The Blitz Girls


Book Description

'I love these type of books that tell the story of young women taking on the jobs of men and keeping the country going... Johanna Bell writes lovely books that make you feel as though you are there' Reader review 5 stars London, August 1940. The war is raging in Europe and on the home front ordinary women are stepping up to do extraordinary things to defend their country against Hitler. Dot is dreading the day that her thuggish husband comes home on leave. As she fights her own battle to contribute to the war effort, she won't let anything stand in her way. Peggy has found confidence as an Air Raid Precaution Warden, despite the jeers of the men she works with. But beneath her pluck she fears for her close-knit family, scattered by the war, all determined to do their duty. Vivian a glamorous former debutante is running away from her own heart and into danger as a volunteer ambulance driver. She will stop at nothing to save innocent lives, even if the cost is her own. As the bombs fall on London, these three women are thrown together into an unlikely friendship. Can the Blitz Girls protect each other in their darkest hour? Everyone loves The Blitz Girls: 'Absolutely loved this book, if you enjoy WW2 stories then this is for you' Reader review 5 stars 'A heartwarming story of women discovering their inner strength. . . I couldn't put it down' Vicki Beeby, author of The Ops Room Girls 'Gripping new saga that I devoured. The research that has gone into this is unbelievable! The sense of camaraderie the girls have is honourable. A tough read at times but an important story' Reader review 5 stars 'I LOVED this book, every single page from start to finish' Reader review 5 stars 'Saga at its best. I sat up most of the night to finish it' Reader review 5 stars




Hope for the Blitz Girls


Book Description

'I'm so taken with the Blitz girls and constantly in awe of their strength and their ability to deal with their lot during the war. There's romance, drama, hardship, heartbreak and friendship . . . I love this author's writing as she captures the feeling of the times so well and really does this genre justice. I was on the edge of my seat' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ London, October 1940. As German bombers increase their nightly raids on the capital, the Blitz Girls must be braver than ever to protect innocent lives and keep the fight against Hitler alive. Dot, encouraged by her friends, is finding her independence and takes a full-time role as an ARP warden. As she finds new courage in the blackouts, her past might still be lurking in the shadows... Peggy makes it her mission to help children caught up in the bombing find safety at her parents' large house in the country. When she returns home, however, she realises her own family need her more than ever. But can she leave her friends in the line of fire? Vivian spends every moment not behind the wheel of her ambulance at the bedside of the man she loves, helping him recover from a terrible crash while defending the British skies. When she is torn between his hospital ward and the site of the latest blast, she faces a heartbreaking choice. As each night becomes more dangerous for the Blitz Girls, will they have the strength to help each other through and keep the light alive in the darkness? EVERYONE LOVES THE BLITZ GIRLS SERIES: 'Oh my goodness what another brilliant book. Family saga wartime, what more can you ask for. I always feel that I know the characters in Johanna's books. If you haven't read any of this author's books you are missing out so much' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Her work shines through with lots of research . . . mind-blowingly good' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Absolutely loved this book, if you enjoy WW2 stories then this is for you' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A heartwarming story of women discovering their inner strength. . . I couldn't put it down' Vicki Beeby, author of The Ops Room Girls 'Gripping new saga that I devoured. The research that has gone into this is unbelievable! The sense of camaraderie the girls have is honourable. A tough read at times but an important story' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I LOVED this book, every single page from start to finish' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Saga at its best. I sat up most of the night to finish it' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I love these type of books that tell the story of young women taking on the jobs of men and keeping the country going. I do love strong women they are great role models. Johanna Bell writes lovely books that make you feel as though you are there' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐




A Dancer in Wartime


Book Description

London during the Blitz was a time of hardship, heroism and hope. For Gillian Lynne – a budding ballerina – it was also a time of great change as she was evacuated from war-torn London to a crumbling mansion, where dance classes took place in the faded ballroom. Life was hard, but her talent and dedication shone through and an astonishing journey ensued, which saw Gillian dancing a triumphant debut in Swan Lake, performing in the West End with doodlebugs falling and touring a devastated Europe entertaining the troops. A Dancer in Wartime paints a vivid and moving picture of what life was really like during the hard years of the Blitz and brings to life a lost world.




The Blitz Girls


Book Description

August, 1940. The war is raging in Europe, but on the home front conflict still seems far away. Dot, living with her mother-in-law and dreading the day that her thuggish husband comes home on leave, is fighting her own battle to contribute to the war effort. Peggy has found confidence as an Air Raid Precaution Warden, despite the jeers of the men she works with - but beneath her pluck she fears for her close-knit family, scattered by the war. And glamorous Vivian, the former debutante, is running away from her own heart and into danger as a volunteer ambulance driver. Then the bombs begin to fall over London, and all their lives are turned upside down. Thrown together into an unlikely friendship, can the Blitz girls protect their country - and each other - in the darkest hour?




Hettie and the London Blitz


Book Description




The Air Raid Girls


Book Description

May, 1941. Meet the Air Raid Girls: three young women keen to do their bit during the Yorkshire blitz. Connie's life has taken an unexpected turn since her husband died - she's living at home and working in the family bakery - but night shifts as an ARP Warden give her a firm sense of purpose. Her younger sister Lizzie is eager to play her part too, perhaps as an ambulance driver. Her fiance refuses to support her decision... but does he really know what's best for her? Twenty-year-old Pamela has led a sheltered life, but when her family's home is destroyed in a raid she must learn to stand on her own two feet - helped by new friends. As bombs fall and fires rage, the young women face the destruction of everything they've ever known. Can their fighting spirit prevail? And what of their families and the men they love? A thrilling and heartwarming new story of friendship, love and duty in wartime by the author of The Spitfire Girls, for fans of Elaine Everest and Rosie Hendry. **Don't miss the next two instalments in the series. The Air Raid Girls at Christmas and The Air Raid Girls: Wartime Brides are available now!** --------------------------------------------- Readers LOVE the Air Raid Girls series: 'There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book' 5 star review 'In all the women at war series of book I have read so far, I think this is the best' 5 star review 'I couldn't put this book down' 5 star review 'Loved the whole story. Hated it coming to an end' 5 star review 'Just the kind of book I like' 5 star review




How the Girl Guides Won the War


Book Description

Explores how the Guides' work was crucial to Britain's victory. When the Blitz broke out, the Guides knew what to do. They kept up morale in bomb shelters, demonstrating 'blitz cooking' with emergency ovens. They grew food on their company allotments and knitted for the entire country. It's difficult to imagine the war effort without the Guides.




The Beantown Girls


Book Description

First Published by Lake Union Publishing, 2019.




The War Girls


Book Description

During one of the darkest periods of World War II, two Jewish sisters and a family friend living on the Aryan side of the Warsaw Ghetto form a trio called The War Girls who fight to rescue their loved ones, finding courage through sisterhood to keep hopealive.




The Bobby Girls' Secrets


Book Description

As the Great War rages on, will the truth come out? 1915. Best friends Irene, Maggie and Annie are proud members of the newly renamed Women's Police Service. While Britain's men are away fighting in France, the girls are doing their bit by keeping the peace at home in London's East End. But out of the blue, Irene is given the opportunity to be stationed near an army barracks in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Having recently experienced some heartbreak and keen for the adventure, she decides to go. What could possibly go wrong? It turns out, plenty. One of the other WPS girls takes an immediate dislike to her and makes her life a misery. On top of that, the man she thinks could be the answer to all her problems isn't all he seems. And when she finds a psychologically disturbed deserter in hiding, she has a very difficult decision to make . . . Can Irene overcome all these obstacles without Maggie and Annie by her side, and find true happiness at last? Praise for THE BOBBY GIRLS: Filled with richly drawn characters that leap from the page, and a plot that's so well researched and well written you will believe you are in the thick of wartime policing, The Bobby Girls is a must-read for all saga fans.' - Fiona Ford, bestselling author of Christmas at Liberty's 'I really enjoyed reading about Britain's first female police officers. A lot of research has gone into this book and it's all the richer and more readable for it. An exciting new voice in women's fiction.' - Kate Thompson, bestselling author of Secrets of the Singer Girls 'I really did enjoy The Bobby Girls. It has a lovely warm feeling about it and is excellently written.' - Maureen Lee, RNA award-winning author of Dancing in the Dark 'A well-researched and interesting story giving a great insight into early women's policing.' - Anna Jacobs, bestselling author of the Ellindale series 'Written with warmth and compassion, the novel gives fascinating insights into the lives of three courageous young women.' - Margaret Kaine, RNA award-winning author of Ring of Clay 'Johanna Bell has hit the jackpot with this striking WW1 crime story. The author places the focus firmly on the girls' growth into independent members of society in a rapidly changing world. It's a heartening central message conveyed with verve and empathy and remains relevant to today's readers, both young and old.' - Jenny Holmes, author of The Spitfire Girls 'This is a story that needed to be told. As a former Special Constable, I love Johanna Bell from the bottom of my heart for giving a voice to the women who first made a way for me and countless others like me - to work as real police officers in the service of our communities.' - Penny Thorpe, author of The Quality Street Girls 'A lovely story! The author has researched the era and the theme very well. The characters stood out on the page and through their eyes you are transported back to a different age.' - AnneMarie Brear, author of Beneath a Stormy Sky