The Hidden Village: An Absolutely Gripping and Emotional World War II Historical Novel


Book Description

A Nazi soldier slams his rifle into her father's head. From her hiding place, Sofie stifles a scream as tears roll down her face. Suddenly she can't take it any more. 'Stop, stop!' she sobs, rushing out and pushing the soldier away. And then freezes, as he snarls and whips the gun round to point at her... Holland, 1943: the Nazis are in occupation. German soldiers patrol the streets, and each week more families disappear without trace, never to be seen again. So when armed soldiers storm Sofie's house and threaten her father at gunpoint, she knows their time - and luck - has run out. Fleeing in the middle of the night to hide in a neighbour's secret attic, the constant threat of a German raid means they can't stay long. So Sofie's parents make the heart-rending decision to send their daughter away. Concealed in the woods is a secret village, built by the town as a haven for Jewish families like Sofie's. Remote, cold and bleak, yet filled with the hopeful laughter of children playing, it is the one place Sofie has the chance to live. But rumours of the hidden village have been swirling, and the Nazis are determined to find it. As soldiers patrol the woods in ever-greater numbers, snow cuts the villagers off from the outside world and starvation sets in. Sofie knows what she must do, even though it means putting herself in danger. And when the worst happens, Sofie is faced with a terrible decision - save the village, or save herself... An absolutely heart-breaking and gripping WWII historical novel based on the true story of an entire town who put themselves in danger to keep strangers safe. What happens will restore your faith in humanity. Fans of Fiona Valpy, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Choice will never forget this incredibly moving tale and the real-life heroes who inspired it.




The Hidden Village


Book Description

Deep in the Dutch Veluwe woods lies a secret that frustrates the Germans. Convinced that Jews are hiding close by they can find no proof. For nearly 2 years, the inhabitants of Berkenhout stay safe, helped by the local community. All it takes is one small fatal slip to change the course of all their lives for ever.




The Key


Book Description

A hidden note. A lost love. A second chance... From the #1 bestselling author of The Letter, Kathryn Hughes, comes The Key, an unforgettable story of a heartbreaking secret that will stay with you for ever. 'A wonderful, enthralling story; one that I didn't want to end' LESLEY PEARSE 'Un-put-downable with a twisting plot' My Weekly 'A heartbreakingly powerful read' Sun 'Shocking, stirring' Woman 1956 It's Ellen Crosby's first day as a student nurse at Ambergate Hospital. When she meets a young woman admitted by her father, little does Ellen know that a choice she will make is to change both their lives for ever... 2006 Sarah is drawn to the now abandoned Ambergate. Whilst exploring the old corridors she discovers a suitcase belonging to a female patient who entered Ambergate fifty years earlier. The shocking contents, untouched for half a century, will lead Sarah to unravel a forgotten story of tragedy and lost love, and the chance to make an old wrong right . . . It's time to discover what a million readers already know. No one grips your heart like Kathryn Hughes . . . 'Oh wow! This story broke my heart then filled it with joy then broke it all over again! I adored The Letter and The Secret but this I have to say was my favourite. Heartfelt and poignant an absolute joy ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐' REAL READER 'A sheer joy to read . . . Wonderfully romantic with beautiful characters ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐' REAL READER 'I have finished this book with tears in my eyes but a smile on my face ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐' REAL READER 'A beautifully told, tragic tale . . . restoring your faith in the kindness of strangers ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐' REAL READER




The Forgotten Village


Book Description

‘I would give this book ten stars if I could. I read it within two days and just could not put it down... A real page turner... Heart-wrenching and just fabulous. I can usually guess the ending of most books, but not this one’ Goodreads review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐




The Tuscan Secret


Book Description

This sweeping historical novel from a bestselling author follows the lives of two generations of women, the secrets they keep, their sacrifices for love, and the heartbreaking betrayals they encounter--perfect for fans of Kelly Rimmer and Natasha Lester.​ Il Mulino. An old crumbling mill, by a winding river, nestled in the Tuscan mountains. An empty home that holds memories of homemade pasta and Nonna's stories by the fire, and later: the Nazi invasion, and a family torn apart by a heartbreaking betrayal. Anna is distraught when her beloved mother, Ines, passes away. She inherits a box of papers, handwritten in Italian and yellowed with age, and a tantalizing promise that the truth about what happened during the war lies within. The diaries lead Anna to the small village of Rofelle, where she slowly starts to heal as she explores sun-kissed olive groves, and pieces together her mother's past: memories of homemade pasta, Nonna's stories by the fire, and happy days spent herding sheep across Tuscan meadows cruelly interrupted when World War II erupted and the Nazis arrived. Her mother fleeing her home to join the Resistenza and risking everything to protect an injured British soldier who captured her heart. But Anna is no closer to learning the truth . . . What sent Ines running from her adored homeland? When she meets an elderly Italian gentleman living in a deserted hamlet, who flinches at her mother's name and refuses to speak English, Anna is sure he knows more about the devastating secret that tore apart her mother's family. But in this small Tuscan community, some wartime secrets were never meant to be uncovered . . .




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




My Name is Eva


Book Description

You can pay a terrible price for keeping a promise… Evelyn Taylor-Clarke sits in her chair at Forest Lawns Care Home in the heart of the English countryside, surrounded by residents with minds not as sharp as hers. It would be easy to dismiss Evelyn as a muddled old woman, but her lipstick is applied perfectly, and her buttons done up correctly. Because Evelyn is a woman with secrets and Evelyn remembers everything. She can never forget the promise she made to the love of her life, to discover the truth about the mission that led to his death, 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, 1951’ and a passport in another name, she has some questions for her aunt. And Evelyn is transported back to a place in Germany known as ‘The Forbidden Village,’ where a woman who called herself Eva went where no one else dared, amongst shivering prisoners, to find the man who gambled with her husband’s life… A gripping, haunting and compelling read about love, courage and betrayal set in the war-battered landscape of Germany. Fans of The Letter, The Alice Network and The Nightingale will be hooked. Readers are hooked on My Name is Eva: ‘Could not put this book down, and heaven help anyone that tried to disturb my reading !!…I absolutely loved this book !…I laughed, I cried, I cheered , I sympathized all because of Evelyn…I could so picture the setting and as Evelyn sets out to fool everyone, I thought you go girl !!...I don't want to say anything else but what a fantastic read… I can't recommend this book enough !!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘What a magnificent read! Eva is amazing. One of the best characters in a book EVER! What a fantastic, beautiful, heart-wrenching tale, incredibly told. I absolutely loved every single page. I sat for the last 20% of the book in tears, sad but happy tears. An absolutely beautiful book.’ Kim the Bookworm, 5 stars ‘A poignant and evocative story of love, betrayal and bravery that kept me page turning and completely engrossed from start to finish. Loved it and would definitely recommend.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars ‘A phenomenal story of courage, love, murder and all the atrocities that go with war. Eva is an extraordinary character, strong, loyal, smart, funny, loving, and brave.A phenomenal read!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘This may be my new favorite book!!!! I absolutely love the premise of the heroine faking dementia in her retirement home to cover up her knowledge of (and possible involvement in) questionable activities centering around WWII events. The tempo of this novel was perfect--kept me wondering until the very last page!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Absolutely loved this book and its riveting plot!... The author has successfully penned a debut novel that I would highly recommend without any hesitation. An excellent debut novel from Suzanne Goldring and I look forward to reading more of her work. Historical fiction is my favourite genre to read and this book was every bit as good as some of the well-known WW2-themed titles published in recent years.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book was excellent! Totally kept my attention and I wanted to find out what would become of the main characters. Highly recommended.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Everything about this book is amazing. I love the main character Eva, the way the author integrates the past with the present, and the emotional plot that kept me hooked from the beginning to the end. 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 ‘My Name is Eva is laugh out loud funny, sad in parts and had me glued to the pages… Wham!... I did not see “that” coming. Oh, the secrets Evelyn has!!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book is haunting and moving and told in a way that had me engaged in the story from the start. Recommended!’ The Princess and the Pen, 5 stars ‘This book had me hooked from the start....and because my grandparents are currently in assisted-living facilities, Evelyn's time in her assisted-living resonated with my heart. I loved her sassy, snarky personality and being privileged to see the inner workings of her mind. And I loved the love letters between she and her husband during WWII. I am excited to read all of Goldring's works! This is the first book of hers I've read, and it won't be the last!’ The Book Distiller, 5 stars ‘This novel had me hooked from the very first page! I always enjoy delving into historical fiction novels and My Name is Eva is the perfect example of why! This riveting book time hops between the 1940’s, 1980’s and present day (2016) to tell the tale of Evelyn Taylor-Clarke’s life. Suzanne Goldring does a fantastic job with the pacing of this novel, I sometimes find historical fictions can get a little dry, but there wasn’t any parts that I felt lagged—love that! The storyline was incredibly moving and depth filled! Evelyn is a character that will definitely stay with me!’ Steph and Chris’s Book Review, 5 stars




The Baker's Secret


Book Description

A tale beautifully, wisely, and masterfully told.” — Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun From the multiple-award-winning, critically acclaimed author of The Hummingbird and The Curiosity comes a dazzling novel of World War II—a shimmering tale of courage, determination, optimism, and the resilience of the human spirit, set in a small Normandy village on the eve of D-Day. On June 5, 1944, as dawn rises over a small town on the Normandy coast of France, Emmanuelle is making the bread that has sustained her fellow villagers in the dark days since the Germans invaded her country. Only twenty-two, Emma learned to bake at the side of a master, Ezra Kuchen, the village baker since before she was born. Apprenticed to Ezra at thirteen, Emma watched with shame and anger as her kind mentor was forced to wear the six-pointed yellow star on his clothing. She was likewise powerless to help when they pulled Ezra from his shop at gunpoint, the first of many villagers stolen away and never seen again. In the years that her sleepy coastal village has suffered under the enemy, Emma has silently, stealthily fought back. Each day, she receives an extra ration of flour to bake a dozen baguettes for the occupying troops. And each day, she mixes that precious flour with ground straw to create enough dough for two extra loaves—contraband bread she shares with the hungry villagers. Under the cold, watchful eyes of armed soldiers, she builds a clandestine network of barter and trade that she and the villagers use to thwart their occupiers. But her gift to the village is more than these few crusty loaves. Emma gives the people a taste of hope—the faith that one day the Allies will arrive to save them.




Beyond the Olive Grove


Book Description

The place seemed utterly still, the only sound was the wind rustling high in the pines above. Standing there, realizing she didn't even know which house had belonged to her grandmother, Ava wondered just how crazy and desperate she'd been to come all this way with no hope or plan. When Ava arrives in Greece, it's with a heart that's shattered into a thousand pieces. But as she pulls up in a tiny village nestled on a cliff above the glittering Ionian Sea, and steps out in front of a tumbledown house that once belonged to her grandmother Sophia, everything changes. At first Ava almost wants to laugh at this bizarre inheritance-a home that has been uninhabited since the Second World War-that appears as close to collapse as she herself feels. But with nowhere left to run to, her only choice is to start putting the house together again. What Ava doesn't expect is for pieces of her grandmother's story to emerge, as a local survivor from the war begins to share her secrets. Ava can't help but be drawn to Sophia's hidden past... even though the truth could change her own life forever. Because Sophia's story is one of devastating choices she had to make during the Nazi invasion of her beloved country. It's a story of bravery, betrayal and tragedy. But most of all, it is a story about love... An utterly unforgettable story of two remarkable women who find the strength to persevere against all odds and find hope, courage and light in the darkness. Perfect for fans of The Nightingale, The Lilac Girls and Victoria Hislop's The Island. Previously published as The Other Side of the Bridge by Katharine Swartz.




The Secret


Book Description

From the #1 bestselling author of The Memory Box comes The Secret - a powerful, twisting novel that you won't be able to put down. 'Gripping' Good Housekeeping 'I lost a day of my life to this book, I simply could not put it down!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW 'This is one of the BEST BOOKS I have ever read' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW _______ Mary has been nursing a secret. Forty years ago, she made a choice that would change her world for ever, and alter the path of someone she holds dear. Beth is searching for answers. She has never known the truth about her parentage, but finding out could be the lifeline her sick child so desperately needs. When Beth finds a faded newspaper cutting amongst her mother's things, she realises the key to her son's future lies in her own past. She must go back to where it all began to unlock...The Secret. _______ What readers are saying about the unputdownable stories of Kathryn Hughes: 'The twist made me gasp! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐' 'I absolutely loved this book. Devoured it in a few days. I eagerly await more of Kathryn Hughes' books. I will be first in line. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐' 'Get set to be hooked' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A page-turner from the beginning' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'I cried buckets of tears reading it' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A beautifully told, tragic tale' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐