Penang

Paris, 1949: In this evocative and emotional novel, a young woman crosses continents to vibrant bohemian Paris, determined to make a life for herself as an artist. As the train pulls into the Gare de Lyon in a cloud of steam, art student Jasmine Barrington experiences a surge of excitement mixed with fear. Revelling in her freedom, by day Jasmine throws herself into her studies at the prestigious Beaux Arts school, inspired by her handsome and charismatic teacher, Lachlan. By night, she discovers the smoky cafés and bars of the left bank. But even as she falls in love with the city of light, the strict classical training crushes her creative spirit. She takes comfort in the letters she receives from her home island of Penang – including those from Howard – the man to whom she owes her life. Torn between the sophisticated life of an artist she aspires to, and the world she has always known, can Jasmine find the courage to follow her heart? From the starry nights of post-war Paris to the war-torn jungle of the Malayan peninsula, this heartrending story of love and loss is a must-read for fans of Fiona Valpy, Rhys Bowen and Kristin Hannah. Readers are utterly captivated by Jasmine in Paris: "Oh my goodness! Historical fiction with lots of grit! Suspense! Romance! Heart-breaking and heart-soaring!" Reader review, 5 stars "Adored the entire Penang series… beautifully written." Liza Perrat, author of Lake of Echoes, 5 stars "Compelling and moving… Enchanting. I couldn't put it down." Reader review, 5 stars "SO GLAD I READ THIS. The storyline is page-turning, while vivid and atmospheric descriptions of Paris made one feel actually there." Reader review, 5 stars "Had me gripped from start to finish. I found myself immersed in the story and couldn't put the book down… hooked from page one. A real page-turner." Reader review, 5 stars "Beautifully written. I laughed and cried and wanted it to go on and on." Reader review, 5 stars "An exceptional read… Amazing." Reader review, 5 stars "Mesmerizing… Best book so far in this series." Reader review, 5 stars "A vivid evocation of post-war Paris seen through the eyes of a vulnerable young art student, hungry for love and experience. An emotional coming-of-age story." Linda Gillard, author of The Memory Tree andHouse of Silence, 5 stars "Brilliant… I loved this." Reader review, 5 stars "Fabulous." Reader review, 5 stars

An incredible story, inspired by real-life events, of the courage of two ordinary women imprisoned in the Dutch East Indies during WW2. 1941, Malaya: When Mary Helston flees her beloved home, the beautiful tropical island of Penang, as it comes under attack, she thinks her broken heart can't suffer any more. She's proved wrong when she's captured and imprisoned, with countless other women, in a POW camp. Surviving in desperate circumstances, with just a narrow strip of azure sky to remind her of the world beyond the camp and the life she left behind, Mary discovers that Veronica Leighton is one of her fellow inmates – a vain and selfish woman she knew and had reason to loathe back on Penang. But, to Mary's surprise, Veronica reveals hidden qualities, finding bold and ingenious ways to protect her fellow prisoners and provide comfort in captivity. And when Mary begins to succumb to the depths of despair, Veronica makes it her mission to keep her alive. Together, the women learn to rely on one another, forge a friendship and find the strength to endure the darkest time of their lives. The battle for survival will change them all forever. Heart-wrenching and deeply moving, Prisoner from Penang explores the courage and heroism of the women and children who were incarcerated in Japanese internment camps during WW2. If you loved The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Nightingale you'll adore this powerful story of resilience, hope and humanity. Readers are utterly gripped by Prisoner from Penang: "Wow... What a story, I was unable to put the book down… I went through every emotion under the sun." Reader review, 5 stars "I simply couldn't put this book down. Spellbound…" Reader review, 5 stars "A vivid and moving story of sacrifice, hope, and humanity." Reader review, 5 stars "My heart! This story is so powerful." Ellie Midwood, author of The Girl Who Escaped from Auschwitz, 5 stars "Beautifully written, powerful story. Highly recommend!" Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger, author of The American Wife, 5 stars "What a story. I felt that I was there… Awesome!!!" Reader review, 5 stars "An amazing story… I couldn't put this book down." Reader review, 5 stars "An absolutely beautiful story written with so much compassion… This story will touch your heart in ways you may never have dreamed." Reader review, 5 stars "I couldn't put this book down… an engaging and evocative novel." Reader review, 5 stars "Beautifully written! An important story told in a way that transports you to the war and makes you live it yourself." Reader review, 5 stars "Sad but wonderful! A story of courage, love, hardship and suffering… Couldn't put it down. I loved it." Reader review, 5 stars "Enthralling." Reader review, 5 stars

As World War Two looms closer, a young woman travels to a far-off tropical paradise on the promise of a new life, in this powerful and emotionally gripping love story. Penang, 1939: As Evie steps off the boat, the tang of exotic scents in the air almost overwhelms her. Her heart beating wildly, she looks out over the lush landscape she will now call home, and prays she hasn't made a terrible mistake. What was she thinking, accepting a proposal of marriage from a man she met only once, years ago? The truth is, Douglas Barrington made an indelible impression on her, and Evie's adventurous spirit couldn't resist the chance to travel to this far-flung paradise to marry him. But as Evie adjusts to the sultry heat and explores the island, swimming in its cooling waters and learning who she can trust among the gossiping ex-pat crowd at the tennis club, she wonders why Douglas invited her here only to desert her? And why won't he let her visit the plantation where he spends all his time? Brushing away tears of frustration, Evie vows to find out the truth. But as she delves deeper, she's shocked to discover the secrets her new husband is keeping from her. With war looming on the horizon, can Evie find the courage she so desperately needs to confront him? And will she ever be able to call Malaya her true home? Fans of The Venice Sketchbook, The Last Rose of Shanghai and The Storyteller of Casablanca will adore this sweeping, heart-wrenching tale of love and deception, sacrifice and courage. Readers are utterly captivated by The Pearl of Penang: "The emotions I went through were numerous... This book hit me in the gut… magical to read and will stay with me… Wonderful." Reader review, 4 stars "PHENOMENAL! Loved reading it and didn't want to put it down. It was quite an experience." Reader review, 5 stars "Wow – where to begin... I am still thinking about this book! What an amazing story!" Reader review, 5 stars "Incredible... A real page-turner." Reader review, 4 stars "It's midnight and I've just finished… It was amazing. What a journey." Reader review, 5 stars "Magnificent… Had me hooked from beginning to end." Reader review, 5 stars "I lived and breathed this book… A story of love, hope, betrayal and friendship." Reader review, 5 stars "Absolutely breath-taking! I felt like I needed a fan to relieve the heat… the description was so vivid. I could see the vibrant colours of the flowers and smell the heady aroma. I could hear the cacophony of sound… Terrific love story." Reader review, 5 stars "Loved this! I didn't want this book to end!" Reader review, 5 stars "Gripping. A novel to lose yourself in." Reader review, 5 stars

"A page-turner… I was hooked from the beginning until the very last page… stayed with me long after finishing." Reader review, 5 stars In a tropical paradise torn apart by civil war, a young girl embarks on a life-changing journey of discovery in this captivating story of love and survival. Kenya, 1948: Sixteen-year-old Jasmine Barrington is desperately unhappy at her strict convent school and longs to return to the beautiful island of Penang in British colonial Malaya, where she was born. When the school expels her, Jasmine's luck changes as she's sent home to Penang to stay with old friends and help care for their little girl. Back among the lush rubber plantations, azure sea and sultry beaches Jasmine's heart soars again and she throws herself into her newfound passion for art, carrying her sketchbook and pencils everywhere in her satchel, losing track of time as she tries to capture the beauty of her surroundings. But Penang is far from the safe haven she left behind as a young child after her plantation-owner father's death, and Jasmine's life is soon in terrible danger as she's caught up in the turmoil of civil war. The solace she finds in painting helps to soothe her heartache as her homeland is torn apart by the fighting – until the discovery of a shocking secret about her father's past changes everything. In this heart-wrenching historical novel, the tragedy of civil war and the uncovering of long-held family secrets combine to alter the course of a young girl's life forever. A gripping and emotional story for fans of Fiona Valpy, Rhys Bowen and Kristin Hannah. Readers have been swept away by A Painter in Penang: "A beautiful story…I finally turned my kindle off at 3.30 this morning… I never wanted it to end." Reader review, 5 stars "WOW! What a great book!" Reader review, 5 stars "Absolutely amazing!" Reader review, 5 stars "Loved this book! Beautifully written... I felt like I was right there in Malaya with the fierce sun, the bright flora and the turquoise water of the ocean." Reader review, 5 stars "A brilliant read… Magical." Reader review, 5 stars "I cried once again! This series just gets better and better." Reader review, 5 stars "An excellent read… Engrossed from beginning to end." Reader review, 5 stars "Superb." Reader review, 5 stars "I adored this." Reader review, 5 stars "Wonderful." Reader review, 5 stars "When I read the last page I wished the story hadn't ended. I wanted more! If you love historical novels put these on your must-read list." Reader review, 5 stars "Very exciting series… Grab some tissues, you will need them… A fantastic read." Reader review, 5 stars "Wonderful… I absolutely love this series." Reader review, 5 stars "A moving, poignant, involving read." Reader review, 5 stars