New arrivals
The American Agent (Maisie Dobbs #15) by Jacqueline Winspear (proof copy courtesy of Allison & Busby and Random Things Tours)
When Catherine Saxon, an American correspondent reporting on the war in Europe, is found murdered in her London digs, news of her death is concealed by British authorities. Serving as a linchpin between Scotland Yard and the Secret Service, Robert MacFarlane pays a visit to Maisie Dobbs, seeking her help. He is accompanied by an agent from the US Department of Justice – Mark Scott, the American who helped Maisie get out of Hitler’s Munich in 1938. MacFarlane asks Maisie to work with Scott to uncover the truth about Saxon’s death.
As the Germans unleash the full terror of their blitzkrieg upon the British Isles, raining death and destruction from the skies, Maisie must balance the demands of solving this dangerous case with her need to protect Anna, the young evacuee she has grown to love and wants to adopt. Entangled in an investigation linked to the power of wartime propaganda and American political intrigue being played out in Britain, Maisie will face losing her dearest friend – and the possibility that she might be falling in love again.
Pre-order The American Agent (Maisie Dobbs #15) from Amazon UK (link provided for convenience not as part of an affiliate programme)
Hetty’s Secret War (Women at War #3) by Rosie Clarke (eARC courtesyof Aria Fiction and NetGalley)
In 1939, with the world on the brink of war, one women faces a future more uncertain than she had ever imagined…
Georgie – when the man she has always loved is sent to France on a secret war office mission every knock of the door fills her with dread of it being the feared telegram boy…
Beth – orphaned as a child, Beth is coming of age and determined to do her bit for the war effort. Caught up in a whirlwind romance, she marries only to become a war widow… and one expecting a baby who will never know his brave father. Can she find happiness again?
Hetty – desperately trying to make her way back from Paris to her beloved family in England, a fateful and tragic encounter brings Hetty to Chateau de Faubourg where she joins the resistance and risks both her heart and her life fighting for charismatic resistance leader Stefan Lefarge…
However dark the times, courage, determination and the power of friendship can overcome the hardships of war.
Pre-order Hetty’s Secret War (Women at War #3) from Amazon UK (link provided for convenience not as part of an affiliate programme)
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer (eARC courtesy of Random Things Tours and NetGalley)
What would you sacrifice for love? Inspired by the author’s family history, a searing page-turner of war, family secrets and a love to defy all odds.
World War Two – Alina and Tomasz are childhood sweethearts. The night before he leaves for college, Tomasz proposes marriage. But when their village falls to the Nazis, Alina doesn’t know if Tomasz is alive or dead.
Present day – When Alice’s cherished grandmother is hospitalised, a hidden box of mementoes reveals a tattered photo of a young man, a tiny leather shoe and a letter. Her grandmother begs Alice to return to Poland to see what became of those she held dearest. In Poland separated from her family, Alice begins to uncover the story her grandmother is so desperate to tell, and discovers a love that bloomed in the winter of 1942.
As a painful family history comes to light, will the struggles of the past and present finally reach a heartbreaking resolution?
Pre-order The Things We Cannot Say from Amazon UK (link provided for convenience not as part of an affiliate programme)
The Cornish Lady by Nicola Pryce (eARC courtesy of Rachel’s Random Resources)
Educated, beautiful and the daughter of a prosperous merchant, Angelica Lilly has been invited to spend the summer in high society. Her father’s wealth is opening doors, and attracting marriage proposals, but Angelica still feels like an imposter among the aristocrats of Cornwall.
When her brother returns home, ill and under the influence of a dangerous man, Angelica’s loyalties are tested to the limit. Her one hope lies with coachman Henry Trevelyan, a softly spoken, educated man with kind eyes. But when Henry seemingly betrays Angelica, she has no one to turn to. Who is Henry, and what does he want? And can Angelica save her brother from a terrible plot that threatens to ruin her entire family?
Pre-order The Cornish Lady from Amazon UK (link provided for convenience not as part of an affiliate programme)
The Familiars by Stacy Halls (hardcover, review copy courtesy of Bonnier Zaffre and Readers First)
Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17 years old, married, and pregnant for the fourth time. But as the mistress at Gawthorpe Hall, she still has no living child, and her husband Richard is anxious for an heir. When Fleetwood finds a letter she isn¹t supposed to read from the doctor who delivered her third stillbirth, she is dealt the crushing blow that she will not survive another pregnancy.
When she crosses paths by chance with Alice Gray, a young midwife, Alice promises to help her give birth to a healthy baby, and to prove the physician wrong.
When Alice is drawn into the witchcraft accusations that are sweeping the North-West, Fleetwood risks everything by trying to help her. But is there more to Alice than meets the eye?
As the two women’s lives become inextricably bound together, the legendary trial at Lancaster approaches, and Fleetwood’s stomach continues to grow. Time is running out, and both their lives are at stake.
Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other.
Pre-order The Familiars from Amazon UK (link provided for convenience not as part of an affiliate programme)
On What Cathy Read Next last week
Blog posts
Tuesday – The Top Ten Tuesday topics was Most Recent Additions to My To-Read List. I also published my review of Eagle & Crane by Suzanne Rindell which I absolutely loved.
Wednesday – WWW Wednesday is the opportunity to share what I’ve just read, what I’m currently reading and what I plan to read next…and have a good nose around to see what other bloggers are reading.
Friday – I published my review of Prester John by John Buchan, my Buchan of the Month for January.
Saturday – I took part in the Six Degrees of Separation meme whose starting book this month was Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk.
As always, thanks to everyone who has liked, commented on or shared my blog posts on social media this week.
On What Cathy Read Next this week
Currently reading
Planned posts
- Book Review: A Killer’s Alibi (Philadelphia Legal #3) by William L. Myers, Jr.
- My Five Favourite January Reads
- Waiting on Wednesday
- Blog Tour/Book Review: The Sewing Machine by Natalie Fergie
- Blog Tour/Guest Post: Coming Home to Holly Close Farm by Julie Houston
What Cathy Read Next... 
Lots of lovely books again this week!
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Oh I loved The Sewing Machine and I am looking forward to reading Nicola Pryce for the blog tour as well.
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I love all of your historical fiction selections! They look terrific. I have The Familiars and can’t wait to start reading it. Happy Reading!
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Hope you are liking “The Sewing Machine” Cathy. I found it very enjoyable.
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I liked it but didn’t love it as much as others seem to have done. I didn’t find Fred”s story quite as interesting as Jean’s and Connie’s.
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I’ll look forward to hearing more about The Familiars. It sounds fascinating and I love the cover!
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