History is Herstory The Sweetest Empire is the story of women's fight to achieve the vote, told through the lives of six women. It tells of the enforced labour and child prostitution of Victorian times, the sufferings of the Suffragettes, the bravery of women nursing at the Front in WW1, and many other aspects of women's history. The novel vividly portrays the legal and moral constrictions that have existed for women from Victorian times through to the 1960's. The fictional framework encompasses real people including Emmeline Pankhurst and Emily Davison and is dedicated to 'successive generations of women who refused to know their place'. Reviews for Sally Patricia Gardner's novels: (Sally Gardner) really can write, I was reluctant to finish this lovely book... Tom Baker Your books are so truthful, I love truth in everything... Dora Bryan I really liked this book, which tells the story of hopes and fears, tragedies and achievements. ...Tony Benn Every woman should read this book and be proud and grateful to their predecessors who fought so hard to give us the freedom we now take so much for granted... JR Saunders (Amazon Reviewer) I was fascinated by this book... Prunella Scales Truly an amazing book which unites history, psychology, and gender identity issues in an amazingly engaging story... R.McClelland, Unbound Underground

Married and with two children, although still only in her early twenties, Cordelia feels that life is passing her by. A chance meeting with John Keane, a maker of television commercials, who promises Cordelia that he will change her life does just that. Soon she is the nation's domestic goddess and trying to cope with some unexpected consequences, which include her relationship with tall, dark and handsome Sebastian, who just happens to be a priest.. Reviews for Sally Patricia Gardner's novels: (Sally Patricia Gardner) really can write, I was reluctant to finish this lovely book... Tom Baker Your books are so truthful, I love truth in everything... Dora Bryan I was fascinated by this book... Prunella Scales I really liked this book, which tells the story of hopes and fears, tragedies and achievements. Tony Benn It was a fantastic read, all the characters are extremely well rounded and believable and by the end you are glued to it because you just have to know what happens next in their lives. It can be sad, funny and filled with suspense all within a few pages. Highly recommended... ElaineG (Amazon Top Reviewer) Truly an amazing book which unites history, psychology, and gender identity issues in an amazingly engaging story... R.McClelland, Unbound Underground.

Painting by Numbers In the 1950's, when she is only 16, a cataclysmic event in Juliet's life causes her and her gay friend, Neil, to make a pact that they will never reveal the truth of what has happened to her. This well intentioned lie eventually throws a huge and destructive shadow over several generations until Juliet is faced with one of the most terrible choices a mother could make. Told from four points of view, the story begins in the 1930's and ends in the present day. Reviews for Sally Patricia Gardner's novels: It was a fantastic read, all the characters are extremely well rounded and believable and by the end you are glued to it because you just have to know what happens next in their lives. It can be sad, funny and filled with suspense all within a few pages. Highly recommended... ElaineG (Amazon Top Reviewer) Truly an amazing book which unites history, psychology, and gender identity issues in an amazingly engaging story... R.McClelland, Unbound Underground. I was fascinated by this book... Prunella Scales (Sally Gardner) really can write, I was reluctant to finish this lovely book... Tom Baker Your books are so truthful, I love truth in everything... Dora Bryan I really liked this book, which tells the story of hopes and fears, tragedies and achievements. Tony Benn

Lillian's life spans the 20th century, born in Suffolk in 1900, in service at the age of 12, her life is greatly changed by WW1 and even more by WW2. These experiences colour the rest of her long life. The Great Depression, the post-war austerity years, the assassination of JFK, Neil Armstrong's moon walk, the miners' strike and the death of Princess Diana are amongst the cultural and political events of this turbulent century. These are recorded through their effect on the lives of Lillian and her beloved family. Sally Patricia Gardner writing with great affection for an endearing character, traces Lillian's Story as national and international events intersect with her own personal milestones. By the end of this compelling tale, Lillian is living a more affluent lifestyle. She has been shaped by the eventful century into which she was born and to which she undeniably belongs. The novel has received wide-spread acclamation. The actor Tom Baker said: 'Sally really can write...a real, heartbreaking saga but with laughs, too. And the subject How could one go better, war, women, children, love, death?' Politician Tony Benn said: 'I really liked this book, which tells the story of the 20th century through the lives of one family, and their hopes and fears, tragedies and achievements. Iconic actress Dora Bryan, OBE, MA, loved the book so much she volunteered to write the foreword, saying, 'Lillian's Story could only have been written by someone with great experience of life, someone who has survived great sorrow and known great joy. Everything I read, felt like my own life, the sadness, the happiness, the love of animals, the comfort of friendship. This book is so truthful, and I love truth in everything.