Happy Friday!

At the age of seventy-five, respectable Welsh pensioner Audrey Monkton steals a substantial amount of money from Nottswood Council, of which she is the mayor. Audrey flees to South America, specifically the Welsh settlement in Patagonia where she was born, and takes back ownership of her family farm.
Robert Fry, a forty-year-old British diplomat based at the embassy in Buenos Aires, has been on a path of self-destruction for many years. He hopes that a new posting back in London might help him rejuvenate his life. However, he is given one last task before leaving for London: to locate Audrey Monkton and the stolen money.
When Robert arrives in the remote region of Patagonia he finds that the task is not as simple as he expected, and Audrey is far from the frail little old lady he had imagined.

“My heart has been encased in ice, but your presence melted even the coldest of fears within me.”

Miss Clarissa Wyndham once lived a comfortable life before fate plunged her family name into ruinous debt. Now a duke’s reluctant bride, she abandons tarnished dreams to navigate the secrets enshrouding Thorneshire Estate and its brooding master. Behind the Beastly Duke of Thorneshire’s volatile temper and imposing armor, Clarissa glimpses flickers of past demons. As she strives to warm the widowed Duke’s closely-guarded heart, disturbing events threaten to smother their fragile marriage bonds. Yet even as distrust divides them, a greater sinister conspiracy secretly surrounds them both.

Calum Hawthorne, the Duke of Thorneshire, endured relentless scorn ever since his darling Violet perished mysteriously on their wedding night five long years ago. Though dubbed natural causes, whispers blamed the Duke’s ill temper in the tragedy that transformed him into a surly recluse. Convinced by his aunt to remarry, Calum brokers an arranged marriage with Miss Clarissa Wyndham. As Calum battles with old grief, an undeniable connection kindles between the unlikely newlyweds. Will ruthless forces crush this delicate trust once more? Can Clarissa’s steadfast caring heal her husband’s beastly heart?

For even as love cautiously blossoms, a deadly plot steeped in past sins conspires to bring Clarissa’s undoing unless Calum can confront long-buried secrets that shattered his world years before… and realize that a heart once winter’s hostage can be rescued by redemptive love when fate grants second chances.

He’d never guess that his very courage to commit could be the cause of his own downfall.

Jake’s loved and lost, suffered failed relationships and felt real sorrow, but the new girl in his life may just be the one to finally put an end to that life.

His girlfriend Samantha is sweet and kind, full of joy, and the kind of girl Jake can be perfectly content sitting in complete silence with. It’s so comfortable, so easy, to fall completely for her. In fact, Jake would do anything for Samantha, anything at all.

Just returned from attending Samantha’s family reunion, Jake’s high as a kite, basking in the realization that he’s been officially accepted as one of the family. He can’t believe his luck, especially as he’s driving off into the sunset with Samantha herself and so looking forward to those precious, anticipated moments alone with her. What could possibly go wrong?

Thump thump resonates from the trunk of the car as they speed along the highway together.

Thump thump.

He falls head over heels for her… but not exactly in the way he intended.

Max and Lil join their sister Carole for a weekend of glamping. A series of mysterious ‘mishaps’ raises tension among the friends. Is someone really planning to harm one of the members or just trying to put a scare in them? Max and Lil want to support their sister with her new friends as she deals with the loss of her husband, but they fear for her safety.

Step into the fascinating world of Ruth Handler, the visionary behind the iconic Barbie doll!

Ruth Handler was the driving force behind the global phenomenon that revolutionized American culture and business. In this captivating biography, readers are invited to delve deep into the life and legacy of Ruth Handler, a woman whose ingenuity and ambition knew no bounds.

From her humble beginnings as the daughter of Polish Jewish immigrants to her groundbreaking partnership with her husband Elliott in creating the renowned toy company, Mattel, Ruth’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Discover the untold story of how Ruth’s keen entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset propelled her to conceive the concept of Barbie, forever changing the landscape of the toy industry.

Through insightful narrative and meticulous research, readers will unravel the intricacies of Ruth’s early life, her pivotal role in the invention and evolution of Barbie, and the profound impact her creation had on generations of children worldwide. From Barbie’s debut at the 1959 Toy Fair in New York City to her cultural significance as an emblem of beauty, empowerment, and aspiration, Ruth Handler’s legacy resonates far beyond the realm of play.

But Ruth’s story is not just about the creation of a beloved doll; it is a tale of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. As readers delve deeper, they will witness Ruth’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and advocating for women’s empowerment — a legacy that extends far beyond the confines of the toy aisle.

With rich detail and compelling storytelling, this biography offers a unique glimpse into the extraordinary life of Ruth Handler and her enduring impact on the world. It is a tribute to a trailblazing woman whose legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide, reminding us that with imagination, passion, and perseverance, anything is possible.

A poignant, heart- warming novel of loss, love and renewal.

The fifth novel from the award-winning bestselling writer Richard Clark.

In 1974, a married couple flees Cyprus as Turkish bombs rain down on their home town of Famagusta. Nearly half a century later, a young woman’s life is tragically changed forever as Russian troops bombard her village in war-torn Ukraine. Seeking refuge on the Greek island of Crete, their lives collide. Generations apart, can shared experiences help mend them?