Najnovšie - Historické romány strana 204 z 271

The Battle of Towton, March 1461. In the aftermath of England’s bloodiest battle, Bethany Mortimer leaves Towton Hall, her beloved husband, and newly crowned Edward IV in search of those who continue their treachery. Making her way to Warwick Castle, she reunites with her loyal retainers to track those who would see the House of York destroyed. Still haunted by the slaughter at Wakefield just months earlier, Bethany embraces her new calling as a Yorkist spy. But as their journey unfolds, the stakes rise: a plot to abduct Edward’s only surviving brothers, Richard and George, threatens the very survival of the dynasty. Travelling Roman roads through hostile hamlets, Bethany and her companions cross a divided land. Their hunt leads them to Coventry, where the true culprits are unmasked and justice delivered. With enemies vanquished and Yorkist power secured, the realm prepares for a coronation unlike any before…

Perfect for Bridgerton and Jane Austen fans! Fall in love with the Fairfax family and make this your favourite new Regency series… ‘And you’ve come here today to read me a lecture in all my deplorable habits?’ ‘No…’ she stalled, wracking her brain for inspiration and failing, ‘I’ve come here to ask you to marry me!’ After three disastrous seasons, bookish Josephine Fairfax believes that she is long past the age of finding her perfect fictional hero. But when her brother’s loathsome Monstrous Marriage Masterplan results in her youngest sister Matilda’s engagement to the vastly unsuitable Lord Huntingly, even she must draw the line. Josephine may be the bluestocking sister, but she is still a Fairfax who will sacrifice anything for family, even proposing marriage to a man who may be the most dangerous gentleman in the ton… Each book in the Fairfax Sisters series can be read as a standalone. Praise for The Proposition of the Season: 'A delightfully lighthearted regency romp. Five stars from me' ? 'Lord Huntingly is the regency bad boy of my dreams' ? 'This book will keep you coming back for more' ? 'This book is a rollercoaster, evoking classic Bronte and Austen works, and keeping the reader gripped until the last page' ? 'A historical romance with a bit of mystery and a strong heroine who asks questions instead of waiting around for answers' ? 'Lighthearted and charming, it’s the perfect nostalgic read' ? 'The perfect mix between Bridgerton and a Katrina Kendrick book - and I ATE this up' ? 'How I love a story of sisters, and Michelle Kenney has conjured up four sparky modern-minded Fairfax girls. The dialogue is quick-fire, plot complex and satisfying, the men heroic and rich' Jane Dunn, Sunday Times bestselling author

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek comes a triumphant tale of a librarian’s fight to bring literacy to the prisons of Kentucky and the underserved neighborhoods of downtown Louisville, revealing a story of fierce love, quiet strength, and the healing power of books. When Cussy Lovett, a Packhorse Librarian famed for bringing books to the people of Appalachia, is unjustly incarcerated, she finds a new calling as a prison librarian, bringing hope to downtrodden women and voiceless city residents alike, finding a home even while separated from those she loves. A vivid portrait of mid-century Kentucky, from the hills and hollers of Appalachia to a vibrant city neighborhood on the cusp of urban renewal, The Mountains We Call Home explores the effects of criminalization and incarceration on the poor and powerless, while tracing the societal consequences of fractured family bonds. Gritty, heartbreaking, yet infused with hope, The Mountains We Call Home is an authentic American tale and a powerful testament of strength, survival, and the magic of the written word. "Woven so seamlessly of important themes that it has the potential for changing lives." —William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author

Fiction to look out for in 2026 —The ObserverHe is a boy growing up in rural Pennsylvania under the eye of a brutal, brilliant father. He is a young man at college, enduring the choices that have been made for him and finding brightness and beauty all the same. He is a soldier in a dreadful war who – despite that awful conflict – finds the extraordinary woman who was the love of his life, and her tale inextricably twines with his. He is an engineer who builds one of the great wonders of the modern world. His name is Washington Roebling. His life holds the possible and the impossible, what could be grasped and what could only be longed for. History holds one truth. Here is another. Forged in a brutal age, duty-bound to execute his domineering father’s vision of the life he must live, he joins forces with his brilliant wife Emily to overcome myriad obstacles to fulfilling his obligation, chief among them his own yearning to shed the burden of achieving a dream that was never his own. This is a book of growth, yearning, about the price of achievement, about the road not taken. Beads on the necklace of a life are strung together to create a composite portrait not only of Washington but of those who loved him: Emily of course, but Max too – a young man whose spirit will haunt him for the rest of his life. Here duty and desire, love and obligation, intersect and contradict each other. With subtle narrative and powerful, vivid prose it offers an invitation to enter a complex world, so that readers may see their own histories, their own choices, their own possibilities, mirrored in this compelling text. Wash is a richly imagined and intimate book about a singular life – built from as many intricately linked elements as the iconic Brooklyn Bridge that is its hero's lasting legacy.

Byla to padesátá léta – doba, kdy se sousedé měnili v dozorce a z poctivých živnostníků se přes noc stávali nepřátelé lidu. Na pozadí kolektivizace a zinscenovaných procesů se odehrává příběh mlynáře Josefa Nýdrleho, který odmítl systému odevzdat své hospodářství i důstojnost. Román Řešeto je citlivou rekonstrukcí skutečného osudu sedláka Miroslava Šnýdra. Autorka kombinuje archivní fakta se vzpomínkami a podává syrové svědectví o časech, kdy se rozsudky psaly předem, ale někteří přesto zůstali čistí.

'Wonderful. A fresh and lively take on a well-known tale' The Times'A sensuous tale, richly drawn' Daily MailTHE UNMISSABLE NEW RETELLING OF THE LIFE OF ONE OF HISTORY'S MOST POWERFUL, ENTICING AND MISREPRESENTED FEMALE FIGURES - THE LEGENDARY QUEEN CLEOPATRACleopatra, Egyptian Princess, grows up the favoured daughter of the Pharoah, hiding amongst the scrolls in the great library of Alexandria with her beloved slave Charmian, longing for the chance one day to write her own story. Then when her father dies, willing that Cleopatra rule with her selfish brother Ptolemy, danger stirs. As the young Egyptian Queen sails the Nile to greet her people, he plots to destroy her and take the throne for himself. But while Ptolemy has the power of Egypt behind him, Cleopatra has her wits. And when the great Caesar arrives from Rome, she realises he could be the key to her salvation - though courting this powerful man could cost her everything. Can Cleopatra save her life, her throne, her beloved Egypt and finally command her own history? A powerful, sensuous new retelling, this is a captivating story of female power and vulnerability, of love and loss, fierce friendship and terrible betrayal. It's time to meet the real Cleopatra. 'Vibrant and enthralling. A glorious retelling of one of the most misrepresented female figures in history' Platinum magazine'The fabled Egyptian queen bursts into fierce and complex life' Caroline Lea'Vivid and compelling' Anya Bergman'Shows us the true Cleopatra in all of her pride and glory' Luna McNamara'As glorious and enthralling as its heroine' Naomi Kelsey'A dazzling tale writhing with tension like a desert snake' Rachel Louise Driscol'Thrilling. . . brings the ancient world vividly to life' Cathryn Kemp'Solomons breathes life into the myth. Gripping' Elizabeth LeeREADER REVIEWS***** "I was absolutely bewitched"***** "This book was both intimate and refreshing, vivid. I felt both the sticky heat of Egypt, and the cool breeze of the Queen's apartments at night."***** "10/10 a much needed exploration into one of the most infamous women in ancient history"***** "It shows her not so much as the beautiful seductress we see in other stories but clever and young ruler, and later mother. I liked seeing her grow as a person and ruler, but what I enjoyed most was her relationship with her slave and companion, it added a vulnerable side to her character that we rarely see."***** "Solomon's gift is to immerse you in an immediately believable world and to connect you with character from the start. I found myself constantly wanting to check details reading Cleopatra, fascinated by the woman coming alive before me."***** "I raced through the final section, heart wrung for the women whose story is forgotten in the plays. Just brilliant!"

THE HOLY CITY IS NO PLACE FOR MERCY 'Matthew Plampin should rank with the best' Sunday Times 'Plampin is heartbreakingly good' The Times 'Gripping, immersive, at times very funny and beautifully written, this is historical fiction of the highest quality' Elizabeth Fremantle Rome, 1650. The streets are teeming as thousands of pilgrims flood in for the Holy Jubilee, but behind the gilded façade of the Vatican, power is unravelling. Donna Olimpia Maidalchini has long kept Pope Innocent X under her thumb, but as loyalties shift, her enemies close in. And her most dangerous opponents may be those she deems too weak to matter. Two destitute nuns arrive, fleeing the ruined city of Castro and each carrying secrets that could destroy them. Meanwhile, the assistant to the famed Spanish artist Diego Velázquez is drawn into a perilous conspiracy – one that could bring Italy to its knees, and against which his own desperate ambitions seem to count for nothing. As the sweltering summer heat rises, survival, not salvation, becomes the ultimate goal – and in this world of sin, saints almost never survive.

By command of the Queen, you are hereby directed to be present at . . . There’s a lot to get done ahead of the queen’s coronation – and even more so when your livelihood is at stake. Lucy Jones is Junior Wardrobe Assistant to the queen, but dreams of being a singer. Caroline Brimstone loves her role as the queen’s Assistant Dresser, but behind closed doors fights for a better life for herself and her daughter. Meanwhile, Miranda Miller, an undercover journalist in the Coronation Office’s planning committee, needs an inside scoop to keep her job – the only thing she has left. They are all running away from their own demons but, in order to succeed, they must shed their feelings of shame, trust themselves and reclaim their lives. As Queen Elizabeth II takes the throne, will these three women also be able to take their rightful places in the worl? he Queen's Coronation is an unforgettable tale of female resilience, friendship and having the courage to seize your future. Praise for Jennifer Ryan ‘An enchanting hug of a novel’ – Cathy Kelly‘A deliciously warm and heart-rending tale’ – Martha Hall Kelly‘The writing glows with emotional intelligence’ – Daily Mail

Jilted bride. Vengeful heart. Hopeless romantic. ‘Dazzling’ HEAT MAGAZINE ‘This is a novel of enormous élan’ THE TIMES *From the Observer Top Ten Debut novelist* Charlotte Havisham has a secret. She's been underestimated for too long: by her former fiancé, Compeyson; by her family; and by society. But now her true heart's desire is within reach for the first time. And she will stop at nothing to get it. This is the story of Miss Havisham as you've never heard it before. And she will exceed all expectations. A thrilling and immersive historical novel, Havisham is a queer feminist reimagining in which Dickens' most infamous female character tells her side of the story at last. PRAISE FOR HAVISHAM ‘Deftly woven and alive with rage’ KAT DUNN ‘I was completely engrossed’ STACEY THOMAS ‘A fearless historical fiction writer’ EMMA HINDS ‘Will make you weep before punching the air’ LOUISE HARE ‘Original, bold and fierce’ HESTER MUSSON ‘This is Havisham as she has never been seen’ HANNAH KANER ‘A glorious feminist reimagining’ NAOMI KELSEY ‘Left me breathless’ MARY CHAMBERLAIN ‘Spectacularly daring’ ANNA CAIG ‘I was completely hooked’ AMÉLIE SKODA ‘A triumphant mix of reimagined classic and bold, ambitious storytelling’ LIANNE DILLSWORTH ‘Shouting-at-the-page levels of investable’ CHARLOTTE PARADISE ‘Wonderfully immersive and deeply satisfying’ LUCY BARKER 'Compelling’ SCOTTISH FIELD

The remarkable new work of fiction from the Booker Prize-winning author of Last Orders, Waterland and Mothering Sunday'His archly modulated, precise prose, reminiscent at times of his friend Kazuo Ishiguro’s, has lost none of its power ... immensely readable late-career Swift from start to finish, Twelve Post-War Tales is a marvel of the storyteller's art.' Financial Times‘There can surely be no better contemporary writer to take on history’s circularities that Graham Swift. … “Growing up in the 1950s there was all the evidence of war.” Swift has said. This beautiful cluster of stories shows how vital it remains in recollection.’ Observer'Skilful, generous and humane, these 12 tales suggest the complexity and heartbreak of being engaged on such an uncertain journey.' Guardian‘The characters in this collection share their thoughts and memories with the reader as though with a close friend, and the warmth of their confidences balances against their sadness. We feel we’ve been in the trenches with them, even when a story has gone no farther than the living room.’ Wall Street Journal'These stories, depth charges of love, anguish, resentment, each in their way relating to the effects of WW2, are so good. Swift at his best – and he’s on top form here – has the humanity and wry humour of William Trevor’, Patrick Gale'Quite wonderful. Such grace and clarity - I'm filled with admiration', Philip PullmanIn the aftermath of the Second World War Private Joseph Caan, a young Jewish soldier stationed in Germany, seeks the truth about lost family members; in the 1960s a father focuses on his daughter’s wedding even as the Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink of disaster; in 2001, while planes fly into the Twin Towers, a maid working for US Embassy staff in London wonders if her birth on the day of the Kennedy assassination shaped her life; and at the height of a pandemic lockdown, Dr. Cole, a retired specialist in respiratory disease, returns to work and recalls a formative childhood encounter with illness and much more. These are just a few of the challenged characters we meet in Graham Swift’s Twelve Post-war Tales.  Tender, humane, funny and moving, Swift’s latest work of fiction displays his quietly commanding ability to set the personal and the ordinary against the harsh sweep of history. It is an outstanding achievement, confirming his status as one of the great and subtlest voices of our age.

'Compulsive, heartbreaking' Clare Leslie Hall'Gorgeously written' Jennie Godfrey'A tale of dazzle and determination' Daily MailFOUR WOMEN. A MILLION DREAMS. Scotland, 1910. Born into the world of the circus, Lena now stands at a crossroads. With the sudden death of her father, she faces a stark choice: get married or get a job. The fairgrounds are no place for a woman to go it alone. Until flame-haired Violet, known to all as 'the greatest trapeze artist that ever lived', suggests they do exactly that. With her outspoken ways and her refusal to marry, Violet is as much an outcast as Lena. What do they have to los? ecruiting new performers including bareback horse-rider Rosie and acrobat Carmen, the four women take charge of their own show, their own finances and their own destinies. But the fairgrounds are a dangerous place: misogyny is rife, violence a continual threat, and buried secrets are beginning to threaten all they hold dear. Together, they must forge their own path to freedom. FOR THEY ARE THE SHOW WOMEN. AND THE SHOW MUST GO ON. READERS LOVE THE SHOW WOMAN? 'Held my interest to the very last page'? 'Complete sensory immersion, such is the depth and breadth of the descriptive narrative'? 'Beautifully written, lovable characters, gripping narrative'? 'This extraordinary debut is bursting with energy and imagination'? 'A terrific read'

From Ali Smith: “The Hyena’s Daughter tells the far-too-untold story of a c19th sisterhood, thedaughters of Mary Wollstonecraft: Fanny Imlay and Mary Shelley, the famedwriter of Frankenstein, plus their step-sister Claire Clairmont, lover of LordByron. Are they the three graces? The fates? They’re women, as alive and breathingand rebellious and analytical as you and me, and well aware and critical of thehemmed-in nature they’re expected to accept as women of their time – a timeof “a new way of thinking, a new-world independence, a revolutionary world.” It features their connection to Percy Bysshe Shelley – “how could we not lovehim, with his lofty ethics and words that flew like birds?” –and many of theother contemporary poets and thinkers of the time. Pacy and assured, it turns its history to life from fragment to sensuousfragment. If the dead brought to life is to be Mary Shelley’s theme, this novellaasks what the real source of life spirit is, the vital spark. This book, full of detailand richesse, is a piece of vitality in itself.”

For readers of Vanessa Miller, Sheila Williams, Victoria Christopher Murray and Tracy Chevalier, the story of an unconventional woman who overcame adversity to create enduring tributes in stone to her race and times. The life of pioneering Black Neoclassical sculptor Edmonia Lewis ? from the Civil War-era Midwest to Boston?s abolitionist circles, to Rome?s expatriate community ? is resurrected in this stunning debut biographical novel.?I plan to be a sculptor, to memorialize forever the great men and women of my race, and those who have fought for our cause.? At the age of 8, orphaned, precocious Wildfire seems fated to a life of toil selling her handmade crafts to Niagara Falls tourists alongside her Ojibwe aunts. But Wildfire?s older half-brother, Samuel, has been making other plans for his gifted sibling. Soon, she is set on a new trajectory?and with it comes her birth name, Edmonia, and a revelation about her true origins.Ensconced at the home of a trusted benefactor while Samuel makes his fortune in California, Edmonia flourishes?despite her abhorrence for etiquette lessons. Privately nurturing artistic ambitions, she advances through the abolitionist?s prep school and lands at Oberlin College. But at Oberlin lies a devastating trap: Edmonia is accused of poisoning, nearly fatally, two friends, with tainted wine.What ensues is a headline-making trial, a vicious attack by a white mob?and a bold journey that will lead Edmonia from a crucial introduction in Boston to a vibrant community of celebrated expatriate women artists in Rome, and encounters with such distinguished figures as President Ulysses S. Grant, Pope Pius IX, and Frederick Douglass.Still, Edmonia?s success is plagued by stinging critiques, potent racism, and haunting self-doubt. She must decide, too, whether to abandon her romantic entanglements, or devote herself to bringing to life her visions of beauty and justice?and hopefully, forge her place in a rapidly changing world.

On 10 August 1944, with Germany on the verge of a crushing and humiliating defeat, Heinrich Himmler, the second most powerful Nazi and head of the notorious SS, holds a clandestine meeting in Strasbourg with a handful of elite industrialists and bankers. A covert organisation is born, codenamed 'Die Spinne' - The Spider. The network is tasked with helping senior SS officers escape the clutches of advancing allied forces. New identities are created, bankrolled by illicit funds, allowing notorious criminals to begin new lives in Europe and South America. Many of them land key roles in the worlds of politics, banking and industry. Decades later, they're able to pass on a privileged and influential birth right to their descendants. Himmler's secret lovechild, Amelie, is also spirited out of Germany by 'Die ,armed with a Nazi nest egg of fifty million dollars. Eighty years on, Amelie's adopted son becomes the head of the Spider network, which has evolved, survived and prospered over the decades under a cloak of secrecy. Employing a level of AI technology years ahead of anything currently known, the Spider network operates a secret facility based in Strasbourg, capable of creating undetectable Deepfakes of their own extremist politicians: perfect avatars, capable of conducting live interviews on a video stream with any news outlet in the world. The computer 'brain' of the Deepfakes is linked to state-of-the-art AI machines, programmed to create the perfect politician, spouting extreme right-wing rhetoric, aimed at winning over the masses. At a time of world disorder, with bitter wars across and the Middle East, the leaders of the Spider network look to seize their opportunity of grabbing control of the levers of political power.

Penniless and newly orphaned, Briar Monroe finds shelter at Thornby Manor, a brooding estate above a mist-shrouded lake. But whispers of a dead wife, an estranged son and locked-away secrets haunt its corridors … Atmospheric, intoxicating and laced with peril, this is a spellbinding historical mystery of love, betrayal, obsession and a house that will not forget…‘With echoes of many gothic romances, Thornby Manor nonetheless has its own take on the genre … a compelling tale’ Sunday Times‘Gloriously and traditionally gothic, rich in mist, rattling windowpanes, hidden missives and feverish dreams … an addictive Victorian mystery’ Joanna Miller‘A gripping gothic tale, simmering with menace’ A.J. West‘Oozing with menace, this intoxicating mystery reveals just how dangerous it was to be a woman in a time when her every move could be turned against her’ Heat magazine Book of the Week‘Fuses the brooding sense of menace of a Brontë novel with the twisty notes of a suspense thriller. A deliciously absorbing gothic mystery’ Vaseem Khan‘Atmospheric and accomplished … steeped in the gothic tradition of mystery and grief’ Essie Fox–––––––––There – suddenly – was Thornby Manor. I would never forget the first time I saw it…A talisman of darkness, an emblem of death. Warwickshire, 1891. Recently orphaned and left destitute, Briar Monroe accepts the protection of Lord Danville and the shadowed sanctuary of Thornby Manor. The great house looms above a mist-shrouded lake, its corridors heavy with secrets – not least the mysterious death of Lady Elizabeth Danville, and the unspoken tensions between her formidable widower and his magnetic son, Gabriel. As Briar navigates the undercurrents of a household ruled by watchful servants and locked doors, she is drawn ever deeper into a web of suspicion, desire and fear. Whispers in the night, figures at windows, and a constant sense of being watched leave her questioning not only the truth about Thornby, but her own safety within its walls. Atmospheric, intoxicating and laced with peril, Thornby Manor is a gothic tale of betrayal, obsession and a house that never forgets. A simmering, haunting debut for readers who loved Jane Eyre, Rebecca, The Woman in White and The Silent Companions. –––––––––‘An enthralling gothic debut … beautifully written, brimming with tension and full of intriguing, morally grey characters. A wonderfully dark historical mystery that kept me reading until 1am!’ Caroline Lea‘Gothic fiction has a new star’ Annie Garthwaite‘Dark, deliciously unsettling … a spellbinding, emotionally intense, intelligent tale dripping with betrayal and obsession’ Barbara Havelocke‘Darkly dramatic, delicious fun. If you love a gothic novel full of secrets to be unpacked, this is one for you …’ Liz Hyder‘Full of darkness and twisted secrets…’ Kate Griffin‘This tale of mystery and madness, of deception and defiance, of scandal and suspicion, will have readers compulsively turning pages deep into the night’ Naomi Kelsey‘A chilling gothic mystery … as unsettling as the mist that swirls around the manor. The final twist took my breath away’ Emma Cowing‘Immersive and chilling gothic novel with a mystery that keeps you guessing until the final chapter’ Rachel Louise Driscoll‘A tense, atmospheric and masterful work of gothic fiction … as chilling as it is intoxicating’ Cathryn Kemp‘A gripping gothic masterpiece’ Gill Paul‘A gothic mystery written with beauty and elegance’ Liv Matthews‘Beautifully written, moody, haunting’ Louise Swanson‘Unsettling, intoxicatingly gothic, highly original and laced with dread … a must-read debut’ Dan Bassett‘Think Jane Eyre meets Rebecca meets Northanger Abbey with a sprinkling of Wilkie Collins. I absolutely loved it’ Joanna Miller

'Gritty, pacy historical fiction. The action never lets up and it's a real pleasure to share the perilous adventures of Will and his hard-fighting band of followers.' SIMON SCARROW, #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER1191. For Will Bowman, newly restored to the service of King Richard 'Lionheart', the war against Saladin in the Holy Land now reaches its bloody climax. HERONo soonder is it over than the skulduggery of traitors conspiring against Richard's kingdom threatens the outbreak of yet more conflict. WARRIORTorn between his destiny and his allegiance, Will yearns for a life of peace. But when a deadly new danger threatens the king, only one man can save him. RESCUERNow, Will and his companions must embark on their most dangerous voyage yet, a covert rescue mission deep into the heartlands of a ruthless foreign power. Is Will's loyalty to Richard strong enough to die for him? PRAISE FOR SCOTT MARIANI'S STUNNING WILL BOWMAN SERIES'A joyride of a story. My new favourite series' ?'A truly excellent book' ?'A true craftsman of his profession' ?'A master storyteller' ?'A gripping tale of honourable survival' ?'Scott Mariani has taken to historical fiction like a duck to water' ?

Láska Johanky Sládkové je ve vzkvétajícím Štěpánově cenou, po které touží ti nejmocnější muži, avšak ona miluje prostého Vondru Křivohlava – i přesto, že je zasnoubená s majetným soukeníkem Blažkem. Jejím opakem je Anna Rudelka, která má sice špatnou pověst a nízké společenské postavení, ale zároveň i nezkrotnou ctižádost a odvahu riskovat. Touží se provdat za váženého soudce Petra Bílého, jenže ten si dělá zálusk na jinou. Když je za záhadných okolností zavražděn Johančin snoubenec, obviní soudce z tohoto zločinu nevinného Vondru. Pohnutky Johanky a Anny Rudelky jsou odlišné, cíl obou dívek je však stejný: musí Vondrovi zachránit život. A tak Anna rozehraje spolu s kaplanem Mikulášem, katem Bartolomějem a několika dalšími nebezpečnou partii nejen o spravedlnost, ale i o vlastní srdce. Dokáže se vypořádat s citem, jejž dosud odmítala poznat? Jak může tajemství purkrabího Miloty souviset se zločinnými hlásnými? Podaří se kaplanu Mikulášovi prosadit spravedlnost, kvůli které se vydává až za samotným arcibiskupem Janem z Jenštejna?

Don''t miss Emma''s next gripping historical saga, available to pre-order now!She’s fallen on hard times but she’ll come back stronger…Slung out from her home and onto the slum streets of Manchester at the tender age of twelve, Perdita Barratt has fallen on hard times. Each day she must toil to earn a penny to secure a bed at a lodging house. Each day is a struggle to survive.But after a chance encounter with Silas Winkworth, a widowed cart driver who is in search of someone to look after his household, things start to look less bleak… And as Perdy settles into the domestic routine of her new life as a daily, Winkworth Cottage becomes her safe haven.Yet this soon falls to the wayside when Honora, Silas’s estranged granddaughter, appears on their doorstep. Unbeknownst to Silas, who has welcomed Honora into his home with open arms, Perdy must steel herself to rise above her incessant snide remarks and wicked taunts…But is there a darker motive than greed behind Honora’s return to Collyhurst, and how far will Perdy go to uncover the truth?

Birmingham, 1858. Dora, a spirited young maid with a vivid imagination, finds solace in the library of the esteemed family she works for. But when a forbidden love leads to a secret that could ruin her, Dora has no choice but to leave the only place that has ever offered her security and kindness. Alone in Birmingham’s teeming industrial streets, Dora reinvents herself as a washerwoman – each stitch and scrub a testament to her fierce determination to protect her daughter, Rose. But, snatching any free moment in her exhausting days, Dora begins to write her own stories, dreaming that one day, she will see her words in print. As fate reunites Dora with long-lost family, she must face fresh challenges and personal heartache. Can this woman, armed with grit, love and a pen, defy her past and write her own destin? ora's Dream is a gritty and heartfelt saga from beloved author, Annie Murray and is the second book in the original Children of Birmingham series after The Pearl Button Girl. The Birmingham Rose by Annie Murray was a Sunday Times bestseller in Feb 1995.