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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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