. Convinced germany will head straight for Paris, mother and younger son to Beaufort, he sends his wife, daughter, a small village in northern France. In may 1914, helene noisette’s father believes war is imminent. But war has a way of separating lovers and families, of twisting promises and dashing hopes, and of turning the naïve and innocent into the jaded and war-weary.
But when war erupts two months later, the German army invades neutral Belgium, sweeping south towards Paris. As the months pass, Helene is forced to reconcile dreams for the future with harsh reality. Lies told in silence examines love and loss, duty and sacrifice, and the unexpected consequences of lies.
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Unravelled
A well researched and very enjoyable book. Anne easter smith, author of A Rose for the Crown and Royal Mistress. A beartiful rendering of the healing journey of two war torn hearts. Elisabeth stoors, author of The Golden Dice and The Wedding Shroud. A sweeping story of love and war with much of the style of Brief Encounter and the passionate intensity of Birdsong.
Two wars, two affairs, one marriage. K. Tod’s skilful debut novel spanning two world wars deftly illuminates the subtle stirrings of the human heart as movingly as it depicts the horrors of battle. Poignant and generous, alive with longing, scarred by war, and Ann, Unravelled gives us Edward, two people bound by the heartbreaking bonds of a marriage forged in the crucible of secrets and war.
Barbara kyle, author of Blood Between Queens. A compulsive and convincing read: a story of webs that were innocently woven - and lives that subsequently become unravelled.
Time and Regret
. But her grandfather wasn’t the only one harboring secrets, and the more Grace learns about her family, the less she thinks she can trust them. When grace hansen finds a box belonging to her beloved grandfather, she has no idea it holds the key to his past—and to long-buried family secrets. In the box are his World War I diaries and a cryptic note addressed to her.
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The Occupation: Loyalties are pushed to the limits in this powerful wartime saga
One woman’s secret war against the Nazis. One man’s war against himself…1940, jerseywhen nazi forces occupy Jersey in the English Channel Islands, who is married to a German, Céline Huber, must decide where her loyalty lies. But when things go wrong, and his Nazi masters discover his true allegiance, he finds he has the whole of the German Army on his tail.
How far will céline go for her best friend? will fred make his way home to her? or will their lives be changed forever by the brutality of war?THE OCCUPATION is a moving war & military saga following the separate stories of a young man and woman through the years of the Second World War as they fight to survive.
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A View Across the Rooftops: An epic, heart-wrenching and gripping World War Two historical novel
This is a book i will put back to read again, I enjoyed it so much. Michael insists that not even the Nazis will come between them. But elke is a non-Jewish Dutch girl, and their relationship is strictly forbidden. Josef sees the passionate determination in his young friend’s eyes. I was captured… Made me feel like I was right there.
Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘oh my goodness! What a wonderful book! There is so much love, hope, and fear as well. As nazis occupy his beloved city, Professor Josef Held feels helpless. Mesmerising, emotional and beautifully written. Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘the rollercoaster of emotions I went through while reading this book is amazing… For an author to make me literally cry… The story is just incredible.
Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘if I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. An unforgettable story of love, hope and betrayal, and a testament to the courage of humanity in history’s darkest days. If michael is to survive and get back to the woman he loves, it will be down to Josef – to find the hero inside himself, and do whatever it takes to keep Michael alive.
The Fortunate Ones: Beautiful and heartbreaking World War 2 historical fiction
I cried many, many times…This story showed just how important hope can be. Strong characters make this such a gripping read. Netgalley reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What an extraordinary, engaging story. Inge never knew that her father’s ‘party loyalty’ would extend to marrying her off to a cruel Nazi officer twice her age, who sees his new wife as just another thing to control.
One of my best reads this year. It moved me to undiscovered heights of understanding and compassion. Sobering. Captivating. But that doesn’t make their first, shy kiss less significant, or the moment they’re torn apart less shocking.
The Poppy Field: A gripping and emotional World War One historical romance
There, wrapped in old newspapers, is a tin that reveals the secret letters and heartache of Alice Le Breton, in a boarded-up cupboard, a young volunteer nurse who worked in a casualty clearing station near the front line. Set in the present day and during the horrifying years of the war, both woman discover deep down the strength and courage to carry on in even the most difficult of times.
Through alice’s words and her unfailing love for her sweetheart at the front, Gemma learns to truly live again. This epic historical novel will take your breath away. Readers are falling in love with the poppy field:‘both heartbreaking and full of hope and happiness’ Pam, Goodreads‘Exceptional’ Cassie’s Books‘A beautifully written, highly enjoyable read’ Nicki’s Book Blog‘One to watch’ Good Housekeeping.
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The Last Season
Nicholas surprisingly turns up in berlin on business, and Mary gets an inkling that the mysterious project with which he is involved may prove far more powerful and important than anyone ever dreamed. After a long personal struggle, Mary realizes the harm her selfish emotions and unrequited love have caused and embarks on a dangerous plan to help Ruth escape Germany.
. In addition, she must contend with her radical cousin HEINZI who is active in the Hitler Youth movement and lusts after Mary. The so-called 'season' is beginning, a traditional period during which marriageable young ladies of the aristocracy enjoy lavish balls and are 'presented' to the monarchy as they enter high society.
Mary's jealousy, however, gets in the way. In berlin, mary confronts the harsh reality of Nazi militarism, extreme anti-Semitism and the ever-present threat of Ruth's deportation to one of Hitler's death camps. He pleads with mary to deliver them to Ruth, and she reluctantly agrees. In 1938 britain, while war with Nazi Germany looms, the extravagant lifestyle of the English elite goes on.
Although andrew's roguish younger brother nichOLAS has his eye on Mary, she shuns him because of his reputation as a womanizer and rumors that he is involved in activities possibly detrimental to Britain.
The Last Letter from Juliet: A heartbreaking and unforgettable WW2 historical novel
Was. I’ve finished the book. The usa today bestseller!“i loved it!” jill mansellInspired by the brave women of WWII, this is a moving and powerful novel of friendship, love and resilience. A story of love not a story of a war…a daring wwii pilot who grew up among the clouds, Juliet Caron’s life was one of courage, adventure – and a love torn apart by war.
Every nook of her Cornish cottage is alive with memories just waiting to be discovered. Katherine henderson has escaped to Cornwall for Christmas, but she soon finds there is more to her holiday cottage than meets the eye. Holy ******…i had to keep taking breaks in the last 15% just so I didn’t break down in a flood of tears’ Zoe Hartgen‘Read the first chapter and I.
Hooked!’ skye’s mum‘if you only read one book this year make it the last letter from juliet’ tracey shults‘i just couldn't put it down until finished’ Jeanette‘Captures those stolen moments in dangerous and desperate times…beautiful, friendship, nostalgic and emotional’ Cheryl M-M‘Jam packed full of emotion…I don't usually read historical fiction but I'm so glad I read this’ Jennie Scanlan‘I can highly recommend this beautiful tale of love, sacrifice, courage and so much more’ Nessa Stimpson.
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My Name is Eva: An absolutely gripping and emotional historical novel
Netgalley reviewer, love, 5 stars ‘A phenomenal story of courage, murder and all the atrocities that go with war. One of the best characters in a book EVER! What a fantastic, beautiful, heart-wrenching tale, incredibly told. I absolutely loved every single page. The author has successfully penned a debut novel that I would highly recommend without any hesitation.
It would be easy to dismiss Evelyn as a muddled old woman, but her lipstick is applied perfectly, and her buttons done up correctly. I’ve read over 30 historical fiction novels in the past year and this one is definitely in my top 10 Netgalley Reviewer, 5 stars. She can never forget the promise she made to the love of her life, no matter what it cost her…When Evelyn’s niece Pat opens an old biscuit tin to find a photo of a small girl with a red ball entitled ‘Liese, to discover the truth about the mission that led to his death, 1951’ and a passport in another name, she has some questions for her aunt.
Fans of the letter, the Alice Network and The Nightingale will be hooked. Eva is an extraordinary character, funny, loyal, smart, strong, loving, and brave.
Cry of the Heart: A World War II Novel
She and her husband, find allies in unlikely places, particularly an American woman, Alain, Dorothy Pine. But then, the world crashes around them. She fabricates a story to explain how David came to be with her and must tip-toe around the suspicions of her neighbours, her friends and most of all her mother and sister.
A young jewish woman, fleeing from the authorities, begs her to take care of her four year old boy, David. One day her life changes forever. The peril for jews and for those, like Viviane, who hide them, appears overwhelming. Times are hard but she is not the sort to be dismayed by circumstances. The challenge for them now is to survive.
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