World War Saga

When Maggie’s new job takes her from bombed-out London to grand Snowden Hall in the Cotswolds, she’s apprehensive but determined to do her bit for the war effort. She’s also keeping a secret, one she knows would turn opinion against her. Her mother is German: Maggie is related to the enemy. Then her evacuee sister sends her a worrying letter, missing the code they agreed Violet would use to confirm everything was well, and Maggie’s heart sinks.

Helsingør, Denmark, 1943. In the midst of the German occupation during World War II, Inger Bredhal joins the underground resistance and risks her life to save members of Denmark’s Jewish community and help them escape to Sweden. Copenhagen, 2018. Inger’s granddaughter Cecilie Lund is mourning her death when a mysterious discovery while cleaning out Inger’s flat leads past and present to intersect. As long-held secrets finally see the light of day, Cecilie learns the story of her grandmother’s courage and bravery.

Victoria is looking for a life away from the dangers of wartime London for herself and two orphaned children. Her search takes her to Churchwood in Hertfordshire which looks ideal, but the village residents are already dealing with their own problems . . .With so much trouble and uncertainty in the village, can Victoria and her little family find the safe haven they crave?

It’s all change for the Seaside Girls…Singer Jessie Delaney has finally got her big break in London’s West End and is determined to make the most of her golden opportunity, even with the start of the Blitz. Lonely, and lacking the guidance of friends and family, Jessie hopes that seasoned performer Adele Bailey will help her find her feet. But, when fame beckons friendships are tested and loyalties are divided.

Berlin, 1945. In der Mission am Schlesischen Bahnhof suchen Flüchtlinge, Traumatisierte, Überlebende Zuflucht. Sie werden von Alice in Empfang genommen, der selbst der Krieg mit seinem Elend nichts von ihrem Idealismus hat nehmen können. Und auch Natalie taucht aus dem Exil wieder auf, zusammen mit ihrer Tochter. Als ein Arzt zu den Helfenden stößt, sind sie zunächst dankbar für sein Engagement. Doch nach und nach wird immer deutlicher, dass den angeblich so Selbstlosen ein dunkles Geheimnis umgibt.

Eine unerzählte Geschichte über Deutschland, die uns alle angeht. Die Familie ihrer Mutter hinterlässt Erinnerungen, Erbstücke und Geschichten. Von der jüdischen Familie des Vaters bleibt lediglich ein kleines Foto. Nur ein einziges Mal erzählt ihr der Vater von dem, was während der Shoah mit ihm und seiner Familie geschehen ist. Da ist sie fünfzehn, und ihr Vater mittlerweile Grafiker und Amateurfotograf, der alles festhalten muss, bevor es verschwindet. Jahrzehnte später stößt sie auf Berge von Akten und erfährt, was ihre Eltern so lange vor ihr geheim gehalten hatten.

Ein Café im Piemont. Ein großer Traum. Ein geniales Rezept. Alba im Piemont, 1946. Mit klopfendem Herzen erreicht die 16-jährige Francesca die Stadt. Die Winzertochter soll als Hausmädchen für die Familie Milani arbeiten, die dort das berühmte Café Alba betreibt. Schon bald fühlt Francesca sich magisch angezogen von der Backstube mit ihren süßen Wohlgerüchen. Ein unerwartetes Ereignis bringt sie Matteo näher, dem Sohn des Hauses. Als dieser ihr eines Tages anvertraut, dass das Café wegen enorm gestiegener Kosten für Kakao vor dem Ruin steht, erinnert Francesca sich an die Haselnusshaine in ihrer Heimat.

Der fulminante Abschluss der Bestseller-Trilogie endlich im Taschenbuch. Henny Unger feiert Geburtstag, siebzig Jahre ist sie geworden. So alt wie das Jahrhundert. Beim Gartenfest an ihrer Seite: die Freundinnen Käthe, Lina und Ida. Doch längst hat sich der Kreis der Gratulanten erweitert. Aus den vier Freundinnen sind Mütter und Großmütter geworden. Hennys Enkelin Katja träumt davon, als Fotoreporterin um die Welt zu reisen, Idas Tochter Florentine kehrt mit einer Überraschung nach Hamburg zurück. Und auch Ruth, die Adoptivtochter von Käthe, ist fester Teil des Freundschaftsbunds.

Mutig und unbeirrbar – eine Frau und ihr Lebenstraum. Am Bodensee, es ist 1913. Anna muss als älteste Tochter die Familie verlassen, da ist sie noch keine vierzehn. Doch sie ist zielstrebig und selbstbewusst genug, um ihr Schicksal in beide Hände zu nehmen. Und als sie August kennenlernt, der sich auf der Stelle in ihren Humor verliebt, scheint ihr Glück perfekt. Bald stürzen die beiden sich in ein großes Abenteuer und kaufen sich einen alten Gasthof am See: ein Abenteuer, von dem sie nicht ahnen, wie groß es werden wird. Denn die Familie wächst – und es kommen Inflation und Krieg.

When Alice is forced away from her spy training in London under tragic circumstances, she is distraught. That is, until she’s asked to join a local branch of codebreakers that might just be finding the key to winning the war. Young Imogen feels impotent to help her beloved Bude as war rages on. When she suspects the attractive new Vicar of betraying their country, she gets to work to uncover his deceit. Meanwhile, American entertainer to the troops Pearl pours her heart into supporting the troops to stop their moral from waning, but is jilted by her young soldier love.

September 1939. Friends Maggie Shaunessy and Lizzie Taylor are heartbroken to be evacuated from their Liverpool homes to rural Yorkshire. Lizzie is sent to live with a vicar in the village of Gargrave while Maggie finds herself delivered by chauffeur to Hawith Hall and Lady and Lord Bradley. Both the hall and the vicarage are far different to what the girls are used to – and both are very homesick. Though Maggie finds friendship too in the form of Alice, a young servant at the hall who takes her under her wing. But change is coming to the Dales too.

As the Great War rages across Europe, twenty-one-year-old Ruby Archer decides to ‘do her bit’ at an East End munitions factory. The work is relentless and deafening, but the camaraderie of the other girls carries her through. As the threat of another Zeppelin attack grows by the day, Ruby cannot ignore the abandoned animals scavenging the local streets. She rescues a stray kitten, Tess, and takes in an injured terrier Mac, but when all the local cats mysteriously disappear, she knows she needs to do more, and with the help of her friends plans to open a weekly animal clinic.

Scotland, 1943. It’s a long hot summer in Scotland but the Women’s Timber Corps have more than forest fires to worry about. As the summer beats on, can the Lumberjills pull together and protect the forest – and each other?

1942. Evie Sinclair has enlisted in the ATS to serve her country. Her mother disapproves, wanting her to stay and help run the household, but her father supports her bid for independence. Though conditions are austere and the training is intense, Evie is proud to become a qualified gunner girl, part of the team operating the anti-aircraft batteries. When she meets RAF bomber pilot Matt Goodwin at a dance, it's not long before they fall in love. But then tragedy strikes. Matt is killed on a mission, leaving Evie bereft - and expecting a child.

Growing up without the care of a loving family made Anna Golding fiercely independent. So when war breaks out, determined to do her duty, she joins the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. Her fellow trainees are like the sisters she never had. However, as they all talk of fond memories of home, Anna's heart breaks. Her past is too painful to share. Then she meets her friend's brother, Royal Air Force navigator Jimmy Armstrong, whose gentle care makes her feel safe for the first time in her life. Anna and Jimmy must snatch moments together as their duties pull them to opposite ends of the country.

Berry Chambers and her co-workers have joined the Women's Timber Corps - known as the Lumberjills - to do their bit for Britain. On their first day felling trees, they rescue an RAF pilot and become entangled in the loveless marriage of her new landlords. Danger is never far away, be it an ill-timed axe swing or the occasional activity of the Luftwaffe overhead. Add a psychotic farm cat, a couple of young runaway evacuees, a spate of malicious packages, and the jealousy of the Land Girls next door, and life for Berry and her friends is never boring.

As war rages, Barbara Sinclair is desperate to escape her unhappy home life. And with the threat of German bombs ever present, Barbara reluctantly agrees to marry John, her childhood friend, who is leaving to join the RAF. But an encounter with Alex Everton, a dashing Spitfire pilot, complicates matters for Barbara. With emotions running high, she begins to question whether she has made a terrible mistake. With the constant threat of death all around her, Barbara must try to find a way to deal with the complexities of her difficult home life and her emotional relationships, too.

21-year-old Alix is studying in Paris, far away from Sasha, her Serbian father and Leonora, her English mother, as World War Two breaks out. Finding hope even in troubled times, romance sparks with fellow student Raoul; but she soon learns young love can be tumultuous. So, when Steve, a handsome American pilot with Serbian ancestors, enters her life, she can't ignore her feelings toward him. And making a decision will be even harder as both men leave for war.

1939. The threat of war is looming over Blackpool, but Martha and Trisha are determined not to let it dampen their spirits. With two young evacuees for Martha to take care of, and Trisha's market garden business growing as Britain digs for victory, the friends have their hands full. Both are proud to see their daughters making their own way in the world, even in wartime. Sally has become a ballerina and Bonnie is training to become a doctor. The girls' friendship brings them all happiness and hope. But Martha is troubled by her visions for their daughters' futures.

With the outbreak of War, the fishing fleet is confined to port, bringing hardship to the families and businesses of Fishers Wharf. Ruth Evans awaits the safe return of her father’s last trawler carrying her wayward brother Henry, the future of the family business. But unbeknown to their father, Henry sees war as a chance to break free from the constraints of his privileged background and follow his heart. Much is expected of Ruth. Her marriage to Arthur Marshall will help realise her father’s dream uniting two of the largest trawler companies in Grimsby.