A moving and heartwarming World War I saga. For readers of Catherine Cookson and Dilly Court. 'When I'm the farmer,' began Mairi, and then she stopped, for she would never be the farmer. She was a girl. Ever since she was nine years old, Mairi McGloughlin has known she wants to be a farmer, but by the law of the land it's her scholarly brother Ian who will someday inherit. The next best thing might be to marry a farmer, and charming, confident Jack could be the perfect answer. But then there's Robin, her brother's best friend, more a man of books than of the land - and yet there's something about him. . . But with the outbreak of the Great War, their choices change completely and neither Mairi, Ian or Robin can hope to escape unscathed. As the world around them changes, only the land and love remain constant. But can it be enough to see them through? Previously published as Harvest of Courage.

Previously published as The Dominie's Lassie. Growing up as a schoolmaster's daughter in rural Scotland, Kirsty Robertson has always dreamt of following in her father's footsteps and becoming a schoolmistress. And when her father dies suddenly, she becomes even more determined to make him proud. Dedicated to her career, Kirsty knows she can't let love get in her way. She spurns the advances of her childhood friend, Jamie, a farmhand. But soon, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Hugh, the laird's son, whose family she knows would never approve of him marrying a poor schoolteacher. When World War I breaks out, and Hugh leaves to fight, Kirsty knows her future is in question once more. Soon, Kirsty finds herself alone and hiding a shameful secret. Will she be able to keep the truth away from village gossips and protect her family? Will she ever find true happiness again?

The next heartwarming saga novel from Eileen Ramsay, perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Donna Douglas. 1930s Scotland. Growing up in a convent in Glasgow, Ferelith Gallagher dreams of bigger and better things. With no money behind her, and no family to speak of, she travels to Edinburgh to study to be a lawyer - a brave choice for a woman in the 1930s. And when she falls in love with a young fellow student, she thinks she's finally found a home. But after a brief and disastrous marriage, Ferelith swears she is through with love, and buries herself in her studies, striving to become the first female senior advocate in Scottish history. But when she finally meets a man she knows she could be happy with, Ferelith finds herself torn between love and her career. When war breaks out, she knows life will never be the same again . . . Previously published as The Quality of Mercy.

If you love Donna Douglas' Nightingale Girls and the nurses of Nadine Dorries' Lovely Lane, be prepared to fall in love with April, Eugenie, Bess and Nancy as they band together to support each other through love, loss and scandal. In wartime, can new hope still be found? When her beloved father is killed in the Blitz, trainee nurse April Harvey is all alone in the world. Desperate to find the family she craves, she heads to Truro, her mother's home town. But danger and heartbreak lurk even in Cornwall, and when the American G. I.s arrive, April finds her life turned upside down as she discovers that some people are not to be trusted. Especially when it comes to her budding romance with Major Crawford Dunbar. As vicious rumours emerge, April fears there will never be a future for them. But if war has taught her anything, it is that you must grasp happiness where you can, and April is not prepared to give up without a fight . . .

For fans of Catherine Cookson comes Eileen Ramsay's tale of heartbreak, hope and family - the perfect read to curl up with this Christmas. 'He saw the intelligence in her eyes and the beauty and strength of character in her face . . . ' Since the death of her mother, Kate Kennedy has been parent, helper and house keeper to her large family. But life changes drastically as the young men leave the pits and head to the Great War. Desolate to watch brothers and friends march into danger, Kate must stay at home to hold her family together. Against all odds, Kate's baking skills create a path out of poverty. But as storm clouds gather over Europe again, the love, life and happiness she's fought so hard for may not survive - will she lose everything? Set against the powerful backdrop of two world wars, canny heroine Kate sets her shoulder against a tidal wave of change and struggles to protect those she loves . . . What you're saying about A Pinch of Salt: 'Absorbing story . . . Very realistic and very hard to put down' 'Extremely good read' 'Riveting story . . . highly recommend' 'A great holiday read'