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Guru Pi
Set during the first pivotal year of the Covid-19 pandemic, Guru Pi, a teacher, finds himself staying with a family in the UK. He embraces three challenges: reading a stack of books equal to his own height within a year, contemplating the vastness of a Googol (10100), and participating in a unique cultural interview.
As Pi shares his eccentric ideas, some are welcomed while others are met with skepticism. This unexpected situation provides Pi with an opportunity to explore his life in ways he never thought possible. His world expands as he discovers the beauty of wildflowers, the wonder of birds, and other captivating aspects of nature.
At its core, this novel celebrates the camaraderie among the characters at the Beck household and the diverse friends Pi makes at the local café, bars, and allotment. Through his eclectic reading and encounters with literary characters, Pi embarks on a transformative journey, ultimately embracing a profound shift in his personal philosophy.
£12.99£9.09 -
Love Deuce Metamorphoses
In this riveting and imaginative tale, Quixote Syzygy spins a modern myth that takes the reader from the heat of Wimbledon’s tennis courts to the fate of humanity itself.
When an epic mixed doubles match between two British pairs – Daphne Laurel and ‘Fool’ Hardy, and Iphis Tangle and Tiresias Tingle – stretches on interminably, the players and spectators alike start to wilt under the relentless summer sun. But Daphne, who possesses the ancient ability to transform into a laurel tree, realizes that human self-importance is the root cause of the deadly heat. She tries to save the crowd by teaching them to become trees themselves.
As people around the world take up the call to ‘Be a Tree’, society splits between the Money-Lovers, who scorn the idea and continue to destroy the earth, and the Earth-Lovers, who sacrifice themselves to try to cool the planet. With appearances by the earwig philosopher Cyril, and interventions from the gods Apollo and Zeus, the tale builds to a shattering conclusion.
Syzygy skillfully weaves classical mythology with a pointed critique of modern values, crafting a fable that is both whimsical and devastating. Love Deuce Metamorphoses is a story of magic, sport, love, and the perils of disregarding our impact on the natural world. This haunting work will make readers see trees, and perhaps themselves, in a whole new light.
£6.99£4.89 -
All That Glisters
Once again Alistair Devenish is involved in a cross-Channel chase following the heist of valuable bronzes from a church outside Milan. Sold at auction, these have vanished before the new owner could pick them up. A whisper tells him that they have been taken abroad perhaps via a yacht berthed in Monaco, Alistair picks up the chase. He must interview people in Milan but the chief suspect has vanished. The old curate at the church is feeble and frail; does he know more than he is letting on?
Alistair’s exotic French fiancée, Isabelle, arrives in Monaco for the weekend. Out for a walk in the harbour, she mistakenly goes on board the huge yacht which Al has spoken so much about. The yacht leaves, she panics and hides on board; in the same space, is an Italian secret police man who has stumbled on a few of the bronzes; both their phones die after a few scrambled words; what to do?
Alistair learns in Milan that the old curate, together with a young man, have left for Genoa to rendezvous with the yacht, taking sacks of apparently heavy goods. He races to the Port at Genoa and with the Italian maritime police they pursue the yacht to sea.
Finally, caught out at sea and held to account, the bronzes on board are recovered but are they the bronzes? Not what they seem; one of them leaks a substance; what is it?
£7.99£5.59 -
The Woman in the Wings
How far would you go to win over the woman you love?
The picturesque village of East Upbury still looks much as it did a century ago, but middle-class professionals have long since replaced the agricultural workers who once lived there. When the villagers decide to stage an open-air summer production to commemorate the centenary of the tragic events that occurred there during the Great War, rivalries quickly emerge. The director intends her production to be authentic, but her vision conflicts with the nostalgic view of the past held by influential village factions.
Toby has never harboured any desire to appear on stage but has always been fascinated by the history of the Great War. He supports all the director’s plans and is delighted to be appointed as stage manager. However, he finds it difficult to focus on his responsibilities because of his fascination with Sarah, a visitor to the village who is helping him backstage. Sarah appears to like him, but the demands of the production mean that whenever they secure any time together events conspire to interrupt them.
As the last night of the production approaches, disaster strikes when one of the actors disappears. This forces Toby to confront his fears and decide exactly how far he is willing to go to win over Sarah before she returns to London.
By turns tragic, comic, historic, and pastoral, The Woman in the Wings shows that a tragic history can sometimes repeat itself as romantic comedy.
£9.99£6.99 -
Inner Strength
Our paths through life are determined, in part, by the people we meet. Some have no effect on us at all, while others pivot us directly towards our destiny.
Happily married Charlie and Zoe Stone have everything except the one thing that will make them feel complete: a child. Longing to become parents, their marriage becomes doomed through devastating circumstances beyond their control.
His marriage over, Charlie moves across town and meets a whole new set of friends, one of whom invites him to try something new; to experience, at least once, the intimacy that a man can bring to another man.
Charlie agrees, thus bringing a seismic shift to his life, a new journey that he totally embraces.
A journey through which he meets Liam.
But is it all over for Charlie and Zoe, or does Charlie have the inner strength to stay true to his natural self?
My captivating third novel follows Charlie Stone as he enters the LGBT world, gets comfortable, and then finds love.
This soul-searching book will make you cry a lot and laugh even more as you join Charlie in his life-changing journey.
£12.99£9.09 -
The Wonderbra Manoeuvre
Saoirse Fitzgerald, a glamorous Dublin-based executive in the high-fashion world, globe-trots her way through life. At 39, she’s acutely aware of her ticking biological clock, and a looming legal deadline threatens to derail her long-delayed ambition of starting a family.
Julian Bracken, a flamboyant and well-respected doctor, privately grieves the loss of his wife and unborn child.
When Saoirse and Julian find themselves staying at the same Mayfair hotel, Saoirse, emboldened by her PA Aoife, resolves to seduce Julian. What begins as a contrived encounter blossoms into a genuine love affair as they confide in each other, realizing they share the same hopes and dreams.
However, their plans for a happy future are brutally interrupted when Julian is accused of sexual assault, voyeurism involving a teenage model, and a further sexual assault on a theatre nurse.
Referred to the General Medical Council, Julian learns from his legal team that the GMC case is being prosecuted by Connie Cornwall QC, a fierce and tenacious barrister known as the ‘ice-maiden’ who rarely loses. To make matters worse, if his case goes poorly, he will face criminal charges and a lengthy prison sentence. His reputation, career, and liberty hang in the balance as his lawyers battle against a determined and clever opponent.
The Wonderbra Manoeuvre is a modern love story with an utterly unpredictable ending. It explores themes of self-belief, loyalty, commitment, and the consequences of keeping secrets that would have been better shared.
£11.99£8.39 -
The Artist
Emilia, an aspiring actress, works as a waitress at a Parisian restaurant called The Ship. There, she meets Heinrich, an architect who falls deeply in love with her. As Emilia’s acting career flourishes, she decides to return to Germany to work on her father’s farm. Undeterred by the distance, Heinrich follows her back to Germany and continues his work as an architect there. This heartwarming story emphasizes the significance of family bonds and romance in a contemporary context.
During her time in Germany, Emilia reminisces about her Aunt Sophia, who supported her family during the difficult period following her mother’s untimely death in Emilia’s childhood. She seizes the opportunity to reconnect with Sophia, her cousin David, and his wife Gina at a dinner party. Emilia’s father is overjoyed when she returns to Germany to assist with his farming endeavours.
While Emilia may eventually return to Paris, for now, she chooses to focus on nurturing her blossoming romance with Heinrich and cherishing the time spent with her loved ones in Germany.
£5.99£4.19 -
Daisy Chain
As her ninety-fifth year draws to a close, Margaret’s light begins to fade. With her last wish and legacy in mind, she pins all her hopes on a much younger generation, seeking to bridge the gap between two vastly different stages of life.
Joshua and Abigail, at the opposite end of life’s spectrum, find themselves unexpectedly intertwined with Margaret’s final journey. As they strive to fulfil her dying wish, they are forced to confront their own demons and embark on a path of self-discovery. Will their efforts to help Margaret ultimately lead them to find themselves, or will their struggles be lost in the dwindling sands of time?
Amidst the turmoil, the question of forgiveness looms large. Can long-standing nemeses be forgiven, and can the weight of the past be lifted? As Margaret, Joshua, and Abigail navigate this emotional landscape, they each seek the serenity that has eluded them for so long.
£12.99£9.09 -
Die Zeit der Frau / The Time of the Woman
Rita, a modern woman, forges an acting career, while her partner Karl writes scripts. She meets many people – her Uncle Fred, Bertha, Peter, Edwina – and moves with Karl from Boston to Switzerland for his work.
Her childhood imagination springs to life when the circus comes to town. As Uncle Fred falls for Yuki, Rita connects with her, making a pen-pal. Relationships interweave between the cast, underscoring the busy modern world where paths constantly cross.
Traveling from Boston to Munich stirs Rita’s longing for the mother she never met, and motivates her search. Karl eventually wins an Academy Award, but accepts it without attending, in his signature style. Through it all, Rita and Karl’s bond endures, a rarity in these turbulent times.
£8.99£6.29 -
Fate/Destiny
Cassie Blake, a recently retired teacher, faces an uncertain future and wonders what comes next after decades of working. But a serendipitous meeting just before Christmas rekindles a long-forgotten passion within her.
Across the Atlantic, James Madison, a TV celebrity, grapples with recent upheaval in his personal life. Seeking solitude, he spends the holiday season alone in the UK.
A fateful encounter on a snowy December night entwines the lives of Cassie and James. From the tranquil Welsh countryside to the kinetic energy of California, their budding connection is put to the test. Can they learn to trust their feelings and overcome their emotional barriers? This chance romance shows it’s never too late to embrace new beginnings.
£11.99£8.39 -
In Every Season
Straddled over two continents with a range of vivid characters, In Every Season celebrates the enduring power of love. An inventive novella for modern times, it is by turns tragic, funny, and deftly unpredictable.
A pithy book with insightful dialogue, In Every Season extols the courage of women fighting back after adversity. Following a period of turmoil, Perdy uses her hard-won journalistic prowess to propel herself forward. Readers mindful of the pressures heaped on young people will relish her heroic journey to independence.
Infused with social realism, the touching novella weaves together a series of emotive stories. Plunged into the murky world of crime, Perdy draws strength from Rocco, her eternal soulmate who guides her from afar.
After the dark days of estrangement, Perdy begins to form close relationships with those around her. When she returns home, the thrall of nature and an encounter with an old friend pull her in a new direction. Only one thing remains certain for Perdy: in every season of her life, Rocco will be part of her.
£7.99£5.59 -
Blue
From the late fifties to the present-day, Harriet’s story is one of bereavement and loss, and how she lives through them to a fulfilled and happy old age. Losing her brother and then her father at a young age, she is obliged to run the family farm and consequently does not pursue the career she might have had. She gives up ideas of studying History of Art at university and accepts the loss of opportunity as she resigns herself to following her mother’s advice to be happy being ‘just a wife and mother.’ She settles into a contented marriage to steady Sam and as times change them and their lives, she expresses her love of beauty and colour in designing gardens.
Harriet never relinquishes her love of art and when time allows, she begins to study Medieval painting, specialising in the early Italian Renaissance. She escapes into a world of lapis lazuli blue, aquamarine, cerulean, cobalt blue, and azure. And here she finds a guide in James who is so knowledgeable, so charming and so attractive… Thus, Harriet moves from the lost idyllic rural landscapes of her youth to the fantasy ‘hortus conclusus’ of medieval Madonnas. And beside her is James, party to this beautiful fantasy.
£8.99£6.29