Contemporary Fiction Books

Book SynopsisFrom the WINNER OF THE FORWARD PRIZE FOR BEST COLLECTION 2014, a novel about a young Jamaican woman with a gift of prophecy embarks on a journey that will take her from a leper colony, to revivalist meetings, then to England.Trade ReviewOne woman's tragic tale, beautifully told * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *A magical tale of beliefs and superstition... * HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER *A warm, wry tale with a metatextual twist. * SUNDAY HERALD *

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Book SynopsisIs the truth really what we make it?From the inimitable Michael Palin, a warm and intelligent novel about good intentions and human frailty.''A feel-good story leaving the reader on a real high'' OBSERVERKeith Mabbut has been offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to pen the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian. Feeling that his life has reached a crossroad, he seizes the chance to write something meaningful.His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry really who he claims to be? As Keith discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it...''THE TRUTH is the perfect example of [Palin''s] literary brilliance'' STYLIST''An Trade ReviewIt's an ingeniously plotted book, beautifully written and hugely enjoyable. * THE DAILY TELEGRAPH *Brilliantly evoking India, both thought-provoking and humorous, this is a terrific read. * THE GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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Book Synopsis''In a class of his own'' William Boyd''Brilliant'' Robert Harris''Dazzling'' James Patterson ''I cannot wait for my next Furst'' Independent''The most talented espionage novelist of our generation'' Vince FlynnFrederic Stahl, born of Viennese intelligentsia, ran away to sea at the age of seventeen. Embarking in America, his matinee idol looks and Old-World charm took him to Hollywood, and a life of movies and women. But by autumn 1939, the unease in Europe has spread even to Stahl''s glamorous enclave. War has been declared, and though bullets and bombs are yet to fly, his decision to shoot a film in Paris seems ill-advised. The Parisians know this is their last spring and a time to be passionate. Soon after his arrival, Stahl is drawn into a clandestine world of foreign correspondents, exiled Spanish republicans and, of course, spies of every sort. For as a celebrity from neutral America - who can trTrade ReviewA pacy read with plenty of intrigue and glamour. * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS *A pacy, atmospheric spy story in the typical Furst style. * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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Book SynopsisParis, 1938. Democratic forces are locked in struggle as the shadow of war edges over Europe. Cristián Ferrar, a handsome Spanish lawyer in Paris, is approached to help a clandestine agency supply weapons to beleaguered Republican forces. He agrees, putting his life on the line.Joining Ferrar in his mission is an unlikely group of allies: idealists and gangsters, arms dealers, aristocrats and spies. From libertine nightclubs in Paris to shady bars by the docks in Gdansk, Furst paints a spell-binding portrait of a continent marching into a nightmare - and the heroes and heroines who fought back.Trade ReviewAlan Furst's novels have invoked glowing comparisons with Graham Greene for his idiosyncratic recreations of 1930s Europe; Midnight in Europe shows that there is not the slightest diminution in his masterly command -- Barry Forshaw * FINANCIAL TIMES *Furst's novels of WWII and the years immediately before it are becoming something of a genre of their own - a richly enjoyable mix of spy adventures, love stories, thrillers and social histories... the real pleasure comes in simply spending time with Furst's gallery of plausible villains and unlikely heroes * THE MAIL ON SUNDAY *Alan Furst's gripping novel is driven by his deceptively straightforward style, which gently piles everyday detail on detail building up little by little until the reader becomes enmeshed in a complex web of international intrigue and machinations right to the very end -- Amy Myers * SHOTS *Since the publication of Night Soldiers in 1988, Alan Furst has established himself as a uniquely appealing writer of espionage fiction, attracting not only those who know the genre, but also those who hold more literary sensibilities. Like Le Carre, he imbues his thrillers with a compelling air of reality that convinces the reader of their authenticity... The main reason to read Furst, however, is his pitch-perfect period detail. The author evokes time and place with effortless ease... Furst is one of the greatest practitioners of the spy thriller working today. If you've read him before, you'll already have bought the book. If not, you're about to discover a real pleasure -- Russel McLean * THE HERALD (GLASGOW) *Furst deftly creates a chiaroscuro world, a chessboard Europe half glimpsed through shadow and fog and dominated by the looming threat of fascism. The sombre tone is offset by Furst's delightfully improbably cast of characters, which includes down-at-heel aristocrats, mercenary arms dealers, femmes fatales and star-crossed lovers. Ferrer, our amateur spy is a wonderful creation an idealistic but hopelessly native innocent abroad who understands all to well that he is a very small cog in a vast machine grinding inexorably towards a conflict that will dwarf even the horrors of the Spanish Civil War -- Declan Burke * THE IRISH TIMES *Alan Furst's Midnight in Europe unfolds in 1938, during the Spanish Civil war. Cristian, a Spanish lawyer working in Paris, agrees to assist the Republic's arms-buying agency there, and hence meets a cosmopolitan assortment of ambiguous heroes and colourful rogues... Furst devotees will devour it eagerly -- John Dugdale * THE SUNDAY TIMES *This is another fine addition to his elegant, gripping, interwoven set of novels... Furst tells gallopingly good stories, and Midnight in Europe is one of them * THE SCOTSMAN *As ever, the setting is thoroughly convincing, the detail impressive, and the atmosphere of doomed romance intoxicating. His writing is sophisticated, nuanced, and surprisingly funny in places, without ever being flashy. Furst is too skilled the storyteller to ever break the spell he casts over the reader for the sake of a clever phrase. No doubt Midnight in Europe will sell by the bucket load, and that's just fine with me * www.crimefictionlover.com *Featuring some colourful characters, including idealists, gangsters and aristocrats and involving Ferrar in trips to New York, Berlin, Poland, Romania, Istanbul and Odessa, the novel is well paced and captures the mood of the times * CHOICE *Highly exciting...full of suspense... This novel will keep the new reader engrossed to the very end * CRIME REVIEW *The 2013 television adaptation of the WWII thriller The Spies of Warsaw drew a greater audience to Furst's classic spy novels and his latest book won't disappoint them... fast-paced, engaging thriller * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *[Furst] remains at the top of his game. This is another fine addition to his elegant, gripping, interwoven set of novels that will someday form a kaleidoscopic map of European powers forced into desperate alliances as they fight for their lives... Furst tells galloping good stories, and Midnight in Europe is one of them. -- Janet Maslin * NEW YORK TIMES (USA) *This spy thriller set in 1938 from Edgar finalist Furst (Mission to Paris) ... charts the attempts of two part-time arms dealers, Chistián Ferrar and Max de Lyon, to serve the Spanish Republic and its beleaguered army while most of the continent has its eye on Berlin. Every clandestine mission they undertake - a prolonged quest for cannons in Poland, a nifty operation to trick Russia out of field guns and antiaircraft weaponry in Odessa - is fraught with struggle, and the pro-Franco Nazi spy apparatus always seems one step ahead . . . As usual, Furst manages to capture the fragile, itinerant nature of European life during the interwar period, dropping in hints of the horror to come * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (USA) *Through multiple novels, Furst has illuminated moments of reluctant courage and desperate love in a world teetering on the edge of destruction. He does so again here, and, as always, he does it exquisitely. . . . Furst is a master of mood, but, above all, he is able to show how the most personal of emotions-love, especially-drives the actions of men and women caught in a time of peril * BOOKLIST (USA) *Another tense drama of pre-World War II Europe from a master of the period... As usual, Furst manages to hold the reader's rapt attention without blood-and-guts action. Furst owns the dark blanket that covers Europe between the two world wars. His latest is a satisfying, thought-provoking read * KIRKUS REVIEWS (USA) *No espionage author, it seems, is better at summoning the shifting atmosphere of Europe before the start of World War II than Alan Furst, whose gifts for such evocation are on display once more in the suspenseful and sophisticated Midnight in Europe . . . exciting and moving * WALL STREET JOURNAL (USA) *Furst vividly re-creates an era that brought pain and consequence to nearly every civilian in every country... And so it is with Furst's newest novel, "Midnight in Europe." Furst creates great tension between his protaganists' personal imperatives and their missions... I've read every one of [Furst's novels] twice. Each time I get my hands on a new one, I devour it in a single sitting. I can't help it; they're just too much fun to put down. A couple months later, I'll pick it up again and take my time. Like the choucroute garnie and dark beer at Heininger, it's even more fun to savor every morsel * THE BOSTON GLOBE (USA) *Another tale of desperate bravery from the master of World War II-era thrillers * NEW YORK DAILY NEWS (USA) *A complexly plotted and smoothly written story * SUNDAY CANBERRA TIMES (Australia) *Acclaimed author Alan Furst expertly unfolds a ripping yarn of derring-do that manages, with no apparent breaking of sweat, to pay homage to his spy thriller-writer heroes (Eric Ambler, Graham Greene, Alaister McLean, Dennis Wheatley and, perhaps most resonantly, John le Carre) while simultaneously forging a highly individualistic streak... Furst has been writing - evocatively, intuitively, and with a level of clear-headed knowledge and extensive research... about this pre-war period of time from the late 1980s... If you're familiar with Furst's work you'll know what to expect: old-fashioned yet sophisticated, highly intelligent adventure novels with an underlying cinematic sensibility. If you're not familiar, then perhaps it's time to start? -- Tony Clayton-Lea * IRISH EXAMINER *

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Book SynopsisA classic novel about the Peninsular War from the celebrated author of the HORNBLOWER seriesAbandoned by the retreating Spanish army during the Peninsular War, the gun is an eighteen pounder bronze cannon, thirteen feet long, weighing three tons. When a group of Spanish partisans come across it two years later they see in it a chance for victory against the French - but first they must haul it across the mountains with nothing but a handful of donkeys and half-starved oxen. On its epic journey the cannon begins to gain almost mystical significance. For, with the gun, they are no longer a band of Spanish irregulars, they are an army able to take on the cream of Napoleon''s troops...Trade ReviewA brief but well crafted tale from the pen of a first class storyteller * SOUTH WALES ARGUS *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE CWA INTERNATIONAL DAGGER 2014Trade ReviewThat rare thing, an old-fashioned, proper, big novel: The Siege is as much a thickly described historical fiction as a many-layered crime novel. The judges admired the claustrophobia of the siege of Cadiz (for both sides) during the Peninsular War that forms the detailed background to the investigation and the author's serious ethical intentions. To quote Orson Welles, Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? * THE CRIME WRITERS' ASSOCIATION *This is a big and bold novel, rich in character and incident -- Nick Rennison * THE SUNDAY TIMES *I was totally drawn in. I felt as though I was living through the siege with the characters - the fear, the hunger, the pretence of normality when a bomb might kill you at any moment. We moved from high-life at the theatre to low in the taverns, from policeman to spy, from Spanish lines to French. I loved the scenes at sea, which were very vividly done. I felt I came to know the characters... This is more novel than crime story, with the murders being a strand in a much larger story, and it's a challenging read - but well worth the effort. If you want something that will engross you wholly in another world, try this. * MYSTERY PEOPLE *Arturo Perez-Reverte's bold new thriller...The Siege is his best yet: an ambitious intellectual thriller peopled with colourful rogues and antiheroes, meticulous in its historical detail, with a plot that rattles along to its unexpected finale -- Stephanie Merritt * THE OBSERVER *Peopled with a cast that would not be out of place in an Almodovar film, Perez-Reverte's novel is an intelligent thriller packed with intrigue and romance -- Kathy Stevenson * DAILY MAIL *Arturo Perez-Reverte has long been Spain's most popular, inventive writer of historical fiction... this is a big and bold novel, rich in character and incident -- Nick Rennison * THE SUNDAY TIMES *A thrilling novel that is packed with intrigue and romance -- Harry Hodges * DAILY EXPRESS *Crime fiction and a historical setting make impressive bedfellows in Pérez Reverte's latest offering... Thrilling. -- Martyn Colebrook * THE LADY *A sweeping panorama of life in besieged Cadiz during the Peninsula War * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE *Pérez Reverte recreates the whole world through unforgettable characters, notably Lolita Palma, a lone woman running the family merchant house. History, adventure and philosophy. Unless your Spanish runs to terms of a nautical nature, this is best read in translation -- Judie Newman, professor of American Studies at the University of Nottingham * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT *A manhunt, war, romance, plenty of intrigue and action, and numerous twists and turns - this novel comes highly recommended. It's entertaining, well-written and virtually impossible to put down. I doubt you'll be disappointed * LIVING SPAIN *Arturo Perez-Reverte is Spain's best known modern novelist and one of the great European adventure storytellers in a line stretching back to Dumas and beyond. His 13 previous books, all immaculately researched and historically accurate, have dealt with much of his country's quest for empire and European domination, but his latest - and many could argue his best - is set solely in the vibrant port city of Cadiz during the Peninsula War... This beautifully written and fast-paced series of linked stories offers a manhunt set against its central war theme; a romance; first class action scenes; some fascinating, if bizarre, ideas on scientific detection - and an unexpected ending... It's a hugely ambitious and intellectual thriller with no heroes, and is far more than a simple whodunit... a riveting blend of incident, historical background and some piercing insights into the mercurial Spanish psyche... intelligent, fascinating and easily read. -- John Cleal * WWW.CRIMEREVIEW.CO.UK *Pérez-Reverte begins with several different strands of story and weaves them into a rather impressive web. The level of detail is meticulous but also beautiful; his descriptions of the town and people of Cádiz capture colors, smells and personalities, making the page come to life, and he balances these sensory passages with dense observations about history, metaphysics, science and human nature. . . A genre-bending literary thriller worth the time. * KIRKUS *Pérez-Reverte begins with several different strands of story and weaves them into a rather impressive web. The level of detail is meticulous but also beautiful; his descriptions of the town and people of Cádiz capture colors, smells and personalities, making the page come to life, and he balances these sensory passages with dense observations about history, metaphysics, science and human nature. . . A genre-bending literary thriller worth the time. * KIRKUS *

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Book SynopsisIn April, when blackthorn blossom clothes the hedgerows like a wedding veil, there sometimes comes a frost so severe that it seems as if the summer will never come. Country people call this a blackthorn winter.For Claudia Barron, arriving in the Dorset village of Court Barton that April, blackthorn winter seems like a metaphor for everything that has happened to her. Hiding from her previous life, she adopts an assumed name and applies for a job in the local school. But villages don''t much like mysteries and secrets and soon the inhabitants of Court Barton set out to find out what it is that Claudia Barron is hiding from and why.Trade ReviewPraise for Sarah Challis's writing: 'I really enjoyed TURNING FOR HOME...I thought it so perceptive... I particularly enjoyed the very touching romance * Rosamunde Pilcher *Excellently-written, with a gripping ending * Wiltshire Times *Touching, funny and exciting * Blackmore Vale magazine *Sarah Challis is becoming a novelist to be reckoned with * Dorset Life *Her evocation of the English countryside is elegiac...a pleasure to read * Oxford Times *

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Book SynopsisTreat yourself to FULL BLAST by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes. Praise for the FULL series: ''A fine romance with plenty of kisses'' Mirror; ''A wild mix of intrigue, sex and pyrotechnics'' The Times Dating can be murder...Jamie Swift is facing the story of a lifetime that could make or break her. Someone from her newspaper''s Lonely Heart''s column has murdered a local woman. To find the killer, and save her newspaper, Jamie will have to call in mega-handsome millionaire genius Max Holt, who right now is still frustratingly far from becoming anything more than just her business partner. But the real problem isn''t that Jamie wants to get closer to Max, it''s that the killer wants to get closer to Jamie.Trade ReviewPraise for Janet Evanovich: Pithy, witty and fast-paced * Sunday Times *Among the great joys of contemporary crime fiction * GQ *Slapstick, steam and suspense * People *Evanovich's characters are eccentric and exaggerated, the violence often surreal and the plot dizzily speedy: but she produces as many laughs as anyone writing crime today * The Times *A laugh-out-loud page-turner * Heat *Romantic and gripping...an absolute tonic * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisIt''s the winter of 1860 when Richard Allen, a young curate, travels to a small hamlet outside Hereford to take up his first position. It''s in this quiet place of wind and trees, birds and water that Richard is to fall passionately in love - but he cannot find fulfilment, for his lover is Susannah Beddoes, the wife of the vicar of his new parish. As Richard''s feelings challenge him to his core, he develops a strange relationship with another woman, the solitary and eccentric Edith Clare. Against the backdrop of immense social and industrial change, the consequences of Richard and Susannah''s affair are dramatic as they - as well as Oliver Beddoes - grapple with doubt and what it means to lose faith when the great certainties are in question. And throughout it all, the crossing-keeper''s daughter Alice Birley - an observer of incidents and events she does not fully understand - has her own part to play...Trade ReviewThis is the work of somebody profoundly connected to the countryside. The Mysteries of Glass casts its own spell, which is the essential requirement of a novel * Daily Telegraph *Gee's gentle and restrained story celebrates the sanctity of the ordinary and the beauty of holiness. In a cynical age, such innocence is startling. * The Independent *This is the work of somebody profoundly connected to the countryside. The Mysteries of Glass casts its own spell, which is the essential requirement of a novel. * Times Literary Supplement *Written with the delicate fluency of a storyteller utterly at ease with her craft * Times Literary Supplement *'Her work is so good it is unforgettable... Gee's books may be unashamedly romantic and sensual, but they are also so sparely written that the economy of her writing is often breathtaking... a beautiful, redemptive book' Jackie McGlone, Glasgow Herald * Jackie McGlone, Glasgow Herald *This is a novel that takes place on the borders of things - between genre and literary, erotic restraint and progressive desire, between Victorian faith and twenty-first century rationalism * Times Literary Supplement *What could have been just another historical romance becomes a powerful meditation on faith, love and happiness thanks to the intensity of Gee's faultless prose. * City Life, Manchester *This exquisitely written novel transports you to the simple beauty, poignancy and hypocrisy of the Victorian era in a way that makes you feel you've been there. I cannot recommend it highly enough * Katie Fforde *'Profound and lyrical, it's full of light and darkness and the most marvellous description' Shena Mackay * Observer *Profound and lyrical, it's full of light and darkness and the most marvellous description * Shena Mackay, Observer *Written with the delicate fluency of a storyteller utterly at ease with her craft...[a novel] alive with the cadences of the natural world, the gentle rhythms of a world still unspoiled by the comings of industry * Time Literary Supplement *This exquisitely written novel transports you to the simple beauty, poignancy and hypocrisy of the Victorian era in a way that makes you feel you've been there. I cannot recommend it highly enough. * Katie Fforde *Her work is so good it is unforgettable... Gee's books may be unashamedly romantic and sensual, but they are also so sparely written that the economy of her writing is often breathtaking... a beautiful, redemptive book * Jackie McGlone, Glasgow Herald *The lovely and sometimes menacing countryside is as much a character in the novel as its doomed participants * The Sunday Times *Unashamedly romantic and sensual, but also so sparely written... the economy of her writing is often breathtaking. THE MYSTERIES OF GLASS is a beautiful book * Glasgow Herald *

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Book SynopsisNot much is going right for jockey Alan Morrell. He can''t get the rides he needs and when he sets up a bloodstock partnership a tragic accident robs him of the business and his best friend Lee. Now Alan owes 100,000 and his only asset is a racehorse who has yet to be put to the test. But all that fades into insignificance next to the suspicion that Lee''s fatal fall was more than an accident... Things aren''t looking so hot for fellow-jockey Max Ashwood either. There''s the backlash from his affair with a trainer''s wife and the little matter of his gambling. There''s also the convenient death of another man to whom Max owed money. But surely no one is ever going to find out the truth about his part in that... Two riders, two unexplained deaths - but overshadowing both is a conflict that dwarfs the cosy world of racetrack winners and losers. As the noose closes round the neck of one man''s criminal empire, just how many others will swing?

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Book SynopsisThis is an utterly charming story about twelve families and their tightly knit street in 1950s Maryhill. Following the end of the war, the close rebuilds its ties and the strong sense of community and friendly neighbourhood bonds are soon back in place. There is young love for Rhea and Robert; a surprising new start for James; a change of direction for George; and all overseen by the matriarch of the street - Granny Thomson. And of course, all buoyed up by a big helping of Scottish humour and strength of spirit. Yet it is all not perfect in their world: the families have to deal with poverty, religious bigotry, racism, heartbreak, lies, violence and death.But the powerful friendships cannot ultimately be broken. In Robert Douglas''s first novel, he recreates a time and place particular to Glasgow but to which everyone will relate.Trade Review'An outstanding novel with a cast of characters so beautifully drawn that turning the last page feels like flitting out of 18 Dalbeattie Street' * Daily Record *'Pure dead brilliant, so it is... a rare old read for folk that were round and about in the Forties and Fifties' * Edinburgh Evening News *'Douglas's prose is simple and charming... this novel will appeal to fans of Douglas's previous trips down memory lane' * Scottish Review of Books *'Echoes the bygone charm and ingrained hardship of growing up at a time when rationing and families living in single end tenements were commonplace, yet laughter never seemed in short supply' * Evening Times *'It's a braw read!' * Hexham Courant *'The literary equivalent of a hot water bottle' * Historical Novels Review *

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Book SynopsisAn abandoned baby girl, a secret, the story of survival - Penny Vincenzi''s SHEER ABANDON is the story of one desperate act, and the consequences that follow...''Like a glass of champagne: bubbly, moreish and you don''t want it to end'' Daily Express One night in 1986 an abandoned baby girl is found in a cupboard at Heathrow airport. A year earlier Martha, Clio and Jocasta had met by chance, at the start of a backpacking adventure: they travelled together briefly and then went their own ways, swearing to meet again when they return home. But it would be a long time until they met again: not until Kate, the foundling, is a teenager, and all three are leading successful lives. Martha is a single, highly paid lawyer, Clio a doctor, locked in an unhappy marriage, and Jocasta a reporter, in love with a charming commitment-phobe. Which of them is Kate''s mother? Why was she desperate enough to do such a thing, and how did she survive it?Trade ReviewGloriously unputdownable * Woman & Home *Highly addictive * Daily Telegraph *A guaranteed bestseller. Travel, romance, mystery and politics in one novel * Grazia *A gloriously tempestuous and romantic mix; trembling lust and dark secrets * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisOn a hot summer''s day, a lorry slews across a motorway and causes a huge pile-up. In that split-second accident, lives are changed forever.Jonathan is a successful surgeon returning from a liaison with his mistress, Abi; Georgia is a young actress on her way to an audition for the part that could make her career; Toby is a bridegroom travelling to his wedding with his best friend, Barney; Mary is a widow, trying to get to the airport to reunite with her wartime first love, and William is a young farmer who witnesses the crash from across the hill.One incident - and only one person who really knows what happened. THE BEST OF TIMES is an exhilarating, engaging novel of secrets, hopes and worlds that are torn apart.Trade ReviewAstute Vincenzi is at her absolute best * Daily Mail *A very personal, intimate exploration of goodness and doing the right thing at the right time * Mirror *An unputdownable novel of hopes and dreams, setbacks and secrets * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisIn the backstreets of Liverpool, best mates Molly Bennett and Nellie McDonough are up to their usual tricks. And, as always, they''re keeping an eye on their children and grandchildren who mean the world to them. But they''re never too busy to help out a friend, so when Claire Thompson attracts a mysterious admirer it''s clear to Molly and Nellie that their detective skills are required...Trade ReviewPraise for Joan Jonker: 'As usual our Joan has come up with a story full of laughter and smiles * Liverpool Echo *Hilarious and touching stories of life in Liverpool * Woman's Realm *

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Book SynopsisThe classic bestseller adored by thousands of readers from the author of THIS COULD BE EVERYTHING. Hailed as a ''modern vintage classic'', The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets was a Richard and Judy Book Club Choice and is in development as a major new TV series.Set in the 1950s, in an England still recovering from the Second World War, this is the enchanting story of Penelope Wallace and her eccentric family at the start of the rock''n''roll era.Penelope longs to be grown-up and to fall in love, but various rather inconvenient things keep getting in her way. Like her mother, a stunning but petulant beauty widowed at a tragically early age, her younger brother Inigo, currently incapable of concentrating on anything that isn''t Elvis Presley, a vast but crumbling ancestral home, a severe shortage of cash, and her best friend Charlotte''s sardonic cousin Harry...*** PRAISE FOR EVA RICE ***''Exquisite. Enchanting. Quite possibly perfecTrade ReviewSo good we could hardly speak * Observer *A delight of Nancy Mitford-esque trials and tribulations * Vogue *This tenth anniversary edition of Rice's modern classic is a treat for fans of Nancy Mitford and Elizabeth Jane Howard. Stylishly written with a touch of whimsical charm * The Lady *

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Book SynopsisWhen James McElroy saw the ad for a lodger with ''Bibi Sanders'' in a smart Edinburgh street, he pictured a glamorous young landlady with whom he would form a meaningful and deep relationship. But Bibi''s in her seventies. She''s led a full life, including marriage to the domineering and difficult Callum, now deceased, and raised six children.She''s not sure what to make of James and suspects - rightly - a troubling secret in his past. When Bibi sets out to re-visit the past for the final time via a tour of Britain in her rather unexpected Volvo sports car, James decides to go with her. It''s a journey full of surprises and revelations which will change them both - and, in Isla Dewar''s inimitable way, entertain and enlighten every reader.Trade Review'The Consequences of Marriage will no doubt further broaden Dewar's book club fan base and cement her place among Scotland's increasingly strong showing of female authors' * Brisbane News *

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Book SynopsisA dazzling performance (think Forrest Gump, think Curious Incident, think Anne Donovan''s Buddha Da) from one of Scotland''s brightest new talents.Adam Spark. Eighteen going on eight-and-a-half. Fast-food worker. Queen fan. Last in the queue for luck. On waking from an accident in which he saves a child, he has the distinct impression that all is far from right. What are these curious lights that seem to surround people? Why are animals and machines trying to speak to him? And can he really control time? Is it just his imagination, or has Adam Spark been chosen to become Scotland''s first, and only, superhero? This, however, is the least of his problems. The local gang is luring him into deeper and darker peril. His sister and lone carer, Jude, is giving all her love to another woman. And if Jude abandons Adam - or Adam drives her away - all the superpowers in the world won''t be able to save him.Trade Review'Bizarre, hilarious, moving' Big Issue in Scotland; 'Sparky is a terrific character' Sunday Herald; 'Sparky is a virtuoso literary creation... This is a fresh and exciting read' Scotland on Sunday * . *

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING JILL MANSELL! WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT AN OFFER YOU CAN''T REFUSE ***** ''JILL MANSELL AT HER BEST'' - Amazon review ***** ''LOVED EVERY SECOND'' - Goodreads review ***** ''THE CHARACTERS QUICKLY FOUND THEIR WAY INTO MY HEART'' - Amazon review ***** ''COULDN''T PUT THE BOOK DOWN'' - Goodreads review ***** ''AMAZING . . . UNPUTDOWNABLE'' - Amazon reviewTen years ago, Lola Malone was offered 10,000 - and what seventeen-year-old wouldn''t be happy with that? There was just one catch. The person doing the offering was her boyfriend Dougie''s mother, and it was on condition that Lola broke up with her beloved son. Lola was outraged. Nothing could tear her and Dougie apart . . . but then she discovered a terrible secret. Suddenly, she had no choice but to take the money and run. Now a twist of fate has brought Lola and Dougie together again, and her feelings for him are as strong as ever. But she broke Dougie''s heart, and he''s about to discover that she was paid to do it. She can''t tell him the truth - so can she get him back? Well, Lola likes to think she''s hard to resist. But this man might be the first to do just that . . .IF YOU ENJOY AN OFFER YOU CAN''T REFUSE, DON''T MISS JILL''S IRRESISTIBLE 2021 BESTSELLER AND NOW YOU''RE BACK! Everyone loves Jill Mansell''s novels! ''A fabulous, gorgeous read, with characters you''ll take to your heart'' Milly Johnson, author of MY ONE TRUE NORTH ''I loved the characters and relationships and found myself rooting for everyone. It left me with a lovely warm glow'' Libby Page, author of THE LIDO ''Such a joyful read and hugely entertaining . . . Readers are in for a real treat'' Ruth Hogan, author of THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS ''A smashing read that both delights and surprises the reader'' Sun ''Jill Mansell just gets better and better'' Heat ''Romantic, funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking'' Daily ExpressTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR JILL MANSELL:Gripping and incredibly comforting * Marian Keyes * 'Uplifting, heartwarming and supremely feel-good' * Sophie Kinsella *'A heartwarming tale with scrumptious characters from the author who does it best' * Sun *'A fab, feel-good read' * Prima *A romantic, funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking story. Jill Mansell always writes with wit and charm * Daily Express *'Jill Mansell just gets better and better' * Heat *'Pick this up at your peril: you won't get a thing done till it's finished' * Heat *'There are giggles galore in this adorable romance. Recommended.' * Famous, Australia *'Another slice of superior chick-lit with four stars' * Heat *'This nimbly paced, skilfully pitched yarn is the perfect read for commutes or snug winter weekends' * Australian Vogue *'[A]nother great chick-lit novel from Jill Mansell' * Townsville Eye, Australia *'In a word: upbeat' * Townsville Bulletin, Australia *'A charming, humorous, romantic story' * Women's Day, Australia *

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Book SynopsisCleo thinks she's found her Mr Right - but if that's the case, why can't she get old adversary Johnny LaVenture out of her mind? A delicious romance from an author who knows love inside out...Trade Review'This romantic read shows that love thrives in unusual places' * Company magazine *'Although our shelves are groaning with chick-lit, Jill Mansell is in a different league. And you'll fall in love with the characters in this lovely tale' * Sun *'This is a warm, witty and romantic read that you won't be able to put down' * Daily Mail *'her plots avoid the almost-clichéd chick-lit trope of how to have it all and instead tell hard-to-put-down tales of everyday life in an unpredictable way. The overall effec is a storytelling talent evident as ever in Mansell's latest work, Take A Chance On Me... Mansell's fiction is a happy leap away from the troubles of today' * Sunday Express *'There's fun and romance in this entertaining novel' * Woman's Day, Australia *'Jill Mansell's latest novel is as engaging as we've come to expect' * OK Hot Stars magazine *'Mansell, who creates wonderful characters and believable storylines that capture both your heart and imagination from the off' * Sun *

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Book SynopsisHE''S GOT TO GO by No. 1 bestselling author Sheila O''Flanagan is a must-read for fans of Freya North and Fern Britton.What do you do when the man in your life lets you down? Show him the door? Chuck his clothes out of the window? Cut the crotch from his trousers? If only it was that easy - especially when you''ve got an eight-year-old daughter to think about and a part-time job that barely pays the milk bill. Nessa Riley, who believes that with her husband, her little girl, and the home she loves, she has it all, is suddenly faced with the hardest decision of her life. Can she ignore what Adam seems to be up to and hang on to the happiness they''ve enjoyed for the past ten years? Can they wipe the slate clean and start again? Or, as her sisters appear to think, has he really got to go?What readers are saying about He''s Got To Go:''So sweet and funny and so beautifully put together'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars<Trade ReviewA must-read * Woman's Own (Summer Special) *Packed with action, romance and loads of characters to identify with * Evening Herald (Dublin) *

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Book SynopsisSheila O''Flanagan''s bestseller TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE is a brilliant, feel-good read about love, marriage and what comes next, perfect for readers of Freya North and Catherine Alliott.When Carey Browne decides it''s time for a holiday and flies into New York City - one of her favourite shopping destinations - she knows she''ll have a good time. What she doesn''t know is that she''s about to have the biggest adventure of her life. Within days she''s met and married Ben Russell, and a week later they''re heading back together to Dublin, where they both live, to share the happy news with family and friends. Except not everyone''s thrilled. And not everyone''s convinced this is really more than a holiday romance. Carey and Ben are about to discover whether they''ve found the kind of love that can survive a blast of reality...What readers are saying about Too Good To Be True:''I loved every minute reading Too Good To Be TrueTrade Review'Leaves you guessing right up to the very last page... Written with her usual sensitivity and sparkling wit, Too Good To Be True is possibly Ms O'Flanagan's best one yet' * Irish Independent *'A great read for anyone who has ever been in love - as well as for those still waiting to find it' * Liverpool Echo *

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Book SynopsisWhat do you do when you find yourself suddenly single? Find out with the bestselling author of HOW WILL I KNOW? and IF YOU WERE METrade ReviewPraise for Sheila O'Flanagan: 'Escapist in every sense, this easy-to-read romance has a steely edge' * Sunday Mirror *Smart and twisty * Heat *An exciting love story with a deliciously romantic denouement * Sunday Express *I read the book in one sitting as it was so enjoyable, full of romance and kept you riveted until the last page * Woman's Way *Romantic and charming, this is a real must-read * Closer *This GONE GIRL-esque novel will have you gripped until the very end * Look *A fabulous tale with refreshingly inspiring heroines * Heat ***** *A lovely book that will keep you guessing right up until the end * Bella *A real page turner * Best *Make some space in your suitcase * Candis *'The Sheila O'Flanagan guarantee is a pretty powerful one' * Irish Independent *'Hugely enjoyable' * Best *

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Book SynopsisSheila O''Flanagan''s bestseller FAR FROM OVER is a captivating novel for anyone who ever wondered if they made the right decision about the man they used to love. Not to be missed by readers of Marian Keyes and Freya North. Gemma Garvey''s marriage has been over for ages. Gemma ended it and chose to be a single mother rather than continue the pretence that her marriage to work-obsessed David Hennessy was working. So why is she so upset when he marries bimbo Orla O''Neill? Is it that Orla''s thin and gorgeous whilst Gemma, at thirty-five, feels more like fifty-five? Or that David''s starting a new life whilst she''s facing middle age alone? For Orla, being wife no. 2 isn''t all she''s imagined, always aware of how Gemma coped with a house, family and job while she can''t even cook dinner without setting the kitchen alight. To David, who has loved them both, there isn''t a problem. But actually the trouble''s just begun...What readers are saying about Far From Over:''If you want a fun book which will keep you amused then you don''t get much better than Far From Over'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''Pacy, interesting, poignant'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''Emotions run high as the story focuses in on the feelings of each character, including those of the ''other woman''. I really got to know the characters well'' Amazon reviewer, 5 starsTrade ReviewAn insight into modern-style marriage... a rollercoaster ride through lives of affluence and destruction * Irish Times *Well written, down to earth and honest * Woman's Way *The appeal of Sheila's books is obvious; they have a romantic, feel-good factor, they're funny and she doesn't shy away from dealing with troublesome emotional issues * Irish Post *

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Book SynopsisIn ISOBEL''S WEDDING from no. 1 bestselling author Sheila O''Flanagan, Isobel faces every bride-to-be''s worst nightmare. Not to be missed by readers of Freya North and Veronica Henry. Four hundred and twenty pearls hand-sewn onto the wedding dress. The Mediterranean honeymoon booked for months. A pile of presents bigger than Everest. And her lovely Tim, the most perfect bridegroom a girl could wish for.Except, two weeks before the wedding, he changes his mind... Isobel''s wedding is off. Her world in tatters, Isobel turns to Spain, a new job, a new life and as many men as she can decently manage. Including the very appealing Nico with whom, she feels, there could be a long-term future. But part of Isobel knows that she will have to go back home some day. And that, despite all that''s happened since she left, she still has unfinished business...What readers are saying about Isobel''s Wedding: ''The best book I have ever read. I wish Sheila O''Flanagan would write another novel about Isabel as she was such a fantastic, normal, real character'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''Fabulous! Not only do I feel like I was taken on a stunning journey through Madrid, but the ending was spot on. I just wanted more, more, more!'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars''A great novel with an unbelievable ending'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars''I would strongly recommend this to anyone looking for a compelling and light-hearted funny book'' Amazon reviewer, 5 starsTrade Review'Another fantastic book' * Irish News *'The Sheila O'Flanagan guarantee is a pretty powerful one' * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisOn an autumn day in 1909 wealthy young Richard Finborough catches sight of twenty-year-old Isabel Zeale at the harbour at Lynmouth in Devon. Her beauty captivates him. Aware of shameful secrets in her past, Isabel has no intention of letting anyone into her life, but Richard''s persistence and ardour eventually win him her trust - and her hand in marriage. The decades pass and Isabel and Richard raise a family through the turbulent times of the First World War and the 1920s. As her children reach adulthood, Isabel is convinced her secret is safe - until an old acquaintance emerges from the shadows, turning her world upside down. To protect the happiness of those she loves most, Isabel must find the courage to confront what came before, and live with the consequences...Trade ReviewPraise for Judith Lennox's novels: 'A fast-moving, complex story * The Times *A beautifully turned, compassionate novel. Judith Lennox's writing is so keenly honest it could sever heartstrings * Daily Mail *Great, old-fashioned storytelling in the best sense * Daily Express *A definite contender for Rosamunde Pilcher's crown * Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisIn this engaging and perceptive novel Romy Kilkenny is living happily in Australia - till she gets the call that brings her home to a family in turmoil... From the No. 1 bestselling author of FAR FROM OVER and IF YOU WERE ME.Trade Review'Another first class "can't put it down" novel from Sheila O'Flanagan' * Woman's Way *'An absorbing and feel-good read' * Sun Herald, Australia *

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Book SynopsisAll families have secrets. In Sunday Times bestseller Penny Vincenzi''s WICKED PLEASURES lies a family secret that will tear it apart. ''Penny Vincenzi is the doyenne of the modern blockbuster'' Glamour. Sexy, glamorous and fun, WICKED PLEASURES is the story of a brother and two sisters who find out that they all have different fathers: none of them Alexander, Earl of Catherham, who was married to their mother for almost twenty years. It is the story of the power and the greed of the mega-rich, as the great family banking business upon which fortunes are won and lost comes to the brink of ruin, and family ties are tested to the utmost.Trade Review'Penny is the doyenne of the modern blockbuster' * Glamour *'Every Penny Vincenzi is a guaranteed bestseller' * Grazia *'These pleasures may be wicked, but they won't make you fat' * The Times *'Deliciously readable' * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author Penny Vincenzi, NO ANGEL is the first novel in the acclaimed Spoils of Time trilogy. ''Penny Vincenzi dazzlingly combines the old-fashioned virtues of gripping storytelling with the up-to-the-minute contemporary feel for emotional depth and insight into the lives of the characters. She is a supreme stylist and clever writer. Reading her is an addictive experience''-Elizabeth Buchan.In pre-war London, Lady Celia Lytton is the perfect host. Beautiful, intelligent and determined, she throws glittering parties, publishes bestselling books, and enjoys her young family and loving husband. But there are tragedies her family will not escape: the Titanic, the First World War, the flu epidemic. And beneath their perfect image, the Lyttons cannot ignore the changing world around them. In the shattering aftermath of the War, Celia is beginning to understand that there will be a price to pay for the life she haTrade ReviewPacked with passion, pain, pace and palaver * Daily Mail *I was hooked right from the first page to the final, fantastic twist * New Woman *Highly addictive * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisSOLO is a delightful romantic novel from bestselling author Jill Mansell, not to be missed by readers of Lucy Diamond and Cathy Kelly. Mad about a man who''s dangerous to know? Surely it''s better to go solo...When Tessa Duvall, a struggling artist, reluctantly agreed to accompany her best friend Holly to a party at the elegant Charrington Grange Hotel, she had every intention of sneaking off early. For parties full of strangers bored the knickers off Tessa and this one proved to be no exception - until she encountered Ross Monahan, whose wicked reputation was as high profile as the hotel he owned and ran with such panache. But while Holly set about ensnaring his reluctant brother Max, Tessa simply accepted Ross for what he was, a sensational one-night stand...until she realised, weeks later, that one-night stands can have far-reaching consequences...What readers are saying about Solo: ''I was absolutely grTrade Review'Jill Mansell is in a different league' * Sun *

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Book SynopsisSHEER MISCHIEF by bestselling author Jill Mansell is an unmissable romantic comedy about sisterly love and rivalry... Not to be missed by readers of Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes.It''s not that Janey Sinclair isn''t pleased to see her sister. It''s just that being woken at seven by Maxine, complete with police escort, isn''t quite how she''d planned to spend her Sunday. Even so Janey, who''s just rebuilding her life after her husband disappeared, is delighted that her sister''s back in the Cornish town where they grew up. When Maxine sets her sights on Guy Cassidy, an impossibly glamorous fashion photographer, Janey knows there''s no limit to the mischief her sister will get up to in order to dispatch her rivals. But little do they know that the competition is a lot closer to home than they think...What readers are saying about Sheer Mischief: ''Escapism at its best. Settle in and enjoy!'' Amazon reviewer, 5Trade Review'Jill Mansell is in a different league' * Sun *

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Book SynopsisA broken leg can change your life. Then again, so can a kiss... An irresistibly romantic novel about finding love again when you thought you'd lost it all, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of THE ONE YOU REALLY WANT and THREE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU.Trade Review'Jill Mansell is in a different league' * Sun *

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Book SynopsisMILLLIE''S FLING by Sunday Times bestselling author Jill Mansell is a must-read for fans of Cathy Kelly and Lucy Diamond. Jill''s novels are loved by reviewers: ''A lovely uplifting read'' Good HousekeepingHe''s the best thing that ever happened to her. He''s also the worst. He''s Millie''s fling...When Millie Brady saves Orla Hart''s life she doesn''t realise how drastically it will change her own - not least because the boyfriend who was asking her to move in with him at the time stormed off in a huff. Actually, Millie''s relieved. She''s happy to enjoy a man-free summer in Cornwall. But Orla has other ideas. She''s determined that Millie should meet the man of her dreams. Trouble is, Millie''s taste in men doesn''t tally with Orla''s. The one who really interests her is Hugh Emerson, and he''s the man with whom Orla''s adamant she mustn''t get involved...What readers are saying about Millie''s FlingTrade Review'A romantic romp full of larger than life characters' * Express *'Right from the first page Mansell's novel takes off at a cracking pace and hardly allows a pause for breath until the final full stop is reached' * Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisJill Mansell''s irresistible and heart-warming bestseller MIRANDA''S BIG MISTAKE is not to be missed by readers of Lucy Diamond, Cathy Kelly and Milly Johnson. Reviewers love Jill''s books: ''Achingly romantic'' HeatIs he the answer to a single girl''s prayers? Or is he Miranda''s big mistake?Miranda is thrilled when she meets Greg at a cocktail party. He''s gorgeous, he''s funny - and he''s very keen. Just what a girl needs to put some sparkle in her life. Heavens, he''s practically perfect! Greg likes Miranda a lot. She''s young, she''s pretty, and she never talks about babies. Of course he hasn''t told her everything about himself - even the sweetest girls can be a bit funny about a man who''s just left his newly pregnant wife. But there''s no way she''s going to find out - or is there? Luckily for Miranda men are like buses - you don''t see any for ages then three come along at once. She just needs to catch the right one...Trade Review'A jaunty summer read' * Daily Mail *'A delicious new comedy' * Liverpool Daily Post *

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Book SynopsisJill''s Mansell''s MIXED DOUBLES is a deliciously romantic read from the author of RUMOUR HAS IT and THE ONE YOU REALLY WANT for fans of of Lucy Diamond, Cecelia Ahern and Cathy Kelly. Jill''s books are loved by reviewers: ''Funny and heartwarming'' BellaRules are made to be broken when you''re playing mixed doubles...New Year is looming and best friends Liza, Dulcie and Pru are making their resolutions. Liza wants to get married - she''s never had any trouble hooking a man. The trouble is, she can never stay interested once she''s got him. Dulcie thinks marriage sucks. Her husband, Patrick, may be gorgeous and charming, but the impulsive Dulcie needs more excitement in her life. She wants a divorce. Pru loves her roving husband, and she secretly enjoys the periods when he''s making up for his outrageous behaviour. All she wants is to stay married. Liza, Dulcie and Pru have no idea what the New Year has in store - but Fate has some sneaky plans uTrade Review'A romantic romp full of larger than life characters' * Express *'It's riotous' * New Woman *

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Book SynopsisTwo''s company, but three''s a calamity... TWO''S COMPANY is a funny, romantic novel from bestselling Jill Mansell, author of THE ONE YOU REALLY WANT and THREE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU. Jack and Cass Mandeville are a dream couple, ridiculously happy together and successful to boot - Jack as a journalist and Cass with her own hugely popular radio show. Indeed, almost every member of the Mandeville family is famous in their own right: from stunning Cleo, a supermodel with attitude, to Sean, the rising star of the comedy circuit. Incredibly good-looking and likeable, the family have captured the hearts of the nation - and the nation''s press. But on the day that Jack hits the big 40 - the same day that a redhead called Imogen turns up to interview Jack and Cass for Hi! magazine - their proverbial bubble is about to burst...What readers are saying about Two''s Company: ''Fun, moving and full of laugh out loud anticsTrade Review'Jill Mansell is in a different league' * Sun *

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Book SynopsisPenny Vincenzi''s Sunday Times No 1 bestseller, FORBIDDEN PLACES is an unmissable novel about love and marriage, families and secrets, and about wartime and what it does to every accepted social value. ''Deliciously readable'' Mail on Sunday. It is the story of three women and one family. One is married and widowed within five years. She is free to start again. Or is she? The second has a perfect husband she thinks she loves. He becomes a grotesque parody of what he once was. Is that love real? The third becomes trapped in a nightmare marriage. Can the war free her?Trade Review'Another absorbing page-turner, packed with believable characters' * Good Housekeeping *'A wonderful saga of passion, relationships and families' * Prima *'Mesmerising from start to finish' * Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisA complex marriage, treachery and blackmail - all in Penny Vincenzi''s THE DILEMMA ''A total indulgence'' Ideal HomeAll Francesca Channing had to do in order to keep her marriage alive, her children safe, her life intact, was to tell a lie. One simple, straightforward lie. But it wasn''t that simple or straightforward at all. Her life, as Bard Channing''s third wife, was very far from easy. He was charismatic, powerful and rich - and he adored her. He was also manipulative and scheming, with a family as large and complex as his business. But it was an emotional crisis of her own which finally put Francesca''s dilemma into perspective, and made her wonder if she loved Bard enough to lie for him...Trade Review'Mesmerising from start to finish' * Evening Standard *'A juicy page-turner' * Cosmopolitan *'A super read that will keep you guessing right until the end' * Company *

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Book SynopsisWhen Stella first meets Martyn, he''s just a stranger on a train. She knows nothing at all about him. But very quickly she is won over by his charm and breathtaking illusions, and when he asks her to marry him, she agrees. However, as they begin their life together, Stella starts to feel uneasy. What exactly is the show-stopping illusion he claims to be working on, locked away in that room? Who are those men that visit the house at strange hours? And why are her questions never answered? As Stella realises that she barely knows the man she married, her thoughts turn to escape.Trade ReviewAn immaculate artist: understated, unshowy, a careful and economical craftswoman of language and all the loose, unwieldy stuff of emotion * Scotsman *Assured, skilful, delicately comic and mutedly sad * The Sunday Times *An elegant, elegiac exploration of love, loss, memory and longing * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisGlamour, ambition, love and sex. It's all here in the page-turning bestsellers by Louise BagshaweTrade Review'Part-thriller, part-love story, it's Bagshawe at her best' * Sun *'A gripping read about heartbreak and hitmen' * New Idea magazine, Australia *'This meaty romance/ thriller is just what the doctor ordered. It reminded me of Jackie Collins and I couldn't put it down... [I]t's nothing if not exciting' * Daily Mail *'A thrilling mix of danger and lust, it's an addictive read that doesn't disappoint' * Heat magazine *'More than addictive... the perfect thing to get you over the end-of-summer blues' * News of the World *'...just what the doctor ordered. It reminded me of Jackie Collins and I couldn't put it down' * Daily Mail *'A glamorous, pacy blockbuster reminiscent of Jackie Collins' * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisThree powerful women. Once best friends. Now deadly rivals...Texan honey Sally Lassiter, English rose Jane Morgan and Jordanian Helen Yanna meet at an exclusive girls school and become best friends. They form a bond which will never be broken. Years later, the three girls are grown-up, co-founders and millionaire co-owners of the exclusive GLAMOUR chain of stores. They are fabulously wealthy, instantly recognisable, adored and revered. Or are they? The GLAMOUR empire is on the verge of collapse and the three women are embroiled in a bitter feud.A gloriously glossy blend of glitzy women, handsome men, and the power of friendship, Louise Bagshawes latest novel is irresistible. Because every woman needs GLAMOUR in her life.

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Book SynopsisDON''T MISS JILL''S WONDERFUL NEW NOVEL PROMISE ME, COMING IN JANUARY 2022!!Jill Mansell''s uputdownable romantic novel THINKING OF YOU will delight readers of Cathy Kelly and Lucy DiamondGinny Holland''s daughter Jem has headed off to university, leaving single mum Ginny with a severe case of empty nest syndrome. To make matters worse, the first gorgeous man she''s clapped eyes on in years has just accused Ginny of shoplifting. So Ginny decides to advertise for a lodger but what she gets is lovelorn Laurel, who can only talk about her ex-boyfriend. However Laurel has a dangerously charming brother, Perry, and add to that the offer of a great new job, and things are looking up...until Ginny realises that her potential boss is all too familiar. Is it too late for Ginny to set right the first impression she made when Finn Penhaligon got quite the wrong end of the stick? And is either Finn or Perry quite what they seem?WhatTrade Review'Slick, sexy, funny stories' * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisA searing portrait of wealthy living, and the highs - and lows - that come with it in a dazzling novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Penny Vincenzi. ''Buy on a Friday, get home, turn off the phone and emerge on Monday replete with a tale well told. Guilty pleasures? We certainly all have them and this is better than most'' - Daily ExpressThere''s nothing like the contentment and security that money can bring. That''s how it is for Lucinda, Elizabeth and Flora, living the risk-free dream in the glittering eighties. Houses, holidays, happiness - everything is there for the taking.The financial slide comes crashing into their lives with a vengeance, and everything they''ve built up so carefully dissolves into a pool of hopelessness, taking self-respect and relationships with it. Now, the secrets will out and within a year, someone will be dead.Trade ReviewPraise for AN ABSOLUTE SCANDAL: 'Buy on a Friday, get home, turn off the phone and emerge on Monday replete with a tale well told. Guilty pleasures? We certainly all have them and this is better than most' * Daily Express *'The bonkbuster is definitely on the rise again as fiction gets chunkier and glossier. But despite stiff competition from a new vanguard of younger and arguably hipper writers, there's one name that continues to reign supreme, Penny Vincenzi' * Glamour *'This is a big book and a terrifically entertaining one. It's also highly addictive' * Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisIt is the Seventies and Horse''s Arse is the affectionate name for Handstead New Town, a North Manchester overspill and an unholy dump. The police use it as a penal posting - all the bad egg coppers end up there. Worst amongst the residents of Handstead are the Park Royal Mafia, a gang of violent thugs who terrorise their neighbourhood. They and the officers doomed to serve at Handstead wrestle constantly for dominance. This is the story of some of those police officers - the Grim Brothers, Psycho, Pizza, Piggy Malone and others, a group of hooligans in uniform and their journey through excess, despair and finally some form of salvation...Trade Review'Charlie Owen is a talent. This is the first book since Layer Cake to have an authentic voice that humorously exposes the dark and eccentric world of English street crime' * Guy Ritchie *'Foul-mouthed, scatological, amusing and appalling in equal measure' * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisMathilde of Westminster must face a dangerous foe in the third novel in Paul Doherty''s acclaimed series. March 1312 and England is divided. Edward II is in conflict with his barons over royal favourite Gaveston, and Queen Isabella is momentously pregnant with the first union of Plantagenet and Capetian blood. Meanwhile, rebel Robert Bruce prowls the Scottish border seeking advancement. Mathilde of Westminster senses a challenge for the throne is imminent. When the great Earls step up their campaign, the King and Queen are forced to flee to a fortified priory in Tynemouth, now vulnerable to the Scottish marauders on land and Bruce''s allies at sea. With threats all around, the royal party can only despair when one of their camp is murdered. Will Mathilde be able to find the perpetrator before the King loses control of the throne?Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty and his other novels: 'Resurrectionist magic * New York Times *The best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters * Time Out *I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *The maestro of medieval mystery * Books Magazine *Doherty dazzles with his story-telling * Nottingham Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisJenny has left her Manhattan school to attend Waverly Academy, an elite boarding school where glamorous rich kids don''t let the rules get in the way of an excellent time. Jenny sets off to Waverly with big plans of reinventing herself. She''ll be a goddess - she''s a sophisticated city girl, after all! - and will find a boy who can properly worship her. But that''s going to be a little tricky since her self-absorbed new roommates, Callie Vernon and Brett Messerschmidt, aren''t exactly there to help - unless there''s something in it for them. But if getting caught with boys and going up against the Disciplinary Committee is what it takes, Jenny''s ready - she''ll do all that and more to become The It Girl.

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Book SynopsisLyn Andrews'' heart-rending and nostalgic novel ELLAN VANNIN is a must-read for fans of Donna Douglas and Kate Thompson. Life isn''t easy for widowed George Vannin and his young daughter, but somehow George has raised the child alone and Ellan adores her father. Ellan is ten years old when the shaft at Foxdale Mine collapses, and her father never comes up. From then on she lives with Aunt Maud, a dour woman with a quick temper. Her husband had died in a mining accident too, and she never forgave the family at the Big House for their part in the tragedy. When Ellan is offered a chance to better herself at the Big House, Aunt Maud savagely forbids it. Ellan''s chance is yet to come, but she has a long way to go before she finds the happiness she deserves...

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