The Girl Across the Wire Fence: Completely Unforgettable World War Two Historical Fiction Based on a True Story


Book Description

1944, Amersfoort Concentration Camp, Holland. Based on a true story, the unforgettable tale of two young lovers who risked everything to keep hope alive in the very depths of hell. On a cold, dark day in a tiny Dutch village, Saskia and her boyfriend Frans watch as Nazi soldiers force thousands of prisoners towards Amersfoort Concentration Camp. Their hearts break as they see the desperate faces of innocent men and women and realise that the war is closer to them than it's ever been before... Saskia's father's shop is raided when the guards suspect that he is Jewish, and Frans is soon forced to enter the concentration camp every day to collect scraps of food as it's the only way to feed the animals on his family's farm. But despite the growing fear the couple feel, when a prisoner begs Frans to send a letter to his beloved reassuring her he is alive, they know they must risk everything to help him. They smuggle his letter out, right under the noses of the Nazis. And eventually they ferry hundreds of messages for prisoners, bringing them hope in the darkest moments of their lives. But every letter Frans gets out of the camp puts him in even more danger. And every reply Saskia manages to collect is a risk. And then Saskia is led into Kamp Amersfoort and is forced to wear a yellow star. Inside, she cannot ignore the pain of the other prisoners, and Frans knows she will be putting herself in more danger to help them - attracting the attention of the guards. The couple know they must act. Everyone says it's impossible to escape the camp, but it's the only option they have left. Their love has kept them together but is it enough to help them survive? A gripping story of love, betrayal and courage. Readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and anything by Fiona Valpy will never forget this heartbreakingly beautiful novel and the great sacrifices Saskia and Frans made to change the fate of the world. What readers are saying about Imogen Matthews: 'Unbelievable... Drop everything as you will not want to put this down.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Powerful, inspiring, heartbreaking... An inspiring story about the bravery and kindness of ordinary people... It had me in tears.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars




The Girl with the Red Hair


Book Description

My heart thrashes inside my chest as I watch my best friend get dragged away by German soldiers. I run towards her, begging them to stop, but then I see the gun. 'No, please!' I shout as panicked tears stream down my face. 'Don't hurt her!' I'm the only one left who can save her... 1942, Amsterdam. The Nazi occupation has shattered the lives of inseparable best friends Hannie and Sonja. The canals and rainy cobbled streets they once strolled down are now patrolled by soldiers day and night, who arrest people at will and beat those who resist. Hannie can't stand by and watch the lives of the innocent be destroyed by the evil occupiers. At great danger to herself, she joins the underground resistance, where she meets the charming and mysterious Jan. She covers her bright red hair to avoid detection by the Nazis while distributing fake IDs. And she makes a promise to Sonja and her little sister Maya, who are Jewish - she will hide them and keep them safe, no matter the cost. But as the German grip on the country tightens with each passing day, Sonja's worst fears come true when members of her family are taken prisoner. With Jan by her side, Hannie goes undercover as a nurse to try to free them. But she's devastated when she discovers they've been taken to a concentration camp in the isolated far east of the country. Is she too late to save them? And when Sonja goes missing, Hannie is terrified the worst has happened - has someone betrayed her best friend? Hannie knows her most dangerous task is now ahead of her. Can Hannie save Sonja, and will she have to make the biggest sacrifice of all to bring her home? Inspired by the incredible true-life story of a brave young Dutch woman who would stop at nothing to fight for justice and freedom, The Girl with the Red Hair is an utterly heart-wrenching and emotional World War Two novel of one woman's bravery and sacrifice. Perfect for fans of Heather Morris, Kristin Hannah and Fiona Valpy. What readers are saying about Imogen Matthews: "Heartbreaking... sure to have you flying through the pages from cover to cover. This amazingly suspenseful story is unputdownable and will definitely stay with you long after you finish the book. My heart broke for the wonderful, believable characters. I held my breath as my heart pounded faster and faster... a definite must read." Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I was blown away... inspiring, unputdownable... Gripping... moving." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "SO GOOD. Wow. The author really makes you FEEL the emotions each character is having... The writing is so great... Absolutely loved this novel." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Heart-wrenching and suspenseful... heart-breaking... excellent characters, vivid descriptions and a nail-biting plot." Sandy's Book Talk, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wow, what a page-turner!... amazing... filled with unexpected turns and twists." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A heart-stopping read... breath-taking." I'm Hooked on Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐




The German Girl


Book Description

‘I absolutely loved this… heartbreaking and heart-warming… I was completely hooked… an absolutely amazing book, one which I was completely captivated by… will stay with you for such a long time after you’ve finished reading it.’ Starburst Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Germany, 1938. Fifteen-year-old Asta and her twin brother Jurgen are stopped as they run home from school through strangely silent streets: ‘Your parents were taken. And if you go home, the Nazis will take you too…’ Heartbroken, Asta knows they must make the perilous journey across a hostile country that no longer feels like home to reach Denmark and their aunt Trine, a woman they barely know. Crossing the border is punishable by death. In the middle of the snowy forest, barking dogs and armed soldiers capture Jurgen and Asta escapes. Asta must hold on to hope no matter what. One day she will find her twin, the other half of herself. Even if it means leaving the safety of Denmark, and risking her life in a labour camp to track down the man who took her brother. Whatever the price she has to pay, her brother’s life is worth it. A gripping and poignant read that will break your heart and give you hope. Fans of The Nightingale, The Dressmaker’s Gift and All the Light We Cannot See will be gripped by the story of a brave brother and sister seeking safety during one of the darkest times in our history. What everyone’s saying about The German Girl: ‘Keep the tissues handy… By far the absolute best book I’ve read this year!... I devoured it in one sitting… a historical fiction masterpiece… Please keep writing, Lily Graham, the world needs more of your books! ‘ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Oh wow. What a powerful, gripping story… Lily Graham really brought the characters to life, during all the different settings and drew me in as though I was an extra in the story. Very moving.’ Karen Loves Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Read to the last Page! Unputdownable!... The author has taken us to a time period we all would like to forget, but shouldn’t because it.could happen again. Her writing is provocative and explosive! The characters are strong and believable! You want to cheer them on so you keep turning the pages. I couldn’t stop so I ended up reading this in one sitting!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What an emotional read full of bravery, perseverance and courage.’ Shortbookthyme, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I simply couldn't put this book down, and I felt I was drawn back to that time. Overall, this book is an emotional and gripping book, that is unputdownable. Worth five stars!’ Tropicalgirlreadsbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What everyone’s saying about Lily Graham: ‘Absolutely one of the best books I have read… Lily Graham has written one of the best books of the year in my honest opinion! If I could have given this a higher rating than 5 stars I would have done so… truly an unforgettable story!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘You will cry, you will be addicted from the start and will find it hard to put down. This book ranks high on my favourite books list, a BRILLIANT book and worth far more than 5* in my opinion. EXCELLENT.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Warning! This book will make you cry… The most moving story I’ve read in a long while… I have not wept so much in a while… I fell in love… by the end I was smiling and crying. I was an emotional mess all round really.’ The Book Trail, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐




The English Girl


Book Description

‘5 stars for sure!! This book gripped me, and I just couldn’t stop reading it… beautiful… extraordinary!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1946, Norfolk, England: Fran gazes out across the beach, its beauty marred by the sharp barbed wire, hiding deadly mines beneath the sand. Everyone is nervously awaiting the arrival of the German prisoners, who will change everything.... When a prison camp is created on the outskirts of Fran’s village, the sudden presence of the captured German soldiers in their small community feels almost too painful to bear. People are grieving the loss of fathers, husbands and sons killed overseas, and Fran struggles to see these young men as anything other than the villains who murdered her beloved brother. But when Fran meets Thomas, a German prisoner with a gentle nature and piercing blue eyes, she is forced to question everything she thought she knew. Their connection is immediate, and Fran soon finds herself falling for someone she had thought was the enemy. Knowing that a relationship with Thomas would be seen as a terrible betrayal by those closest to her, she must keep the secret or face losing everything she holds dear. Until a devastating event threatens to tear Fran and Thomas apart, and Fran must decide how much she is willing to risk for love... 1989, Berlin, Germany: After losing her grandfather, a heartbroken Tiffany arrives in Germany just in time to witness the Berlin Wall fall. As joy erupts throughout the streets, she joins the swell of people crossing the border from West to East. In her pocket is a crumpled letter addressed to her grandmother Fran, proof of a wartime secret that has been buried for decades. What Tiffany finds will change everything she thought she knew about herself and her family. But can she find the final piece of the puzzle and give herself and Fran a second chance at happiness, or is it too late to heal the scars of the past? An absolutely unputdownable story inspired by an incredible true love story, this is a beautiful, sweeping tale of hope, courage and heartbreaking choices. Fans of Fiona Valpy, The Forgotten Village, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will be absolutely gripped until the final, heart-stopping conclusion. Readers love The English Girl: ‘The English Girl will capture your heart. I found myself glued to the book as I wanted to know what would happen… Historical fiction at its best.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘A wonderful story. Anyone who has an old love they still think about will appreciate the depth in Ms. Mitchell's book… I highly recommend it.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A heart-breaking story of forbidden love… I loved the book… I learned a lot… A great book and highly recommended!!!’ @fictiongodess ‘A fresh perspective on WW2 historical fiction!... I loved everything about this book and can’t wait to share it with others!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Makes for a great weekend read for a fan of historical fiction… Kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what happened next… An excellent weekend or rainy day read!’ To Read Is To Breathe ‘This quick paced story will ensnare you and not let go until the end.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I love a good wartime forbidden love story! Great storytelling and weaving of real events with the fiction.’ Our Happily Ever After ‘An exciting and even inspirational read… I can highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical romance novels, especially those about WWII.’ Christian Novel Review




The Girl from the Resistance


Book Description

1941, Nazi-occupied Holland. Trudi can hear the muffled sobs of two heartbroken little girls as they peer wide-eyed from their hiding place behind the bookcase. Rosy and Louisa's parents have been dragged away by soldiers. Now Trudi is the only one who can keep them safe... When Nazis break down the front door of eighteen-year-old Trudi's home and seize the Jewish couple hiding in her attic, she's devastated, and is suddenly solely responsible for their two innocent children. The whispered rumours about the resistance are her only hope. A man called Frans and his cousin Piet risk their lives every day, helping scared and abandoned Jewish children escape into the countryside. Under the cover of night she races to beg for their help. When the girls are offered a safe house, Trudi is relieved. But with soldiers on every corner of the cobbled streets, getting there will be extremely dangerous... Trudi must dress up in a German nurse's uniform and convince anyone who asks that she is transporting two children to hospital. Trudi will have to give up everything to protect Rosy and Louisa. She will have to lie to her friends and family, and learn to fire a weapon that could take someone's life. The only consolation is Piet's dark eyes and handsome face as he stands beside her helping to plan her next steps. But Trudi suspects someone close to her told the Nazis about the hiding place in the attic, and they'll stop at nothing to make sure the girls do not escape... A heartbreaking, inspiring and uplifting tale about the sacrifices we're prepared to make for innocent people. Fans of Mandy Robotham, The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See will love this unforgettable historical series based on true stories of the heroic women of the Dutch resistance. What readers are saying about Imogen Matthews: 'Truly heartbreaking and emotional... tear-jerking... glued to the story... a page-turner and unputdownable that will make you cry until the end!' Tropical Girl Reads Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Brilliant... I was gripped from the start... Really couldn't put it down... Amazing.' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'So inspirational, unbelievably heartbreaking, and unputdownable. I was completely captivated from cover to cover.' Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Excellent!... So good I couldn't put it down... I read it in a day... I even found myself warning them when they were due to be raided - OUT LOUD!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'So heartbreaking and so inspiring I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved this... My heart was pounding... This phenomenal story is one you will never forget.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I will never forget this unbelievable tale and the real-life heroes who inspired it. To say that reading this book became addictive is a huge understatement.' Avid Reader, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐




The Woman at the Gates: Epic, Heart-wrenching and Gripping World War 2 Historical Fiction


Book Description

1944, Germany: Gazing through the barbed wire fence, up to the pale blue sky, Antonia dreams of home: cherry orchards, golden fields, and the man she loves, who she may never see again... Resistance fighter Antonia is out in the forest behind her family's beloved farm when the Nazi soldiers arrive. As she sees her sister Lena and her young nephews herded towards the trucks, guns pointed at their heads, she faces a split-second, heart-wrenching decision: to stay hidden, stay free and continue the fight. Or to give herself up and go with her family to protect them-no matter what lies ahead. As she clutches her nephew's little hand in hers, her other arm tight around Lena, she knows she has made the right choice. And as the truck rattles towards a brutal labor camp, and they start to wonder what fate has in store for them, Antonia's only thought is of how to escape. Because before they were captured, Antonia worked tirelessly to free her country from those who had turned her homeland into a bloody battleground. By her side had been clever, handsome Viktor. The man she was to marry, whose love shone like a light in the darkness of war surrounding them. Antonia does not know if Viktor has been caught or executed. But she knows she must try to find a way back to him and she cannot wait any longer to be saved. Her precious nephews will die without proper food and they could all be killed at any moment. The world outside the camp gates is full of danger, but they have to find a way through them first. And that is their only hope, even if it costs Antonia her life. The Nazis have taken everything from her, but they can never take away her courage... A heartbreaking, inspiring and totally unforgettable story of the unbelievable courage and determination of extraordinary people in the darkest days of war. Fans of Kristin Hannah, Fiona Valpy, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will be gripped from the very first page until the final, heart-stopping conclusion.




The English Girl


Book Description

He is German. She is English. Their countries are enemies. Can love bring them together? Inspired by an incredible true story, this is a sweeping tale about the power of hope in the face of war and the legacy of an impossible choice. 1946, Norfolk, England: Grief and fear spill over in Fran's small village when German prisoners of war are sent to the nearby camp. After the death of her beloved brother on the front lines, Fran cannot see the new arrivals as anything but his killers. When one of the mines the Germans are clearing from the beach explodes, Fran is thrown into the path of prisoner Thomas as they rush to help the wounded. Thomas's kind, artistic nature and his bravery, putting himself in danger to save others, changes everything for Fran. She realises he is a boy just like her brother and was forced to fight in a war he never believed in. From that day on, there is something powerful and unspoken connecting Fran and Thomas. But as battle lines are drawn across Europe and tensions within the village reach breaking point, they could be about to unleash something neither of them can control... 1989, Berlin: Tiffany arrives in Berlin from London, just as the wall that divided a nation finally falls. With only a few words of German, she celebrates with strangers in the streets, and crosses the border between West and East. In her pocket is a crumpled letter addressed to her grandmother, yellowed with age, that has led her in search of a wartime secret with the power to change her future... A book that you will carry with you long after having turned the final page. Fans of Fiona Valpy, The Forgotten Village and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will be absolutely gripped from the very beginning until the final, heart-stopping conclusion of this unforgettable wartime story. Readers love The English Girl: 'The English Girl will capture your heart. I found myself glued to the book as I wanted to know what would happen... Historical fiction at its best.' Goodreads reviewer 'A wonderful story. Anyone who has an old love they still think about will appreciate the depth in Ms. Mitchell's book... I highly recommend it.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐




We Fly Beneath the Stars


Book Description

1942, Europe: Based on the true story of a female-only bomber battalion, this is a totally heartbreaking and unforgettable story about sacrifice, sisterhood and a love that transcends war. When the love of Tasha's life, Luca, joins the air force to fight against the evil Nazi invaders, she knows she has to follow her heart-and him-into battle. Headstrong, impulsive and a daredevil, she's the perfect recruit. Tasha's sensible older sister Nadia plans only to stop Tasha's madness and bring her home. But a chance encounter puts her in a plane, soaring above the clouds, and she also finds her calling. Underestimated by their superiors, Nadia and her sister find themselves in airplanes barely fit to fly, being sent on perilous missions with little hope of return. But before long their battalion is being nicknamed 'the Night Witches' by the Nazis, their ownership of the skies second to none. But danger is up in the storm clouds with them, and when both sisters are shot down behind Nazi enemy lines, and taken to a brutal prison camp, they expect to never see their beloved homeland again. Until Tasha's eyes meet across the wire fence with someone she never expected to see again: the love of her life, Luca. But with love comes peril... Will one sister have to sacrifice everything to save the other? Absolutely unputdownable historical fiction, perfect for fans of All the Light We Cannot See, The Ragged Edge of Night, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Readers love Suzanne Kelman: "OMG! I felt the fear and the terror within the pages as if I was there living it... Heartbreaking... By the end of the story I was so moved and in tears." Confessions of a Bookaholic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I was truly swept away... Spellbinding!... Powerful and captivating from the first page to the last, and it deserves more stars than can be rated. I could not put it down and missed a lot of sleep!... Even after finishing the story, I have not stopped thinking about it... Totally awe-inspiring... Loved, loved, loved." Musician's Poet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Absolutely heartbreaking... Filled with sadness, love, courage and sacrifice-I couldn't put this book down." Stardust Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Oh my goodness! Evocatively unsettling yet hauntingly beautiful... Incredibly powerful... I read this book with bated breath. I cried, I grieved and I hoped... I was left heartbroken." Robin Loves Reading ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Three words: Have. Tissues. Ready... Fantastic... The emotion that pours from the pages is absolutely heart-wrenching. I loved every minute of this book, even though it left me a sniffling mess by the end." Fireflies and Free Kicks ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I LOVED THIS BOOK!... I recommend this book to everyone that loves historical fiction." NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Exceptional... Heart-wrenching... Captivating... Had me on the edge of my seat... I was reduced to tears... Top of my list of books I have read." Carol Clasper ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐




The Lieutenant's Girl


Book Description

Pearl Harbor, 1941. War planes hurtle across the horizon, skimming the clouds. Gunpowder fills the air as the earth shatters. Everett's hands cup my cheeks. "If I lose you, Elizabeth, please know that the time I've spent with you has been worth every second I've been alive." On the fateful day that sirens rend the air and warplanes fly over the harbor, Elizabeth and Everett had sneaked away to whisper sweet nothings to each other. As bombs rain down, they cling to each other, the ground shaking and smoke suffocating them. Miraculously, they survive-but their world is ripped apart. The beautiful island, where the turquoise ocean once lapped the golden sand, is destroyed. Over a sweltering summer, the couple had fallen madly in love. Elizabeth was in awe of Everett's sacrifices for the Air Force, and Everett adored strong-willed Elizabeth, a Jewish girl who defied her father's wishes for a sheltered life by training to be a nurse. But tragedy changes everything. Although they are hopelessly devoted to one another, they vow to serve their country. Elizabeth joins the Army Nurse Corps in Europe and Everett flies across the world chasing down the enemy. With a tearful goodbye, they promise to write. When Everett's letters stop arriving, heartbroken Elizabeth fears the worst. Will she ever see the love of her life again? And what chance does she have of surviving Europe, where Hitler's tyrannical rule places her in grave danger? Fans of The Girls of Pearl Harbor, The Alice Network and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will be utterly addicted to this unputdownable and devastatingly romantic tear-jerker about the heartbreaking reality of war and the power of love to overcome all. Readers love The Lieutenant's Girl: "I can barely see now because I spent so much of the book in tears. I cried because my heart hurt. I cried in joy. I cried because I was laughing so hard... I will not hesitate to go back and read it over and over again... My book hangover at the end of this one is going to take hours, possibly even days, to recover. Take this as the warning it's meant to be and keep boxes of tissues handy." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wow wow wow, what a book... I don't think any words will do this book justice. It was powerful, emotional, breathtaking and just absolutely beautiful... I adored the love story." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Will leave you feeling all the emotions. I was fully immersed in this book... I had tears streaming down my cheeks into my face mask while flying at 30,000 feet." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I loved everything about this book... I had tears in my eyes... Will stay with me for a long time." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This novel left me breathless, wanting more... I don't think there are any adjectives, other than breath-taking, to describe this novel. Ten worthy stars." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐




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.