Picture a British storyteller who turned the grit and grace of nursing into gripping historical fiction—meet Kate Eastham! With a career spanning over 30 years as a nurse and midwife, Eastham weaves her medical expertise into novels that pulse with heart and history. Her acclaimed 'Miss Nightingale's Nurses' series captures the resilience of women in the face of war and hardship, making her a standout voice in historical fiction.
Born and bred in Lancashire, Eastham’s journey from hospital wards to bestselling bookshelves is as inspiring as her stories. Her passion for literature and history shines through in every page, bringing to life the unsung heroines of the past with a warmth that hooks readers from the start.
The Making of Kate Eastham
Kate Eastham’s roots in Lancashire shaped her storytelling. Trained as a nurse and midwife in the late 1970s on the Nightingale wards of Preston Royal Infirmary, she spent decades caring for patients in hospitals, hospices, and residential settings. Her deep connection to nursing, paired with a degree in English Literature, sparked a love for storytelling. When life circumstances required her to become a full-time carer for her partner, Eastham turned to writing, diving into the history of nursing and her family’s Liverpool and Lancashire heritage to craft her debut novel.
Kate Eastham’s Unforgettable Stories
Eastham’s novels are a love letter to the courage of ordinary women, blending meticulous historical research with emotional depth. Her 'Miss Nightingale's Nurses' series, starting with the 2018 novel of the same name, follows Ada Houston, a young woman searching for her missing brother during the Crimean War. The book vividly portrays the brutal conditions of 1850s battlefields and the transformative work of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole, earning praise for its 'deftly written' narrative.
The series continues with 'The Liverpool Nurses,' set in 1867, where a former brothel worker, Stella, finds purpose training as a nurse. 'Daughters of Liverpool' and 'Coming Home to Liverpool' further explore the lives of women navigating love, loss, and duty in Victorian England. Eastham’s style is immersive, with richly drawn characters and a knack for making history feel personal. Her later works, like 'An Angel’s Work,' shift to World War II, following nurses on the front lines post-D-Day, showcasing her versatility in capturing different eras.
What sets Eastham apart is her ability to humanize history. Her nursing background infuses her stories with authentic details—gruesome surgeries, the fight for hygiene, the emotional toll of caregiving—while her literary flair ensures the tales are as heartwarming as they are harrowing. Fans of 'Call the Midwife' or 'Downton Abbey' will find her books a perfect blend of drama and hope.
Why Kate Eastham Matters
Kate Eastham’s work does more than entertain—it shines a light on the often-overlooked contributions of women in healthcare. By centering her stories on 'ordinary' nurses, she celebrates their extraordinary resilience, making history accessible and relatable. Her novels have struck a chord with readers, earning high praise for their emotional depth and historical accuracy, with reviews calling them 'vivid' and 'unputdownable.' Eastham’s transition from nurse to novelist also inspires, proving it’s never too late to chase a new calling.
- About Kate Eastham:
- Born in Lancashire, England
- Key Works: 'Miss Nightingale's Nurses,' 'The Liverpool Nurses,' 'An Angel’s Work'
- Published by Penguin and Bookouture
- Over 30 years as a nurse and midwife
Ready to step into the past with a dose of heart and heroism? Snag 'Miss Nightingale's Nurses' and dive into Kate Eastham’s captivating world of historical fiction!