Publisher: Open Road Distribution
An epic novel of a woman caught in the turmoil and suffering of the Russian Revolution. With indomitable courage, she would survive the savage ordeal of the Siberian Ice March to find love and make a new life in a world utterly changed. East Lies the Sun was awarded the Gold Medal Award by the West Coast Review of Books.
Amsterdam, at the turn of the 18th century. For as long as she can remember, Dorothea Graff has lived in service to her mother, Maria Sibyilla Merian, one of the greatest naturalists in Europe. But as she collects insects and colours illustrations for Maria’s world-famous publications, Dorothea longs for a life that is truly her own. When Maria becomes entranced by the plant and insect life of Suriname, she is determined to record it for herself, taking Dorothea with her. All the family’s savings are ploughed into the dangerous expedition, but greatness is never achieved without sacrifice. The Metamorphosis of the Insects of Suriname will be Maria’s masterpiece, but ensuring its legacy – and her own survival – will become her daughter’s burden. When offered a chance of happiness, will Dorothea have the courage to take it, and risk everything her mother built? From the jungles of South America to the bustling artists’ studios of Amsterdam, The Naturalist of Amsterdam gives voice to the long-ignored women who shaped our understanding of the natural world – both the artists and those who made their work possible.Show book
Bristol - 1945 The war has ended; the men are returning home to their loved ones, but for some things have changed. Charlotte Hennessey-White's husband, David is no longer the gentle loving man he once was and Charlotte, so independent during the war, is devastated. Edna Burbage's strong fiancée, Colin has suffered appalling physical injuries. He won’t hold her to her promise of marriage, but she insists her feelings are unchanged. But is that true? Is she marrying him out of love or pity? And Polly Chandler's sweetheart, Gavin who’d she’d planned her whole future around, hasn’t come home at all. War and suffering have changed their men leaving the women to cope on their own. But they too are changed. They harbour secrets best kept that could do untold damage to these already fragile lives.Praise for Lizzie Lane:'A gripping saga and a storyline that will keep you hooked' Rosie Goodwin'The Tobacco Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and friendship and a must-read for all saga fans.' Jean Fullerton'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of factory girls, redolent with life-affirming friendship, drama, and choices that are as relevant today as they were then.' Catrin Collier'If you want an exciting, authentic historical saga then look no further than Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J MillerShow book
This audiobook is narrated by an AI Voice. In the heart of 1830s Texas, a land of sprawling prairies and simmering discontent, the seeds of revolution are sown. The iron rule of Mexican General Santa Anna pushes Anglo settlers and proud Tejanos to the brink, igniting a desperate struggle for liberty that will forever scar the land and its people. "Forged in Fire and Blood" plunges into this maelstrom through the intertwined destinies of three unforgettable characters. Declan Brody, a veteran haunted by past wars, sought only a quiet life on his Texas homestead. But as tyranny tightens its grip, from the defiant stand at Gonzales to the legendary siege of the Alamo, he is forced to take up arms once more. His journey through the revolution’s most brutal battles, including the Goliad Massacre and the pivotal charge at San Jacinto, becomes a testament to human resilience and a harrowing exploration of the true cost of conflict. Catalina "Lina" de la Garza, an educated Tejano woman from a respected San Antonio family, initially places her faith in the Mexican Constitution of 1824. But as Santa Anna’s centralist regime crushes federalist hopes and incites brutal conflict, she witnesses the siege of her beloved Bexar and endures the terrifying hardships of the Runaway Scrape. Torn between cultures and loyalties, Lina’s spirit awakens, transforming her into a courageous advocate for her people in the turbulent aftermath of war, fighting for their place in a newly forged, uncertain republic. "Eighteen Minutes to Freedom" is a sweeping, action-packed eShow book
Ethel Lina White was born on the 2nd April 1876 in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, in Wales. Her family were wealthy due to her father’s invention of a waterproofing material used, initially, for the London Underground. Ethel started writing when she was only a child and published essays and poems in children’s papers. She was also a talented artist. As an adult she began to write short stories and, some years later, she started writing novels. At the time she was working for the Ministry of Pensions in London but resigned in order to accept an advance of ten pounds and begin a career as a novelist. It was this determination that helped her become one of the best-known crime writers in the English-speaking world during the 1930’s and 40’s. Perhaps her best-known books are the ‘The Lady Vanishes’ and ‘The Spiral Staircase’ both of which were originally entitled differently but were republished with new names after being filmed. Whilst today she lacks attention, in her day she was as popular and as highly regarded as Agatha Christie. Ethel Lina White died in London on the 13th of August 1944 of ovarian cancer. She was 68. In her will she made a bizarre condition in order for her sister to receive her estate of £5737. It read: "I give and bequeath unto Annis Dora White all that I possess on condition she pays a qualified surgeon to plunge a knife into my heart after death." In life she had a fear of being buried alive.Show book
Published in 1868, "The Moonstone" is often considered one of the first, if not the first, detective novels in the English language. Penned by Wilkie Collins, this engrossing tale revolves around the theft of an enormous diamond named the Moonstone. This diamond, stolen from an Indian temple and later bequeathed to Rachel Verinder on her eighteenth birthday, goes missing under mysterious circumstances. The narrative is distinguished by its shifting perspectives, with multiple characters providing their viewpoints in a series of first-person accounts. Sergeant Cuff, a famed detective, is called upon to solve the mystery. The novel delves deep into themes of colonialism, British imperialism, and the cultural repercussions of stealing treasured artifacts from colonized nations.Show book
A dark and richly atmospheric thriller, perfect for fans of Laura Purcell and Sarah Perry. London, 1846. Ramshackle and crumbling, St Saviour's Infirmary awaits demolition. Within its stinking wards and cramped corridors the doctors bicker and fight. Ambition, jealousy and hatred seethe beneath the veneer of professional courtesy. Always an outsider, and with a secret of her own to hide, apothecary Jem Flockhart observes everything, but says nothing. And then six tiny coffins are uncovered, inside each a handful of dried flowers and a bundle of mouldering rags. When Jem comes across these strange relics hidden inside the infirmary's old chapel, her quest to understand their meaning prises open a long-forgotten past - with fatal consequences . . . “It's rare that a book is Gothic enough for me, but Beloved Poison is killing it. The blood, the bones...” - Laura PurcellShow book
