NetGalley Reviewer nix21230

Part of a series, but can be read standalone.  War time London and the three librarians Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane take to the streets to protest against their living conditions, standing up together against dirty landlords, rent increases and horrible living conditions.  The librarians also take books to the people, run treasure hunts within the library and provide hope to the local community. Cordelia enjoys life, but is split as to how far to take it with one of the American GIs. A bit of dancing, isn't wrong, is it? This story, is another great example of how history can come to life, be more real and provide us all with a better understanding of the struggles, perseverance and community present during the war in London.  A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride will be published on 4 December 2024. #ABetterTomorrowfortheEastEndLibraryGirls #NetGalley

Dark Secrets on Dressmakers' Alley is the latest instalment in the gritty, historical saga series set in London's East End in 1924.  It builds on the first book in the series "Dangerous Times on Dressmakers' Alley" with many of the characters returning and coming further to life.  The girls are enjoying their work at Miss Susie's, the dressmaker's run by a former maid. Recently there has been a series of women being attached and robbed, even in broad daylight.  The Police seem too busy (and somewhat incompetent) so the men of the Dressmakers' Alley create a rota to keep an eye on the area and to keep their wives, girlfriends and sisters safe. The story felt a bit darker than the previous one, and some of the novelty from the first book was now just part of the back story (a Lady designing dresses, a former maid running a business, the Women's Movement, etc).    Dark Secrets on Dressmakers Alley by Rosie Clarke is available on 29 October 2024.

Family Affairs at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane, is the second instalment in the Orchard Cottage Hospital historical saga series. It is set in rural Somerset, England, in 1931. I had not read the previous book, and despite some gaps in the back story it was a very enjoyable and captivating read.  Doctor Frances Brakespeare continues to settle into her new life, but continues to face both professional and personal challenges. Not everyone is happy with her "progressive" outlook on medicine and giving women a choice when it comes to their bodies. Her relationship with Reverend Gregory Sampson is going from strength to strength with hime providing comfort and support when everything piles up, including her past. As Frances unravels her family's past, she confronts the consequences of hidden truths and the importance of forgiveness. Family Affairs at Orchard Cottage Hospital is an engaging story that explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of human con...

A Lady's Lesson in Scandal by Darcy McGuire is the second book in the "The Queen's Deadly Damsels" series. Set in Regency England, the novel follows the adventures of Millicent Whittenburg, a spy in training for the Queen. Lady Phillipa has very recently started training Millie, to be part of her secret cadre of undercover agents, all working on the orders from the Queen herself. Millie is just hours away from being forced to marry a man the same age as her father - all instigated by her power hungry, horrible step-mother Patricia. Together with Lady Phillipa, a plan is put in place, but it doesn't seem like it'll go as expected.. Major General Beaufort Drake is way more decent than they expected. A Lady's Lesson in Scandal is another fab story and I'm guessing there'll be at least one more instalment to come. Highly recommended. Pub Date:12 Oct 2024 Previous book: The Secret Life of a Lady - link to my review #ALadysLessoninScandal #NetGalley

The Ballerina of Auschwitz is a retelling of The Choice with approximately 30 per cent entirely new material, which offers readers both a more expansive and more intimate understanding of Edith’s journey. I am humbled by Edith's story, her strength to share it with the world and her outlook on life as shared both in The Choice and in The Ballerina of Auschwitz . It is a very emotional read, much of which is hard to accept actually happened as it is so brutal.  I am forever grateful to Edith and other survivors for sharing their stories. To see that there was hope in all the misery, "if I can survive today, then tomorrow I will be free".  Her realisation that to continue living, rather than simply existing, there is a choice - "to pay attention to what we’ve lost or to pay attention to what we still have". Thank you.   

This is a fascinating story about a rhino (Clara) being brought from Asia to Europe by boat in 1740.  A great insight in life onboard a ship sailing from India to Europe, the struggles, the need to work together and the challenges posed by women at the time. Add in some amazing fact about rhinos in genearl and Clara in particular.  It is a gripping and entertaining story, with believable characters (including that priest...) driving the two timelines forward to a satisfactory ending. All in all, a great historical novel built on facts and the author's imagination.  PS. I LOVE the book cover! #TheRhinoKeeper #NetGalley

Travel writing and historical events are blended together in this beautiful and inspiring story told over two timelines.  1927. Violet is a student at the Edinburgh School of Gardening for Women and she clearly an early journaller, writing down her thoughts on life as well as documenting her work at the school. Once she realises she's pregnant and not yet married, she decides to escape the school before it's too late. She embarks on an epic journey to Nepal to be with the father of the child, a fellow student from the gardening school (the male part of it...).  2020. Daisy has come across Violet's journals and when she finds herself divorced and the children have flown the nest, she decides to follow her dream of retracing the footsteps of her great-great-aunt Violet. I normally dislike Covid being part of fiction books, but in this one, Fiona Valpy has skilfully used it to strengthen the story, to make it more believable.  Lovely feel-good story with botanics thrown in a...

This is an amazing, engaging and funny historical novel! Miss Hannah Simmons is doing her best to blend in, to not be noticed, she dresses is muted grey and brown colours and rarely speaks.  Operating in plain sight has become her best disguise, until Duke Robert Killian takes notice of her. They are both tasked with secret missions - one working for the queen and the other one for the prime minister. What can possibly go wrong?  Highly recommended! The second book in the series, "A Lady's Lesson in Scandal" is currently scheduled to be released on October 2024.

Soraya M. Lane is a master at making history come alive. The Berlin Sisters is another proof of her amazing story telling and research skills. As with all her novels this one is inspired by real-life events. I especially like how she shows that not all Germans were blinded by the Hitler campaign.  Ava is doing her duty and working for Joseph Goebbels alongside her father, a high-ranking official. Her sister Hanna is working as a nurse risker her own life to save others.  It comes as a chock to Ava to find out that her family is betraying the country by hiding jews in their own home and smuggling others to safety. She has early on been told that they are not supposed to question the Führer, and that they must follow the rules. Learning about her family's actions she's confused, as she feels she's done something wrong, when all she's ever done is try to be the perfect German girl, just as she was told to be! Thought provoking, heartfelt and hopeful, this story sheds light...

Dangerous Times on Dressmakers' Alley is the first book in a new series and it's an amazing starter!!! Set in London's East End in 1923, we are treated to a captivating, strong storyline with great characters (especially Winnie Lady Diane and Susie) whilst at the same time learning about history in a very enjoyable and believable way. I am looking forward to the future books in the series.  Dangerous Times on Dressmakers' Alley by Rosie Clarke is currently scheduled to be published on 5 April 2024. #DangerousTimesonDressmakersAlley #NetGalley

Thoroughly well researched, with beautiful and elaborate writing, but rather slow moving. I suspect this would be perfect for those loving the Shelley's, their history and slow, descriptive prose, but this just wasn't my cup of tea. I received two ARCs - one via Netgalley and one directly from the publishers, History Through Fiction.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Jennifer Ryan's previous book, The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle I was thrilled to get my hand on The Underground Library - from sewing to books, two of my favourite things! In this story we follow three strong women, all finding purpose and solace in the library.  When the library in Bethnal Green in London is hit by the bombs during the second world war, they are threatened with closure, but the deputy librarian Juliet and the other staff have other plans. They are determined to keep the library going, to provide a safe and welcoming place for the locals, helping them escape from the horrors of the nightly bombings.  With more and more people taking shelter in the underground station, Juliet and her team move as many books as they can there and the underground library is born providing a social place for everyone to meet. Based on various true event, with the freedom of a fiction writer, Jennifer Ryan has created another amazing story which drags you ...

Cass has agreed to help her father out by taking on a photography project in the Caribbean Island of Dominica -- the 'simple' mission is to to use an old, hand-drawn map to find a rare stone carving, and to take photos of it. The island has recently been hit be a severe hurricane, leaving destruction in its wake and Cass find herself part of the rescue mission. She creates close bonds with some of the other members of the rescue mission, including her father's contact Ranulph who she travelled to the island with.  In true "romance novel tactic" they both doubt that the other ones is interested and misunderstandings develop to later be resolved. Entertaining, uplifting story of finding courage and love, with the added benefit of getting to know Dominica and life there - and finding out Fforde's connection to the island. This title will be published on 15 February 2024. #IslandintheSun #NetGalley

Historical fiction at its best - an emotional and inspiring story about a strong woman and her influence on a whole tribe. As the nomads roamed the Asian steppes, in some tribes the women fought side by side as equals with men - at least until they got pregnant.  Akmaral loves her life training for battle from a young age, mastering horse riding as well as archery and fighting with spear and blade.  There is tense rivalry between her and the strongest man, Erzhan, and they can't seem to decide if they want to kill each other, or kiss... To protect their people, the must fight side by side, but further tension is created when they capture Timor, the leader of one of their attackers. Akmaral is mesmerised by Timor, but Erzhan does not trust him. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a society where women and men fight together, where loyalty is a must for survival and where making peace with war is a must. Akmaral by Judith Lindbergh will be published on 7 May 2024. #Akmaral #NetGal...

Evocative story set during the second world war; historic story telling at its best. Charlotte has been working with her father's fishing crew almost as long as she can remember; but suddenly the crew is no more and she is left all alone. Trying to find her new meaning and place in life, she volunteers for the war effort. After some serious training she's sent undercover to France, to the front line. Commitment, danger and unknown allegiances are perfectly interlinked up in this fantastic historical novel. The Paris Affair is available now. #THEPARISAFFAIR #NetGalley

A Daughter's Promise is described as a new festive winter saga for 2023. Set in Liverpool in 1861 we are treated to a historical novel with a strong female lead seeking her own independence but also looking out for those less fortunate than herself. Annie is 14 years old and desperately wants to create her own life rather than being stuck helping her older sister Delilah around the home. Unexpectedly, Annie gets her chance when her old friend Clara comes for a visit. Clara has been working at the cotton mill outside town for a while and Annie is lured by her tales and the possibility of making her own money. Arriving at the mill Annie is put to work, hard work, and soon learns that money is the driver for the mill owners and children as young as young as eight are working at the mill.  With events in the US affecting the supply of cotton to Europe, Annie, Clara and the other workers are suddenly fighting for their jobs. The mill owners are keeping the younger workers on (as they co...

Agent Kim Maxwell is working under cover in France during the Second World War. She is  investigating the death of Bernard Leblanc, a local SOE leader. It's made to look like an accident, but Kim's experience tells her it is not. Reporting to her lover and fellow agent Foxy at the Bistro Le Renard Rouge (The Red Fox) she is progressing her investigations of the suspicious death. As she and Foxy start digging, the uncover a German operation with code name Enthaupten. Beheading.  Not knowing who to trust, Kim and Foxy work together to get as much information as possible before it's too late. Fast moving, engaging and unexpected including Foxy managing to get married and buried in less than a week. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written historical novel. Hilary Green is amazing at bringing history to life (adding a fictional twist, or two)! PS. This is the second book in the series, and it worked as a stand-alone, although I'd suggest you read Operation Lighting Bolt first...

This is a fascinating alternate history of the US - Dakota War of 1862. Historic events are cleverly used to tell the stories of Samuel (the white man) and Waabi (the native Ojibwe) who are growing up and finding out how the world works and how they fit in. Waabi is striving to protect his homeland and maintaining his traditions, and Samuel is trying to create a life of freedom, prosperity, and abundance with his family by relocating from Vermont to Minnesota to settle on land previously used by the Ojibwe and rivalling groups. Informative, eye-opening and thought-provoking, especially for someone like me who's never heard about this part of American history as it just wasn't part of my European school curriculum. Reclaiming Mni Sota, an Alternate History of the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862, by Colin Mustful will be published on 10 October 2023, but can be pre-ordered now.

As poverty sweeps through the United States during the Great Depression, Del is living in comparable luxury as the wife of a celebrated preacher. She's always been told that the church is always right and so are the men. Struggling to come to terms with her husband's repeated infidelity, she sees no other option than to leave the comforts of their home. When one of the many coal trains is running through the valley, she jumps on it. This is the start of a great adventure, but not without struggles, especially for a woman living a hobo life. She finds a mentor in Louisa, a single mother who has also taken to the rails. Together they find short term work along the rails and live from day to day in utter freedom. Their lives have becomes a fulfilling, sometimes dangerous, and exhilarating adventure. But no matter the risks, it’s a life that Del alone controls, until she doesn't. October in the Earth by Olivia Hawker is due out on 10 October 2023.  #OctoberintheEarth #NetGalle...

Private detective Marc Novak is the man you want on your side if you're in trouble. He’s ruthless, single-minded and after results.  After Collinson's first book about Marc Novak, An Accident in Paris , we are now treated to the second instalment in the series - The Romanov Code . Building on the historic events of the last of the Romanov family being butchered by the Bolsheviks in 1918, Collinson has created a well-woven tale of secrets, brutality, blackmail and hope. Marc Novak has been given the task to track down the lost treasures of the Romanovs which haven't been seen for over a century. Failure would mean that all he holds dear would be killed. The hunt is on! Unfortunately he isn't the only one after the treasures and a fierce chase takes place where it's not absolutely clear who he can trust and what tales are true.  Amazing! Highly recommended! This title is published on 17 August 2023, but you can pre-order it now.  Link to Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3q...