The Runaway Evacuees: Book 2
Publication Date: November 12, 2025
North Atlantic Ocean, 1942. The wind whips around Connie’s shivering frame as waves churn beneath the lifeboat. She clings to the little orphan boy in her care, willing him to stay alive—even if she does not. Tears fall down her freckled cheeks. Is this the end for two orphans, lost at sea?
Fifteen-year-old Connie is leaving war-torn England for the safer shores of America, looking after a nine-year old orphan boy with sad blue eyes. But the ocean is rife with Nazi vessels. And when their boat is torpedoed, in the fear and chaos Connie can’t stop thinking about handsome Jack, who stayed behind in London. Will the orphans survive, and will Connie ever be reunited with her first love?
Back in London, sixteen-year-old Jack desperately misses Connie, his brave, kind friend, after their tearful goodbye when her ship set sail. As bombs set the skies ablaze, he listens to an old radio for any news about the dangerous Atlantic crossing. When he intercepts a secret message that could change everything, he races to the war office. Will they listen to a young lad like him, and can he save Connie and countless other lives?
From the bestselling author of The Ration Book Baby comes an utterly heart-wrenching heartbreaking and gripping WW2 novel, perfect for fans of Orphan Train, Sold on a Monday and Diney Costeloe.
The Blitz Kids return for another adventure as London’s East End continues to weather German bombs.
Author Ellie Curzon serves up the second installment in The Runaway Evacuee series with The Lifeboat Orphans. Elements of the story were inspired by real events, which adds to the appeal.
The small group of runaway child evacuees continues to help others, united by their experiences. Even their adult friends, Lisette and Adam, do their part for the war effort.
Things take a dangerous turn for Adam, Connie, and young Ned, who are traveling by ship to the United States for Ned’s operation.
Connie’s musical talent allows her to rub shoulders with greats such as Bing Cosby and Bob Hope. The time period comes to life through settings in New York City and London.
The Lifeboat Orphans continues a heart-warming story about a group of children who bond over shared experiences in World War II.
Ellie Curzon is the pen name of Catherine Curzon and Helen Barrell. Catherine and Helen began writing together in the spring of 2017 and swiftly discovered a shared love of the past and a uniquely British sort of story. They drink gallons of tea, spend hours discussing the importance of good tailoring and are never at a loss for a bit of derring-do.
Catherine Curzon is an author and historian of old Hollywood and even older royalty. In addition to a series of eighteenth century biographies and a sell-out play, she has written extensively for a number of international publications, and has spoken at venues and events across the United Kingdom. Catherine lives in a haze of Dean Martin atop a steep Yorkshire hill, with a rakish gentleman and a very woolly dog.
Helen Barrell has written two books on Victorian crime, and has appeared on BBC1 and Radio 4. She loves researching family history and rummaging in libraries and archives. Originally from the south-east of England, Helen now lives somewhere in the Midlands with a large ginger cat, who resembles a Viking, and a well-stocked 1960’s cocktail bar.
