Joanna Toye – författare

Not even the Blitz will stop the shop girls ‘Such a good read!’ 5* Goodreads reviewer It’s 1941 and as the air raid sirens blare, Lily Collins is starting work in Midlands department store Marlow’s. She learns the ropes from her sophisticated boss Miss Frobisher alongside shy fellow junior Gladys. But her friendship with young salesman Jim draws her into a swirl of secrets. And with the war progressing to crisis point, Cedric Marlow and his staff must battle nightly bombings and the absence of loved ones to keep going.A Store at War weaves together a strong sense of community with a vivid evocation of a time when every man, woman and child was doing their bit. ‘Cheerful and uplifting… I enjoyed it immensely’ Katie Fforde ‘Highly recommended’ Anna Jacobs

Not even the Blitz will stop the shop girls…The perfect, uplifting book to curl up with this spring ‘Such a good read!’ 5* Goodreads reviewer It’s 1941 and as the air raid sirens blare, Lily Collins is starting work in Midlands department store Marlow’s. She learns the ropes from her sophisticated boss Miss Frobisher alongside shy fellow junior Gladys. But her friendship with young salesman Jim draws her into a swirl of secrets. And with the war progressing to crisis point, Cedric Marlow and his staff must battle nightly bombings and the absence of loved ones to keep going.A Store at War weaves together a strong sense of community with a vivid evocation of a time when every man, woman and child was doing their bit. ‘Cheerful and uplifting… I enjoyed it immensely’ Katie Fforde ‘Highly recommended’ Anna Jacobs 'A real page-turner with a spirited heroine…A sparkling new voice in fiction' Sunday Times bestseller Veronica Henry

''Cheerful and uplifting…I enjoyed it immensely'' Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde‘Such a good read!’ 5* Goodreads reviewerIt’s 1941 and as the air raid sirens blare, Lily Collins is starting work in Midlands department store Marlow’s. She learns the ropes from her sophisticated boss Miss Frobisher alongside shy fellow junior Gladys. But her friendship with young salesman Jim draws her into a swirl of secrets. And with the war progressing to crisis point, Cedric Marlow and his staff must battle nightly bombings and the absence of loved ones to keep going.A Store at War weaves together a strong sense of community with a vivid evocation of a time when every man, woman and child was doing their bit.‘Cheerful and uplifting… I enjoyed it immensely’ Katie Fforde‘Highly recommended’ Anna Jacobs''A real page-turner with a spirited heroine…A sparkling new voice in fiction'' Sunday Times bestseller Veronica Henry

War brings changes three friends could never foresee… ‘Highly recommended’ Anna Jacobs ‘A warm domestic drama’ People’s Friend It’s 1942 and as shortages of staff – and goods – begin to bite, young Lily Collins is nervously stepping up to sales junior at Marlow’s department store.Bombs are still falling and Lily and fellow shop girls Gladys and Beryl need a stiff upper lip to wave boyfriends, husbands and brothers goodbye, especially with a baby on the way and grim news on the wireless. Jim, who works with Lily at the store, seems restless, and nothing can prepare Lily for the secrets that come tumbling out when her favourite brother comes home on leave…Somehow, she must keep smiling through. Community, family and friends rally round as her home town – and the whole country – is tested once again.

War brings changes three friends could never foresee… ‘Highly recommended’ Anna Jacobs ‘A warm domestic drama’ People’s Friend It’s 1942 and as shortages of staff – and goods – begin to bite, young Lily Collins is nervously stepping up to sales junior at Marlow’s department store.Bombs are still falling and Lily and fellow shop girls Gladys and Beryl need a stiff upper lip to wave boyfriends, husbands and brothers goodbye, especially with a baby on the way and grim news on the wireless. Jim, who works with Lily at the store, seems restless, and nothing can prepare Lily for the secrets that come tumbling out when her favourite brother comes home on leave…Somehow, she must keep smiling through. Community, family and friends rally round as her home town – and the whole country – is tested once again.

War brings changes three friends could never foresee…‘Highly recommended’ Anna Jacobs‘A warm domestic drama’ People’s FriendIt’s 1942 and as shortages of staff – and goods – begin to bite, young Lily Collins is nervously stepping up to sales junior at Marlow’s department store.Bombs are still falling and Lily and fellow shop girls Gladys and Beryl need a stiff upper lip to wave boyfriends, husbands and brothers goodbye, especially with a baby on the way and grim news on the wireless. Jim, who works with Lily at the store, seems restless, and nothing can prepare Lily for the secrets that come tumbling out when her favourite brother comes home on leave…Somehow, she must keep smiling through. Community, family and friends rally round as her home town – and the whole country – is tested once again.

The new book in the heart-warming WW2 family saga series! ‘Just the balm our souls need right now’ Women’s WeeklySummer 1942. Despite grim reports on the wireless and rationing hitting hard, Lily Collins and her fellow shop girls from Marlow’s department store are determined to put out the bunting for a family party.But Beryl’s husband Les returns from North Africa a changed man, and Gladys worries for her own fiancé’s safety. The store is losing staff to the war effort and Lily’s young man, Jim, is torn over where his duty lies.Then comes the knock on the door that everyone dreads. Lily’s family, always the heart of her world, is rocked to the core. The small Midlands town – and Lily’s beloved Marlow’s – must face their greatest challenge yet.

The new book in the heart-warming WW2 family saga series! ‘Just the balm our souls need right now’ Women’s WeeklySummer 1942. Despite grim reports on the wireless and rationing hitting hard, Lily Collins and her fellow shop girls from Marlow’s department store are determined to put out the bunting for a family party.But Beryl’s husband Les returns from North Africa a changed man, and Gladys worries for her own fiancé’s safety. The store is losing staff to the war effort and Lily’s young man, Jim, is torn over where his duty lies.Then comes the knock on the door that everyone dreads. Lily’s family, always the heart of her world, is rocked to the core. The small Midlands town – and Lily’s beloved Marlow’s – must face their greatest challenge yet.

The new book in the heart-warming WW2 family saga series! ‘Just the balm our souls need right now’ Women’s WeeklySummer 1942. Despite grim reports on the wireless and rationing hitting hard, Lily Collins and her fellow shop girls from Marlow’s department store are determined to put out the bunting for a family party.But Beryl’s husband Les returns from North Africa a changed man, and Gladys worries for her own fiancé’s safety. The store is losing staff to the war effort and Lily’s young man, Jim, is torn over where his duty lies.Then comes the knock on the door that everyone dreads. Lily’s family, always the heart of her world, is rocked to the core. The small Midlands town – and Lily’s beloved Marlow’s – must face their greatest challenge yet.

Uplifting and heartwarming: drama, courage and romance at Marlow’s department store this ChristmasFor Lily Collins and her fellow shop girls at Marlow’s Department store, another Christmas with ration books, shortages of goods and staff – not to mention a store coping with war damage – will be a real challenge.But the girls rally round and put their worries aside to make this, the hardest wartime Christmas yet, one that their families, and their town, will never forget.

Uplifting and heartwarming: drama, courage and romance at Marlow’s department store this ChristmasFor Lily Collins and her fellow shop girls at Marlow’s Department store, another Christmas with ration books, shortages of goods and staff – not to mention a store coping with war damage – will be a real challenge.But the girls rally round and put their worries aside to make this, the hardest wartime Christmas yet, one that their families, and their town, will never forget.

Uplifting and heartwarming: drama, courage and romance at Marlow’s department store this ChristmasFor Lily Collins and her fellow shop girls at Marlow’s Department store, another Christmas with ration books, shortages of goods and staff – not to mention a store coping with war damage – will be a real challenge.But the girls rally round and put their worries aside to make this, the hardest wartime Christmas yet, one that their families, and their town, will never forget.

The new book in the heart-warming WW2 family saga series!As the tides of war turn, friendship has never been more important…Spring 1944. As the Allied forces push on towards longed-for victory, Lily Collins yearns to join up and do her bit. But where does her duty lie?Her best friend Gladys faces having her first baby alone, with her new husband back with the Navy.And their friend Beryl is run off her feet building her bridal-hire business amid the bomb damage.So while wedding bells are ringing for others at Marlows Department Store, where Lily works, will they be heard for Lily herself – or does fate have another twist in store? Acclaim for Joanna Toye ‘Warm and wonderfully page-turning’ Annie Groves‘A wonderful testament to friendship as the Allied Forces push on towards victory’ Women’s Weekly‘Family drama, community spirit and love…[a] warm, compassionate read’ People’s Friend

The new book in the heart-warming WW2 family saga series!As the tides of war turn, friendship has never been more important…Spring 1944. As the Allied forces push on towards longed-for victory, Lily Collins yearns to join up and do her bit. But where does her duty lie?Her best friend Gladys faces having her first baby alone, with her new husband back with the Navy.And their friend Beryl is run off her feet building her bridal-hire business amid the bomb damage.So while wedding bells are ringing for others at Marlows Department Store, where Lily works, will they be heard for Lily herself – or does fate have another twist in store? Acclaim for Joanna Toye ‘Warm and wonderfully page-turning’ Annie Groves‘A wonderful testament to friendship as the Allied Forces push on towards victory’ Women’s Weekly‘Family drama, community spirit and love…[a] warm, compassionate read’ People’s Friend

The new book in the heart-warming WW2 family saga series!As the tides of war turn, friendship has never been more important…Spring 1944. As the Allied forces push on towards longed-for victory, Lily Collins yearns to join up and do her bit. But where does her duty lie?Her best friend Gladys faces having her first baby alone, with her new husband back with the Navy.And their friend Beryl is run off her feet building her bridal-hire business amid the bomb damage.So while wedding bells are ringing for others at Marlows Department Store, where Lily works, will they be heard for Lily herself – or does fate have another twist in store?Acclaim for Joanna Toye‘Warm and wonderfully page-turning’ Annie Groves‘A wonderful testament to friendship as the Allied Forces push on towards victory’ Women’s Weekly‘Family drama, community spirit and love…[a] warm, compassionate read’ People’s Friend

The latest in the heartwarming WW2 family saga series! ‘Uplifting and full of warmth, this tale of friendship and love is another brilliant instalment in this much loved historical fiction series’MyWeekly ‘This heartwarming, nostalgic book is a fitting finale to a delightful series’ Woman’s Weekly Summer 1945. After victory in Europe, best friends Lily, Gladys and Beryl are looking to the future. But even with this happy news, their lives are far from simple…Despite Lily’s joyful summer wedding, she has doubts over what her heart wants now. As she adjusts to her role as young wife, could this signal the end of her position at Marlows?The return of Gladys’s husband Bill raises questions of their family life as he struggles to find work after the Navy, and for Beryl big changes at her bridal shop are afoot.As the girls start to move on with their lives, they have never needed to stick together more… Acclaim for The Shop Girls series 'Jo writes with a sure hand and a light touch… a real page-turner with a spirited heroine who will worm her way into readers' hearts. A sparkling new voice in fiction' VERONICA HENRY‘Cheerful and uplifting… I thoroughly enjoyed it’ KATIE FFORDE‘Highly recommended – an engrossing story with a charmingly forthright heroine’ ANNA JACOBS‘Warm and wonderfully page-turning’ ANNIE GROVES‘Captivating… a triumphant debut novel’ Women’s Weekly‘Family drama, community spirit and love… [a] warm, compassionate read’ People’s Friend

The latest in the heartwarming WW2 family saga series! ‘Uplifting and full of warmth, this tale of friendship and love is another brilliant instalment in this much loved historical fiction series’MyWeekly ‘This heartwarming, nostalgic book is a fitting finale to a delightful series’ Woman’s Weekly Summer 1945. After victory in Europe, best friends Lily, Gladys and Beryl are looking to the future. But even with this happy news, their lives are far from simple…Despite Lily’s joyful summer wedding, she has doubts over what her heart wants now. As she adjusts to her role as young wife, could this signal the end of her position at Marlows?The return of Gladys’s husband Bill raises questions of their family life as he struggles to find work after the Navy, and for Beryl big changes at her bridal shop are afoot.As the girls start to move on with their lives, they have never needed to stick together more… Acclaim for The Shop Girls series 'Jo writes with a sure hand and a light touch… a real page-turner with a spirited heroine who will worm her way into readers' hearts. A sparkling new voice in fiction' VERONICA HENRY‘Cheerful and uplifting… I thoroughly enjoyed it’ KATIE FFORDE‘Highly recommended – an engrossing story with a charmingly forthright heroine’ ANNA JACOBS‘Warm and wonderfully page-turning’ ANNIE GROVES‘Captivating… a triumphant debut novel’ Women’s Weekly‘Family drama, community spirit and love… [a] warm, compassionate read’ People’s Friend

The latest in the heartwarming WW2 family saga series!‘Uplifting and full of warmth, this tale of friendship and love is another brilliant instalment in this much loved historical fiction series’MyWeekly‘This heartwarming, nostalgic book is a fitting finale to a delightful series’ Woman’s WeeklySummer 1945. After victory in Europe, best friends Lily, Gladys and Beryl are looking to the future. But even with this happy news, their lives are far from simple…Despite Lily’s joyful summer wedding, she has doubts over what her heart wants now. As she adjusts to her role as young wife, could this signal the end of her position at Marlows?The return of Gladys’s husband Bill raises questions of their family life as he struggles to find work after the Navy, and for Beryl big changes at her bridal shop are afoot.As the girls start to move on with their lives, they have never needed to stick together more…Acclaim for The Shop Girls series''Jo writes with a sure hand and a light touch… a real page-turner with a spirited heroine who will worm her way into readers'' hearts. A sparkling new voice in fiction'' VERONICA HENRY‘Cheerful and uplifting… I thoroughly enjoyed it’ KATIE FFORDE‘Highly recommended – an engrossing story with a charmingly forthright heroine’ ANNA JACOBS‘Warm and wonderfully page-turning’ ANNIE GROVES‘Captivating… a triumphant debut novel’ Women’s Weekly‘Family drama, community spirit and love… [a] warm, compassionate read’ People’s Friend

The first official trivia collection from Britain's best-loved radio drama.Have you ever wondered about the attractions at Ambridge fetes? Puzzled over who the winners were at the Flower and Produce Show? Been curious about details of past Bonfire Nights, or even menus at The Bull? Discover the whos, whats, wheres and whys of the show's past 60 years in The Archers Miscellany.Discover which resident has the most names and meet the animals of Ambridge; learn the order of illumination for the Christmas lights switch-on; ponder Great Ambridge Mysteries and remember Ambridge Wanderers football team fixtures from the glory days of the 1970s.Containing information gathered from the vast BBC Birmingham Archers archives and beautifully illustrated throughout, The Archers Miscellany is the ultimate trivia book for all things Ambridge.

For over fifty years, Britain''s most popular radio drama has captured the imagination of listeners throughout the country. Ambridge and its residents have been constant companions to millions throughout the highs and lows of five successive decades. Covering the years 1968 to 1986, Joanna Toye''s novel follows the fortunes of Dan and Doris''s grandchildren, as they search for happiness and love in the changing world of the 70s and early 80s. Jennifer''s struggles as an unmarried mother look to be over with marriage to the gorgeous Roger, but a happy ending is not to be. Lilian has her share of tragedy with the death of her first husband Nick and illness of her second, Ralph. There is happiness for Shula, though, with new-found love Mark Hebden and Tony is lucky to meet Pat.

The first fascinating part of Joanna Toye''s delightful trilogy about life in Ambridge. Covering the years 1951-1967, Family Ties introduces the main characters: Dan, Doris, Phil, Christine, Jack and Peggy and their children, Walter Gabriel, the Fairbrothers and Tom Forrest. The early years are action-packed: Phil''s courtship and marriage to Grace and her tragic death; his subsequent marriage to Jill and the birth of their children; Jack''s drinking problem and later, the birth of Jennifer''s illegitimate baby. Miriam Margolyes, a life-long Archers fan, brings the characters and the village of Ambridge vividly to life in this abridged reading.

The Archers, like life, is made of moments: marriages and births, loves and losses, triumphs and disasters. It has been the soundtrack of our lives for over six decades, from stooking corn with Dan Archer in the 1950s to the tragic death of Nigel Pargetter in 2011.We know the characters of Ambridge – from much-loved Phil and Jill Archer and the irrepressible Grundys to wayward Brian Aldridge – like we know close friends. This book is their tribute.The Ambridge Chronicles relives some of the defining moments in The Archers history, delving into the rich archive of its scripts, to celebrate the highs and lows that have made the world’s longest running radio serial so treasured.

New stories are being written at The Little Penguin Bookshop…Carrie Anderson’s business selling books at her local train station is thriving and, with her beloved Mike returned from war, everything feels as though it is falling into place. That is, until Mike is sent to Washington as a liaison between Britain and America.When her twin brother, Johnnie, a fighter pilot, is injured, and her bookstall falls on hard times, Carrie misses the sage advice and comfort of Mike more than ever.Bolstered by her supportive station community, can Carrie battle through this challenging new chapter and reach the happy ending she deserves?Praise for Joanna Toye:'Romance, nostalgia, family, and books! The Little Penguin Bookshop has it all' Elaine Everest'Endearing characters [...] wartime loves, laughter and heartbreak' Annie Murray'A charming heroine, a dashing hero and books! I loved it!' Lesley Eames'An uplifting wartime saga with family at its heart' Tracy Baines'Meticulously researched and beautifully written' Helen Yendall

Books can change lives, even in wartime. . .When World War II breaks out, Carrie Anderson sets up a bookstall at her local train station in the hope of providing a sense of escapism for travellers, troops and evacuees.Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and armed with a colourful array of Penguin paperbacks, Carrie’s business soon booms. And when she gifts a book to a dashing officer, an act of kindness becomes the beginning of Carrie’s very own love story.But as war rages on, and Mike is posted abroad, Carrie’s world is turned upside-down.With the help of her station community, and the power of her paperbacks, can Carrie find the strength to battle through?________________________Praise for The Little Penguin Bookshop 'Romance, nostalgia, family, and books! The Little Penguin Bookshop has it all' Elaine Everest'Endearing characters [...] wartime loves, laughter and heartbreak' Annie Murray'A charming heroine, a dashing hero and books! I loved it!' Lesley Eames'An uplifting wartime saga with family at its heart' Tracy Baines'Meticulously researched and beautifully written' Helen Yendall

Books can change lives, even in wartime. . .When World War II breaks out, Carrie Anderson sets up a bookstall at her local train station in the hope of providing a sense of escapism for travellers, troops and evacuees.Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and armed with a colourful array of Penguin paperbacks, Carrie’s business soon booms. And when she gifts a book to a dashing officer, an act of kindness becomes the beginning of Carrie’s very own love story.But as war rages on, and Mike is posted abroad, Carrie’s world is turned upside-down.With the help of her station community, and the power of her paperbacks, can Carrie find the strength to battle through?________________________Praise for The Little Penguin Bookshop 'Romance, nostalgia, family, and books! The Little Penguin Bookshop has it all' Elaine Everest'Endearing characters [...] wartime loves, laughter and heartbreak' Annie Murray'A charming heroine, a dashing hero and books! I loved it!' Lesley Eames'An uplifting wartime saga with family at its heart' Tracy Baines'Meticulously researched and beautifully written' Helen Yendall