Showing results by narrator "Deryn Oliver" in All Categories

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.

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.

Sylvia rattles around in a house she can’t bear to sell, while Cecily is unhappy where she lives. Surely it makes sense for them to bunk in together again? After all, they did when they were 20—why not at 70? Cecily takes the plunge, scoops up her cat and moves in. But her heart soon sinks when the flamboyant yet compassionate Sylvia extends the invitation to Samer—a refugee from war-torn Syria and his two motherless boys.

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.

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?

With the commercialism of Christmas in recent decades, many parents wonder if all of this gift-giving is teaching our children that happiness and joy come from things. The classic Christmas poem we all have grown to love now has a modern twist that parents and children will enjoy listening to again and again.

Otto Bloom has had an interesting start to his life, having been shielded in Fairy Land until a cure for the curse he was under could be found. Now he is back with his family, the Blooms. As an illness makes him feel low, he becomes riddled with doubts about his place in the family. He is caught off guard when an urgent message arrives from Fairy Land. Feeling like this is his time to step up to save his family, Otto makes a decision that will have dire consequences. Otto will need to believe in himself and the power of family in a bid to finally rid Fairy Land of its darkest threat.

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.

Nina and her brother Wild are learners-at-large. They don't sit still for school -- they learn kinetically, by doing STEM experiments. But can science help when a precious pup plops into the backyard pool? PJ Time is Learning Time. Ditch the workbooks... and love science once again. Grab your littles, a pair of comfy pjs, a cup of decaf (who are we kidding? go big) and start learning through daily adventures. Finally, a picture book as pretty as a magazine that parents can enjoy reading more than once!

It was spring. The whole surrounding looked beautiful with blossoming flowers, lush green trees, and grasses that happily swayed in the wind. It was like fairies had run through the woods, enchanting it to become a beautiful and magical place.

He is from Chicago. She is from LA. He still couldn't get over the loss of his wife. She had just seen her love story go from a potential happily ever after to a total disaster. Two people damaged by the circumstances of life will cross paths, thanks to a forced destiny by his seven-year-old son. Will they embrace some potential genuine feeling? Will they be able to see beyond the wounds that life has left them?

I just can’t sleep! We have all said those words to ourselves in the past or have heard them from loved ones as we try to calm down and settle into a relaxing slumber. This story tells the tale of an exhausted mother who helps her tired child to get to sleep. As the child's mind spins and whirls, her imagination takes to the skies with a space launch and some miraculous sheep!

Matthew was my biggest regret. For years he was my best friend, but I never told him how I really felt. That I loved him. When all the words should have been said, I said nothing at all. For fifteen years I kept him in my dreams, letting my life coast along and pass me by. Until he came back. But Matthew wasn't the man I remembered. Cold and aloof, his hatred of me burned little holes into my heart. We had just fifteen days to reconnect. Probably too short a time to bridge the gap to the past. Could we get back to who we used to be, when we were young?

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.

Clear your calendar, turn on your voicemail, and get cozy on the sofa, as Anya Wylde has decided to dip her toes into the world of contemporary romance. Love Muffin and Chai Latte follows the journey of Tabitha Lee Timmons as she deals with financial stress, loony relatives, some crooks, an unhappy bride-to-be, a grumpy old man, and two heartbreakingly handsome men.

This book is about a dog called Barney who loved the game of football and the adventure he went on with his owner, my Debby, and his young master, Lewis. And it's about Barney's dream coming true by being in a team! A lovely little short story if you like dogs and football.

Have them join Sami T. Rex as she gets used to a new city and a new nighttime schedule. Dinosaur Sami T. Rex has just moved to the city, and nothing is going right in her new apartment. The movers stacked things too high for her short arms, the doorways are too low, and the ceiling fan almost takes out her eye. But she isn’t discouraged. She finds innovative ways to be able to brush and floss her teeth with her short arms and get ready for bed in her new home. 

Miss Celine Fairweather’s life was bobbing along like a boat on a tranquil stream when a summons from her beloved sister, Penelope Radclyff, the duchess of Blackthorne, changed it all. Celine hurtles off to London to help the duchess run the Blackthorne Mansion and to discover the whereabouts of her lost love, Philbert Woodbead.  

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. 

The Odyssey is one of the most-loved stories in Greek mythology. This book highlights one of the more vicious creatures that Odysseus meets on his journey: the beautiful ocean sirens. This is a kid-friendly version that depicts these beautiful mermaids in disguise. With a rhyme that will captivate a young listener and illustrations so vibrant, your child will be glued to every word.