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Five Days in February
It was a cold Saturday morning in her well-ordered and happy life as Izzie headed off to her usual ballet class. She had lots to look forward to, a close circle of friends and a boy she fancied.
But on the way, something happened that would change her in life in ways she couldn’t have imagined. She met Seb, a boy whose life had been very different to her own.
Over the course of just a week the ripples from the events that happened touched not only her own life but the lives of others around her.
Did she wish she hadn’t met Seb? She certainly didn’t like some of the consequences but in every situation maybe there is something to be learned.
£8.99 -
Tangled Web
‘Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive.’
- Sir Walter Scott
In Tangled Web, the past isn’t merely history, it’s a living, breathing entity that refuses to be ignored. Each character has been outrunning their history, seeking sanctuary in the present. But when long-buried secrets come to light, the impact reverberates through relationships, forever altering the course of their lives. As each individual becomes entangled in the complicated web of consequences, they encounter both loss and gain. Yet, in the midst of upheaval, an unexpected boon emerges: a deeper understanding of themselves. This emotionally resonant story explores the complexities of family, friends, and neighbours, ultimately revealing the transformative power of self-discovery.
£12.99 -
Bluest Dream of Mine
Bluest Dream of Mine: A Journey Beyond Boundaries by Alex Liu is a profound exploration of identity, purpose, and the human condition, stretching across the vast landscapes of finance, science, and the intricate tapestry of personal history. Beginning his career in the high-stakes world of finance at Citadel, Liu embarks on an unconventional path that leads him to the realms of medicine and chemistry, seeking a foundation in the tangible truths of the physical sciences. This narrative is more than a career memoir; it delves deep into Liu’s philosophical musings, his struggles with mental health, and his quest for understanding within a world framed by the monumental events of World War II.
Liu’s narrative weaves together the personal and the historical, presenting a tapestry that spans continents and epochs. Through his eyes, we explore the complexities of the Chinese human condition, the enduring legacy of World War II, and the existential battles fought on the fields of mental health and identity. This book is a testament to the power of change, the importance of grounding in reality, and the unending search for meaning amidst the chaos of existence.
Dedicated to Rhiannon, Bluest Dream of Mine is not just a reflection on a life lived across the spectra of finance, science, and medicine; it is an invitation to the reader to ponder the larger questions of who we are, where we are headed, and how history, both personal and collective, shapes our journey through life. Alex Liu’s narrative is a bold statement on the resilience of the human spirit, a dream blue in its depth and scope, compelling and richly layered, offering insights that resonate with anyone who has ever sought to understand their place in the vastness of history and the intricacies of the human heart.
£12.99 -
Cyclone Season
Shelley is accustomed to rebuilding after tropical cyclones ravage Northern Queensland. But rebuilding her life after her husband leaves and her career crumbles has proven more difficult. Her daughter barely speaks to her, and her sensible granddaughter has abruptly joined a band.
Like many women in their 50s, Shelley faces tough questions:
How much should she intervene in others’ lives?
Can she form her own social circle after decades as part of a couple?
With her history, can she trust any man? Especially one who is meddling, irritating, and addicted to internet dating?
Most of all, how does she pick up the pieces after the inevitable storms life brings?
Shelley is finding out what it takes to start over and weather life’s personal cyclones.
£10.99 -
Happy Belated Birthday
Sally Sparks is a woman in her blossoms, a writer, and a life adventurist.
In her strife for keeping her freedom, reputation, and social stability, she uses creative means.
A connection to her past life, brings conflict into her present relation with a young lover and forces her to take some major decisions regarding her personal life.
£6.99 -
When Life Changes
Life in the Far East is a melting pot of diverse cultures, where romance takes many forms. This story follows young adults who forge cross-cultural friendships in Thailand. Faced with discrimination, injustice, bribery, and other difficulties, they navigate complex decisions about integrity and honour. Saving face and upholding family reputation prove challenging, especially when misunderstandings arise. Each character uniquely combats obstacles as relationships deepen. When change occurs, responses vary. Ultimately, the question emerges: Can their love withstand the heat of social forces?
While fictional, the protagonists are composites of real-life individuals. Their poignant interactions unveil profound truths about facing adversity in rapidly modernizing societies. Readers are transported to the realities of the region, exploring moral dilemmas through sympathetic eyes as values intermix amidst the confusion of progress.
£8.99 -
The Colour of Covid
As Melbourne endures some of the planet’s longest pandemic lockdowns, three disconnected lives spiral toward intersecting turmoil. Family man John Clark fights to hold career and relationships intact while opinionated libertarian Jimmy Bulwark rages alone against heavy-handed government restraints. By chance these childhood acquaintances reunite just as forthright executive Nicky Chan gets callously downsized.
United in outrage over Nicky’s mistreatment, John and Jimmy impulsively intervene despite clashing worldviews that once kept them estranged. But social tensions run high and resources grow scarce as the crisis persists year after chaotic year. Personal principles get tested as the trio bonds through tribulation, forced to reconsider their stances on virus safety versus freedom and civil duty.
Follow the tumultuous trajectories of three complex personalities as isolating upheaval strains relationships and erodes security. With compassion and humour, this revealing drama bears witness to everyday people persevering through a surreal epoch of ominous viral threats, social polarization, economic devastation, and uncertainty plaguing our planet.
£12.99 -
March Rains
When Covid-19 spread around the world in 2020, it changed the lives of everyone in its path. Grace, an Intensive Care Unit nurse, is no exception. Dark clouds begin to gather over the bay as news headlines signal that Covid-19 has reached the United States with the first community transmitted cases emerging in the San Francisco Bay Area. Almost overnight, amidst a shelter-in-place, Grace finds herself on the frontlines of the crisis caring for the scores of patients filling her intensive care unit at Harris Memorial Hospital. Like a flash flood, the landscape of life inside and outside of the hospital is changed unexpectedly and drastically for Grace and those around her, forcing them to learn to live with uncertainty and under extreme pressures. Grace and her family navigate unforeseen complications as they attempt to make sense of and survive the crisis while carrying the defining weight of past and present trauma in a collision of circumstances through unchartered territory. It is uncertain whether they will find the path forward out of the eye of the storm.
£11.99 -
In Your Arms I Belong
The bond between Louise, Grant, Charlie, and Jim continues to strengthen as they move into a new chapter of their lives. Sharing their home together as two heterosexual couples they find themselves on a voyage of discovery. The importance of a healthy sex life overspills into the relationships they maintain with their family and friends. The myth of ‘with age comes experience’, is dispelled as Louise and Charlie become the teachers.
There is a cyclonic change in the lives of the older siblings and friends of Louise and Grant’s Family. As new relationships develop, the complexities of life bring others to an end. With the turbulences of relationships that are challenged by modern day prejudices, they are met, by devastating affects upon those lives involved.
With the love and support of those around them, it is possible for them to evolve and flourish. With the beginnings of a new life, like the eternal spring, love blossoms confirming that it is in your arms that I belong.
£11.99 -
Go East
The Sweedies are an average modern family with their share of quirks. They face life with humour and cherish family time, especially with the Grannies.
A trip to Spain brings mishaps – Sally Sweedie, mother to Jen and Ted, misplaces her phone while dealing with treacherous weather.
Back home in Southend for Christmas, two new arrivals join the Sweedies. Howard, father of the household, feels restless and buys a motorcycle, much to his wife’s chagrin.
Fast forward to 2033 and the fortune teller proves accurate – the Sweedies are thriving as always. Now, seven-year-old Flora joins the clan.
£7.99 -
Yellow Leaf
In Yellow Leaf, discover the journey of pianist Will as he navigates the uncharted waters of starting again after the unexpected breakdown of his fourteen-year long marriage to his childhood sweetheart. As he reflects on his past and his marriage, Will must confront the question of who he is outside of his relationship and what he truly wants from life, work, and love. With humour and heart, the novel follows Will’s evolution as he immerses himself in the world of film making and encounters a diverse cast of characters from the music, media, academic and cultural spheres. Through this journey of self-discovery, Will not only reinvents himself but also challenges the perceptions of classical music. This introspective and thought-provoking story offers a rare glimpse into the mind and heart of a man amid a mid-life awakening.
£12.99 -
Homeless Companions
Harmony Harringdon is a teenager with her whole life ahead of her. She is beautiful, sweet, and talented. Harmony and her best friend Jake Butler are inseparable. As the pair grow from children to teenagers, their friendship becomes love. They weren’t to know what fate has planned for them. It would all become too much for Harmony, despite having Jake there to support her.
Fleeing the shame and devastation she believes she has caused, Harmony leaves all she knows behind her. Bearing witness to the cruel realities of life, this time fate is kind and brings Harmony a Carnival.
With newfound purpose, Harmony’s talent and tenacity propels her on an unexpected journey. However, all Harmony longs for more than anything is for something or someone to save her.
£9.99