Showing results by narrator "Deryn Oliver" in All Categories

In the aftermath of World War One, everyone is trying to rebuild their lives. If Ben is to avoid being sent back to the orphanage, he needs to find his brother Sam, wounded in action and is now missing. Lotti's horrible aunt and uncle want to send her away to boarding-school (when she has just so successfully managed to get expelled from her last one!). And Clara, their young teacher, is waiting for news of her missing fiancé.

Everyday Kindness is a charity anthology of short fictional stories of kindness, edited by LJ Ross. These uplifting tales of hope and of small everyday kindnesses are intended to support wider positive mental-health goals and foster wellbeing through the act of listening to tales of goodwill inspired by others. Featuring authors across the spectrum of literature, some international best-selling and award-winning writers amongst them, this is a unique collection of words.

Kidnapped in seventh-century England and sold as a slave to a powerful mayor in France, Bathilde needs to adapt to survive. When the mayor’s beloved wife passes away, he looks to Bathilde for comfort. Fleeing his attentions, she is forced to live on the streets until she catches the king’s eye and everything changes. Now a queen, Bathilde must provide the king with heirs and continue the charitable and social work that has become her life, all while fighting her detractors. By the end of her days, Bathilde had changed the face of medieval France forever.

Daniel Hawthorn knew he was different from the day he was born, as he lay in his mother’s arms and gazed up deeply into her mysterious black eyes. But no one had prepared him for the horrors that he was about to experience, as he ventured deep into the world of witchcraft and wizardry.

They called her La Maestra. Elisabetta Sirani was a talented and prolific artist in 17th century Italy. Trained by her father, she was running his studio by the time she was 16, and earned her first official commission the following year.

As the Aurelia nears Athens, a new member of the crew is found dead in his cabin. Next to a gun and slumped over a suicide note, it appears tragic but unsuspicious. However, he’s the captain’s nephew Julian, onboard for only six days, and something about the suicide note makes Patricia’s nose twitch. With disobedient dog Anna, loyal butler Jermaine, and all her friends in support, your favorite amateur sleuth soon uncovers a web of lies and deceit in the bursary. 

Witches! Whether you know them from Shakespeare or from WICKED, there is no staple more beloved in folklore, fairy tale, or fantasy than these magical beings. Witches are everywhere, and at the heart of stories that resonate with many people around the world. This dazzling, otherworldly collection gathers new stories of witches from all walks of life. Whether they be maiden, mother, crone, or other; funny, fierce, light and airy, or dark and disturbing; witches are a vital part of some of the greatest stories we have, and new ones start here!

The infamous rake, Lord Richard Hamilton, has finally chosen his bride - the very appropriate Miss Emma Grey. The ton approves, Lord Grey is pleased, Lady Grey delighted, and Emma is over the moon, but her uncle, (the blasted) Duke of Arden opposes the match, and Emma is ordered to move to the duke’s estate to think things over. Richard Hamilton refuses to take things lying down and concocts a plan. A plan that should have brought the lovers together and had them married within a month. 

French Indochina, 1945: Arielle, the daughter of a French father and Vietnamese mother, is working for the colonial government. Because of her native blood, she’s spared imprisonment when the Japanese storm Hanoi. Forced to work for the enemy, Arielle is contacted by a Viet Minh agent, who threatens to expose her dark secrets from 10 years before if she doesn’t help his cause. As Arielle is drawn deeper into the rebels’ dangerous world, will she ever escape the torment of her past? Or will she find love in the most unexpected of places?

Not everyone approves of Edward’s choice of bride. Even the king’s mother, Emma of Normandy, detests her daughter-in-law, and Edith is soon on the receiving end of her displeasure. Balancing her sense of family obligation with her duty to her husband, Edith must also prove herself to her detractors. Edward and Edith’s relationship is respectful and caring, but when Edith’s enemies engineer her family’s fall from grace, the king is forced to send her away. She vows to do anything to protect her family’s interests at any cost, if she returns.

Beatrice Bloom is excited but a bit apprehensive to be heading through the fairy door once again with her sister and cousins. The adventure quickly turns ominous with the arrival of old foes and new enemies who are conspiring to overthrow the throne. Is Beatrice brave enough to embrace magic once more to help her friends? And can she restore the star crystal to its rightful place before time runs out?

Sound interesting? The author thinks so too! Listen to 10 Bed Time Stories for Ages 0-4 and experience the compelling world of peaceful, soothing, and calming bedtime stories for your baby. 

A murder and a theft have been committed at Rudhall Manor. A box of jewels has vanished and Lord Sedley, a lusty old aristocrat, has been stabbed six times in the chest. It is all very mysterious, and the Sedley family and the servants have decided that Miss Lucy Anne Trotter, a recently employed governess, is to blame for the unfortunate events. The legendary and wickedly handsome marquis, Lord William Adair, learns of the matter and decides to uncover the truth. Lucy, however, accompanied by two naughty pugs and a moody raven, decides to investigate and unmask the killer herself.

From the pen of award-winning erotica author Lucy Felthouse comes a collection of short stories and flash fiction sure to hit the spot. There’s something for everyone in this sexy anthology. From spanking to voyeurism, bondage to pegging, solo loving to ménage, with a sprinkling of femdom, maledom, and magic, fans of M/F erotic stories will soon discover why this book is described as multi-orgasmic. Enjoy 21 titillating tales with over 52,000 words of naughtiness packed into one steamy collection. 

Leaving behind the rural charms of Finnshire, Miss Penelope Fairweather arrives in London with hope in her heart and a dream in her eye. The dowager, no less, has invited her for a season in London, where she will attempt to catch a husband. Thus begins our heroine’s tale as she attempts to tackle the London season with all her rustic finesse. Unfortunately her rustic finesse turns out to be as delicate as a fat bear trying to rip apart a honeycomb infested with buzzing bees.

In the middle of an average field, on an average day...a Bumble Bee went about his day, in a very average way—that is until he met a very Glum Glow Worm! Glum has lost his glow! Humble loves to help others and he does his best to cheer up his New Glum Chum. Sit back and enjoy the smiles as Humble helps his new friend to brighten up his day.

A recent survey of CEOs revealed that creativity is considered the most important quality in leadership. Who Killed Creativity? investigates how companies, leaders, managers, and individuals can build (or rebuild) a culture of innovation by fostering creative thinking and problem-solving - finding better solutions faster. By exploring such questions as: Are bully bosses psychopaths in disguise? and Why does the future of civilisation lie in a garbage dump in Mexico?, this book offers a compelling tale with a novel twist.

Diana and her sister, Antonia, are house-sharing spinsters who have never got over their respective first loves. Naomi lives alone, haunted by the failure of her two marriages. When a body is discovered in the local quarry, all three women’s lives are turned upside down. And when Diana’s old flame Gill turns up unexpectedly, tensions finally spill over and threaten to destroy the outwardly peaceful lives all three women have carefully constructed around themselves.

The gossip columns can talk of nothing else, and even the Regent is intrigued. The murder of Lord Beazley at Gopshall Manor has caused a sensation, and the fact that two sweet governesses could have done it has further tickled the nations bloodthirsty soul. Lucy Anne Trotter, who stands accused, steals a horse and hurtles off to convince the only man in the country who can save her bacon - the national hero and the most handsome man in England, Lord William Hartell Adair. With him by her side, she sets out to discover the Gopshall family’s secrets and the murderer.

Together, we can change the world. There is little doubt that our beautiful planet is now under huge threat; our weather is more extreme, plastic litters our oceans, industrial production and farming methods wreak havoc on the environment and mass deforestation has led to the extinction of many species. Carry on this way and it’s almost certain that sea levels will continue to rise, there will be extreme heatwaves, loss of the polar ice caps and mass pollution.