Portfolio

An Ideal Husband

Out now in Paperback, Hardback, eBook and Audio

Another uplifting, wryly humorous family drama from Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James…

After 30 years of marriage, and a wonderful family Christmas, Louisa is stunned when husband Kip asks for a divorce on Boxing Day. He’d never seemed unhappy – and they’ve raised three children together.

For months, Kip has been secretly seeing a younger woman – and if that wasn’t bad enough – it’s the woman who broke their youngest son’s heart.

Now Kip is moving out and embarking on a new life with Zoe, and Louisa is left to pick up the pieces. Their beloved family home, Charity Cottage, is up for sale, and tensions are running high.

Yet, despite the betrayal and anger, when Louisa lays eyes on what might be a unique and welcoming new home, she feels a first glimmer of hope that life might be taking a turn for the better.

And while Louisa is making exciting plans, Kip finds himself facing challenges of his own and begins to learn that living the dream may not be as simple as he thought…

Sunday Times bestseller Erica James returns with a sparkling tale of new starts and second chances.

Praise for An Ideal Husband

‘So, so good… shades of dark and light in every character which are gloriously done. A deliciously satisfying story.’ Cathy Kelly

 

‘Navigating the breakdown of a relationship is never easy but this was so warm and kind in the face of betrayal. I can highly recommend.’ Fern Britton

 

‘This compelling family drama puts a spotlight on how a family can evolve and re-invent itself without breaking down all together. Effortlessly elegant storytelling from Erica, as ever.’ Veronica Henry

Published by HQ Stories in Hardback, eBook and Audio on 25th April 2024 and in Paperback on 5th December 2024. View online retailer buying links.

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Hardback ISBN-10: 0008413827 ISBN-13: 9780008413828

A Secret Garden Affair

Out now in Paperback, Hardback, eBook and Audio Book.

Another heartbreaking but glorious tale of secrets and love from the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James…

July 1981. As the country prepares to celebrate Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana, Libby wants to be as far away from royal wedding fever as possible.

Having caught her own fiancé in bed with her best friend just weeks before they were due to marry, she’s fled London for the comfort of the Suffolk countryside.

At Larkspur House, with its magical garden created by renowned garden designer and one-time socialite Elfrida Ambrose, and its comfortingly familiar kitchen presided over by Libby’s great-aunt Bess, she hopes to find a way to put her life back together.

But for lifelong friends Bess and Elfrida, Libby’s arrival has stirred up the ghosts of the past. And before they can help her rebuild her shattered future, they must confront their own unspoken secrets, lost loves, and tragedies…

From the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James comes a captivating story that sweeps through sixty years of history, love, and family drama.

Published by HQ Stories in Hardback and eBook on 30th March 2023 and in Paperback on 14 September 2023. View online retailer buying links.

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Hardback ISBN-10: 0008413754 ISBN-13: 9780008413750
Paperback ISBN-10: 0008413789 ISBN-13: 9780008413781

Mothers and Daughters

Out now in Paperback, Hardback, eBook and Audio Book.

Even happy families have their secrets…  A sweeping family drama of old secrets and new beginnings from the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James.
Since the sudden death of her husband, Naomi has steadily rebuilt the life they shared in the village of Tilsham by the sea.

Her eldest daughter, Martha, is sensible and determined – just like her father was – and very much in control of where her life is going. If she could just get pregnant with her husband, life would be perfect.

Willow, the youngest, was always more sunny and easy-going, yet drifted through life, much to her father’s frustration. But now, with charming new boyfriend, Rick, she has a very good reason to settle down.

The three women are as close as can be. But there are things Naomi has kept from her daughters. Like the arrival of Ellis, a long-lost friend from way back, now bringing the fun and spark back into her life. And she’s certainly never told them that her marriage to their father wasn’t quite what it seemed…

The Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James returns with this gloriously compelling tale of mothers and daughters, secrets and love.

Published by HQ Stories in Hardback on 17th March 2022 and in Paperback on 21 July 2022. View online retailer buying links.

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Hardback ISBN-10: 000841369X  ISBN-13: 978-0008413699
Paperback ISBN-10: 0008413738 ISBN-13: 9780008413736

Swallowtail Summer

They thought they were friends for life – until one summer, everything changed...

Linston End on the Norfolk Broads has been the holiday home to three families for many years. The memories of their time there are ingrained in their hearts: picnics on the river, gin and tonics in the pavilion at dusk, hours spent seeking out the local swallowtail butterflies. Everyone together.

But widower Alastair has been faced with a few of life's surprises recently. Now, he is about to shock his circle of friends with the decisions he has made – and the changes it will mean for them all. For some, it feels like the end. For others, it might just be the beginning . . .

A story about friendship, making changes, and learning to live life to the fullest from bestseller Erica James.

Published by Orion Books in Hardback, Paperback and eBook in 2019. View online retailer buying links.

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Hardback ISBN: 9781409173786
Paperback ISBN: 9781409173793

Coming Home to Island House

From Erica James, bestselling author of Summer at the Lake, comes an enchanting tale of one family coming together and finding their way.

It's the summer of 1939, and after touring an unsettled Europe to promote her latest book, Romily Temple returns home to Island House and the love of her life, the charismatic Jack Devereux.

But when Jack falls ill, his estranged family are called home and given seven days to find a way to bury their resentments and come together.

With war now declared, each member of the family is reluctantly forced to accept their new stepmother and confront their own shortcomings. But can the habits of a lifetime be changed in one week? And can Romily, a woman who thrives on adventure, cope with the life that has been so unexpectedly thrust upon her?

Published by Orion Books in Hardback, Paperback and eBook in 2018. View online retailer buying links.

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Hardback ISBN: 9781409159599
Paperback ISBN: 9781409159612

Song of the Skylark

Lizzie has an unfortunate knack for attracting bad luck, but this time she's hit the jackpot. Losing her heart to her boss at the radio station where she works leads directly to losing her job, and with no money in the bank she's forced to swallow her pride and return home to her parents. As if that wasn't bad enough, her mother finds her work at the local care home for the elderly, and it's there that Lizzie meets Mrs Dallimore.

In her nineties, Mrs Dallimore also finds herself in a situation which she's reluctantly coming to terms with. Old age has finally caught up with her, and with her life drawing to a close she gives in to the temptation to relive the past by sharing it with Lizzie.

She tells Lizzie of the day when, as a young girl, and shortly before the outbreak of World War II, she left her home in America to cross the Atlantic to England where she hoped to meet her English grandparents for the first time. At best she hoped for a family reconciliation, but before long her visit turned into so much more.

As Lizzie listens to Mrs Dallimore's story, she begins to realise that she's not the only person to attract bad luck, or make mistakes, and maybe things aren't so bad for her after all . . .

Published by Orion Books in Harback,  paperback and eBook in 2016. View online retailer buying links.

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Hardback ISBN: 9781409159551
Paperback ISBN: 9781409159575