Title search results
Showing 41 - 60 of 15570 items
The Rag Maiden: a new emotional and heartwarming family saga
By Libby Ashworth. 2024
One woman dreams of a better life for her family – but how do you find it when all you've…
ever known is poverty?Ireland, 1848 The potato famine has left the Cavanah family destitute. Kitty and Peter manage to secure tickets for America - seeking hope in an unknown land. But still fortune will not favour them. On a terrifying crossing of the Irish Sea, Peter vanishes, and with him their tickets.Now, Kitty and her young family are stranded in Liverpool - with not a penny to their name. Facing prejudice and distrust, they move to Blackburn, where the welcome is no warmer, but Kitty at least can gather rags and scraps to exchange for a coin or two. She refuses to give up hope - on finding Peter, on getting to America. Yet Kitty knows they are just one bad day away from the evils of the workhouse . . .The Rag Maiden is a powerful and enthralling tale of one woman's struggle to save her family.From the pen of multi-million copy seller and Sunday Times bestselling author Susan Sallis comes beautifully written, enthralling and captivating…
novel that asks whether friendships really can endure through thick and thin. Readers of Rosamunde Pilcher, Maeve Binchy and Fiona Valpy will not be disappointed.'Sallis's West Country novel has the feel of Mary Wesley and character insight that is all her own' -- Daily Mail'Sallis brings out the innate warmth and sometimes unpredictability of the human psyche. This compelling tale will not disappoint' -- Lancashire Evening Post'Excellent read, very enjoyable' - ***** Reader review'Wonderful' - ***** Reader review'I love her books and the way that she takes you right into the story...You can tell I am a big fan!' - ***** Reader review'Brilliant, I couldn't put it down.' - ***** Reader review*********************************************************************FRIENDS SINCE CHILDHOOD, THEY THOUGHT NOTHING COULD COME BETWEEN THEM...1943: two schoolgirls, Rachel and Meriel, best friends, amuse themselves by tracking down imaginary German spies. It all seems a harmless way of whiling away the long school holidays, until their game turns into a frightening reality, the consequences of which affect their whole lives.Rachel becomes a reporter on the local paper while Meriel, a GI bride, goes to live in Florida.But the bonds which hold them together can never be broken, as the secrets and scandals which first surfaced in those far-off wartime days eventually come to light.Queenie
By Jacqueline Wilson. 2013
It's 1953, the year Elizabeth is to be crowned Queen of England. Elsie Kettle can't wait to go to London…
to see the celebrations on Coronation Day. Elsie lives with her Nan - her mum works as a showgirl, so she's not around very often. Spirited and imaginative, but often lonely, Elsie longs for a best friend. Luckily, she and Nan are very close; Elsie just wishes she was allowed a cat to keep her company sometimes.Then tragedy strikes. Nan and Elsie both fall ill with tuberculosis, and Elsie finds herself whisked away to the children's ward of the hospital. Confined to bed for months on end, Elsie finds it very hard to adapt to the hospital's strict regime. But she invents astonishing ways of entertaining the other children on the ward, and for the first time finds herself surrounded by true friends - including Queenie, the hospital's majestic white cat.Finally, Elsie is well enough to leave hospital. But before she does, she has one very special, very unexpected visitor...A master storyteller - The Good Book GuideQuarter Tones
By Susan Mann. 2007
The most important things are hardest to find words for, her father once said. That's why people make music.When Ana…
returns to the ramshackle cottage of her youth in the seaside village of Noordhoek, near Cape Town, she does so with the intention of sorting out her father's affairs. It soon becomes clear that more is at stake. After a decade in London, where she has failed to find work as a musician, her return to South Africa puts further distance into an already strained marriage, not only because she is out of reach, but because Michael, her husband, has lost faith in the country.Quick to welcome her is her neighbour, Franz van der Veer, an architect searching for redemption. This is further complicated by the arrival of his eccentric brother, Daniel. Against a tangle of childhood memories, scarred histories and renewed hope, Ana finally starts to confront the death of Sam, her Irish luthier father, and with it, questions of guilt and belonging. Lyrical and beautifully told, Quarter Tones is a story about music and love and loss.Fall in love with Jilly Cooper, one of Britain's most popular authors, in this fabulously frothy rom-com. Fans of Jojo…
Moyes, Marian Keyes, Dolly Alderton and Jane Fallon will love this witty and whimsical read - the perfect dose of laugh-out-loud escapism!'Unputdownable' -- Marian Keyes'Joyful and mischievous' -- Jojo Moyes'The funniest and sharpest writer there is' -- Jenny Colgan'Flawlessly entertaining' -- Helen Fielding'An absolute delight to read' -- ***** Reader review'The pages just whizzed by and I'm gutted to have finished it' -- ***** Reader review'Frothy, light, humorous.....loving it' -- ***** Reader review'Couldn't put it down' -- ***** Reader review'Wonderful writing from Jilly, she really grabs you and pulls in you the book' -- ***** Reader review****************************************************************************************The trouble with the Mulholland family, Prudence decided, was that they were all in love with the wrong people. She'd been overjoyed when Pendle, her super-cool barrister boyfriend, invited her home for the weekend to meet his family.But home turned out to be a decaying mansion in the Lake District, and family were his glamorous, scatty mother who forgot the mounting bills by throwing wild parties, and brothers, Ace, dark and forbidding, and Jack, handsome, married and only too ready to take over with Pru if Pendle didn't get a move on.It was only when she noticed the way Pendle looked at Jack's wife Maggie that it began to dawn on Pru that there was more to this weekend than met the eye.It looked like a non-stop game of changing partners . . .Prove Yourself a Hero
By K M Peyton. 1977
When Jonathan is tricked into accepting a lift home from two mysterious men in a van, it's the start of…
a terrifying event: a kidnapping. And if the ransom money doesn't arrive soon, he knows he'll be killed . . .A tense and thrilling novel from Carnegie Medal-winning author, K. M. Peyton.The Prophet (Penguin Modern Classics)
By Kahlil Gibran. 1923
A hugely influential philosophical work of prose poetry, Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet is an inspirational, allegorical guide to living, and…
this Penguin Modern Classics edition includes an introduction by Robin Waterfield.First published in the 1920's, The Prophet is perhaps the most famous work of religious fiction of the twentieth century, and has sold millions of copies in more than twenty languages. Gibran's Prophet speaks of many things central to daily life: love, marriage, death, beauty, passion, eating, work and play. The spiritual message he imparts, of finding divinity through love, blends eastern mysticism, religious faith and philosophy with simple advice. The Prophet became the bible of 1960s culture and was credited with founding the New Age movement, yet it still continues to inspire people around the world today. This edition is illustrated with Gibran's famous visionary paintings.Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) was a poet, philosopher and artist, who stands among the most important Arabic language authors of the early twentieth century. Born in Lebanon, he spent the last twenty years of his life in the United States, where for many years he was the leader of a Lebansese writing circle in New York. He is the author of numerous volumes, including The Garden of the Prophet, The Storm, The Beloved: Reflections on the Path of the Heart, The Vision, Reflections on the Way of the Soul, and Spirit Brides. If you enjoyed The Prophet, you might like Herman Hesse's Siddhartha, also available in Penguin Modern Classics.'His work goes on from generation to generation'Daily Mail'To read it was to transcend ordinary levels of perception, to become aware ... of a more intense level of being'IndependentWartime memories evoke both pain and happiness in this heart-warming novel from multi-million copy seller and Sunday Times bestselling author…
Susan Sallis. Readers of Rosamunde Pilcher, Maeve Binchy and Fiona Valpy will not be disappointed.'Sallis's West Country novel has the feel of Mary Wesley and character insight that is all her own' -- Daily Mail'The thing about Susan Sallis's books - once you pick them up, it's very hard to put them down!' -- ***** Reader review'Brilliant' -- ***** Reader review'Excellent read, very enjoyable' - -- ***** Reader review'Wonderful' - -- ***** Reader review********************************************************************THE ONLY PROMISE WORTH MAKING IS THE ONE YOU KEEP...There were four of the Thorpe family in the Anderson shelter the night of the raid on Coventry. Mum and Dad, Florrie and little May....Jack was missing. He was one of those who had not come back from Dunkirk. And May had to promise to keep a terrible secret, a promise which affected the lives of all the survivors, until May herself was the only one left.Seventy years later Daisy and Marcus, sixth formers in a Gloucestershire School, are given an A Level project on the bombing of Coventry in 1940. They go to talk to May, now living in sheltered accommodation nearby.A friendship is forged which bridges the gap between them. The two youngsters have their own problems, but as their lives unfold they become involved in the strange history of May's missing brother and of the promise, made all those years ago, which still has its repercussions today.Private - Keep Out!
By Gwen Grant. 1999
A forgotten classic brought back into print for the first time in decades - the missing literary sister to Anne…
of Green Gables and Tracy Beaker, a tough and spirited girl's adventures growing up in a northern post-war mining town.‘I told our Lucy I’m going to be a writer when I grow up and she said, ‘You should be a good one then. You tell enough lies.’Psst! We know you shouldn’t really read something labelled ‘private’ but this book is special. It’s written by young girl growing up in a mining town in 1948 who is practising to become a writer when she grows up…possibly. It’s hard work being a writer. There’s no privacy in a house with six kids and there’s no time, especially if you have to go to school and to dancing class (and wear frilly knickers) and Sunday school (and sing about being a sunbeam). You’re supposed to write about what you know, which means this book is about annoying sisters with no sense of humour and brothers who think they know everything, and bullies and chicken spots and being run over. Sometimes you can write about good things that happen, like going to the seaside or Christmas Eve, but mostly the stories end with being sent to bed early in disgrace. But when the writer is a tough, spiky and funny as this one, her adventures will always be worth reading.Princess Poppy: A True Princess (Princess Poppy Fiction #1)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2012
Poor Poppy is feeling very down in the dumps - so much so she doesn't even believe she is a…
true princess any more. She is envious of her best friend because Honey is being taken on loads of fabulous outings by her parents, Dad is working really hard, Grandpa always seems to be busy with his vegetable garden and Mum is tired all the time because of her big baby bump! To make things even worse, Poppy is convinced that everyone likes Honey more than they like her and that they think she is prettier, including Mum and Cousin Saffron.Poppy decides that the only thing for it is to start acting more like her best friend and to try to look more like her too. Poppy is sure that once she has turned herself into a copy of Honey, everyone will like her so much more.Find out what happens when Poppy tries to become just like Honey. Will it make her happy or will she realize that everyone is different and that every little girl is a true princess in her own way?Princess Poppy: The Rescue Princess (Princess Poppy Fiction #5)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2008
A brand-new story in the best-selling Princess Poppy series with gorgeous coloured pages!Poppy is very excited because she is hosting…
her first ever sleepover. Honey, Sweetpea, Mimosa and Abigail are all coming to stay and there are lots of treats in store, including beauty treatments, dance routines, midnight feasts and a nature walk in Wildspice Woods the next morning.Much to the girls excitement, heavy snow falls during the night and when they wake up, everything is covered by a deep layer of sparkling snow. But they soon realize that the snowstorm isn't just fun and games. Things start to really get serious when Aunt Marigold's General Store runs out of food supplies, the log man can't get through because all the roads are blocked and Honey injures herself. Some of the villagers are even without electricity and phone lines. Will the Villagers manage to stay warm and fed and will the community spirit of the Honeypot Hill residents shine through and help everyone pull together until the storm is over? And will Poppy save the day? Find out in this brilliant new Princess Poppy adventure.Princess Poppy: Pop Star Princess (Princess Poppy Fiction #8)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2008
Poppy is so excited! Her cousin Daisy's band, the Beach Babes, is entering a local talent contest which is being…
held in Camomile Cove and she and Honey are going to be backing singers. With a great new song and a fab dance routine, Poppy is sure they're going to win - that is until she reads about rival band Lilac and the Mermaids in the local paper . . . Find out what happens when Poppy, Honey, and even Grandpa get competitive! Will she ever get to be a pop star princess?Princess Poppy: Pony Club Princess (Princess Poppy Fiction #9)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2009
Poppy is taking part in a Pony Club Competition with her cousin Daisy. They've both been practising like mad on…
their ponies Twinkletoes and Parsley and they absolutely can't wait. But before long a whole series of things start to go wrong and it looks like they might not be able to compete after all . . . Will the Pony Club let Poppy enter the competition? Will Twinkletoes be well enough to jump and most importantly, will Poppy ever get to be a Pony Princess? Find out in this brilliant new adventure.Princess Poppy: Pocket Money Princess (Princess Poppy Fiction #2)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2010
After a trip to visit her teenage cousin, Daisy, in Camomile Cove, Poppy is desperate to be as cool as…
she thinks Daisy is. In order to fulfill her ambition Poppy decides that the first thing she needs to help her become a bit cooler is money. Along with her best friend, Honey, Poppy dreams up some brilliant money-making schemes. The second thing Poppy thinks she needs is more freedom. She is fed up with being treated like a baby.Find out whether Poppy and Honey's money-making ideas are a success and more importantly, will they be allowed to sing backing vocals in Daisy's band and join Daisy and all her cool school friends for the end of term BBQ and bike ride at Camomile Cove?Join Poppy on her journey to become the Pocket Money Princess!Princess Poppy: The Hidden Jewels (Princess Poppy Fiction #11)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2012
Honey is very excited because her mum and dad are coming to stay in Honeypot Hill for a whole month.…
When they arrive life becomes a whirlwind of special treats for Honey and Poppy. But nothing is as exciting as the mystery of the imprisoned princess and her lost jewels that they uncover at Cornsilk Castle.Princess Poppy: The Haunted Holiday (Princess Poppy Fiction #4)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2010
A brand-new story in the best-selling Princess Poppy series with gorgeous coloured pages!Poppy and Honey are going on holiday to…
France to stay with Honey's parents in an enormous castle called Chateau Lafayette. They can't wait. It is the first time Poppy has ever been on an aeroplane and it is also the first time she has ever stayed in a castle. It is all so exciting!But when they arrive everything is not quite as it seems - there are locked doors, their things are mysteriously moved, a swing in the grounds is swinging with no one on it, they find a map of secret passages and they're sure they've seen a ghost in the woods.Join Poppy and Honey on their spooky French adventure and find out who is haunting their holiday!Princess Poppy: Happy Ever After (Princess Poppy Fiction #12)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2012
Poppy is thrilled because there is to be another wedding in Honeypot Hill. She adores the fairytale romance of it…
all but is makes her realize that her parents hardly ever do anything together. Poppy soon starts to worry that they don't love each other any more.Find out what happens and whether Poppy's plans to bring a bit of fairytale romance to her mum and dad work out . . .Princess Poppy: The Fashion Princess (Princess Poppy Fiction #6)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2008
A brand-new story in the best-selling Princess Poppy series with gorgeous coloured pages!Poppy and her grown-up cousin Saffron are in…
New York for Fashion Week. While they're in town, they'll be hooking up with Bryony Snow, the Editor of Buttons & Bows Magazine as part of their prize for Saffron's Sewing Shop being chosen as the best boutique by the magazine. (read all about them winning this prize in The Big Mix-Up)They've got an action-packed itinerary including glamorous runway shows, a tour of the city and lots more surprises in store. But when Poppy and her new friends find the supermodel, Tallulah Melage, sobbing in a corner after a row with a world famous fashion designer she realizes that fashion is not all fun and games . . . Join Poppy and Saffron on their adventure in the Big Apple and find out whether their homespun values and fabulous fashion sense triumph stateside.Princess Poppy Fairytale Princess (Princess Poppy Fiction #10)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2009
Miss Mallow has decided to put on a musical show to celebrate the opening of the new school hall. Poppy…
and her class are all very excited especially when they get to vote on which show to perform. But things start to go wrong during the auditions when every single child wants the two starring roles! Before long Miss Mallow is at the end of her tether and cancels the show . . .Princess Poppy: The Big Mix Up (Princess Poppy Fiction #3)
By Janey Louise Jones. 2010
A brand-new story in the best-selling Princess Poppy series with gorgeous coloured pages!Poppy is really excited because she and Mum…
are working at Cousin Saffron's sewing shop for the day while Saffron minds Poppy's baby brother and sister, Angel and Archie. She is absolutely sure it is going to be the most brilliant day ever because the shop is so fabulously glamorous and she'll get to chat to customers all day. But things start to go wrong when Poppy gets a bit carried away with all the village gossip she hears!Find out how Poppy becomes the biggest gossip in the village and whether or not her friends will ever forgive her for spreading rumours?Join Poppy as she learns that you shouldn't believe everything you hear, and you certainly shouldn't repeat it - especially if it is just village gossip!