Dear Olivia: An Italian Journey of Love and Courage


Mary Contini - 2014
    Sharing some of the recipes that they brought over, the tomatoes, the garlic, the sausage, the wine, this is a mouthwatering memoir of family and food. It is also a brilliant evocation of life between the wars, a triumphant story of survival against all the odds, that captures the sights and smells of Italian life and culture, at home and abroad.

The Partridge and the Pelican


Rachel Crowther - 2011
    The girls are nineteen, on holiday and staying with a young medical student, James. The events of that summer cast a long shadow over their careers, marriages and motherhood. When they meet again 25 years later, the baby in the phone box returns to haunt them, and they are forced to confront the truth that has remained silent all this time. The Partridge and the Pelican explores motherhood, secrets and the enduring ties of friendship.

Life's a Beach and Then...


Julia Roberts - 2015
    she must keep it secret, and that means telling lies. Holly hates telling lies. Her latest assignment has brought her to the paradise island of Mauritius where she meets a British couple, Robert and Rosemary, who share a tragic secret of their own. The moment they introduce Holly to handsome writer, Philippe, she begins to fall in love, something she hasn't allowed herself to do for twenty years. But Philippe has not been completely honest and when Holly stumbles across the truth, she feels totally betrayed. "A slice of sheer escapism which packs an emotional punch" Jemma Forte This is the first book in the Liberty Sands trilogy. Read on at the end of this book to find out what happens to Holly next in the preview of If He Really Loved Me..., book two in the series.

William Faulkner: The Sound and the Fury and as I Lay Dying: Essays, Articles, Reviews


Nicolas Tredell - 2000
    By the end of the Second World War, however, the reputation of both novels had grown and Faulkner's great fictional creation, Yoknapatawpha County, had become as much a part of America as any real area of the Mississippi landscape. This "Guide" explores the wealth of critical material generated by these two exceptional works of modernist fiction. From the initially mixed critical responses to the novels in the early 1930s, the "Guide" follows the enormous growth of interest in Faulkner's work across six decades. New writings shaped by a range of critical theories are discussed, offering the reader a clear view of the place now given to one of America's most innovative and influential novelists.

Bad Habitzz: What's Yours


Ivy Symone - 2016
    Some are hard to break, while others can be stopped cold turkey. But what happens when your bad habit gets you in some shit you can’t get out of? Andrea has just returned home after her other half’s passing. She reunites with her childhood friends; however, while navigating the road to living life to the fullest, she encounters speed bumps, potholes, and detours along the way. Andrea's always been closest to Caiden, but now he seems to want nothing to do with her. While trying to mend that friendship, she finds herself slowly falling for Leonard “Lynx” King, the boy who bullied her every day as a child. The only thing is, he has no idea who she is. Meet Pascha, mother of two, who has too many struggles to count. Her baby daddy, Gunz, cares more about his bike club than being at home providing for her and their kids. She needs change, because she finds herself sinking into her own pity; that is, until Solomon “Solo” King comes into the picture and forces her to reevaluate her self-worth. But you know that saying, “When something is too good to be true, it usually is”; well, she’s about to find out, one way or the other, if that old adage holds any weight. Romyn seems to have his hands full with all of these down low men that don’t know how to treat him. Between his present, Ethan, and his past, Lonzo, Romyn doesn’t seem to realize he’s deserving of so much more. That’s where Kreme comes into the picture. But something's preventing Romyn from fully giving himself to Kreme. Is it the fear of possibly having a successful relationship? Or is he still stuck on wanting to make things work with Lonzo? Life would be perfect if only Lonzo would come out about who he really is. So come indulge in the 'vicious cycles' of Bad Habitzz as we follow this not-so-merry band of misfits and their insignificant-significant others, as they cross paths, weave webs of betrayal and unearth hidden truths that could destroy their newfound happiness. Welcome to Jewel City!

The Street Orphans


Mary Wood - 2018
    When her father is killed in an accident and her family evicted from their cottage, she hopes to leave her old life behind, to start afresh in the Blackburn cotton mills. But tragedy strikes once again, setting in motion a chain of events that will unravel her family’s lives. Their fate is in the hands of the Earl of Harrogate, and his betrothed, Lady Katrina. But more sinister is the scheming Marcia, Lady Katrina’s jealous sister. Impossible dreams beset Ruth from the moment she meets the Earl. Dreams that lead her to hope that he will save her from the terrible fate that awaits those accused of witchcraft. Dreams that one day her destiny and the Earl’s will be entwined.

The Highland Murders: Book 2


J.S. Donovan - 2018
     Months after killing one of her adversaries, gifted homicide detective Rachel Harroway finds herself being stalked by a spirit she can’t evade. Meanwhile, a new but unpredictable killer arrives in her small hometown. Torn between raising her daughter, catching a murderer, maintaining a double identity amidst her colleagues, and pursuing dangerous methods to banish the wayward spirit, Rachel battles to keep her head afloat as winter creeps into Highlands, North Carolina.

The President Is Missing - A Free Preview of the Novel


Bill Clinton - 2018
    . . Clinton's insider secrets and Patterson's storytelling genius make this the political thriller of the decade." --Lee Child The publishing event of 2018: Bill Clinton and James Patterson's The President Is Missing is a superlative thriller . . . one that can really happen, and one that must not be missed. The President Is Missing confronts a threat so huge that it jeopardizes not just Pennsylvania Avenue and Wall Street, but all of America. Uncertainty and fear grip the nation. There are whispers of cyberterror and espionage and a traitor in the Cabinet. Even the President himself becomes a suspect, and then he disappears from public view . . . Set over the course of three days, The President Is Missing sheds a stunning light upon the inner workings and vulnerabilities of our nation. Filled with information that only a former Commander-in-Chief could know, this is the most authentic, terrifying novel to come along in many years. And a timely, historic story that will be read--and talked about--for years to come.

Ace (The Jacksons Book 1)


Brenda Barrett - 2020
    Ace Jackson Jr. resembled the Wileys and not his father, Ace Jackson Sr. His mother, Celia Jackson, told him to ignore the whispers and the innuendos, he was Ace Sr.’s son and not the son of their former gardener, Micky Wiley. For thirty-six years Ace Jr. managed to do just that. He ignored the speculation because he didn’t want to upset the status quo. However, a part of him was curious as to what was the truth of the situation, but he would honor his mother’s wishes. And then he met and developed feelings for Kiya Brady, the rumored love child of Micky Wiley, and then he realized that maybe he shouldn’t be honoring his mother’s wishes after all…

Wessex Poems


Thomas Hardy - 1898
    Wessex was the "partly-real, partly-dream" county that formed the backdrop for most of Hardy's writings—named after an Anglo-Saxon kingdom and modeled on the real counties of Berkshire, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. The poems deal with classic Hardy themes of disappointment in love and life, and the struggle to live a meaningful life in an indifferent world. Although Hardy's poetry was not as well received as his fiction, he continued to publish collections until his death, and thanks in part to the influence of Philip Larkin, he is increasingly realized as a poet of great stature.

The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come (A St Nicholas Bay Novella)


Jo Bartlett - 2014
    well, almost. As Christmas rolls round once again, she longs for a child of her own to share it with. In a town where Christmas is big business all year round, it turns out Santa Claus isn’t the only one with mysterious powers. When a psychic reveals that the answer to her future will come in red and white, Kate follows this sign. It leads her to disastrous dating agencies and demoralising dead-ends until, finally, the answer seems to be revealed. But will her search for the missing piece of her family mean she doesn't recognise the one person who's loved her from the start? Or can Kate really have it all in time for the perfect Christmas?

Pride and Prejudice


Beth Johnson - 1813
    He falls in love with Jane, the oldest Bennet girl. Everything goes well—for a while. Then the handsome bachelor’s proud best friend, Mr. Darcy, ruins everything.Elizabeth Bennet has never hated anyone as much as she hates Mr. Darcy. How could she ever forgive the man who has ruined her sister’s happiness? She knows everything she needs to know about him. He is proud, hateful, conceited, and horrid—and he wants to marry her.Elizabeth and Darcy’s memorable, witty battle of hearts and minds has made Pride and Prejudice a readers’ favorite for almost two hundred years.Readability Note: This Townsend Library Classic has been carefully edited for clarity and readability.Source: townsendpress.com

The Rosamunde Pilcher Collection


Rosamunde Pilcher - 1992
    Reaching back into the past provides the key to true happiness in three piercingly romantic novels from the best-loved author

Sweet Tea and Second Chances


Kelsey Browning - 2015
    That’s what Sheriff Teague Castro promised the good people of Bartell County, Georgia. But when he reunites with his first love, his supporters suddenly wonder if he’s too distracted to uphold his sworn commitment.When Jenny buys an expensive house Teague could never afford on a sheriff’s salary, small-town gossip runs wild. If he can’t take care of his own family, is he fit to protect a whole county? Until his job is secure, Teague presses pause on his love life.But when a crisis calls him to the front line, it triggers memories from a tragic case still haunting him. Only this time, Jenny’s life is on the line, and the confrontation could quickly turn Teague’s forever into never. ***A PICK YOUR PASSION Novella from Kelsey and Nancy – pick your passion level – sweet or heat as you enjoy the continuing romance of Sheriff Teague Castro and Jenny Cady. Let us know how you like the PYP feature by emailing PyP@TheGrannySeries.com.

The Summer Holidays Survival Guide


Jon Rance - 2018
    Three children. One senile grandad. Six weeks. How bad could it possibly be? For teacher, Ben Robinson, the school summer holidays mean one thing - spending six weeks with his kids. This year, however, he also has his father and one very angry wife to contend with. The name of the game is simple: survive. Ben embarks on a summer of self-discovery that includes, amongst other things, becoming besotted by a beautiful Australian backpacker, an accidental Brexit march and a road rage attack. There's also the matter of saving his marriage, which is proving harder than he imagined, mainly due to an unfortunate pyramid scheme and one quite large bottom. But when Ben learns his father has a secret, it takes the whole family on a trip to Scotland that will make or break their summer - and perhaps Ben's life. From Jon Rance, bestselling author of Dan And Nat Got Married and About Us, comes a comedy about one man, one family, trying to survive the hardest six weeks of the year together. **Featuring an exclusive extract from the Christmas special, The Family Christmas Survival Guide, out later this year!**