Natalie Meg Evans

Natalie Meg Evans was WINNER of the 2014 Festival of Romantic Fiction's Best Historical Read award, WINNER of the 2015 Public Book Awards, and shortlisted for the 2015 Romance Writers of America (RWA) RITA Awards, for her book The Dress Thief. June 1940. As Paris, the City of Light, approaches its darkest hour, a young woman treads the line between survival and collaboration. Londoner Cora Masson has reinvented herself as Coralie de Lirac, using a false claim to aristocratic birth to launch herself as a fashionable milliner. When the Nazis invade, the influence of a high-ranking lover protects her business. But the cruel demands of war - and of love - cannot be kept at bay forever. Soon Coralie must find the courage to do what's necessary to protect her friends, her freedom and everything she believes in.

The Milliner's Secret

WINNER of the 2014 Festival of Romantic Fiction's Best Historical Read award. Shortlisted for the 2015 Romance Writers of America (RWA) RITA Awards. Alix Gower has a dream: to join the ranks of Coco Chanel to become a designer in the high-stakes world of Parisian haute couture. But Alix also has a secret: she supports her family by stealing designs to create bootlegs for the foreign market. A hidden sketchbook and two minutes inside Hermès is all she needs to create a perfect replica, to be whisked off to production in New York. Then Alix is given her big break - a chance to finally realize her dream in one of the most prominent Parisian fashion houses - but at the price of copying the breakthrough Spring Collection. Knowing this could be her only opportunity, Alix accepts the arrangement. But when a mystery from her past resurfaces and a chance meeting has her falling into the arms of a handsome English war reporter, Alix learns that the slightest misstep - or misplaced trust - could be all it takes for her life to begin falling apart at the seams.

The Dress Thief

"We have to wear the yellow star! It's the rules!" the little girl sobs. But her mother presses a desperate finger to her mouth. "Darling, today is different. We are going to leave our stars behind and go on a long journey. We must be very, very quiet, and pray nobody finds us until we are safe in England..." Cornwall, England, 1943. When her husband is killed fighting in the Navy, grief-stricken Gwenna Devoran tries to fill the void in her life by offering shelter to two Jewish refugees in her farmhouse high on the Cornish cliffs. But at the train station, ten-year-old Lotti is waiting all alone in her neat red coat. Lotti's mother died protecting her on the journey. Now Gwenna is all this little girl has. Traumatised Lotti won't speak a word: and when an order comes for German prisoners-of-war to work the farm she's in more danger than ever. What will happen if the Germans find out Lotti is Jewish? When Gwenna overhears Lotti chattering happily to German captain Max Reiner, showing him her teddy bear, her heart stops. Shocked to hear Lotti finally speak, Gwenna is terrified for the little girl she's grown to love. But perhaps she can she trust the kindness in this German officer's gentle voice and bright blue eyes... As Lotti heals a little more each day, Gwenna risks everything to spend more time with Max, certain he doesn't believe in the Nazi cause. But then a rumour starts in the village: Max himself fired the torpedo that killed Gwenna's husband. Devastated, Gwenna's heart is torn between loyalty to her country, the memory of her husband, and love for the little girl she secretly hopes could become her own. With Max desperate to prove his innocence, does she dare to trust him? And should she fight for the three of them to become a family - or will the war tear them all apart? An absolutely heartbreaking, gripping and beautiful story about how love shines brightly even in the darkest times, and the incredible sacrifices people make in wartime. Fans of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz won't be able to put this down. Read what everyone's saying about Natalie Meg Evans: 'Amazing stuff! I really felt my heart torn up... I felt so many emotions... I highly recommend this book! Five stars all the way!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A page-turner from beginning to end... Took hold of my heart and left me wanting more. A must read.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An Absolutely Gripping and Heartbreaking WW2 Historical Novel

The Girl with the Yellow Star

Katya - young, beautiful and impoverished - arrives in Paris, hoping to begin a new life. She leaves behind a terrible secret, and her survival in this strange and beautiful new city depends on nobody ever discovering who - and what - she is. Immediately, Katya is swept up in the city's glamour - particularly the boutiques on the main boulevard, where glittering gowns are hand-sewn for an exclusive clientele. Dare Katya dream that she may someday wear - or even design - one of these dazzling creations? It feels like an impossible wish, until she meets businessman Harry Morten. Tall, handsome and well-connected, Harry could give Katya everything she wants and more... but at what price? And should she break the vow she's made and trust him with her secret when her very survival could be at stake? From the bestselling author of The Milliner's Secret comes a glittering wartime romance with a dark secret at its heart - perfect for fans of Kathryn Hughes, Gill Paul and Tracy Rees.

An Epic Wartime Love Story Set in Paris

The Secret Vow

In the terrace courtyard of the palazzo overlooking a sparkling bay, the scent of ripening lemons filled the air. His deep brown eyes gazed into hers with determination and longing. 'Will you do it? Risk everything and join us?' Twenty-one-year-old Imogen Fitzgerald was raised in an English orphanage and never knew her parents. So when World War Two breaks out, she refuses to leave the life she's worked so hard to build for herself, teaching English to little Marco and Eloisa in the beautiful Italian city of Naples. With their father Giancarlo away fighting for the fascists, there's no one else to care for these lost children. Imogen's dark hair and perfect Italian will protect her for now, but if anyone discovers her secret identity as an enemy of Italy, Marco and Eloisa will be left with no one. As the shadows of bomber planes darken the azure-blue waters of the bay, the one person Imogen can depend on is Fabrizio, the children's uncle. He's never seen eye-to-eye with their father, and Imogen is forbidden to speak to him... but whenever they secretly meet in the lemon groves Imogen instantly feels safe. Fabrizio talks passionately of the resistenza, the underground group fighting the regime, and soon Imogen herself is involved - smuggling food along the rocky coast, and even supplying information on Giancarlo to help fight the Nazis and end this awful war. But when Giancarlo suddenly returns, injured from the fighting, Imogen is shocked to find him much changed. Rather than the fascist sympathiser she knew and resented, she sees in Giancarlo a man who would do anything to protect his children and his beloved Italy. Was she wrong to expose him as a traitor? Torn between two sides, Imogen's own life is thrown into terrible danger when a child goes missing and her secret identity is exposed... did she put her trust in the wrong man? And is it too late to save herself, and the children from the horrors of war? An absolutely stunning and evocative historical read about the bravery of ordinary people in dark times, that will sweep you away to the breath-taking coastline of Italy. Perfect for fans of The Nightingale, The Tuscan Child and All the Light We Cannot See. Read what everyone's saying about Natalie Meg Evans: 'Wow, wow, wow is all I can say... tense and the surprises just kept on coming... it tore at my heart... The words "mind-blowing twist" come to mind.' Shaz's Book Blog, 5 stars 'Such a good story with a wonderful plot... one of the best love stories I've read in a while... dramatic, passionate... suspenseful and cinematic... The emotion she conjures up is phenomenal.' Jthbooks, 5 stars 'A wonderful book, engaging and entertaining. I loved the plot, the characters and the style of writing. I will surely look for other books by this author. Highly recommended!' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars 'A beautifully written novel by an extremely talented writer. Excellent character depiction, plus an exciting storyline makes for a roaring success. Highly recommended.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

Into the Burning Dawn: Heartbreaking and Gripping World War 2 Historical Fiction Set in Italy

A gorgeous novel set in the French countryside. Perfect for fans of The Keeper of Lost Things and The Hourglass. Shauna Vincent has just learned that the job she set her heart on has gone to a well-connected rival. Devastated, she accepts an offer from an old family friend, and soon Shauna is deep in the French countryside with endless hours to explore the magical landscape around her. But can the charming Laurent de Chemignac, owner of the local chateau, help her untangle the secret that this little French castle amongst the vines might be hiding... 'Natalie's books are a treasure trove of vibrant, vivid stories, memorable characters and pacy writing!' Tracy Rees, bestselling author of Amy Snow and The Hourglass Also by Natalie Meg Evans: The Wardrobe Mistress The Girl who Dreamed of Paris The Dress Thief [Summer in the Vineyards was previously published as A Gown of Thorns]

a delicious summer tale of hidden secrets and eternal love

Summer in the Vineyards

An urgent knock on the wooden farmhouse door breaks the midnight silence. Heart racing, she tip-toes down the stairs, draws back the bolts and gazes into the eyes of a stranger. "Please, signorina. I must find a way to send my message. The war depends upon it." Italy, 1943. On her nonna's tomato farm in the hills outside Naples, sheltering a soldier with an English accent is the most dangerous thing Carmela del Bosco could do. But with one look at his wounds, Carmela is filled with hatred for those who would tear apart her beautiful home and decides to risk everything, hiding the stranger in an abandoned watchtower outside the village. In his pain and fever, he murmurs in English, but insists his name is Sebastiano and that he has a message to send that will end the war. Carmela tends to his injuries and smuggles fresh pasta from her grandmother to the watchtower whenever she can. But just as his strength returns - and passion grows between them - they are seen and betrayed by a member of Carmela's own family. With their lives on the line, the pair flee down the mountains into the city of Naples, where German soldiers patrol every street. Desperate, Sebastiano begs Carmela to send the message for him. But as soon as she hears it, her blood runs cold... Can she find the courage to do what's right for her country, if it threatens the lives of everyone she loves? Will she ever see her beloved nonna again? And can she trust Sebastiano with her heart - or will he lead her into terrible danger? An absolutely stunning and heartbreaking historical novel about the choices people are forced to make in wartime, and how one act of incredible bravery can change everything. Fans of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and Rhys Bowen will be captivated. Read what everyone's saying about Natalie Meg Evans: 'Wow, wow, wow is all I can say... tense and the surprises just kept on coming... tore at my heart.' Shaz's Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Amazing stuff! I felt so many emotions and I highly recommend this book! Five stars all the way!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I was completely gripped... the writing was superb, the historical details completely immersive. I would love to read anything this author writes.' Squeezed Peach, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Heartbreaking, haunting... you are going to devour this one... a mesmerizing, poignant, emotional, gripping, passionate and compelling novel... powerful and evocative... I cannot recommend this enough.' Chicks, Rogues and Scandals 'Wonderful... one of the best love stories I've read... dramatic, passionate... suspenseful and cinematic... The emotion she conjures up is phenomenal.' Jthbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A beautifully written novel by an extremely talented writer. Excellent character depiction, plus an exciting storyline makes for a roaring success. Highly recommended.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Italian Girl's Secret: An Absolutely Gripping and Emotional WW2 Historical Fiction Novel

London 1945. A young war widow steps aboard a train in search of a new life. Clutching the key to a mysterious inheritance, Vanessa Kingcourt can no longer resist the pull of the old Farren Theatre, which is in need of a Wardrobe Mistress. With no experience and no budget for supplies, Vanessa must use her intuition to create beautiful costumes from whatever scraps survived the blitz. It's a seemingly impossible task, and one which may unravel family secrets sewn deep into the very fabric of the London theatre scene. . .

An evocative historical romance of hidden secrets that will capture your heart

The Wardrobe Mistress

Paris, 1920s. Tatiana Vytenis has worked hard to leave her past behind. Once a ruined Russian princess in hiding, she is now a sought-after model and engaged to Gérard de Sainte-Vierge – a handsome, if occasionally overbearing, aristocrat. With the Sainte-Vierge heirloom ruby sparkling on her finger, Tatiana feels as though she should be happy. Not long ago she was penniless and now she’s about to become a marquise. But fate still has a final hand to play. One night in a bohemian café in Montparnasse, Tatiana discovers she’s been the unknowing plaything of the Sainte-Vierge family. Hidden beneath their genteel exteriors, Gerard and his brother have a secret darker side, and her darling fiancé will gladly ruin Tatiana’s life to save his own reputation. As Tatiana’s situation becomes ever more desperate, she crosses paths with an unlikely guardian angel. Serious, dark-haired Regan Dortmeyer is an American in Paris – a war photographer running from his own hard knocks in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. He’s no fancy French nobleman, but Regan has seen the lengths to which a wicked man like Gerard will go. As the consequences of her disastrous engagement threaten to swallow Tatiana up, he might be the only one who can save her now… From the USA Today bestselling author of The Milliner’s Secret, The Paris Girl is a beautiful novel full of twists and turns, set against the breathtaking backdrop of 1920s Paris. Perfect for fans of Chanel Cleeton, Kathleen Tessaro and The Alice Network. What readers are saying about The Paris Girl: ‘A beautifully written novel by an extremely talented writer. Excellent character depiction, plus an exciting storyline makes for a roaring success. Highly recommended.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘A beautifully written, intriguing story of love, betrayal, crime and fashion – I absolutely loved this, the characters were engaging and believable, the setting glamorous, a wonderful read!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Stunning, gripping historical fiction… Natalie Meg Evans writes so well, I will read anything she comes out with… I love this author’s work!’ All the Good Books, 5 stars ‘A wonderful read!!!… I couldn’t put this book down. Natalie Meg Evans has a way with words!’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Natalie Meg Evans writes the best books about Paris. This was another excellent read… Ms. Evans descriptions leave me smiling, her attention to detail and research are some of the best things about her writing and about this particular story. Loved it!’ Meanderings and Muses, 5 stars ‘A wonderful read, historical fiction at its best… characters that come alive, a story that kept me turning the pages.’ NetGalley Reviewer ‘Wow! This is the best book I’ve had the pleasure of reading in some time… The characters were so real that I could easily picture them… I plan to add Natalie Meg Evans to my favourite author list.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘I loved the setting for this book… It was a gorgeous story to read and a real page-turner… This is a lovely historical fiction novel… She has a lovely writing style and a natural talent – highly recommended!’ Donna’s Book Blog ‘...Tatiana is a really interesting character… the events of the book are utterly compelling. The plot and style are rich in historical detail and the Paris of the 1920s is beautifully realistic. There is a lot of emotion in this book… The Paris Girl is an impressive, almost epic saga of love and loss and I hope to read more from this author soon!’ LoopyLouLaura ‘An excellent historical novel… The vivid imagery was engaging… I enjoyed it so much.’ NetGalley Reviewer ‘An evocative slice of historical fiction… Tatiana is a really well created and believable character… The pace of the book is very good, there is a good blend of drama and romance to keep the reader’s attention.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘Wow! I absolutely loved it!… an excellent story… I enjoyed it very much.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘This book gives you 1920’s Paris glamour, fashion and romance… It kept me guessing... If you enjoy historical fiction, it should be on your to-be-read list.’ French Village Diaries ‘Incredibly touching tale… gorgeous novel… Kudos to Natalie Meg Evans. This is my first book by her and I was kept interested throughout. I look forward to reading more by her in the future.’ Robin Loves Reading ‘This book was fast-paced and the plot was interesting. I found myself staying up way past my bedtime just to finish!’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘A well written book with a good storyline and interesting characters… enjoyable and entertaining.’ NetGalley Reviewer ‘Utterly charming… A good amount of drama and mystery.’ Goodreads Reviewer

A beautiful, heart-wrenching love story set in 1920s Paris

The Paris Girl

Eine Hommage an die Haute Couture und an die Liebe Paris in den 30er-Jahren: Die junge Telefonistin Alix Gower träumt davon, die glamouröse Welt der Haute Couture zu erobern. Der charmante und gut aussehende Paul verschafft ihr die Chance ihres Lebens – eine Anstellung in einem der berühmtesten Modehäuser der Stadt, allerdings mit dem Auftrag, die Frühjahrskollektion zu kopieren. Alix stimmt zu, ein doppeltes Spiel zu spielen. Dabei setzt sie nicht nur ihre Zukunft, sondern auch ihr Herz aufs Spiel ...

Natalie Meg Evans

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