Number 11, Dukes Square, looks just like the other houses on the Brighton seafront: a Regency terrace with elegant sash windows, a winding staircase, and post piled up in the hall for its tenants. It might be part of the city's history, but it's also a place of brand new beginnings. Georgie has followed her childhood sweetheart to Brighton but is determined to carve out a career for herself in journalism. Throwing herself into the city's delights is fun and exciting, but before she knows it, she's sliding into all kinds of trouble. Charlotte's in the city for a new start, hoping to keep her head down and somehow get over the heartbreaking loss she's suffered in the past. But Margot, the stylish old lady on the top floor, has other ideas. Like it or not, Charlotte must confront the outside world, and the possibilities it still holds. A terrible revelation sent Rosa running from London to start again as a sous chef. The work is gruelling and thankless but it's a distraction at least . . . until she comes up against the stroppy teenager next door who challenges her on her lifestyle choices. What if Rosa's passion for food could lead her to more interesting places? As the three tenants find each other, it's as if a whole new chapter of their lives has begun.
Living in Harmony is the first book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series. It’s about fresh starts and love...and how faith in God and His perfect plan for our lives provides us with the peace and joy we desire. Amy King—young, engaged, and Amish—faces difficult challenges in her life when she suddenly loses both of her parents in a house fire. Her fiancé, John Detweiler, persuades her and her sister Nora to leave Lancaster County and make a new beginning with him in Harmony, Maine, where he has relatives who can help the women in their time of need. John’s brother Thomas and sister-in-law Sally readily open their home to the three newcomers. Wise beyond his years, Thomas, a minister in the district, refuses to marry Amy and John upon their arrival, suggesting instead a period of adjustment and counseling. During this time Amy discovers an aunt who was shunned. She wishes to reconnect with her, but this puts a strain on her relationship with John. Can John and Amy find a way to live in happily in Harmony before making a lifetime commitment to one another?
Burning with desire to share the value of freedom, Antonina takes you from her plight in communist Bulgaria to the free shores of America. Following unfortunate events of life in a totalitarian regime in Bulgaria, Antonina bids goodbye to her homeland and flees to the Western world. She provides true experiences and observations of what life is in a communist society-her family's lands and cattle being confiscated by the agricultural labor cooperatives; the censorship of the press and any literal, artistic, and scientific works from the West; religion being prohibited; and any deviation from the norm leading to detention in a labor camp. Her last crossing of the Bulgarian-Yugoslavian border almost costs Antonina her life and makes up her mind to never go back. She describes her life as an immigrant at the refugee camp in Traiskirchen, Austria, while waiting for an American visa. Antonina is ecstatic when the plane cruises over the Statue of Liberty and lands in the most amazing city in the world-New York. She describes how she could taste, smell, feel, and touch freedom as she gets off the plane, ready to embark on new adventures. Antonina gets educated and becomes a good specialist in taxation, working for the United States Treasury Department. Ultimately, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, she is invited to go back to Bulgaria and fix a broken tax system as a representative of the United States government. Her work in the newly democratic society of Bulgaria paved the way for the country to become a member of NATO, escaping Soviet influence, and later being accepted in the family of the European Union. 20
What happens when your best hope for the future is through the past? Voice-over artist Alice avoids telling the truth. It's not lying, exactly, and the freedom of reinvention makes those tough years in the past a little easier to bear. So when she meets writer Clayton Miller, she recognizes the suspicious signs of someone who wants to shrug off his old life. Untangling the web of secrets they've constructed creates an unlikely friendship—until Alice discovers that Clayton has betrayed her in the worst possible way. The author of fifteen international bestsellers, Erica James deftly explores infidelity, bereavement, and the bonds of family with a sparkling voice that will resonate long after the book is finished. Praise for Erica James "Intense, compelling stuff." —OK! magazine "The author writes with a sturdy, feel-good optimism." —Sunday Times "It is a captivating read: beautifully written." —Daily Telegraph "You know you have made it as a storyteller writer when readers simply cannot put your book down...Erica James has this page-turning ability in abundance...I wouldn't have thought this writer could get any better, but she has!" —Welsh Country
When life goes sideways, embracing the adventure is the fastest way to set things right.One day I was just a widow facing the prospect of an empty nest, living a life that was anything but enchanted. The next, I had discovered my magical roots, and my rightful place as the Guardian of the portal between the Faery and Earth. There was shock. And there was fear. After all, no one plans to start over at forty-five. I intended to grow old with my husband. I thought we'd live an ordinary life. So I'll be damned if I'm going to waste this opportunity to live in a world I always thought was imaginary. I'm half-witch, half-faery, and facing dangers as real as the ache in my bad knee. Ibuprofen and caffeine keep me going, and I could do this for the rest of my life. Whoever thinks my family home is an easy mark better take notice: the new Guardian in town isn't going down without a fight.After all, she's already learned to let go of her simple existence and believe in the extraordinary power inside of her. What could possibly stop her now?
An exploration of the dialogue that emerged after 1776 between different visions of what it meant to use new technologies to transform the land. After 1776, the former American colonies began to reimagine themselves as a unified, self-created community. Technologies had an important role in the resulting national narratives, and a few technologies assumed particular prominence. Among these were the axe, the mill, the canal, the railroad, and the irrigation dam. In this book David Nye explores the stories that clustered around these technologies. In doing so, he rediscovers an American story of origins, with America conceived as a second creation built in harmony with God's first creation. While mainstream Americans constructed technological foundation stories to explain their place in the New World, however, marginalized groups told other stories of destruction and loss. Native Americans protested the loss of their forests, fishermen resisted the construction of dams, and early environmentalists feared the exhaustionof resources. A water mill could be viewed as the kernel of a new community or as a new way to exploit labor. If passengers comprehended railways as part of a larger narrative about American expansion and progress, many farmers attacked railroad land grants. To explore these contradictions, Nye devotes alternating chapters to narratives of second creation and to narratives of those who rejected it.Nye draws on popular literature, speeches, advertisements, paintings, and many other media to create a history of American foundation stories. He shows how these stories were revised periodically, as social and economic conditions changed, without ever erasing the earlier stories entirely. The image of the isolated frontier family carving a homestead out of the wilderness with an axe persists to this day, alongside later images and narratives. In the book's conclusion, Nye considers the relation between these earlier stories and such later American developments as the conservation movement, narratives of environmental recovery, and the idealization of wilderness.
The start of a brand new series from bestselling author Fay Keenan. Life in London has lost its sparkle for Stella Simpson. So when she gets the opportunity to escape to the country for a year, it seems too good a chance to miss. In the beautiful Somerset countryside, the majestic Roseford Hall has been painstakingly restored and is now ready for its grand opening. And as the writer in residence, Stella gets to see it all – from the rowdy resident peacocks, the hidden secrets of the Hall, to befriending the Lord of the Manor himself. At the other end of Roseford, single father, Chris Charlton is facing his own refurbishment woes. Rocked by a tragedy two years previously, his plans for crumbling Victorian wreck Halstead House are as stuck as he is. As Roseford Hall prepares to welcome a new era, and Halstead House’s future is under threat, Chris and Stella find themselves drawn to one another. Can they finally leave their pasts behind, and will Chris and Stella be able to embrace their new beginnings together – or apart... Escape to the beautiful, idyllic English countryside with Fay Keenan. Romantic, feel-good and utterly charming, this is perfect for all fans of Julie Houston, Cathy Bramley and Holly Martin. What authors and readers say about Fay Keenan’s novels: 'Fay Keenan's books are filled with warmth and humour. They are the perfect escape to beautiful countryside settings' Jessica Redland 'This novel has such a gorgeous setting. A lovely light read and the perfect book to pack in your suitcase and take on holiday. Recommended.' Della Galton 'A gorgeous rural romance full of warmth and charm.' Victoria Connelly ‘Guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Feel-good, frisky and great fun with a hearty dash of romance and intrigue.' Julie Houston 'Moving, funny, thoughtful and romantic. Bring on the next one!' Jenny Kane 'This is a lovely and heart-warming story, that has a serious side hidden within the romance.' Amazon reviewer 'It was a wonderful book, {::}guaranteed to put a smile on your face.' Amazon reviewer ‘I was so engrossed in the storyline, which is thoroughly heart-warming, that I read the entire book without stopping. I always enjoy Keenan’s books and am looking forward to the next one!’ Amazon reviewer
‘This book is life-affirming, full of surprises, an absolute joy and a real pick-me-up!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review Two weddings and a baby...but who will get their happy ever after? Emily Prescott’s life isn’t going to plan. Her dreams of starting a family with fireman boyfriend Greg and opening up her own bakery in London feel like they will never come true. So when a wedding invite arrives from her oldest friend, Beth Williams, Emily is thrilled. Not only will she get to return to her childhood home in Scotland, but best of all – Beth wants her to bake the wedding cake! However, her excitement is cut short when she discovers that Greg has cheated on her. Devastated by his betrayal, Emily flees to Glendale Hall, Beth’s grand estate in the Highlands, and tries to distracts herself with helping with the wedding plans, but that’s not easy when Greg keeps hounding her to forgive him. Then she’s introduced to Glendale’s new young and handsome vicar Brodie, and things become even more complicated. When Emily discovers that Greg’s betrayal runs deeper than she imagined, she finds herself with a whole host of decisions to make, especially when she discovers her long awaited dream is finally being fulfilled – at exactly at the wrong time... Escape to Scotland and fall in love with this gorgeous and inspiring romance from the bestselling author of Coming Home to Glendale Hall! The perfect feel-good read for fans of Holly Martin, Heidi Swain, and Jill Mansell. Readers are loving New Beginnings at Glendale Hall! ‘All the characters feel so familiar and it is a lovely warm book...perfect to curl up with on a Sunday afternoon and to just lose yourself in the wonderful story.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Bookworms and Shutterbugs ‘An absolutely gorgeous read that I adored... Walters’ writing is gorgeous, feeling like a nice comfort blanket – all cosy and nice... This was a warm, beautiful book; full of heart and emotion.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Jenn’s Gifts ‘These books are so lovely to read...Such a fab story and really kept me hooked from start to finish.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Caoimhes Books and Lit ‘This book was exactly what I needed: a well written and entertaining read, heart warming and enjoyable.’ Reader Reviewer ‘Loved this book. Unputdownable and highly entertaining, with sadness, friendships, happiness and love.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘an uplifting and heartwarming romantic story about friendships, self-discovery, and chasing your dreams. The story is beautifully written, well-paced, and makes for a fun and relaxing read.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘A lovely gentle read, a tale skilfully told with characters both old and new that come to life, well worth reading.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review ‘There is something about Glendale that has an almost magical feel...It’s a lovely comfy, cosy read that offers hope as well as inspiration...Fabulous!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ By The Letter Book Reviews ‘This was such an adorable story to read... I totally fell in love with the gorgeous setting, the characters and the storyline’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Asianbookworm Reads ‘A BEAUTIFUL book which captured my heart...made me feel all warm and gooey inside like rich chocolate...Beautiful detailing, emotionally captivating, it was simply a heartwarming tale. Book Reviews by Shalini ‘Lush details and an amazing setting. I loved the setting and descriptions of everything in Glendale Hall...I loved this book.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Books Over Everything
Gideon, a caterpillar grub, is transformed when the leaf which he is eating falls from the tree, giving him a sensation of flying, and suddenly all he can think, talk, or dream about is flight.
Follow your yellow brick road .... Alice Dorothy Matthews is on the road to paradise! She's sold her house in London, got rid of her nasty ex and arranged her move to Portugal where friendship and romance awaits. All that's left to do is find a place to call home. But Alice's dreams are called into question when complications with friends, work and new relationships make her Portuguese paradise feel far too much like reality. Will Alice's dream of a new home in the sun come true?
