When there's so much to be afraid of, can May help bring festive cheer to the Ops Room?After failing to help evacuee siblings whom she witnesses being separated, May wishes she'd had the confidence to speak up. When Jess suggests a pantomime to boost morale on the station, May is desperate to help - but is held back by her own insecurities. With her low self-esteem also affecting her relationship with Squadron Leader Peter Travis, May is fed up with being her own worst enemy and decides to take charge of her destiny. But the past she ran from, plus a crisis with one of the evacuees, throw May into the midst of a drama that will test all of her newfound confidence. May, Jess and Evie must work together once again to help each other through the challenges of war and of their own hearts. This heartwarming WAAF saga is perfect for fans of Daisy Styles, Kate Thompson and Rosie Clarke. Praise for Vicki Beeby'A fabulous tale of courage, comradeship and romance.' Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan 'A lovely book. Vicki Beeby is a saga author to watch.' Margaret Dickinson, Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author 'Entertaining from beginning to end. I can't recommend it highly enough.' Gemma Jackson, bestselling author of the Ivy Rose series 'This is a wonderful story of hope, love and friendship during the Second World War.' Reader review 'Another wonderful book in this series, characters that come alive, and a storyline I enjoy following from book to book. Saga lovers this is a series for you.' Reader review 'This was the most charming, evocative and beautiful book. The friendship between May, Jess and Evie, the ops rooms girls, is joyously written and their characters lovingly drawn and expanded. This is a many layered book, it will leave you wanting more!' Reader review

Escape to Cornwall for an enchanting, heartwarming new novel about friendship, hope and second chances in this standalone novel... 'A charming and original concept' Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde Three years ago, Joy Pentire lost her firefighter husband and she still hasn't returned to the woman she once was. But then she meets Hope, one of the residents at the nursing home where she's a carer. Hope has a secret gift that she wants to pass on. And Joy's life is forever changed. Surrounded by the community in her Cornish hometown, Joy's unexpected inheritance soon leads to new opportunities, new friends, new love, and the part of herself she'd thought forever lost ... her joy. A heart-warming, joyful story of the power of personal connection perfect for fans of 59 Memory Lane, Hazel Prior and Finding Henry Applebee. 'A highly original story with more than a hint of Cornish magic' Celia Anderson, bestselling author of 59 Memory Lane Readers are loving A Secret Gift: 'Simply outstanding... a heartwarming read full of promises, hope, happiness, starting again and friendships with romance' Nicola 'Fantastic unique plot, wonderful memorable characters and a beautiful setting in Cornwall...I cannot find the words to write how much I enjoyed being in the world of this book' Judy 'A unique and moving story that left me feeling warm and cosy with a smile on my face' Sarah 'So pleased to have been introduced to such a wonderful author...a feel good read with lots of hidden messages about how everyone deserves and second chance at happiness' Helen 'Original and a joy to read' Jane

Daisy Belle, a gifted singer from the Tyneside backstreets, is devastated when her baby daughter Rose goes missing. Little does she know Rose has been stolen and given to a wealthy woman who, tricked into believing she's an orphan, adopts her and renames her Rosina. Worse still, it was all arranged by Daisy's ruthlessly ambitious agent, Jack Fidler. Years later, when tragedy strikes, Rosina runs away to join a theatrical troupe and her natural talent for singing wins the hearts of the crowds. But this brings her into direct competition with one of the northern music halls' established stars, Daisy Belle - and back into the path of Jack, who is determined to destroy her...

A fabulous drama of the Campion family, struggling to stay together as World War Two rages over Liverpool

Lou Campion has joined the WAAFs, against the wishes of her parents and twin sister Sasha. Lou's always been a rebel, but now finds that if she wants to succeed she'll have to follow extremely strict rules. Can she do this or will it all end in deep disgrace?

Tragedy haunts the other members of the family, as Katie's plans for the future are dashed, Fran's young husband is close to death and Bella's impossible passion has to remain a close secret. Yet even in the darkest hour there is hope. The Campions find that they have a hero in their midst and while their city is crumbling, their pride is intact.

A compelling wartime drama from the author of The Street, perfect for fans of Pam Weaver and Kitty Neale. The Windmill Theatre was one of the most famous clubs of the 20th century. Its heyday was during WWII when it famously 'never closed' and it became famous for its 'tasteful' nude performances. Dawn is a pretty and feisty blonde. Losing her job as a chambermaid, she goes to work as a dancer at The Windmill Theatre. Despite refusing to appear on stage naked, Dawn is taken on and soon gets a glimpse of London's dark and seductive underbelly. She meets Olive, Renee and Rosie, women all with their own secrets to bear. Each of them will be have to draw on their courage to survive, not just Hitler and his bombs, but by the life they have chosen and the men that they cannot escape...

Can she leave her troubles behind to find true happiness?In the aftermath of the Great War, many are searching for a new life. But has Tilly missed her only chance for love? Since the end of the First World War, the residents of Victoria Crescent have been slowly rebuilding their lives. For Tilly Moran, this means living under the watchful eye of her elder sister, Alice, while waiting to come of age. Unable to bear the restrictions placed upon her, Tilly flees to Liverpool for a fresh start. As Tilly enters a new line of work she meets many interesting characters, and is charmed by Leonard Parker, a shipping entrepreneur. But when Tilly becomes involved in an investigation for a private detective agency she discovers that some of her new associates aren't what they seem. Can Tilly's dreams of love and independence come true, or will her luck run out?

The much-loved author of ACROSS THE MERSEY tells of Liverpool under bombardment as never before but the Campion family refuses to give in.

The Campions have always stuck together through danger and sorrow, but even they begin to wonder if it s time to take their youngest, the twins, to safety away from the bombing raids. The twins have other worries on their minds; having been inseparable, they now realise that they each have different ambitions - and Lou isn t sure she ll find what she wants close to home.

Meanwhile, cousin Bella is managing a creche and discovers that life isn t all about pleasure. She s the last person her family would expect to help anyone; but when a figure from the past turns up on the doorstep, Bella s unexpected reserves of compassion are revealed.

From hardship and heartbreak, surviving the toughest of times, the Campions know they can make it through if they have one another."

1905. Rosie Belsfield feels as if her life has ended when she is rejected from Ellis Island and put on the next boat back to England, leaving her family behind. But fate gives her a second chance when she befriends Lady Rosalind, a pregnant widow on her way to the home of her late husband's father, the wealthy Sir Ralph Tregowan. Having boarded the ship with one identity, fate decrees that Rosie leave it with another... As Rosie arrives in Cornwall as 'Rosalind', she must fend for herself amongst a new and bitterly resentful family. Rosie becomes increasingly trapped by her deception and the cruelty of those around her - the only light at the end of the tunnel seems to be the enigmatic Bryce Tregowan. With him the promise of a new life beckons, one of riches and even a title in beautiful Cornwall, but it is also one fraught with danger should her deceit be discovered. As she falls deeper into love and lies, can Rosie keep up the act, or will her secrets reveal themselves? And to what consequences?

'FAST-PACED, DETAILED AND BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN [FOR] FANS OF BERNARD CORNWELL, GEORGE R.R. MARTIN AND THEODORE BRUN' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY. Einar Unnsson will be a great warrior, whether he wants it or not. AD 935 - Late Winter, City of Jorvik. Einar Unnsson is destined to be a great Icelandic warrior. He has already defeated the men sent to kill him by his notorious father, Jarl Thorfinn, the 'Skull Cleaver' of Orkney. He has a gift that makes him lethal in battle. Yet he has cast it all off to be a bard. When three men attack him, Einar's poetry provides little protection. Luckily, the skilled archer and Norse-Irish princess Affreca saves him. She'd assumed Einar had left to raise an army, challenge Thorfinn and seize the Jarldom of Orkney. Now she's determined to set him back onto his rightful path. Einar soon finds himself entangled on Affreca's own mission. She's seeking the Raven Banner for King Eirik. Legend has it that the banner is imbued with powerful magic. That it was a gift from the Norse God Odin and any army that marches behind it will be victorious. The quest sets events in motion that are beyond Einar's control. Einar has no choice but to face his fate and swing his sword once more... Praise for Tim Hodkinson: 'An excellently written page-turner, with a feel for the period which invites you into the era and keeps you there' Historical Writers Association. 'A gripping action adventure like the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again' Melisende's Library.

'Draws you in from the start and doesn't let you go until the end' Reader Review 'Wonderfully written and oozing wartime spirit. Couldn't ask for more!' Reader Review The second inspiring novel in the heartwarming and hopeful Bletchley Park Girls series from the queen of saga, Molly Green... When Rosie Frost was jilted on her wedding day, she didn't think life could get any worse. But six years later in the throes of the Second World War, she is unceremoniously dismissed from her dream job after they discover her illegitimate child. Thankfully, top secret war office Bletchley Park recognises Rosie's talent and recruits her to decipher their Italian naval signals. Happy to be doing her bit for the war effort, Rosie settles into her new life. But when she spots a familiar face at the Park, Rosie's world threatens to come crashing down once more. Can she put her heartbreak behind her? And will wedding bells ring out across Bletchley Park before the year is out? The second in an uplifting wartime series set at Bletchley Park, perfect for fans of Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas. Readers are LOVING Molly Green's Bletchley Park series: 'A journey for the reader...tantalizing...interesting...try this one!' Reader Review 'What can I say...I love it! Can't wait to read more' Reader Review 'Outstandingly fabulous' Reader Review 'A lovely story' Reader Review 'One of those can't-put-down books' 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 'A fantastic addition to what has been a fantastic series so far' Reader Review 'Great story. Great characters. Wonderfully written and oozing wartime spirit. Couldn't ask for more!' Reader Review

Winner of the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize and the Hans Fallada Prize, The End of Days, by the acclaimed German writer Jenny Erpenbeck, consists essentially of five "books," each leading to a different death of the same unnamed female protagonist. How could it all have gone differently?-the narrator asks in the intermezzos. The first chapter begins with the death of a baby in the early twentieth-century Hapsburg Empire. In the next chapter, the same girl grows up in Vienna after World War I, but a pact she makes with a young man leads to a second death. In the next scenario, she survives adolescence and moves to Russia with her husband. Both are dedicated Communists, yet our heroine ends up in a labor camp. But her fate does not end there.... A novel of incredible breadth and amazing concision, The End of Days offers a unique overview of the twentieth century.

From the bestselling author of The Last Correspondent comes a remarkable story of three young women who defy the bombs to do their bit for Britain. Will they survive the dark streets of London to see the Allies win the war? London, 1941. The Blitz. When a Royal Navy memo arrives at head office, requesting female recruits to sign up as motorcycle dispatch riders, delivering highly classified orders across the country, three women jump at the chance to sign up for the most dangerous jobs in London. Olivia grew up riding motorcycles with her brothers, and with them fighting abroad she feels it is her duty to join up. The thrill of adventure draws Ava, but with more enthusiasm than skill, will she learn to navigate the treacherous London streets safely? Having lost her family during one of the first air attacks, Florence knows how important it is to have help arrive on the scene-fast-and so she steps up, outmanoeuvring the men behind the wheel of an ambulance. When Olivia, Ava and Florence meet for the first time they know they have found something all of them need-family. As bombs fall, decimating the city they love, these three brave women build a sisterhood amid the rubble, facing down anyone-even their own families-who objects to their service. And while romances bloom and fade, their connection grows ever stronger. But none of them dare consider the terrifying reality that one night Florence's ambulance may be rescuing someone she loves...

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.

'An enchanting timeslip novel that kept me spellbound' CHRISTINA COURTENAY 'Fascinating and captivating' SARAH MORGAN 'Glorious... I adored it' KATHLEEN MCGURL 'This atmospheric novel is such an absorbing read' MY WEEKLY *** Remember, remember, the fifth of November... 1605: Anne Catesby fears for her family. Her son, the darkly charismatic Robert, is secretly plotting to kill the King, placing his wife and child in grave danger. Anne must make a terrible choice: betray her only child, or risk her family's future. Present day: When her dreams of becoming a musician are shattered, Lucy takes refuge in her family's ancestral home in Oxfordshire. Everyone knows it was originally home to Robert Catesby, the gunpowder plotter. As Lucy spends more time in the beautiful winter garden that Robert had made, she starts to have strange visions of a woman in Tudor dress, terrified and facing a heartbreaking dilemma. As Lucy and Anne's stories converge, a shared secret that has echoed through the centuries separating them, will change Lucy's life forever... Sweeping generations from the 1600s to the present day, with the enthralling Gunpowder Plot at its heart, Nicola Cornick's utterly enchanting new timeslip novel will sweep you off your feet. Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Barbara Erskine and Kate Morton. *** Readers LOVE The Winter Garden: 'A marvellous dual timeline novel that had me enthralled from the start.' Netgalley, 5***** 'Just stunning... a captivating read that I would recommend to fans of historical fiction.' Netgalley, 5***** 'Haunting and mysterious... I couldn't put this down.' Netgalley, 5***** 'Oh my, this took my breath away. Perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine.' Netgalley, 5***** 'A wonderful and engrossing read [that] will pull at your heartstrings.' Netgalley, 5**** 'Grab yourself a copy of this book! I absolutely loved this! I read it in a day.' Netgalley, 5*****

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...

'A twisty plot, warm-hearted characters, laughter, secrets and heartbreak - and bursting with fascinating detail' - Annie Murray Stratford, 1943. World War Two is still raging across Europe. But for the Lavender Girls, the workers at the Yardley cosmetics factory in East London, there are even more challenges on the home front. Esther, newly married, is learning to juggle life as a working woman with her duties as a wife and homemaker. And she must find a way to help her adopted family on the Shoot, who are battling their own hidden demons . . . Headstrong Patsy, a new recruit at the Yardley factory, has a double life that takes her from the East End lipstick belt by day to the stage in the West End at night. But will she be able to keep her secrets hidden from her controlling mother, Queenie? For bubbly Lou, a forbidden love forces her to choose between family loyalty and a chance at true happiness. Can she be brave enough to forge her own path in the chaos of a war? One thing is certain: the Lavender Girls need one another more than ever if they are going to survive . . .

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...

One of America's most powerful and thought-provoking novelists, "New York Times" bestselling author Jodi Picoult brilliantly examines belief, miracles, and the complex core of family.

When the marriage of Mariah White and her cheating husband, Colin, turns ugly and disintegrates, their seven-year-old daughter, Faith, is there to witness it all. In the aftermath of a rapid divorce, Mariah falls into a deep depression -- and suddenly Faith, a child with no religious background whatsoever, hears divine voices, starts reciting biblical passages, and develops stigmata. And when the miraculous healings begin, mother and daughter are thrust into the volatile center of controversy and into the heat of a custody battle -- trapped in a mad media circus that threatens what little stability the family has left.

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.

'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