With the Dust Bowl years steeped in recent memory, a blues loving black boy named Garth Washington comes of age in the sharecropper's community of Ricochet Louisiana with his guitar and harmonica playing best friend Ben Henry Johansson. The year his father dies Garth becomes intimately involved with Olivia Sumner the white daughter of an English bred plantation owner, but over the course of a short autumn season Olivia loses interest in the boy she first seduced on Crocket's Creek. The following year Garth's mother sells the family's small sharecrop-farm and he and Ben Henry move to Baton Rouge where they soon discover it's no cakewalk jumpstarting a blues career in a town surrounded by the Mississippi River. Or is it? A young woman with the guitar playing fingers of a blues master breathes life back into the boys' dreams-of getting happy rich singing the blues. In a fateful return trip to Ricochet, Garth finds himself in lover's arms with the talented girl from Baton Rouge. But the lovers are violently whisked away from each other by a crooked sheriff, hurtful parish judge and Olivia Sumner's father, three men who create their own wicked style of Ricochet Blues.

'Brilliant read. Wonderful characters that draw you into Harpers world. Thoroughly enjoyable.' Kitty NealeThe beginning of a brand new series from #1 bestselling author Rosie Clarke, Welcome to Harpers of Oxford Street. London 1911 When Sally, Beth, Margaret and Rachel meet at a job interview for the wonderful new store in Oxford Street, they have no idea they will become lifelong friends. When all four girls are lucky enough to be selected as sales staff their exciting new adventure begins. Join them as they overcome heartbreak and grief, find love and happiness and remain united in their friendship, whatever life throws at them. A heart-warming saga following the lives, loves and losses of the Harpers Girls. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Pam Howes and Dilly Court. What readers are saying about The Shop Girls of Harpers:'A lovely book to read and the first of a new series with characters that blend so well and a great story of friendship, family and love. Well worth 5*' 'A lovely read first in a new series, looking forward to the next. English saga writing at its best: wonderful characters, emotional, warm, lovely, highly recommend' 'Heart Warming, Compelling and Authentic, that features strong friendships, trials and tribulations of each woman, strong, relatable female characters, and a wonderfully enchanting location ' 'This book is brilliantly written and the descriptions are so well done that you feel like you are there in the book as a character. ' 'I got sucked in immediately and could not put it down!' 'I can 100% guarantee that I will be reading more of Rosie's work in the future'

The first in the Herries Chronicle saga bu Hugh Walpole.

In better days, the elegant young dog Francine enjoyed wealth and privilege. Now she spends the hours staring at her friends through the grim bars of a cage. Her terrier pal Sammie, her cousin Flitz, and her three hound buddies pace their cages with increasing desperation.

Francine comes from noble lines, and the courage of her ancestors runs in her veins. But the days to come will demand every ounce of cleverness, courage, and grit within her. Even if she escapes with her friends, a hostile world awaits them. They will have to look long and hard to find people with hearts big enough to befriend six homeless dogs.

But a man with a scalpel and no conscience has prepared a room for Francine and her friends. He takes Flitz away to begin a painful journey that will end in her death unless Francine finds a way out. Time is running short and soon he will come for Francine.

The start of a thrilling new series, from bestselling author Lizzie Lane set in Bristol which follows three friends through thick and thin.Bristol 1939. School leaver Maisie Miles suspects her father, a small-time crook, has an ulterior motive for insisting she gets a job at the W. D. H. O. Wills tobacco factory but keeps it to herself. She's befriended by effervescent Phyllis Mason and kind-hearted Bridget Milligan who take pity on her and take Maisie under their wing. But beneath their happy go lucky exteriors they all harbour dreams and worries about what the future holds. Engaged to be married Phyllis dreams of romance and passion but when it comes there are dire consequences. Bridget seemingly the level headed one harbours a horror of something unspeakable that she cannot easily come to terms with. There's great comradeship at the tobacco factory, and with the advent of war everything is about to change and even the closest friendships are likely to be strained. Praise for Lizzie Lane: 'A gripping saga and a storyline that will keep you hooked' Rosie Goodwin 'The Tobacco Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and friendship and a must-read for all saga fans.' Jean Fullerton 'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of factory girls, redolent with life-affirming friendship, drama, and choices that are as relevant today as they were then.' Catrin Collier 'If you want an exciting, authentic historical saga then look no further than Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J Miller What readers are saying about The Tobacco Girls:'The Tobacco Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and friendship and a must-read for all saga fans.' Bestselling Author, Jean Fullerton 'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of factory girls, redolent with life-affirming friendship, drama, and choices that are as relevant today as they were then.' Bestselling Author, Catrin Collier 'Lizzie Lane's stories get me to and from work every day. Love them.' Reader Review

Dr. Bethesda Vernon, a 30ish year old college professor has lived half a life since the death of Enoch, her Marine Corps husband, in an auto accident in the backcountry of Westchester, NY. His death had devastated Beth. They were married for only four years. After two years of unspeakable grief and mourning, Beth buried herself in teaching her Marriage and Family Relations courses at Queens College. When she had time she traveled to far away places and also mourned Enoch there. One summer day while in Bermuda enjoying the sun, Cedric Philippe simply walked into her life. Cedric was Ambassador of Sierra Leone, West Africa to the United Nations. He called her 'MyBeth' the moment they met--now she belonged to someone again--Beth called him, 'Phillip'. Their affair began despite her knowing he was married and that his wife and two teenage sons lived in London. She was becoming 'the other woman'--a bittersweet role. One ordinary day, Beth wakes herself up from her foolishness and decides ..".it is over." Then enters Dr. Jesse Butler, who joins the Queens College Family Science Department. Jesse and Beth marry after a two year courtship. Later, he accepts ''the call' to preach. Without warning 'old secrets' creep back into their lives--even the secrets of Jesse''s daughter, Lilliclaire, and Sara, Jesse''s former wife. Their individual secrets although deeply hidden, return and the nightmare begins.

"What's the matter, afraid he can't handle it?" Fabian glanced at him. He wasn't as restless as his friend. Leaning against the trunk of the tree, he folded his arms in front of him.

Demetrius shook his head. "It isn't that," he said, pulling his sword out of the dirt. "He's headstrong. Not to mention, overconfident." He swung the blade a few more times. "It's an unfavorable combination," he added.

"Does that remind you of anyone?" Fabian teased.

"I'll admit I was arrogant at times, but I could always smell defeat. I was never quite as impulsive." Demetrius smiled sheepishly. He hadn't forgotten the times Fabian had rescued him before he met his demise. "Nicholas, well, he thinks he's invincible." He grew serious. "And Ayden's too trusting. He isn't perceptive of debauchery as his brothers. Then there's Lucian." He paused and laughed with subservient pride. "How righteous he is. But at times, he's impetuous, yet blameless. Especially, when he believes it's unjust. He surprises you."

"They've matured since I last saw them," Fabian said with an affable chuckle. "They'll be all right, Demetrius."

The duke gave a feeble smile as he returned his steel to the scabbard. It was exhausting, being a sentry at his age, but he had to continue for the sake of his sons.

The year is 2022. Ten years after the utter destruction of the world. In December of 2012 the earth experienced a polar flip that had catastrophic consequences. In the weeks that followed one little girl struggles to survive, guided and protected by unseen forces.

Ten years later Star believes she is the only one left in the world, with only the changed animals as friends. When she stumbles across a garden that has obviously been cared for she is suddenly set on a path that could very well change the entire fate of the new world.

Are wealth and status worth the price-when that price is your own daughter?
Author Betty Byrd has seen it all-including drilling her very own oil well She now brings her unique vision and experience to Utopia Texas, a riveting tale of Brya Harrison, a woman created by chance and circumstance. Part gambler, part geologist, Brya knows that in the West Texas oil country upbringing may not matter, but status is everything. She has worked hard to secure her position, but she finds her plans unravel when she discovers that her daughter, Olivia, is somehow "different," and is forced to face the unfathomable-one startling revelation at a time. Drawn into a maelstrom of events fueled by her daughter's indiscretions, Brya sets out to cover each one up-whatever the cost. But will she be able to combat the demons plaguing her daughter as skillfully as she is able to face down her competition in the cutthroat world of big oil?
In this stunning follow-up to the author's debut novel, Trinity's Daughter, Betty Byrd has woven a brilliant tale of wealth, greed, love, and the pursuit of power-and how one particular woman holds her own in the male-dominated oil business.
"Big oil, big land, and larger-than-life characters all spell Texas. Utopia Texas is Texana at its most raw. And in the end, its most redemptive." -Susan Mary Malone, author, By the Book "Betty Byrd has created a story that is as intense as an oil well fire-volatile and explosive. Utopia Texas will make you feel as if you lived it, while being forever thankful you didn't." - J.D. Smith, host of Pursuing the Blues, KCLAFM.com, Los Angeles, California "The oil field has its share of personalities that are larger than life. Fueled by strong wills and old-fashioned guts in order to face the unthinkable, Byrd's Utopia Texas is compulsively readable." -Bill Bledsoe, Petroleum Engineer, Fort Worth, Texas

Olimpix is not only an inspiring story of great deeds done by young men and women, in its second half it is a story of one of those young men grown to a man. It is a novel that even those who don't know the first thing about sport can enjoy for the rich language of its narrative, the complexity of its multi-faceted characters, the exotic locales of its settings, and the sweep of a story that ranges from California in the 1970's to the postwar landscapes of old Yugoslavia in the present day. This is a deeply satisfying read for fans of the Olympics, and for those who simply love great novels. The novel begins in Louisiana with the story of Zachary Goodin and his football legend father. From here it shifts to California where soon a swim team is born and young talent begin to climb the rankings of age group swimming. The best of these swimmers soon make it all the way to the Games. The experience of competing in an Olympic Games final is described in great detail - it is vibrantly, unforgettably rendered. The first half of the novel ends with the disastrous consequences brought about by the intrusion of politics into the Olympics. The second half of the story is in present day. his job and moving to Europe. He will encounter the next generation of athlete there, and he will be forced to face up to his responsibilities both to them and to himself and his loved ones. In the second half of the book the scenery along the breathtaking Dalmatian coast of Croatia, the characters and drama are rendered with a rare beauty and power. This novel does not coast to the end; like an athlete in an Olympic Games final, it is stronger in the second half and stays strong all the way to the finish.

Shortly before the onset of hostilities in Europe in 1939, the celebrated Italian conductor, Maestro Marcantonio Omodei, departs Rome to accept a position with New York's Metropolitan Opera Company under Toscanini. His wife, Anita, plans to join him after the arrival of their precious baby.

Christened Marcus Aurelius, the boy is born amidst the first salvos of the European war. Separated from his family for the duration of hostilities, the Maestro is forced, enemy alien status notwithstanding, to endure the mild discomforts of wartime New York City, while mother and child are left to face an uncertain future. Reconciled to a long separation from the one true love of her life, Anita manages the resulting trials with grit and humor. The experience stirs her to reassess her ancestral values, a process that dramatically transforms not only her world, but also her very being. Through it all, Anita is abetted by two childhood friends: Adriana, a blasphemous and fiercely cynical spinster, and a worldly nun named Eugenia.

Wrenched from the fringes of her relatively humdrum purgatory, Anita is swept into the vortex of a developing tempest and the deceptive calm that follows its conclusion.

A war that could turn friends into enemies, lovers into fighters . . . Summer 1935. In Margaret Pemberton's Beneath the Cypress Tree best friends Kate Shelton, Ella Tetley and Daphne St. Maur are on the cusp of a new life, having graduated with Classics degrees. Kate is desperate to start work on an archaeological dig straightaway and she is thrilled to be given a position at the famous Knossos palace site in Crete. However, she doesn't bargain for working with gruff site director Lewis Sinclair - nor for her own complex feelings towards him. In Yorkshire, Ella's family expect her to marry Sam, her steady friend who is training to be a doctor, but Ella too feels pulled to the Mediterranean by the promise of freedom. When she meets Christos, life as a country GP's wife seems even less appealing . . . Daphne however throws herself into London's high society, falling madly in love with diplomat and heir Sholto Hertford - but then his work brings them to Crete, and Daphne becomes enchanted by the island as well. Meanwhile, the threat of war rumbles on, as reports of Hitler's rapid expansion across Europe become impossible to ignore. It seems that nothing can touch the perfect, glittering sea and snow-capped mountains, but Kate, Ella and Daphne know that the island haven they now call home will never be the same again.

1950s Liverpool. In the tight-knit Irish Catholic community of the Four Streets, two girls are growing up. One is motherless - and hated by the cold woman who is determined to take her dead mother's place. The other is hiding a dreadful secret which she dare not let slip to anyone, lest it rips the heart out of the community. What can the people of the Four Streets do when a betrayal at the very heart of their world comes to light?

Set against the colorful backdrop of events that gave rise to a fledgling century of technology, this vibrant novel of romance and adventure introduces a stunning new figure to begin the journey of future generations:
Blackie Devlin... Street-wise alumni of turn-of-the-century Hell's Kitchen, Blackie Devlin rose from the tenements to acquire fame and fortune as the owner of one of the hottest dance halls in the infamous Tenderloin. But something was missing...the Excitement and Adventure once found on the streets. He pursues a new dream as an aviator and nears the zenith--but his past threatens to catch up with him and destroy everything...his fame, his fortune, and his life--including the women who love him...

Surviving high school is a bizarre enough experience for most kids, and for Emma Niles, that's only one of her challenges. It's her senior year, and she has to find a way to put the multiple stresses of her home life behind her. Her parents have just been through a messy divorce, and now her father has remarried. Add on classes and all the other demands on her sanity, and life seems just crazy. Fortunately, Emma knows that no matter how weird her life may seem, she can always count on her friends to see her through it all.

But when Bobby Watson, a tall, dark, and mysterious young man, enrolls at their school, everyone is charmed by him. Everyone, that is, but Alexis, Emma's best friend. Alexis, a gifted Native American girl, can see the darkness behind his beautiful face. She knows that Bobby is much more than he appears to be-and that his plans represent dangerous times for everyone they know and love. Alexis invites her friends to take part in a sacred fire ceremony so that they can learn more about his true intentions.

As they prepare for the ritual, Emma learns of her own powers and family history. By embracing her newly revealed Native American heritage and culture, Emma begins to figure out who she is, what's really happening in her school-and why. Through it all, Emma learns that her true strength is found within and that friendship is the strongest magic of all.