Search Results for: True Crime

WHY BE YOURSELF WHEN YOU CAN BE PERFECT?

**As featured on The High Low podcast**

‘MAGNIFICENT. Brutally honest and righteously angry but still HUGELY enjoyable and engaging. I bow down!’ Marian Keyes

‘A thoughtful, intelligent, urgent novel women need to read.‘ Dolly Alderton

The highly-anticipated new novel from Holly Bourne, bestselling author of HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW?
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He said he was looking for a ‘partner in crime’ which everyone knows is shorthand for ‘a woman who isn’t real’.

April is kind, pretty, and relatively normal – yet she can’t seem to get past date five. Every time she thinks she’s found someone to trust, they reveal themselves to be awful, leaving her heartbroken. And angry.

If only April could be more like Gretel.

Gretel is exactly what men want – she’s a Regular Everyday Manic Pixie Dream Girl Next Door With No Problems.

The problem is, Gretel isn’t real. And April is now claiming to be her.

As soon as April starts ‘being’ Gretel, dating becomes much more fun – especially once she reels in the unsuspecting Joshua.

Finally, April is the one in control, but can she control her own feelings? And as she and Joshua grow closer, how long will she be able to keep pretending?
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PRAISE FOR HOLLY BOURNE:

‘Honest and unflinching’ Stylist

‘Funny, touching and painfully true’ Grazia

‘Relatable for any woman navigating emotional time bombs’ Red

‘Bourne incinerates the lies we’re all capable of telling ourselves’ Emerald Street

‘Funny, real and heartbreaking’ Lucy Vine

‘Funny, sad, honest, insightful, up-to-the-minute’ Roisin Meaney

‘Smart, witty and perceptive. Razor-sharp on friendship, self-image and self-deception’ Lucy Diamond

Where did the Coronavirus outbreak originate and was the pandemic predicted?

Did aliens help to build the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza, and what were they trying to tell us?

Is the food industry colluding to make us addicted to sugar?

Prepare yourself for some startling revelations on these topics and many more in this updated and expanded compendium of the world’s scariest and strangest conspiracy theories. Leaving no stone unturned, it delves into such conundrums as:

– the growing number of people who believe the Earth is flat
– the unsolved disappearance of Flight MH370
– the uncertainties surrounding the assassination of Osama Bin Laden
– the mysterious circumstances of Bruce Lee’s death
Whether you’re a doubter or a self-confessed conspiracy junkie, you’ll find a cover-up for every occasion. And remember, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after you…

If you think you’re safe, then you’d better think again…

Explore some of the world’s most inexplicable occurrences, mind-bending conspiracy theories, spine-chilling urban legends and totally unbelievable truths in this weird and wonderful collection.

Whether you’re a sceptic, a self-confessed conspiracy junkie or just curious about what the world might be hiding from you, the stories in this book will push the boundaries of your belief and set your imagination alight – but only if you’re brave enough to read it.

Did Michael Jackson fake his own death in a bid to escape financial ruin or was he murdered?

Was it aliens that helped to build the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids and what were they trying to cover up?

Is the food industry colluding to make us addicted to sugar?

You’ll discover startling evidence on these topics and many more in this compelling compendium of the world’s scariest and wackiest conspiracy theories. It leaves no stone unturned as it delves into such conundrums as:
– the mysterious circumstances of Bruce Lee’s death
– the alleged withheld evidence pertaining to the 7 July bombings
– the controversy surrounding Barack Obama’s rise to power
– the unsolved disappearance of Flight MH 370

Whether you’re a sceptic or a self-confessed conspiracy junkie, you’ll find a cover-up for every occasion. And remember, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after you…

Drawing on seventeen years of research, thousands of recently declassified files, and dozens of interviews, Ultimate Sacrifice re-creates and, in many ways, rewrites the crucial period of our history leading up to November 22 1923. In the process, this groundbreaking account provides the missing pieces to the greatest tragic puzzle of post-war America: the true circumstances behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
· Ultimate Sacrifice details a previously unknown “Plan for a Coup in Cuba” authorized by President John Kennedy, run by Attorney General Robert Kennedy and set for December 1, 1963.
· The Kennedy plan, unique and different from ant previously disclosed operation, was – as detailed in a Joint Chiefs of Staff memo – to have included a “palace coup”, a provisional Cuban government and, if necessary, a “full-scale invasion” by “invited” US military forces.
· The CIA’s code name for their part of the operation, AMWORLD, has never previously surfaced in any government investigation, nor in any book or article, making it one of the most covert operations in United States history.
· Ultimate Sacrifice will detail how the Kennedy plan was penetrated by three mafia godfathers – Carlos Marcello, Santo Trafficante, and Johnny Roselli – being vigorously pursued by Attorney General Robert Kennedy, along with a dozen of their associates, six of whom were also working on the Coup plan.
· The crime bosses then used parts of the Coup Plan/AMWORLD to arrange JFK’s assassination in a way that would prevent a truly thorough government investigation in order to protect the Coup Plan, its participants, and national security.
· By using the secrecy surrounding the Plan, the mob bosses would target JFK not only in Dallas but in two earlier attempts, one in Chicago on November 1 and them one in Tampa on November 18, which Ultimate Sacrifice reveals for the first time in any book.
· Ultimate Sacrifice has finally pieced together the whole story by building on the work of the seven governmental committees that have investigated aspects of the assassination, on the work of former government investigators, and on the four million documents that were declassified in the 1990s, in addition to exclusive interviews with dozens of witnesses and participants including Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Press Secretary Pierre Salinger, and the Kennedys’ closest Cuban exile aide, Harry “Ruiz” Williams.

‘Topical, engaging, personable, and above all, reassuring’ Dr. Jordan B. Peterson

From host of The Rubin Report, the most-watched talk show about free speech and big ideas on YouTube right now, a roadmap for free thinking in an increasingly censored world.

The left is no longer liberal.

Once on the side of free speech and tolerance, progressives now ban speakers from college campuses, “cancel” people who aren’t up to date on the latest genders, and force religious people to violate their conscience. They have abandoned the battle of ideas and have begun fighting a battle of feelings. This uncomfortable truth has turned moderates and true liberals into the politically homeless class.

Dave Rubin launched his political talk show The Rubin Report in 2015 as a meeting ground for free thinkers who realize that partisan politics is a dead end. He hosts people he both agrees and disagrees with–including those who have been dismissed, deplatformed, and despised–taking on the most controversial issues of our day. As a result, he’s become a voice of reason in a time of madness.

Now, Rubin gives you the tools you need to think for yourself in an age when tribal outrage is the only available alternative. Based on his own story as well as his experiences from the front lines of the free speech wars, this book will empower you to make up your own mind about what you believe on any issue and teach you the fine art of:

Checking your facts, not your privilege, when it comes to today’s most pervasive myths, from the wage gap and gun violence to climate change and hate crimes.

Standing up to the mob against today’s absurd PC culture, when differences of opinion can bring relationships, professional or personal, to a sudden end.

Defending classically liberal principles such as individual rights and limited government, because freedom is impossible without them.

The Progressive Woke Machine is waging war against the last free thinkers in the world. Don’t Burn This Book is the definitive account of our current political upheaval and your guide to surviving it.

Christmas comes but once a year … so get into the mood with this fantastic feast of festive tales.



Comfort and Joy by Christina Jones



After a dear old friend is taken into a nursing home, the remaining occupants of The Terrace expect their new neighbour to keep high standards. When single mother Holly and baby Star move in just days before Christmas, how much of a festive welcome will they receive?  



A Christmas Murder by Marsali Taylor



When a dummy dressed as Santa is tied to the roof of Earl Patrick’s castle, everyone in town sees it as a yule time prank. But when something dead-looking bumps up against the hull of the Khalida in the middle of the night, the season takes a sinister turn.



Santa Lives by Tricia Maw



With her children at their father’s for Christmas, Tessa Stanton unsuspectingly finds herself in the most iconic romantic situation: girl meets naked boy with a Santa costume at the laundrette.



No Smoke Without Fire by Bill Kitson



Two seemingly closed-case crimes are reopened when fourteen year old Lauren finds a connection between them through some supernatural guidance.



The Proof of The Pudding by Jane Wenham-Jones



As winter comes around, a family is reminded that a traditional Christmas pudding is a magical thing. The brandy-coated raisins are as sweet and long-lasting as the memories they inspire.



What The Dickens! by Caroline Dunford



When Bertram comes to the Mullers’ estate for Christmas, everyone fears his bad mood might ruin the festivities. But after a ghostly prank goes awry, resulting in the disappearance of little Amelia, things suddenly get put into perspective.



Merry Christmas Everyone by Jane Risdon



Twister are losing their way – between spending another Christmas away from their families and working on an uninspiring album, the band are on the brink of breaking up. It will take a ghost of Christmas past to save them now.



Family Matters by Jane Jackson



Jess has changed a lot in thirty years, and so has Tom. When Christmas comes around with all its planned commitments and unexpected guests, will these two old flames find the time to give true love another chance?



 

The viral TikTok stalker dark romance, burning with high heat, hilarious banter, and a love story like you’ve never seen before. Can you handle the ride?

I want someone with a soul as black as night. Someone who would burn the world down for me and not lose a single minute of sleep over it.

Trauma nurse Alyssa Cappellucci doesn’t need any more kinks. She likes the one she’s landed on just fine. To her, nothing could top the masked men she follows online. Unless one of those men was shirtless, heavily tattooed, and waiting for her in her bedroom. She dreams about being hunted by one in particular, of him chasing her down and doing deliciously dark things to her willing body. She never could have guessed that by sending one drunken text, those dreams would become her new reality.

I want things most people don’t, craving darkness and depravity instead of light and love.

Joshua Hammond has an infamous father-the kind of man that true-crime podcasts love talking about. Josh has spent his life avoiding the limelight, but his online persona is another story. At night, he posts masked thirst traps for his millions of fans to drool over, but one follower has caught his eye: Aly. After reading a comment begging him to break into her house wearing a mask, he decides to take her up on her offer.

Together, Aly and Josh live out their darkest fantasies, unaware that Aly has captured the attention of someone else. Someone with far more sinister intentions than a little light stalking. As Josh turns from predator to protector and the stakes heighten, he must ask himself how far he’s willing to go for the woman he’s obsessed with.

Lights Out is a fast-paced dark romance with a morally grey male lead. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the TWs at the beginning of the book.

Michel Chikwanine was only five-years-old when he was abducted from outside his school by rebel soldiers in The Democratic Republic of Congo. Child Soldier tells the story of his happy life before the abduction, his time with the rebel militia, his escape from their clutches and finally the worsening situation and growing unrest for Michel and his family and his eventual immigration to Canada with his mother.

Despite his young age, Michel never gives up. It is his resilience and courage that helped him to stay alive during his time with the rebels. This is a legacy from his father, whose sense of compassion and integrity drove Michel to reject the rebels attempts to instil violence and hate, and have shaped Michel into the person he is today.

As a young man, Michel now travels the world to inspire others to believe that their actions can make a difference. He is an accomplished public speaker and someone who’s voice and story resonates with people all over the globe.

Thankfully most children will never experience the brutal reality of being forced to take part in armed conflicts, in whatever role is imposed on them. But Michel’s story serves as a reminder of how close to home this ongoing issue is. Africa may feel far away to a child living in the UK, but the reality is that young people in gangs across the world, who are made to commit crimes for adult leaders have more in common with Michel than they may realise. This book also examines in general how and why adults use children as expendable pawns in conflicts and provides the reader with advice on further information and what they can do to get involved.

This book is aimed at children aged 10+, however it does contain some images that some readers may find difficult or distressing. The cartoon / graphic novel style of the book does contain images of violence, including guns, knives, dead bodies and other explicit scenes.

A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE DAILY MAIL AND WOMAN AND HOME
A New York Times ‘Editor’s Pick’
One of the Observer‘s Ten Best Debut Novelists of 2020
Shortlisted for the Author’s Club First Novel Award
Longlisted for the Jhalak Prize
Longlisted for the CWA John Creasy New Blood Dagger

‘Enrapturing… This richly imagined novel considers the many permutations of love and what we are capable of doing in its name’ New York Times

‘A brilliant debut’ Louise Doughty, author of Apple Tree Yard

‘You’ll have the heart rate of an Olympic hurdler’ Sunday Express

‘I read it with my heart in my throat’ Sara Collins, author of The Confessions of Frannie Langton

‘An exquisitely crafted masterpiece you’ll be pressing into the hands of others’ Woman & Home

‘An intoxicatingly atmospheric mystery’ Daily Mail

‘Dark, addictive and eye-opening, this is a brilliant debut’ Stylist


A gripping debut set in modern-day Tokyo and inspired by a true crime, What’s Left of Me Is Yours follows a young woman’s search for the truth about her mother’s life – and her murder.

In Japan, a covert industry has grown up around the wakaresaseya (literally “breaker-upper”), a person hired by one spouse to seduce the other in order to gain the advantage in divorce proceedings.

When Sato hires Kaitaro, a wakaresaseya agent, to have an affair with his wife, Rina, he assumes it will be an easy case. But Sato has never truly understood Rina or her desires and Kaitaro’s job is to do exactly that – until he does it too well.

While Rina remains ignorant of the circumstances that brought them together, she and Kaitaro fall in a desperate, singular love, setting in motion a series of violent acts that will forever haunt her daughter Sumiko’s life.

Told from alternating points of view and across the breathtaking landscapes of Japan, What’s Left of Me Is Yours explores the thorny psychological and moral grounds of the actions we take in the name of love, asking where we draw the line between passion and possession.

A New York Times bestsellerA Washington Post bestsellerNamed the top investigative journalism book of 2013 by Nieman Reports Selected as one of Publishers Weekly’s Top 10 Books of 2013 [A] courageous and exhaustive examination of the way a number of clandestine campaigns,full of crimes, cover-ups, and assassinations,became the United States’ main strategy for combating terrorism.” ,Teju Cole, The New Yorker , Best Books of 2013In Dirty Wars , Jeremy Scahill, author of the New York Times best-seller Blackwater , takes us inside America’s new covert wars. The foot soldiers in these battles operate globally and inside the United States with orders from the White House to do whatever is necessary to hunt down, capture or kill individuals designated by the president as enemies.Drawn from the ranks of the Navy SEALs, Delta Force, former Blackwater and other private security contractors, the CIA’s Special Activities Division and the Joint Special Operations Command ( JSOC), these elite soldiers operate worldwide, with thousands of secret commandos working in more than one hundred countries. Funded through black budgets,” Special Operations Forces conduct missions in denied areas, engage in targeted killings, snatch and grab individuals and direct drone, AC-130 and cruise missile strikes. While the Bush administration deployed these ghost militias, President Barack Obama has expanded their operations and given them new scope and legitimacy. Dirty Wars follows the consequences of the declaration that the world is a battlefield,” as Scahill uncovers the most important foreign policy story of our time. From Afghanistan to Yemen, Somalia and beyond, Scahill reports from the frontlines in this high-stakes investigation and explores the depths of America’s global killing machine. He goes beneath the surface of these covert wars, conducted in the shadows, outside the range of the press, without effective congressional oversight or public debate. And, based on unprecedented access, Scahill tells the chilling story of an American citizen marked for assassination by his own government.As US leaders draw the country deeper into conflicts across the globe, setting the world stage for enormous destabilization and blowback, Americans are not only at greater risk,we are changing as a nation. Scahill unmasks the shadow warriors who prosecute these secret wars and puts a human face on the casualties of unaccountable violence that is now official policy: victims of night raids, secret prisons, cruise missile attacks and drone strikes, and whole classes of people branded as suspected militants.” Through his brave reporting, Scahill exposes the true nature of the dirty wars the United States government struggles to keep hidden.

‘There’s a reason Pomare is called the king of the twist . . . You know from the outset this will be a twisty psychological thriller and it’s all that, with the storyline taking a few left turns to keep the suspense tightly coiled’ Herald Sun

‘Ratchets up psychological suspense with a cleverly constructed plot that can be devoured in one go’ Sydney Morning Herald

‘A frantic domestic thriller . . . Along with Jane Harper and Liane Moriarty, J. P. Pomare is quickly becoming one of Australia’s biggest literary exports’ The Guardian

Mother’s intuition or a deadly guilty conscience? A woman races against time to find her son in this tense and twisty thriller by the Top Ten bestselling author of The Wrong Woman.

As the third wave of the virus hits, all inhabitants of Melbourne are given until 8 pm to get to their homes. Wherever they are when the curfew begins, they must live for four weeks and stay within five kilometres of. When Lou’s son, Samuel, doesn’t arrive home by nightfall, she begins to panic.

He doesn’t answer his phone. He doesn’t message. His social media channels are inactive. Lou is out of her mind with worry, but she can’t go to the police, because she has secrets of her own. Secrets that Samuel just can’t find out about. Lou must find her son herself and bring him home.

Includes an exclusive extract of the next J. P. Pomare thriller, Seventeen Years Later, publishing in 2024.

Praise for Home Before Night:

‘J. P. Pomare has once again earned his place on my instant-read list. Home Before Night is twisty and brilliant – a highly addictive thriller!’ CHRISTIAN WHITE

‘This grabbed me from the opening page and didn’t let go’ MICHAEL ROBOTHAM

‘The thrill and fear arrive early in Home Before Night and doesn’t leave until the final pages. J. P. Pomare is the real deal; he has the skill to twist your heart’ CANDICE FOX

‘From page one, J.P. Pomare effortlessly instils us with a tantalising sense of unease. In this page-turning thriller, all is not as it seems, and the truth is a lot darker and in many ways more human than we could ever imagine. Deftly written, lean in style, this is a gripping read from a true talent’ Weekend Australian

‘Tense and twisty . . . A fast-paced mystery’ Who Weekly

‘Compelling’ The Australian Women’s Weekly

‘A lean and terrifying thriller about a mother’s desperate search for her missing son during a pandemic. Trust us, you’ll devour it in one sitting!’ Woman’s Day

‘A page-turner with masterful plot twists. Deftly written, lean in style, this is a gripping read from a true talent’ Better Reading

‘Twisty’ West Australian

‘Propulsive. Compelling. Dramatic’ Canberra Times

‘J.P. Pomare has proven his mastery of the slow burn and sleight of hand, putting both to good use in his latest novel’ Better Homes & Gardens

‘It takes a special kind of genius to create twisty, thrilling novels that can be read in a single satisfying sitting’ Good Reading Magazine

‘Pomare delivers twists, turns and secrets aplenty in his sixth novel’ Geelong Advertiser

Praise for The Wrong Woman:

‘Keeps readers on their toes from the opening page. His is a rare talent that continues to turn out crime masterpieces’ Herald Sun

‘Deftly plotted, pacey and sharply written. Twists come out of nowhere and the high drama of the final few chapters is edge-of-the-seat stuff’ New Zealand Women’s Weekly

‘A twisty small-town mystery with a protagonist I didn’t want to let go’ IAN RANKIN

‘The pay-off is criminally good . . . As always, Pomare keeps the best surprises until last. Prepare for a late night’ Sydney Morning Herald

‘Real sagas with female characters right at the heart’ Woman’s Hour
‘In the world of historical saga writers, there’s a brand new voice’ My Weekly
‘This heartwarming tale celebrates the power of friendship and community’ Woman’s Own

‘I really don’t think any review I write could do it justice, you just really need to read it for yourself . . .
Glenda Young breaks saga stereotypes with her hugely entertaining and incredibly inventive storylines’ The Book Magnet

‘Heart-warming, emotional and simply wonderful . . . If you think family sagas aren’t for you, you’ve never read Glenda Young’s books – pick one up today and you’ll be converted’ 5 * reader review

Glenda’s next gritty and compelling saga, The Sixpenny Orphan, is available now!

If you love Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin, you’ll LOVE Glenda Young’s ‘amazing novels!’ (ITV’s This Morning presenter Sharon Marshall)
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‘I hope this Christmas is better than last year’s.’

Following a scandalous affair, wayward Emma Devaney is sent in disgrace from her home in Ireland to Ryhope, where she will live with her widowed aunt, Bessie Brogan, and help run her pub. Bessie is kind but firm, and at first Emma rebels against her lack of freedom. Struggling to fit in, she turns to the wrong person for comfort, and becomes pregnant.

Accepting she must embrace her new life for the sake of her baby, Emma pours her energy into making the pub thrive and helping heal the fractured relationship between Bessie and her daughters. She catches the attention of Robert, a gruff but sincere farmer, who means to win her heart.

As December approaches, thankful for the home and acceptance she’s found, Emma is determined to bring not just her family, but the whole Ryhope community, together to celebrate – and to make one very special mother’s Christmas dreams come true.
…………………………………………..

What readers are saying about Glenda’s heartwrenching sagas:

‘Definitely an author not to be missed when it comes to family sagas‘ The Book Magnet

‘Writes superb historical fiction that bring the era alive. Her books are unbeatable and unputdownable’ Ginger Book Geek

‘The perfectly imperfect, human nature of Glenda Young’s characters are what keeps her readership hooked’ Clyde’s Corner

‘Gritty, compelling and full of heart . . an exceptional saga’ Bookish Jottings

‘Better than a Catherine Cookson’ 5* reader review

‘Wonderful read, full of rich characters, evocative description and a touch of romance‘ 5* reader review

‘Just wanted it to go on forever and read more about the characters and their lives‘ 5* reader review

Love Glenda’s sagas? Don’t miss her cosy crime mystery series staring Helen Dexter and her trusty greyhound, Suki, starting with Murder at the Seaview Hotel and Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel, out now!

This captivating collection of puzzles and trivia, exploring the world’s weirdest events and crazy conspiracies, is sure to set your mind reeling

Test your knowledge of US presidents with fiendish trivia questions
Solve clues to discover how the CIA allegedly control their subjects
Help the reptilian find the right path to its royal throne

Discover some of the most perplexing mysteries that have bewildered humankind for centuries! Dive deep into this entertaining book, where the most enduring conspiracy theories are reimagined as puzzles.

From crosswords and counting conundrums to spot the differences and sudoku, whether you’re a sceptic or a self-confessed conspiracy obsessive, there’s plenty in these pages to sharpen your mind and have you believing the impossible.

Inside you will find a variety of puzzles, including:
– Spot the difference between two Illuminati symbols
– Find the names of the politicians who are secretly controlling us within word searches
– Shuffle the letters of anagrams to identify the names of paranormal beings
– Figure out what happened during the most mysterious unexplained events throughout history

Step into the unknown

Tales of the paranormal have seduced us and spooked us for centuries, passed around from person to person and frequently retold and reimagined in books, films and TV. Whether they’re based on real events or they’re simply urban legends which have taken on a life of their own, the strange happenings, unexplained events and unsolved mysteries in this book will take you on a frightening journey to the outer limits of plausibility, and dare you to believe the unbelievable.

Ranging from the mysterious to the macabre, the stories in this book span a broad range of supernatural subjects including ghosts, spirits and the undead, witchcraft and occultism, extraterrestrial life, mythical creatures, and much more.

Whether you’re a believer or a sceptic, a paranormal junkie or an interested observer, let these stories spark your imagination, capture your curiosity and perhaps even send a shiver down your spine.

Seek the truth at the heart of the world’s most bizarre cases in this chilling collection of unsolved mysteries

Did you hear about the woman who died inside a tree?

What about the legend of the Beast of Bodmin Moor?

Do you know that UFOs flew over Belgium?

Intriguing, captivating and downright bizarre, this heart-pounding collection of unexplained events is guaranteed to keep you up at night. Throughout history, unsolved mysteries have left us searching for answers.

Baffling stories of strange happenings and seemingly supernatural events mean we are terrified of what we can’t understand. Theories and folklore surround these events, but as we look for a rational explanation, perhaps the truth might be even more sinister.

Learn about the world’s most elusive secrets, and how people have attempted to explain them. Unsolved Mysteries includes:
– Strange disappearances
– Suspicious deaths
– Ghosts and hauntings
– Mystifying landmarks
– UFO sightings
– Mythical beasts

Dive into this peculiar collection of cold cases and paranormal events and see if you can uncover the “truth”.

As the Great War rages on, will the truth come out?

1915. Best friends Irene, Maggie and Annie are proud members of the newly renamed Women’s Police Service. While Britain’s men are away fighting in France, the girls are doing their bit by keeping the peace at home in London’s East End.

But out of the blue, Irene is given the opportunity to be stationed near an army barracks in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Having recently experienced some heartbreak and keen for the adventure, she decides to go. What could possibly go wrong?

It turns out, plenty. One of the other WPS girls takes an immediate dislike to her and makes her life a misery. On top of that, the man she thinks could be the answer to all her problems isn’t all he seems. And when she finds a psychologically disturbed deserter in hiding, she has a very difficult decision to make . . .

Can Irene overcome all these obstacles without Maggie and Annie by her side, and find true happiness at last?

Praise for THE BOBBY GIRLS:

Filled with richly drawn characters that leap from the page, and a plot that’s so well researched and well written you will believe you are in the thick of wartime policing, The Bobby Girls is a must-read for all saga fans.’ – Fiona Ford, bestselling author of Christmas at Liberty’s

‘I really enjoyed reading about Britain’s first female police officers. A lot of research has gone into this book and it’s all the richer and more readable for it. An exciting new voice in women’s fiction.’ – Kate Thompson, bestselling author of Secrets of the Singer Girls

‘I really did enjoy The Bobby Girls. It has a lovely warm feeling about it and is excellently written.’ – Maureen Lee, RNA award-winning author of Dancing in the Dark

‘A well-researched and interesting story giving a great insight into early women’s policing.’ – Anna Jacobs, bestselling author of the Ellindale series

‘Written with warmth and compassion, the novel gives fascinating insights into the lives of three courageous young women.’ – Margaret Kaine, RNA award-winning author of Ring of Clay

‘Johanna Bell has hit the jackpot with this striking WW1 crime story. The author places the focus firmly on the girls’ growth into independent members of society in a rapidly changing world. It’s a heartening central message conveyed with verve and empathy and remains relevant to today’s readers, both young and old.’ – Jenny Holmes, author of The Spitfire Girls

‘This is a story that needed to be told. As a former Special Constable, I love Johanna Bell from the bottom of my heart for giving a voice to the women who first made a way for me and countless others like me – to work as real police officers in the service of our communities.’ – Penny Thorpe, author of The Quality Street Girls

‘A lovely story! The author has researched the era and the theme very well. The characters stood out on the page and through their eyes you are transported back to a different age.’ – AnneMarie Brear, author of Beneath a Stormy Sky

‘… there I was in the middle of Bogotá, coked up to my eyeballs, in a hallway holding two machetes, while some drunk Colombians argued about whether or not to blow up a bar with a live hand grenade…’

Asia has the hippie trail. South America has the gringo trail. Mark Mann and his girlfriend Melissa set off to explore the ancient monuments, mountains and rainforests of South America. But for their friend Mark, South America meant only one thing: drugs.
Sad, funny and shocking, The Gringo Trail is an On the Road for the Lonely Planet generation – a darkly comic road-trip and a revealing journey through South America’s turbulent history. Drama and discovery. Culture and cocaine.
Fact is stranger than fiction.

This utterly addictive new novel from bestselling author Holly Martin will make you smile until your cheeks hurt, sob tears of pure joy and fall head over heels in love with a totally unforgettable romance…

Isla Rosewood is creating a new life for herself and her sweet nephew Elliot in their cosy, yellow-brick family cottage, brimming with special memories. Living in Sandcastle Bay was never part of Isla’s plan but, after her brother Matthew’s tragic accident, her whole world changed as she unexpectedly became a mother to the little boy she adores so much.

Leo Jackson was always known as Matthew’s fun-loving and wild best friend. But now Matthew is gone, it’s time to put his colourful past behind him. His role as Elliot’s godfather is the most important thing to him. And even though Leo and Isla are two very different people, they both want to give Elliot the childhood he deserves.

As the three of them enjoy time together watching fireworks, baking cakes and collecting conkers, Isla begins to see a softer side to charming Leo, with his twinkling eyes and mischievous sense of humour. And, despite herself, she begins to fall for him.

But does Leo feel the same way? Isla knows their situation is complicated but is it too complicated for true love… or will the year end with a happy new beginning for them all?

A glorious, feel-good romance that will make you want to snuggle up under a warm blanket with a hot chocolate and the one you love. If you enjoy reading Sarah Morgan, Jenny Oliver and Lucy Diamond this book is for you.

What readers are saying about Coming Home to Maple Cottage:

‘LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!… This book was so engaging with characters I absolutely loved… I was truly disappointed to discover that I was near to the end… An absolutely magical book.’ Best Crime Books and More, 5 stars

‘A fabulous book… If you’re looking for a book that will make your heart beat faster… this is it! If you want a book where you can lose yourself for a couple of days… this is it!… I honestly don’t know what else to say about this book apart from “read it now”!! Highly recommended without any hesitation!! 5++++++ stars!‘ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars

‘Simply brilliant and just couldn’t put it down at all… Every page brought a new twist and turn and you wanted to keep reading to see what happened… It’s full of heartbreak and romance and laughter… worth far more than five stars and can’t recommend it enough.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘5 stars. Such a gorgeous story… will have you smiling, laughing and crying, so prepare for an emotional ride. A lovely Christmassy read for this holiday season!… I can’t get enough.‘ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘A glorious and uplifting read that leaves you feeling as if you’ve been wrapped up in a big warm hug. I smiled from start to finish.’ Stacy is Reading

‘This is the book that I have been waiting for… I found myself welling up with tears towards the end… I was enchanted by this book from the moment I started reading it… one fabulous story… A beautifully told story that I really wish didn’t end…’ Rachel’s Random Reads, 5 stars

‘Real sagas with female characters right at the heart’ Woman’s Hour

‘A gripping saga’ People’s Friend
If you love Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin, you’ll LOVE Glenda Young’s ‘amazing novels!’ (ITV’s This Morning presenter Sharon Marshall)

From the author of Pearl of Pit Lane, comes a dramatically powerful and romantic saga of tragedy and triumph. What readers are saying about Glenda’s heartwrenching sagas:

‘Better than a Catherine Cookson’ 5* reader review

‘Wonderful read, full of rich characters, evocative description and a touch of romance’ 5* reader review

‘Just wanted it to go on forever and read more about the characters and their lives’ 5* reader review

‘This author’s books always just get better and better’ 5* reader review
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‘You deserve more than this, Jess . . . You deserve to know the truth about the McNallys.’

When a newborn baby girl is found abandoned with nothing but a scarlet ribbon tied to her basket, Ada Davidson, housekeeper of the wealthy McNally family’s home, the Uplands, takes her into her care. Sworn to secrecy about the baby’s true identity, Ada names her Jess and brings her up as her own, giving Jess no reason to question where she came from.

But when Ada passes away, grief-stricken Jess, now sixteen, is banished from the place she’s always called home. With the scarlet ribbon the only connection to her past, will Jess ever find out where she really belongs? And will she uncover the truth about the ruthless McNallys?
………………………………………….

Look out for all of Glenda’s compelling sagas – Belle of the Back Streets, The Tuppenny Child, Pearl of Pit Lane, The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon, The Paper Mill Girl and The Miner’s Lass – out now!

Plus, Glenda has launched a brand-new cosy-crime mystery series – don’t miss Murder at the Seaview Hotel and Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel – out now!
Praise for Glenda Young:

‘In the world of historical saga writers, there’s a brand new voice’ My Weekly

‘The feel of the story is totally authentic… Her heroine in the grand Cookson tradition… Inspirationally delightful’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph

‘I really enjoyed Glenda’s novel. It’s well researched and well written and I found myself caring about her characters’ Rosie Goodwin

‘Will resonate with saga readers everywhere . . . a wonderful, uplifting story’ Nancy Revell

‘All the ingredients for a perfect saga and I loved Meg; she’s such a strong and believable character. A fantastic debut’ Emma Hornby

‘Glenda has an exceptionally keen eye for domestic detail which brings this local community to vivid, colourful life and Meg is a likeable, loving heroine for whom the reader roots from start to finish’ Jenny Holmes

‘I found it difficult to believe that this was a debut novel, as “brilliant” was the word in my mind when I reached the end. I enjoyed it enormously, being totally absorbed from the first page. I found it extremely well written, and having always loved sagas, one of the best I’ve read’ Margaret Kaine

‘An absolute page-turner, I’m actually on pins waiting for the story to unfold and my anxiety is through the roof. And what a jaw-swinging, heart-palpitating ending this book has, too!… An easy 5 star for me.’ Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The debris from the party the night before is scattered underneath the village tree and across the cobbles. Red wine stains the ground like blood. And Joni has vanished.

Everyone in the village loves Joni Blackwood. She is beautiful and bold, and it’s no surprise to anyone when on All Gallows’ Eve, she is crowned Gallows Queen. After all, despite fierce competition from the charity-giving and churchgoing mothers in the village, she has won this honour five years in a row.

But this year, the morning after the All Gallows’ Eve bonfire is not like the mornings before. This year, Joni is missing, the shower left running in her cottage.

When the next day, human remains are found in the church graveyard, everyone is quick to assume that the mystery of Joni’s whereabouts has had a swift and deadly answer. But when it’s revealed that the remains are the small bones of a baby from many years ago, it’s clear that Joni’s disappearance only marks the start of dark truths in the village coming to light.

If the remains aren’t Joni’s, did she vanish because she put them there? Or is she running because she knows who did?

The Vanishing of Joni Blackwood is an utterly compelling mystery with a twist you won’t see coming. Perfect for fans of C J Tudor, Caroline Mitchell and Erin Kelly.

Read what everyone is saying about The Vanishing of Joni Blackwood:

‘I absolutelyyyyyyy loved the atmospheric setting of the small village… And that final reveal? Wow! I didn’t see it coming at all.🔥🔥🔥… You’ll love this one. It’s a real page-turner, and I can’t wait to read more from Lisa Rookes’ Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Lisa Rookes has written a gem of a book. It’s small town claustrophobia that bites in all the right places. A surefire five star read.’ Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I meannnnn I am currently jaw to the floor. I was not expecting that very end twist!!! This was such a wild ride and I honestly don’t feel a review can do the twists and turns justice, you just need to go and read it… Small town… drama… it’s got it all.’ Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A crime fiction trope that I really, really love is a small town mystery… I was really shocked that this was a debut novel, it’s got a very distinctive voice and the mystery is complex and develops in a really unexpected way. A brilliant set of characters, and the Northern setting of a small village near Sheffield was perfect for this storyline full of secrets and suspense.’ Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A page-turner from the first chapter… The author did a wonderful job describing relationships and their dynamics… Creepy, twisty… There are a lot of times that make you wonder if your predictions of what is going to happen next or who may not be the best person(s) are true… Cannot wait to read more from this author.’ Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was hooked… It had everything that I was hoping for in the mystery element. It was a unique world… Lisa Rookes has a great writing style and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.’ Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐