Ella Carey is a bestselling author whose historical mysteries, particularly those set in Paris, immerse readers in captivating narratives. She excels at bringing to life the stories of extraordinary, often overlooked individuals, with a keen focus on the resilience and bravery of women during pivotal historical moments. Her writing is deeply rooted in a love for history and literature, allowing her to meticulously recreate past eras with emotional depth and vivid detail.
The story follows Eva as she endures a harrowing plane crash, capturing the intense moments of fear and desperation as she struggles to survive. The narrative immerses readers in her chaotic experience, from the overwhelming sound of the engine to the distant sirens, culminating in her fight to reach safety. This gripping tale explores themes of survival and resilience in the face of disaster, highlighting the instinctual drive to overcome life-threatening situations.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, the story follows Vianne as she navigates the chaos of Paris under siege. In a moment of desperation, she witnesses the destruction of her childhood memories when the church, a symbol of her past, is engulfed in flames. This harrowing event thrusts her into a fight for survival, as she grapples with the loss of loved ones and the challenges of living in a war-torn city. Themes of resilience and sacrifice emerge as she faces unimaginable choices.
Set against a backdrop of destruction, the story follows Kate as she encounters a hauntingly beautiful little girl in a tattered dress amidst the ruins of a once-grand mansion. The girl's striking blue eyes captivate Kate, compelling her to forge a connection in a world ravaged by conflict. This poignant moment hints at themes of hope, resilience, and the enduring spirit of innocence amidst chaos, inviting readers to explore the depth of human connection in dire circumstances.
Heartbroken and alone, Boston art curator Sarah West is grieving the recent deaths of her parents and the end of her marriage. Ultrasensible by nature, she's determined to stay the course to get her life back on track. But fate has something else in mind. While cleaning out her father's closet, she finds a letter from the famous Parisian courtesan Marthe de Florian, dated 1895. The subject? Sarah's great-great-aunt Louisa's death. Legend has it Louisa committed suicide...but this letter implies there's more to that story. Determined to learn the truth, Sarah, against her nature, impulsively flies to Paris. There she's drawn into the world of her flatmate, the brilliant artist Laurent Chartier. As she delves deep into the glittering Belle Époque to unravel the mystery, Sarah finds that her aunt's story may offer her exactly what she needs to open up to love again. Following Sarah in the present day and Louisa in the 1890s, this moving novel spans more than a century to tell the stories of two remarkable women.
Set against a backdrop of rich historical detail, this novel explores the impact of difficult choices on family dynamics and the weight of buried secrets. As characters navigate their intertwined destinies, they uncover heartbreaking mysteries that challenge their understanding of love and loyalty. The gripping narrative promises to keep readers engaged as it delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the haunting shadows of the past.
What happens when the truths you have built your life on start to crumble? Emma Temple sits looking out of the window in her beautiful apartment in the heart of London, surrounded by memories of her younger years as one of England's most influential artists. Nearly ninety, it would be easy to overlook her as a forgetful older lady. But Emma's past, including her great love affair which survived two world wars, is about to come crashing into the present. When her granddaughter Laura arrives asking questions about the portrait that hangs above her bed, Emma is transported back over sixty years. The picture was painted by the only man she ever truly loved, the one soul on earth who knew her deepest secret. But when a newspaper claims that the portrait is a fake, everything Emma believed to be true starts to collapse. Suddenly she is transported back to a sunny house in the south of France in 1923 and the moment when her life changed forever. An incredibly emotional and totally compelling historical novel about the relationships that shape us and the secrets we never forget. Fans of My Name is Eva, Fiona Valpy and Rhys Bowen will be completely transported from the very first page
In 1942 New York, as war engulfs Europe, Lily Rose enjoys a seemingly perfect life with her affluent parents and her position as a chef at Valentino's, a prestigious restaurant. However, she feels a magnetic pull towards the vibrant Sicilian community in Greenwich Village, where the allure of fresh produce and the aroma of cannoli beckon her. Central to this attraction is Tom Morelli, a talented chef and the charming grandson of Sicilian immigrants, whose captivating eyes ignite her passion. Amid wartime rationing, Lily and Tom bond over late-night culinary dreams, hoping to uplift New Yorkers during turbulent times. But their world shatters when Tom is drafted to Italy, leaving Lily with only memories of their last kiss. Seeking solace, she turns to her parents, only to face their wrath upon discovering her relationship. They present her with a heartbreaking ultimatum: abandon Tom and her career or lose her family and inheritance. Torn between love and duty, Lily resolves to follow her heart, but when Tom is reported missing in action, her dreams hang in the balance. As she grapples with the consequences of her choices, she must confront the uncertainty of what awaits her after the war.
Anna is content with her well-ordered life in San Francisco. But her world is turned upside down when her beloved grandfather, Max, reveals a startling Anna is part of an aristocratic family who lost everything during World War II. What’s more, Max was forced to leave behind a precious item over seventy years ago in their estate in old Prussia. It’s now his ardent wish that Anna retrieve it. Anna burns with questions as she heads for What memento could be so important to her grandfather? And why did he keep their history hidden? As she searches for answers, she finds herself drawn to Wil, a man who may hold the key to unlock the mystery. Together they discover that her family’s secrets are linked with an abandoned apartment in Paris, and these secrets go deeper than she ever imagined. Alternating between 1930s Europe and the present, The House by the Lake illuminates the destiny of a family caught in the tumult of history.
New York-based photographer Cat Jordan is ready to begin a new life with her successful, button-down boyfriend. But when she learns that she's inherited the estate of a complete stranger--a woman named Isabelle de Florian--her life is turned upside down. Cat arrives in Paris to find that she is now the owner of a perfectly preserved Belle Époque apartment in the ninth arrondissement, and that the Frenchwoman's family knew nothing about this secret estate. Amid these strange developments, Cat is left with burning questions: Who was Isabelle de Florian? And why did she leave the inheritance to Cat instead of her own family? As Cat travels France in search of answers, she feels her grasp on her New York life starting to slip. With long-buried secrets coming to light and an attraction to Isabelle de Florian's grandson growing too intense to ignore, Cat will have to decide what to let go of, and what to claim as her own.
Die Zeit der Frauen Berlin, 1946: Kate Mancini berichtet über die verheerenden Folgen des Krieges, die sie unmittelbar zu spüren bekommt, als sie ein Waisenmädchen aus den Trümmern rettet. Auch nach ihrer Rückkehr nach New York begeistert sie sich für politische Themen. Während ihr Freund Rick jedoch schnell als politischer Kolumnist aufsteigt, gesteht man Kate nur die Themen Haushalt und Familie zu. Beim Fernsehen scheint sie schließlich ihren Platz zu finden. Aber dann wird Rick als kommunistischer Sympathisant beschuldigt. Kate muss den Mann, den sie liebt, beschützen – koste es, was es wolle ... Eine junge Journalistin kämpft um ihre Karriere – und für ihre Liebe
