One dismal day in 1857, Maria Mundy arrives at Hatter's Hall, the local mental asylum, not as an inmate but as a worker. Here, she is ordered to care for Isabelle Montgomery, the daughter of an influential land-owner. But Isabelle is not insane. She, like many other young women confined within the walls, has been banished here by her family. Hatter's Hall serves to hide unmarried women, in the family way, from prying eyes... As the women's lives become entwined, they realise the dangers they face. But there is only one way out of Hatter's Hall. The women must escape and there is one man who can help, Isabelle's brother Joshua - who can barely keep his eyes off Maria. Otherwise, there's every chance they might never leave...

All she wanted was a mother's love... Curl up with this heartrending new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Mother's Struggle and A Daughter's Ruin. DESPISED Penny's childhood was spent in the shadows of her mother's business schemes, feeling alone and unimportant. It fell to Lorna, her mother's acquaintance, to take care of the lonely little girl, but the rejection always cut deep. DETERMINED When Penny turns sixteen and tragedy strikes, Lorna's cousin Maureen, a feisty ex-stripper from London, strides into her life. Penny determines to make her own way in the world and, with Maureen, throws herself into a thrilling new life on the grimy streets of Soho. She makes new friends, but can't avoid crossing the paths of some very dangerous men. DANGER In this seedy world of dancing girls and gangsters Penny must grow up quickly, she must be brave, and she's forced to face the truth about some very dark secrets from her past. A heartbreaking historical novel about betrayal, hardship and ultimately hope. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Diney Costeloe and Dilly Court.

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

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of life-changing fiction returns with a wise and worldly novel of forgiveness and hope in the City of Lights.

In Indiana, Ashley Baxter Blake and her husband are about to take an anniversary trip to Paris, where a French gallery will show her paintings. But Ashley is hesitant. More than two decades ago, she made her most grievous mistake in Paris. She has never forgiven herself for what happened there, and she still harbors secrets that she's afraid will come to light.

Just before the trip, Ashley gets a call from her niece. Jessie explains that her boyfriend's mother remembers working at a bakery with an American named Ashley. "Could that be you?" When Alice and Ashley meet, a flood of memories comes for both women, taking Ashley back to a reckless affair and an unexpected pregnancy and Alice to the night she nearly ended it all. Can this reunion bring healing and closure?

Maybe it is finally time for Ashley to forgive herself...and Paris.

Inspired by the life events of Antje Paarlberg, So Big is an award-winning drama that depicts the life of Selina Peake de Jong. Raised in a strict farming community, Selina decides to be a schoolteacher. Good-hearted and kind, she attempts to inspire her students to work for their dreams, no matter how nontraditional they seem. By encouraging artistic expression, Selina changes the lives of her students. When she marries a farmer named Pervus, the two welcome a baby boy into their family, naming their child Dirk. However, after the family suffers a tragic loss, Selina is forced to quit her job and work on a farm in order to provide her son with a stable life. As Dirk grows, Selina nurtures his artistic talent, proud when he begins to express interest in architecture. However, when Dirk comes of age, he begins to value money more and more, eventually giving up on the architect profession in favor of a stable and lucrative job as a stock broker. Heartbroken, Selina still tries to support her son, while quietly hoping that he returns to value his artistic roots. First published in 1924, Edna Ferber felt unsure about her novel So Big, which would eventually go on to win a Pulitzer Prize, and inspire adaptations for film, radio and television. Set in a rural community within a Chicago suburb, So Big features a slice-of-life narrative, with strong themes of community, expression, and family. With intricate description of the daily life of the lower-class Dutch community, contemporary readers are afforded a privileged perspective into the social dynamics of early 20th century America. This edition of So Big by Edna Ferber now features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition of So Big crafts an accessible and pleasant reading experience for modern audiences while restoring the original mastery and emotion of Edna Ferber's literature.

Continuing the saga begun in Annie Murray's Chocolate Girls, and set in 1960s Birmingham, The Bells of Bournville Green is a story of families whose lives are entwined, of belonging and loss . . . and of a young woman's search for transforming love. Pretty seventeen-year-old Greta has never known a stable family life. With no father, and loathing her mother's latest boyfriend, Greta finds life hard at home and is happiest at work with her friends at the Cadbury factory. Greta soon decides that her only way out is marriage, but all too soon she discovers that life with her old class mate Trevor is not a ticket to freedom and happiness. She finds herself on the streets, pregnant and homeless. She is taken in by her mother's old friends, but the love and security of this haven is soon shattered by appalling tragedy, which affects all the chocolate girls and their children and changes life forever . . . Continue the gritty family saga with Secrets of the Chocolate Girls.

'A lovely, lovely story set in WW2. It gripped me from page one...I'd highly recommend it!' Reader Review War changed her country, but it couldn't change her spirit Glasgow, 1939 Despite being shy and reserved, Jeannie Dougal finds herself newly engaged to handsome soldier, Arthur Dunn, the day war is announced. Jeannie accepts, even if she is unsure if a girl from the tenements will fit in with Arthur's comfortable, middle-class background. But as WW2 takes its toll on the world, her wedding must wait... As she sets off to work at a munitions factory she meets Eileen, Janet and Annie. As her new friends bond together in war work, sharing their stories of romance, Jeanie is grateful to be settled with Arthur, even if he is set in his ways. Until she meets charming Canadian soldier, Bill, and realises she has found a spark she was always missing. But how can Jeannie tell Arthur? And is she strong enough to fight her own battle, with the country already at war...? An emotional and romantic family saga set in WW2 Scotland and the start of a captivating new series. Fans of Call the Midwife and Katie Flynn won't be able to put this down. Readers are falling in love with Jeannie's War: 'Loved it...Heartbreaking in chapters that will make you cry, so make sure the tissues are handy.' Reader Review 'WOW. Loved this book. If you love family saga based in the war, you will love this.' Reader Review 'A great WWII-era historical fiction saga...I truly enjoyed this one...Through this story of love, loss, uncertainty, and finding one's place in life we also get a glimpse of history as well...Beautifully written.' Reader Review 'A fantastic read, great start to a series...I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.' Reader Review 'Loved this book...A great read with a few good twists and turns in the story...Highly recommended.' Reader Review 'An emotional read...It's beautifully written and I quickly found myself caught up in the pages.' Reader Review

'Heart-wrenching, highly emotional and hard to put down...saga writing at its mesmerizing best.' Reader Review Will Elizabeth choose love over duty? It's August 1917 and WW1 continues to take a toll. The villagers of Dorcalon, a mining village in the Rhymney Valley, try to keep hope alive; but every day brings fresh tragedy as more of their sons and fathers are killed on foreign battlefields. Elizabeth Meredith, daughter of mine manager Herbert, enjoys a privileged position in the village, but she longs to break free of society's expectations. Falling in love with miner, Gwilym Owen, brings more joy to her life than she's ever known... until she's forced to choose between her love and her disapproving family. Seeking an escape, Elizabeth signs up as a VAD nurse and is swiftly sent to help the troops in France, even as her heart breaks at leaving Gwilym behind. Separated by society and the Great War, can Elizabeth and Gwilym find their way back together again? Or will their love become another casualty of war? A romantic, emotional saga set in WW1 - fans of Katie Flynn and Sheila Newberry will adore this captivating read. Readers are loving Hope in the Valleys: 'Another great instalment in the Valleys series...Really enjoyed this book and I'm already looking forward to reading the fourth one.' Reader Review 'Absolutely loved this book...Lovely characters and a beautifully written storyline. Highly recommend this book and the author'. Reader Review 'I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The book tells of the lives of some who fought and some who stayed behind to work in the mines. I do recommend that you read this book.' Reader Review 'It was like visiting old friends and family...It is just like coming home reading this book.' Reader Review 'A story of friends, love, hate and forgiveness...A story of the war and those lost. I did enjoy reading this book and I would recommend it.' Reader Review 'I was so excited to start this book...It was like visiting family. I recommend this book and hope there will be another.' Reader Review 'It was lovely to return to the village and meet these characters again...Pleased to see there is another instalment of the series on the way.' Reader Review Praise for Francesca Capaldi's beautiful WW1 Welsh saga series: 'Rich with well-drawn characters, twists and turns, sense of history and place...it was hard to put down. I loved it!' Rosie Hendry, author of the East End Angels series 'I loved this book... I would heartily recommend it for anyone who enjoys family saga or historical fiction.' Reader Review 'This is such a warm-hearted book... I would ask all readers to read this book. I loved it' Reader Review 'This is a really emotional book...I really enjoyed this book and fully recommend it. Worth all the stars' Reader Review 'An all-engrossing story that swept me along with it. It is a wonderful historical saga with a hint of romance' Reader Review

Author shortlisted for the Romantic Novelist Association's 'The Romantic Saga Award 2023' for A Mother's War 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

Molly Bennett and Nellie McDonough are very happy with their lot in life. Their expanding families and abundance of friends always keep them busy. And as they walk arm in arm to the shops every day they are greeted with warmth by their neighbours, for wherever they go they bring fun and laughter with them. Their rock-solid friendship has lasted over twenty years and never once have Molly and Nellie fallen out. The two best mates love a bit of excitement so when they learn there is a wedding in the offing which will bring the Bennett, McDonough and Corkhill families even closer...

Loss Phyllis Kimber's entire future is called into question after her father is killed in Earl Redfern's employ. But the earl knows something about Phyllis that means she will always be looked after. Lies As lady's maid to Martha, Phyllis is the American heiress's only confidant in England: she knows Martha doesn't love the recently widowed Lord Melton, the man Martha's socially ambitious father is determined she marries, but there's another secret - a secret that makes Phyllis give up everything to protect her friend. Loyalty Martha begins making preparations to return to America with Phyllis, her father and new husband on the Titanic but the burden of deception eclipses Phyllis's hope for a new future. As she struggles to protect Martha, Phyllis must decide where her loyalties lie, unaware of the undiscovered secrets in her own past and of the tragedy that is about to unfold on that fateful crossing.

'This is one of the best books I've ever read' - 5-star reader review Calico Road runs through a tiny Lancashire hamlet up on the edge of the moors, miles from anywhere. Its folk are an independent breed - and in 1827 they are a thorn in the side of the vicious mill owner in the valley below. Toby Fletcher's father ignored his bastard son while alive. Now Toby is the new owner of the rambling old inn, an unwitting keeper of its secrets. Then Meg Staley comes to Calico - a woman who was strong enough to survive one tragedy, but found it harder to withstand a second blow. Toby finds her wandering the moors, cold and starving, and brings her back to the inn. Working there, Meg starts to rebuild her life and find a fragile happiness. But then the secrets of Calico Road come crashing down on her and those she has grown to love . . . ******************* What readers are saying about CALICO ROAD 'Anna Jacobs' writing is sooo good' - 5 stars 'Full of excitement, didn't want to put it down' - 5 stars 'Another lovely book by Anna Jacobs' - 5 stars 'An amazing read' - 5 stars 'A brilliant series' - 5 stars 'Could not put it down' - 5 stars

1945. Finally, peace has been declared. Cathie hardly dares believe that Alex, the fiance she has not seen for nearly two years, is coming home. And, finally, life can begin again for Cathie and the orphaned baby in her care. But the Alex who returns is not the kind, loving man Cathie remembers. He's cold, selfish, sometimes even frightening. So Cathie has a choice: stand by him, and try to contain his violent temper? Or hold her tiny baby close...and run from the man she has yearned for. Home is Where the Heart Is is a heart-wrenchingly, poignant new saga from Freda Lightfoot, set in the aftermath of World War II.

Wartime Friends is a tale of unbreakable bonds in times of strife, by bestselling author Margaret Dickinson. It is 1940s coastal Lincolnshire and Carolyn Holmes is keen to do what she can for the war effort. Raised on the family farm, she is prevented by her mother from going to secretarial college. Phyllis Carter, a widow from the Great War, lives close by with her son, Peter, who works on the farm. Peter and Carolyn are great friends but do not see a future together, although it is the dearest wish of both mothers to see them marry. After their home town is caught in an air raid, Peter decides to volunteer - to the distress of his mother - and Carolyn leaves to join the ATS, where she meets Beryl Morley, who will become a lifelong friend. Carolyn and Beryl are posted to Beaumanor Hall as 'listeners', the most difficult of signals intelligence gathering, intercepting enemy messages which are then sent to Bletchley Park for deciphering. As the war unfolds and their work becomes even more vital, Carolyn and Beryl's friendship strengthens and, in the dangerous times that follow, they will both need the support of the other as they face personal troubles of their own and the lives of those they love are put at risk.

Young Maisie Halliday has escaped the grinding poverty of the northern town where she was born to live in the glittering world of professional dancing. At the outbreak of the Second World War, she volunteers as an ambulance driver, finding joy both in helping the wounded during the Blitz and also in her friends among the other drivers in the Bloomsbury Auxiliary Ambulance Depot. Maisie is at the Cafe de Paris nightclub when it is bombed. In the chaos, she attempts to help an injured man, and by this charitable act she becomes mixed up in what may well be a murder. A series of incidents, all connected to a handsome, arrogant American, throw Maisie's life into a dangerous spin. Is anything what it seems in wartime? With one serious misjudgement, Maisie risks losing everything she holds dear...

'Funny... inspiring... I loved it' Milly Johnson 'I love the fabulous friendships' Jo Thomas 'Wonderfully uplifting' Alex Brown Getting on her bike will change everything... Sue Young has never asked for much apart from a quiet life. She's always been happy with her call centre job and dinner on the table at six o clock; that was until a tragedy tore her tranquility into little shreds. With her life in tatters, Sue is persuaded to join a charity cycle ride led by Morning TV's Kath Fuller, who is having a crisis of her own, and Sue's self-appointed support crew are struggling with their own issues. Pensioner Flo Wilson is refusing to grow old, gracefully or otherwise, and a teen goth Raven Chakrabarti, is determined to dodge the path her family have mapped out for her. Can the foursome cycle through saddle sores and chaffed thighs to a brighter future, or will pushing themselves to the limit prove harder than they thought?