1,012 record(s) found
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!)
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.
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.
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.
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!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
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' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
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.
On November 28, 1979, squadron commander and Navy pilot Peter Rodrick died when his plane crashed in the Indian Ocean. He was just thirty-six and had been the commanding officer of his squadron for 127 days. Eight thousand miles away on Whidbey Island, near Seattle, he left behind a grief-stricken wife, two daughters, and a thirteenyear-old son who would grow up to be a writer—one who was drawn, perhaps inevitably, to write about his father, his family, and the devastating consequences of military service. In The Magical Stranger , Stephen Rodrick explores the life and death of the man who indelibly shaped his life, even as he remained a mystery: brilliant but unknowable, sacred but absent—an apparition gone 200 days of the year for much of his young son's life—a born leader who gave his son little direction. Through adolescence and into adulthood, Rodrick struggled to grasp fully the reality of his father's death and its permanence. Peter's picture and memory haunted the family home, but his name was rarely mentioned. To better understand his father and his own experience growing up without him, Rodrick turned to today's members of his father's former squadron, spending nearly two years with VAQ-135, the "World-Famous Black Ravens." His travels take him around the world, from Okinawa and Hawaii to Bahrain and the Persian Gulf—but always back to Whidbey Island, the setting of his family's own story. As he learns more about his father, he also uncovers the layers of these sailors' lives: their brides and girlfriends, friendships, dreams, disappointments—and the consequences of their choices on those they leave behind. A penetrating, thoughtful blend of memoir and reportage, The Magical Stranger is a moving reflection on the meaning of service and the power of a father's legacy.
"Wives Like Us made me laugh so hard I actually knocked over my lamp. Can a book be so wickedly smart, so effortless, so chic and hilarious that you would stumble through the night to find a new lightbulb just so you can keep reading way past your bedtime? In a word, yes." —Kevin Kwan Take a grand English country house, one (heartbroken) American divorcee, three rich wives, two tycoons, a pair of miniature sausage dogs and one (bereaved) butler; put them all into the blender and out comes the impossibly funny Wives Like Us, the new novel from the best-selling author of Bergdorf Blondes and Party Girls Die In Pearls, Plum Sykes. If you think the English countryside is all green wellies, muddy Land Rovers and grey-haired ladies in tweed, then you've never visited 'The Bottoms.' Welcome to the rose-strewn county of Oxfordshire, and the tony Cotswold villages of Little Bottom, Middle Bottom, Great Bottom, and Monkton Bottom, recently annexed by a glittering new breed of female: the Country Princess. Following a ghastly row about a missing suite of diamonds, Tata Hawkins has flounced out of Monkton Bottom Manor with her daughter, Minty, and Executive Butler Ian Palmer in tow, decamping to The Old Coach House to teach her husband Bryan a lesson. But things don't go to plan: Bryan disappears to Venice with a bikini designer; Selby Fairfax, the glamorous American divorcée who has inherited the beautiful estate next door, is refusing Tata's overtures at friendship; Tata's best friends, Sophie Thompson and Fernanda Ovington-Williams, are distracted by their own heartache, and the posh Pennybacker-Hoare sisters are plotting to prevent Tata regaining her crown as Queen of the Bottoms. Worst of all, Ian has nowhere to store his collection of vintage Gucci loafers. Will Tata ever return to the comforts of the Manor? Will Selby find her Prince Charming? Will the Pennybacker-Hoares prevail? With the help of a pig farmer-ess moonlighting as a Personal Assistant, a male model moonlighting as a stable hand and a London barrister moonlighting as a gentleman farmer, can Ian restore harmony to The Bottoms?.
From the Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of The Theory of Everything, Darkest Hour, and The Two Popes comes the fascinating account of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett's friendship—one of the most impactful relationships in history, and the basis of an upcoming play and film. Few friendships have had such far-reaching implications for the world—from finance to technology to philanthropy—than that between Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. After meeting at a party in 1991, the two played cards and golf, shared jokes, swapped trade secrets, ate junk food, talked and listened. Their growing friendship would impact each man and lead to change on a grander scale, culminating in the development of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which holds nearly $50 billion in assets. How did such an unusual union blossom? In what ways specifically did each man begin to influence the other? How did these two avid wealth accumulators jointly decide to address some of the world's most critical problems—poverty, disease, inequality—by giving their wealth away? And what, finally, does their giga-wealthy partnership mean for the rest of us in an age of great wealth—and great inequality? This book gives the fullest account yet of this extraordinary relationship and explores how it has transformed these two men—and is changing the world for the better for all of us.
From the Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of The Theory of Everything, Darkest Hour, and The Two Popes comes the fascinating account of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett's friendship—one of the most impactful relationships in history, and the basis of an upcoming play and film. Few friendships have had such far-reaching implications for the world—from finance to technology to philanthropy—than that between Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. After meeting at a party in 1991, the two played cards and golf, shared jokes, swapped trade secrets, ate junk food, talked and listened. Their growing friendship would impact each man and lead to change on a grander scale, culminating in the development of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which holds nearly $50 billion in assets. How did such an unusual union blossom? In what ways specifically did each man begin to influence the other? How did these two avid wealth accumulators jointly decide to address some of the world's most critical problems—poverty, disease, inequality—by giving their wealth away? And what, finally, does their giga-wealthy partnership mean for the rest of us in an age of great wealth—and great inequality? This book gives the fullest account yet of this extraordinary relationship and explores how it has transformed these two men—and is changing the world for the better for all of us.
"Wives Like Us made me laugh so hard I actually knocked over my lamp. Can a book be so wickedly smart, so effortless, so chic and hilarious that you would stumble through the night to find a new lightbulb just so you can keep reading way past your bedtime? In a word, yes."" —Kevin Kwan Take a grand English country house, one (heartbroken) American divorcee, three rich wives, two tycoons, a pair of miniature sausage dogs and one (bereaved) butler; put them all into the blender and out comes the impossibly funny Wives Like Us, the new novel from the best-selling author of Bergdorf Blondes and Party Girls Die In Pearls, Plum Sykes. If you think the English countryside is all green wellies, muddy Land Rovers and grey-haired ladies in tweed, then you've never visited 'The Bottoms.' Welcome to the rose-strewn county of Oxfordshire, and the tony Cotswold villages of Little Bottom, Middle Bottom, Great Bottom, and Monkton Bottom, recently annexed by a glittering new breed of female: the Country Princess. Following a ghastly row about a missing suite of diamonds, Tata Hawkins has flounced out of Monkton Bottom Manor with her daughter, Minty, and Executive Butler Ian Palmer in tow, decamping to The Old Coach House to teach her husband Bryan a lesson. But things don't go to plan: Bryan disappears to Venice with a bikini designer; Selby Fairfax, the glamorous American divorcée who has inherited the beautiful estate next door, is refusing Tata's overtures at friendship; Tata's best friends, Sophie Thompson and Fernanda Ovington-Williams, are distracted by their own heartache, and the posh Pennybacker-Hoare sisters are plotting to prevent Tata regaining her crown as Queen of the Bottoms. Worst of all, Ian has nowhere to store his collection of vintage Gucci loafers. Will Tata ever return to the comforts of the Manor? Will Selby find her Prince Charming? Will the Pennybacker-Hoares prevail? With the help of a pig farmer-ess moonlighting as a Personal Assistant, a male model moonlighting as a stable hand and a London barrister moonlighting as a gentleman farmer, can Ian restore harmony to The Bottoms?.
Jennifer Chiaverini's beloved and bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series returns with the first Elm Creek Quilts novel since 2019's The Christmas Boutique. Summer Sullivan, the youngest founding member of Elm Creek Quilts, has spent the last two years pursuing a master's degree in history at the University of Chicago. Her unexpected return home to the celebrated quilter's retreat is met with delight but also concern from her mother, Gwen; her best friend, Sarah; master quilter Sylvia; and her other colleagues—and rightly so. Stymied by writer's block, Summer hasn't finished her thesis, and she can't graduate until she does. Elm Creek Manor offers respite while Summer struggles to meet her extended deadline. She finds welcome distraction in organizing an exhibit of antique quilts as a fundraiser to renovate Union Hall, the 1863 Greek Revival headquarters of the Waterford Historical Society. But Summer's research uncovers startling facts about Waterford's past, prompting unsettling questions about racism, economic injustice, and political corruption within their community, past and present. As Summer's work progresses, quilt lovers and history buffs praise the growing collection, but affronted local leaders demand that she remove all references to Waterford's troubled history. As controversy threatens the exhibit's success, Summer fears that her pursuit of the truth might cost the Waterford Historical Society their last chance to save Union Hall. Her only hope is to rally the quilting community to her cause. The Museum of Lost Quilts is a warm and deeply moving story about the power of collective memory. With every fascinating quilt she studies, Summer finds her passion for history renewed—and discovers a promising new future for herself.
Jennifer Chiaverini's beloved and bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series returns with the first Elm Creek Quilts novel since 2019's The Christmas Boutique. Summer Sullivan, the youngest founding member of Elm Creek Quilts, has spent the last two years pursuing a master's degree in history at the University of Chicago. Her unexpected return home to the celebrated quilter's retreat is met with delight but also concern from her mother, Gwen; her best friend, Sarah; master quilter Sylvia; and her other colleagues—and rightly so. Stymied by writer's block, Summer hasn't finished her thesis, and she can't graduate until she does. Elm Creek Manor offers respite while Summer struggles to meet her extended deadline. She finds welcome distraction in organizing an exhibit of antique quilts as a fundraiser to renovate Union Hall, the 1863 Greek Revival headquarters of the Waterford Historical Society. But Summer's research uncovers startling facts about Waterford's past, prompting unsettling questions about racism, economic injustice, and political corruption within their community, past and present. As Summer's work progresses, quilt lovers and history buffs praise the growing collection, but affronted local leaders demand that she remove all references to Waterford's troubled history. As controversy threatens the exhibit's success, Summer fears that her pursuit of the truth might cost the Waterford Historical Society their last chance to save Union Hall. Her only hope is to rally the quilting community to her cause. The Museum of Lost Quilts is a warm and deeply moving story about the power of collective memory. With every fascinating quilt she studies, Summer finds her passion for history renewed—and discovers a promising new future for herself.
The Lights have gone dark in Irpa. Danger lurks as the air grows colder and threats lie in the shadows at every turn. While the rest of their fellowship seeks safety, Bea and Cad team up with a small group of survivors to travel to the Citadel of Knowledge, pursuing answers to their world's darkest mysteries. But their journey reveals even more secrets. Until an unexpected ally shines a light in the darkness, providing a clue to a mystery from long ago...and a beacon of hope for the future. Praise for Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian Harvey Awards Book of the Year Nominee Kirkus Best Books of 2020 Fall 2020 Indie Next List Junior Library Guild Selection 2021 Texas Library Association's Little Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List Selection Nominated for the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award.
Outer Banks meets Bone Gap in New York Times bestselling author Samuel Miller's propulsive and genre-bending YA mystery, following a group of teenagers who discover a dead body while playing an app-based adventure game that sends players to "random" locations, unlocking a much deeper mystery about their small town. In Calico Springs, Willie's life has been defined by two powerful forces: God and the river. The "miracle boy" died for five minutes as a young child, and ever since, Willie is certain he survived for a reason, but that purpose didn't become clear until he found the Game. The Game is called Manifest Atlas, and the concept is simple: enter an intention and the Game provides a target—a blinking blue dot on the map. Willie's second time playing Manifest Atlas, his intention takes him to an ominous target: three empty graves. Willie is sure the Game is telling him he's going to die. Willie's older brother, Bones, doesn't believe him, but their friends are intrigued. Sarai, a girl from across the river, sets the next intention: something bloody. The group follows the Game's coordinates and they discover something even more unsettling than the graves: a dead body. Sarai's stepfather's body. The Game is suddenly personal. Willie is dedicated to proving the Game works while Sarai is set on finding out what happened to her stepdad. Bones just wants to enjoy his last summer before real life begins. As the group digs deeper into Manifest Atlas, stranger and wilder things begin to appear, unlocking a much deeper mystery running like an undercurrent through the small town.
With more than 32 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In this opening installment of the newest My Weird School arc, mischief, mayhem, and pranks galore await! A.J. and his friends are starting fourth grade. A new school year means a new teacher, and Miss Banks may be their weirdest one yet. She won't stop playing practical jokes on the class, and A.J. has reached his breaking point. Will he and the gang learn to not fall for their teacher's tricks? Or will Miss Banks prevail as the ultimate prankster? Perfect for reluctant readers and all kids hungry for funny school stories, Dan Gutman's hugely popular My Weird School chapter book series has something for everyone. Don't miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and his friends!.
With more than 32 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In this second book of the My Weirdtastic School arc, join A.J. and friends as they become part of the studio audience for a TV show whose host can't seem to grow up! A.J. and the gang have been invited to attend a live taping of Uncle Fred's Funderama, a hilarious Saturday morning kids TV show full of music, games, puppets and more. Uncle Fred sings, dances, and jokes his way into his audience's hearts. But what will the kids do when they learn that Uncle Fred's childlike behavior isn't just an act? Can Uncle Fred grow up? Perfect for reluctant readers and all kids hungry for funny school stories, Dan Gutman's hugely popular My Weird School chapter book series has something for everyone. Don't miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and his friends!.
With more than 34 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In this third book of the My Weirdtastic School arc, A.J. and friends get a glimpse into the art world with expert Professor Pitt! A special guest has arrived at Ella Mentry School! Professor Pitt is the president of a local museum and has all sorts of wacky ideas about art. A.J. thinks it's all a total snoozefest...until the piece he turns in for an art assignment gets praised as a work of genius! Suddenly, Professor Pitt is introducing A.J. as the next big thing to happen to the art world. What could possibly go wrong? Perfect for reluctant readers and all kids hungry for funny school stories, Dan Gutman's hugely popular My Weird School chapter book series has something for everyone. Don't miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and his friends!.
With more than 34 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In this fourth book of the My Weirdtastic School arc, Ella Mentry School starts a vegetable garden with one zany gardening instructor. Everyone likes veggies, right? Wrong! When Principal Stoker decides that Ella Mentry School needs a vegetable garden, A.J. and his friends just want to plant junk food. But when gardening expert Miss Nichol comes to oversee the planting, things get totally out of control. What could possibly go wrong? Perfect for reluctant readers and all kids hungry for funny school stories, Dan Gutman's hugely popular My Weird School chapter book series has something for everyone. Don't miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and his friends!.
With more than 34 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In this fourth book of the My Weirdtastic School arc, Ella Mentry School starts a vegetable garden with one zany gardening instructor. Everyone likes veggies, right? Wrong! When Principal Stoker decides that Ella Mentry School needs a vegetable garden, A.J. and his friends just want to plant junk food. But when gardening expert Miss Nichol comes to oversee the planting, things get totally out of control. What could possibly go wrong? Perfect for reluctant readers and all kids hungry for funny school stories, Dan Gutman's hugely popular My Weird School chapter book series has something for everyone. Don't miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and his friends!.
With more than 34 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In this fifth book of the My Weirdtastic School arc, A.J. and his friends finally get a chance to join after-school clubs—but these are extra-weird extracurriculars! A.J. and the gang are all old enough now to participate in after-school clubs, but they've never heard of clubs like these. Forget Chess Club, Book Club, or Computer Club—Ella Mentry School only has wacky clubs like Lawn Mower Racing Club, Cloud Watching Club, and Underwater Hockey Club. And Miss Marge is in charge of every group! Will the kids be able to find the perfect club under these very weird circumstances? Excellent for reluctant readers and all kids hungry for funny school stories, Dan Gutman's hugely popular My Weird School chapter book series has something for everyone. Don't miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and his friends!.
"A deeply humane and touching novel; highly recommended for book clubs and fans of Shelby Van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures." — Booklist "A beautiful, big-hearted treasure of a novel." —Lily King From the award-winning author of The One-in-a-Million Boy comes a heartfelt, uplifting novel about a chance encounter at a bookstore, exploring redemption, unlikely friendships, and the life-changing power of sharing stories. Our Reasons meet us in the morning and whisper to us at night. Mine is an innocent, unsuspecting, eternally sixty-one-year-old woman named Lorraine Daigle... Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from rural Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher. Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest. Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn't yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed. When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland—Violet to buy the novel she was reading in the prison book club before her release, Harriet to choose the next title for the women who remain, and Frank to dispatch his duties as the store handyman—their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways. How to Read a Book is an unsparingly honest and profoundly hopeful story about letting go of guilt, seizing second chances, and the power of books to change our lives. With the heart, wit, grace, and depth of understanding that has characterized her work, Monica Wood illuminates the decisions that define a life and the kindnesses that make life worth living. .