Stuart Heritage got where he is today by being decent, thoughtful, hardworking and kind. He is, in short, a model citizen. The favourite son. His younger brother Pete is quick-tempered, peevish and aggressively pig-headed and, for a while, known to his friends as 'Shagger'. But now, Stu has returned to his hometown to discover that Pete has taken his place. Don't Be A Dick, Pete is a hilarious examination of home and family; sons, fathers, fatherhood, sibling relationships and how hard it is to move on in a system that's loaded with several decades of preconceived ideas about you.
Meet Max Remington, a man whose heart beats to the rhythm of military discipline. As the eldest scion of a long line of patriots, his destiny seemed eternally entwined with the armed forces. The army is not just a career for him; it's his sanctuary, his identity, and his unwavering passion. Enter Samantha Crewe, a fascinating blend of millennial free spirit and spirited flower child. Raised in an environment that championed emotional expression and peace, Sam is a quick-to-love, adventure-seeking soul. However, when she crosses paths with Max, the collision sets off sparks that promise a fiery encounter. In the dance between Max's unyielding military devotion and Sam's spontaneous, love-filled world, anticipate an immediate and intense combustion of the hottest kind.
'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, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A missing father. A desperate daughter. A terrible discovery. A new case is the last thing DS Pete Gayle needs right now, but when it falls right into his lap, he has no choice. Justice is crying out to be served. With a career-making trial about to begin and his son in imminent danger from a pair of psychopathic brothers, Pete goes on the hunt in what could turn out to be the biggest case of his life..
Arthur Ransome's 'Swallows & Amazons' series is a collection of 12 adventure novels that follow the exciting escapades of the Walker and Blackett children during their summer holidays in the English Lake District. Ransome's vivid and descriptive writing style brings to life the beauty of the setting and the imaginative adventures of the young characters. The books are filled with sailing expeditions, treasure hunts, and daring missions, making them a delightful read for both children and adults alike. Set in the early 20th century, the series provides a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era of childhood adventure and camaraderie. Arthur Ransome, a former journalist and foreign correspondent, drew inspiration from his own experiences sailing and exploring the Lake District when writing the 'Swallows & Amazons' series. His love for the outdoors and his deep understanding of children's perspectives shine through in his storytelling, capturing the essence of childhood wonder and exploration. I highly recommend 'Swallows & Amazons' to readers of all ages who enjoy timeless adventure stories with a nostalgic charm. Ransome's classic series is sure to captivate and inspire the imagination of anyone who embarks on this literary journey.
Arthur Ransome's 'Swallows & Amazons - Boxed Set' is a collection of classic children's adventure novels set in the English Lake District during the 1920s. Ransome's writing style is vivid and immersive, capturing the imagination of young readers with tales of sailing, camping, and exploration. The books are filled with themes of friendship, courage, and the thrill of outdoor discovery, making them timeless and engaging for readers of all ages. Ransome's meticulous attention to detail brings the picturesque landscapes of the Lake District to life, transporting readers to a world of endless possibilities. Arthur Ransome, a former war correspondent and accomplished sailor, drew inspiration from his own experiences to create the Swallows & Amazons series. His love for adventure and the natural world shines through in the books, making them a captivating read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of the great outdoors and the spirit of camaraderie. I highly recommend the 'Swallows & Amazons - Boxed Set' to readers seeking a charming and enchanting escape into a world of adventure and friendship. Ransome's timeless tales are sure to captivate and inspire both young and old readers alike, offering a nostalgic journey into the wonders of childhood imagination.
The English interwar writer Arthur Ransome, best known for the ‘Swallows and Amazons’ children’s books, is noted for popularising the pattern for “holiday adventure” stories. A writer of various genres, his first success, ‘Bohemia in London’, is a partly autobiographical account of his early days. He also published a noted general ‘History of Story-Telling’, as well as landmark critical works on Edgar Allan Poe and Oscar Wilde. During the Great War, Ransome worked as a war correspondent in Russia, where he studied native folktales, which he retold for children. He also wrote extensively about his passion of angling, producing the seminal work in its field, ‘Rod and Line’. For the first time in publishing history, this eBook presents Ransome’s complete fictional works, with numerous illustrations, rare texts, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Ransome’s life and works * Concise introductions to the major works * All the ‘Swallows and Amazons’ novels, with individual contents tables * Includes Ransome’s original illustrations to the novels * Many rare texts appearing for the first time in digital publishing * Images of how the books were first published, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * Excellent formatting of the texts * Rare short stories available in no other collection * Includes Ransome’s rare non-fiction works * Features the celebrated autobiography – discover Ransome’s intriguing life * Ordering of texts into chronological order and genres CONTENTS: The Swallows and Amazons Books Swallows and Amazons (1930) Swallowdale (1931) Peter Duck (1932) Winter Holiday (1933) Coot Club (1934) Pigeon Post (1936) We Didn’t Mean To Go To Sea (1937) Secret Water (1939) The Big Six (1940) Missee Lee (1941) The Picts and the Martyrs (1943) Great Northern? (1947) Other Children’s Books The Child’s Book of the Seasons (1906) Pond and Stream (1906) The Things in our Garden (1906) The Hoofmarks of the Faun (1911) Old Peter’s Russian Tales (1916) Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp in Rhyme (1920) The Soldier and Death (1922) The Horror Novel The Elixir of Life (1915) The Short Stories Miscellaneous Stories The Non-Fiction The Souls of the Streets and Other Little Papers (1904) Bohemia in London (1907) A History of Story-telling (1909) Edgar Allan Poe (1910) Oscar Wilde (1912) Portraits and Speculations (1913) Six Weeks in Russia (1919) The Crisis in Russia (1921) Racundra’s First Cruise (1923) Rod and Line (1929) Racundra’s Third Cruise (1972) The Autobiography The Autobiography of Arthur Ransome (1976)
