trail is cold. Danger continues to threaten all three girls and they start to wonder: will they ever see one another again? ******************** What readers are saying about TWOPENNY RAINBOWS 'This is one of the best books I have ever read' - 5 stars 'Once again I couldn't put it down . . . An excellent read' - 5 stars 'Another fantastic book' - 5 stars

Amidst the turmoil and disruption of 1950s Notting Hill, young mother Daisy Rivers has created a small pocket of tranquility in the bedsit she shares with her two daughters. Her life is by no means perfect but it is a far cry from the lonely years she spent in an orphanage as a child. Meanwhile in the plush surroundings of the Cliff Head Hotel in Torquay, June, the sister Daisy hasn't seen since they were separated by adoption, is close to despair. A life of wealth and privilege and a happy marriage aren't enough to erase the legacies of her past and a terrible secret, ignored for too long, forces her to seek out the sister she hasn't seen in almost twenty years...

Francine Champion loves her life working as a mechanic at her uncle's Leicester garage. But when Eddie Taylor starts seeing her best friend, Stella, Frankie can't help feeling uneasy. Eddie's certainly charming, but Frankie can see he's a bad lot. She's shocked, then, when she finds out it's she, Frankie, that Eddie wants. Within days he's broken up her relationship with her steady boyfriend, ruined her friendship with Stella and started pursuing her so relentlessly that before she knows it, Frankie has agreed to marry Eddie. After a year the marriage is going well and Frankie can't think why she had doubts about her husband. But she should have trusted her first instincts, because Eddie is far more dangerous than she ever imagined...

'Brilliantly written . . . I loved it.' Rosie Goodwin The first book in a brand-new World War II saga series. Perfect for readers of Ellie Dean, Annie Groves and for fans of the Home Fires series. Dover, 1939 At the heart of Market Square lies Castle's Cafe, run by the formidable Nellie Castle and her six children. Since the scandalous birth of her son ten years ago, Marianne, Nellie's eldest daughter, has preferred to stay in the kitchen, hidden away from the scrutiny of the town gossips. Overcome with shame, she has never revealed the identity of Donny's father - not even to her own mother. But with World War II just around the corner, soon Marianne's past catches up with her. And suddenly the lives of the Castle family become a lot more complicated. Will the secrets from her past destroy their future? Don't miss the next exciting instalment in the Dover Cafe Series, The Dover Cafe on the Front Line. Available in ebook now and paperback September 2021. And the third book, The Dover Cafe Under Fire is available to pre-order now. - - - - - Readers love The Dover Cafe at War: 'A brilliant evocation of a family and community pulling together in wartime. Full of drama, laughter, and nail biting cliff hangers. A triumph!' Annie Clarke, author of The Factory Girls series 'Well-researched and expertly written . . . Perfect for those days when all you want is a book to lose yourself in.' Fiona Ford, author of The Liberty Girls 'A joyous read, the sort of book to read in one sitting.' Kitty Danton, author of A Wartime Christmas 'A rattling good novel that gives the reader a front seat at the Dover cafe during World War 2 . . . a really good start to what looks to be a fascinating saga.' Shirley Mann, author of Lily's War 'Brilliantly researched, written with warmth and insight, brimming with emotion and drama, and starring a cast of superbly drawn characters who are guaranteed to touch the hearts of readers everywhere.' Lancashire Post 'What a brilliant book . . . can't wait to read the next one.' Netgalley reviewer 'This book is such a joy to read.' Netgalley reviewer 'This was a wonderful read. Looking forward to the next in the series.' Netgalley reviewer

As World War Two enters its final year, Ruth Bentley feels life has dealt her more than her fair share of blows. She's lost her home in a bomb attack, and with her husband in the army, her daughters evacuated to Wales, and her mother killed and father injured in the attack, Ruth is left to face the devastation alone. But she finds comfort in the camaraderie of the Civil Defence office where she works and in her friendship with Lucy, a clippie on the buses. Lucy's husband is at sea, and the two women dream of the day when they'll be reunited with their loved ones. But as victory approaches, Ruth finds that the legacy of war is more powerful than even she had imagined...

The Street Orphans is an emotional story set in 1850s Lancashire, from Mary Wood, the author of In Their Mother’s Footsteps and Brighter Days Ahead.

Born with a club foot in a remote village in the Pennines, Ruth is feared and ridiculed by her superstitious neighbours who see her affliction as a sign of witchcraft. When her father is killed in an accident and her family evicted from their cottage, she hopes to leave her old life behind, to start afresh in the Blackburn cotton mills. But tragedy strikes once again, setting in motion a chain of events that will unravel her family’s lives.

Their fate is in the hands of the Earl of Harrogate, and his betrothed, Lady Katrina. But more sinister is the scheming Marcia, Lady Katrina’s jealous sister. Impossible dreams beset Ruth from the moment she meets the Earl. Dreams that lead her to hope that he will save her from the terrible fate that awaits those accused of witchcraft. Dreams that one day her destiny and the Earl’s will be entwined.

North Yorkshire, September 1940. It's a year since war was first announced and the dangers are becoming all too real for Rosina Calvert-Lazenby and her courageous daughters. When Raven Hall is requisitioned by the army, Rosina must do all she can to protect her family home from the rowdy troops. After Rosina's burgeoning relationship with young sergeant Harry is interrupted as he's posted abroad, the arrival of an older officer who takes a keen interest in her could also spell trouble... Meanwhile, Rosina's fearless second daughter, twenty-year-old Evelyn Calvert-Lazenby, decides to join the Auxiliary Fire Service. Determined to help with the Blitz effort in London, she faces extreme danger. Two kind professional firemen, the Bailey brothers, take her under their wing to help protect and guide her. But with the bombings getting worse, there can be no guarantees... Who will be safe? How can Rosina protect all those she loves? And is love still possible with such high stakes? Praise for Mollie Walton: 'A Journey. Compelling. Addictive' Val Wood 'Beautiful and poignant' Tania Crosse 'Feisty female characters, an atmospheric setting ... A phenomenal read' Cathy Bramley 'Great characters who will stay with me for a long time' Beth Miller 'Evocative, dramatic and hugely compelling. I loved it' Miranda Dickinson

A Sunday Independent Book of the Year Against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution and Europe's sexual revolution, the fates of two families in London and Beijing become unexpectedly intertwined, in this dazzling new novel from the author of Mrs Engels. In London, sisters Iris and Eva plan an attack on the West End theatre where their mother is playing the title role in Miss Julie; in Beijing, Jiang Qing, Chairman Mao's wife, rehearses a gala performance of her model ballet, which she will use to attack her enemies in the Party. As the preparations for these two performances unfold, these three 'sisters' find themselves bound together by the passions of love, by the obsessions of power, and by the forces of history. Exquisitely observed, relevant, and wise, The Sisters Mao shows us that the political is always personal.

_______________ 'Kerry Young is a stand-alone talent in the new emerging generation of writers from the Caribbean region. Her stories are gritty and also funny and very real' - Monique Roffey _______________ A story of revolution and oppression, privilege and poverty, love and betrayal from the critically acclaimed author of Pao Fay Wong is caught between worlds. Her father is a Chinese immigrant who conjured a fortune from nothing; her African heritage mother grew up on a plantation and now reigns over their mansion in Lady Musgrave Road. But her father's Chinatown haunts are out of bounds and the airy rooms of their home are filled with her mother's uncontrollable rages - rages against which Fay rebels as she grows into a headstrong woman. As she tries to escape the restraints of her privileged upbringing, Fay's eyes are opened to a Jamaica she was never meant to see. And when her mother decides that she must marry the racketeer Yang Pao, she finds herself on a journey that will lead to sacrifice and betrayal.

'One hell of a journey...a great curl up and read book' Reader Review 'Outstandingly fabulous' Reader Review 'Had me going to bed early just so that I could listen to it!' Reader Review Will helping the war effort help mend her broken heart? September 1939. London is in blackout, war has been declared, but Dulcie Treadwell can think only of American broadcaster, Glenn Reeves, who didn't say goodbye before leaving for Berlin. Heartbroken, Dulcie is posted to Bletchley Park, where she must concentrate instead on cracking the German Enigma codes. The hours are long and the conditions tough, with little recognition from above. Until she breaks her first code... But when a spiteful act of jealousy leads to Dulcie's brutal dismissal, her life is left in pieces once more. Is it too late for Dulcie to prove her innocence and keep the job she loves? And will her heart ever truly heal if she doesn't hear from Glenn again...? A new, inspiring wartime series set at Bletchley Park from saga queen Molly Green, perfect for fans of Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas. Readers are LOVING this sweeping new story: 'One of those can't-put-down books' Reader Review 'A journey for the reader...tantalizing...interesting...try this one!' Reader Review 'A cracking good read!' Reader Review 'Moments of being held spellbound...Kept me on the edge of my seat. Couldn't put it down' Reader Review 'What can I say...I love it! Can't wait to read more' Reader Review 'My first book by this author and it won't be my last' Reader Review

From Annie Murray, the bestselling author of The Chocolate Girls and The Bells of Bournville Green, comes another gritty family saga about love, war and chocolate . . . September 1940, Birmingham. While her husband and daughter work at the Cadbury's Bournville factory, Ann Gilby has her hands full at home with her youngest Martin and other daughter, Sheila newly returned home with baby Elaine. With Sheila's husband away doing his bit in the RAF, Ann knows she should be grateful to have all her children safe under one roof. But she can't help but fear for their uncertain future as bombs fall ever closer to her Birmingham home. Part of her yearns for the carefree days of her youth when she also worked the line at Cadburys, filling trays of chocolate shells. But mostly Ann tries not to think of the past at all since that would mean she would have to confront her oldest secret, one she's kept since the last war and the one that could easily rip her family apart . . .

Don't miss the gripping new historical novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Secret of the Chateau and The Forgotten Secret. A country rebelling It's 1916 and, as war rages in Europe, Grainne leaves her job in a department store to join Countess Markiewicz's revolutionary efforts. It is a decision which will change her life forever. A rebellion is brewing, and as Dublin's streets become a battleground, Grainne soon discovers the personal cost of fighting for what you believe in... A forgotten sacrifice Decades on, student Nicky is recovering from a break-up when a research project leads her to her great-grandmother's experiences in revolutionary Ireland. When Nicky finds a long-forgotten handkerchief amongst her great-grandmother's things, it leads to the revelation of a heartbreaking story of tragedy and courage, and those who sacrificed everything for their country. Inspired by a heartbreaking true story, this emotional historical novel will sweep you away to the Emerald Isle. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Sandy Taylor and Fiona Valpy. Readers LOVE The Girl with the Emerald Flag! 'I LOVED this book!... I was totally engrossed... I'd highly recommend it!' NetGalley reviewer 'An absolute page turner, it had me gripped and in its spell... From the first page I was absolutely hooked on this book.' NetGalley reviewer 'A brilliant book.' NetGalley reviewer 'An inspiring coming-of-age story, combined with a fascinating Irish history lesson... Five stars from me.' NetGalley reviewer 'Outstanding... I loved this from start to finish.' NetGalley reviewer 'Riveting... I loved it.' NetGalley reviewer 'Beautifully written... A fabulous read with a teary ending.' NetGalley reviewer 'What a great novel!' NetGalley reviewer

'A deeply humane and genre-defying work of love and uncompromising hope' Ocean Vuong 'Heartbreaking ... a deeply affecting reckoning with history' i-D An extraordinary, original and heartbreaking debut novel about the bonds that connect people even when separated by seas or death itself, from a thrilling new voice. There are the goodbyes and then the fishing out of the bodies - everything in between is speculation. One night, not long after the last American troops leave Vietnam, siblings Anh, Thanh and Minh flee their village and embark on a perilous boat journey to Hong Kong. Their parents and four younger siblings make the crossing in another vessel but as weeks go by it becomes clear that only one party has survived the voyage. Anh, Thanh and Minh suddenly find themselves alone in the world, without family or home. They travel on, navigating refugee camps and resettlement centres until, by a twist of fate, they arrive in Thatcher's Britain. Here they must somehow build new lives with only each other to turn to, but will that be enough in a place that doesn't seem to want them? In this piercing debut, the siblings' faltering journey is deftly interwoven with the voice of their lost younger brother, Dao, following them from a place between the living and the dead, and the records of an unknown researcher intent on gathering together the strands of their story. Revelatory and inventive, Wandering Souls paints a heart-wrenching portrait of a family in unimaginable adversity while exploring the power of stories to heal generational wounds. It heralds the arrival of an essential new voice in fiction. 'Meticulously researched and beautifully imagined' Tash Aw, author of We, the Survivors 'Tells one of the most important stories of our times' Lucy Caldwell, author of These Days 'Deeply moving and deeply generous... I cried reading it' Yara Rodrigues Fowler, author of there are more things 'A searing, sweeping and intimate story of such heart and scope' Rachel Long, author of My Darling from the Lions

George Eliot's most acclaimed work, Middlemarch displays the author at the peak of her powers, weaving multiple plotlines and a memorable collection of characters together to create a wide-ranging novel of remarkable insight. First appearing in 1871, Middlemarch is a historical novel set 42 years before its publication. Political and social concerns of the era are present but serve as background and contrast to four compelling plotlines focused on a set of unforgettable characters striving against circumstance, each other, and themselves. Powerful themes, religion, love, marriage, education, society's treatment of women and much more, are dealt with as fully fused elements of the story and integral parts of the lives of the characters. The author conveys a sweeping vision of small-town England in the Victorian era, the rich and the poor, the people of the countryside and the people of the city, while unspooling several interlocked storylines full of passion, uncertainty and suspense. Middlemarch received a mixed reaction upon its initial appearance, but has gained in standing among critics and general readers until it is now commonly considered one of the high points of 19th century fiction and even of English literature as a whole. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Middlemarch is both modern and readable.

The Fortune of the Rougons (1871) is a novel by French author Emile Zola. The first of twenty volumes of Zola's monumental Les Rougon-Macquart series is an epic story of family, politics, class, and history that traces the disparate paths of several French citizens raised by the same mother. Spanning the entirety of the French Second Empire, Zola provides a sweeping portrait of change that refuses to shy away from controversy and truth as it gets to the heart of heredity and human nature. Adelaide Fouque is a woman of Plassans, a town in southern France. Alongside her son Pierre Rougon, whose deceased father was her husband, Adelaide raises the Macquart siblings, her children from a brief, passionate affair. Despite their shared upbringing, the three children take vastly diverging paths in life. Pierre, desperate to prove his legitimacy, becomes an ambitious middle-class man whose deepest desire is to win favor with the aristocracy and to climb even further from his humble roots. Meanwhile, his half siblings struggle to make a living for themselves and their working-class families. As Pierre's ambitions lead him to not only disinherit the Macquarts, but to position himself as a supporter of Napoleon III in his attempt to overthrow the French government. At the same time, Silvere Mouret, Adelaide's grandson, and his lover Miette Chantegreil find themselves on the side of the republicans who attempt to resist Napoleon's coup. The Fortune of the Rougons is a story of family and fate, a thrilling and detailed novel that sets up a world rich enough for its author to explore in nineteen subsequent volumes. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Emile Zola's The Fortune of the Rougons is a classic work of French literature reimagined for modern readers.

In Victorian era England, longtime friends Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley experience love and loss alongside the many colorful members of their unique social circle. Despite the ups and downs, they attempt to maintain their dignity and connection. Becky Sharp is a bold spitfire who's driven by ambition and eager to solidify her station in life. Her childhood friend, Amelia Sedley, is a modest and passive woman, who is mostly viewed as warm and endearing. Their glaring personalities are on full display as they encounter various male suitors including Rawdon Crawley and George Osborne. Becky's flirtatious and manipulative manner makes her a topic of conversation, while Amelia's loyalty proves to be a cross too heavy to bear. Vanity Fair is one of William Makepeace Thackeray's most famous novels. It has been adapted multiple times for television and film, including a 2004 feature starring Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon as the feisty Becky. She is often considered Thackeray's most memorable character. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Vanity Fair is both modern and readable.

When superstition plagues a small village, the workers go on a strike, leaving time for reflection. What started as a normal day in the dreary mining town of Trennach quickly spirals into disarray after the sound of the Seven Whistlers is heard, warning of impending doom. The Seven Whistlers are harbingers of death, said to be the spirits of fishermen and miners killed by accidents related to their trade. According to the legend, an unmistakable bird's cry can be heard right before a tragedy or death, alerting those nearby. After a miner in Trennach is pierced by this sound, he warns his fellow workers, who band together and refuse to go in the mines to work. However, not everyone in the small town is so inclined to believe in legends, or the word of just one man. Set in the 19th century, Edina: A Novel by Mrs. Henry Wood is a dramatic sensation novel first published nearly one-hundred and fifty years ago in 1876. With vivid description of the setting and intimate portraits of the town's occupants, including a sickly bookstore owner, a talented doctor, superstitious miners, and more, Edina: A Novel provides modern audiences with an intricate perspective of the Victorian working class and their motivations. With timeless themes of morality, class, and the supernatural, Edina: A Novel is both compelling and insightful. This edition of Edina: A Novel by Mrs. Henry Wood now features a striking new cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition of Edina: A Novel crafts an accessible and pleasant reading experience for modern audiences while restoring the original sentiment and drama of Mrs. Henry Wood's work.

Originally published in Robin Goodfellow magazine, Lady Audley's Secret is the essential work of Mary Elizabeth Braddon and is considered a staple of sensation fiction. The story centers on a mysterious woman, whose dark past slowly comes to light. Lady Audley is a former governess who marries the wealthy widower, Sir Michael Audley. She thoroughly enjoys the life of privilege and status associated with her new husband. Although she appears beautiful and polished, Lady Audley is more than meets the eye. She has a dark secret that could jeopardize everything she's worked for. To maintain her facade, she plots and schemes to silence those who threaten her happiness. Lady Audley will stop at nothing to maintain her comfortable lifestyle, including murder. Lady Audley is driven by desperation and fear. Her outlandish behavior leads to an unpredictable narrative taking the reader on a journey full of twists and turns. A combination of melodrama, crime and romance, Lady Audley's Secret is an extreme commentary on Victorian gender and class. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lady Audley's Secret is both modern and readable.