L.P. Fergusson’s stunning historical novel, The Summer Fields (Canelo), hits shelves in paperback today.

Released in eBook in February this year, the novel has gained huge popularity since digital publication, with a plethora of 5 star Amazon reviews…

“This is a proper adventure of a love story. I read most of the battle and surgery sections with eyes half closed, breathless with hope for Elen and appalled, revolted and dizzy with admiration for the taut prose and the detailed, fiercely accurate historical detail. Ruddy good read. More titles from this hugely talented writer please.”

This is essentially a love story beautifully written and very enjoyable. I can’t wait to read L.P. Fergussons’s next book”

“I rarely stray into historical fiction but this is an absolute blinder!”

“I loved this book and it was written in a way I could almost transport myself to the era.”

“This novel is breathtaking beautiful and the characters all come to life.”

Perfect for fans of Rachel Hore, the novel follows Elen…

In the year 1704, dairy maid Elen Griffiths’ immunity to the smallpox plaguing England should be a blessing. But it feels more like a curse when she is selected to leave her home and nurse high-born Viscount Mordiford through the illness within the confines of Duntisbourne Hall. There, Elen finds a horribly afflicted patient but she also discovers a friend in Ned Harley, the charming valet. However, before long sinister forces threaten Elen’s life and honour. Rescued by the man she has grown to love, she flees the country with the English army, not knowing if her affections are returned.

Across the Channel, Elen finds purpose serving as a nurse during the Duke of Marlborough’s campaign. Surrounded by the horror and confusion of the brutal war against the French, Elen is reunited with her love on the eve of the Battle of Blenheim. She learns that his feelings mirror her own, but a moment of joy may be all they ever know. Even if he survives the battle, a figure from the past threatens to destroy Elen’s freedom, her happiness and her life.

Loraine Fergusson gained an MA in Creative Writing with Distinction at Oxford Brookes University in 2016 as well as winning the Blackwell’s Prize, which is awarded to the best student on the course.

Her writing has also been shortlisted for the Orwell Society Dystopian Short Story Competition and Flash500’s Novel Opening Chapter & Synopsis Competition.

Loraine is the editor of the historical blog With Love from Graz, featuring love letters between her parents separated by war, which has been featured on BBC Radio Wales, Radio 2 and the BBC4 programme A Very British Romance with Lucy Worsley.

She was highly commended for the Caledonia Novel Award in 2018 with her debut novel, A Dangerous Act of Kindness.

She lives in rural Oxfordshire, where her first novel is set.