The palace of strange girls

Sample

Anne Baker

Childhood sweethearts Mary and Jonty have battled against the odds to be together. Forced to run away from home because Mary's father disapproved of their relationship, they've built a happy new life for themselves. Now they long for a child, but it seems that's not to be. Until one stormy night when a yacht is dashed upon the rocks near their home. Mary and Jonty rush to the rescue and, amid terrible carnage, save a baby. They name her Charlotte - and keep her as their own. Charlotte grows up to be devoted to her parents. But fate intervenes when she decides to train as a nurse in Liverpool. For Liverpool is where her 'real' family lives: and it seems that past secrets are to be uncovered -- with shocking consequences.

Sample

Katie Flynn

Marianne is married to a naval officer, Neil Sheridan. They have a daughter, Libby, and a home in Liverpool. When war comes, Marianne takes war work and moves into Crocus Street with her mother, Mrs Wainwright, and sister. Neil disapproves because the Wainwrights live so near the docks, which are bound to be a bombing target, but Marianne is firm.

Sample

Harriet Martineau

When the Ibbotson sisters, Hester and Margaret, arrive at the village of Deerbrook to stay with their cousin Mr Grey and his wife, speculation is rife that one of them might marry the local apothecary Edward Hope. Although he is immediately attracted to Margaret, Hope is ultimately persuaded to marry the beautiful Hester. The unhappiness of their marriage is compounded when a malicious village gossip accuses Hope of grave-robbing.

Sample

Marcia Willett

She was one of the world's leading ballerinas, until a tragic accident forced Mim to give up dancing. A friend who ran a stage school persuaded Mim to join the business. Mim accepted the offer when it was agreed that the dancing classes would be Mim's own special province. Now, nearly twenty five years later, history is repeating itself.