1,210 record(s) found
He's got the outdoor prowess of a puma and the social grace of...well, also a puma. One dressed in a suit and set to lead a multi-national firm. But it's worth it for Jason to rescue his sister and her sweet five-year-old son. A little boy fresh off a medical crisis that scared them all senseless. Enter Miriam Ashley, a city girl and branding expert who doesn't date outdoorsy dudes. She lost her dad in a climbing accident, so no way will she fall for a guy who hurls himself off mountains for fun. Which makes Miriam the perfect PR pro for Jason. If she can transform this rugged outdoorsman into a polished boss, Jason can save Urban Trax from financial ruin. Problem is, each attempt to make Jason fit for the boardroom lands him breathless in the bedroom with Miriam. And somewhere between etiquette lessons and a sexy canoe date, they start falling in love. It's a risky gamble, with hundreds of jobs hinging on how well Jason fills his CEO shoes. But the shoes on his mind are the spike-heeled stilettos Miriam kicks off by his bed. Will Jason's quest to save everyone else cost him the woman of his dreams? Or can this classy PR magician wave her magic wand at Jason's heart? One-click this sexy romantic comedy about a rough-around-the-edges outdoorsman working to become the boss who saves the day, and the city girl who hopes to save him.
Parkinson's Disease, a disorder of the central nervous system, affects 1 million people in America and 10 million worldwide. In Goodbye Parkinson's, Hello Life! Alex Kerten presents his breakthrough holistic technique that combines dance therapy, behavior modification, and martial arts, to prove that there is life beyond the diagnosis of PD. Goodbye Parkinson's, Hello Life! received "Recommended Reading" status by the Michael J. Fox Foundation and listings on the National Parkinson's Association social media sites. Those who follow Kerten's techniques and are committed to becoming "Parkinson's warriors" can succeed in eliminating many, if not most, of their symptoms and return to a productive and fulfilling life.
She's a single mom who's over the fairy tale, thank you very much. Ellie Sanders doesn't need a man for anything, except maybe marketing tips. Good thing Tyler Hendrix isn't looking for love and marriage either. The Navy helped Ty put his lousy childhood behind him. He's happy running First Impressions' video firm and helping Ellie build her business. Problem is, Ellie's business involves adult toys. Yeah, that kind. Which means Ty can't stop picturing her in his bed. That's the only reason he wants her this badly, right? Or maybe it's their minefield of sexy wardrobe malfunctions and plumbing mishaps. Or the adorably awkward dates giving Ty sweet glimpses of what fatherhood could be like. Turns out Ellie has the coolest five-year-old on the planet, but Henry complicates things. Ty's wired to be a fling, not a father. His own deadbeat dad saw to that. And Ty's determined not to be like his jailbird old man. But what if Ellie and Henry are the magic key that unlocks Ty's heart for good? One-click this sexy romantic comedy about an ex-military man turned corporate exec who swears he won't fall for the sweet single mom and her son (spoiler alert: he does!)
He's a nerd tasked with finding his inner alpha, stat. She's a PR pro crafting corporate brands in her sleep, but fixing a flesh and blood man? If only Holly Colvin weren't desperate. The bank's set to seize her marketing firm, which just proves her sexist ex right. Holly really can't have it all. Ben's got his own burning needs, and not the naked kind. His overbearing dad just dragged him from the lab to put him at the helm of the family firm. Ben's smart and fit and quirkily sexy in his glasses and Star Trek tees, but CEO material? Big nope. Except Holly sees potential. And like it or not, Ben must become the next alphahole boss of Langley Enterprises. Suits and shiny speeches aren't his style, but transforming Langley into the company he's always known it could be? That's a challenge Ben can get behind. Which means he's not getting behind his new branding expert to nuzzle her neck or tug Holly's tight updo or cup those sweet, soft... What the hell is wrong with him? Because working with Holly, facing down wardrobe malfunctions and business lingo that sounds way sexier than it should, Ben's becoming the man his family needs him to be. But can he still be the best man for Holly? One-click this sexy romantic comedy about a reluctant CEO who gets an image makeover from the last woman on earth he should fall for.
The official companion to ITV's hotly anticipated new drama, The Victoria Letters delves into the private writings of the young Queen Victoria, painting a vivid picture of the personal life of one of England's greatest monarchs. From the producers of Poldark and Endeavour, ITV's Victoria follows the early years of the young Queen's reign, based closely on Victoria's own letters and journals. Now explore this extensive collection in greater depth, and discover who Victoria really was behind her upright public persona. At only 18 years old, Victoria ascended the throne as a rebellious teenager and gradually grew to become one of the most memorable, unshakeable and powerful women in history. The extensive writings she left behind document this personal journey and show how she triumphed over scandal and corruption. Written by Internationally bestselling author, historian of 12 books and Victoria historical consultant, Helen Rappaport, and including a foreword by Daisy Goodwin – acclaimed novelist and scriptwriter of the series – The Victoria Letters details the history behind the show. Revealing Victoria's own thoughts about the love interests, family dramas and court scandals during her early reign, it also delves into the running of the royal household, the upstairs-downstairs relationships, and what it was like to live in Victorian England. Come behind the palace doors and discover the girl behind the Queen.
A brand new history of the Dambusters raid from best-selling and critically acclaimed military historian, Max Hastings. Operation Chastise, the destruction of the Mohne and Eder dams in north-west Germany by the RAF's 617 Squadron on the night of 16/17 May 1943, was an epic that has passed into Britain's national legend. Max Hastings grew up embracing the story, the classic 1955 movie and the memory of Guy Gibson, the 24-year-old wing-commander who led the raid. In the 21st Century, however, he urges that we should see the dambusters in much more complex shades. The aircrew's heroism was entirely real, as was the brilliance of Barnes Wallis, inventor of the 'bouncing bombs'. But commanders who promised their young fliers that success could shorten the war fantasised as ruthlessly as they did about the entire bomber offensive. Some 1,400 civilians perished in the biblical floods that swept through the Mohne valley, more than half of them Russian and Polish women, slave labourers. Hastings vividly describes the evolution of Wallis' bomb, and of the squadron which broke the dams. But he also portrays in harrowing detail those swept away by the torrents.
One of the government's former behavioural scientists reveals how you can do what you want, whilst everybody tries to influence you into doing what they want. Influence makes you think what you think and do as you do. You use it to change the thoughts and behaviours of others – just as others use it change yours. We have been perfecting our influence for millions of years, but in the last 20 years digital technologies have revolutionised how influence works. We are now connected to old school friends and niche interest groups – but unwittingly also to organised criminals, terrorists and hostile states who infiltrate our societies. The course of history is being shaped: elections have been hijacked, lies spread about pandemics and the rapidly heating climate, and information has become as important as bullets and bombs to winning wars. More than ever, influence has become the crucial currency for commercial and political gain: If you don't understand it, you will likely become its victim. Written by a former government behavioural scientist working at the cutting edge of this field, Influence is a groundbreaking guide to the chaotic and murky world we live in. Through examining five key factors we are taken on a tour from the past to our real-world present, to build a picture of the major role influence plays in everyday life. Influence provides a simple personal plan illustrating how you can use influence to achieve your goals – whether gaining that promotion, getting your friends to a music festival, or your children to eat their greens. But by understanding the nature of influence, you will also see how it is changing in the information age, enabling dangerous adversaries to gain power, leaving our societies in peril. Most importantly, by using the tools of influence you will be empowered to play your part in protecting us – it will be down to you and everyone you know. Influence is a fascinating guide to how you can help by understanding it, using it and resisting it.
A sizzling beach read thriller with an ending readers are calling 'jaw-dropping'... 'A stone cold tale of secrets, lies and betrayal unfolds on the holiday from hell – 2024's suitcase essential.' Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal 'A thrilling page-turner set against a stunning Thai backdrop where everyone has secrets and with a killer twist – loved it.' Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet 'I raced through The Trip – thrilling and fabulous. A summer thriller you won't want to put down.' Lauren North, author of The Teacher's Secret 'A stunningly brilliant book. The Trip is sun-drenched suspense that demands to be read in one breathless sitting.' Matthew Blake, author of Anna O The perfect holiday. The perfect crime. Four friends on the holiday of a lifetime. Until a vicious murder shatters their paradise. Four friends who'd do anything for each other, until now. Only one of them committed a crime. But all four know how to keep a secret. And they're all guilty of something... Readers love The Trip! 'A terrific thriller set on an island with a bunch of friends and one of them could be the killer – what more could you ask for in a book? Loved this!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This was such a fantastic gripping read it pulled me in from the first page until the very last ... Excellent writing from start to finish and what a finish it was – such a jaw-dropping ending' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Yet another brilliant novel by this author. I am a big fan' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Awesome book! I can't get enough of these beach vacation thrillers. Great suspense. Great ending!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I loved the twist and was desperate to know the "secret"... Fantastic' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
The whole world disappears when you enter THE SILENCE FACTORY 'I loved it. A delicately woven novel with an utterly original premise, it ensnared me from the very first page' EMILIA HART 'I loved it. A delicately woven novel with an utterly original premise, it ensnared me from the very first page' EMILIA HART 'Extraordinary writing... silk, secrets and silence woven into a gleaming Gothic web. What a treat' ANNA MAZZOLA 'Epic in scope and rich at sentence level, this is storytelling at its most immersive' ERIN KELLY Henry dreams of silence. A world without the clattering of carriages through cobbled streets, the distant cries of drunken brawls, the relentless ticking of the clock. Then he meets a fascinating, mysterious gentleman who sells just that. Precious silk that can drown out the clamour of the world – and everything Henry is so desperate to escape. Summoned to Sir Edward's secluded factory to try to cure his young daughter's deafness, Henry is soon drawn deeper and deeper into the origins of this otherworldly gift: a gift that has travelled from ancient Mediterranean glades to English libraries. Ignoring repeated warnings from the girl's secretive governess, he allows himself to fall under the spell of Sir Edward and his silk... but when he learns its true cost, will it be too late to turn back? From the #1 bestselling author of THE BINDING, this is an enthralling story about complicity, desire and corruption – a novel to lose yourself in.
A narrative investigation into the new science of plant intelligence and sentience, from National Association of Science Writers Award winner and Livingston Award finalist Zoe Schlanger'. Look at the green organism across the room or through the window: the potted plant, or the grass, or a tree. Think how a life spent constantly growing yet rooted in a single spot comes with tremendous challenges. To meet them, plants have come up with some of the most creative methods for surviving of any living thing, us included. Many are so ingenious that they seem nearly impossible.There is no doubt that plants are important: plants, or their green precursors the blue-green algae and algae themselves, have produced all the oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere, allowing animals to evolve.But did you know they can communicate when they are being eaten, allowing nearby plants to bolster their defences. They move and that movement stops when they are anaesthetised, just like animals. They also use electricity for internal communication, just like animals. They can hear the sounds of caterpillars eating, just like animals. Plants can remember the last time they have been visited by a bee and how many times they have been visited, so have a concept of time and can count, just like animals. Plants can not only communicate with each other, they can also communicate with other species of plant and animals, allowing them to manipulate animals to defend or fertilise them. This is unlike most other animals.So look again at the potted plant, or the grass or the tree and wonder: Are plants intelligent? Perhaps even more fundamental is are they conscious?Is the only real difference between animals and plants that plants are light eaters, animals aren't.The Light Eaters will completely redefine how you think of plants. Packed with the most amazing stories of the life of plants it will open your eyes to the extraordinary green life forms we share the planet with. Of course, like animals, plants can also detect light.
A narrative investigation into the new science of plant intelligence and sentience, from National Association of Science Writers Award winner and Livingston Award finalist Zoe Schlanger'. Look at the green organism across the room or through the window: the potted plant, or the grass, or a tree. Think how a life spent constantly growing yet rooted in a single spot comes with tremendous challenges. To meet them, plants have come up with some of the most creative methods for surviving of any living thing, us included. Many are so ingenious that they seem nearly impossible. There is no doubt that plants are important: plants, or their green precursors the blue-green algae and algae themselves, have produced all the oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere, allowing animals to evolve. But did you know they can communicate when they are being eaten, allowing nearby plants to bolster their defences. They move and that movement stops when they are anaesthetised. They also use electricity for internal communication. They can hear the sounds of caterpillars eating. Plants can remember the last time they have been visited by a bee and how many times they have been visited, so have a concept of time and can count. Plants can not only communicate with each other, they can also communicate with other species of plant and animals, allowing them to manipulate animals to defend or fertilise them. So look again at the potted plant, or the grass or the tree and wonder: Are plants intelligent? Perhaps even more fundamental is are they conscious? Is the only real difference between animals and plants that plants are light eaters, animals aren't. The Light Eaters will completely redefine how you think of plants. Packed with the most amazing stories of the life of plants it will open your eyes to the extraordinary green life forms we share the planet with. Of course, like animals, plants can also detect light.
'The voice of reason for a generation of... mums and dads' – The Guardian Wildly popular parenting expert Dr Becky Kennedy shares her groundbreaking approach to raising kids in a way that feels good. Over the past several years, Dr Becky Kennedy—known to her followers as 'Dr Becky'—has been sparking a parenting revolution. Millions of parents, tired of following advice that either doesn't work or simply doesn't feel good, have embraced Dr Becky's empowering and effective approach, a model that prioritises connecting with our kids over correcting them. From reward charts to time-outs, many popular parenting approaches are based on shaping behaviour, not raising humans. These techniques don't build the skills kids need for life or account for their complex emotional needs. Add to that parents' complicated relationships with their own upbringings and it's easy to see why so many caretakers feel lost, burned out, and worried they're failing their kids. In Good Inside, Dr Becky shares her parenting philosophy, complete with actionable strategies, that will help parents move from uncertainty and self-blame to confidence and sturdy leadership. Offering perspective-shifting parenting principles and troubleshooting for specific scenarios—including sibling rivalry, separation anxiety, tantrums, and more—Good Inside is a comprehensive resource for a generation of parents looking for a new way to raise their kids while still setting them up for a lifetime of self-regulation, confidence, and resilience.
'The voice of reason for a generation of... mums and dads' – The Guardian Wildly popular parenting expert Dr Becky Kennedy shares her groundbreaking approach to raising kids in a way that feels good. Over the past several years, Dr Becky Kennedy—known to her followers as 'Dr Becky'—has been sparking a parenting revolution. Millions of parents, tired of following advice that either doesn't work or simply doesn't feel good, have embraced Dr Becky's empowering and effective approach, a model that prioritises connecting with our kids over correcting them. From reward charts to time-outs, many popular parenting approaches are based on shaping behaviour, not raising humans. These techniques don't build the skills kids need for life or account for their complex emotional needs. Add to that parents' complicated relationships with their own upbringings and it's easy to see why so many caretakers feel lost, burned out, and worried they're failing their kids. In Good Inside, Dr Becky shares her parenting philosophy, complete with actionable strategies, that will help parents move from uncertainty and self-blame to confidence and sturdy leadership. Offering perspective-shifting parenting principles and troubleshooting for specific scenarios—including sibling rivalry, separation anxiety, tantrums, and more—Good Inside is a comprehensive resource for a generation of parents looking for a new way to raise their kids while still setting them up for a lifetime of self-regulation, confidence, and resilience.
THE MILLION-COPY INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER RETURNS WITH A DARK AND TERRIFYING JOURNEY INTO THE MIND OF A KILLER. 'Truly exceptional...twists and turns that I didn't see coming, a unique concept, and brilliant characters...simply captivating.' JOHN MARRS ________ He's going to kill you. He just doesn't know it yet. Midnight Jones is an analyst trained to understand the human mind. But everything changes when, in the course of her work, she discovers Profile K's file – because K stands for killer, and she knows that someone more dangerous than she could have ever imagined walks among them. Midnight knows what Profile K is capable of before he even commits his first crime. But as the news rolls with the brutal murder of a local woman, no one believes what she tells them: that he is capable of so much worse. Profile K will kill again – and, terrifyingly, Midnight realises that the moment she found his file was the moment she became his next target. Because Profile K is coming for Midnight – and the only way to escape with her life is to find him before he finds her... The million-copy bestseller is back with a dark, terrifying journey into the mind of a psychopath that will keep you riveted until the very last page. ________.
A poignant and introspective memoir from Irish journalist and broadcaster Charlie Bird. In 2021, Charlie Bird was diagnosed with motor neurone disease – a man whose voice was so synonymous with his career faced losing it completely. Yet knowing he had just a short time left with family and friends, what emerged was a great sense of resilience and motivation to take advantage of every moment. Here, Charlie reflects on his life and phenomenal broadcast career through the lense of his diagnosis, as he ponders the big questions and takes stock of the small moments that we so often overlook. Written over the course of 2022 as his health deteriorated, with the help of long-time friend and fellow journalist Ray Burke, this is a candid and unforgettable story about the triumph of the human spirit and, ultimately, what it means to be alive.
A woman's tale of the transformative power of walking Britain's ancient pilgrim paths 'Raw, honest, powerful. I couldn't put it down.' Cerys Matthews On an assignment to walk the most famous pilgrimage in the world – the Camino de Santiago, in northern Spain – Phoebe Smith somehow lost her way. Having spent a lifetime exploring unfamiliar places, she quit her dream job, ended her long-term relationship and headed home to North Wales to discover the point to... everything. In her search for answers she found herself – quite by accident – walking some of Britain's oldest pilgrim paths. And by following these old ways, she ended up confronting past traumas that she thought she had laid to rest. But while it follows holy trails, this is not a book about religion. From losing her mother as a teenager to surviving toxic relationships, Phoebe offers an unflinchingly honest look at her battle with an eating disorder, depression, and the pitfalls of newfound singledom. Skilfully weaving together Phoebe's own story with those of countless travellers past and present, Wayfarer reveals how nature and place can heal past wounds, offering a pathway to salvation she'd never thought existed.
'Barbie for girls who like Aphex Twin' SHEENA PATEL 'An exquisitely written, empathetic novel that asks what it really means to be human' RED 'Witty, wicked, and weirdly addictive' LIONEL SHRIVER She's human in every way that matters. Annie is a robot, created to be the perfect girlfriend for her human owner, Doug. Playful and eager to please, she has dinner ready for him every night, wears the outfits he buys for her, and adjusts her libido to suit his whims. Maybe the apartment isn't always spotless, but she's trying to be good enough for Doug. She's trying really hard. But as Annie grows more self-aware, she begins to chafe against the borders of her life: the empty weeks spent confined to the apartment, the fitness regimens designed to keep her part-organic body toned, the service appointments to increase her bra size and shave inches off her waistline. Worst of all are Doug's unpredictable moods, and the way he can punish her without even raising his voice. Annie starts to imagine the impossible – what would life be like outside Doug's apartment? What could she be like without Doug? This powerful, provocative novel from a bold new voice examines the intricate relationship between creator and creation, between human and AI, exploring issues of trust, intimacy, power and autonomy. Is a human soul something we are born with? Or is it something – through love, pain and other people – we can learn?.
A TIMES CRIME CLUB ⭐STAR PICK⭐ and AMAZON and KINDLE BESTSELLER! 'Fantastic. Excellent. Incredible. I could not put this one down for the life of me.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review 'A stunner! Without a doubt, one of the best crime novels of the year!' – No.1 international bestseller Jeffery Deaver In search of a new life, seventeen-year-old Adriana Clark's family moves to the ancient, ocean-battered Isle of Mull, far off the coast of Scotland. Then she goes missing. Faced with hostile locals and indifferent police, her desperate parents turn to private investigator Sadie Levesque. Sadie is the best at what she does. But when she finds Adriana's body in a cliffside cave, a seaweed crown carefully arranged on her head, she knows she's dealing with something she's never encountered before. The deeper she digs into the island's secrets, the closer danger creeps – and the more urgent her quest to find the killer grows. Because what if Adriana is not the last girl to die? Beautifully haunting with twists and turns you'll never see coming, The Last Girl to Die is your next obsession waiting to happen. Perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride and L.J. Ross. 'Oh my goodness, I absolutely and totally loved this book. Outstanding and compelling, it gave me whiplash from all the twists and turns.' – million-copy bestseller Angela Marsons 'An adroit and highly atmospheric mystery.' – Times Crime Club 'Fields has a knack of keeping you gripped for hours.' – The Sun 'Gloriously dark and twisty.' – Fabulous Readers absolutely LOVE The Last Girl to Die! 'Fantastic. Excellent. Incredible. I could not put this one down for the life of me.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'What rollercoaster ride this was. I love it when a book shocks me the way this did.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Breathtaking. Twists and turns galore. I couldn't put it down, I loved it.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A tense, twisty, phenomenal read!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Haunting. Breathtaking shocks, unforeseen twists, and an emotionally shattering conclusion.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Twisty, unpredictable and kept me guessing the whole time.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Breathtakingly brilliant... The ending left me stunned.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
A Brief History of Time for the 21st Century At the heart of our galaxy lies a monster so deadly, not even light can escape its grasp. Its secrets lie waiting to be discovered. It's time to explore our universe's most mysterious inhabitants Black Holes At the heart of the Milky Way lies a supermassive black hole 4 million times more massive than our Sun. A place where space and time are so warped that light is trapped if it ventures within 12 million km. According to Einstein, inside lies the end of time. According to 21st-century physics, the reality may be far more bizarre. Black holes lie where the most massive stars used to shine and at the edge of our current understanding. They are naturally occurring objects, the inevitable creations of gravity when too much matter collapses into not enough space. And yet, although the laws of nature predict them, they fail fully to describe them. Black holes are places in space and time where the laws of gravity, quantum physics and thermodynamics collide. Originally thought to be so intellectually troubling that they simply could not exist, it is only in the past few years that we have begun to glimpse a new synthesis; a deep connection between gravity and quantum information theory that describes a holographic universe in which space and time emerge from a network of quantum bits, and wormholes span the void. In this groundbreaking book, Professor Brian Cox and Professor Jeff Forshaw take you to the edge of our understanding of black holes; a scientific journey to the research frontier spanning a century of physics, from Einstein to Hawking and beyond, that ends with the startling conclusion that our world may operate like a giant quantum computer.
***Pre-order Caroline James' new romcom The French Cookery School now, coming April 2024!*** Three women. One widowed. One unmarried. One almost divorced. All aged 63, but not ready to give up on life! Leaving behind the heartache, guilt and disappointment of their real lives, three friends decide that now they're in their sixties, it's time they finally did something for themselves! Swapping Christmas turkeys and BBC reruns for crystal waters, white sandy beaches and smooth golden rum, Anne, Jane and Kath throw caution (and tradition) to the wind as they set sail on a luxury two-week Christmas cruise around the Caribbean. Will the three friends find the comfort and joy they seek aboard the Diamond Star? Praise for Caroline James: 'Fabulous to read...It's about a girls' weekend with characters in their 60s and determined to have a good time' Woman & Home 'A laugh out loud, naughty, enlightening heart-warming story about friendship and discovery' Yours Magazine 'Girl power for the over sixties!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The escapades of these three women are funny...Their voices come alive on the page' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A tale of friendship that has lasted through the decades which I found hard to put down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Oh my word ...I couldn't put this down it was so good, following the adventures of Anne, Kath and Jane was brilliant and happy endings throughout'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This author was new to me, and I am already downloading more of her books because she writes in a way that makes me keep reading and because I feel good at the end... What more could anyone want?' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'What an enjoyable read! ...a fun filled trip for sure'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
An incredible new unputdownable thriller which will keep you gripped from the first page to the last! He watches your every move We've all experienced it. That creeping sensation of eyes on your back, the faint echo of footsteps following yours. He controls you Across the country, a madman is carefully choosing his victims. Once he has you in his sights, he won't let go. He will make you pay You think you're in control of your own life? Think again. Because The Puppet Master is coming for you, and he won't stop until you're dead... What readers are saying about The Puppet Master 'I was gripped from the very beginning until the very last page!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I love a dark and messed up serial killer book and The Puppet Master is exactly that!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The conclusion will have you holding your breath' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A gritty, emotional rollercoaster of a story' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Real on-the-edge-of-your-seat stuff' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Hook you in from the start and keeps you glued to the pages from beginning to end' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'It's dark, it's creepy, just so unsettling and I loved every second' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Cancel all your plans because once you start you won't want to stop' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Without a shadow of a doubt, Sam Holland is a natural born storyteller with a very vivid and disturbing imagination!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
An accessible and approachable guide to work and careers from a trusted and authoritative source. The Future-Proof Career looks at the new way of working in a post-pandemic world and shows you how to make work work for you, no matter what stage of your career you're at. Whether you're the boss, the deputy or on your way up, the way we're working in a post-pandemic world is forever changed and it's important to make your work work for you. This is a book about how to do work differently, written by the host of the award-winning Financial Times 'Working It' podcast. Packed with expert analysis and ahead-of-the-curve workplace trends, this book looks at the big ideas shaping the world of work today and the old habits we need to lose, examining these pressing topics in depth and bringing in expert opinion and personal experience, with key takeaways summarised at the end of each chapter. This modern guide to the world of work can be used by everyone – both employed and self-employed, anyone working in new hybrid working practices, or to the many individuals who set up on their own after the pandemic and are navigating a new way of working. The book is split into two sections – Staff and Managers. This works for both groups, as most people are managed and/or aspire to be higher up and so can be dipped into for expert advice and guidance at any stage of your career. Covering topics as wide-ranging as the four-day working week, bridging the workplace generation gap, making sure your company walks its diversity talk, quiet quitting and the great resignation, achieving workplace equality and even micro-dosing for creativity, The Future-Proof Career spreads the word about understanding modern workplaces so we can all have happier, more productive lives. This book will help you to navigate the world of work now, tell you how it might change in future – and how you can prepare. Get ahead of uncertainty and take control of your career.
**Pre-order Profile K now – the new thriller from Helen Fields, publishing April 2024** 'Deliciously dark and utterly compelling – I couldn't put it down.' – CLARE MACKINTOSH They're locked up for your safety. Now, you're locked in with them. How do you find a murderer in a prison full of killers? On a locked ward in the world's highest-security prison hospital, a scream shatters the night. A nurse has been murdered and her daughter has been taken. And with only five days to find the girl, the clock is ticking for Dr Connie Woolwine to find a killer hiding in plain sight... Welcome to The Institution. The locked room thriller readers don't want to leave. 'This is the best book I've read in years!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I don't think I have ever read anything that gripped me quite so intensely.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An absolutely mind-blowing suspense thriller.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Terrifyingly brilliant. An absolute must-read.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A book that evolves at break-neck speed, taking the reader on a spine-chilling journey.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'If this book isn't a smash hit I'll claw my own eyes out!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Tense, exciting, heart-thumping action' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Deliciously creepy, unflinching and addictive.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A first-class locked room thriller.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Gobsmackingly good!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Helen Fields' talent for creating atmospheric thrillers knows no bounds.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A real page-turner; what a ride straight from the outset. I felt physically chilled.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Chilling, claustrophobic and packed with twists and turns.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Original and innovative...a crackingly scary thriller.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Dark, atmospheric, creepy and hauntingly good. Kept me guessing until the end – I loved it.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Amazing is all I can say – I loved it!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Midwinter in Orkney. Six hours of daylight. A race against time to catch a killer. 'My debut novel of the year' CHRIS LLOYD 'I couldn't turn the pages fast enough' NASHEEMA LENNON - Reporter Freya Sinclair has always known she was different. While waiting on the outcome of an autism assessment, Freya uproots her life in Glasgow, quitting her job at one of Scotland's top broadsheets and taking a local beat in her childhood home of Orkney. But her plans for a quiet life are shattered when human remains are exhumed by a winter storm on Orkney's wild Atlantic coast. The identity of the bones opens old wounds in the islands, and sheds light on a darker truth nobody wants to accept. As the nights draw in, Freya's obsessive hunt for answers turns into a cat-and-mouse game, with each secret she unearths threatening her job, compromising her family, and exposing new victims to a killer who's watching from the shadows... - 'Daniel Aubrey can do for Orkney what Ann Cleeves has done for Shetland in this absorbing novel. It transported me' MARION TODD 'Twists and secrets galore ... A nail-biting thriller you'll never forget' CAROLINE MITCHELL 'A tense read with emotional honesty ... Freya is a triumph' CALLUM McSORLEY - REAL READERS LOVE DARK ISLAND 'I absolutely raced through this exciting murder mystery. Daniel Aubrey's writing transported me. Freya is such a brilliant and complex character' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'If you're a fan of location-based mysteries, such as LJ Ross or GR Halliday, you need to get your teeth into this series NOW' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Pacy and well-plotted and I loved the Orkney setting. I really liked Freya and there's lots of action and twists but it never at any point felt far-fetched' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Everyone should read Dark Island. I loved the neurodivergent character at the heart of the book. The ending was extremely moving' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Midwinter in Orkney. Six hours of daylight. A race against time to catch a killer. 'My debut novel of the year' CHRIS LLOYD 'I couldn't turn the pages fast enough' NASHEEMA LENNON - Reporter Freya Sinclair has always known she was different. While waiting on the outcome of an autism assessment, Freya uproots her life in Glasgow, quitting her job at one of Scotland's top broadsheets and taking a local beat in her childhood home of Orkney. But her plans for a quiet life are shattered when human remains are exhumed by a winter storm on Orkney's wild Atlantic coast. The identity of the bones opens old wounds in the islands, and sheds light on a darker truth nobody wants to accept. As the nights draw in, Freya's obsessive hunt for answers turns into a cat-and-mouse game, with each secret she unearths threatening her job, compromising her family, and exposing new victims to a killer who's watching from the shadows... - 'Daniel Aubrey can do for Orkney what Ann Cleeves has done for Shetland in this absorbing novel. It transported me' MARION TODD 'Twists and secrets galore ... A nail-biting thriller you'll never forget' CAROLINE MITCHELL 'A tense read with emotional honesty ... Freya is a triumph' CALLUM McSORLEY - REAL READERS LOVE DARK ISLAND 'I absolutely raced through this exciting murder mystery. Daniel Aubrey's writing transported me. Freya is such a brilliant and complex character' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'If you're a fan of location-based mysteries, such as LJ Ross or GR Halliday, you need to get your teeth into this series NOW' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Pacy and well-plotted and I loved the Orkney setting. I really liked Freya and there's lots of action and twists but it never at any point felt far-fetched' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Everyone should read Dark Island. I loved the neurodivergent character at the heart of the book. The ending was extremely moving' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
A transporting novel about a century-old unsolved murder, a disputed inheritance, and a family secret that some will kill to protect . . . 'A gritty and whip-smart read. Strong friendships, powerful women, mighty lives. I utterly devoured it, was swept to Sicily, loved the denouement' Amanda Geard, author of The Midnight House 'As much a feminist adventure as a redemptive family mystery . . . I was gripped and entertained from start to finish' Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push 'Strong women, rich history and page-turning suspense make for a rich and satisfying read' Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author * * * A century-old unsolved murder A disputed inheritance A family secret that some will kill to protect . . . When Sara Marsala's beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, she leaves Sara a valuable piece of land in Sicily, but there's a catch: the locals refuse to acknowledge the rightful owner of the deed, and if Sara wants the land she must first uncover the truth about what happened to her great-great grandmother, Serafina Marsala. Because Rosie didn't think Serafina died of illness as family lore states . . . Rosie believed Serafina was murdered, and she wants Sara to prove it. Sara's investigations take her up and down the picturesque Italian countryside and, along the way, she learns more about Serafina, a headstrong young woman thrust into motherhood in her teens, who fought for a better life for all the woman of her small village. Yet a woman who challenges the status quo is never safe, and as Sara discovers more about Serafina, she comes up against the same menacing forces that took down her great-great grandmother. And now they want to destroy Sara too. * * * Praise for The Sicilian Inheritance: 'Equal parts rich historical fiction, gripping murder mystery, and a moving exploration of identity, grief, and the long shadow of the past' Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here.
A transporting novel about a century-old unsolved murder, a disputed inheritance, and a family secret that some will kill to protect . . . 'As much a feminist adventure as a redemptive family mystery . . . I was gripped and entertained from start to finish' Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push 'Strong women, rich history and page-turning suspense make for a rich and satisfying read' Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author * * * A century-old unsolved murder A disputed inheritance A family secret that some will kill to protect . . . When Sara Marsala's beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, she leaves Sara a valuable piece of land in Sicily, but there's a catch: the locals refuse to acknowledge the rightful owner of the deed, and if Sara wants the land she must first uncover the truth about what happened to her great-grandmother, Serafina Marsala. Because Rosie didn't think Serafina died of illness as family lore states . . . Rosie believed Serafina was murdered, and she wants Sara to prove it. Sara's investigations take her up and down the picturesque Italian countryside and, along the way, she learns more about Serafina, a headstrong young woman thrust into motherhood in her teens, who fought for a better life for all the woman of her small village. Yet a woman who challenges the status quo is never safe, and as Sara discovers more about Serafina, she comes up against the same menacing forces that took down her great-grandmother. And now they want to destroy Sara too. * * * Praise for The Sicilian Inheritance: 'Equal parts rich historical fiction, gripping murder mystery, and a moving exploration of identity, grief, and the long shadow of the past' Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here.
Take flight on this beautifully-written, epic and soaring new adventure, perfect for fans of Abi Elphinstone, Aisling Fowler, A F Steadman and Pari Thompson. Astrid has lived in the rhubarb shed her whole life. The outside world is dangerous, Mama explains; she will understand when she's older, but she cannot set foot beyond the door. Astrid longs to see the world; to meet other children; to live in the farmhouse with Mama. But what she longs for most of all is to see the stars. Then one night, a stranger unlocks the shed: a stranger with wings. She has come to take Astrid to a secret city in the sky called London Overhead, far above the highest peak of the Shard. For Astrid, like her, is a Librae – and will soon grow wings of her own . . . Astrid is swept into a breathtaking and magical world of new friendships, sweeping adventures and unimaginable discoveries at the ancient, beautiful school for Librae students: Starminster. But quickly she learns that all is not well in the glimmering city. And when rumours abound of missing children in London Underfoot, she begins to realise that Mama may have been right about the dangers waiting for Astrid all along . . .
The new fostering memoir from the Sunday Times bestselling author Casey Watson Six-year-old Amelie lives with her mother, Kelly, who suffers from bipolar disorder. After Kelly attempts to burn down their family house, it becomes clear that her daughter is in grave danger. Amelie is quickly taken into care. When she arrives with foster carer Casey Watson, Amelie acts much younger than her age. Casey must get to the root of Amelie's behaviour, while doing what she can to keep the family together. Will Amelie ever find the safety of home?.
She's no damsel in distress, and he's certainly not wearing shining armour. But one knight can change everything... Daisy Hastings has always thought she was born in the wrong era. So when she bags a summer job at the Tower of London helping to run their Knight school, it feels like a step in the right direction. Theodore 'Teddy' Fairfax is a loose cannon. A disgraced distant relative of the royal family, he's tall, dark and now (begrudgingly) helping with the Tower of London's summer programme – and there's nowhere he'd like to be less. When Teddy's oath to be an obstruction almost gets Daisy fired, she declares war. But as the two cross swords, they start to discover they both need a little rescuing... And that maybe, just maybe, love can bloom, even on a battlefield... Readers are falling hard for Love at First Knight! 'I LOVED this book!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I was in love from page one.' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'So cute!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I finished the book in a single sitting. Couldn't put it down!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This helped heal my own nerdy anxious heart. I'll cherish this read forever.' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'There was so much to love about it; if this book was made into a movie, I'd watch it.' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
She's no damsel in distress, and he's certainly not wearing shining armour. But one knight can change everything... Daisy Hastings has always thought she was born in the wrong era. So when she bags a summer job at the Tower of London helping to run their Knight school, it feels like a step in the right direction. Theodore 'Teddy' Fairfax is a loose cannon. A disgraced distant relative of the royal family, he's tall, dark and now (begrudgingly) helping with the Tower of London's summer programme – and there's nowhere he'd like to be less. When Teddy's oath to be an obstruction almost gets Daisy fired, she declares war. But as the two cross swords, they start to discover they both need a little rescuing... And that maybe, just maybe, love can bloom, even on a battlefield... Readers are falling hard for Love at First Knight! 'I LOVED this book!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I was in love from page one.' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'So cute!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I finished the book in a single sitting. Couldn't put it down!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This helped heal my own nerdy anxious heart. I'll cherish this read forever.' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'There was so much to love about it; if this book was made into a movie, I'd watch it.' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Frog and Toad stories have delighted both children and adults for more than fifty years, celebrating friendship and life in the most joyful and heart-warming way. This charming collection, which brings together three springtime stories, is the perfect seasonal gift for children. Once upon a time there were two good friends, a frog and a toad . . . In these timeless and very funny spring-themed stories, Frog and Toad are always there for each other. From ensuring that Toad wakes up in time for spring, singing and reading to flower seeds in the hope that they'll grow to spending alone time together. These two loveable characters really are the best of friends. Also look out for: Summer with Frog and Toad, Autumn with Frog and Toad and Christmas with Frog and Toad. 'I bow before Arnold Lobel: he is my utter hero' Julia Donaldson.
From the award-winning author of Take a Chance on Greece, comes a brand new romance for fans of You've Got Mail 'I absolutely adored this book. The characters were just so likeable and I found myself rooting for them both ... a perfect, funny, romantic story' Holly Martin One typo. Two complete strangers. Ten thousand miles between them... Amy and Cameron have never met. But when Amy receives an email meant for Cameron, their lives entwine in ways they could never have imagined. Cameron lives a life of adventure as he navigates an expedition around Antarctica whilst Amy's life is firmly on solid ground in Edinburgh. As their connection grows, Amy finds herself asking; is it possible to fall in love with someone you've never met? Readers love The Typo 'I'm completely charmed by this novel: it was a sweet, romantic, inspired and fun read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A delightful tale of serendipity and self-discovery' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The humor in this is absolutely brilliant. I was laughing out loud so often' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An uplifting story with many relatable themes' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The characters were interesting and the story charming. Well worth reading and thoroughly recommended' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The banter was perfect and the plot was very well thought out' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An absolutely delightful read that allows us to take a few minutes and enjoy the universe's bigger plan for us' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'What a different kind of story. I loved it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This was just great. It has a random mix of emails, work conversations, music and animals that are woven together beautifully and absolutely grabbed my attention' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Shocking and moving' Guardian 'A tour-de-force' Washington Post At eight years of age, Charles Spencer was sent away to one of England's most exclusive boarding schools. In this courageous and beautifully written memoir, Spencer offers a clear-eyed, first-hand account of the strange secrets of the school, and the culture of cruelty and abuse he witnessed and experienced in his five years there as a pupil. Drawing on the memories of many of his schoolboy contemporaries, as well as his own letters and diaries from the time, the book is his attempt to come to terms with the deep emotional scars inflicted upon him. Spencer reflects on the misery, hopelessness and abandonment he felt aged eight, viscerally describing the intense pain of homesickness, the vicious brutality of a boys' school in the 1970s and the appalling inescapability of it all. The book cracks the code of the unpoliced regime that ran the place and provides important insights into an antiquated boarding school system. He gives vivid portraits of the teachers and other staff placed in loco parentis, their casual cruelties and toxic obsessions. All these years later, Spencer's bafflement at their motivations to inflict such cruelty on young children is palpable. As is his fury that, even if somehow he had spoken up, he'd never have been believed. Charles Spencer's book 'A Very Private School' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 11-03-2024.
The recipe for a perfect summer... Step 1: Mix together a group of mature students Step 2: Add in a handsome host Step 3: Season with a celebrity chef Step 4: Bring to the boil at a luxurious cookery school in France! Waltho Williams has no idea what he's letting himself in for when he opens the doors to his beautiful French home, La Maison du Paradis. But with dwindling funds, a cookery school seems like the perfect business plan... Divorcée caterer Caroline needs to be able stand on her own two feet. While warm-hearted Fran hopes to help her beloved husband fulfil his lifelong dream. And for food journalist Sally it's a PR opportunity – until a certain celebrity chef gets under her skin... But will the eclectic group be a recipe for success, or will the mismatched relationships sink like a souffle? Whip out an apron, grab a wooden spoon and take a culinary trip to La Maison du Paradis... Readers LOVE The French Cookery School: 'A hilarious, heart-warming story of love and food ... will have you laughing all the way to the pantry! Caroline has done it again!' Celebrity chef Valentina Harris ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This is like a lovely holiday with humour and heart thrown in as part of the package... A fantastic summer read' Bestselling author Faith Hogan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Food, laughter & love are the ingredients of a great novel! I loved it and devoured the pages in one glorious sitting' Bestselling author Nicola May ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Caroline has come up with all the right ingredients, and there is nothing half-baked about this delightful story' Claire Bassano ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A wonderful story about finding romance and friendship when you least expect it, this is the perfect summery escape' Bestselling author Fiona Leitch ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I find it hard to imagine a better holiday read. The talented Caroline James at her very best.' Bestselling author Eva Glyn ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'As fluffy as a french meringue. It's a perfect novel' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
From the award-winning author of Take a Chance on Greece, comes a brand new romance for fans of You've Got Mail 'I absolutely adored this book. The characters were just so likeable and I found myself rooting for them both ... a perfect, funny, romantic story' Holly Martin One typo. Two complete strangers. Ten thousand miles between them... Amy and Cameron have never met. But when Amy receives an email meant for Cameron, their lives entwine in ways they could never have imagined. Cameron lives a life of adventure as he navigates an expedition around Antarctica whilst Amy's life is firmly on solid ground in Edinburgh. As their connection grows, Amy finds herself asking; is it possible to fall in love with someone you've never met? Readers love The Typo 'I'm completely charmed by this novel: it was a sweet, romantic, inspired and fun read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A delightful tale of serendipity and self-discovery' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The humor in this is absolutely brilliant. I was laughing out loud so often' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An uplifting story with many relatable themes' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The characters were interesting and the story charming. Well worth reading and thoroughly recommended' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The banter was perfect and the plot was very well thought out' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An absolutely delightful read that allows us to take a few minutes and enjoy the universe's bigger plan for us' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'What a different kind of story. I loved it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This was just great. It has a random mix of emails, work conversations, music and animals that are woven together beautifully and absolutely grabbed my attention' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
From the award-winning author of Take a Chance on Greece, comes a brand new romance for fans of You've Got Mail 'I absolutely adored this book. The characters were just so likeable and I found myself rooting for them both ... a perfect, funny, romantic story' Holly Martin One typo. Two complete strangers. Ten thousand miles between them... Amy and Cameron have never met. But when Amy receives an email meant for Cameron, their lives entwine in ways they could never have imagined. Cameron lives a life of adventure as he navigates an expedition around Antarctica whilst Amy's life is firmly on solid ground in Edinburgh. As their connection grows, Amy finds herself asking; is it possible to fall in love with someone you've never met? Readers love The Typo 'I'm completely charmed by this novel: it was a sweet, romantic, inspired and fun read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A delightful tale of serendipity and self-discovery' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The humor in this is absolutely brilliant. I was laughing out loud so often' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An uplifting story with many relatable themes' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The characters were interesting and the story charming. Well worth reading and thoroughly recommended' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The banter was perfect and the plot was very well thought out' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An absolutely delightful read that allows us to take a few minutes and enjoy the universe's bigger plan for us' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'What a different kind of story. I loved it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This was just great. It has a random mix of emails, work conversations, music and animals that are woven together beautifully and absolutely grabbed my attention' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
The terrifying impact of global warming on vulnerable lives is laid bare in this gripping tale of survival from internationally bestselling author Steve Cole. Gayla is trapped all alone when floodwater pours into her bedroom in a residential centre for kids with disabilities. Junjun's makeshift shack has been washed away in the flood and he needs to find medicine for his sister, who's sick after drinking contaminated water. At first these two young people seem to have little in common and pity each other, but as the waters continue to rise, they must work together to find a way to survive.
The whole world disappears when you enter THE SILENCE FACTORY 'I loved it. A delicately woven novel with an utterly original premise, it ensnared me from the very first page' EMILIA HART 'I loved it. A delicately woven novel with an utterly original premise, it ensnared me from the very first page' EMILIA HART 'Extraordinary writing... silk, secrets and silence woven into a gleaming Gothic web. What a treat' ANNA MAZZOLA 'Epic in scope and rich at sentence level, this is storytelling at its most immersive' ERIN KELLY Henry dreams of silence. A world without the clattering of carriages through cobbled streets, the distant cries of drunken brawls, the relentless ticking of the clock. Then he meets a fascinating, mysterious gentleman who sells just that. Precious silk that can drown out the clamour of the world – and everything Henry is so desperate to escape. Summoned to Sir Edward's secluded factory to try to cure his young daughter's deafness, Henry is soon drawn deeper and deeper into the origins of this otherworldly gift: a gift that has travelled from ancient Mediterranean glades to English libraries. Ignoring repeated warnings from the girl's secretive governess, he allows himself to fall under the spell of Sir Edward and his silk... but when he learns its true cost, will it be too late to turn back? From the #1 bestselling author of THE BINDING, this is an enthralling story about complicity, desire and corruption – a novel to lose yourself in.
Playing With The Big Boys — And Beating Them At Their Own Game! From Meg Whitman of eBay to Marcy Carsey of Carsey-Warner and Oxygen Media, today's leading businesswomen show how to make it in the notorious boys' club of corporate America. Gone are the days when men called the shots. More and more women have replaced men or excelled over rivals in male-dominated industries because they possess the qualities of leadership that top firms are seeking today. Esther Wachs Book introduces the new Female Leader and reveals the seven key, and uniquely female, qualities of leadership that are turning the world around — and allowing more women to achieve success. Filled with compelling insights gleaned from the country's highest-ranking businesswomen, Why the Best Man for the Job Is a Woman reveals how these exceptional women have soared to the top and captures their strategies for success.
Today, with thousands of TV hours to fill, there's room on television for virtually every product, service, and personality—and no one understands that better than producers Marta Tracy and Terence Noonan. Their one-of-a-kind handbook shows you how to make your dreams of on-screen success come true—whether that dream is to appear on reality television, to showcase your catering skills on The Martha Stewart Show , to promote your flower shop on a local morning show, or to launch a thousand different TV-centered personal or professional goals. Starring You! outlines everything you need to market your business, product, point of view, or yourself, including: How to write the perfect pitch How to build and maintain relationships with producers How to become a regular guest . . . or even the host of your own show.
Why is medical care in the United States so expensive? For decades, Americans have taken it as a matter of faith that we spend more because we have the best health care system in the world. But as costs levitate, that argument becomes more difficult to make. Today, we spend twice as much as Japan on health care—yet few would argue that our health care system is twice as good. Instead, startling new evidence suggests that one out of every three of our health care dollars is squandered on unnecessary or redundant tests; unproven, sometimes unwanted procedures; and overpriced drugs and devices that, too often, are no better than the less expensive products they have replaced. How did this happen? In Money-Driven Medicine , Maggie Mahar takes the reader behind the scenes of a $2 trillion industry to witness how billions of dollars are wasted in a Hobbesian marketplace that pits the industry's players against each other. In remarkably candid interviews, doctors, hospital administrators, patients, health care economists, corporate executives, and Wall Street analysts describe a war of "all against all" that can turn physicians, hospitals, insurers, drugmakers, and device makers into blood rivals. Rather than collaborating, doctors and hospitals compete. Rather than sharing knowledge, drugmakers and device makers divide value. Rather than thinking about long-term collective goals, the imperatives of an impatient marketplace force health care providers to focus on short-term fiscal imperatives. And so investments in untested bleeding-edge medical technologies crowd out investments in information technology that might, in the long run, not only reduce errors but contain costs. In theory, free market competition should tame health care inflation. In fact, Mahar demonstrates, when it comes to medicine, the traditional laws of supply and demand do not apply. Normally, when supply expands, prices fall. But in the health care industry, as the number and variety of drugs, devices, and treatments multiplies, demand rises to absorb the excess, and prices climb. Meanwhile, the perverse incentives of a fee-for-service system reward health care providers for doing more, not less. In this superbly written book, Mahar shows why doctors must take responsibility for the future of our health care industry. Today, she observes, "physicians have been stripped of their standing as professionals: Insurers address them as vendors ('Dear Health Care Provider'), drugmakers and device makers see them as customers (someone you might take to lunch or a strip club), while . . . consumers (aka patients) are encouraged to see their doctors as overpaid retailers. . . . Before patients can reclaim their rightful place as the center—and indeed as the raison d'être—of our health care system," Mahar suggests, "we must once again empower doctors . . . to practice patient-centered medicine—based not on corporate imperatives, doctors' druthers, or even patients' demands," but on the best scientific research available.
Saving the Sun tells the story of the world's largest private equity deal where American investors made billions of dollars rehabilitating Shinsei, a failed Japanese bank. Within that business saga is the dramatic tale of Japan's brightest financial minds, the men who made the Japanese economic miracle come to life, and their struggle against the economic failure in the 1990s. Into this climate of despair, where Japan seemed incapable of reviving prosperity, came a group of wily and determined Americans who would discover just how different the Japanese really are.
Who among us haven't dreamed of turning our passion into an income-producingenterprise? Whether it's arranging flowers, creating our own beauty products, or taking care of children, we all have our special talents. But how do you turn your hobbies into something more lucrative? And when would you ever find the time? In an uncertain economy, there is no better time than now to get started and The Mocha Manual to Turning Your Passion into Profit offers the step-by-step answers you need to turn your ideas into a business plan and your business plan into a bona fide business. Whether Kimberly Seals-Allers, an entrepreneur herself, is directing you toward resources that will tell you which licenses you need to get started or advising you on how to pick an accountant once your business starts to grow, you can count on her counsel to be clear, concise, and inspiring. Her wisdom on everything from marketing ideas to managing employees is combined with advice and anecdotes from everyday women who have founded companies ranging from small IT consulting businesses to massive operations such as Carol's Daughter. Whether you want to quit your job and start your own company or supplement your existing income with a "side hustle," this inspiring book is for you.
In Working Together , a fascinating and invaluable look at why great partnerships succeed, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner discusses how professional partnerships have contributed to his success. In addition, Eisner tells the stories of nine other highly successful business collaborations, including Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti, Bill and Melinda Gates, Joe Torre and Don Zimmer, and Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.
IBM is one of the greatest sales and marketing organizations ever assembled. Established over seventy years ago, it now employs 400,000 people and generates $50 billion a year in revenue. Yet it operates more like a cottage industry than a huge multinational organization. How does IBM do it? That's what even the most successful companies want to know. Now Buck Rodgers, the man who has personified "the IBM way," describes for the first time the reasons behind its extraordinary achievements. He has not written a company history, or an exposé, or a book on management theory. He has written a book about everything that makes IBM IBM, as only an insider could.
Soloing has two meanings: "going it alone" and being "complete in yourself." . . . But you don't just leave—a company/a career/a paycheck—and cross over to a more satisfying life. There's more to it. There is a mysterious passage to be negotiated, a delicate transition required to go from alone-in-the-desert to complete-in-yourself. Harriet Rubin, bestselling author of The Princessa: Machiavelli for Women, returns with inspiring advice for professionals dreaming of crossing over from a corporate world of prescribed boundaries to the limitless opportunities of soloing. She describes how people can do great things—things they would never be able to accomplish inside the corporate structure—when they manage or lead no one. As one successfully navigates the passage toward a truer sense of self that Rubin describes, four invaluable freedoms await: The first freedom is regaining your sense of identity. Walk out of any big company and who are you, stripped of that mighty identity? Potentially bigger and better than before. Who were you before the corporate you? To get back one's sense of self is why people go solo. The second freedom is independence. Why is working alone so important in doing great work, given that it's also the scariest part? Imagine having complete command and control over your time and the work you do. This is how soloists realize their great strengths: They are reduced to themselves. The third freedom is income. You can earn in one year what you earned in two before. Do you work harder to do this? Yes. Do you enjoy it more? Yes. Solo money is alive. Unlike a salary doled out like an allowance from parents, the money earned by soloing is a true emblem of a person's worth. The fourth freedom is illumination. A professional builds a career, but a soloist builds a portfolio and a life free of boredom, full of challenge. Direct contact with work itself is direct contact with life. With insights as diverse as Henry David Thoreau's "I want to be sure the world doesn't change," and Michael Jordan's response to the statement: "There's no 'I' in team,"—"That's right, but there is an 'I' in win,"—Rubin gives readers the chance to bring their dreams into alignment with reality.
Investigative journalist Michael Gross delves into the history of models and takes us into the private studios and hidden villas where models play and are preyed upon, going beyond modeling’s carefully constructed facade of glamour to expose the scandal and untold truths that permeate the seemingly glamorous business. Here for the first time is the complete story of the international model business—and its evil twin: legalized flesh peddling. It’s a tale of vast sums of money, rape both symbolic and of the flesh, sex and drugs, obsession and tragic death. At its heart is the most unholy combination in commerce: beautiful, young women and rich, lascivious men. Fashion insider Michael Gross has interviewed modeling’s pioneers, survivors, and hangers–on, and he tells the story of the greats: Lisa Fonssagrives; Anita Colby, Candy Jones; Dorian Leigh and her sister Suzy Parker; Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy; Veruschka and Lauren Hutton; and today’s supermodel trinity, Christy, Naomi and Linda.
Without a doubt, the most important investment of your life will be your home. No other purchase will matter more to your lifestyle, financial future, and personal well-being. It is never too late or too soon to set a course for creating a home that will provide the maximum return and fulfill your dreams. With step-by-step instruction, Good House Hunting will take you on an inspirational and practical journey to finding your dream home — both within your imagination and out in the real estate world. For home buyers, Good House Hunting will help you navigate the complex process of finding the property with the greatest potential. For home owners, Good House Hunting provides the framework to help you maximize your current property. For dreamers, Good House Hunting sets out the course for dream home planning, so when you are ready you will have a plan. If you long to discover what home would be a worthy investment for improving your fortunes and accomplishing your dreams, Good House Hunting is for you.
In Business Brilliant , Lewis Schiff combines compelling storytelling with ground-breaking research to show the rest of us what America’s self-made rich already know: It’s synergy, not serendipity that produces success. He explodes common myths about wealth and explains how legendary entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson, Suze Orman, Steve Jobs, and Warren Buffet have subscribed to a set of priorities that’s completely different from those of the middle class. Schiff identifies the seven distinct principles practiced by individuals who may or may not be any smarter than the rest of the population, but seem to understand instinctively how money is made. This guide also reveals how these business icons excel in areas of team building, risk management, and leadership development to accumulate their wealth. He offers a practical four-step program, from choosing one’s livelihood and pinpointing skills to focus on, to negotiating job terms and salary, in order to bring upon greater success. Business Brilliant by Lewis Schiff, coauthor of The Middle Class Millionaire: The Rise of the New Rich and How They are Changing America and The Armchair Millionaire, can help you can achieve better results in your business and in your career.