From the internationally bestselling author of A Woman of Substance comes the continuing story of indomitable heroine, Emma Harte Emma Harte is now eighty years old and ready to hand over the reins of the vast business empire she has created. To her favourite grandchild, Paula McGill Fairley, Emma bequeaths her mighty retailing empire with these heartfelt words: 'I charge you to hold my dream.' A towering international success, this is the powerfully moving tale of one woman's determination to 'hold the dream' which was entrusted to her, and in so doing find the happiness and passion which is her legacy.

Based on a popular legend in Gansu, the far western province of China, The Tortoise in Asia recounts the exploits of Marcus, a young Roman centurion schooled in the Greek classics who, after a devastating loss in a battle with the Parthians, is taken prisoner, marched along the Silk Road, and pressed into service as a border guard on the eastern frontier. After a daring escape, Marcus has many adventures working with the Hun army as a mercenary. Throughout this harrowing journey, Marcus learns about Chinese philosophies, uncovering the startling similarities between these philosophies and those of Greece.

Telemachus's father, Odysseus, went off to war before he was born ... and never came back. Aged sixteen, Telemachus finds himself abandoned, his father's house overrun with men pursuing his beautiful mother, Penelope, and devouring the family's wealth. He determines to leave Ithaca, his island home, and find the truth. What really happened to his father? Was Odysseus killed on his journey home from the war? Or might he, one day, return to take his revenge? Telemachus's journey takes him across the landscape of bronze-age Greece in the aftermath of the great Trojan war. Veterans hide out in the hills. Chieftains, scarred by war, hoard their treasure in luxurious palaces. Ithaca re-tells Homer's famous poem, The Odyssey, from the point of view of Odysseus' resourceful and troubled son, describing Odysseus's extraordinary voyage from Troy to the gates of hell, and Telemachus's own journey from boyhood to the desperate struggle that wins back his home ... and his father.

Can she unlock the secrets of her past? Deirdre Weston, a London journalist, returns to her family home in Armagh to come to terms with the death of her mother. Faced with painful memories of her own past, Deirdre despairs of the task she has set herself. In her deepest need she encounters Deara, the handmaiden of the Lady Merdaine from the capital of ancient Ulster. During her stay, Deirdre unearths what happened in Deara's fifth-century life, a time as turbulent and troubled in Ireland as the late twentieth century has been. As events unfold, both women discover the strength which flows from the love and support of the other - and the transforming power of courage. Prepare to be spirited away to rural Ireland in this stunning new saga from Anne Doughty. Previously published as Summer of the Hawthorn Readers LOVE Anne Doughty: 'I love all the books from this author' 'beautifully written' 'would recommend to everyone' 'Fabulous story, couldn't put it down!' 'Looking forward to the next one.'

An odyssey of loss and salvation ranging across four generations of fathers and sons, in the finest tradition of American storytelling. The year is 1966 and a young man named Vollie Frade, almost on a whim, enlists in the United States Marine Corps to fight in Vietnam. Breaking definitively from his rural Iowan parents, Vollie puts in motion a chain of events that sees him go to work for people with intentions he cannot yet grasp. From the Cambodian jungle, to a flophouse in Queens, to a commune in New Mexico, Vollie's path traces a secret history of life on the margins of America, culminating with an inevitable and terrible reckoning. Scibona's story of a restless soldier pressed into service for a clandestine branch of the US government unfolds against the backdrop of the seismic shifts in global politics of the second half of the twentieth century. Epic in scope but intimate in feeling, this is a deeply immersive read from a rising star of American fiction.

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

'An immensely readable, summer holiday of a book' Belfast Telegraph When Elizabeth Stewart, the only daughter of Protestant parents, announced that she wants to leave Belfast for the west coast of Ireland, her family can't help but question her judgement. What could she possibly find in leafy Lisara that isn't available in the city? A stranger in the village, Lizzie's presence draws the attention of all the locals. And her charming spritely nature doesn't escape the attention of the charming Patrick Delargy. It's not long before Lizzie discovers that more than the rolling green hills and beautiful landscapes have captured her heart... Prepare to be spirited away to rural Ireland in this stunning new saga series from Anne Doughty. Previously published as Stranger in the Place Readers LOVE Anne Doughty: 'I love all the books from this author' 'beautifully written' 'would recommend to everyone' 'Fabulous story, couldn't put it down!' 'Looking forward to the next one.'

'The story is fresh and original, written vividly and with flair. I was completely engrossed!' --Katherine Webb, international best-selling author 'Beautiful... A fascinating tale of the meeting of lost souls. Of danger, and trust and self-worth. Read it.' --Jen Campbell, author of Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops 'A stunning debut... The storyline is original, the characters are fascinating, and over all this is simply a great read.' --The Bookbag 'The characters grabbed my heart, the story pulled me in and I sailed through the pages... Put Cassandra Parkin's debut novel on your To-Read list.' --Women's World When nineteen-year-old Davey finds himself drunk, beaten and alone, he is rescued by the oddly assorted inhabitants of an abandoned and beautiful house in the West Country. Their only condition for letting him join them is that he asks them no questions. More than thirty years ago in that same house, burned-out rock star Jack Laker writes a ground-breaking comeback album, and abandons the girl who saved his life to embark on a doomed and passionate romance with a young actress. His attempt to escape his destructive lifestyle leads to deceit, debauchery and even murder. As Davey and his fellow housemate Priss try to uncover the secrets of the house's inhabitants, both past and present, it becomes clear that the five strangers have all been drawn there by the events and the music of that long-ago summer.

'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

Frank is a reformed alcoholic. He lives at home with his mother, Elisabeth - at least, he did until she went into a nursing home suffering from dementia. He is devoted to her and conversely hates his estranged father, Geoffrey. So when elder sister Pat calls to tell him Dad is dying and wants to meet him, Frank is forced to face up to his demons. But what are they? And how did he acquire them? Every family has its secrets and Frank's is no exception. As much as he tries to forget, something happened a long time ago that has coloured his life ever since - and he can't live in peace until he confronts it. Seen from the perspective of four separate family members, The Burden examines an individual's contrasting relationships and the different emotions they inspire.

As the war rages on, can they be there for each other? Spring 1940 As the war rages on, Vickers steelworks is busier than ever which is proving tough for Nancy as she juggles working long hours and looking after two young children, all while waiting for her husband to return home safely. Betty is determined to roll up her sleeves and joins the Women's Voluntary Service to keep busy and stop from fretting about her fiance. But Patty is left worrying about someone closer to home. Sweetheart Archie has been keeping a secret from her, and one that puts him in great danger. Will it threaten to pull them apart for good? And with life at war tougher than ever, can the factory sisters rally together to find a way through? *** Readers love The Steel Girls series: 'A gentle story with an undercurrent of pure grit' 'Heart-warming and magical' 'Very well researched and a superb addition to the saga genre' 'Every single character becomes your friend' 'The love leaps from the pages' 'An inspiring, emotional, authentic, heart-warming and gorgeously written saga' 'A story of friendship, camaraderie, and just getting on with it'

An intensely gripping story of two extraordinary families from bestseller Teresa Crane1929: Siobhan Clough and her three children are enjoying a holiday on the English coast. With them is Mary McCarthy and her volatile son, Liam. All is well until the arrival of Siobhan's husband George. A man of strong views and even stronger temper, he browbeats his gentle wife, belittles his daughter Christine and treats Liam like a servant... A year later, on a visit to Ireland, Liam unexpectedly comes face to face with the father he has never known. Liam wants nothing to do with him, but when George Clough throws him out, he has little choice but to enter his father's dangerous world of Irish politics... As the Clough children grow up they each react to their domineering father in different ways, and his daughter Christine finds herself attracted to the man her father would disapprove of above all others, the wild card Liam McCarthy... Perfect for fans of Emily Gunnis, Fiona Valpy and Santa Montefiore, The Wild Card is an intensely gripping and unforgettable read.

The enthralling Sunday Times bestselling story of a young female journalist exposing murder and lies in her search for the truth, from the international bestseller Lesley Pearse THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP 5 BESTSELLER AND WINNER OF THE WOMAN & HOME BOOK CHOICE AWARD 2020 'A compelling page-turner' DAILY MAIL ______ Find the liar. Find the killer . . . Amelia White didn't expect her career as a reporter to start like this: by finding a young woman's body, just around the corner from her Shepherd's Bush bedsit. With rumours already spreading about this poor murder victim, she seizes her chance to write the true story. But when more bodies are found, the police are baffled. Reporting on the story, Amelia meets witnesses as well as suspects. If she can only work out who the liar among them is, she may be able to stop the murders. Or might she turn herself into the next victim? . . . Gripping, suspenseful and completely unputdownable, Liar will have you on the very edge of your seat. ______ 'Gripping and suspenseful, a fast-paced murder mystery, love story and a young woman's journey of self-discovery' Daily Express 'This latest book from master storyteller Lesley Pearse is gripping and full of twists. With an addictive and pacy plot, this will keep you guessing until the end' My Weekly 'A page turner full of suspense, compelling and heartwarming, Liar is a brilliant read. I couldn't put it down' Woman's Way 'Gripping and suspenseful - a murder mystery, love story and journey of self discovery' S Magazine Praise for Lesley Pearse 'Storytelling at its very best' Daily Mail 'Evocative, compelling, told from the heart' Sunday Express 'Intriguing, heart-tugging, beautifully written' Closer

Sunday Times bestselling author Freda Lightfoot is back with a heartwarming story of life after the war. The war may be over but their troubles are only just beginning The war is over and Evie Talbert eagerly awaits the return of her three children from their evacuated homes. But her carefree daughters and son are barely recognisable - their education has been disrupted, the siblings split up, and the effect on them has been life-changing. Her son has developed serious behavioural problems and with her daughters, there's jealousy and a nervous disorder that cannot be explained... Evie's husband also has problems. Having returned from being in action, he suffers nightmares and fits of rage. He's no longer the gentle, quiet man Evie married. Peace may finally be here, but Evie's family is in shreds. Now she must rebuild a loving home to achieve the happiness she's always dreamed of...

'A really enjoyable read.' Judy Leigh, 'Funny and feelgood' Good Housekeeping On a trip of a lifetime to India, Bea is given an unexpected fiftieth birthday present - an hour with a celebrated clairvoyant. Unlucky in love, Bea learns that her true soulmate is still out there and that he's someone she knew in a past life. Returning home, Bea revisits the men in her life and can't resist looking up a few old lovers - the Good, the Bad and the... well, the others. As Bea connects with the ones that got away, she suspects that her little black book has remained shut for a reason. But one man out there has her in his sights. They say love is blind and maybe Bea just needs an eye test... Funny and wise, this is the perfect read for anyone who believes in finding love, no matter what their age.

An epic, deeply moving novel about the power of love and loving with courage - from the Man Booker International Prize-winning author of A Horse Walks into a Bar On a kibbutz in Israel in 2008, Gili is celebrating the ninetieth birthday of her grandmother Vera, the adored matriarch of a sprawling and tight-knit family. But festivities are interrupted by the arrival of Nina: the iron-willed daughter who rejected Vera's care; and the absent mother who abandoned Gili when she was still a baby. Nina's return to the family after years of silence precipitates an epic journey from Israel to the desolate island of Goli Otok, formerly part of Yugoslavia. It was here, five decades earlier, that Vera was held and tortured as a political prisoner. And it is here that the three women will finally come to terms with the terrible moral dilemma that Vera faced, and that permanently altered the course of their lives. More Than I Love My Life is a sweeping story about the power of love and loving with courage. A novel driven by faith in humanity even in our darkest moments, it asks us to confront our deepest held beliefs about a woman's duty to herself and to her children. 'Grossman's work resonates with emotional intelligence, humanity and truth' Irish Times

In this first novel of an epic family saga, master storyteller Howard Fast recounts the rise of a poor fisherman's son from the cataclysmic depths of the San Francisco earthquake to become the head of a powerful shipping empire. He will risk all for a forbidden love.

The Immigrants evokes the emotion-ridden journey of rough hewn Dan Lavette as he builds a fortune in the shipping industry and marries into the gilded heights of Nob Hill society. Finding himself entombed in a loveless marriage to the daughter of San Francisco's richest family, Dan discovers solace and happiness with the beautiful daughter of a poor Chinese bookkeeper.

Once war strikes, life can never be the same again... A close-knit community is devastated by the outbreak of World War I in heart-breaking saga, Mist over the Mersey - a tale of families, friendship and romance from bestselling author Lyn Andrews. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Maureen Lee. The Chatterton family is far too posh for the Liverpool slums where they've ended up. Nancy Butterworth and Abbie Kerrigan, lifelong residents of the place, tried to befriend Dee Chatterton, but her mother wants her to have nothing to do with such rough children. The Burgess family looks forward to the arrival of their young cousin Sean from Dublin, and Nancy is not the first to lose her heart to the Irish charmer. In 1914 things are to change dramatically, and the families are to find that money and social position mean nothing when the horrors of the First World War invade their lives and take away their sons... Don't miss Lyn Andrews' sequel to the novel, Mersey Blues. What Amazon readers are saying about Mist Over the Mersey: 'This book grabs you from the first word to the last. As soon as I started to read it, I could see all the characters so clearly, as if I were there with them. It only took me two days to read it, as I could not put it down' 'Lyn Andrews is definitely an author you want to discover time and again. She writes with real clarity, wit and warmth...The characters that Lyn Andrews has written about are people that you feel are truly real'

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?

A heart-warming and nostalgic family saga set at the heart of wartime London, from the bestselling author of A Wartime Christmas. Perfect for fans of Sheila Newberry and Rosie Goodwin 'Surely one of the best saga writers of her time' - Rosie Clarke Following her mother's untimely death, Lizzie Allen is facing desperate times. Her father Tom, crippled during WWI, has been left a broken and bitter man; her elder brother Vinnie is in serious trouble with the local hard man; her two younger sisters are in danger of being taken into care, and her sweetheart Danny is heading for Australia to seek his fortune. Determined to keep her family together, yet unable to escape the poverty and degradation of the slums, heartbroken Lizzie is tricked into marriage by Danny's unscrupulous brother, Frank. Can she escape her increasingly unhappy and violent marriage and save her family? And will she ever be reunited with her one true love, former barrow-boy, Danny Flowers? Praise for CAROL RIVERS: 'A gripping page turner' - LEAH FLEMING 'Brings the East End to life - family loyalties, warring characters and broken dreams. Superb' - ELIZABETH GILL

Will the coming war divide them . . . ? For as long as she can remember Peggy O'Shea has been expected to work at the family dairy, look after her younger siblings, and eventually marry cow-keeper Martin Gallagher. And that's the way it has predictably gone, apart from one glorious summer when, at the age of eight, she meets handsome Anthony Giardano. But there's bad blood between the Irish O'Sheas and the Italian Giardanos, so perhaps for the sake of both of their families, it's a good thing when Anthony suddenly disappears. Ten years later at the start of the war, Peggy bumps into Anthony again. But as they begin to rekindle their friendship, Italy joins forces with Germany and Liverpool turns on its Italian residents overnight, making any relationship between Peggy and Anthony impossible . . . A gritty World War Two historical saga from Elizabeth Morton the acclaimed author of Angel of Liverpool.