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Watchers: An erotic novella
by Jodie Johnson-SmithWhen Maria discovers that her work-shy, car-mad husband Ken has befriended a girl called Suzy and is offering her employment she is stunned. What's more, the waitressing jobs Suzy is doing are turning into explicit party acts and the demand for them is increasing. Maria needs to know what is going on between her husband and Suzy. And, more importantly, is she missing out on a business opportunity? Gradually, she finds herself drawn into Suzy's erotic world and rethinking both her career and her relationship with Ken, as the three explore their fantasies of watching and being watched...
A Pinch of Spice
by Alcamia PayneVoluptuous Victorian heiress Eliza Pinch is owner of The Assistance – a private advice club for sexually liberated women. Against her better judgement, she takes on the tuition of Emile, whose sexual secret is preventing him from procuring a wife. Thinking herself sufficiently distanced from love – the one thing she fears – dominant Eliza discovers she enjoys teaching her sexy fantasies to a submissive man. All is well until cunning Emile turns the tables on his divine dominatrix with his contrived innocence and fetishes and Eliza begins to fall irrevocably for her handsome, naïve stud …
Voodoo Fetish: An erotic novella
by Fulani FulaniEloise has left Haiti for England, believing she’s left behind her the weird sexual experiences and voodoo rituals that shaped her time on “that island”. But an encounter with a dead witch in a London graveyard lets her know the spirits still have need of her, and the miraculous healing powers she can channel during intense, BDSM-themed sex. Can Eloise and a group of like-minded fetishists help save the life of a girl who’s tried to raise a demon, and can she free herself from her obligations to the mysterious Baron Cimitière?
Gracefully Aroused: The Best of KD Grace
by K D GraceA collection of ten erotic stories from the best-selling author of The Initiation of Miss Holly and the Lakeland Heatwave paranormal erotic romance trilogy.Hired HandPretty city boy, Tim Harris, is the last man Suzie Sheridan would have hired to help her on the farm had he not been the only one who applied for the job. But with strict discipline generously applied in all the right places, even Suzie is amazed at just how good a hired hand Tim turns out to be ...Personal TrainerPenny Davis can't afford to hire a personal trainer to get her fit for bikini season until ex-military hard man, Hawk Sturgis, offers her an unorthodox fitness regimen and an even more unorthodox payment plan, guaranteed to have her heating up the beach in her new bikini just in time for the summer hols.Accidental HitchhikerOn a road trip across America, Liz Martin's car breaks down in the middle of nowhere South Dakota, and the ride a Good Samaritan lorry driver offers her is not exactly the one she expected.ProductivityUnder the careful supervision of his unorthodox management consultant, a stressed company CEO learns a hands-on technique guaranteed to up productivity.FlawsLove spells are the most dangerous kind of magic. Mick Denver learns the hard way when he enlists Sally Haddon, a witch who specialises in sex magic, to help him win the affections of his new co-worker, the exquisite and dangerous Darlene.Hard Times at the Nymphomaniac Rehabilitation FacilitySadie's sexual appetite is out of control, and a spell at the Nymphomaniac Rehabilitation Facility is intended to put it right. It isn't long before fellow inmate Carol is showing her how to bend the facility's strict rules, earning them both punishments that are more than worth the crime.ConfessionsConfession is good for the soul, but Hail Marys and Our Fathers aren't nearly enough to gain absolution when Jilly confesses to an unsuspecting priest that confession makes her come.ExcavationsWhile volunteering on an archaeological dig, Gina and Mike discover new and exciting ways to help their workaholic professor relieve stress - and he introduces them to one or two methods of his own, which are far from academic.Seeing RedWe all give off body heat, but only Jenny can see the red glow it gives off, darker and more intense the more turned on we become. When she's compelled to follow a fellow bus passenger whose scarlet desires are too powerful to ignore, she learns the real secret of her unique vision.PheromonesAn unusually powerful sense of smell gives Chloe the ability to sniff out the scents of people in lust. When she volunteers for a research trial into pheromones, she doesn't realise the scientist in charge will have the perfect, sexy aroma she's always craved in a lover.
Must Love Wolves
by Elizabeth ColdwellNeil Affleck is working in the Highlands of Scotland, researching his doctorate on wolves in myth and folklore. The solitude gives him time and space to get over the shock of having been duped by fraudster Phillip, who he met on an Internet dating site. His peace is disturbed when he finds a young, half-naked man in the grounds of his cottage, unconscious and covered in cuts and bruises.Logan Grayling is an outcast from his pack, defeated in a fight for dominance by his brother Lennox, the new alpha wolf. Driven by the impulses of a strange new male he scents on the wind, he makes his way to Neil.Their attraction is strong, the sex wild, but werewolves mate for life. Can broken-hearted Neil learn to trust this feral stranger, and what will happen when he learns that another wolf lives in this environment - a wolf who has a plan to make Neil his?
Possession: The Perfect Slave Trilogy - Book Two (The\daughters Of Hastings Ser. #1)
by Alcamia PayneTristan is the modern day slave of Astor, master of the clandestine slave circle called the jeu. Astor is intent on cleansing the jeu of its corrupt masters while fighting the demons of his past. Konstantine is the ancient slave of Abarak. Taken captive during the Crusades, his mind is opened to a panorama of bondage and sexual delight in pursuit of a dream of ancient spiritual bliss. Tristan is gradually succeeding in thawing ice-cold Astor, who he loves devotedly. Master and slave embark on a journey to the birthplace of the jeu where they reconnect to its mysterious roots. However, Tristan is coveted by twisted rival master Jummal, who will stop at nothing to procure him. Tortuous days lie ahead for master and slave as Astor fights to retain his hold on the jeu and Tristan is taken hostage by a man sexually darker than he could ever imagine.
Sweet Torments: The Best of Alex Jordaine
by Alex JordaineAlex Jordaine, author of the much loved 'Mistress' series, is known for a unique spin on Femdom BDSM. These 12 unforgettable tales are guaranteed to set your pulse racing as they lure you into a realm of outrageous eroticism. There are sizzling confessions, outlandish fantasies, lashings of lip-smacking sex, and a kinky surprise around every corner.Read how one dominatrix's lesson in obedience for a wilful female sub turns into an epic battle of wills, while for another an experiment in self-bondage turns into something infinitely more exciting. Learn about the exhibitionistic wife who puts on a show with a couple of hunky studs that her voyeuristic husband will never forget. Plus much, much more in this collection of unique, inventive stories that examine with great drama and intensity the sweet torments of erotic desire
Heart of Glass (Large Print Romance Ser.)
by Dana JamesReturning from her much-needed holiday in the sun, Shelley is met by shocking news. She hadn't even known Great-uncle Nicholas was dead. Her saviour three years ago when she had badly needed a friend, he had allowed her to rent one of his cottages and a sail-loft in a lovely Cornish harbour for her glass-making business. Now all the property belongs to his grandson, Adam. Shelley knows she can expect no mercy from Adam. For hadn't she walked out on him, and her family, just before their wedding – without any explanation?
Another Cup Of Coffee: The Another Cup Series (The Another Cup Series #1)
by Jenny KaneThirteen years ago Amy Crane ran away from everyone and everything she knew, ending up in an unfamiliar city with no obvious past and no idea of her future. Now, though, that past has just arrived on her doorstep, in the shape of an old music cassette that Amy hasn’t seen since she was at university.Digging out her long-neglected Walkman, Amy listens to the lyrics that soundtracked her student days. As long-buried memories are wrenched from the places in her mind where she’s kept them safely locked away for over a decade, Amy is suddenly tired of hiding.It’s time to confront everything about her life. Time to find all the friends she left behind in England, when her heart got broken and the life she was building for herself got completely shattered. Time to make sense of all the feelings she’s been bottling up for all this time. And most of all, it’s time to discover why Jack has sent her tape back to her now, after all these years…With her mantra, New life, New job, New home, playing on a continuous loop in her head, Amy gears herself up with yet another a bucket-sized cup of coffee, as she goes forth to lay the ghost of first love to rest...
Doctor in New Guinea
by Dana JamesWorking on a vaccine to prevent malaria, Dr Maren Harvey is looking forward to a field trip into the highlands of Papua New Guinea, until she arrives and meets her guide, Dr Nicholas Calder. Though the antagonism between them is undeniable, Maren refuses to be deterred. She may be in unknown and dangerous territory – in more ways than one – but she's not a quitter, and Nicholas Calder has met his match.
White Petals
by Maria GraceEmmeline's life falls apart when her mother is sectioned and she has to live in a care home, away from her sister. With only her lucky cardigan for comfort, she has to find her way, making new friends, bullied in school and haunted by a dream of white petals. Has she inherited her grandmother's second sight or her mother's delusions. Why does Stacey hate her so much. As everything changes, who can she really rely on?
Lie Kill Walk Away: From the author of The Everest Files and Mortal Chaos
by Matt DickinsonLIEI check the Range Rover dash. The keys are in there.The sirens are closing in. There’s a police helicopter coming over the hospital.KILLI have to decide. Decide right now. I can keep out of trouble. Not get involved. Just run away through the park and go home and pretend none of this has happened.Or I can help Becca.WALK AWAYI stare into her eyes. Those deep blue eyes. Just for a split second.I tell her, ‘get in the car’.Joe and Becca uncover a deadly secret. A lethal bioweapon is about to be unleashed. Millions will suffer a terrible death.Now they are being hunted down.And their problems have only just begun …
The Abrupt Physics of Dying (Claymore Straker #1)
by Paul E. HardistyOne man. An oil company. A decision that could cost his life.Claymore Straker is trying to forget a violent past. Working as an oil company engineer in the wilds of Yemen, he is hijacked at gunpoint by Islamic terrorists. Clay has a choice: help uncover the cause of a mysterious sickness afflicting the village of Al Urush, close to the company’s oil-processing facility, or watch Abdulkader, his driver and close friend, die. As the country descends into civil war and village children start dying, Clay finds himself caught up in a ruthless struggle between opposing armies, controllers of the country’s oil wealth, Yemen’s shadowy secret service, and rival terrorist factions.As Clay scrambles to keep his friend alive, he meets Rania, a troubled journalist. Together, they try to uncover the truth about Al Urush. But nothing in this ancient, unforgiving place is as it seems. Accused of a murder he did not commit, put on the CIA’s most-wanted list, Clay must come to terms with his past and confront the powerful forces that want him dead.A stunning debut eco-thriller, The Abrupt Physics of Dying will not only open your eyes, but keep them glued to the page until the final, stunning denouement is reached.‘A stormer of a thriller - vividly written, utterly topical, totally gripping' Peter James‘A page-turning adventure that grabs you from the first page and won’t let go’ Edward Wilson‘An exceptional debut, beautifully written, blisteringly authentic, heartstoppingly tense and unusually moving. Definite award material' Paul Johnston‘A thriller of the highest quality, with the potential to one day stand in the company of such luminaries as Bond and Bourne’ Live Many Lives‘A big, powerful, sophisticated and page-turning thriller – thought-provoking and prescient' Eve Seymour
We Shall Inherit the Wind (Varg Veum #17)
by Gunnar Staalesen1998. Varg Veum sits by the hospital bedside of his long-term girlfriend Karin, whose life-threatening injuries provide a deeply painful reminder of the mistakes he’s made. Investigating the seemingly innocent disappearance of a wind-farm inspector, Varg Veum is thrust into one of the most challenging cases of his career, riddled with conflicts, environmental terrorism, religious fanaticism, unsolved mysteries and dubious business ethics. Then, in one of the most heart-stopping scenes in crime fiction, the first body appears…A chilling, timeless story of love, revenge and desire, We Shall Inherit the Wind deftly weaves contemporary issues with a stunning plot that will leave you gripped to the final page. This is Staalesen at his most thrilling, thought-provoking best.'The Varg Veum series is more concerned with character and motivation than spectacle, and it’s in the quieter scenes that the real drama lies.’ Herald Scotland’Staalesen is one of my very favourite Scandinavian authors and this is a series with very sharp teeth’ Ian Rankin‘A Norwegian Chandler’ Jo Nesbo‘Gunnar Staalesen was writing suspenseful and socially conscious Nordic Noir long before any of today's Swedish crime writers had managed to put together a single book page … one of Norway's most skillful storytellers’ Johan Theorin‘Razor-edged Scandinavian crime fiction at its finest’ Quentin Bates‘Not many books hook you in the first chapter – this one did, and never let go!’ Mari Hannah
The Man Who Loved Islands (Disco Days #3)
by David RossThe Disco Boys and The Band are back…In the early 80s, Bobby Cassidy and Joey Miller were inseparable; childhood friends and fledgling business associates. Now, both are depressed and lonely, and they haven't spoken to each other in more than ten years. A bizarre opportunity to honour the memory of someone close to both of them presents itself, if only they can forgive ... and forget.With the help of the deluded Max Mojo and the faithful Hamish May, can they pull off the impossible, and reunite the legendary Ayrshire band, The Miraculous Vespas, for a one-off Music Festival – The Big Bang – on a remote, uninhabited Scottish island?Absurdly funny, deeply moving and utterly human, The Man Who Loves Islands is an unforgettable finale to the Disco Days trilogy – a modern classic pumped full of music and middle-aged madness, written from the heart and pen of one of Scotland’s finest new voices.‘A real new talent on the Scottish literary scene’ Press & Journal‘By turn hilarious and heart-breaking, more than anything Ross creates beautifully rounded characters full of humanity and perhaps most of all, hope’ Liam Rudden, Scotsman‘… carved out an enduring place for himself among contemporary Scottish novelists’ Alastair Mabb, Herald Scotland‘The final novel in Ross’s Disco Days trilogy, this work is a warm, funny consideration of reconciliation between middle-aged friends and a celebration of music’s healing powers. Suggest to fans of Nick Hornby’ Library Journal‘Warm, funny and evocative. If you grew up in the eighties, you’re going to love this’ Chris Brookmyre‘Dark, hilarious, funny and heart-breaking all at the same time, a book that sums up the spirit of an era and a country in a way that will make you wince and laugh at the same time’ Muriel Gray‘An astonishing tour de force’ John Niven‘Full of comedy, pathos and great tunes’ Hardeep Singh Kohli
The Evolution of Fear (Claymore Straker)
by Paul E. HardistyBetrayed. A price on his head. It’s easy to survive, until they threaten her too…Claymore Straker is a fugitive with a price on his head. Wanted by the CIA for acts of terrorism he did not commit, his best friend has just been murdered and Rania, the woman he loves, has disappeared. Betrayed by those closest to him, he must flee the sanctuary of his safe house in Cornwall and track her down. As his pursuers close in, Clay follows Rania to Istanbul and then to Cyprus, where he is drawn into a violent struggle between the Russian mafia, Greek Cypriot extremists, and Turkish developers cashing in on the tourism boom.As the island of love descends into chaos, and the horrific truth is unveiled, Clay must call on every ounce of skill and endurance to save Rania and put an end to the unimaginable destruction being wrought in the name of profit.Gripping, exhilarating, and above all, frighteningly realistic, The Evolution of Fear is a startling, eye-opening read that demands the question: how much is truth, and how much is fiction?‘Thrills, spills and moral indignation’ Jake Kerridge, Telegraph'I’m a sucker for genuine thrillers with powerful redemptive themes, but what spoke to me more strongly than anything was the courage, integrity and passion with which this novel is written’ Eve Seymour, Cheltenham Standard‘Remarkably well-written and sophisticated’ Literary Review‘Trenchant and engaging’ Stav Sherez, Catholic Herald‘Fast-paced and cleverly written, this novel has bestseller written all over it’ West Australian‘A solid, meaty thriller – Hardisty is a fine writer and Straker is a great lead character’ Lee Child‘A Stormer of a thriller: vividly written, utterly tropical, totally gripping’ Peter James'A page-turning adventure that grabs you from the first page and won’t let go’ Edward Wilson'A forceful first novel by a writer not afraid of weighty issues and visibly in love with the beauty of the Yemen and desert landscapes his protagonists travel through’ Maxim Jakubowski
The Bird Tribunal
by Agnes RavatnTwo people in exile. Two secrets. As the past tightens its grip, there may be no escape…TV presenter Allis Hagtorn leaves her partner and her job to take voluntary exile in a remote house on an isolated fjord. But her new job as housekeeper and gardener is not all that it seems, and her silent, surly employer, 44-year-old Sigurd Bagge, is not the old man she expected. As they await the return of his wife from her travels, their silent, uneasy encounters develop into a chilling, obsessive relationship, and it becomes clear that atonement for past sins may not be enough…Haunting, consuming and powerful, The Bird Tribunal is a taut, exquisitely written psychological thriller that builds to a shocking, dramatic crescendo that will leave you breathless.'The Bird Tribunal is a chilly psychological thriller / domestic noir that unfolds in an austere style that perfectly captures the bleakly beautiful landscape of Norway’s far north' Irish Times‘An unrelenting atmosphere of doom fails to prepare readers for the surprising resolution that engulfs this flawed pair.’ Publishers Weekly‘Ravatn creates a creeping sense of unease, elegantly bringing the peace and menace of the setting to vivid life. The isolated house on the fjord is a character-like shadow in this tale of obsessions. This is domestic suspense with a twist – creepy and wonderful’ Good Reading Magazine‘The Bird Tribunal offers an incredible richness of themes … The atonement for the past sins and the titular bird tribunal carry powerful messages, as well as questions of morality and humanity…' Crime Review'The Bird Tribunal is suffused with dark imagery from the ancient Eddas, creating a foreboding atmosphere that gets under the skin and stays there. Like a lunar eclipse, each revelation is another form of darkness.’ Crime Fiction Lover‘Chilling, atmospheric and hauntingly beautiful … I was transfixed’ Amanda Jennings‘Intriguing … enrapturing’ Sarah Hillary‘A masterclass in suspense and delayed terror, reading it felt like I was driving at top speed towards a cliff edge - and not once did I want to take my foot off the pedal’ Rod Reynolds‘A beautifully written story set in a captivating landscape … it keeps you turning the pages’ Sarah Ward
The Mountain in my Shoe
by Louise BeechA missing boy. A missing book. A missing husband. A woman who must find them all to find herself.On the night Bernadette finally has the courage to tell her domineering husband that she’s leaving, he doesn’t come home. Neither does Conor, the little boy she’s befriended for the past five years. Also missing is his lifebook, the only thing that holds the answers. With the help of Conor’s foster mum, Bernadette must face her own past, her husband’s secrets and a future she never dared imagine in order to find them all.Exquisitely written and deeply touching, The Mountain in My Shoe is both a gripping psychological thriller and a powerful and emotive examination of the meaning of family … and just how far we’re willing to go for the people we love.‘Deft and full of emotions’ Irish Times‘It is a brilliantly creative work of fiction’ We Love this Book (The Bookseller)‘A fabulous, exquisitely written novel that tugs at the soul … incredibly moving’ David Young‘Full of beautiful descriptions, images and observations … hauntingly poignant, with a relentless tension and pace’ Katie Marsh ‘A moving and powerful book’ Jane Lythell‘A rich, psychologically profound novel about overcoming adversity … It’s a masterpiece’ Gill Paul‘Louise Beech masterfully envelops us in two worlds separated by time yet linked by fierce family devotion, bravery and the triumph of human spirit. Wonderful’ Amanda Jennings, author of In Her Wake‘Dark, compelling and highly thought-provoking … a fascinating page-turner that wrenches at your insides’ Off-the-Shelf Books‘A wonderful, nuanced book probing the damages wreaked by absence and neglect, while exploring the power of love and hope … and what it means to be truly “home”. It made me laugh and cry by turns. I loved it’ Melissa Bailey‘An exquisite novel. Darkly compelling emotionally charged. And I LOVED it!’ Jane Isaac
A Suitable Lie
by Michael MaloneSome secrets should never be kept…Andy Boyd thinks he is the luckiest man alive. Widowed with a young child, after his wife dies in childbirth, he is certain that he will never again experience true love. Then he meets Anna. Feisty, fun and beautiful, she’s his perfect match … and she loves his son like he is her own.When Andy ends up in the hospital on his wedding night, he receives his first clue that Anna is not all that she seems. Desperate for that happy-ever-after, he ignores it. A dangerous mistake that could cost him everything.A brave, deeply moving, page-turning psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie marks a stunning departure for one of Scotland’s finest crime writers, exploring the lengths people will go to hide their deepest secrets, even if it kills them…‘A stark, gripping storyline’ Scots'Strong female characters, honest, pithy dialogue and ever-present empathy for the victims make this a deeply satisfying read’ Sunday Times‘Malone tackles the taboo subject of female violence against men with insight and compassion (for Anna is no one-dimensional witch), while creating all the hallmarks of a fine, page-turning psychological thriller’ Daily Mail‘A mystery involving some disturbing account anomalies at Andy’s bank is appropriately overshadowed by Malone’s painful depiction of a man in turmoil.’ Publishers Weekly'It’s a tough high-wire act, balancing believability with surprise, but the author pulls it off with aplomb. Excellent stuff.’ Doug Johnstone, The Big Issue‘Disturbing but compulsive … I loved it’ Martina Cole‘Bristling with unease, this is domestic noir at its very darkest, twisting the marriage thriller into a new and troubling shape’ Eva Dolan‘A deeply personal thriller that will keep the reader turning those pages, with twists and turns designed to keep the heart pumping’ Russel D. McLean‘A tightly wound page-turner with real emotional punch’ Rod Reynolds‘A dark and unnerving psychological thriller that draws you deep into the lives of the characters and refuse to let go’ Caroline Mitchell‘A chilling tale of the unexpected that journeys right into the dark heart of domesticity’ Marnie Riches‘Emotionally intelligent and engaging’ Caro Ramsay‘A story that I won’t forget in a hurry. Malone is a massive talent’ Luca Vest‘A disturbing and realistic portrayal of domestic noir with a twist … a shocking yet compelling read’ Mell Sherratt‘Malone perfectly balances storytelling with a brutal commentary on a dysfunctional relationship’ Sarah Ward'Modern noir at its best’ Liz Loves Books
Deep Down Dead (Lori Anderson #1)
by Steph BroadribbShortlisted for:**The Kathy Reichs Award for Fearless Female Character****The Cat Amongst the Pigeons Award for Most Exceptional Debut****FINALIST IN THE INTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS AWARDS FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL**Part-time Florida bounty-hunter Lori Anderson isn’t a superhero … she’s a single mum with a lot on her plate. But when her family is threatened, she’ll stop at nothing to seek justice, and keep them safe…‘A real cracker’ Mark Billingham‘My kind of book’ Lee Child‘Like Midnight Run, but much darker … really, really good’ Ian RankinSix states. Three days. One chance to save her child…Lori Anderson is as tough as they come, managing to keep her career as a fearless Florida bounty hunter separate from her role as single mother to nine-year-old Dakota, who suffers from leukaemia. But when the hospital bills start to rack up, she has no choice but to take her daughter along on a job that will make her a fast buck. And that’s when things start to go wrong.The fugitive she’s assigned to haul back to court is none other than JT, Lori’s former mentor – the man who taught her everything she knows … the man who also knows the secrets of her murky past. Not only is JT fighting a child exploitation racket operating out of one of Florida’s biggest amusement parks, Winter Wonderland, a place where ‘bad things never happen’, but he’s also mixed up with the powerful Miami Mob. With two fearsome foes on their tails, just three days to get JT back to Florida, and her daughter to protect, Lori has her work cut out for her. When they’re ambushed at a gas station, the stakes go from high to stratospheric, and things become personal.Breathtakingly fast-paced, both hard-boiled and heart-breaking, Deep Down Dead is a simply stunning debut from one of the most exciting new voices in crime fiction.Praise for the Lori Anderson Series‘This is romping entertainment that moves faster than a bullet’ Sunday Express‘If you like your action to race away at full tilt, then this whirlwind of a thriller is a must’ Sunday People‘Lively’ Sunday Times‘An impressive thriller, the kind of book that comfortably sits alongside seasoned pros at the top of their game. Sultry and suspenseful, it marks a welcome first vow for an exceptional new voice’ Good Reading Magazine‘Suspense, action, romance, danger and a plot that will keep you reading into the wee small hours. I loved it’ Lisa Gray, Daily Record‘Fresh, fast and zinging with energy’ Sunday Mirror‘Readers will cheer her every step of the way’ Publishers Weekly‘Just a whole hell of a lot of fun’ New Books Magazine‘Fresh, compelling and beautifully written’ S.J.I. Holliday‘Fast-paced, engaging and hugely entertaining’ Simon Toyne‘Brilliant and pacey’ Steve Cavanagh‘A hell of a thriller’ Mason Cross‘A blistering debut’ Neil Broadfoot‘If you love romantic suspense, you’ll love this ride’ Alexandra Sokoloff‘A stunning debut from a major new talent’ Zoë Sharp‘One of my favourite debut novels for a long, long time’ Luca Veste‘A gritty debut that will appeal to Sue Grafton fans’ Caroline Green‘Crazy good … full-tilt action and a brilliant cast of characters’ Yrsa Sigurđardóttir‘The pace moves at breakneck speed. The writing style is accomplished and real and this is quite simply one of the best debut novels I have ever read’ Angela Marsons
Sealskin
by Su BristowAn exquisitely written, heart-achingly beautiful retelling of the Selkie legend … both timeless and timely … by award-winning debut author Su BristowSHORTLISTED FOR THE PAUL TORDAY MEMORIAL PRIZE‘Sorrowful and lovely, with a well-earned, satisfying conclusion' Publishers Weekly‘Accomplished and intelligent … a fine piece of craftsmanship and a pleasure to read’ Allan MassieWhat happens when magic collides with reality?Donald is a young fisherman, eking out a lonely living on the west coast of Scotland. One night he witnesses something miraculous … and makes a terrible mistake. His action changes lives – not only his own, but those of his family and the entire tightly knit community in which they live. Can he ever atone for the wrong he has done, and can love grow when its foundation is violence?Based on the legend of the selkies – seals who can transform into people –Sealskin is a magical story, evoking the harsh beauty of the landscape, the resilience of its people, both human and animal, and the triumph of hope over fear and prejudice. With exquisite grace, Exeter Novel Prize-winner Su Bristow transports us to a different world, subtly and beautifully exploring what it means to be an outsider, and our innate capacity for forgiveness and acceptance.Rich with myth and magic, Sealskin is, nonetheless, a very human story, as relevant to our world as to the timeless place in which it is set. And it is, quite simply, unforgettable.'This assured and readable story is determined to show that change and growth are possible, even on the very margins of society. The heartfelt message seems to be that acceptance comes when individuals face up to their fears and act for the good beyond themselves' Guardian'It’s a multi-layered romance which sits equally well in the realms of literary fiction which is where its publisher’s interests lie’ Frost Magazine‘Told with skill and beauty … held me spellbound to the very last page’ Amanda Jennings‘Achingly beautiful … written smoothly and skilfully … I absolutely loved it’ Gill Paul‘Original, vivid, tender and atmospheric … this is a story so deeply immersive that you emerge at the end, gasping for air’ Iona Grey‘An enthralling human love story. A profound achievement and a stunning debut’ Richard Bean‘I love books in which magic takes on a gritty reality, and Sealskin is just such a book. Dark and brooding and half-familiar, the tale steals over you till you’re half-in, half-out of a dream’ Jane Johnson‘A beautiful and bewitching read that haunted my thoughts for days. The sense of the sea, of this small community, of guilt is palpable. This is one of those books you place reverentially on your bookcase and envy those who are yet to dive in’ Michael J. Malone‘Ms Bristow’s skill in weaving a centuries-old tale into a current-day fiction novel and binding the two together is simply superbly done. Sealskin is boldly written, brilliantly told and a tale of legendary proportions’ JM Hewitt‘Sealskin is a magical and moral tale woven with a deft hand’ Sara MacDonald‘Sealskin is a tender, moving and gentle read. Whilst there is an obvious magical feel to it, it’s so well written that it becomes almost believable. It’s a really lovely story and one which I think will stay with me’ New Books Magazine
Reconciliation For The Dead (Claymore Straker #3)
by Paul E. HardistyFresh from events in Yemen and Cyprus, vigilante justice-seeker Claymore Straker returns to South Africa, seeking absolution for the sins of his past. Over four days, he testifies to Desmond Tutu’s newly established Truth and Reconciliation Commission, recounting the shattering events that led to his dishonourable discharge and exile, fifteen years earlier.It was 1980. The height of the Cold War. Clay is a young paratrooper in the South African Army, fighting in Angola against the Communist insurgency that threatens to topple the White Apartheid regime. On a patrol deep inside Angola, Clay, and his best friend, Eben Barstow, find themselves enmeshed in a tangled conspiracy that threatens everything they have been taught to believe about war, and the sacrifices that they, and their brothers in arms, are expected to make. Witness and unwitting accomplice to an act of shocking brutality, Clay changes allegiance and finds himself labelled a deserter and accused of high treason, setting him on a journey into the dark, twisted heart of institutionalised hatred, from which no one will emerge unscathed.Exploring true events from one of the most hateful chapters in South African history, Reconciliation for the Dead is a shocking, explosive and gripping thriller from one finest writers in contemporary crime fiction.'This is a remarkably well-written, sophisticated novel in which the people and places, as well as frequent scenes of violent action, all come alive on the page...’ Jessica Mann, Literary Review‘A trenchant and engaging thriller that unravels this mysterious land in cool, precise sentences’ Stav Sherez, Catholic Herald'Smart, gripping, superbly crafted oil-industry thriller’ Helen Giltrow, Crime Review‘Reconciliation for the Dead is a gripping, page-turning thriller that is overflowing with substance to go along with Hardisty’s atmospheric prose and strong narrative style’ Craig Sisterson, Mystery Magazine‘Laces the thrills and spills with enough moral indignation to give the book heft … excellent’ Jake Kerridge, Telegraph'The writing at times is poetic, at other times filled with tension in a narrative complete with well delineated characters and several shocks. Highly Recommended’ Shots Mag‘A solid, meaty thriller – Hardisty is a fine writer and Straker is a great lead character’ Lee Child‘A stormer of a thriller, vividly written, utterly tropical, totally gripping’ Peter James‘The author’s deep knowledge of the settings never slows down the non-stop action, with distant echoes of a more moral-minded Jack Reacher or Jason Bourne’ Maxim Jakubowski
Exquisite
by Sarah StovellShe loves me. She loves me not.Bo Luxton has it all – a loving family, a beautiful home in the Lake District, and a clutch of bestselling books to her name.Enter Alice Dark, an aspiring writer who is drifting through life, with a series of dead-end jobs and a freeloading boyfriend.When they meet at a writers’ retreat, the chemistry is instant, and a sinister relationship develops…Or does it?Breathlessly pacey, taut and terrifying, Exquisite is a startlingly original and unbalancing psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.‘The characters are so untrustworthy you wont know what to believe, but you won’t put it down till you’ve found out. A superb debut’ Sunday Mirror'Cunningly constructed and gorgeously written, this is outstanding’ Express'It’s a remarkable debut in the crowded psychological thriller field, written with great sureness of touch and tone' Times Crime Club‘Slickly claustrophobic, this arch story of obsessive, forbidden love taken to the extreme will have you squirming in your seat’ Sarah Pinsborough‘Whip-smart, lushly written and truly page-turning … Sarah Stovell is a thrilling talent’ Holly Seddon‘A moving, gripping story … twists keep coming till the very last page. I loved it’ Erin Kelly‘Addictive, terrifying and beautifully written, Exquisite is up there with the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read. Fucking awesome’ Chris Whittaker
Snare (Reykjavik Noir #1)
by Lilja SigurdardóttirFirst in the Reykjavik Noir TrilogyAfter a messy divorce, attractive young mother Sonia is struggling to provide for herself and keep custody of her son. With her back to the wall, she resorts to smuggling cocaine into Iceland, and finds herself caught up in a ruthless criminal world. As she desperately looks for a way out of trouble, she must pit her wits against her nemesis, Bragi, a customs officer, whose years of experience frustrate her new and evermore daring strategies. Things become even more complicated when Sonia embarks on a relationship with a woman, Agla. Once a high-level bank executive, Agla is currently being prosecuted in the aftermath of the Icelandic financial crash.Set in a Reykjavík still covered in the dust of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption, and with a dark, fast-paced and chilling plot and intriguing characters, Snare is an outstandingly original and sexy Nordic crime thriller, from one of the most exciting new names in crime fiction.'A tense thriller with a highly unusual plot and interesting characters' Times'This first novel of a planned trilogy is stylish, taut and compelling and a film adaptation is in the pipeline. With characters you can’t help sympathising with against your better judgement, Sigurdardottir takes the reader on a breathtaking ride’ Daily Express‘Snare will ensnare you’ Marie ClaireA taut, gritty, thoroughly absorbing journey into Reykjavik’s underworld’ Christine Tran, Booklist‘Lilja Sigurdardottir delivers a diabolically efficient thriller with an ultrarealistic plot … We cannot wait for Sonja’s next adventure’ L’Express‘A smart, ambitious, and hugely satisfying thriller. Striking in its originality and written with all the style and poise of an old hand. Lilja is destined for Scandi super stardom’ Eva Dolan‘For a small island, Iceland produces some extraordinary writers, and Lilja is one of the best. Snare is an enthralling tale of love and crime that stays with you long after you have turned the last page’ Michael Ridpath‘Zips along, with tension building and building … thoroughly recommended’ James Oswald‘Crisp, assured and nail-bitingly tense, Snare is an exceptional read, cementing Lilja’s place as one of Iceland’s most outstanding crime writers’ Yrsa Sigurdardottir‘Clear your diary. As soon as you begin reading Snare, you won’t be able to stop until the final page’ Michael Wood‘Snare is a great read and the finale is both shocking and unexpected … a Wizard-of-Oz ending, without the laughs. Terrific and original stuff' Max Easterman, European Literature Network
Maria in the Moon
by Louise Beech‘Like a cold spider, the memory stirred in my head and spun an icy web about my brain. Someone else crawled in. I remembered’Thirty-on-year-old Catherine Hope has a great memory. But she can’t remember everything. She can’t remember her ninth year. She can’t remember when her insomnia started. And she can’t remember why everyone stopped calling her Catherine-Maria.With a promiscuous past, and licking her wounds after a painful breakup, Catherine wonders why she resists anything approaching real love. But when she loses her home to the devastating deluge of 2007 and volunteers at Flood Crisis, a devastating memory emerges … and changes everything.Dark, poignant and deeply moving, Maria in the Moon is an examination of the nature of memory and truth, and the defences we build to protect ourselves, when we can no longer hide…'Quirky, darkly comic, but always heartfelt, this original and sad story has wonderful characters and will linger long in your memory' Sunday Mirror‘It is a brilliantly creative work of fiction’ We Love this Book, The Bookseller'Maria in the Moon is part psychological thriller, part love story and fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine will love it' Red Magazine‘It’s a gentle book, full of emotion, and similar in tone to The Book Thief’ Irish Times‘Storytelling at its finest, Louise Beech is a beguiling wordsmith. Prepare to be hooked’ Amanda Prowse‘Beautifully constructed, laugh-out-loud funny in places, achingly sad in others, I completely fell in love’ John Marrs‘A powerful and moving story’ Madeleine Black‘Heartfelt and wry, this will transport you into a keenly observed world; secrets are hidden, people are flawed, but humanity endures’ Ruth Dugdall‘Some books seem to fly under the radar and catch you completely by surprise, which is exactly what Louise Beech’s Maria in the Moon did. Brilliantly written and incredibly moving, Beech captures the nature of memory and truth with an honest poignancy’ Culture Fly