Siobhan Daiko's Blog

A brand-new, enchanting and intriguing historical read. Inspired by true events, this stunning novel unravels the hidden secrets of one Sicilian family, weaving together a mesmerising tale that spans generations!

Grab your copy now: https://mybook.to/GirlfromSicily

Based on a true story – #DaughterofHongKong by Siobhan Daiko Books is an emotional and sweeping historical fiction read set during the Pacific War Spring 1939 – dashing William Burton and the beautiful Constance Han set sail from London on the same ocean liner to Hong Kong. Out 8th December https://mybook.to/daughterofhongkongbook

SYNOPSIS

A tale of love and survival against all the odds set in Hong Kong at the start of the Pacific War.

Can love conquer all?

Spring 1939 – dashing young William Burton and the beautiful Constance Han set sail from London on the same ocean liner to Hong Kong.

Connie is intrigued by Will’s talent for writing poetry, and as romance blossoms she offers to give him Cantonese lessons to help him with his new job — a cadet in the colonial service.

But once in Hong Kong, Connie is constrained by filial duty towards her Eurasian parents, and their wish for her to marry someone from her own background.

When war breaks out, Connie and Will find themselves drawn into a wider conflict than their battle against prejudice. Can they survive and achieve a future together? Or will forces beyond their control keep them forever apart?

A sweeping tale of love and perseverance, perfect for readers of Dinah Jefferies, Fiona Valpy and Ann Bennett

Boldwood Books are republishing ‘The Orchid Tree’ as ‘Daughter of War’ on 30 October 2024.

A heartbreaking story of survival set in World War II Hong Kong, perfect for fans of Dinah Jefferies

A country at war. A love to last a lifetime.

Hong Kong 1941, Fifteen-year-old Kate lives a rarefied life of wealth and privilege in the pre-war Hong Kong expatriate community, but when the Japanese invade she’s interned in squalid Stanley Camp with her parents.

Enduring cramped conditions, humiliation, disease, and starvation, Kate befriends seventeen-year-old Charles, and they give their hearts to each other under the orchid tree.

But neither of the young lovers know what terrible cruelties lie in their future. The internment camp is just the beginning, and as they face the horrors of war, will they – as well as their bond – survive?

Pre-order your copy here > https://mybook.to/daughterofwarsocial

I’m so excited to tell you about my new release, Daughters of Tuscany. It’s set between 1943 and 1945 in Val d’Orcia, a beautiful, relatively unknown part of southern Tuscany, in the province of Siena. The valley is named after the river which flows through it. The dusty clay knolls, known as crete sinesi, and the verdant woodlands, have now become a UNESCO world heritage site.

It was after I’d read Iris Origo’s published diary, War in Val d’Orcia, that I decided to set my next World War II historical novel there. I found the events described to be truly inspirational, and started imagining how fictional characters would have lived through those events.

After the Allies liberated Rome in June 1944, they advanced on the German Gothic Line north of Florence. On they way, they passed through Tuscany and catapulted the Tuscan people into the front line.

The novelis told from the points of view of two women. Rosa is the daughter of a tenant farmer on Marchese Ginori’s estate. A group of British prisoners of war has been helping her father, but when Italy signs an armistice with the Allies, Germany occupies Tuscany and the POWs need to escape.

After her initial dislike of the man (her husband died fighting the Allies in North Africa and she won’t let him anywhere near her three-year old daughter) Rosa becomes close to Tom, an alluring Scotsman. When he is forced into hiding, she will do everything she can to ensure he survives.

The marchese’s daughter, Emma, has grown up with Marco, the son of her father’s steward. She considers Marco to be her best friend and offers to courier messages to him when he takes charge of a band of partisans carrying out actions against the Germans and Italian Fascists.

Before too long, the Nazi-fascists are riding roughshod over the area, seizing food, animals, and property. When their entire community comes under threat, both women find themselves thrown together to try to save the people they love.

https://mybook.to/daughterssocial

“The Tuscan Orphan” is on sale on Amazon Kindle for a limited time. Also available in Prime Reading.

1943 – When an air raid strikes the hospital she’s been working in, Carrie’s life irrevocably changes. But as a nurse in the middle of wartime, she has no time to grieve, as she has too many people relying on her.

For resistance fighter, Vito, nothing is more important than seeking vengeance for the atrocities his fellow comrades have suffered. But when he liberates a convent, finding a group of Jewish children in hiding, he suddenly has even more to fight for.

Because little Mimi is injured, scared and alone, together Carrie and Vito vow to find her parents, a loving home.

But under the shadow of war, is it wise to make promises you’re not sure you can keep?

“The Tuscan Orphan” is on sale on Amazon Kindle for a limited time. Also available in Prime Reading.

1943 – When an air raid strikes the hospital she’s been working in, Carrie’s life irrevocably changes. But as a nurse in the middle of wartime, she has no time to grieve, as she has too many people relying on her.

For resistance fighter, Vito, nothing is more important than seeking vengeance for the atrocities his fellow comrades have suffered. But when he liberates a convent, finding a group of Jewish children in hiding, he suddenly has even more to fight for.

Because little Mimi is injured, scared and alone, together Carrie and Vito vow to find her parents, a loving home.

But under the shadow of war, is it wise to make promises you’re not sure you can keep?

#TheGirlFromBologna is a tale of courage, loss and heart-wrenching redemption perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen, Fiona Valpy, and Victoria Hislop, OUT NOW!

Get your copy here https://mybook.to/girlbolognasocial

A tale of courage, loss and heart-wrenching redemption.

1944

Bologna, Italy, and the streets are crawling with German soldiers. Nineteen-year-old Leila Venturi is shocked into joining the Resistance after her beloved best friend Rebecca, the daughter of a prominent Jewish businessman, is ruthlessly deported to a concentration camp.

1981

Exchange student Rhiannon Hughes arrives in Bologna and meets Leila, her landlady. Soon, Rhiannon finds herself being drawn into a web of intrigue. Leila’s nephew seems to be interested in a far-right group, but how is the nefarious leader connected to Leila?

As dark secrets emerge from the past, Rhiannon is faced with a terrible choice. Will she take her courage into both hands and risk everything?

Perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen, Fiona Valpy, and Victoria Hislop.

Praise for Siobhan Daiko:

’I was completely absorbed by … all the characters and intrigue.’ Angela Petch, bestselling author of The Tuscan Secret.

‘This is a beautiful story with a compelling historical storyline that you won’t want to put down.’ Ann Bennett, bestselling author of The Orphan House.

‘Siobhan Daiko will tug at your heartstrings, and leave you desperate for more.’ The Coffee Pot Book Club.

‘This was one of those I never want it to end books.’ Goodreads Reviewer

I’m thrilled to announce that Boldwood Books will be publishing the third in my “Girls from the Italian Resistance” series, “The Girl from Bologna”, which will be released on August 3rd and is available to pre-order from multiple online stores. > https://books2read.com/u/b5WaJ…

#TheGirlFromVenice is an epic novel of love, betrayal, and finding where you truly belong.

Get your copy here https://mybook.to/girlfromvenicesocial

From an award-winning author – an epic novel of love, betrayal, and finding where you truly belong.

1943

Lidia De Angelis has kept a low profile since Mussolini’s laws wrenched her from her childhood sweetheart. But when the Germans occupy Venice, she must flee the city to save her life.

Lidia joins the partisans in the Venetian mountains, where she meets David, an English soldier fighting for the same cause. As she grows closer to him, harsh German reprisals and her own ardent patriotic activities threaten to tear them apart.

Years later

While sorting through her grandmother’s belongings after her death, Charlotte discovers a Jewish prayer book, unopened letters written in Italian, and a fading photograph of a group of young people in front of the Doge’s Palace.

Intrigued by her grandmother’s refusal to talk about her time in Italy, Charlotte travels to Venice in search of her roots. There, she learns not only the devastating truth about her grandmother’s past, but also about her own…

Perfect for readers of Rhys Bowen, Fiona Valpy and Victoria Hislop.

What real readers are saying:

‘…a beautiful story with a compelling historical storyline that you won’t want to put down.’ Ann Bennett, bestselling author of The Orphan House.

‘Siobhan Daiko will tug at your heartstrings, and leave you desperate for more.’ The Coffee Pot Book Club.

‘One of my absolute favourite books and a must read for those who love a great escape into historical fiction.’ Goodreads Reviewer.

#TheGirlFromVenice is an epic novel of love, betrayal, and finding where you truly belong.

Get your copy here https://mybook.to/girlfromvenicesocial