1913 is the first book in the Secret Lives series set in England and Europe before and through the Great War.

England
Having risked her liberty for the sake of the cause Lady Frances Ashbourne is terrified her parent’s will find out. Her friend Lettie Hallenby has no such qualms. Women’s suffrage means everything to her so she is horrified to find hear that Francis parents have ordered her to marry, especially when Francis won’t explain why.

The Hon Edward Pemberton is in even more trouble than usual. But this time he can’t see a way out. Desperate to avoid the consequences of his action he comes up with a solution that will come to haunt him.

Austria
Having fallen in love with Max Sommer, a penniless artist, Rosa Blum is sure she can eventually persuade her parents to accept him. If only she can keep him away from them until he makes his fortune… But her parents have other ideas and when he disappears she is devastated. Will she ever find love again?

Italy
Lucrecia Rossi had never intended for the accident to happen, but it had and now someone was dead, and it was all her fault. Will her father and brother support her or is her life over?

All books contain adult content

Targeted Age Group:: 18 plus

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
Most of my books are set in WW2 and this started off the same. I had written a short story set in WW2 which I decided would make a good full length book. But when I started writing the characters took on a life of their own and instead of writing the background story to the original short story I ended up writing something completely different. It also ended up as six books instead of one!

How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
To be honest I have no idea. They just come into my head and then take on a life of their own. I spend hours thinking about what I am going to write and then, when I sit down at the computer, I write something completely different! With Secret Lives I realised quite quickly that it would be more than one book nd that they would go through WW1 so it made sense to have characters in Germany, Italy and Austria as well as the UK. All the historical fiction novels I write have mysteries in them and Secret Lives in no different. In this case the main story in the UK revolves around Eddie and his lies which lead to murder. But this is not the only murder although obviously I can't say anymore or it will spoil the story! As well as murder there are other stories going on, all caused by deception, lies and secrets, and all set against the background of war.

Book Sample
Chapter 1

February

Walton Heath, Surrey

Lady Frances Ashbourne shoved a few stray tendrils of thick blonde curly hair back under her hat before carefully placing the bomb, containing five pounds of gunpowder, in the first floor bedroom. She knew the house was still under construction, so there were no occupants, but she was having second thoughts about the enormity of the act they were about to commit and she needed reassurance.

Frances could just make out Lettie in the moonlight that illuminated the room in the partially built house. Her friend must have already primed her bomb in another part of the building and presumably had come back to make sure Frances had carried out her instructions properly. Frances knew she should probably feel affronted that Lettie felt the need to check up on her, but she didn’t. At eighteen she was three years younger than Lettie, and up until now she had been happy to follow the older woman’s lead. But now the reality of what she was doing had suddenly hit her and Frances was wishing she was anywhere but planting bombs inside Lloyd George’s unfinished house. ‘You’re quite sure no one will be hurt?’ Her voice shook slightly and she hoped Lettie hadn’t noticed.

Lettie sighed and tried to hide her irritation. They had been through all this several times. ‘No, the workmen don’t get here until sometime around eight in the morning. The bombs will go off long before that.’ She frowned. Judging by the younger girl’s words, she had been right to double check Frances had not lost her nerve. ‘You’re not getting cold feet I hope. Lloyd George deserves everything he gets. You do know that don’t you?’

Frances nodded, her doubts momentarily forgotten, as the familiar feeling of rage flooded her body. Even now she couldn’t believe that Lloyd George had repeatedly agreed with their right to the vote whilst in opposition and then, as soon as the Liberal Party were in power, and he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, had changed his mind. But did that really justify what they were about to do? She took a deep breath but she still couldn’t quite make herself start the timer.
Noticing her friend’s hesitation and sensing she still had doubts, Lettie persisted, ‘If he’d made the time to speak to us and explain his change of policy, like he promised, we wouldn’t need to do this.’

Frances glanced at her and then nodded again, this time with more assurance. Lettie was right. He hadn’t just withdrawn his support, Lloyd George had refused to even discuss it with them. Feeling more confident Frances finally pushed her doubts aside, leant forward, checked everything was in place, licked her lips nervously, took a deep breath and started the timer.

Lettie smiled to herself and relaxed slightly. She could have just taken over and set the bomb herself, but it was important Frances was actually involved and not just an observer. Lettie needed someone she could rely on, someone who felt as strongly as she did. Frances wasn’t quite as passionate about the cause yet, at least not about using violence to get the politicians to take notice of them, but that would all change after tonight and then Frances would be as committed as she was.

Lettie had no doubts at all about what she was doing. As far as she was concerned, the chancellor deserved far worse. Lettie would never say what she really thought out loud because she knew Frances would run a mile if she did, but a part of her was quite sorry the politician wouldn’t be in the house when it blew up. Peaceful protesting wasn’t getting them anywhere. They needed to make men realise they weren’t going away until they’d been given the right to vote, and the only way they could do that, in her opinion, was to escalate their action until the politicians had no choice but to take notice. Unfortunately, her view was still in the minority but at least her suggestions were now being taken more seriously. Providing she kept her more extreme views to herself, she could continue to work on the other women and eventually they would all see that she was right. Lettie peered at the timer again… there was no harm in double checking, especially as this was Frances’s first time. But as far as she could see everything looked right. It was time to leave. She smiled at Frances and took her arm. ‘Well done! Come on, let’s go. We don’t want to be caught anywhere near here when these two go off.’
Frances didn’t need any encouragement. She was beginning to regret her involvement in an attack on such a high profile target. Her parents would be horrified if they knew what she was doing. She hurried behind Lettie, down the newly constructed stairs, and out into the darkness.

******

Pemberton Estate, West Riding of Yorkshire
The moon was high in the cloudless winter sky and the trees were laden with frozen snow glistening on the icy branches. The path through the estate woods was also covered in thick snow and her feet were so cold Agatha couldn’t feel them. But that wasn’t the main reason she was shivering. Agatha had just told Luigi her darkest secret and now she was wishing she’d held her tongue.

Nineteen year-old Luigi stared at Agatha in disbelief. He could feel his anger rising but she was so upset, he knew losing his temper wouldn’t help. Somehow, he managed to fight down the rage that threatened to consume him.
‘How many times?’

Agatha looked even more miserable. ‘Only once… it was a couple of months ago, when I was working in the drawing room and his parents were out.’ She fell silent and wondered if she’d done the right thing in telling him. But she couldn’t listen to him declaring his undying love without confessing the truth. ‘I’m so sorry… it wasn’t my fault. I did try, but there was nothing I could do to stop him.’

She sobbed even harder and Luigi automatically reached out and put his arms around her. He loved Agatha and he wanted to comfort her, but he wished she hadn’t said anything, because now all he wanted was to kill the Honourable Edward Pemberton, preferably with his bare hands. He took a breath and tried to speak calmly. ‘And he hasn’t… he hasn’t been near you since?’

Agatha shook her head. ‘No.’ She shuddered.

There was a long silence and eventually Agatha dared to raise her head. The fury she saw in his eyes made her recoil in shock and she began to cry even more. She should never have said anything. ‘I’m so sorry Luigi. Please don’t hate me.’

Luigi’s anger briefly abated and he stared at her in surprise. ‘Of course, I don’t hate you.’ He pulled her closer. ‘I love you, Agatha. I hate him and I’m angry with myself, but not with you. I should have been able to protect you.’

‘You still love me…?’ Agatha swallowed nervously. She searched his face for any sign that he was lying. ‘You really mean it?’
‘Of course, I do.’

Agatha relaxed slightly and allowed him to pull her into his arms. Luigi closed his eyes and cuddled her for several seconds in silence. He didn’t know what to do, although he doubted there was anything he could do about The Honourable Edward. The police would never take either his or Agatha’s word over that of His Lordship’s son.
‘Can we forget about it?’ Agatha’s words broke into his thoughts.

Luigi pulled back, frowned and looked into her eyes. They were red from crying and he had to fight hard to control his anger which was threatening to overwhelm him again. He took a breath and made himself concentrate on Agatha. ‘I don’t know to be honest.’ Could he really just forget what that bastard had done to the woman he loved? He could feel the blood rushing to his head once more and with a considerable effort he forced his rage down and gently stroked her hair. ‘What about you? Can you really forget? Just pretend nothing happened?’

Agatha shrugged. ‘I’ve been trying to, but I was so scared you would find out, it’s been too difficult.’ She searched his face. ‘But if you do still love me…?’
Luigi forced himself to smile. ‘I do love you, Agatha. Like I said, I’m just angry with him… Not with you, I promise.’
‘Then we can put it behind us?’

Luigi hesitated, he stared into her eyes wondering if he really could just pretend… and then he nodded. ‘Yes.’ The alternative was to end their courtship and he couldn’t do that. He was too much in love with her. He would just have to find a way of living with what she’d told him.

Agatha breathed a sigh of relief. She’d struggled for weeks, wanting to tell him, but she’d been too scared he would blame her.
Luigi was still trying to find another way. ‘You could look for work somewhere else?’

Agatha sighed. ‘I’ve thought of that but I like my job. And anyway he won’t bother me again… He never does once he’s got what he wants.’
Luigi frowned. ‘You can’t be sure of that. What if he does it again?’

Agatha looked worried, then she shook her head. ‘He won’t. The other girls… that’s what they’ve said.’ She sighed. ‘And you know the money is good here. I won’t get wages as good as this anywhere else local, so the only other option is to move right away and then I’d never see you.’
Luigi sighed. ‘I just don’t like the idea of you being up there… not now.’

Agatha took his hand. ‘Thank you, Luigi.’

He looked surprised. ‘What for?’

‘For being so… so understanding. I love you so much. You know that don’t you?’ She stretched up on tip toes and brushed her lips against his. After the slightest pause, Luigi returned her kiss. As their passion increased, Luigi forgot everything except how much he loved Agatha. Eventually she pulled back.
‘I really should go, Luigi, or I’ll be missed.’ Agatha leaned towards him and hugged him. She didn’t want to go but she couldn’t afford to be caught creeping back into the big house, or she would definitely get the sack, and with no references, she would struggle to find another job.

Luigi sighed. ‘Can I see you tomorrow?’ He held onto her hand, reluctant to let her go even though he had to be up early to see to the horses on the estate. The moon was even higher in the sky now, bathing her in its soft light and, despite the cold, all Luigi wanted was to hold her tight and forget the past.
Agatha looked worried. ‘I should be finished about nine tomorrow night. I can probably meet you again, but we’ll need to be careful. I really can’t afford to lose this job.’
Luigi sighed in frustration. Nor could he. He enjoyed his job on the estate but the Pembertons were a powerful family. Upsetting them would make it difficult to find other work in the area, and it wasn’t just himself he had to think about. There was the rest of his family as well. ‘Perhaps we should wait until your next afternoon off instead?’ He looked so forlorn that Agatha felt sorry for him.

She stood undecided for several seconds and then shook her head. ‘No, I’ll meet you here if I can. Alright?’
Luigi brightened up immediately and gave her a quick kiss. ‘Until tomorrow then.’

He watched as Agatha hurried along the edge of the tree line and back towards the house. He managed to hold onto the warm loving glow that she always gave him for several moments, before remembering her earlier words, then he scowled and clenched his fists. He couldn’t do anything about the past, but he would do everything he could to protect her in the future.

*******

Ashbourne Residence, London
Frances let herself quietly in through the kitchen and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw the kitchen maid. She was never up this early so she had no idea there was likely to be anyone there. There was an awkward pause while their eyes met, then France gave the girl a brief nod and hurried upstairs, her heart was pounding uncomfortably against her ribs as she made her way to her bedroom. If her parents caught her now, she had no idea how she would explain where she’d been.

The guilt she’d felt earlier returned. What on earth had she done? She’d allowed Lettie to talk her into something she didn’t really agree with, because she didn’t want her new friend to think she was weak. But now she was in danger of going to prison… and what if Lettie was wrong and someone did get hurt? Even her parents couldn’t save her if someone died. Not that they were likely to support her anyway, if they knew where she’d been and what she’d become involved with. Although her mother thought the suffragists were right and had encouraged her to become involved in peaceful protests, Ann-Marie would be horrified to know that her daughter had done something so awful.

To her relief Frances made it to her bedroom safely, crept inside, closed the door and leant back against it, her heart thudding against her ribs. The room was warm, the coals in the hearth still smouldering and casting a cosy glow on the deep red velvet curtains and thick patterned wallpaper. Frances listened carefully but the upper part of the house was still quiet. She realised she’d been holding her breath so let it out slowly and her heart rate gradually returned to normal. She knew she ought to get undressed and climb into bed but she was too buoyed up to sleep. Her mind was racing and she knew she wouldn’t have any peace until she was sure no one was hurt. She glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece and sighed. Although it was only an hour or so until everyone began to wake, she had a feeling it was going to be a very long time until breakfast.

Author Bio:
Carole McEntee-Taylor writes and publishes military history, historical fiction, memoirs and spiritual books. Her military history include Herbert Columbine VC, Surviving the Nazi Onslaught, A Battle Too Far and The Battle of Bellewaarde 1915. She also writes historical fiction, including A One Way Ticket, a four part series based on the true story of Seaman Bill Young through and after WW2, Secret Lives, a six part series set through WW1; Lives Apart: A WW2 Chronicle, a five part series based on the true story of Rifleman Ted Taylor and his fiancée Brenda through WW2, Obsession, a five book series inspired by the true story of the thousands of allied POWs who disappeared at the end of WW2 and Betrayed, a murder mystery set in 1940s Berlin and Palestine. Carole worked for several years in the Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester, the UK’s only remaining military detention centre and now lives in North Lincolnshire with her husband and writes full time.

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