Paris, 1940. Golden light bathes the crumbling rooftop of the orphanage. I stroke my little sister’s hair and comfort the other war orphans climbing into the rickety truck. We must leave the only home we have left, or the Nazis will find us… Margot has spent most of her life at St Agnes’ Orphanage with her little sister Lucie. She does her best to care for all the children, cradling them under the stars when Sister Helen can’t get them to sleep. But she knows that when the Nazis reach the gates of Paris, the Jewish orphans will be in terrible danger. She must help them escape…Holding on tightly to Lucie as they all scramble into a truck bound for the countryside, Margot cannot prevent her hands from shaking. Then one night, by the flickering light of the makeshift fire, Sister Helen tells Margot she has found a rich family to take Lucie in. But there will be no safety for the other children – unless Margot can lead them to the French coast for a ship destined for America.Looking from her sister’s bright blue eyes to the little patchwork teddy the children share, Margot realises she must trust someone else with the only family she has left. But as soon as the wrought-iron gates of Lucie’s new home slam shut, Margot knows she’s made a mistake. Devastated at being left behind with strangers, Lucie runs away.Margot knows the only place Lucie will run to is the high stone walls of the orphanage, where she last knew warmth and food and comfort. With fear in her heart, Margot is faced with an impossible choice. Should she race to save her sister from a terrible fate, or make sure the other orphans escape?A heart-wrenching and powerful historical fiction page-turner set in World War Two Paris. Perfect for fans of Kelly Rimmer, The Midwife of Auschwitz and Rhys Bowen.Readers are loving The Home for War Orphans:‘Breathtaking, heart-wrenching historical novel that I couldn’t put down… Completely stole my heart… A must-read. Absolutely stunning… Unforgettable.’ NetGalley reviewer, ??????????‘Completely nail-biting… I lost count of how many times I was brought to tears.’ Goodreads reviewer, ??????????‘One of the best books I’ve read this year for sure!... Gripping… Had me on the edge of my seat!... I am champing at the bit to read more!’ Goodreads reviewer, ??????????‘What a page-turner!... Impossible to stop reading. I can’t wait for the next in this series!’ Goodreads reviewer, ??????????‘Incredible… heartbreaking… I just couldn't put this book down… if I could give it more then 5 stars I certainly would.’ NetGalley reviewer, ??????????‘Emotional right to the end… Needs lots of tissues… Totally perfect… I loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ??????????‘Brilliant from start to finish… Amazing and powerful from the get-go… An unforgettable and exhilarating ride.’ Shaz's Book Blog‘Awesome… So so good… I couldn’t put this book down.’ Goodreads reviewer, ??????????

A BRAND NEW wartime novel of bravery, hope, and the power of a mother's love in the darkest of times Inspired by an incredible untold story.Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and Mandy Robotham It is 1943 in Nazi-occupied Paris, and nobody is safe. Nobody, except perhaps one small group of people, who’ve always existed outside the law…At Le Cirque Casini, the trapeze artists still fly. The strong men still perform amazing feats. The sad-faced clowns still make people laugh, even in a city with a broken heart. The Nazis do not trouble them, as long as they keep the people happy and entertained.But what the Germans don’t know is that there are circus performers with secrets of their own. And when Lia – a performer known for her bravery on the trapeze – finds herself with nowhere else to go but back to the circus she’d left 18 years ago – she does so with two small orphaned Jewish children in tow, who she’s sworn to protect.As the circus’s numbers swell with people desperate to hide, and threats come not only from the Nazis but from one who seeks to kill someone amongst them, Lia and the other circus-performers know they must do everything in their power to protect the vulnerable.But who better than those who would risk their lives every day for entertainment—to save the lives of others?An unforgettable story that will stay with you long after the final page Readers love Jina Bacarr:“My heart was torn to shreds… This is one powerful, gut-wrenching, soul-shattering novel that would make any woman cry… My own heart felt pierced to the core… Like nothing else I have read… Magnificent.” Reader Review ?????“Hard-hitting and heart-breaking, this is truly an excellent novel.” Reader Review ?????“Wow what a book! From the very first page I was totally hooked… A rollercoaster of a ride of heartbreak and bravery… An absolutely gripping, powerful story that I won’t forget anytime soon.” Reader Review ?????“Wow! I was blown away by the magnitude of this novel. It is exceptional on so many levels. It is hard to know where to begin in singing its praises… A gripping, heart wrenching story of chaos, sacrifice and courage… A must-read for historical fiction lovers” Reader Review ?????“This powerful heartbreaking story is one that will stay with me for a long time… Amazingly vivid…I was taken on a rollercoaster of emotions from heartbreak to joy and anger to excitement and a whole lot more. I hate what people had to face but I love their determination, bravery and courage… There aren’t enough stars in the world to rate this book.” Reader Review ?????

Praise for Joanna Hickson:‘An intriguing tale, told with confidence’ The Times‘Rich and warm’ Sunday ExpressWill his ambition be her destiny or her downfall? When Isabel Williams is betrothed to John Seymour, Lord of Wolf Hall Manor, she hopes that love and respect will come, despite his cold streak of ruthless ambition.Jess the shepherdess tends her flock on the wild spaces of Avebury close by, dismissing those who believe it is work for men. Forced to flee after falling under suspicion for the disappearance of a young man, Isabel’s offer of life with the growing Seymour family is the only refuge available to her.As John’s ambition draws them into the orbit of the divided court of the young King Henry VI, his hunger to succeed takes on a darker edge. Isabel realises her husband will pay any price to get what he wants, even if it means destroying those he has sworn to protect…

For unwed mother Nell Lillington, 1876 Chicago—and her new wealth—offer the promise of longed-for independence. She dreams of a place in society for her daughter Sarah and contentment for her friend Tess. Yet how can she settle in a town where she’s far too likely to run into Martin Rutherford and his glittering, faithless wife, Lucetta? Can she resist her love for Martin for Sarah’s sake?Martin was doubtless joking when he told Nell that if she got herself mixed up with a murderer for the third time, he’d disown her. But when Martin himself is arrested for murder, Nell’s dreams appear to be swallowed up in the new web of secrets she constructs to help him. Secrets that threaten to alienate Tess, Sarah, and even Martin . . .The third book in the House of Closed Doors series will take you to a Chicago teeming with opportunistic new Americans, luxury-loving merchant princes and hard-hearted denizens of the underworld.

An utterly heartbreaking and beautifully uplifting story of forbidden love, wartime secrets and the healing power of friendship. Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Faith Hogan and Fiona Valpy! ? On a quiet bridge where memories linger, hearts begin to heal...1992 Elisavet, a Serbian refugee haunted by loss, finds work on Island Farm Avenue. There, three older women – Cora, Megan, and Gladdie – meet regularly on the old footbridge, a quiet place where stories are shared and wounds are gently laid bare. As they begin to open up about their memories, Elisavet is drawn into their past and the healing power of female friendship.1944 During the war, a young Cora forms a forbidden bond with Frank, a German prisoner held at Island Farm Camp. A fleeting smile. A folded paper aeroplane. A love that defies the rules of a broken world. But as their connection deepens, Cora must choose between her heart and the hostile judgment of a war-weary town.As Elisavet pieces together the intertwined pasts of these three extraordinary women, she uncovers a story of resilience, love, and the kind of friendship that builds bridges across time.Praise for Norma Curtis:‘This beautifully unique tale will fill you with hope, then will suddenly break your heart into a million pieces.’ Off the Hook Books, ?????‘Heart-wrenching.’ NetGalley reviewer, ?????‘Truly heart-wrenching.’ Goodreads reviewer ?????‘A beautiful and heartbreaking story... I cannot wait to read more by this author. This author has now become a go-to author.’ Goodreads reviewer ?????

????? ‘A powerful, compelling, spellbinding and poignant love story that will stay with me forever.’ Reader reviewWith the threat of war closing in, how far will she go to protect those she loves?France, 1940. Arlette Blaise has always lived a peaceful life on her family’s farm in the unoccupied south, sheltered from the horrors of war. But as Nazi forces sweep across the country, that fragile calm shatters. Harvests are seized, rationing tightens, and the German occupation creeps into even the quietest corners of France.When Arlette’s brother joins the Resistance, Arlette and her father are left to protect their home from the ever-present threat. But Arlette’s courage pushes her to take a dangerous risk. She shelters Saul, a Jewish man marked for death by the Nazis, and discovers love in a time when every decision carries deadly consequences.As the authorities close in, Arlette must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect those she loves. But when violence reaches her doorstep, can she save her family—or will the war destroy everything she’s fought to protect?This powerful historical saga of family bonds, quiet heroism and the resilience of ordinary women in extraordinary times is perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Fiona Valpy, Kate Quinn or Rhys Bowen.Readers love Angela Barton:????? ‘Breathtakingly beautiful.’ Toscana????? ‘Will always stay with me . . . A must read!’ Carol????? ‘A story that everyone should read.’ Barry????? ‘Rich in historical content and so immensely touching.’ Stephen????? ‘The best book that I've read this year.’ coco