East London, 1943. Georgina St John-Smythe – George to her friends – is usually the life and soul of any party. But as the East End of London prepares wearily for another wartime Christmas amid nightly bombings, she is finding it hard to muster her festive spirit, still hurting from a recent romantic betrayal. But […]
The Variety Girls by Betty Firth
In March, 1940, Bradford mill girl Molly Clough can hardly believe it when she successfully auditions for ENSA, the organisation that entertains the troops. Despite the much-mocked ENSA’s reputation as ‘Every Night Something Awful’, singing on stage feels like a dream come true for Molly. But as she tours with her troupe, the Forces Follies, […]
Twice Shy by Sophia Holloway
After her heartbreaking first Season, Elizabeth Ashling resolved to avoid London Society – and matrimony – completely. However, family obligations mean that Elizabeth is thrust back into society where she faces an overzealous poet, a bitter rival and, most awkwardly, the man who jilted her three years before. Sir Lucius Radstock, dry, dashing and as […]
Echoes of the Past at the Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane
It’s Somerset in 1934 and the May Day celebrations are under way, offering some light relief from the daily hardships and a glimmer of hope for a brighter future for the folk of Norton Dene. Conscientious Sister Edith Harrison has her fortune told and a handsome, tall dark stranger is predicted to be on the […]
Fables & Lies by Elisabeth Storrs
In WWII Berlin Freyja Bremer, a patriotic museum assistant, marries Kaspar Voigt, an ambitious SS scholar, to protect her father. Yet she is unaware her husband is instrumental in Himmler’s twisted quest for Aryan supremacy. As she strives to safeguard the priceless Priam’s Treasure from air raids, Freyja falls in love with Darien Lessing, an […]
Brighter Skies in the Dales by Betty Firth
December 1942. The tide of war has turned at last, with an Allied victory looking increasingly certain, but all is not well for the residents of Silverdale. Newlyweds Bobby and Charlie find themselves back in civilian life after Charlie is given a medical discharge from the RAF. But the village of Silverdale has been forever […]
In defence of full-blooded romance rooted in real history
Romance is blooming in the book world — though, really, has it ever not? So let’s hear it for full-blooded historical romance, says author Maggie Craig; rooted in history and with handsome, ruffle-shirted heroes. I write historical non-fiction and novels. I’m more than happy to have the latter described as historical romance. They are quite […]
Celebrations at the Toffee Factory by Glenda Young
The Great War has ended, but Jack’s toffee factory struggles after years of sugar rations and its troubles are far from over. Fun, feisty Elsie longs for freedom and excitement. Hoping to meet the man of her dreams, she spurns the attention of dependable Stan. Will she realise that what she wants and what she […]