Showing results by narrator "Shakira Shute" in All Categories

Outcast by his titled father, Bryce Lyndley has nonetheless flourished, becoming a renowned barrister ruled entirely by his principles. The meeting to which he has been summoned at Nevon Manor, however, could transform his life—and warm his heart.

When bestselling romance author Ellie Aarons finds herself with chronic writer’s block, she’s pretty sure all she needs is a change of scenery. A beautiful lakeside cottage with her cat seems like a good idea. But she’s wrong. She needs more than a change of scenery—she needs a muse.

She was born to be a queen, yet she’s nothing more than a political pawn. With no name and no place to call her own, she’s doing her best to hold on to the only thing that belongs to her and her alone—her soul. A difficult task, given that she was kept alive for the sole purpose of being given to the formidable King Rowan of Northrend to fulfill the treaty signed by the three kingdoms of Greatland long before she was born.

This Very Short Introduction looks at Pakistan as one of the two nation-states of the Indian subcontinent that emerged in 1947. Pippa Virdee reaches into the ancient past to demonstrate the influence of trajectories of human settlement and civilization on Pakistan's contemporary political arena, and shows how the longer continuities between the land and its peoples are as important as the short-term changes in the political landscape. She considers Pakistan's religion and society, the state and the military, everyday life, popular culture, languages and literature.

In the short time since father dearest dumped me here, I've collected a couple of murder accusations, a deadly witch bond with one guy, and a thirst for the blood of another. Good grief. What next? I'm neck-deep in investigations to clear my name, and as I peel away each layer of facade from town and academy life I discover more shady connections between supes and humans. The local business mogul and his vampire attorney. The mysterious talismans bestowed on the sons of influential families. Shifters with a vendetta against almost everyone. It's the murder-mystery gift that keeps on giving.

I’m a vampire-witch hybrid with a fondness for necromancy. Excuse me if I’m a little dead inside. I tried to attend a human school, but they didn’t appreciate my behavior. Personally, I found biology class more interesting when the dissected animals fought back. The school didn’t. My parents searched for somewhere new to send their deviant daughter, and doors open when your father is Dorian Blackwood. Then they close firmly behind once he dumps you inside an exclusive supernatural academy, along with instructions to become "a touch more amiable".

Much to her mother’s dismay, spirited Anne Fletcher spent her youth seeking her father’s approval by hunting and riding. More comfortable in breeches than ball gowns, Anne sees the freedoms she once enjoyed slowly taken from her in the name of fashioning her into an eligible young lady. When her parents try to force her into marriage, Anne makes a desperate attempt to salvage her last vestige of independence. If she is to marry, she will do so on her own terms.

When Violet Ayaz and Isaac Evans discover they share a birthday, they don't expect it to lead to a friendship, let alone a relationship. Five years of secret birthday meetings and stolen moments pass, and the two realize they can't deny their feelings any longer. But when Isaac doesn't turn up on their seventeenth birthday and the two break up, Violet is left heartbroken and all of their plans for the future disappear. Isaac attempts to reconnect all summer break, but as their last year of school begins, Violet refuses to listen.

Once an outcast and an orphan, Evie Wilder now finds herself as the new leader of the Dark Fable. But the secret group of globetrotting thieves is not the prestigious magical crew it once was, after suffering losses in their last heist. Evie must plan their next series of thefts carefully, to keep them alive until they can regain their strength and reharness the demons that control their unique magic.

Exploring themes of sisterly bonds, familial obligations, and the lengths we go to for those we love, The Portrait illustrates the surprising and frightening ways a work of art can tell a story.

Lady Clover’s life suddenly takes a turn for the worse when she’s framed for necromancy by Princess Camellia. She and the princess both know she’s not a dark magic user, but little good that does Clover when Camellia disappears. The kingdom is in turmoil over the abduction of their beloved princess, and Clover is determined to find her way into the rescue party - even if Henrik, the most handsome commander in all Caldenbauer and the man of her reoccurring dreams, is in charge.

Miss Bridget Littleton’s passion for history and antiquities defies most social conventions, even in her small village nestled in the beautiful English countryside. When a local farmer discovers an elaborate mosaic buried in his field, Bridget dreams of making a name and future for herself by excavating the Roman ruins. Unfortunately, her quest puts her at odds with the ambitious new lord who recently inherited the title and Hawthorn Abbey from his estranged uncle.

My name is Lady Gabriella Hastings, and there are three things you need to know about me. One, my idiot brother will inherit the estate I’ve adored my entire life. Two, my father wants me to marry an idiot who has an estate like this. Three, my aunt’s goats keep escaping and terrorizing the public. Oh, and I have a huge crush on the gardener. But I have absolutely no time to sort out my own love life - because I’m too busy moonlighting as an online agony aunt to fix everyone else’s problems.

When Friska the dog came to live with Colin and his family, Colin thought that he and Friska would be friends forever. But, when Friska disappears, Colin begins to find out what "You are mine" really means, and who is saying those words to him.

When your flatmate is the hottest new party planner in the country, three things are bound to happen: 1. You’ll have to take a work call for her while you’re in your underwear. 2. You’ll have to fill in for her after an emergency...and pretend to be her. 3. You will royally mess it up...until a hot future duke steps in to save your bum. Yes, yes, that all sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Until you consider the party being planned is for the Dowager Duchess of Devon’s 80th birthday, and the current duchess is the ultimate type A personality.

Fiona Abry excels at keeping busy, running her family’s Swiss watch company, and guarding her heart. She’s so busy she doesn’t have time for a vacation, much less a love life. But then she’s given a family heirloom rumored to let you dream your greatest desire.

The stories of Patricia St. John have been entertaining and challenging children and young people for generations. This new edition of The Other Kitten is as fresh as when it was first published in 1984.

My name is Adelaide Astley, and if there was anything remotely exciting about me to tell you, I would. Sure, my uncle is the Duke of Leicester, and my mother bucked family tradition to marry “below” her and open a hotel, but I’m nothing but an aspiring author with a Tudor era obsession. Oh, and I’m spending the summer tutoring the daughter of the current Duke of Worcester. Alexander Winthrop-Bentley is so not my type, but hours of chess games and arguments over Tudor dynasties mean we’re thrown together more often than we should be.

When Hannah met David, it was love at first sight. They were married quickly, but she knew it was the right choice. They're always laughing, the passion is unmatched, and they want the same things. Most of all, they both want a family. For David, it's doubly important. He tragically lost his first wife, Katherine, several years before. Hannah is, he says, the person who saved him from his grief. Although his friends worried he was moving on too fast, and Hannah sometimes still feels a strange jealousy towards his first wife, deep down she knows she's meant to be his happily-ever-after.

Following events at the lodge and my unfortunate encounter with the fence post, I've no choice but to turn to my father for help. Of course, my blood-covered entourage of guys don't exactly receive a warm welcome, but at least Grayson walks away in one piece. With suspects galore, I can't stay on the edge if I want to find the truth, so I'm forced to insert myself further into the Thornwood Academy social scene.