Sisters of Wartime England

Bess saw a man carrying a little girl in a pink nightdress run past. The child dropped her teddy bear and began to cry, 'Daddy, stop!'. But he didn't hear her above the noise of wailing sirens and collapsing houses. Dazed, Bess watched her old lodgings groan and lurch to the left. Then the stairs she had walked up so many times collapsed, one on top of the other, until there was nothing left but dust. 1939. Bess Dudley's life is filled with possibility. As the daughter of the groom at historic Foxden Hall, she has worked hard to secure a sought-after teaching position in London. Then, on a visit home for the holidays, Bess reconnects with handsome and aristocratic James Foxden, whom she has loved since childhood. There's a new spark between them and Bess travels to London with James's card and joy in her heart. The war casts a shadow over Bess's bright future. In London, she's confronted with the daily threat of terrifying air raids and vicious attacks on her Jewish friends. To make matters worse, Bess's teaching career abruptly ends around the time she discovers James is engaged to the beautiful and wealthy Annabel Hadleigh. Returning to Foxden Acres, Bess dedicates herself to the war effort as a Land Girl, a far cry from the life she had envisioned. It's back-breaking work, but she's surprised to find she's becoming friends with Annabel, despite her enduring love for James. In a world torn apart by violence, Bess is forced to make an impossible decision, all while keeping a dark secret of her own. Is her love for James worth risking everything she's built for herself from the ashes of her old life? And without James – without Foxden – would she have anywhere left to call home? A gripping, epic and heartbreaking story about how adversity can change us in ways we never anticipate. Perfect for fans of Mandy Robotham, Glynis Peters and Rachel Wesson. What readers are saying about this book: "A stunning novel. At times I chewed my nails. At other times I cried. But I also felt my heart lift. This book has it all – tension, love and loss all against a backdrop of a bygone era. A great drama in all. I look forward to reading about the other Dudley sisters who, I believe, each have their own story to tell." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars "This novel made me smile; it also made me cry… it has enough tension and twists to keep the reader interested right to the end." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars "I loved this story and felt involved with the characters from the start." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars "The plot was a bit of a rollercoaster, and I laughed at times, cried a little, and would recommend this to all fans of historical drama or romance books." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars "I loved this book. The time period and place were wonderfully depicted and the story held my interest throughout. Well recommended." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

Stepping inside, Margot could hardly contain herself. On gold-striped wallpaper hung photographs of theatre stars in gilt frames. Maroon velvet curtains at the doors perfectly matched the seats. This was where she belonged. Only not down here, sitting in the stalls. Her place was up there, on the stage, in the spotlight… London, 1940. As bombs rain down on London, the beautiful, talented Margot Dudley lands a job as an usherette at the Prince Albert Theatre in the West End. It's not quite her dream of taking centre stage, but at least it gets her closer to it. When an opportunity arises to join the costume department, Margot revels in the glamourous world of silk, taffeta, sequins and pearls, all while harbouring a secret desire to wear the dazzling creations herself. One night, after being attacked by her abusive Nazi ex-boyfriend, one of the lead dancers of the show begs Margot to take her place on stage. This is her big break, a chance to make her West End debut in front of thousands… But her newfound stardom comes with a price. As Margot basks in the limelight, a dangerous fascist sets his sights on her. Meanwhile, the war is taking its toll – frequent bombings threaten the safety of everyone she holds dear. Immersed in a world of bright lights and deception, Margot doesn't realise she's at risk of being torn apart from her family, friends and the man she loves, until it is too late… A gripping and utterly captivating tale of glitz and glamour, ambition and heartbreaking loss, set within the perilous world of the London Blitz. What readers are saying about this book: "Totally absorbing! Reading this novel, I felt as though I was living the experience of World War Two through Margot Dudley's eyes." Online reviewer, 5 stars "I loved Foxden Acres, the first of the Dudley Sisters novels, and this one is every bit as good." Online reviewer, 5 stars "From the first few chapters I was hooked." Online reviewer, 5 stars "The second book in the Dudley Sisters series is every bit as absorbing as the first. A very enjoyable read." Online reviewer, 5 stars "Love this book what a brilliant story from such a great writer... there was no disappointment, first class all the way." Online reviewer, 5 stars

Three sisters. One war. A trilogy of heart-wrenching stories of love, sacrifice and survival. Born to a groom at the elegant manor house Foxden Hall, the Dudley sisters never imagined the impossible choices World War II would force upon them. When London's bombs destroy her teaching dreams, Bess returns to Foxden Acres as a Land Girl, watching on as the man she's always loved plans a life with another, until tragedy violently changes everything. In the glittering West End, her sister Margot grasps stardom on the stage, only to be trapped between her ambitions and falling bombs. And in Nazi-occupied France, Claire gambles her life as an undercover agent, discovering forbidden love while carrying a secret of her own. From the English countryside to Nazi-occupied Paris, these sisters navigate a world where tomorrow is never guaranteed, and love might be the most dangerous risk of all. A moving and gripping wartime series that will be loved by fans of Vicki Beeby, Pam Jenoff and Rachel Wesson. Perfect for readers who cherish stories of female courage and the unbreakable spirit of family amid history's darkest hours. What readers are saying about this series: "A stunning novel… I cried. But I also felt my heart lift. This book has it all – tension, love and loss." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Totally absorbing! Reading this novel, I felt as though I was living the experience of World War Two through Margot Dudley's eyes." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "OUTSTANDING. I really can't praise this book enough and can highly recommend this series." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Completely swept me away… Superb historical detail, great characters and a cracking story. Loved it!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Kept me riveted page after page… I absolutely loved this book." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Totally blown away by this book." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As a new Special Operations Executive, Claire Dudley is determined to do her part for her country. But when she is sent to rural France, she never expects what happens next… Scouted for her incredible language skills and recruited to work undercover for the French Resistance in occupied France, Claire must learn to evade the enemy and help her allies in secret. Amidst the danger and hiding from the Gestapo, Claire falls in love with striking French-Canadian captain Alain Mitchell. But no one can know about their feelings for each other, and everything is at stake. When Mitchell is taken prisoner by the Germans, just as Claire discovers she's pregnant, she's put to the test like never before. With her baby daughter always in her thoughts, Claire embarks on a dangerous mission to reunite their family, all while helping the French people to resist the most terrible enemy the world has ever known. From the streets of Paris to the London blitz, Claire must navigate a world of danger and betrayal. What would you risk for your country… for your own happiness? The answer lies in the pages of this sweeping, epic tale of love, loss, and the unbreakable bonds of family. What readers are saying about this book: "OUTSTANDING. I really can't praise this book enough and can highly recommend this series." Online reviewer, 5 stars "Kept me riveted page after page… I absolutely loved this book." Online reviewer, 5 stars "Totally blown away by this book." Online reviewer, 5 stars "Kept me gripped throughout, I literally didn't want to put the book down." Online reviewer, 5 stars "A thought-provoking, tender story. This is a pacy novel that travels between war-torn England and France with breathless speed." Online reviewer, 5 stars "Heart-stopping historical romance and suspense." Online reviewer, 5 stars "A super read. I absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked from beginning to end." Online reviewer, 5 stars "I was hooked from the very first page where the reader meets ballsy Claire Dudley and goes on a heart-stopping wartime adventure involving espionage, sabotage, danger and, of course, romance. Brilliant imagination, excellent research, and a definite must-read." Online reviewer, 5 stars

A riveting story of one woman’s courage and perseverance, set against the backdrop of World War Two. 1940. Clever and fiercely loyal Ena Dudley is working in a factory in Lowarth, England at the height of the war, living with the ever-present dangers of her job and the constant threat of air raids. When she’s charged with delivering vital equipment to Bletchley Park – the heart of the British wartime intelligence operation – Ena rises to the challenge, setting off with her best friend Freda, determined to do her bit to help the war effort. But what should have been a simple errand quickly turns into a nightmare. After being drugged and robbed by a stranger on the train to Bletchley, Ena finds herself in grave danger, under suspicion by the very people she was trying to help and unsure who she can trust. With her closest friends accused of being involved, and haunted by the robbery and the possibility she’s been betrayed, Ena finds solace in a growing friendship with her co-worker Henry – but falling in love comes at a cost. Torn between loyalty to her family and desire to be with the man she loves, Ena sets out to discover the truth of what happened and prove her innocence. This is a thrilling and inspiring testament to the human spirit, which vividly captures the drama and the intrigue of working at historic Bletchley Park. For fans of Before We Were Yours, The Lilac Sisters and Diney Costeloe.