A heart-warming tale about resilience, friendships and family, and the inestimable power of the written word' RUTH HOGAN'A heart-warming depiction of strong female friendships tested by suffering - Annie Lyons really is the queen of the wartime saga' CLARE CHAMBERSCan two young women and one book change the course of war?1940. Whip-smart librarian Peggy Sparks is determined to make sure that her brother Joe returns from the frontline to their London home, which they share with their beloved mother and grandmother. So when she is offered a once-in-a-lifetime job at the heart of the war effort, Peggy jumps at the prospect of making a real contribution to her country. But when she finds herself working under the fanciful socialite Lady Marigold Cecily, Peggy discovers that those around her are more keen on dancing at the Café de Paris than on ending the war. Writing accounts of her daily life is the only thing keeping Peggy's hopes alive. But when she finds her inner-most thoughts accidentally published by the Ministry of Information, Peggy realises she needs Marigold's help to save her job, and to bring her brother home . . .From the author of The Air Raid Book Club comes a powerful tale of unexpected friendship, community and two remarkable women who change the course of the war. Full of heart, emotion and drama, it is the perfect uplifting story for fans of Kate Thompson and Natasha Lester.'A joyous read that I couldn't put down. I loved it' LIZ FENWICK'Annie Lyons writes with compassion and heart, leaving the reader feeling like there is always hope, even in the darkest times' KATE STOREY'This book is a delight! A warm hug of a story with gorgeous characters who felt like friends... Loved it! KERRY BARRETTWHAT EARLY READERS ARE ALREADY SAYING ABOUT A GIRLS' GUIDE TO WINNING THE WAR:'I loved every page of it...I Iove, love, loved it' ? ? ? ? ?'So many emotions, fabulous writing and a thoroughly enjoyable read!' ? ? ? ? ?'Heartfelt and real' ? ? ? ? ?'Inspirational' ? ? ? ? ?'Very moving book and very evocative of the era' ? ? ? ? ? 'A joyous read that I couldn't put down. I loved it' Liz Fenwick'A heartwarming novel about resilience and the power of female friendship' Good Housekeeping

In the grandeur of the Roman Empire, Centurion Marcus Antonius Maecilius is a man of honour and valour. Yet, fate deals him a cruel hand when he is falsely accused of cowardice and sentenced to serve as an oarsman on a bireme, a slave to the rhythm of the waves and the lash of the overseer.Broken and embittered, he resigns himself to the monotonous toil of the galley—until the day a mysterious group of five men board his ship in Hispana with orders for the captain to take them to Belgica in the northern seas.Unbeknownst to Marcus, these elite operatives, selected from the best of the exploratores, are on a clandestine mission deep into the heart of Germania, and when the ship is forced to engage a Gallic pirate ship, his bravery shines through, catching the eye of Seneca, the man in charge of the exploratores.Offered a chance to join their elite ranks, Marcus must make a decision that will change his life forever. Does he stay and live out his sentence before seeking justice, or does he join these secretive men, who, by their own admission, doubt they will come back from their mission alive?Set against the backdrop of the ancient world's most formidable empire, Dark Eagle is a dramatization of the secretive world of those who fought for Rome in the shadows. Unknown to most, their battlefields were often behind enemy lines, clandestine missions to seek information and, where necessary, dealing death without hesitation.In today’s world they would be called special forces but back then, they were known as the Exploratores.

Chosen by Odin.Destined for Valhalla.In my dreams, Odin whispers to me.He tells me I’m destined to wield a legendary sword.He tells me my road will bring me to Valhalla.But when I wake, I’m only Hervor. Fatherless. Unloved. Unwanted. Jarl Bjartmar, my grandfather, calls me cursed. My mother, her memories stolen by the gods, has forgotten me. Everyone tells me I should have been left to the wolves, but no one will tell me why.None but Eydis, a thrall with völva magic, believes I’m meant for a greater destiny. Yet who can believe a devotee of Loki?When the king and his son arrive for the holy blót, the runes begin to fall in my favor. A way forward may lie in the handsome Viking set on winning my heart, but only if I unravel the mystery hanging over me first.Readers will relish Shield Maiden: Under the Howling Moon. This sweeping Viking historical fantasy retells the Norse Hervarar Saga, depicting the life of the shieldmaiden Hervor.

GET THE *COMPLETE* SERIES IN THIS GREAT-VALUE BOX SET.Fans of Philip McCutchan, Alan Savage, Antony Melville-Ross, Christopher C. Tubbs and Patrick O’Brian will LOVE these compelling adventures that span WW1 and WW2.PRAISE FOR CHRISTOPHER NICOLE’S DAWSON NAVAL ADVENTURES:‘Fast-paced, entertaining, appealing!’ Library Journal‘A thoroughly entertaining yarn.’Irish Times????? ‘A first-class series of naval life.’Reader Review????? ‘Another much enjoyable series!’ Reader Review????? ‘One of the best books that I've read in a long time.’ Reader ReviewMEET THE DAWSON FAMILYFor the Dawsons, a commission in the British Navy is everything. Rear Admiral Ralph Dawson may have retired, but his eldest son, Jack, is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve his country.As war threatens the tranquillity of Edwardian Britain, the Dawson’s loyalties are tested and the family is torn apart. Jack might crave action on the water, but at what cost?IN THIS FOUR-BOOK SERIES:BOOK 1: DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES1905. Jack Dawson is forging a career in the Royal Navy and is set to take a commission on the Navy’s newest battleship Dreadnought. But his friendship with German naval officer Bruno von Eltz and his sister Helene will put him at odds with his country, and his family.BOOK 2: THE TITANS1914. Britain and Germany, the world’s two greatest naval forces, are set to meet in battle. Jack Dawson is desperate to clear his name and regain his commission. But the path of war is rarely kind and as he faces his old friend, Bruno von Eltz, he realises that in battle there can only be one victor.BOOK 3: RESUMPTION1937. Jack’s son, Jack, has made Lieutenant in the British Navy and is serving in Nanking, China, preventing the Imperial Japanese Navy from gaining control over the city. As the threat of war rumbles on in Europe, Jack strikes up an unexpected friendship with a Japanese Navy pilot. A friendship that will be torn apart as Japan, a nation bent on war, prepares its assault on the west.BOOK 4: THE LAST BATTLE1941. Jack Dawson and Hirada Tanawa are bound by naval codes and a thirst for action. The two men know each day they fight could be their last and each attack could mean the end of their friend’s life. Do they have the courage needed to survive this brutal, unforgiving war?GET ALL *FOUR* BOOKS IN THIS SUPERB-VALUE BOX SET.

Fans of Catherine Cookson and Helen Forrester will love this.'Endless years of a lonely, childless spinster’s life stretching ahead, Victoria Kavanagh finds an abandoned baby. She knows it’s the answer to her prayers. Or is it? Has she stolen him in a moment of madness? She’s come close to it before …Desperate to keep him, she creates a past of her own design and moves to Faredene, but is her new life far enough away from the past she’s trying to escape? What a framework on which to build – one of lies and deceit.Thrust into a world where men are vying for her attention, Victoria has to decide in whom to lay her trust. Can she learn to have faith in her own judgement? First, she must forgive herself for standing by while her father destroyed her mother – her private shame.Unprepared for the challenges of motherhood and running her own business, whatever the future holds, there’s no turning back. Caring for people comes at a cost and her desire to protect a friend sets off a chain of events that has repercussions for everyone whose lives she touches … Her meddling may just be her undoing.When danger threatens her son, Victoria has to make a heart-breaking choice – but is she ready to let him go?

Heartwarming, courageous, and ultimately uplifting - for all lovers of WW2 historyWhen Cathy’s twin brother is called to serve in the Royal Navy, she leaps at the chance to join the Wrens, which by 1942, has grown into a strong force of over sixty thousand women. But she longs to be at sea and prove herself – to fight alongside her brother.Already working her way up through the ranks is Wren Officer Anne Foxton, who takes command of a ‘stone frigate’ in the traditional man’s world of the British Navy. It’s a responsible job – and for her – the opportunity of a lifetime. Then into Anne’s well-ordered world comes a young Swordfish pilot who has earned himself quite a reputation. Which one of her girls will catch his eye – and what lengths will he go to, to win her?And then there’s Linda, a motorcycle despatch rider, enjoying freedom for the first time in her life and learning all manner of secrets as she takes important messages from one top location to another. She sees a lot more than the war office might be comfortable with, including plans for Operation Pedestal – the most ambitious convoy ever sent through a barrage of enemy fire to the island of Malta. Essential supplies must get there before it's too late, but what can she do to help the Navy boys fight their way through?Against all odds, the women are drawn to help each other. Together, they find the courage to work and play in a war-torn world. All three are placed in grave danger and will only survive with determination, skill and luck. Will they be able to do it?