Praise from Publisher’s Weekly: “Rousing series launch… Those who appreciate muckraking social realism in the vein of Mary Doria Russell’s Women of Copper Country ought to check this out.”A historical coming of age saga of teenage girl's courage and triumph.It’s 1900. In a Pennsylvania coal town tainted by corruption and pollution, Charlotte's world collapses when her parents meet a tragic end. Sent to a foster family in a Maryland fishing village, she’s fueled by grief and embarks on a relentless quest for justice against the ruthless coal boss, Nels Pritchard.But Charlotte is no ordinary girl. She shares the fiery spirit of her father, whose powerful speeches inspired worker riots. With a burning desire for vengeance, she sets out to uncover the truth behind Pritchard's crimes, unearthing a shocking connection between the town's toxic air and the lifeless fish washing up on the shore of her Chesapeake Bay foster town.To expose the truth, Charlotte builds a network of unexpected allies. There are gutsy suffragists, a literary society of teenage girls willing to print the truth… and Weylan. The captivating young man lost his own family to Pritchard’s poison. He offers support, but Charlotte questions his true motives when he lures her to break the law. Could she be falling into a dangerous trap, leading her to a fate worse than poison?With her unwavering spirit and determination, Charlotte must forge alliances and navigate a web of treachery before Pritchard seeks his own ruthless revenge.The newest book by award-winning author Jennifer M. Lane is perfect for fans of Jeannette Walls’ Hang the Moon and the fiery protagonist in The Hunger Games. Join Charlotte in this small town, coming-of-age dystopian historical saga as she finds resilience, courage, and triumph in her search for identity, independence, and her true home."Rousing series launch… Those who appreciate muckraking social realism in the vein of Mary Doria Russell’s Women of Copper Country ought to check this out.” - Publisher's Weekly“Downriver by Jennifer M. Lane is a captivating and profound reading experience, skillfully blending emotion and suspense to create a memorable story. Through well-rounded characters and a well-constructed plot, the author takes us on a journey full of twists and lessons. From resilience to the power of hope and solidarity, the novel explores universal themes with sensitivity and depth. With its captivating narrative style… Downriver is a book that will stay in readers’ minds long after the final page is turned.” - The Historical Fiction Company"The astute psychological depth of this story gives it an attractive countenance even for readers not normally given to choosing historical fiction... The blend of social, political, and business interest arrives with psychological inspections designed to encourage readers to think about adversity, love, redemption, and vigilante-type justice pursuits." - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book ReviewGet the first book in The Poison River Series today!

Before the triumph of D-Day, there was the tragedy of Dieppe—where a secret operation altered the course of World War II.The summer of 1942 finds the Allies desperate for a foothold in Hitler's Europe. Operation Jubilee is born in the smoke-filled rooms of the War Office—a daring raid that will test not just military might, but the moral fabric of those who command from safe distances.Arthur Cutter, a haunted SOE operative barely out of Oxford, is forced back behind enemy lines for one final mission: infiltrate Dieppe's defenses to gather intelligence critical for the raid.In the skies above Scotland, American-born RAF instructor Ian Faraday battles to prepare his pilots to provide air cover for the operation, even as his own demons threaten to ground him permanently.In Occupied France, resistance fighter Talia Crevier becomes Cutter's unlikely ally, risking everything to map Nazi positions around Dieppe while battling the prejudice of her male comrades.American Ranger Malcolm Parker, embedded with British Commandos slated for the raid's first wave, uncovers disturbing truths about Jubilee's planning—an operation compromised by ambition and miscalculation before it even begins.As dawn breaks on August 19, 1942, four lives converge in a maelstrom of violence. Like pieces on a chessboard, they are moved by forces beyond their control, each forced to grasp the cost of sacrifice and the brutal truths of waging a clandestine war.Award-winning author Conor Bender delivers a masterful blend of historical truth and heart-pounding fiction in this unflinching portrait of the forgotten raid that exposed the terrible cost of political ambition. Perfect for fans of Lee Jackson and CW Browning.__________________________Praise for Conor Bender and Jubilee:“Operation Jubilee is the canvas Bender uses to show political infighting, moral dilemmas, aerial dog fights, undercover agents, French Resistance, German reprisals, and unexpected love...Seventy-eight years later, writing a book titled Jubilee is appropriate and Bender does it honor.”—Sherry Tuffin, WWII Historian“Jubilee is a top-flight World War II thriller that pulses with energy and intrigue. Conor Bender takes us into Occupied France and delivers a page-turning story of spies, lovers, and enemies, and a high-stakes mission that could go terribly, terribly wrong. A spellbinding and deeply satisfying thriller.”—Michele Rubin, Cornerstones US"Jubilee is a well-researched, well-executed work of fiction that is heavily based on real events. In fact, it feels almost difficult to call this historical fiction..."—The Caffeinated Reader

The warm sea breeze ruffles the pages of my notebook as I meet the bright eyes of the elderly lady sat opposite me on the porch. Sofia has been keeping a devastating secret for over sixty years. Why did she fake her own death during the war? And why is she back now to finally tell her story?Lisbon, 1940. The plush carpet hides her quick steps as Sofia arrives at her suite. She finds the door ajar. Inside, the ornate wallpaper is torn, the mahogany furniture smashed to pieces and her beautiful dresses strewn across the marble floor. Whoever did this was clearly looking for something. Sofia prays they didn’t find it. But she is too late. The young girl she’d promised to protect is gone…Present day. Writer Lily Christie is at rock bottom when she’s tasked with the job of a lifetime writing the memoir of singing sensation Sofia Castello – world-famous until her tragic death in 1941. So Lily is shocked to hear Sofia is actually in her eighties, living in secret, in a blue-tiled cottage on the Portuguese coast.Sofia’s remote beach home, accessed only by a bumpy dirt track, is miles away from anyone. She is clearly still hiding from someone, but who? Lily listens in fascination as the feisty woman spins an unbelievable tale of a secret life working for the Allies, hiding in plain sight: and a love affair lived in stolen moments, until a tragic betrayal changed the course of her life forever.But soon Lily realises that Sofia is still holding something back. What is the final secret haunting Sofia? And can Lily uncover the devastating truth, before it is too late?A totally gripping and emotional tale of lost love, tragedy and secrets hidden for decades. Fans of Fiona Valpy, Lorna Cook and The Letter will adore it.Read what everyone’s saying about The Lost Story of Sofia Castello:‘Unforgettable… pulls on the heart strings… had me glued to the pages… left me breathless… dug deep into my heart… absolutely loved… 5 glorious stars… I loved this story so much.’ Cindy L Spear, ?????‘Totally gripping… I adored… mesmerizing and I didn’t want it to end… a page turner that will capture your heart.’ Christian Bookaholic, ?????‘From the very first page of this book, I was stunned, mesmerised… knock the wind out of you! I’m so sad it's over. I could have read another sixty chapters… fantastic.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘Oh how I loved this… amazing… I absolutely was lost in the tale… sublime.’ NetGalley reviewer, ?????‘Heartbreaking… kept me hooked… really lingers… Absolutely loved it!’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘Heart wrenching… perfect.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘Captured my heart… brilliant… a story that will stay with me for a long time.’ Live_love_read_review, ?????

“Downton’ fans, you’ll love this big house, Engrossing and imaginative” - Irish IndependentBetrayal, deceit, revenge, obsession – one house, one family, three generationsCan a house keep secrets?1840’s – When Lord Edward Armstrong builds the house for his bride, Anna, the family is at the climax of its power. But its world is threatened when no heir is born. Anna could restore their fortunes, but it would mean the ultimate betrayal. Then the Great Famine grips the country.1910s – Clara finds life as lady of the manor is not what she expected when she married Pierce Armstrong. As the First World War rages, she finds solace in artist Johnny Seymour’s decadent circle. Then the War of Independence erupts and Clara is caught between two men, deceit and revenge.Present Day – When Kate Fallon sees the house it is love at first sight. She and her tycoon husband Tony buy it and hire the last Armstrong owner, architect Nico, to oversee its restoration. As Kate’s fascination with the house grows, she and Nico begin to uncover its history and the fates of its occupants in centuries past. But then, as her husband's business empire faces ruin, Kate realises that they are in danger of losing everything.“Skillful and original plotting kept me enthralled until the final page of the story” Rosemary McLoughlin author of Tyringham Park“An irresistible mix of history, drama and intrigue that entertained and enthralled me in equal measure!” - Bord Gáis Energy Book Club

The Auschwitz ProtocolIn a quiet corner of suburban America, retired detective Emil Janowitz has built a life of comfort, woven tightly with the comfortable fabric of lies. For nearly forty years, he sheltered the truth from his loving wife, constructing a past far different from the haunting memories of a boy who once survived the horrors of Auschwitz-Birkenau. But when an unexpected letter arrives, it shatters the fragile façade he has maintained, awakening a torrent of buried demons and forgotten horrors.As Emil embarks on a gripping journey back to the ruins of his past, he must confront the darkness he thought he had buried forever. This voyage of self-discovery takes him through the landscapes of memory, guilt, and the relentless shadows of history that refuse to be silenced. Led by the echoes of his lost family and the atrocities he witnessed, Emil finds himself at a crossroads: to deny the truth that has haunted him, or to unveil the atrocities that still resonate in today’s world.The Auschwitz Protocol is a haunting narrative that weaves together the threads of redemption, memory, and the imperative to remember. As Emil faces his past, readers will be drawn into an emotional odyssey, exploring the depths of human resilience and the struggle against the pervasive evil that persists in society. With each revelation, the fabric of his life unravels, leaving readers to ponder: how do we confront our histories, and what legacies do we carry into the future?Join Emil on a profound journey where the weight of silence must be lifted, and the call to remember is ever more urgent. In this haunting tale, the lines between salvation and damnation blur, highlighting the enduring impact of history on our lives, while reminding us that true healing begins with the courage to confront our past.Second edition.

In this WW2 historical mystery series debut, small-town editor Irene Ingram has a nose for news—and an eye for clues when one of her reporters winds up dead.“Well written, well researched and with a great sense of time and place, this book gives a different slant to WWII.” —Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling authorIrene Ingram has written for her father’s newspaper, the Progress Herald, ever since she could grasp a pencil. Now she’s editor in chief, which doesn’t sit well with the men in the newsroom. But proving her journalistic bona fides is the least of Irene’s worries when crime reporter Moe Bauer, on the heels of a hot tip, turns up dead at the foot of his cellar stairs.An accident? That’s what Police Chief Walt Turner thinks, and Irene is inclined to agree until she finds the note Moe discreetly left on her desk. He was on to a big story, he wrote. The robbery she’d assigned him to cover at Markowicz Hardware turned out to be something far more devious. A Jewish store owner in a small, provincial town, Sam Markowicz received a terrifying message from a stranger. Moe suspected that Sam is being threatened not only for who he is…but for what he knows.Tenacious Irene senses there’s more to the Markowicz story, which she is all but certain led to Moe’s murder. When she’s not filling up column inches with the usual small-town fare—locals in uniform, victory gardens, and scrap drives—she and her best friend, scrappy secretary Peggy Reardon, search for clues. If they can find the killer, it’ll be a scoop to stop the presses. But if they can’t, Irene and Peggy may face an all-too-literal deadline.