Contemporary Fiction

THE WORLD'S FAVOURITE AUTHOR ONE BILLION COPIES SOLDAt journey's end would a new life begin? When Liane crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Europe, the future seemed bright and beautiful. Only the image of a face haunted her new life in France. Then the Second World War sent her on a fateful crossing, leaving her husband far behind. Suspended between two worlds, Liane was swept into a passionate affair, a bright brief moment of total happiness. Would the voyage seal her love for ever, or leave her stranded on the shores of heartbreak and despair?PRAISE FOR DANIELLE STEEL:'Emotional and gripping . . . I was left in no doubt as to the reasons behind Steel's multi-million sales around the world' DAILY MAIL'Danielle Steel is undeniably an expert' NEW YORK TIMES

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THE WORLD'S FAVOURITE AUTHORONE BILLION COPIES SOLDThe perfect love . . .Jessica and Ian were a golden couple - young, glamorous, successful. And deeply in love.Until one afternoon's casual faithlessness threatened their relationship, ended their days of happiness and nights of desire. Or so it seemed. But for Jessica and Ian, the lesson of love was only just beginning . . . .A reissue of a novel which has been unavailable since 1987, about a young, glamorous, successful couple whose relationship is threatened by an afternoon's faithlessness.Now and Forever is a moving, inspirational novel from bestselling author Danielle Steel.PRAISE FOR DANIELLE STEEL:'Emotional and gripping . . . I was left in no doubt as to the reasons behind Steel's multi-million sales around the world' DAILY MAIL'Danielle Steel is undeniably an expert' NEW YORK TIMES

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The Sunday Times #1 bestseller Discover the debut novel from the iconic Richard & Judy book club champion***Don't miss Judy Finnigan's heartrending new novel. ROSELAND is out in November 2023 and is available to pre-order now***'Romantic and rain-lashed. . . a stirring and intriguing read' Louise Candlish ___________'Gripping . . . captures the mystery and menace of Cornwall in glorious gothic style' Liz Fenwick 'Highly readable, incredibly moving . . . Eloise had me turning pages late into the night' Dorothy Koomson ___________What secrets did she take to her grave?Eloise and Cathy have been best friends since childhood, growing up together against the idyllic backdrop of Eloise's family home on the Cornish coast. When Eloise dies after a long battle with breast cancer, Cathy is devastated.Cathy returns to Cornwall for the funeral, but soon begins to have disturbing dreams, implying that Eloise's death was not all it seems. With a history of depression, Cathy is only just recovering from a nervous breakdown and her husband Chris, a psychiatrist, is concerned that she is losing her grip on reality once again. Stung by her husband's scepticism, Cathy decides to explore Eloise's mysterious past. But as she is drawn ever deeper into her friend's great - and tragic - secret, Cathy soon finds herself in unimaginable danger. ___________WHAT EVERYONE IS SAYING ABOUT ELOISE AND JUDY FINNIGAN'A moving meditation on grief, family bonds, motherhood and female friendship.' Sunday Express'A haunting, pacy page-turner, with a real ghostly feel - a must read.' Fabulous Magazine 'Impressive debut.' Woman & Home 'A great first book from the Queen of the Book Club.' Essentials 'A warm and promising debut.' Daily Mail 'Judy deserves to be taken seriously as a writer of thoughtful, descriptive fiction.' Choice 'The kind of book you shouldn't start if you don't want to stay up all night.' Western Daily Press 'Haunting thriller.' Cornwall Today'Atmospheric, creepy and original, Judy has written a blinder of a first novel.' Sun 'An assured first novel.' Choice magazine 'Keeps you guessing.' Sidmouth Herald 'Kept me glued to the pages until the very end.' Jersey Evening Post'An absorbing, thought-provoking tale of family skeletons, betrayal and the enduring spirit of friendship.' Good Book Guide

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It is 1895. Robert Wallis, would-be poet, bohemian and impoverished dandy, accepts a commission from coffee merchant Samuel Pinker to categorise the different tastes of coffee - and encounters Pinker's free-thinking daughters, Philomenia, Ada and Emily. As romance blossoms with Emily, Robert realises that the Muse and marriage may not be incompatible after all. Sent to Abyssinia to make his fortune in the coffee trade, he becomes obsessed with a negro slave girl, Fikre. He decides to use the money he has saved to buy her from her owner - a decision that will change not only his own life, but the lives of the three Pinker sisters . . .

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'A sheer delight from start to finish' Sophie Kinsella Come and meet Issy Randall, proud owner of The Cupcake Café . . . 'An evocative, sweet treat' Jojo Moyes 'Gorgeous, glorious, uplifting' Marian Keyes 'Irresistible' Jill Mansell 'Just lovely' Katie Fforde 'Naturally funny, warm-hearted' Lisa Jewell 'A gobble-it-all-up-in-one-sitting kind of book' Mike Gayle ___________________________________Issy Randall can bake. No, more than that - Issy can create stunning, mouth-wateringly divine cakes. After a childhood spent in her beloved Grampa Joe's bakery, she has undoubtedly inherited his talent.When she's made redundant from her safe but dull City job, Issy decides to seize the moment. Armed with recipes from Grampa, and with her best friends and local bank manager fighting her corner, The Cupcake Café opens its doors. But Issy has absolutely no idea what she's let herself in for. It will take all her courage - and confectionery - to avert disaster . . .___________________________________Why readers ADORE Jenny Colgan 'Jenny Colgan has a way of writing that makes me melt inside' 'Her books are so good I want to start over as soon as I have finished' 'There's something so engaging about her characters and plots' 'Her books are like a big, warm blanket' 'Her stories are just so fabulous' 'She brings her settings and characters so vividly to life' 'The woman is just magic'

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'A captivating novel of love, deception and misunderstanding' WOMANDan and Sally Oliver and their friend Chloe Hennessey are lucky to be alive. Three years on, after surviving one of the world's biggest natural disasters - the Boxing Day tsunami - their lives have changed dramatically.Dan and Sally are now parents. Dan is enjoying being a stay-at-home father taking care of their young son, and Sally is the breadwinner and loves her job as a partner in a Manchester law firm. The arrangement has so far worked well, but when Dan starts to question whether Sally has got her priorities right, the cracks in their marriage begin to appear. Dan and Sally have everything Chloe wishes for in life - a happy marriage and a beautiful child. Dumped by her long-term boyfriend just weeks after the tsunami, she's been on a mission ever since to find the perfect father for the child she craves. When she meets Seth Hawthorne, she thinks she may have hit the jackpot. But is Seth the man she thinks he is?IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS is a moving, compelling story of how a life can change in a heartbeat.

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Two feuding families, two love stories - and a lot of delicious Italian food.Pieta Martinelli's sister is getting married. Since she is a bridal designer it falls to her to make the wedding gown. But Pieta is distracted by a series of unanswered questions. Why is her father feuding with another Italian in the neighbourhood? Why is her mother so faded and sad? And could the man she's always held a torch for really be getting married to someone else? As Pieta stitches and beads her sister's wedding gown she uncovers the secrets that have made her family what it is and that stand between her and happiness.THE ITALIAN WEDDING is a feast of food and love. It's about discovering who your parents really are. And who you really want to be.

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Bestselling author Erica James explores the stories of a potent mix of characters who meet at a creative writers' group.Dulcie Ballantyne knows that creative writers' groups attract an unlikely mix of people, so when she starts up Hidden Talents, she is well prepared for the assortment of people she is bringing together.Beth King is facing empty-nest syndrome as her only son, Nathan, leaves home for university. Jack Solomon, a local estate agent, is having trouble coming to terms with the shock of his wife leaving him for his best friend. Jaz Rafferty is an intensely private seventeen-year-old girl who writes to escape her large, boisterous family. Victor Blackmore is a know-it-all, who claims to be writing the blockbuster novel every publisher will be clamouring for. What they all have in common is a need to escape, as well as a desire to keep their lives as private as possible. As they grow more confident in their writing skills, friendships develop, and gradually they come to realise that a little openness isn't necessarily a bad thing.

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A wonderfully fresh novel about love and life from the Sunday Times bestselling author of MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS and PARADISE HOUSEEllen has been living on her own in a picturesque if damp cottage in Cheshire since her husband abandoned her to go and live with another woman in Provence. Having married once for love, she is now determined that the second time around it will be for money. Close at hand is Duncan, her not unattractive, and enticingly single, divorce lawyer...But then two new people enter her life: Jo-Jo, a homeless girl several months pregnant, and Matthew, an artist who paints murals in country houses and who, on first meeting Ellen, openly criticises her for being mercenary and devious. But, as hostility gives way to friendship, Ellen realises that she has wavered off course from her original plan and has to remind herself very strongly indeed that Duncan is the man for her...

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A respectable bookseller is found bludgeoned and strangled and it's up to Chief Superintendent Wycliffe to find out why . . .When Matthew Glynn is murdered, Wycliffe is mystified. Why would anyone want to kill him? But a look at Glynn's background reveals tension within the family. Alfred Glynn, an eccentric recluse, has born a grudge against his brother for years. The other brother, Maurice, argued bitterly with Matthew over the sale of family land. His sister Sara is caught out in several crucial lies to the police. Add to this a discontented son, the discovery of valuable documents in the bookseller's safe, and the mysterious, still unexplained disappearance of Matthew's wife years earlier, and Wycliffe faces one of his most impenetrable cases yet.And then another Glynn dies . . .

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**THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**THE SWEEPING, SUN-DRENCHED STORY OF LOVE, FAMILY AND UNTOLD SECRETS SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF WWII, FROM THE MULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLER''Adriana is a storyteller second to none'' HEATHER MORRIS, bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz''Trigiani never fails to sweep you away . . . an emotional and beautiful tale of family, love, and loss'' TAYLOR JENKINS REID, bestselling author of Malibu Rising''There is a reason Adriana Trigiani is so beloved by her millions of devoted readers . . . gorgeous'' SARAH JESSICA PARKER''A big, beautiful, wonderful book; romantic, moving, transporting, affecting I will do everything I can to encourage everyone to read it'' LOUISE DOUGLAS, bestselling author of The House by the Sea_________Domenica Cabrelli had two great loves of her life.The first, her childhood sweetheart: a boy from the sa

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A dilemma divides the village...From the Sunday Times bestselling author of the Turnham Malpas and Barleybridge series.An unwelcome visitor arrives in Turnham Malpas. Why is Bryn Fields - who fled four years ago under the worst possible circumstances - back? And what are his plans for the village?For the rector and his wife, Peter and Caroline, there are more serious problems to cope with when their twins start asking about their real mother. Having accepted her husband's indiscretion ten years ago, Caroline finds that facing up to it again now is almost more than she can bear...

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There are two basic types of animal in Nature's Kingdom. The first, like lions and turtles, produce many offspring and simply hope that some will survive. The second, like elephants and people, produce one or two at long intervals and make great efforts to rear them. My mother belonged in a class of her own. She produced two at short intervals and made no effort to rear them whatsoever.Thus Dorothy, aged ten, finds herself making her own way in Sassaspaneck, New York in 1968. Her English father, who never talks above a whisper due to a youthful injury with a cricket ball, has tucked her and her mother away where the potential for embarrassment can be limited. All the other children in town have gone to camp, so Dorothy must provide her own entertainment. She comes across a small, faded zoo on the outskirts of town, and as she begins to get to know the eccentric group of women who live there she begins to discover a world way beyond the one she has glimpsed so far.

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On the twentieth anniversary of the death of Rebecca, the hauntingly beautiful first wife of Maxim de Winter, family friend Colonel Julyan receives an anonymous parcel. It contains a black notebook with two handwritten words on the title page -- Rebecca's Tale -- and two pictures: a photograph of Rebecca as a young child and a postcard of Manderley. Rebecca once asked Julyan to ensure she was buried in the churchyard facing the sea: if she ended up in the de Winter crypt, she warned, she'd come back to haunt him. Now, it seems, she has finally kept her promise.Julyan's conscience has never been clear over the official version of Rebecca's death. Was Rebecca the manipulative, promiscuous femme fatale her husband claimed. Or the gothic heroine of tragic proportions that others had suggested. The official story, the 'truth', has only had Maxim's version of events to consider. But all that is about to change . . .

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'Viciously funny' Daily MailWelcome to one of the nicest streets in one of London's vilest boroughs: a determined middle-class oasis of skips and bay trees, where Volvos sniff each others' bumpers and men called Giles live with women called Samantha.This is a satellite-dish-free zone of tall houses, standing shoulder to shoulder with big front doors, five floors apiece. Come inside, shut the door and smell the coffee: you could almost be in Kensington. This is where the actors, writers and media types live, where small children wearing smart uniforms and shoes in the shape of lightbulbs get ferried every day to schools that are not local. Some people are luckier than others; fortune smiles on some and gobs on the rest. Jo Metcalf (no. 95) smokes and spies on the smug Cunninghams down the street as they play their bile-inducing game of happy families. Why is the grass greener on the other side of the fence? But happiness is a fragile thing and hairline cracks in a perfect world can become craters of misery . . .Full of comic insight and realistic observation of contemporary British life, this is the debut novel from Sunday Times bestseller Jenny Eclair._____________________PRAISE FOR JENNY ECLAIR:'Wonderfully written, insightful and riveting' Daily Mail'Both heart-rending and compelling' Clare Mackintosh'SO immersive, atmospheric and compelling' Marian Keyes'Witty, moving, dark and absorbing' Jo Brand'An elegant, gripping and mesmeric read' Helen Lederer'An absolute page-turner of a story' Judy Finnigan'Compelling, compassionate and keenly observed' Independent___________Don't miss the unforgettable new novel from Jenny Eclair - INHERITANCE is out now

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Longlisted for the Booker PrizeWinner of the Desmond Elliott PrizeShortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the YearShortlisted for the Goldsmiths PrizeLonglisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize'Original, memorable, shimmering' - Sarah Moss'Restlessly inventive . . . delicate and persuasive' - The GuardianSomething gleeful and malevolent is moving in Lia’s body, learning her life from the inside out. A shape-shifter. A disaster tourist. It’s travelling down the banks of her canals. It’s spreading.When a sudden diagnosis upends Lia’s world, the boundaries between her past and her present begin to collapse. Deeply buried secrets stir awake. As the voice prowling in Lia takes hold of her story, and the landscape around becomes indistinguishable from the one within, Lia and her family are faced with some of the hardest questions of all: how can we move on from the events that have shaped us, when our bodies harbour everything? And what does it mean to die with grace, when you’re simply not ready to let go?Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies is a story of coming-of-age at the end of a life. Utterly heart-breaking yet darkly funny, Maddie Mortimer’s astonishing debut is a symphonic journey through one woman’s body: a wild and lyrical celebration of desire, forgiveness, and the darkness within us all.

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How far can you run from your past?Jeremy Marsh once vowed he would never do three things: leave New York City, give his heart away again after barely surviving one failed marriage, and, most of all, become a parent. Now Jeremy is living in the small town of Boone Creek, North Carolina, married to Lexie, the woman he loves, and anticipating the birth of their daughter. Life seems to be settling down - until a disturbing and mysterious message appears from the past. Wounds he thought had healed are re-opened, and Jeremy realises his old life is closer to him than he thinks.

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An awkward misfit, nine-year-old Fulke FitzWarin leaves his family for the household of Joscelin de Dinan, Lord of Ludlow. Once there, he begins to learn the knightly arts which he desperately hopes will free him from the shadows of his past.Joscelin's youngest daughter, Hawise, befriends Fulke when he most needs it. But as the years pass, an enemy to Ludlow changes their friendship unalterably, forcing them onto opposite sides of a cruel divide.When the menace to Ludlow intensifies, Fulke must confront the future head on or fail on all counts, all the while desperate to know if Hawise stands with or against him.

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'Nobody does cosy, get-away-from-it-all romance like Jenny Colgan' Sunday Express The streets of London are the perfect place to discover your dreams . . . 'A total joy' Sophie Kinsella 'An evocative, sweet treat' Jojo Moyes 'Gorgeous, glorious, uplifting' Marian Keyes 'Irresistible' Jill Mansell 'Just lovely' Katie Fforde 'Naturally funny, warm-hearted' Lisa Jewell 'A gobble-it-all-up-in-one-sitting kind of book' Mike Gayle ___________________________________They may be twin sisters, but Lizzie and Penny Berry are complete opposites - Penny is blonde, thin and outrageous; Lizzie is quiet, thoughtful and, well, definitely not thin. But they both share a desperate desire to DO something with their lives. When, out of the blue, they learn they have a grandmother living in Chelsea, who asks them to flat-sit her King's Road pad while she is in hospital, the girls' ambitions finally seem to be falling into place. But, as they soon discover, it's not easy to become an It Girl, and west end boys aren't at all like Hugh Grant . . .___________________________________ Why readers ADORE Jenny Colgan 'Jenny Colgan has a way of writing that makes me melt inside' 'Her books are so good I want to start over as soon as I have finished' 'There's something so engaging about her characters and plots' 'Her books are like a big, warm blanket' 'Her stories are just so fabulous' 'She brings her settings and characters so vividly to life' 'The woman is just magic'

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THE BESTSELLING SERIES FROM THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHORSurvival tips for times of stress:1. Take deep breaths2. Count to ten3. Eat chocolateLucy thought she had got her happily ever after with the gorgeous Aidan, but things aren't turning out the way she had hoped they would. But she's not the only one with problems . . .Autumn's new boyfriend has yet to meet her parents, Nadia's husband has sworn he's given up gambling - but she's finding that hard to believe - and Chantal is doing all she can to save her marriage. It's clear that the four members of The Chocolate Lovers' Club are going to need each other to get through their problems - a whole lot of chocolate . . .The Chocolate Lovers' Diet is the second novel in Carole Matthews' much-loved series, promising heart-warming friendships, breath-taking romance, and a whole lot of sweet and delicious treats! Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Sarah Morgan. Don't miss the next book, The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas.YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS LOVE CAROLE MATTHEWS:'A life-affirming story full of joy and hope' CATHY BRAMLEY'A sun-filled, fun-filled wonderful escapist adventure' MILLY JOHNSON'A wonderful setting where dark clouds part to reveal a happy ending' KATIE FFORDE'An irresistibly warm-hearted story' TRISHA ASHLEY'Warm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed' SARAH MORGAN'The queen of funny, feel-good fiction' MIKE GAYLE

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THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE STAR OF THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL. EXCLUSIVE! Contains an extract from Carrie's next novel All That She Can See, out July 13th! 'Reminded me so much of Cecelia Ahern' Ali McNamara 'Utterly enchanting' Jill Mansell Your soul is too heavy to pass through this door, Leave the weight of the world in the world from before Evie Snow is eighty-two when she quietly passes away in her sleep, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. It's the way most people wish to leave the world but when Evie reaches the door of her own private heaven, she finds that she's become her twenty-seven-year-old self and the door won't open. Evie's soul must be light enough to pass through so she needs to get rid of whatever is making her soul heavy. For Evie, this means unburdening herself of the three secrets that have weighed her down for over fifty years, so she must find a way to reveal them before it's too late. As Evie begins the journey of a lifetime, she learns more about life and love than she ever thought possible, and somehow, some way, she may also find her way back to the only man she ever truly loved ...Powerful, magical and utterly romantic, On the Other Side will transport you to a world that is impossible to forget. A love story like no other, it will have you weeping from the sheer joy and beauty of it all.

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'You'll laugh as much as you cry at this poignant tale of female friendship, love and loss' Marie ClaireA story of friendship, heartbreak and the day that changed two lives forever from the bestselling author of The Vintage Teacup Club. The perfect read for fans of Lucy Diamond and Lucy Dillon.When life as you know it changes, will it define you, destroy you or make you stronger?Best friends Isla and Sophie made each other a promise a long time ago: to never let life pass them by. Years later, Isla is in love, living abroad and fulfilling her dreams. But for Sophie, things haven't turned out the way she was expecting and she hasn't achieved any of the things she and Isla talked about.And then, in one sudden moment, life irrevocably changes for both women.Isla and Sophie have hard decisions to make but above all else they must face up to the uncertainty that lies ahead. It's only when they realise that this is easier together, two friends standing side by side, that each woman can embrace whatever the future holds for them.Emotional, poignant and uplifting, The Little Pieces of You and Me is a story about old friends, new beginnings and what happens when being strong is your only choice. It will take your breath away.

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The place where friendship grows . . .One moment Lili is arguing with Dan, her husband, the next he is killed in a terrible car accident right outside their family home. Three years later and Lili has managed to resume her day-to-day life as a mother of two girls and a successful textbook illustrator. But despite her outward appearance, she feels an aching loss. However, when she is commissioned to illustrate a series of horticultural books, Lili is forced to take gardening class and the wilted roots of her life finally start to blossom. The class provides Lili with a new network of friends - friends with their own heartaches and problems - and, maybe, another chance at love . . .

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THE BESTSELLING SERIES FROM THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHORThe ladies of The Chocolate Lovers' Club should be gearing up for the wedding of the year but life keeps getting in the way . . .Lucy is worried about her financial situation and it keeps distracting her. Should she accept an offer of help from an untrustworthy source?Nadia may have a real chance at finding love, but other areas of her life aren't so rosy. Something needs to change - but what?Autumn can't wait to meet someone she hasn't seen in a very long time. She's full of hope for the future, but then things don't exactly go to plan . . .Chantal has been through so much and she's finally starting to feel settled. The last thing she needs is the kind of bad news that could change her life all over again.And yet, despite all the ups and downs, the Chocolate Lovers' ladies know they can get through it all as long as they have each other. They're not going to let anything get in the way of their happy-ever-afters . . .The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding is the final novel in Carole Matthews' much-loved series, promising heart-warming friendships, breath-taking romance, and a whole lot of sweet and delicious treats! Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Sarah Morgan.YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS LOVE CAROLE MATTHEWS:'A life-affirming story full of joy and hope' CATHY BRAMLEY'Full of heart and fun' MILLY JOHNSON'A wonderful setting where dark clouds part to reveal a happy ending' KATIE FFORDE'An irresistibly warm-hearted story' TRISHA ASHLEY'Warm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed' SARAH MORGAN'The queen of funny, feel-good fiction' MIKE GAYLE

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"It's a great country, but never trust it, son. It's beautiful but it's treacherous."Adam Ross had seen the way his country could destroy a man. Growing up in the Australian outback in the first half of the twentieth century with no formal education, no parents and no one to love him, he learned to fend for himself. But when he forms an unlikely friendship with Jimmy, who works in the Opal mines, his luck begins to change. The land that stole Adam's father gives him an opportunity to start anew. Armed with determination and ambition, Adam treks west to carve himself an empire. However, success doesn't come easy and Adam, a man who spent much of his life devoid of love, soon finds himself caught between two women. Torn between his love for his cold-hearted wife and his mistress, Adam must make decisions about his future and the type of man he wants to be.

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'Extremely atmospheric and unputdownable. I loved it' Marian KeyesWhat readers are saying about The House of Secrets:'Libby and Zoe are complex, courageous and believeable and I found their stories absolutely compelling to read with a very satisfying ending''I cried, I smiled, I swore in anger at parts . . . such a brilliant piece of writing''Enjoyed every page of this lovely book and its lovely heroines Zoe and Libby. Highly recommended for a great feel good read''Finished the whole book in one night, literally unputdownable'An ordinary house on an ordinary street, built in 1936 and never lived in. Its rooms might be empty, but this house is full of secrets.When Zoe and Win, raw and reeling from a recent tragedy, move into their new home it's meant to be a fresh start and a way to mend the holes in their relationship.But pushed to the back of a cupboard is a suitcase that's been gathering dust for eighty years. Inside is a wedding dress, letters and a diary all belonging to a woman called Libby. And there's something else in the suitcase, something that echoes Zoe's own pain.Zoe follows Libby's trail from Paris to Spain on the brink of Civil War to secret trysts in London, and as Libby finds the courage to live and love again, Zoe begins to let go of her own grief.But when Libby's story takes a darker turn, Zoe becomes increasingly obsessed with discovering what really happened all those years ago. Because if Libby managed to get her happy ever after then maybe Zoe and Win can too . . .Perfect for fans of Rachel Rhys, Jenny Ashcroft, Santa Montefiore and Kathryn Hughes. 'An engrossing read' Woman & Home'A wonderful book' Heat'This beautiful dual love story is a real page-turner' Hello!'Filled with warmth and great characters' Stylist

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A Times Best Fiction Book of the YearA Guardian Best Fiction Book of the YearA BBC Culture Book of the YearFor Alice and Hanna, saint and sinner, growing up is a trial. There is their mother, who takes a divide-and-conquer approach to child-rearing, and their father, who takes an absent one. There is also their older brother Michael, whose disapproval is a force to be reckoned with. There is the catastrophe that is never spoken of, but which has shaped everything . . .As adults, Alice and Hanna must deal with disappointments in work and in love as well as increasingly complicated family tensions, and lives that look dismayingly dissimilar to what they''d intended. They must look for a way to repair their own fractured relationship, and they must finally choose their own approach to their dominant mother: submit or burn the house down. And they must decide at last whether life is really any

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Now the big day has finally arrived, it's time to ... savour the moment. Enjoy the third installment of Nora Roberts' highly successful Bride quartet

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The second Fairacre novel, from the bestselling author of VILLAGE SCHOOL.In her first book VILLAGE SCHOOL, Miss Read drew a picture of the small but detailed world of a typical primary school in a remote country area, a world peopled by the children themselves, Miss Clare the venerable infants teacher, glum Mrs Pringle the cleaner, the vicar and other inhabitants of Fairacre. In VILLAGE DIARY, Miss Read describes the people of Fairacre with the same exactitude, sense of comedy and sharp observation. In addition to those characters familiar to readers of VILLAGE SCHOOL there are newcomers, including dictatorial Amy, an old college friend, Mr Mawne, whom the village sees as a possible husband for the unwilling Miss Read; and the earnest new infants teacher. Overshadowing everything, there is the mammoth country pageant over which Fairacre is so sharply and painfully divided...

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A stunning historical novel - the first in an epic trilogy about the rise and fall of one of history's greatest villains.The dawn of the fifth century AD, and the Roman Empire totters on the edge of the abyss. Already divided into two, the Imperium is looking dangerously vulnerable to her European rivals. The huge barbarian tribes of the Vandals and Visigoths sense that their time is upon them. But, unbeknown to all of these great players, a new power is rising in the East. A strange nation of primitive horse warriors has been striking terror upon border peoples for fifty years. But few realise what is about to happen. For these so called 'Huns' now have a new leader. His name is Attila - 'the Scourge of God'.Thus begins a saga of warfare, lust and power which brings the whole of the Christian world to its knees - and ends in blood on the fields of France. It is a story of two men: Attila the Hun and Aetius the Roman. One who wanted to destroy the world, and one who fought one final battle to save it...

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Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2022From the bestselling author of Breasts and Eggs and international literary sensation Mieko Kawakami comes a sharp and illuminating novel about a fourteen-year-old boy subjected to relentless bullying.In Heaven, a fourteen-year-old boy is tormented for having a lazy eye. Instead of resisting, he chooses to suffer in silence. The only person who understands what he is going through is a female classmate, Kojima, who experiences similar treatment at the hands of her bullies. Providing each other with immeasurable consolation at a time in their lives when they need it most, the two young friends grow closer than ever. But what, ultimately, is the nature of a friendship when your shared bond is terror?Unflinching yet tender, sharply observed, intimate and multi-layered, this simple yet profound novel stands as yet another dazzling testament to Mieko Kawakami’s uncontainable talent. TIME's 100 Must-Read Books of the Year'Mieko Kawakami is a genius' - Naoise Dolan, author of Exciting Times'An expertly told, deeply unsettling tale of adolescent violence' - VogueTranslated from the Japanese by Sam Bett and David Boyd.

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A delightful slice of Turnham Malpas gossip, intrigue and conflict from the Sunday Times bestselling author.With the Rector Peter Harris and his family back from Africa, the villagers of Turnham Malpas heave huge sighs of relief - everything seems to be back to normal. But Peter has other ideas, and decides to return to Africa to fulfil his promise of working there for a year, leaving his family behind.The villagers are also missing Peter's guidance, especially when the store is the target of petty theft and violence. Everyone is relying on Peter's return to help restore harmony. But will he make it back before things get out of hand?

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Bullying and persecution among a group of schoolgirls leads to violent retribution and a race against time for Wycliffe.Two very different young women have been murdered within the same week. One was a singer in a nightclub, the other a nurse - but both were strangled in their own homes in very similar attacks. The press are quick to assume there is a psychopath on the loose, but Wycliffe suspects the truth may be somewhat more complex than that . . . As Wycliffe searches for a link between the victims his investigations take him back in time; to a school trip, an isolated hostel and a cruel joke on a lonely student. Wycliffe is forced into a race against time to track down the murderer before they strike again.

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A wonderfully entertaining collection of Christmas tales from the enduringly popular Miss Read.Taken from the original omnibus CHRISTMAS AT FAIRACRE, Miss Read's wonderfully festive collection of Christmas stories is packed with entertaining characters and enchanting stories.From the rural festivities in 'Village Christmas' and 'Jingle Bells' to the pre-war story 'Christmas At Caxley 1913', the intriguing 'The Fairacre Ghost' and the poignant tale of 'The White Robin', Miss Read's wry wit and light touch is the perfect antidote to the long winter evenings.

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A brilliantly compelling Liverpool saga following the lives of two women - three generations apart.Millie Cameron is not at all pleased when she finds herself obliged to sort through the belongings of her aunt Flo, who has recently died. She hardly knew her aunt and besides, she has her own career to think about. But when she arrives at Flo's basement flat, Millie's interest is awakened. As she sorts through her aunt's collection of photographs, letters and newspaper cuttings she finds herself embarking on a journey - a journey to a past which includes a lost lover and a secret child.Picking through the tangled web of Flo's life, Millie makes the startling discovery that all the threads lead to herself...

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Singer Joley Drake has always known the price she has to pay for her fame and fortune as a popular rock singer, but she's always been careful to stay away from alcohol and drugs, even if others around her haven't. But nothing can prepare her for the suspicion that someone is using her concert afterparties as a way of targeting and kidnapping teen girls and selling them into sexual slavery. Mysterious Russian Ilya Prakenskii seems to have an agenda of his own. The more dealings Joley has with him the more she struggles with the fear that he may be involved in the slavery ring. But Ilya isn't what he seems, and he becomes the only one Joley dares to trust in such treacherous times...

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Hardy Cates is self-made, charming - and determined to carry out his private revenge against the Travis family. So when he crashes a Travis family wedding, the last thing he expects is to find himself kissing his adversary Haven Travis in a dark corner. Hardy has done many things in his life he's not proud of, but now he's trying to rid himself of his roughneck past, which doesn't mean falling in love with a rival - no matter how beautiful she is. Haven, likewise, vows to stay far away from Hardy. Having had her heart quite recently broken - and her body battered and bruised by the man she thought she had loved - she's through with men. That is, until she discovers that the temptation of a tender-hearted, blue-eyed devil is hard to resist. And then, when a menace from Haven's past appears, Hardy may be the only one to save her. . .

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Cilla McGowan - granddaughter of movie goddess Janet Hardy - has fled the cut-throat world of Hollywood for the peace and quiet of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Cilla restores houses for a living and has always dreamed of returning her grandmother's country retreat to its former glory. But a tragedy haunts the old farmhouse, and Cilla's restoration project is stirring up old scandals along with the dust and cobwebs. As Cilla begins to dig deeper into her grandmother's mysterious death thirty years ago, events take a darker turn. Someone in town is determined to keep the truth buried - at any cost. Cilla's new neighbour Ford Sawyer wants to help - but Ford is exactly the kind of man Cilla is running from . . .

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Nora Roberts - The World's Greatest Storyteller. IN DREAMS Drawn to a castle in the forests of Ireland, a beautiful young woman becomes the link to a stranger's past - and the curse that has trapped him for ever in the eternity of his own dreams ...WINTER ROSE On a remote island cursed with eternal winter, a young queen risks her own life to heal others. When a badly wounded warrior prince stumbles into her realm of ice and snow, she saves his life - and warms her heart with the joys of true love ...

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The six members of the Circle are united at last - and prepared for the final battle. Led by sorcerer Hoyt Mac Cionaoith, they stand shoulder to shoulder with the local people of Geall. Together they must defeat the vampire queen Lilith and her army: or lose the world to her dark embrace.But one of the Circle is hiding a troubling secret. To lead her people into battle, Geall's scholar-princess Moira must follow her destiny and become their queen. But she must also deal with her growing feelings for Cian, the vampire - and a love as impossible and fraught with danger as the war they must face together . . .

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In this newly revised and expanded edition, bestselling author Lon Milo DuQuette shares a groundbreaking and irreverent retelling of Jesus Christ's life. DuQuette draws on modern scholarship and his depth of occult experience to transport you to ancient Galilee and bring to life the people in it. Told from the perspective of Jesus's Uncle Clopas, this provocative novel sheds new light on ancient questions. Jesus's teachings, his healing ability, and his miraculous feats brought him fame, adoration, resentment, and ultimately death (or did they?). Interweaving biblical quotes with historical facts and fiction, DuQuette immerses you in a thought-provoking story that offers a plausible case for how distorted the Jesus myth may have become. Funny, tragic, and thrilling, this novel both inspires and challenges your thinking about Jesus.

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The modern classic that changed the way we thought about sex‘Bigamy is having one husband too many. Monogamy is the same’ - Anonymous (a woman)Compulsive daydreamer Isadora Wing has come to a crossroads. Five years of marriage have made her itchy – itchy for men, and itchy for solitude. Ditching her second husband during a work conference in Vienna she decides to cut and run, criss-crossing her way across Europe in search of the perfect no-strings-attached tryst – and she won’t let a little thing like a fear of flying get in her way. Witty, fearless and exuberant, Fear of Flying remains as sensational today as when it was first published.

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The historic hotel in BoonsBoro has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother... and they are uncovering secrets from the hotel's past. The new manager of the Inn starts work - and sparks fly with one of the brothers ...

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**By the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature 2021** A BBC RADIO 4 Book at Bedtime SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 1994 'A poetic and vividly conjured book about Africa and the brooding power of the unknown' Independent on Sunday 'Lingering and exquisite' Guardian 'An obliterated world is enthrallingly retrieved' Sunday Times ____________________________ Born in East Africa, Yusuf has few qualms about the journey he is to make. It never occurs to him to ask why he is accompanying Uncle Aziz or why the trip has been organised so suddenly, and he does not think to ask when he will be returning. But the truth is that his ‘uncle' is a rich and powerful merchant and Yusuf has been pawned to him to pay his father's debts. Paradise is a rich tapestry of myth, dreams and Biblical and Koranic tradition, the story of a young boy's coming of age against the backdrop of an Africa increasingly corrupted by colonialism and violence.

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Writer Kate Ivory has new neighbours on either side of her terraced house. On one side lives Jeremy Wells, a diffident, charming Oxford academic. On the other live Laura and Edward Foster who are intent on enjoying every moment of their retirement. None of them seems likely to become embroiled in serious crime, nor to be its victim. But within a few weeks, Kate is answering questions by the police about a brutal murder on her own doorstep.

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Janey meets Georges at a party in Bordeaux and is drawn to him because he reminds her of Jean Paul Belmondo in 'Breathless'. But dark secrets lie in his past and she throws away their grand passion in a moment's panic. What prompted her flight and what has she spent so long trying to forget?

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