Fiction: mashup / crossover

Book SynopsisThe brand NEW instalment in the bestselling Harpers Emporium series by Rosie Clarke. Can the Harpers Girls look forward to some happy times as a new dawn rises over London?Sally Harper is busy juggling running London’s Oxford Street Store Harpers and looking after her beautiful new-born daughter, whilst husband Ben is overseas on another dangerous mission, this time to rescue a friend in need.Young Becky Stockbridge finds herself in a difficult situation which could bring shame to her and her family. Will Becky, with the help of her friends find her happy ever after and keep her secret? Marion Jackson is blessed with a son as she eagerly awaits the return of her husband Reggie. But all is not right when Reggie returns. Is Marion strong enough to save her family from yet another crisis?As the war clouds retreat and the victory bells ring, tears and joy mingle with those of sadness as the world counts the true toll of war and celebrates peace.

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Book Synopsis‘Exciting, contemporary, heartfelt and clever’ Greg Mosse‘Riveting, real and raw . . . a powerful journey’ Balvinder Sopal‘Wisely and wittily leaps into the heart of friendships’ Sabrina Mahfouz ‘Dares to subject modern feminism to a tough and timely cross-examination’ T.J. EmersonThe hen party from hell descends into darkness, perfect for fans of Nikki May, Dawn O’Porter and Zakiya Dalila HarrisSome friends have your back. Some friends stab you in the back. Ayesha is just about finding her feet on the London stand-up scene, but when her response to a sexist heckler goes viral, she finds herself drawn into an exclusive group of activists: a sacred circle of change makers, each woman with a specific gift to contribute to the cause. The circle draws in her friend Yaz too aTrade Review'Had me laughing out loud in some places and unable to tear my gaze from the drama in others. Highly recommended' Cass Green, author of The Killer Inside 'Bold, gripping and divinely comic. A thrilling pageturner with a fresh, original heroine at its heart. A story that dares to subject modern feminism to a tough and timely cross-examination' T.J. Emerson, author of The Ideal Man 'Exciting, contemporary, heartfelt and clever' Greg Mosse, author of Murder at Church Lodge 'Nina plays with many themes and masterfully weaves them into a narrative that is riveting, real and raw . . . a powerful journey . . . We are faced with colonial ownership, power, abuse, money, fame, cultural appropriation, the fetishisation of a culture and its people, feminism, and what happens when the right to tell one's own story is taken away, hijacked by another so far removed from our own lived experience. The narrative moves seamlessly from chapter to chapter, bringing us ever closer to the truth of what it feels like to be silenced into submission . . . It is the book of the year for me' Balvinder Sopal 'Goddesses wisely and wittily leaps into the heart of friendships made within rage, both how healing and harmful they can be. Taut with tension, the worlds of activism, comedy and literature are deftly and hilariously described. Combined with the resonant, contemporary tone, this is an excellent, indulgent read' Sabrina Mahfouz, poet and playwright, author of How You Might Know Me

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Book Synopsis'This atmospheric debut looks like a rural Irish coming-of-age novel, but it’s cleverer, darker, more unreliable.' Daily Mail AN IRISH INDEPENDENT BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR AN IRISH INDEPENDENT CRITICS CHOICE FOR CHRISTMAS WINNER OF THE BERYL BAINBRIDGE BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD, 2020/2021 AN IRISH TIMES, IRISH INDEPENDENT and SUNDAY INDEPENDENT 'TITLE TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2020' Katie, Maeve and Evelyn have been friends forever. Outspoken, unpredictable and intoxicating, Evelyn is the undisputed leader of the trio. But Katie’s dream of escaping their tiny rural town for a new life in Dublin confronts her with a choice: to hold onto a friendship that has made her who she is, or risk leaving her best friend behind. Told from Katie’s witty, quirky perspective and filled with unforgettable characters, this moving, immersive and very funny study of sisterhood takes a keen-eyed look at the delights and complexities of female friendship, the corrosive power of jealousy and guilt, and the people and places that shape us. Compellingly readable and effortlessly sharp, fizzing with the voices of rural Ireland, this is an unmissable novel from a dazzling new talent.Trade Review'This was perfect. Shades of Elena Ferrante in the story of a country girl who leaves and the friend who stays behind. Light of touch but not light of substance. Great stuff.' -- Kathleen MacMahon, author of This is How it Ends'This atmospheric debut looks like a rural Irish coming-of-age novel, but it’s cleverer, darker, more unreliable.' * Daily Mail *'A fresh, clever look at the intricacies and jealousies of female friendship. This debut reads like a modern, mysterious version of Edna O’Brien’s The Country Girls.' * Irish Examiner *'Hugely enjoyable, profound and humorous.' * Mayo News *‘Small town familiarity meets the Utopian promises of Dublin city as school finishes. Alcohol, grief and the pressure to have 'stories' to bring home to those at home destroy the silvery-spun webs of friendships. Astute and sharp, this is sublime.’ * The Book Nook *'Few writers have articulated the intricacies of friendship – the dependency, the uncertainty, the fragility of the pecking order – with as much authority….a debut bursting with heart.' * Irish Independent *'I loved this one... In some ways, this novel reminded me a fair bit of My Brilliant Friend, just a different time and place, but connected by those themes of friendship, moving on and breaking free.' * Theresa Smith Writes *'Macken's downplaying of major events, such as Pamela's disappearance and Katie's college years, resonates with the solipsism of youth... [She] gets a lot of mileage from Katie's beguiling voice and sardonic humor.' * Publishers Weekly *‘You Have to Make Your Own Fun Around Here vividly captures life in a close-knit community, while examining the intricacies and anxieties of female friendship… Katie is a vibrant creation, whose insights are often fresh and startling… The ups-and-downs of going places is ultimately what makes the narrative come to life.’ * Irish Times *'This exploration of the seething hinterland of growing up, with its often unspoken passions, unrequited longings and intense jealousies, is melancholy, funny, dark and affecting.' * Deborah Kay Davies, author of Reasons She Goes to the Woods *'A subtle, powerful debut novel. Quietly packing her emotional punches, never predictable, Macken’s prose is clear-eyed yet lyrical, and in Katie, she has created a truly touching (and at times very funny) protagonist... A new voice in fiction to celebrate.' * Anna Beer, author of Patriot or Traitor *'Readers will be charmed by the picture of Katie’s circle of friends and acquaintances... Macken's first novel will suit young adult and adult readers alike.' * Booklist *'Frances Macken's You Have To Make Your Own Fun Around Here charts the friendship of three small-town girls from their childhoods through to their early careers, exploring envy and self-belief with consistent, natural humour and spot-on observations.' * Caoilinn Hughes, author of Orchid & the Wasp *'It's funny, dark and brilliant on toxic friendships. I highly recommend.' * Jackie Lyman, Dublin City Libraries *'Frances Macken paints the very real scenario, that we leave, just to say that we did… A breath-taking novel from Irish writer, Frances Macken, shows us that while we may anchor our dreams around others, we can achieve them on our own.' * Waterford News and Star *'Written with a keen insight into female friendships and dripping with wit and charm, You Have to Make Your Own Fun Around Here is a truly immersive story. Macken has a visual eye, bringing simple scenes to life with a carefully chosen word or perceptive detail, and her ear for dialogue is pitch-perfect. The ways in which she captures the pull of the places we call home and the people from our childhoods who shape our lives is also impressive... Reminded me of the best of Maeve Binchy's work, albeit set in a more modern era.' -- Reading Matters'Mayo author Frances Macken captures the intricacies and anxieties of female friendship in this vibrant story set in the fictional small town of Glenbruff… Jealousy and guilt dog the three young women as they attempt to follow their dreams and make their mark in the world in this funny and at times dark tale.' -- Irish Independent'Following these young women from their childhood to their 20s, Macken's novel grapples with the successes and disappointments that splinter their friendship. This tension between expectation and reality — between dreams and growing up — becomes a driving narrative force in the novel... Macken thrives in making meaning out of the commonplace...as she traces Katie and Evelyn's friendship from early childhood to adulthood, inviting the reader to follow along.' -- NecessaryFiction

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Book Synopsis‘A chilling page-turner…Gripping and twisty, I was hooked until the last page.’ Sophie Flynn, author of All My LiesThey’re in your house.They want your life.And now, they have your baby. To the world, I’m @HappyWife. Online, people only see my picture-perfect home, my handsome husband, Nick, and my beautiful baby, Thomas.They don’t see the real Gemma Adams. They don’t see my past, the dark secrets I’m hiding in my marriage. They don’t see the fear I live in every single day.But I know someone is watching me. And now, they’ve taken Thomas. I just don’t know why. But I’m going to stop at nothing to get my baby back. Even if it destroys everything I’ve got to find him. A compelling thriller, packed with suspense - fans of K.L. Slater and Lisa Jewell won't be able to put it down.Praise for The Face at the Window:'Tense and heartbreaking, this emotional thriller really got under my skin.' Barbara Copperthwaite, author of The Girl in the Missing Poster‘Races towards an explosive ending. A compelling and engrossing read!’ Jane Isaac, author of One Good Lie'An emotional rollercoaster of a thriller with twists and turns that kept me hooked from page one.' Karen Coles, author of The Asylum‘Chilling, twisty, emotional and compulsive, this is psychological thriller writing at its best!’ A.A. Chaudhuri, author of She's Mine‘Loved this book!! The twists just kept coming’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘A great page turner, brilliantly addictive with great characters and I just loved every page.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘Wow - just wow…took a plot twist that I wasn't expecting.’ Reader Review‘Kept me turning the pages late into the night…The ending was satisfying and unexpected.’ Reader Review‘A great read with loads of twists and turns which kept me guessing until the end.’ Reader Review‘This book was incredible!...It was so hard to put down…Would definitely recommend.’ Reader Review‘Packed full of suspense, nail-biting angst and drama, this is one you definitely don't want to miss!’ Reader Review‘Wow!...This book definitely gave me chills!’ Reader Review‘This is so addictive writing. Definitely recommend it.’ ‘A great page turner, brilliantly addictive with great characters and I just loved every page.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘This was a very good page turner… it’s full of twists and turns throughout, the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat.’ Reader Review‘Read in one sitting! Dark, frightening and twisty story that you won't be able to put down’ Reader Review

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Book Synopsis'I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing mystery set in a beautiful location with deliciously menacing undercurrents.' Frances EveshamIt was meant to be a safe place to start again...In need of an escape from her failing marriage, Nia agrees to house-sit her aunt’s cottage on the Isle of Wight. She feels sure the cosy close in a quaint harbour town will be a safe place to hide and figure out what to do next.But things are not all as they seem in the close, and the neighbours who welcome her with open arms, are keeping secrets. When Nia finds the body of one of her new friends lying on the beach, she feels sickeningly sure that the killer is dangerously near to home.Who killed her friend and why did she have to die? And if Nia discovers the answers she’s looking for, is she next on their hit list? Good neighbours may become good friends, but they can also make deadly enemies… Mary Grand's intricate psychological mysteries set on the Isle of Wight are perfect for fans of Claire Douglas, Lucy Foley, Agatha Christie and The Isle of Wight Murders.What readers are saying about Mary Grand:'Truly a great puzzler with a superb ending! I HIGHLY Recommend!!!''Wow I'm so so impressed it had me gripped start to finish and I couldn't put it down. I completed within 1 night and such a page turner''So many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing to the very end. An excellent read.''Brilliant if you love psychological thrillers like me.''A sinister "whodunit" that is not your typical police procedural.'

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Book SynopsisAnother wonderful new series from the top 10 bestselling author of The Cornish Midwife, Jo Bartlett. Welcome to Seabreeze Farm.Unhappy with life in London, and with her love life a complete disaster, Ellie Chapman desperately needs a change. So when she learns she’s inherited a farmhouse perched high up on the cliffs above the English Channel, it feels like the perfect escape. But ramshackle and dilapidated, and ruled by the world’s naughtiest donkey, Seabreeze Farm is not as picture perfect as Ellie imagined. And then there’s brooding local vet Ben Hastings, who seems to make it his mission to make life on the farm even harder for Ellie!With money tight, Ellie slowly rebuilds the tired old farmhouse. And as the farm comes to life under Ellie’s care, Ellie’s spark returns too. Because as every day passes, Ellie begins to realise that there is something special about Seabreeze Farm, and there’s no other place she’d rather be.This book was previously published as two novellas - Give Me Your Answer Do and Second Chances at Channel View Farm.Praise for Jo Bartlett:'I love second chance stories. I love returning home stories. So a book combining both is an absolute winner for me. The Cornish Midwife is simply gorgeous. Stunning setting, wonderful characters, and oozing with warmth. A triumph from Jo Bartlett.' Jessica Redland'Perfectly written and set in the beating heart of a community, this story is a wonderful slice of Cornish escapism.' Helen J Rolfe

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Book SynopsisThe brand NEW instalment in the bestselling Harpers Emporium series by Rosie Clarke. Can the Harpers Girls look forward to some happy times as a new dawn rises over London?Sally Harper is busy juggling running London’s Oxford Street Store Harpers and looking after her beautiful new-born daughter, whilst husband Ben is overseas on another dangerous mission, this time to rescue a friend in need.Young Becky Stockbridge finds herself in a difficult situation which could bring shame to her and her family. Will Becky, with the help of her friends find her happy ever after and keep her secret? Marion Jackson is blessed with a son as she eagerly awaits the return of her husband Reggie. But all is not right when Reggie returns. Is Marion strong enough to save her family from yet another crisis?As the war clouds retreat and the victory bells ring, tears and joy mingle with those of sadness as the world counts the true toll of war and celebrates peace.

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Book SynopsisThe brand NEW instalment in the bestselling Harpers Emporium series by Rosie Clarke. Can the Harpers Girls look forward to some happy times as a new dawn rises over London?Sally Harper is busy juggling running London’s Oxford Street Store Harpers and looking after her beautiful new-born daughter, whilst husband Ben is overseas on another dangerous mission, this time to rescue a friend in need.Young Becky Stockbridge finds herself in a difficult situation which could bring shame to her and her family. Will Becky, with the help of her friends find her happy ever after and keep her secret? Marion Jackson is blessed with a son as she eagerly awaits the return of her husband Reggie. But all is not right when Reggie returns. Is Marion strong enough to save her family from yet another crisis?As the war clouds retreat and the victory bells ring, tears and joy mingle with those of sadness as the world counts the true toll of war and celebrates peace.

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Book Synopsis‘I love her beautiful settings and brooding heroes!' Sarah Bennett Who can resist the romance of Venice…When Norah arrives in Venice for a ten-week internship she is surprised to discover that her guide for her work trips around the lagoon is the undeniably gorgeous and kind Gianluca. She can’t help thinking he might be too good to be true, with his endless fascinating local stories, and his infectious laugh.Norah is still bitter after an accident left her with a serious injury and also meant the end of her long-term relationship. And besides, she's serious about her career and that means leaving Venice at the end of the summer.Gianluca has had a summer fling before that led to heartache for him and he won't do it again. He enjoys the long hours out on the lagoon with Norah, but after a storm strands them on a picture-perfect island for a night, they agree they should just be good friends for the summer. But life doesn't always go to plan, and when it's time for Norah to go, they have to decide whether what they have between them is really just a friendship, and not something more… Leonie Mack is back with another fabulously romantic escape, perfect for all fans of Mandy Baggot, Jo Thomas and Carole Matthews.What readers are saying about Leonie Mack:'I read a lot of romance books and I have to say this book is one of the best in terms of chemistry. Readers - we’re talking red hot!''A hot and sizzling read!''An uplifting, intelligent novel with a lot of substance and of course, plenty of romance''I can't stop thinking about this book!''Beautifully written, this is a great take on the opposites attract theme.''A delight to read with lots of fun, romance and funny bits along the way.'

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Book SynopsisThe brand new action-packed gangland thriller from Kerry Kaya!An eye for an eye…Once the top dog, Danny Mckay has walked away from his old gangland life. He’s on the straight and narrow now, looking forward to settling down and living a quiet life.But trouble seems to follow Danny. And when his own family is caught up in a shocking event, Danny is dragged back into the gangland world, hell bent on revenge.Danny’s determined to make someone pay, but the rules are different this time around - old friends are enemies, and Danny doesn’t know who he can trust.And as Danny gets closer to the truth, he realises that the consequences of his own actions could destroy everything - and everyone - that he loves.Don't miss the shocking climax to the Carter Brothers series and another gripping gangland read from bestselling author Kerry Kaya!

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Book SynopsisBen wasn’t brought up, he was dragged up.With absent parents and broken friends, a young Ben makes choices that are ruining his life. Before he’s even twenty, Ben’s spells in prison begin, and soon he finds himself involved in serious crime. When people begin to die, Ben must choose a side.But is this really the life Ben wants or is there a way out of this vicious cycle? Is he destined to fulfil his fate of being once a prisoner, always a prisoner? Or can Ben swap a life on the inside, for one with hope on the outside?Ross Greenwood is back with this shocking, page-turning glimpse into the criminal underworld.This book was previously published as THE BOY INSIDE.Praise for Ross Greenwood:'Move over Rebus and Morse; a new entry has joined the list of great crime investigators in the form of Detective Inspector John Barton. A rich cast of characters and an explosive plot kept me turning the pages until the final dramatic twist.' author Richard Burke‘Master of the psychological thriller genre Ross Greenwood once again proves his talent for creating engrossing and gritty novels that draw you right in and won’t let go until you’ve reached the shocking ending.’ Caroline Vincent at Bitsaboutbooks blog'Ross Greenwood doesn’t write clichés. What he has written here is a fast-paced, action-filled puzzle with believable characters that's spiced with a lot of humour.' author Kath Middleton

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Book SynopsisA mash up of Max Porter, Kafka's METAMORPHOSES and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, NOTHING is a short, strange unforgettable novel and a deeply humane portrait of a disintegrating mindTrade ReviewWritten in a playful style, this is a dark and funny exploration of the fears and anxieties embedded in domestic suburban life that seems particularly pertinent as we emerge from these troubling times * Big Issue *Readers with a taste for unreliable narrators will find themselves entranced by this exhilaratingly peculiar debut. O'Connor's addled language, which often deploys words in ways that don't feel quite right, adds to the delirious impression of a man untethered from reality. Quite where that leaves the reader is all part of the fun. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisBizarro fiction is a contemporary literary genre, which often uses elements of absurdism, satire, and the grotesque, along with pop-surrealism and genre fiction staples, in order to create subversive, weird, and entertaining works. --WikipediaBreaking Bizarro is a twenty-six story melting pot of weirdness, from some of the best authors in the genre. Enjoy!Contributing Authors: John Wayne Comunale, David W. Barbee, Patrick C. Harrison III, Chris Miller, J.D. Graves, Dani Brown, Cody Higgins, Frank J. Edler, Catherine J. Cole, Chandler Morrison, G. Arthur Brown, Shoshana Sumrall Frerking, Robert Essig, Mara Malins, Michael Brueggeman, Duncan P. Bradshaw, Brian Asman, Sam Richard, Elana Gomel, C.J. Silver, Mike Sherer, C.C. Parker, Luciano Marano, C.J. Carter-Stephenson, Kyle Rader, and James Dorr.

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