Campion Family

From the author of 'The Grafton Girls' comes the story of one Liverpool family preparing for the onslaught of World War Two, while trying not to fight among themselves. Jean and Vi are twins but couldn't be more different. Jean's proud of her honest, hardworking husband and their children, but there's never a penny to spare. Vi's equally proud of her husband's new role as a local councillor and their elegant new house, and has raised her children to expect the best. As war breaks out, agonising decisions must be faced. Should the oldest children enlist? Should the youngest be evacuated? All the traditional certainties are overturned. Then the twins' own younger sister, singer Francine, returns home unexpectedly and stirs up the past, even in the midst of present danger. This is a tremendous saga of fighting spirit and family closeness, and the belief that even though today is full of destruction and pain, there is hope for a better tomorrow.

Evocative and heartrending saga of Liverpool during World War Two, from the author of As Time Goes By - rising star Annie Groves Katie's full of trepidation as she arrives in Liverpool. It's her first posting and her work will be so secret that she can't even speak about it to the family she's billeted with. She makes it clear that she's here to do her bit for the war effort, not to flirt with the many servicemen based at the nearby barracks. Which is just fine with Luke, son of the household and battle-scarred veteran of Dunkirk. He's had his heart broken already by a flighty nurse. His mother can't help worry about him - but she's got more than enough on her plate with her youngest children, the teenage twins, who don't see why a war should stop them having fun and achieving their ambition to go on the stage. Then the bombs begin to rain in Liverpool in earnest and everyone, from oldest to youngest, must realize what matters most in life.

The much-loved author of ACROSS THE MERSEY tells of Liverpool under bombardment as never before - but the Campion family refuses to give in. The Campions have always stuck together through danger and sorrow, but even they begin to wonder if it's time to take their youngest, the twins, to safety away from the bombing raids. The twins have other worries on their minds; having been inseparable, they now realise that they each have different ambitions - and Lou isn't sure she'll find what she wants close to home. Meanwhile, cousin Bella is managing a crèche and discovers that life isn't all about pleasure. She's the last person her family would expect to help anyone; but when a figure from the past turns up on the doorstep, Bella's unexpected reserves of compassion are revealed. From hardship and heartbreak, surviving the toughest of times, the Campions know they can make it through if they have one another.

A fabulous drama of the Campion family, struggling to stay together as World War Two rages over Liverpool Lou Campion has joined the WAAFs, against the wishes of her parents and twin sister Sasha. Lou's always been a rebel, but now finds that if she wants to succeed she'll have to follow extremely strict rules. Can she do this or will it all end in deep disgrace? Tragedy haunts the other members of the family, as Katie's plans for the future are dashed, Fran's young husband is close to death and Bella's impossible passion has to remain a close secret. Yet even in the darkest hour there is hope. The Campions find that they have a hero in their midst and while their city is crumbling, their pride is intact. • From the author of Across the Mersey and The Heart of the Family • A true star of the genre, writing two fabulous titles a year • Increasing media presence for this author, also known as Penny Jordan, with regular appearances on TV and in the national press Competition: Josephine Cox;Kitty Neale; Anne Bennett; Katie Flynn; Maggie Hope; Donna Douglas; Maureen Lee; Margaret Dickinson; Ellie Dean; Nadine Dorries; Judith Saxton;

The tide is turning, but on the home front, the battle is far from over for the Campions... Autumn 1944, the allies are invading Italy. On the home front, the Campion family are doing their bit -working tirelessly in the hope that the end of the war is now in sight. Sasha, newly engaged to Bobby has been tormented by nameless terrors ever since she was rescued from a bomb shaft. But she needs help if she is to face down her fears and look to the future. Lou, separated from her twin Sasha, is breaking the mold in her new role as a member of the Air Transport Auxiliary. But she is shaken to her core when a face from her past shows up, the devilishly handsome American GI, Kieran Mallory. Back in London Katie hopes that she is finally over Luke, the man who broke her heart, until a surprise letter from him arrives. But can they rebuild something stronger on the ashes of their love? Even though today is full of suffering and pain, there is hope that tomorrow the lights will go on again.