Showing results by narrator "Janine" in All Categories

Transport yourself to 1920s Liverpool, to be moved and delighted by this wonderful novel from one of the UK's best-loved saga authors. In 1920s Liverpool, Jane, her little brother Alfie and their mother Ellen have faced the horrors of the workhouse together. But when Ellen dies, two very different paths open up for the siblings. Jane is sent to work in the Empire Laundry and builds a new life for herself with the neighbours who take her in.

Karen Bloom has always wanted the best things in life. And that includes her children; quite simply, she expects them to be perfect. Her son, Ewan, has been something of a disappointment, and she won't be making the same mistake again with her beloved daughter, Bronte. Bronte's every waking hour will be spent at music lessons and dance classes, doing whatever it takes to excel. But as Karen pushes Bronte to the brink, the rest of the family crumbles.

Natty and Sean Wainwright are happily married. Rock solid in fact. So when Natty's oldest friend, Eve Dalladay, appears - just as their daughter collapses on a school trip in France - Natty has no qualms about leaving Eve with Sean to help out at home. Two weeks later and Natty finds Eve has slotted into family life too well - her husband has fallen in love with Eve. He's sorry, he tells her, but their marriage is over. With no option but to put a brave face on things for the sake of the children, Natty embarks on building a new life for herself.

Sometimes life can be a real witch. Meet Maxie Duncan. Your average 23-year-old blonde. If you can call being wealthy, gorgeous, and knowing what the future holds at times, average. After her fiancee blindsides her with a breakup at their favorite restaurant, she leaves Maine for a shot at being Hollywood's new 'it girl.' There's only one problem. She's never acted a day in her life. When a big Hollywood director sends her packing, she realizes if she wants to stay in L.A., she may have to become a normal girl after all.

Each generation of the Mallen family has been cursed with a dramatic white streak in their jet-black hair. Barbara does not have the visible streak to identify her as a Mallen, but she has spent her life trying to forget her parentage - and the horrific circumstances behind her birth. When her triplets - the Mallen litter - were born, she hoped that it would herald a new beginning. But it seems that one of her sons bears the Mallen streak - and that the Mallen curse will never die out....

Maya knew that this was going to be her last homecoming for a while, but she didn't know or expect that this homecoming would be the craziest and/or chaotic one of all. Although Maya has always been the peacemaker in the group, this may be the first time she may just let it go. Through it all, she and her friends will realize how crazy things can get this homecoming may even challenge or destroy their friendship.

When you know you have met the love of your life, the last thing you expect is for your sister to lure him away. Clare Ronson is faced with this scenario when her sister, Isabel, marries singer and guitarist Ross Tyler. To compound Clare's jealousy and bitterness, Ross hits the big time and becomes a wealthy tax exile, relocating to France with his family. Clare cannot bring herself to speak to Isabel or Ross for the next 30 years. However, when tragedy occurs in 2002 causing Ross to arrive back in England at Clare's doorstep, Clare must try to put the past behind her for her sister's sake.

1964. Detective Sergeant Harry Barnard has been ordered to track down notorious Soho club owner Ray Robertson, who hasn't been seen for several days. The case takes on a greater urgency when a battered body is discovered at the gym Ray owns. Is Ray the killer, or is he a victim?

Allegra Teagarden, a musical prodigy, flees her father's dominance and abuse while touring in pre-civil war Charleston, South Carolina. Plagued by depression over her mother's suicide during their previous visit, she escapes in an effort to piece together the details behind her mother's mysterious demise.

A Brescello, petit village italien dans la plaine du Pô, la rivalité est permanente entre Peppone, le maire communiste qui vient de triompher aux élections et Don Camillo, le curé de choc qui prend quotidiennement à part le Seigneur dans son église. Dirigeant deux clans de choc, les deux hommes, bien que rivaux, restent malgré tout amis depuis l'enfance.

Aurora Pettigrew has a loving family, a nice home, a comfortable life. She's waiting for the right man to offer marriage, and the man for her is Reid Sinclair, heir to the Sinclair fortune. But Reid's mother is against the match and unearths a secret that will tear Aurora's world apart. Unwilling to bring shame on her family and needing answers, Aurora moves to York. By chance, she reconnects with a man from her past, and before he leaves with the army to war in South Africa, he offers her security through marriage.

Even as a child Barbara was beautiful, but as her beauty grew so did the affliction which shadowed it. She was becoming deaf. Yet living in an almost silent world protected her from what could be a worse affliction - to know the truth of her own origins. Barbara had another protector in Anna Brigmore, who knew that truth and was haunted by the thought it must one day be revealed to this girl she cherished like her own child. And among the surrounding hills and valleys of Northumberland, it was a long-relished scandal....

Mental health is a term that encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives. Just like physical health, mental health is important for our overall well-being and quality of life. Good mental health allows us to cope with the stresses of life, work productively, form meaningful relationships, and make positive contributions to society.

Hometown Tales is a series of books pairing exciting new voices with some of the most talented and important writers at work today. Some of the tales are fiction and some are narrative non-fiction - they are all powerful, fascinating and moving, and aim to celebrate regional diversity and explore the meaning of home. In this audiobook on Wales, you'll find two unique tales: a captivating exploration of migration by Tyler Keevil, an award-winning writer originally from Canada now living in Wales, and one more tale to be found through open submissions.

In her debut memoir, A Van of One's Own, Biddy Wells tells the story of how, propelled by a thirst for peace and quiet, for a modest adventure and, perhaps, for freedom, she left for Portugal on her own, with only her old campervan, Myfanwy, and her GPS, Tanya, for company. Having left just about everything behind, her solo trip forces her to face her fears, her past and herself.

Nina, Ivy, and Oswald cannot resist the pull of the next adventure that they know awaits them in the hidden room in The Lost Bookshop. Stepping through the door once more, they are surprised to find themselves in the Wild West, in a town that is facing certain destruction. Knowing they must help, and with the aid of a little Native American girl named Wachiwi, the group set off in search of a fabled treasure - the only thing that can save the town before it's too late.

Nina is a girl who just can't stay out of trouble. When she finds herself transported to a magical market on a mysterious train she thinks she'll be able to find Christmas presents for her best friends. How wrong can you be? With a villainous thief on the loose and no time to waste, the feisty girl soon finds herself dodging danger in the most breathtaking way. Can she catch the crook? And if she does how will she stop him?

A story of love and betrayal set in the quaint Staffordshire village of Edingale in 1946. Haunted by her past, Hannah Kimble has built an impenetrable barrier around her. Life has been hard, with few pleasures. She yearns for love or even a little affection. By chance, she meets the new owner of Edingale Manor, a charismatic American. Major Joshua Tyne. When he shows interest in her, Hannah believes he loves her. But has she misinterpreted his actions and mistaken simple kindness for love? Then there's the betrayal!

Winter, 1942. Brenda and Joyce are just two of the girls who have joined the Women’s Land Army and are doing their bit for the war effort. But after months working on farms in the Yorkshire Dales, they’re looking for a fresh challenge. Despite the bitter cold of their new billets high in the remote fells, their fear for those away fighting, and concern for family and friends, there is warmth to be found in faces old and new, and plans for a jolly Christmas are afoot.

Life seems perfect in Valley Farm, a quiet community in Northumberland. Then a shocking discovery shatters the silence. The owners of a big country house have employed a house-sitter, a young ecologist named Patrick, to look after the place while they’re away. But Patrick is found dead by the side of the lane into the valley - a beautiful, lonely place to die.