Showing results by narrator "Lynne Thompson" in All Categories

Described as "the first blogger", Mary MacLane lived a tortured life, ahead of her time. Her beloved father died when she was a young child, and at the age of eight, her stepfather moved the family from its home in Winnipeg, Canada, to Montana in the United States, where young Mary had a hard time making friends. Her sensational autobiographical style of writing was considered scandalous, as she told of her bohemian lifestyle, feminist politics, and open bisexuality.

John Parsons Cook was a 28-year-old bachelor from a good family but not in robust health. He studied to become a lawyer, but instead of following that career, turned to raising race horses. In November 1855, during a visit to the Shrewsbury races, he was taken violently ill. He was attended by the 80-year-old local doctor, Dr. Bamford, and Cook's friend and sometimes partner, Dr. Palmer. William Palmer was a physician and surgeon, a widower and father. His appearance instilled confidence and invited trust. But were appearances deceptive? Was he, in fact, a cool, calculating, and vicious serial murderer?

Becca McQuaid came to England to find the perfect horse but instead met a darkly mysterious challenge in Austen Heath, Baron of Hampton. She’s determined to buy Austen’s stallion Gambler’s Choice. He’s determined not to sell, but the rivals are thrown together by an accident that leaves Austen with a broken leg and the threat he’ll never ride again. Austen Heath has the title, heritage, and manor house but not the fortune. Becca is wealthy. Her charms are irresistible, but he believes she’s shopping for a Ladyship to go with her money.

After Grace Chadwick receives a surprise inheritance from her aunt - a house and a florist shop - she moves in after the funeral. While she doesn't know the first thing about flowers, she sees this an answer to her prayers - the new start she desperately needs. When Elliot Wallac drops by his new neighbor's house with casserole, he finds the house next door has problems. Damp walls and a sagging floor set his builders senses on alert. But this house needs more than a cosmetic fix; the inspection reveals more extensive issues.

Vicar of a church in beautiful Cornwall, widower William has two daughters: Fiona, confident and willful; Lara, more introverted and very much his darling. During the glorious summer months of 1972, they both meet men who will play an important part in their lives for years to come. The innocent Lara is bowled over by man of the world Sean, while Fiona falls in love with firefighter Philip, but both girls will discover flaws in the men’s characters, causing winter tears.

Seattle, Washington police detective Anton Bloaks had his life turned upside down with the recent disappearance of his driven paranormal investigator wife, Michelle. Luckily, his children and their friends are ready to jump into an eerie adventure in hopes of finding Michelle. First on the list for investigation in volume 1 is the infamous Congelier Mansion, historically known world wide for its horrific past and unexplainable events. The children are in for the ride of a lifetime as they embark on their first experience as the sidekick sleuths!

In this sequel to Katharine Lauderdale, Katharine has married Jack Ralston secretly and hoped to force her rich uncle's hand in assisting him to find a career. After his refusal, she couldn't face her new husband to break the news, and a series of mishaps led everyone - Katharine included - to believe Jack had fallen victim to the demon he had been fighting: drink.

Alyssa adores her new job as a schoolteacher, even though it is not in one of London’s best areas. Young and idealistic, she visualises making a big difference to the lives of the children in her class. But it doesn’t prove as easy as she hoped, especially when 10-year-old Lucy arrives from Australia. And the girl’s father, Mark, proves even more of a challenge. Arrogant, difficult, opinionated, complicated - these are adjectives she would definitely use to describe him. And yet he is also mesmerising and visually attractive.

Standing on the cliff high above the spectacular arch known as Durdle Door, Detective Constable Jacque Williams contemplates the momentous decision which will take her from her beloved Dorset to the bustling noise and lawlessness of London. She knows the challenge will be huge as she becomes part of the Metropolitan police force, but has no idea of the tests and trials lying ahead. On her very first morning, Jacque falls foul of her boss, the frosty and efficient Detective Inspector Rhys Byrne, but it isn't long before she develops feelings for him despite an insurmountable problem.

In 1966, a tragic accident apparently robs Maria of Daniel, the dashing Raf pilot that she loves unreservedly, and perhaps it's not surprising that she rushes headlong into marriage with Howard. But almost instantly, she discovers he has a cruel streak, and because of her Christian faith, it seems she is condemned to a lifetime of unhappiness. That is, until five years later, when her best friend Stephanie thinks she might have seen the supposedly dead Daniel.

Price Ruyler has been sent to San Francisco from New York to salvage the family business after the 1906 earthquake. His success makes him one of the city's most eligible bachelors but he resists the machinations of the local girls (and their mothers). Then he meets the beautiful and captivating Helene. He proposes within a week. Into the fourth year of their marriage, he realizes something has changed. He still loves his wife and he believes she loves him but he begins to wonder about her mysterious past and questions whether family secrets were buried in the rubble left by the earthquake.

A collection of short stories from such favorites as Wilkie Collins, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Rudyard Kipling are joined by others written anonymously in this anthology which will have you scratching your head and listening just a bit longer to discover the key to the mysteries.

The Hundred Years' War: a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 by the House of Plantagenet, rulers of England, against the House of Valois, rulers of France, over the succession to the French throne. It was a time of intrigue, plot, murder, and romance. Agnes Sorel, 20, became the favorite mistress of the King of France, wielding much influence and earning enemies. Her untimely death at the age of 28, just days after bearing him a fourth child, was blamed on dysentery. In this novel, we follow the trials of Jean Charost, secretary to the Duke of Orleans and brother of the king; and see how his life was entwined with that of the beautiful Agnes.

Originally published in two volumes, Katharine Lauderdale tells the tale of a would-be New York society belle, if it were not for her miserly father. Her older sister has escaped the unhappy parental home by marrying and Katharine plans to do the same, but her father has already refused to sanction her nuptials with her cousin and childhood sweetheart, Jack Ralston. Desperate measures are needed and what role will rich Uncle Robert play in the future of the young people? How will the young couple's defiance of family and society affect their future life together?

Cradock Nowell: A Tale of the New Forest is a three-volume novel by R. D. Blackmore published in 1866. Set in the New Forest and in London, it follows the fortunes of Cradock Nowell, who is thrown out of his family home by his father following the suspicious death of Cradock's twin brother, Clayton.

It is the last quarter of the eighteenth century and a young woman discovers the body of her murdered father. In her grief, she tries to make sense of why this sweet man, beloved by all, was struck down and, unlike her mother, is unable to put the incident behind her and return to society. Her lack of interest in romance, the theater and parties convinces her mother and a family friend that Barbara is sinking into madness. But Barbara is determined to uncover her father's murderer at any cost. Could the perpetrator have been her childhood friend, a man for whom her feelings are confused? And is Barbara really mad, or does the madness belong to another?

To most people, it probably looks as if Laura has everything. Born in 1953 to wealthy Robert Hayden and his beautiful wife Lily, materially this is true. She lives in a Regency mansion, set in an attractive, good-sized country estate just outside of London. But behind the scenes it’s a very different story.

Enid Belfame: 42 years old, 22 of them as a married woman; eminently respectable; founder of The Friday Club; small town dignitary; a paragon of virtue. But does she have what it takes to commit murder? And will the young and handsome Dwight Rush benefit if she does?

Savage bears, a river rescue, capture by Indians, escape on wild mustangs and a revolutionary battle await the protagonists of this suspenseful adventure novel, set in California.

Jade is an experienced paramedic who loves both her job and the attractive South Devon area in which she lives. The only small blot on her horizon is an irascible mother. That is until she meets the demanding and remote consultant newly appointed as clinical lead in A & E. Doctor Bryce Maddox appears to possess a Jekyll and Hyde character, and Jade struggles to know what to make of him. Further complications arise in the shape of her thirteen-year old nephew Dylan, who arrives for a protracted stay and soon proves difficult to handle.