Whitechapel, London 1890. Queenie Bonner is only two when she is taken from her large family in the slums to a big house in the country. She is frightened and confused, begging to be taken back, but is told that this is now her home. She yearns for her nine brothers and sisters, especially Harry, who is her favourite. Albert and Mary Warrender rename her Eleanor and bring her up as their daughter. As time passes Eleanor forgets about her other family and loves Mary and Albert as her mother...

From the author of the bestselling debut THE OPEN DOOR comes a moving and uplifting story about a generation of young people living through World War II.When war breaks out Annie Webster and her closeknit family find themselves - along with everyone else in the country - thrust into a world of uncertainty, danger and despair. Her brothers join up, her sweetheart Paul becomes a fighter pilot, and Annie, desperate to help, finds herself in the WAAF, where her intelligence and warmth ...

From the bestselling author of The Open Door comes a moving and uplifting story about a generation of young people living through World War IISeptember, 1939.In the sleepy village of Roehampton, Annie Webster has finally found comfort for herself and her close-knit family, far from the poverty and hardships of their childhood in Bermondsey.Then, an announcement shatters their newfound peace. England is at war . . .As her bro...

The moving and heartwarming story of one woman trying to make it on her own, from the bestselling author of The Open DoorKate Freeman, the daughter of the inimitable Rose Webster, is like her mother in more ways than one. But Kate has dreams of her own, dreams that could bring great joy - or terrible sorrow.In 1960, she moves to London to become a photographer. She has her mother's strength to guide her, but is that enough?With a long journ...

As World War II breaks out, four friends consider the changes that war will mean. Tomboyish Becky plans to join the ATS, her neighbours Bob and Jim the navy and army respectively. Only Becky's brother Will is left out of the excitement; because of a slight physical disability, he is forced to stay behind. As the friends are separated, their youthful enthusiasm is tempered by the grim newspaper headlines and their own experiences, and they will feel both joy and pain before the war is over....

Christine Banner is alone after her father's death, penniless but armed with an iron will. Determined to put London behind her and find a place to call home, her search takes her to the New Forest where she stumbles upon Lord Frenshaw's estate. Her skill at handling some of the large and difficult war horses bred there, shines through and captures his attention. However, when his son Harry returns from the Crimea, battle-scarred and short-tempered, Christine's future loo...

September, 1938.Britain is at war and Ruth Aspinall, a gifted pilot, is determined to join the Air Transport Auxiliary, an organisation of civilian pilots who ferry aircraft to wherever they're needed. Meanwhile over in America, siblings Jack and Lucy Nelson, both experienced pilots themselves, are keen to join too.After a perilous journey by sea, Jack is soon having his first experience of the London Blitz before being posted to White Waltham, where he quite literally bumps...

London, 1920. The three Bentley children are used to fending for themselves. Their widowed mother has been forced to take a night job at Grant's clothing factory, and sees them only at breakfast and on Sundays. But at nearly eighteen, and with a job as a housemaid to help make ends meet, Dora is well able to look after her younger siblings Tom and Lily. Then one morning their mother fails to appear for breakfast, and when Dora is told by the gatekeeper at Grant's factory that no one by the...

London, 1910. Lester Holdsworth is a brilliant pianist and his twin, Lillia, is a magnificent singer: they are destined for the stage. But their cruel father has other ideas for their future. Lester is sent to a military academy, while Lillia must marry Lord Dalton - a pompous friend of her father's. Yet their plans to defy their father's wishes are put on hold when war breaks out in 1914. Before long, Lester is flying planes for the Royal Flying Corps and Lillia is using her skills as a n...

A moving and uplifting tale set in 1920s London, for fans of Downton Abbey, Dilly Court, and Lesley PearseNovember, 1929Sixteen-year-old Eugenie Winford is looking forward to Christmas in her family's elegant Russell Square mansion. But shortly before the holidays her world is shattered when her father suddenly dies.Destitute and desperate to escape the marriage her mother has arranged to save them, Eugenie runs away, changing her name and disguisin...

1941, London. Sirens warn of danger as German bomber planes approach the city. Ever cautious, Kathy and her mother head immediately for the nearest public air raid shelter but are separated in the desperate scramble to safety. When the building is destroyed in a direct hit, it is a miracle Kathy survives, and before the night is through, she will suffer further loss as her home is reduced to rubble. Finding herself alone amid the chaos and ruins, Kathy is left with nothing but a burning fu...

A HEARTWARMING AND UPLIFTING TALE FOR FANS OF CATHERINE COOKSON AND LESLEY PEARSEOn the dark, rough streets of London in 1913, can one girl find the courage to open the door to her destiny?Little Rose Webster's life has never been easy. Born in the slums of Bermondsey she has longed to escape her poor upbringing and violent step-father.But it's hard to escape these deprived streets . . .Thankfully she has a quick mind and he...