Search results for ""Simon Schuster LTD""

Eating Well When You're Expecting provides mums-to-be with a realistic approach to navigating healthily and deliciously through the nine months of pregnancy - at home, in the office, at Christmas, in restaurants. Thorough chapters are devoted to nutrition, weight gain, food safety, the postpartum diet, and how to eat when trying to conceive again. And the book comes with 150 contemporary, tasty and healthy recipes that feed mum and baby well, take little time to prepare and are gentle on queasy tummies. At the heart of the book are hundreds of pressing questions every mother-to-be has: Is it true I shouldn't eat any food cooked with alcohol? Will the caffeine in coffee cross into my baby's bloodstream? I'm entering my second trimester, and I'm losing weight, not gaining - help! Is all sushi off limits? How do I get enough calcium if I'm lactose intolerant? I keep dreaming about a hot fudge sundae - can I indulge? (The answer is yes!)

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WINNER OF THE PEN HESSELL-TILTMAN PRIZE 'Reads like something from a thriller…colourful, detailed and meticulously researched' Sunday Times‘Gripping from start to finish' Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads Hundreds of peaceful civilians were slaughtered in the Amritsar Massacre of 13 April 1919, after British troops opened fire without warning. According to legend, Udham Singh was among the injured that day, and he vowed to take revenge. More than twenty years later, in a Westminster hall, he fulfilled that promise when he gunned down in cold blood the man ultimately responsible, Sir Michael O'Dwyer. But what happened in the intervening years? In this sweeping narrative that takes the reader across four continents, Anita Anand separates reality from myth to reveal Singh's astonishing story. She brilliantly pieces together his movements, discovering surprising new links that take us from Jazz Age New York to the shady world of international spy rings. The Patient Assassin shines a devastating light on one of the Raj's most horrific events, but reads like a taut thriller.

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'Gregory is an experienced storyteller and doesn’t let you down. Tidelands is a gripping and intelligent portrait of a woman fighting to survive in a hostile world' THE TIMESTHE BRAND NEW SERIES FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR England 1648. A dangerous time for a woman to be different . . . Midsummer’s Eve, 1648, and England is in the grip of civil war between renegade King and rebellious Parliament. The struggle reaches every corner of the kingdom, even to the remote Tidelands – the marshy landscape of the south coast. Alinor, a descendant of wise women, crushed by poverty and superstition, waits in the graveyard under the full moon for a ghost who will declare her free from her abusive husband. Instead she meets James, a young man on the run, and shows him the secret ways across the treacherous marsh, not knowing that she is leading disaster into the heart of her life. Suspected of possessing dark secrets in superstitious times, Alinor’s ambition and determination mark her out from her neighbours. This is the time of witch-mania, and Alinor, a woman without a husband, skilled with herbs, suddenly enriched, arouses envy in her rivals and fear among the villagers, who are ready to take lethal action into their own hands. ‘The first in a planned series . . . The author crafts her material with effortless ease. Her grasp of social mores is brilliant, the love story rings true and the research is, as ever, of the highest calibre' Elizabeth Buchan, Daily Mail‘Vivid and beguiling – Philippa Gregory at her best’ woman&home'A compelling novel that shines a light on the struggles of 17th century women' Daily Mirror 'The novel's power lies in Gregory's evocative portrayal of the tidelands and the everyday lives of those who are bound to them' Sunday Express'Philippa Gregory returns with an English Civil War novel that excels in everything she does best. Historical events are written with breathless immediacy, keeping the reader enthralled even if they know the outcome. She pays close attention to the plight of women in the past, so often unchanged despite men's wars, and gives them a voice . . . Fans will not be disappointed' Alys Key, The i'Shines a light on the struggles of 17th century women . . . If this novel is the first sign of what's to come then readers are in for a treat' Emma Lee-Potter, Daily Express'Tidelands evokes a world of suspense and superstition. Its fascinating fictional heroine, Alinor, is caught in a net of in-between spaces . . . I was completely swept up in this wonderful, immersive story set in the English Civil War when women who lived unconventional lives risked being accused of witchcraft' Tina Jackson, Writing Magazine

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A SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEARA TIMES BOOK OF THE YEARA TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR A VOGUE BOOK OF THE YEAR'A rollicking read... [Ostler] tells Elizabeth's story with admirable style and gusto' Sunday Times'Terrifically entertaining: if you liked Bridgerton, you’ll love this. . . and her research is impeccable' Evening StandardWhen the glamorous Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston, Countess of Bristol, went on trial at Westminster Hall for bigamy in April 1776, the story drew more attention in society than the American War of Independence. A clandestine, candlelit wedding to the young heir to an earldom, a second marriage to a Duke, a lust for diamonds and an electrifying appearance at a masquerade ball in a diaphanous dress: no wonder the trial was a sensation. However, Elizabeth refused to submit to public humiliation and retire quietly. Rather than backing gracefully out of the limelight, she embarked on a Grand Tour of Europe, being welcomed by the Pope and Catherine the Great among others. As maid of honour to Augusta, Princess of Wales, Elizabeth led her life in the inner circle of the Hanoverian court and her exploits delighted and scandalised the press and the people. She made headlines, and was a constant feature in penny prints and gossip columns. Writers were intrigued by her. Thackeray drew on Elizabeth as inspiration for his calculating, alluring Becky Sharp. But her behaviour, often depicted as attention-seeking and manipulative, hid a more complex tale – that of Elizabeth’s fight to overcome personal tragedy and loss.Now, in this brilliantly told and evocative biography, Catherine Ostler takes a fresh look at Elizabeth’s story and seeks to understand and reappraise a woman who refused to be defined by society’s expectations of her.

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The first book in the bestselling SUPERTATO series - now in a new cased board book format! Meet Supertato! He's always there for you when the chips are down. He's the superhero with eyes everywhere - but now there's a pea on the loose. A very, very naughty pea. Has Supertato finally met his match? The fabulous new character from Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, the bestselling, award-winning creators of Barry the Fish with Fingers, I Need a Wee and Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell.Perfect for fans of Oi Frog!Praise for Supertato: 'Hilarious... One of the funniest picture books this year - read it and laugh out loud!' Creative Steps Magazine 'Hendra introduces another very silly but irresistible creation in the grand tradition of Barry, Norman, Keith et al.' BooksellerPraise for Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell: 'Lovely glittery illustrations and simple text make this a must for pre-schoolers' The Daily MailPraise for No-Bot the Robot with No Bottom: 'Fabulously funny and wonderfully warm' Liverpool Echo 'Fans of Barry, Norman and Keith will absolutely adore this new wonderfully eccentric new character' MumsnetOther titles in the Supertato series:Supertato: Veggies AssembleSupertato: Run Veggies RunSupertato: Evil Pea RulesSupertato: Veggies in the Valley of DoomSupertato: Carnival CatastropeaSupertato: Books Are Rubbish (WBD)Supertato Sticker BookSupertato: Bubbly Troubly Supertato Sticker Skills Supertato: Night of the Living Veg Supertato: The Great Eggscape Supertato: Presents Jack and the Beanstalk Supertato: Mean Green Time Machine

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Love Supertato? Then meet No-Bot, the robot whose bottom is making funny noises in this hilariously silly new adventure from Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, creators of the super-bestselling SUPERTATO series! When Bernard's bottom starts to make funny noises, he decides it MUST be broken! So along with his friends, he sets off in search of just the right replacement. Children will love watching No-Bot try on all kinds of strange new bottoms, from a wheel of cheese to a large red sofa! Will Bernard EVER find the perfect bottom? Find out in this laugh-out-loud, fun-filled story from the brilliant brains behind Supertato, Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell, Barry the Fish with Fingers and more! And don’t miss No-Bot’s first funny adventure: No-Bot the Robot with No Bottom! Also by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet: Supertato Supertato: Veggies Assemble Supertato: Run Veggies Run Supertato: Evil Pea Rules Supertato: Veggies in the Valley of Doom Supertato: Carnival Catastro-pea Supertato Sticker Book Norman the Slug with the Silly ShellNorman the Slug Who Saved Christmas Barry the Fish with FingersBarry the Fish with Fingers and the Hairy Scary Monster I Need a WeeAlan the Bear: Party TimeAlan the Bear: Bedtime Doug the Bug that Went BoingGordon’s Great EscapeKeith the Cat with the Magic Hat

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The first laugh-out loud adventure in the Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder series from Jo Nesbo, the most successful Norwegian author of all time. Also a major motion picture. Doctor Proctor has finally created something to help him fulfil his dream of becoming a famous inventor - a super-strength fart powder that can propel people into outer space! And with the help of his new neighbour Nilly, and Nilly's friend Lisa, Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder is ready to go worldwide! But ruthless twins Truls and Trym are determined to get hold of the powder for themselves. Their plot to spoil the Doctor's plans sparks a fart-filled adventure involving a firework extravaganza, a trip to prison and an escaped anaconda. In the spirit of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket, Doctor Proctor offers a winning combination of humor, adventure, and absurdity that kids (of all ages) will love!PRAISE for the Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder series: 'This terrific book will make you laugh, and cherish your friends' - James Patterson 'plenty of toilet humour, and general silliness that kids love' - The Bookseller 'wickedly entertaining' - The Big Issue 'Lashings of silliness, quirkiness, self-deprecating humour, and a rollicking plot…' - TheBookbag.co.uk 'Fuelled by farts, this is fast-paced and a delightfully ridiculous adventure' - Julia Eccleshare review on lovereading4kids.co.uk 'A superb mix of bizarre and wacky with a little bit of off-beat thrown in. Reminiscent of Roald Dahl it has all the elements to keep children hooked...' - Waterstones

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'Downright fascinating...indispensable reading' Daily Telegraph'Nicholas Foulkes' excellent...book is beautifully illustrated. Captivating' Daily Mail For more than 25,000 years, humanity has sought to understand and measure the passing of time, in the process creating some of the most remarkable and beautiful timepieces. Now, in Nicholas Foulkes' lavishly illustrated book, the battle to tame time is brought vividly to life. From the baboon bone dating back to the palaeolithic era that marked the lunar cycle and on to the 3500-year-old water clock at Karnak, from our earliest days mankind has sought to track the passing of time. More recently, the struggles to measure longitude and to create a workable train timetable across the vast, open expanse of the United States have inspired new developments. In Time Tamed, Nicholas Foulkes reveals how we have done this by focusing on some of the most significant developments in timekeeping across the ages. He also highlights the most stunning and lavish clocks and watches in history - from Big Ben to Rolex - for telling the time has never been purely about function, but also about design. The book is filled with remarkable tales, from the 14th century monk in St Albans who created one of the first mechanical clocks to the Holy Roman Emperor who built a clock into an automated ship that fired a cannon to summon guests to dinner. More recently, there was the Surrey woman who used a Napoleonic era watch to 'deliver' the accurate time to London shopkeepers in the wartime era of Churchill, or the Swiss denture maker who solved a tricky problem for the Indian Raj's polo players. Time Tamed is a book you'll want to spend many hours enjoying.

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It was supposed to be a celebration. How did it all go so wrong? An explosive family drama perfect for fans of Big Little Lies. 'A tense and riveting story about one night gone horribly wrong, and the fallout within a family and a group of friends' Megan Miranda, author of All the Missing Girls Sweet sixteen. It's a coming of age, a milestone, a rite of passage. Of course Jeff and Kim Sanders will throw a party for their daughter, Hannah. She's a good kid with good grades and nice friends. And it isn't going to be a big, indulgent affair. Just four girls coming over for pizza and cake, movies and a sleepover. What could possibly go wrong? But things do go wrong, horrifically wrong. After a tragic accident, Jeff and Kim's flawless life in a wealthy San Francisco suburb begins to unravel. The injured girl's mother, Lisa, files a lawsuit that turns friends into enemies, reveals dark secrets in the Sanders' marriage, and exposes the truth about their perfect daughter, Hannah. Lisa's determination to make the Sanders pay stems from a fierce love for her only child and Lisa's own dark and damaged past. In The Party, Christos Tsiolkas's The Slap meets Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies, taking us behind the façade of the perfect family, exploring the secrets, betrayals, and moral lapses the neighbors don't see.The Party uncovers the lies and duplicities that children and parents tell each other. And tell themselves. 'A compulsive page-turner that mines the push-pull between basic impulses and doing the ‘right thing,’ The Party is a domestic drama that spins off the rails with hellish consequences' Erica Ferencik, author of The River at Night 'A tense and riveting story about one night gone horribly wrong, and the fallout within a family and a group of friends. Secrets, desires, choice and consequence, The Party reveals that what lies inside a family—and each person—is not always as it seems. I was hooked from the opening scene and could not look away until I reached the very last page' Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of All the Missing Girls 'Cleverly constructed and brilliantly paced, The Party is a raw telling of a family coming apart at the seams. Robyn Harding weaves a riveting tale that is impossible to put down' Bill Clegg, New York Times bestselling author of Did You Ever Have a Family

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‘A warming testament to the elasticity and enduring love of true family bonds. I adored this book' Penny Parkes'Fresh, funny and utterly fabulous, it’s the perfect holiday read' Heat ‘Feel-good’ Bella ‘A clever concept … with surprises and some shocks in store for both the reader and the characters ... An endearing, funny and poignant read’ ExpressThe first rule of Sunday Lunch Club is … don't make any afternoon plans. Every few Sundays, Anna and her extended family and friends get together for lunch. They talk, they laugh, they bicker, they eat too much. Sometimes the important stuff is left unsaid, other times it's said in the wrong way. Sitting between her ex-husband and her new lover, Anna is coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy at the age of forty. Also at the table are her ageing grandmother, her promiscuous sister, her flamboyantly gay brother and a memory too terrible to contemplate. Until, that is, a letter arrives from the person Anna scarred all those years ago. Can Anna reconcile her painful past with her uncertain future? Juliet Ashton weaves a story of love, friendship and community that will move you to laughter and to tears. Think Cold Feet meets David Nicholls, with a dash of the joy of Jill Mansell added for good measure.‘I love Juliet's writing and this book featured so many wonderful characters. I was left wanting to join the family at one of their Sunday lunches’ Samantha, Netgalley reviewer ‘A joy from start to finish. The relationships within the family ring so true. And the twists kept me guessing. A beautiful book’ Laura Kemp ‘Romantic and gentle, and in places really funny, but it has pace and a couple of twists which kept me reading. The author is good with characters, each with a clear 'voice'’ Penny, Netgalley reviewer ‘All the characters have their own strong storyline and I enjoyed finding out how their lives unfolded’ Sarah, Netgalley reviewer ‘A very enjoyable and entertaining book with an interesting plot, complex characters and some food for thought. Recommended’ Anna, Netgalley reviewer ‘Absolutely loved this joyful, entertaining, and fabulously funny book’ Karen, Netgalley reviewer

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‘A band of stubborn pioneers rose from the embers of Britain’s cities after the war and created the finest automobiles the world had ever seen... High Performance tells the exhilarating tale of their journey’ Ben Collins, bestselling author of How To Drive‘High Performance is a cracking read and an adrenaline-packed tribute to the time when British mavericks “blew the bloody doors off” the competition’ Sunday TimesIn January 1964, a team of tiny red and white Mini Coopers stunned the world by winning the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. It was a stellar year for British cars that culminated in Goldfinger breaking box office records and making James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 the world’s most famous sports car.By the sixties, on road, track and silver screen the Brits were the ones to beat, winning Formula One championships and capturing hearts. Designers like John Cooper, and Colin Chapman of Lotus, dismissed as mere ‘garagisti’ by Enzo Ferrari, grabbed all the prizes, while Alex Issigonis won a knighthood for his revolutionary Mini. The E Type Jaguar was feted as the world’s sexiest car and Land Rover the most durable.But before the war only one British car had triumphed in a Grand Prix; Britain’s car builders were fiercely risk-averse. So what changed? To find out, Peter Grimsdale has gone in search of a generation of rebel creative spirits who emerged from railway arches and Nissen huts to tear up the rulebook with their revolutionary machines. Like the serial fugitives from the POW camps, they thrived on adversity, improvisation and sheer obstinate determination. High Performance celebrates Britain’s automotive golden age and the mavericks who sketched them on the back of envelopes and garage floors, who fettled, bolted and welded them together and hammered the competition in the showroom, on the road and on the track – fuelled by contempt for convention.

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Your words are amazing! This book is about your heart. The little bit inside of you that makes you, you! A very timely book about the power of words – and how we use them. Told through the eyes of Pip and Cat, this book beautifully demonstrates the importance of what we say – both positive and negative. Thoughtful, warm-hearted and completely non-preachy, this is a book that has already resonated with large numbers of children, whose teachers report a sea of change in the culture of their classroom after reading it. A universal message, for a world that always needs a little more kindness. 'It's a great way to encourage discussion and to share the power of words' Parents in Touch 'A beautiful book that tells a strong story that spans all generations' – Donna J 'Truly beautiful and effective' – Jo E 'Possibly the most beautiful present I have ever received' – Lisa W

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'Lea and Jeremy’s stories from the White House are not only fascinating, but reveal lessons about the ways we treat one another that can be applied universally. No matter your beliefs, background or what you do for a living, there are takeaways from this book that will make each of us better human beings. By focusing on the things that unite us – love, kindness and empathy – Treating People Well has the power to change the world for the better.' Karlie Kloss, supermodel and founder of Kode With Klossy 'Treating People Well is an essential guide for getting along and getting ahead in our world today. Authors Lea Berman and Jeremy Bernard show us how people from opposite ends of the political spectrum and all walks of life can build relationships, earn trust, and succeed by treating others with civility and respect. Full of life lessons that are both timely and timeless, this is a book that will be devoured, bookmarked, and read over and over again.' John McCain, United States Senator 'I loved this book! Yes, as promised in the title, it shows you the value of treating people well and gives expert advice, but that is only part of it. The two authors – both former White House Social Secretaries in different administrations – provide fascinating glimpses of what’s behind the scenes at the White House. You’ll learn a lot while being vastly entertained.' Joan Ganz Cooney, founder, Sesame StreetWritten by two former White House Social Secretaries, Treating People Well is a guide to developing social skills in order to build more successful relationships. Using their unique access, the authors describe the behaviours that shape how an individual is perceived. While manners and etiquette may not seem relevant in today’s technology-burdened, politically contentious world, modern life has caused many people to feel disconnected and uncomfortable in their interactions with others. This essential book gives readers the tools to live each day more positively, forging connections based on trust and mutual respect. The authors offer advice such as how to develop confidence, be consistent, use humour, listen carefully, radiate calm, resolve conflicts quickly, be honest but never cruel, cultivate loyalty, own your mistakes, work with difficult people, and attend to details, whether in the office or at home, dealing with friends or colleagues, as a student, a new employee or an experienced executive. Working in the most charged workplace possible, Lea and Jeremy honed these skills over years, striving to apply kindness, empathy and genuine caring to achieve success.

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'HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!' Frank Cottrell Boyce 'Hilarious' Tim Minchin 'Danny Wallace and Jamie Littler's books contain all the wit and warmth of Dahl and Blake at their best. Irresistible.' Phil Earle 'Like David Walliams, Danny Wallace is a comedian turned children's author. Of the two, Wallace's writing is funnier' The Sunday Times, Children's Book of the WeekGet ready for another hilarious adventure from bestselling author Danny Wallace brought to life with illustrations from Jamie Littler, perfect for fans of David Walliams, Roald Dahl, David Baddiel and David Solomons!Beware the Babies ... they CRY ... they POO ... they ATTACK! Hamish and the PDF have been left in charge of Starkley while his dad and the rest of the Belasko agents are off hunting down the universe's second-most dangerous villain - Axel Scarmarsh! But nothing bad will happen while he's gone, right? WRONG! Suddenly the babies of Starkley are on the rampage and causing chaos - but only Hamish and his friends seem to be worried about the odd behaviour. What’s behind the baby uprising and can the mini mutiny be stopped before EVERY BABY ON EARTH rises up?!

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'I always knew he was quite creative, but I had no idea he was so reckless' Lord Sugar 'The thinking woman's Bakewell tart ... Witty, interesting and underpinned by a sharp intellect' Jo Brand 'This book is a total delight - as wise and witty and surprising as the man himself' Gyles Brandreth When Nick Hewer first appeared on our TV screens in The Apprentice in 2005, he had thought he was heading towards a quiet retirement after a long and successful career in PR and marketing. Little did he realise that appearing on the show with Lord Sugar and Margaret Mountford would mean that his life was about to be transformed. Quickly, he became a regular presence in our homes, renowned for his wry sense of humour and his astute insights. But the story of how the current host of Countdown came to this point has remained largely unknown – until now. In My Alphabet, Nick Hewer takes us through an A to Z of some of the most remarkable and entertaining events his life, covering everything from his Boyhood in Swindon, when he took his Dinky toys on a most unexpected journey, to Regrets, and an episode that ended in a kidnapping. With chapters on subjects from Tottenham Hotspur to one on Underwear, there is sure to be something for all tastes within these pages. My Alphabet builds up into a brilliant and fascinating self-portrait, taking the reader on a remarkable journey that will inform, entertain and move you. We get to see behind the scenes on The Apprentice and Countdown, and much else besides. Self-deprecating and witty, Nick Hewer has written a brilliant book his many fans are sure to treasure.

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Celebrating magical grandads everywhere. Perfect for father's day!A striking and heart-warming celebration of taking a moment to notice the beauty in everyday things. When a young boy finds himself thrown into a new city, his world suddenly feels very grey. But with the help of his Grandpa, he discovers that things aren't always what they first seem and that beauty can be hidden in even the most unexpected of places.An uplifting tale of life's simple pleasures from acclaimed illustrator, Fiona Lumbers.

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Huge scaly DRAGONS roamed the land In long gone days of olde.  They LOVED to wear big underpants In colours bright and bold. With flaming holes in their undies, a pack of pant-loving dragons embark on a knicker-nicking adventure through the Kingdom of Pantasia in this hilarious new story from the creators of the bestselling Aliens Love Underpants! Laugh your pants off at the other books in the series: Aliens Love Underpants  Dinosaurs Love Underpants  Aliens in Underpants Save the World  Aliens Love Panta Claus  Pirates Love Underpants  Monsters Love Underpants  Aliens Love Dinopants 

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When Gerald the fox turns up at the Annual Woodland Creatures’ Ball, a few of the guests are a little concerned. After all, they’ve heard some rather alarming rumours about foxes and their appetites. But they needn’t have worried – Gerald is a vegetarian fox, and the life and soul of the party! In fact, he’s terribly friendly. A darkly funny story, with artwork from the creator of Great Bunny Bakes, Ellie Snowdon.

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A captivating Cornish saga set at the turn of the century, from the bestselling author of The Boy With No Boots and The Girl by the River Following a terrible storm, seven-year-old Lottie is rescued from a shipwreck by local Cornishman, Arnie Lanroska. Her clothing suggests she comes from a wealthy family, but Lottie's back bears the scars of a severe beating, and how she came to be on a cargo ship in the first place remains a mystery . . . Arnie and his wife already have two young children, Matt and Tom, but are desperate to keep Lottie. They decide to foster her, despite outcries from the local community, and though Matt appears hesitant to get close to Lottie, Tom quickly warms to the new sister in his life. But when tragedy strikes the very heart of the Lanroska family, the repercussions could change the lives of everyone close to them . . .A nostalgic and heart-warming family saga, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Margaret Dickinson

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'Taut, clever, compelling and guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat…' Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the TrainYou think you know her…But look a little closer She is a stay-at-home mother of three with boundless reserves of patience, energy and love. After being friends for a decade, this is how Liz sees Jess. Then one moment changes everything. Dark thoughts and carefully guarded secrets surface – and Liz is left questioning everything she thought she knew about her friend, and about herself.From the bestselling author of Anatomy of a Scandal – a new thought-provoking novel exploring the complexity of motherhood and all that connects and disconnects us. ‘A deep dive into the dark side of motherhood. Highly recommended' Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She Said ‘Compelling, beautifully written, so perceptive and emotionally devastating. Like Anatomy of a Scandal, it feels like an important book as well as a brilliant read’ Lucy Foley, author of The Hunting Party 'Sarah Vaughan turns her pin-sharp attentions to the blame game that is early parenthood, raising the stakes to truly fearful levels. This tense, absorbing read will have parents – in fact, all readers – turning the pages deep into the night' Louise Candlish, author of Those People 'Little Disasters takes on another topical and emotive issue with the same skill and command Vaughan showed in Anatomy of a Scandal' Cara Hunter, author of All The Rage ‘An emotionally terrifying story. Sarah has impressively created characters whose pain and fear is all too real. I could not put this book down’ Heidi Perks, author of Now You See Her ‘Vaughan explores the darker impulses of motherhood - the fear, fury and despair; the frantic juggling, loss of control and exhaustion - and of course the overwhelming love. Refreshingly assured and punchy writing that is sure to hit a nerve’ Lucy Atkins, author of Magpie Lane 'A brilliant storyteller, Vaughan serves up every mother’s nightmare with consummate skill and a big heart. Clever. Totally compelling. Impossible to put down’ Eve Chase, author of Black Rabbit Hall ‘I loved it and didn’t want to put it down. So, so good on motherhood and friendship’ Laura Marshall, author of Friend Request 'I read this with a fascinated, mounting sense of horror because it could all be too true. Compulsive reading with an ending I didn’t see coming' Jane Corry, author of I Looked Away 'A true psychological thriller shows us, as all the best ones do, that the scariest place is not the dark alleyway but inside the pathways of our own minds. Compelling… and important’ Araminta Hall, author of Our Kind of Cruelty ‘An immaculately researched and compelling story about the devastating fall out from one mistake’ Jane Shemilt, author of The Playground‘Each character is brilliantly drawn, and the book delivers surprise after surprise’ Claire Fuller, author of Bitter Orange ‘Absolutely brilliant; an emotionally devastating story, brave and honest’ Emma Curtis, author of One Little Mistake ‘Sarah’s writing is so impressive and skilful – the book is gripping, meticulous, and touches the raw nerves of parenthood’ Terry Stiastny, author of Conflicts of Interest ‘A fabulous twisty look at early motherhood and friendships. Domestic noir and psyche thriller, it’s brave and brilliant’ Fionnuala Kearney, author of The Book of Love 'Sarah Vaughan manages to hit that rare sweet spot between satisfying, literary writing and a plot that grips you by the throat. Little Disasters is every bit as brilliant as Anatomy of a Scandal. Superb' Cass Green, author of The Killer Inside 'An emotionally intelligent and beautifully written thriller that oozes with tension. Just when I thought I had things figured out, Sarah throws us a curveball which turns everything on its head. Rich and authentic, this is a truly remarkable book' Claire Douglas, author of Then She Vanishes 'Sarah Vaughan delivers another masterful page-turner, this time tackling early motherhood at its least joyful. As with Anatomy of a Scandal, she writes with intelligence and compassion; the result is a truly gripping read’ Catherine Isaac, author of Messy, Wonderful Us 'Told from multiple points of view, this raw and painfully real portrayal of insecurities, guilt, shame and postnatal anxiety is complex, nuanced and moving' Guardian 'Thought provoking and delicately executed, this beautifully written novel features characters you will want to both rally and reprimand' The i 'Vaughan's novel is a warning about the terrible effects parenting can have on mental health. It is also a cunningly plotted mystery' Daily Mirror ‘Sarah Vaughan brings to this book the same tension building expertise that made her bestseller Anatomy of a Scandal such a success’ Daily Mail ‘You’ll be kept on the edge of your seat by this carefully crafted novel with multiple twists throughout. It makes for an emotional, often terrifying, and completely gripping read’ Daily Express 'Expertly crafted... Fans of Anatomy may miss the courtroom tension, but the psychological portraiture in this absorbing study of motherhood is just as rich' Sunday Times ‘Full of painful truths about the brutal aspect of motherhood, this punchy thriller is sharply plotted’ Sunday Mirror 'Vaughan delivers another highly emotional, nail-biting read that you'll tear through in no time at all' heat 'Sarah Vaughan… is back with her fourth novel, the shocking, impossible-to-look-away Little Disasters' Observer 'Difficult to put down' Bella 'An absolutely gripping read' Closer 'Emotional and intense' Crime Monthly 'Dark, desperate and gripping' Cosmopolitan 'Another thought-provoking psychological drama' Woman & Home 'An important book exploring how everything changes once you become a mother - for good and bad' Woman's Weekly 'A brilliantly absorbing read… It twists all the way to a satisfying ending' WI Life 'An in depth exploration and revelation of the complicated psychology of early motherhood' Crime Fiction Lover ‘Painful and realistic, this is a novel that should be read by everyone planning to have a child’ Literary Review 'In a culture that fetishises motherhood, Sarah Vaughan's novel is an invaluable corrective, a warning about the terrible effects parenting can have on mental health. It is also a very cunningly plotted mystery' Jake Kerridge, Sunday Express 'Sarah Vaughan's latest novel markets itself as a psychological thriller, but is more of an exploration of the intensity of motherhood. Thought provoking and delicately executed' Press Association 'Sarah Vaughan has crafted a psychological drama with great depth' Woman's Own 'Thought provoking and delicately executed, the beautifully written character drama paints a cautionary portrait of motherhood with recognizable characters you'll want to rally and reprimand in equal measure throughout' Irish Examiner

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When Albie and his mum go to the museum, Albie has no idea what is in store for him. He know that museums are fusty and dusty and full of smelly things, but what he doesn't expect are igloos, wolves and a real life polar bear... Join Albie on a brand new adventure in this brilliant book by the bestselling author and illustrator pairing Caryl Hart and Ed Eaves!Going to the museum has never been so much fun! 'Hart is a rising picture book star.' The Bookseller Praise for How to Grow a Dinosaur: 'A pre-school crowd pleaser with a dinosaur battle to boot.' The Bookseller 'Full of fun and packed with bold colourful pictures, this action-packed story will really appeal to children and is a great way to extend their imaginations.' Parents in Touch

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Escape to the winding cobblestone streets and rolling hills of Tuscany in this delicious, romantic and charming tale perfect for fans of Chocolat and Under the Tuscan Stars. Margherita is a spirited young woman with a passion for cooking. When her heart is broken in Rome, she returns to her hometown of Roccafitta, a small Tuscan village filled with lovable eccentrics and beautiful vineyards. She dreams of saving enough money to reopen her late mother’s restaurant and hopes she may find help from the handsome stranger in town, Nicola Ravelli. An aloof and ambitious businessman, Nicola is buying up the village’s vineyards and is also on the lookout for a personal chef. Though the two dislike one another immediately, Nicola agrees to pay Margherita well for each delicious meal she prepares to help win over his clients. But with each new dish, Nicola discovers that he is the one being seduced and Margherita realizes that she is expressing much more through her cooking than she cares to admit.A warm-hearted, sensual story full of eccentric characters, this is a celebration of life and love – with a distinctly Italian flavour – and of the power of food to bring people together. *Includes delicious Italian recipes!* What readers are saying about this book: 'Absolutely superb! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from beginning to end; wonderfully evocative with engaging characters. Margherita was funny, feisty and endearing whilst Nicola needed time before the reader appreciated his qualities. Roccafitta came alive with the detailed descriptions of places and characters, so much so that you could imagine walking down the street with them, whilst the descriptions of the food were outstanding. Margherita's love of food, the process of creating it and the thought behind it was captivating; you could almost taste the dishes' Linda Wilson, Netgalley reviewer 'Afoodie's treat with the right balance of romantic attraction mixed in. Definitely yummy' Bharti Chandnani, Netgalley reviewer'I was excited to start this book about a romance in Italy. It was a delightfully quick read, perfectly suited for the beach! The beautiful descriptions of food throughout the book brought the characters and dialogue to the next level. A very enjoyable read' Lora Mueller, Netgalley reviewer

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A beautiful and classic anthology of frosty, magical short stories from acclaimed children’s writers. The Dreamsnatcher’s Abi Elphinstone heads up this gorgeous collection of wintery stories, featuring snow queens, frost fairs, snow dragons and pied pipers . . . from classic children’s writers Michelle Magorian, Geraldine McCaughrean, Jamila Gavin, Berlie Doherty, Katherine Woodfine, Piers Torday, Lauren St John, Amy Alward, Michelle Harrison and Emma Carroll.‘Captures all the excitement of the season’ The GuardianAn unmissable, enchanting treat of a collection that will be enjoyed for years to come, by readers of all ages.Also by Abi Elphinstone:The DreamsnatcherThe Shadow KeeperThe Night SpinnerSky Song Everdark (World Book Day)RumblestarJungledropThe Crackledawn DragonEverdark

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In this inspiring and hilarious memoir, YouTube star Ricky Dillon gives you an exciting look into his personal life and reveals the ins and outs of being a young star online. A former member of the enormously popular YouTube group Our Second Life, alongside his good friend Connor Franta, Ricky Dillon has connected with millions of fans worldwide, with no less than the New York Times featuring him in an article about the new generation of social media influencers. Now, in his very first book, Ricky takes you into his day-to-day world and shows them what it’s like to be a young star with a number of different creative interests, from crafting weekly videos to collaborating with other YouTube personalities to honing his career as a pop musician. Ricky also takes you into the inner workings of his personal fitness regimen and how he maintains a programme of health and wellness in all areas of his life. In addition to all of this, Ricky creates a set of challenges: from serious, contemplative tasks to the type of zany, hilarious stunts that he explores in his videos regularly, to create a book that is at once informative, inspiring, and incredibly fun. Follow Me captures the humour, creativity, and perseverance of one of today’s most popular vloggers, with exclusive photos and additional insights that make this a must-read and must-have for fans everywhere

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FROM THE ACCLAIMED AUTHOR OF THE LAST PEARL AND THE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER, this is a beautiful and dramatic novel about family secrets, wartime betrayal and redemption. When Isobel Morton takes over the café in Lichfield’s market square, she has big plans. Soon renamed The Victory Café, with a menu that delights despite rations, the girls who work at the Vic are swept away by Belle’s lust for life. Among the regular customers is a trio of soldiers from the nearby American base and waitress Dorrie Goodman soon befriends them, learning about jazz and romance in the process. But the stifling morality of a Midlands town in the 40s cannot accommodate such a friendship; jealously, hatred and the weight of public disapproval combine to precipitate a tragedy. It is not until many years after the war that friendship and reconciliation can begin to heal the wounds of the past …Praise for Leah Fleming 'I enjoyed it enormously.It's a moving and compelling story about a lifetime's journey in search of the truth' RACHEL HORE 'A born storyteller' KATE ATKINSON

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On June 25, 1876, 611 men of the United States 7th Cavalry rode towards the banks of the Little Bighorn where three thousand Indians stood waiting for battle. The lives of two great war leaders would soon become forever linked: Crazy Horse, leader of the Oglala Sioux, and General George Armstrong Custer. This masterly dual biography tells the epic story of the lives of these two men: both were fighters of legendary daring, both became honoured leaders in their societies when still astonishingly young, and both died when close to the supreme political heights. Yet they - like the nations they represented - were as different as day and night. Custer had won his spurs in the American Civil War; his watchword was 'To promotion - or death!' and his restless ambition characterized a white nation in search of expansion and progress. Crazy Horse fought for a nomadic way of life fast yielding before the buffalo-hunters and the incursions of the white man. The Great Plains of North America provided the stage - and the prize.

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The 5th Wave meets Beauty and the Beast in this fast-paced and heart-stopping follow-up to Zero Repeat Forever, which VOYA called “an edge-of-your-seat page-turner.” Xander Liu survived the end of the world—just barely. For more than a year he has outsmarted, hidden from, and otherwise avoided the ruthless alien invaders, the Nahx, dodging the deadly darts that have claimed so many of his friends. When the murder of his friend Raven leaves him in the protective company of August, a rebellious Nahx soldier, Xander is finally able to make his way back to human controlled territory and relative safety. But safety amongst the humans is not what it seems. Nothing is anymore. Raven remembers dying in the arms of August. She remembers the pain, and the way he cried as she faded away. But months later when she wakes up on a wide expanse of snowy sand dunes, shackled to a boy she thought was dead too, she has a lot of questions. What has happened to her and the other reanimated humans gathered on the dunes? What is the meaning of the Nahx ships that hover ominously above them? And most pressing of all, where is August, who promised to keep her safe? In the shadow of an unforgiving Canadian winter, Xander and Raven find themselves on opposite sides of an alien war neither of them signed up for. Left with little choice about their roles in the great battle that now seems inevitable, they search for answers and allies, all while feeling inexorably drawn back the place it seems their respective fates were determined, and to the one who determined them: August.

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‘Tell Mum I miss her’ Bodyguard Sam Wylde has had her British licence revoked. She is now operating in Europe, running security on a swanky motor yacht during the Historic Grand Prix race. And at the same time she trawls for news of her ex-husband and daughter. In fact, the owner of the boat is bankrupt and the bank wants the multi-million-dollar vessel back. Sam is in the middle of a very dangerous situation that is rapidly escalating out of control. Alongside her partner Konrad, Sam has to fight enemies on all fronts. But will they even find themselves on opposite sides when it comes to the final showdown?Nobody Gets Hurt. If only that were true. Praise for RJ Bailey: 'I loved Safe From Harm,a thriller that had me in a choke-hold from its great opening line to the white-knuckle climax. Sam Wylde is a hero for our times' Tony Parsons, author of The Murder Bag 'Claustrophobic, compelling and completely gripping' Robert Elms 'A heroine with an attractive combination of domestic angst, kick-ass action and distinctly unladylike vocabulary. Pulse-quickening fun’ Sunday Times ‘Star Pick’ ‘A brilliant action packed thriller’ Goodreads 5* review

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It's every woman's fantasy: to pack a bag and leave everything behind. Meet Maribeth Klein, a harried working mother who is so busy taking care of her husband and twins that she doesn’t even realise that she has had a heart attack. But her recuperation seems to be an imposition on those who rely on her. So Maribeth does the unthinkable – she packs a bag and leaves. Maribeth has always wondered who she is and where she comes from: and now's the time to find out. Now, far from the demands of family and career, she is finally able to own up to the secrets she has been keeping from herself and those she loves.From the bestselling author of If I Stay and I Was Here comes a stunning new novel for Forman’s adult readers, an unflinching portrait of a woman confronting the joys and sorrows of marriage, motherhood and friendship. *~*~*Readers love Leave Me*~*~* '[Leave Me] reminds you that we are all fragile human beings, imperfect and all a work in progress and above all, it reminds us that life is complex and frightening but not impossible' The Bookbag ‘Read it, as they say, and weep’ Daily Mail 'When I reached the end of this book, I was in tears because of how honest and raw it was. This book will really make you think very deeply about your deepest desires' Twenty-Three Pages 'An appealing fairy tale for the exhausted and underappreciated' Kirkus 'Deftly explores the domestic struggles of 21st-century bourgeois life. This is an insightful ode to—and cautionary tale for—the overburdened working mother' Book Page 'With humor and pathos, Forman depicts Maribeth’s complicated situation and her thoroughly satisfying arc, leaving readers feeling as though they’ve really accompanied Maribeth on her journey' Publishers Weekly

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Ferdinand Mount has been fascinated by the great thinkers and politicians who have shaped human history over the past two millennia In this fascinating, and provocative book, he examines the proposals for a political theory from a number of widely different historical figures. Twelve key people, from the great orator and statesman of Ancient Greece (Pericles) to the inspiration of the founding of the state of Pakistan (Muhammad Iqbal) we take a colourful and rip-roaring journey through the historical figures who have both inspired and provoked Mount in equal measure. The lives of men such as Jesus Christ, Rousseau, Adam Smith, Edmund Burke, and Thomas Jefferson are discussed and comparisons are drawn between the various approaches each figure promoted in their works – whether philosophical, or political theories. For those wishing to be guided by Mount’s choices and be swept along by his brilliantly erudite prose, this will be a particular enjoyable read. Lots of colour, humour and passion governed all these people careers and Mount brings them to life like no one else can.Praise for the international-bestselling Tears of the Rajas:-'Mount is a skilled and fluent writer who does his subject justice' --Literary Review'Mount relates this remarkable story with a gentle wit, a lightness of touch, a boyish enthusiasm as well as a genius for the telling pen-portrait… It is a remarkable story, and cumulatively amounts to an epic panorama of British Indian history much more substantial than the 'collection of Indian tales, a human jungle book', which Mount modestly describes as his aim in the introduction.' --William Dalrymple, The Spectator'What [Mount] provides instead is of far greater value: a perceptive antidote to nationalistic prejudicial thinking, and an opportunity for a greater understanding of the aftereffects of British imperialism in some of the world's most troubled regions.' Sunday Times'Although Tears of the Rajas is replete with stirring tales of adventure, it is a deeply humane book. Mount's heart is at all times with the people of India, whose lives are turned upside down by blundering attempts at modernisation.' The Times

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THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER The twisty and darkly compelling thriller, European bestseller and RICHARD & JUDY BOOKCLUB PICK that will keep you up all night.'The rock cast a sharp, dark shadow over a shape huddled on the ground. Please don’t let it be the boy, Colomba thought. Her silent prayer didn’t go unanswered. The corpse belonged to the mother.'Dante Torre spent eleven young years in captivity - held by a man known only as The Father - before outwitting his abductor. Now working for the police force, Torre's methods are unorthodox but his brilliance is clear. When a young child goes missing in similar circumstances in Rome, Torre must confront the demons of his past to attempt to solve the case. Paired with Deputy Captain Colomba Caselli, a fierce, warrior-like detective still reeling from having survived a bloody catastrophe, all evidence suggests The Father is active after being dormant for decades, and that he’s looking forward to a reunion with Dante ... 'Introduces us to two of the most intriguing detectives to have emerged in recent years… Brutal and frighteningly realistic, it never loses its grip' Daily Mail '[a] fascinatingly complex thriller' i newspaper 'An intelligent thriller… very entertaining' Jake Kerridge, Sunday Express ‘Undoubtedly a gripping read…a deliciously dark journey which provides a genuinely satisfying conclusion’ Crime Scene 'Absolutely electrifying' Jeffery Deaver ‘Police politics and military operations add to the complexity and interest of this unrelenting, adrenaline-fueled novel, with a final twist. Don’t be surprised if Kill the Father becomes the next Big Thing in international crime fiction’ Booklist 'Kill the Father is impeccable, from the build up of characters and place to the crisp narrative…Do not pass this one up; it’s a terrific crime drama' Durango Telegraph ‘A mind-bending, stunningly original page-turner' Jonathan Kellerman

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**Don't miss Penny Parkes's brand-new novel Home – available for pre-order now** WINNER OF THE RNA's ROMANTIC COMEDY OF THE YEAR AWARD 2017! ‘A wonderful setting, characters you care about, a page-turning plot, laugh-out-loud funny. I loved it’ Katie Fforde Meet married mum of two and successful GP Holly Graham as she relocates her family to join the team at The Practice at Beckerford, hoping to find the peaceful life she craves, despite the chaos that comes with her two year old twins and the troublesome state of her marriage. It will certainly be a challenge to keep her private and professional lives separate in such a tight-knit community. Her colleagues have their own issues to contend with. The gorgeous Dr Dan Carter is struggling with to focus on work and the last thing he needs is any more stress; having his ambitious ex-girlfriend Dr Julia Channing working alongside him isn't really helping. Thankfully, the rather delectable Dr Taffy Jones is on hand to distract Holly from the escalating situation at home. Feisty octogenarian and resident celebrity, Elsie Townsend, is Holly's favourite patient and saving grace. Elsie's inspirational Life Lessons come at the perfect moment, as The Practice is suddenly under threat of imminent closure and Holly rediscovers her voice and her priorities just in time …Praise for Penny Parkes: 'Hugely enjoyable’ Catherine Isaac ‘Larkford is still my happy place’ Katie Fforde 'Delightfully warm' Jo Thomas ‘Has everything: warmth, humour, drama, laughter and a few tears’ Milly Johnson ‘A pure delight’ Julie Cohen 'Full of humour, warmth and characters you care about' Woman's Weekly

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Rebecca Wilding, an archaeology professor, traces the past for a living. But suddenly, truth and certainty are turning against her. Rebecca is accused of serious fraud, and worse, she suspects - she knows - that her husband, Stephen, is having an affair. Desperate to find answers, Rebecca leaves with Stephen for Greece, Italy and Paris, where she can uncover the conspiracy against her, and hopefully win Stephen back to her side, where he belongs. There's too much at stake - her love, her work, her family. But on the idyllic Amalfi Coast, Stephen goes swimming and doesn't come back. In a swirling daze of panic and fear, Rebecca is dealt with fresh allegations. And with time against her, she must uncover the dark secrets that stand between her and Stephen, and the deceit that has chased her halfway around the world.

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THE TOP TEN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER THAT HAS TAKEN EUROPE BY STORM 'This thriller has already attracted attention across Europe, and with good reason. There are touches of both Daphne du Maurier and Stephen King in its depiction of a musician, Peter Harper, whose life has disintegrated ... Part Don’t Look Now, part Misery, yet with a distinctive style of its own, this is a supercharged supernatural thriller' Daily MailHe'd seen the danger coming. And now it's here... When Peter Harper, a gifted musician whose career and personal life are in trouble, comes to northwest Ireland and rents a remote cottage on beautiful, windswept Tremore Beach, he thinks he has found a refuge, a tranquil place in a time of crisis. His only neighbours for miles around are a retired American couple, Leo and Marie Kogan, who sense his difficulties and take him under their wing. But there’s something strange about the pair that he can’t quite figure out. One night during one of the dramatic storms that pummel the coast, Peter is struck by lightning. Though he survives, he begins to experience a series of terrifying, lucid and bloody nightmares that frame him, the Kogans and his visiting children in mortal danger. The Harper family legend of second sight suddenly takes on a sinister twist. What if his horrifying visions came true, could tonight be his last...? Stephen King meets The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair in this unputdownable suspense thriller that has gripped readers across Europe. ‘Absolutely compulsive . . . I went along for the ride and I’m so glad I did. A mash up of Don’t Look Now meets Straw Dogs’ Robert Ryan, author of Dead Man's Land

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Lauren wouldn’t change a thing about The Moonlight Hotel. She loves its vintage glamour, lakeside setting and, above all, its precious memories from back when her late dad ran the place. But handsome entrepreneur Joe is the new owner. And he has big plans. When Lauren comes face to face with Joe after signing up to dance classes in its gorgeous ballroom, she can’t hide her hostility. She’s not going to change her views. He’s not going to alter his project. But could learning to salsa spark the chemistry they need to finally see eye to eye? An enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity rom-com that will warm your heart and make you laugh out loud! ‘As entertaining as Strictly, but with a lot more romance’ KATIE FFORDE ‘Hilarious and romantic – Jane Costello’s best book yet’ BELLA

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The extraordinary novel from Queen of Suspense Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke Five years ago Amanda Pierce was excitedly preparing to marry her college sweetheart. She and Jeffrey had already battled through sickness and health, although their lives were certainly more richer than poorer as Amanda was set to inherit her father's successful garment company. Then Amanda disappeared the night of her bachelorette party. In present-day New York City, Laurie Moran realizes a missing bride is the perfect cold case for her Under Suspicion television series to investigate. By recreating the night of the disappearance at the wedding's Florida resort with Amanda's friends and family, Laurie hopes to find the same success solving the cases featured in the series' first episodes. With Amanda's former fiancé now married to a bridesmaid, and a jealous sister, playboy groomsmen, and rumors about the "beloved" bride herself, Laurie and Under Suspicion host Alex Buckley quickly realize everyone has their own theory about why Amanda disappeared into thin air. One thing is certain, whoever was behind Amanda's vanishing plans to keep the truth hidden "til death do they part"…All Dressed in White is another riveting page-turner from the Queen of Suspense Mary Higgins Clark and her dazzling partner-in-crime, Alafair Burke.*** Praise for Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke *** 'I adore Mary Higgins Clark' Karin Slaughter 'Clark plays out her story like the pro that she is . . . flawless' Daily Mirror 'Should come with a warning: start in the evening and you'll be reading late into the night' USA Today

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An atmospheric, enchanting story, skillfully drawn by exciting new talent, Fiona Woodcock about a little girl with an amazing gift for concealing herself. Heidi and her friends LOVE to play hide and seek. The trouble is, Heidi always win. She can't help it - she's just too good! But sometimes being hard to find can be hard to take, so Heidi needs to come up with a plan... ‘Playful imagery and Heidi’s eventual recognition of her friends’ talents add up to a warm story about compromise and common ground’ Publishers Weekly ‘A very attractive addition to the picture book shelves from an artist to be watched’ Books for KeepsPRAISE FOR POPPY AND THE BLOOMS: ‘Fiona Woodcock’s beautiful illustrations perfectly capture the contrast between a grey cityscape and the joyful kaleidoscope that fresh flowers can add… This gentle little story is a delight from start to finish’ Books for Keeps ‘A beautifully illustrated picture book which feels like a real visual treat… The artwork is stunning and very original and I think this makes it stand out as an interesting read for small children.’Being Mummy blog ‘Blooming wonderful!’ Red Reading Hub

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Follow Gordon the Balloon on his adventures around the world; learning new things, meeting people and avoiding all the dangers which come with being a balloon. Gordon is having a great time travelling with the circus when a storm hits their ship, leaving them stranded on an island! What will they do? Lost in the middle of the ocean and with no means of escape, it’s up to Gordon to save the day. The bestselling, award-winning Sue and Paul bring their brilliant comedic talents to this incredibly child-friendly idea that has the possibility to develop into a wider series.

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A Sunday Times Book of the YearShortlisted for The Pol Roger Duff Cooper Prize 'This magnificent, highly readable double biography...brings these two driven, complicated women vividly to life' The Financial Times'A gripping saga of a double-biography' Daily Mail'A masterful portrait' The Times'Vastly enjoyable' Literary Review'Deeply absorbing and meticulously researched' The Oldie In 1815, the clever, courted and cherished Annabella Milbanke married the notorious and brilliant Lord Byron. Just one year later, she fled, taking with her their baby daughter, the future Ada Lovelace. Byron himself escaped into exile and died as a revolutionary hero in 1824, aged 36. The one thing he had asked his wife to do was to make sure that their daughter never became a poet. Ada didn't. Brought up by a mother who became one of the most progressive reformers of Victorian England, Byron's little girl was introduced to mathematics as a means of calming her wild spirits. Educated by some of the most learned minds in England, she combined that scholarly discipline with a rebellious heart and a visionary imagination. As a child invalid, Ada dreamed of building a steam-driven flying horse. As an exuberant and boldly unconventional young woman, she amplified her explanations of Charles Babbage's unbuilt calculating engine to predict, as nobody would do for another century, the dawn today of our modern computer age. When Ada died - like her father, she was only 36 - great things seemed still to lie ahead for her as a passionate astronomer. Even while mired in debt from gambling and crippled by cancer, she was frenetically employing Faraday's experiments with light refraction to explore the analysis of distant stars.Drawing on fascinating new material, Seymour reveals the ways in which Byron, long after his death, continued to shape the lives and reputations both of his wife and his daughter. During her life, Lady Byron was praised as a paragon of virtue; within ten years of her death, she was vilified as a disgrace to her sex. Well over a hundred years later, Annabella Milbanke is still perceived as a prudish wife and cruelly controlling mother. But her hidden devotion to Byron and her tender ambitions for his mercurial, brilliant daughter reveal a deeply complex but unsuspectedly sympathetic personality. Miranda Seymour has written a masterful portrait of two remarkable women, revealing how two turbulent lives were often governed and always haunted by the dangerously enchanting, quicksilver spirit of that extraordinary father whom Ada never knew.

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Freddie Barcussy knows hardship and pain. His parents Annie and Levi are struggling to make ends meet, both suffering with illness and poverty. Freddie is an outsider at school, misunderstood and angry. They need their luck to change. Unbeknown to his parents, Freddie holds the key to their future. He has a gift, a gift he has told no one about. If he can learn how to overcome his fears, he could use it to change all their lives for ever ... Searching to overcome hardship and prejudice, can Freddie find love and happiness or will mistrust ruin his life? For fans of nostalgic saga, this is a gripping saga from the bestselling author of Solomon'sTale.

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Annabelle Forest was just seven years old when she was inducted into a twisted sex cult by her own mother. For the next few years she was brainwashed by the cult's leader, Colin Batley, who ran a harem of followers from his unassuming cul-de-sac in Kidwelly, Wales. Batley ruled the cult with an iron will, his twisted ideology based on Aleister Crowley's Book of the Law, which informed their day-to-day lives. From the age of 11, Annabelle was repeatedly raped by Batley, and threatened with going to hell if she angered 'the gods' by refusing Batley's sick demands. Annabelle's mother joined in the sessions and even filmed them. Annabelle lived a double life - a schoolgirl by day, a sex slave at night. It might have endured for years had she not fallen pregnant at 17 with Batley's baby. In February 2008 she gave birth to a daughter, Emily, who gave Annabelle hope and a reason to live. Now she knew she had to escape, especially after Batley forced her into prostitution when Emily was three months old. She contacted relatives and found the courage to report Batley, her mother and the other cult members to the police. In 2011 her evidence helped convict 48-year-old Batley for life on 11 charges of rape and numerous other sexual offences.Annabelle's mother was also jailed, along with two others in a case that came to be known as the 'cul-de-sac cult'. Today she lives a happy and settled life with Emily and her partner but the nightmares of her damaged past will haunt her forever.

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Batsmen are the poster boys of cricket. They are the richly rewarded andrightly celebrated stars of the game: Sachin Tendulkar, Vivian Richards, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, A.B.de Villiers and Kevin Pietersen. This is a story about them. Their hopes and fears, their triumph and torment. It is a book about the real feelings that batsmen experience and probes into their minds to see how they deal with one of the most precarious jobs in sport, in which life and death are one ball apart. Simon Hughes hero-worshipped the famous batsmen of his youth, and dreamt of scoring a hundred for England. His flawed attempts to make runs in a 15-year professional career are the prism through which he reflects on how some talented boys turn into great batsmen, and others lose their way. Now universally known as The Analyst, Hughes assesses what ingredients a batsman needs to succeed. He delves into sports psychology, showing that what goes on in the mind is the key to batting. There is no right way or wrong way to bat. This book reflects the diverse range of batting personalities and styles. Hughes spends time with many of the legendary players - from Garfield Sobers to Kumar Sangakkara - revealing what made each of them so prolific, and the secrets behind Sir Donald Bradman's phenomenal output. He chronicles the way batting has evolved and answers the fundamental question: are batsmen born or made? Written in the same wry, sardonic style as the award-winning A Lot of Hard Yakka, it is the most insightful and entertaining book about batsmen ever published.

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Rugby is a sport that means different things to different people around the world. So when award-winning writer Donald McRae set off to take the pulse of the sport soon after the dawn of the professional era, he began to build a portrait of the game that highlighted the contrasts between nations, who may have been united in their love for rugby, but who saw it in very different ways. Featuring in-depth interviews with a range of great players from around the world, including Sean Fitzpatrick, Francois Pienaar and Lawrence Dallaglio among others, Winter Coloursis a compelling account of the culture of rugby as seen by its biggest stars - men who also hold dear the sport's very traditions that make it so special. This is a remarkable piece of writing and is sure to be of interest to all who follow the sport at any level.

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The skies above London hum with danger. And in the Channel enemies lie in wait... Autumn, 1917. London is not the city that Dr John Watson and Sherlock Holmes once bestrode like giants. Terror has come from the sky and Londoners are scurrying underground in fear. Then a twin tragedy strikes Watson. An old friend, Staff Nurse Jennings, is on a boat-ambulance torpedoed in the Channel with no survivors. And his concert-going companion, Sir Gilbert Hardy, is kidnapped. Then comes the gruesome ransom demand, for Sir Gilbert and four others, which will involve terrible mutilation unless the demands are met. Help comes from an unlikely source when Watson finds himself face-to-face with his old ruthless adversary, the "She Wolf" Miss Pillbody. She makes him a remarkable offer and so an unlikely partnership is formed - the enemy spy and Sherlock Holmes's faithful companion, a detective duo which will eventually uncover a shocking case of state-sponsored murder and find Watson on board a German bomber, with a crew intent on setting London ablaze.

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*** From the acclaimed author of The Flight of Cornelia Blackwood ***All families have their secrets. But the truth will out . . . Eleanor and her mother Marjorie have always had a difficult relationship and have somehow just failed to connect. Now Marjorie’s memory is fading, and her grip on the things she has kept hidden is beginning to loosen. When she calls Eleanor to say, ‘There’s something I have to tell you’, Eleanor hopes this will be the moment she learns the truth about the terrible secret that has cast a shadow over both their lives. But Marjorie’s memory is failing fast and she can’t recall what she wanted to say. Eleanor knows time is running out, and as she tries to gently uncover the truth before it becomes lost inside her mother’s mind forever, she begins to discover what really happened when she was a child – and why… Praise for Susan's storytelling: 'Exquisite storytelling, full to the brim with authentic characters, family secrets and emotional weight' Isabel Ashdown 'Passionate, intriguing and beautifully written... deserves to stand on the shelf next to Maggie O'Farrell's books. A powerful and talented new voice' Rachel Hore 'A brave and moving story about how much can be lost and what happens next' Alison Moore

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In 1977-78, Brian Viner was a season ticket-holder in the Gwladys Street End at Goodison Park, home to his beloved Everton. In front of him were the stars of the day: striker Bob Latchford, creative midfielder Duncan McKenzie and goalkeeping hero George Wood. There were no airs and graces then: Viner would regularly see Latchford in the local pub, and even once saw Wood mowing the field at his school, so asked him to come and join his classmates for a kickabout, which he did. It would never happen now. But as well as nostalgia for that period, Viner reveals how this was a time when so much was on the cusp of change: in football the first wave of foreign players would arrive the next season, with Ossie Ardiles and Arnold Muhren among them; on Merseyside, the era of punk would soon give way to Thatcherism; and even Viner himself, at 16, was on the verge of adulthood. But little of what happened next could ever have been predicted. Viner's investigation of that year in the 1970s, based on many interviews with the players of the time, not only reveals a vanished era, but also shows how football often fails to look after its own, as the life stories of what happened to the players afterwards shows, but how the spirit of the sport will always shine through.

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Geoffrey Boycott is one of the most outspoken and knowledgeable voices on cricket - but this book opens up a whole, new personal side to his life. Thirteen years ago, he received the diagnosis that tore his world apart: he had cancer of the tongue. Having faced down the fastest bowlers during his career as one of England's greatest-ever batsmen, he now had to take on an even more daunting foe. In this fascinating new book, his first autobiographical work for more than 15 years, Boycott not only relives his terrifying battle with cancer but also writes movingly about his long-time love Rachael, and their daughter Emma. He talks about his many other interests and friendships beyond cricket, with a great chapter on Brian Clough as well as revealing some surprising enthusiasms: Boycott and Katy Perry? But Boycott has devoted his life to cricket, and his insights on the game, its players and those who write and talk about it are never less than frank, revealing, entertaining and very honest. He assesses the modern generation of players: how does he rate England's prolific captain Alastair Cook? And is Kevin Pietersen a batting genius or a player who has frittered away his talent? His opinions come with the authority of someone with profound knowledge of and love for the sport.In commentary, he refers to the 'corridor of uncertainty' for a batsman - but with Geoffrey Boycott there is never any room for that, which is why this book is such a compelling and entertaining read.

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