A thrilling story of wealth, power and the true cost of 'having it all'. Because sometimes the price of the perfect life...is death.In cosmopolitan Johannesburg, three high-flying couples form the core of the elite Khula Society: part investment group, part social club, with meetings where the champagne flows, the dresses are designer and the one-upmanship is off the scale. Noma, Moshidi, Lerato and their husbands are living the dream--or so it appears from the outside.In reality, the cut and thrust of 'keeping up with the Khulas' is taking its toll on all three couples. Behind the facade of their ocean-front mansions, Italian supercars and lavishly catered receptions lies a tangle of explosive secrets--and deadly consequences. But as long as every member toes the line, plays the role they're here to play, the dark truth remains crushed beneath the heels of so many Louboutins...That is until, in her bid to have it all and more, one of these rich and powerful women oversteps the mark--with someone else's man. The group soon comes to learn that you can't have it all without paying the ultimate price...Revised edition: Previously published as Critical But, Stable, this edition of Critical But Stable includes editorial revisions.
On the dark streets of Mumbai, the paths of a missing dancer, a serial killer, and an inspector with a haunted past converge in an evocative thriller about lost love and murderous obsession. After years of dancing in Mumbai's bars, Tara Mondal was desperate for a new start. So when a client offered her a life-changing payout to indulge a harmless, if odd, fantasy, she accepted. The setup was simple: wear a blue-sequined saree, enter a crowded railway station, and escape from view in less than three minutes. It was the last time anyone saw Tara. Thirteen years later, Tara's lover, Inspector Arnav Singh Rajput, is still grappling with her disappearance as he faces a horrifying new crisis: on the city's outskirts, women's dismembered bodies are being unearthed from shallow graves. Very little links the murders, except a scattering of blue sequins and a decade's worth of missing persons reports that correspond with major festivals. Past and present blur as Arnav realizes he's on the trail of a serial killer and that someone wants his investigation buried at any cost. Could the key to finding Tara and solving these murders be hidden in one of his cold cases? Or will the next body they recover be hers?
In this tale of fresh starts in the Escape to France collection from bestselling author Fiona Valpy, Gina has lost everything. Can a crumbling old cottage offer her a new life, new love-and new hope?Revised edition: Previously published as The French for Love, this edition of Light Through the Vines includes editorial revisions. Gina's London life lies in tatters: she has lost her father, her steady job as a wine buyer and her suave but unfaithful boyfriend. When she also suffers the loss of her beloved aunt, a silver lining dawns in the shape of an unexpected legacy: Aunt Liz has left Gina her beautiful, if slightly ramshackle, house in the heart of Bordeaux wine country. With nothing left to lose, Gina takes a chance on a fresh start. Throwing herself into her new life in the beautiful French countryside, Gina discovers the warmth of a close-knit-sometimes too close-knit-rural community and the exhausting exhilaration of the grape harvest under the late-summer sun. But just as she is beginning to feel like she belongs in her crumbling but charming home, she uncovers a long-hidden secret that makes her question the one person she used to trust the most. While she's worrying that this is a sign to pack her bags and run, a storm blows a hole in the roof, and Gina finds herself with nowhere else to turn except her neighbour's capable son for help. Before long Gina finds herself admiring handsome Cedric for more than just his stonemasonry skills...But everyone she's ever held dear has left her or betrayed her. And as the grapes ripen on the vine, can Gina find her way to forgiveness, and could it finally be time for her to open her heart to love again?
In this charming novel from the bestselling author of The Dressmaker's Gift, food was once the language of Evie's soul. Now, can she remember the recipe for happiness?Revised edition: Previously published as The French for Christmas, this edition of The Recipe for Hope includes editorial revisions.Evie's running away: from her soon-to-be ex-husband's shiny new life, from the devastating loss of her baby last year, from a memory-filled London and, most particularly, from Christmas. A remote cottage in the South of France seems like the perfect peaceful place to soothe her sorrows.But the countryside soon proves anything but quiet, from the rooster crowing at dawn to the barn owl hooting through the night--not to mention Evie's handsome neighbour, doctor Didier, who works away in his garage at all hours.Unexpectedly, the sights and sounds of life amid the sparkling beauty of the Dordogne give Evie a renewed sense of inspiration, and with her French grandmother's recipe book for company, she begins to rediscover her love of cooking. Soon, the tight-knit community begins to enfold her, reminding Evie what really matters in life.But are Didier's gorgeous blue eyes on more than Evie's delicious dinners? And can a cancelled Christmas--complete with a Not-Christmas feast for two--heal her heart?
A mesmerizing World War II mystery about a Londoner who flees the city to write a novel and finds a truth stranger than fiction.England, 1940. Literature student Ruth Gladstone evacuates Cambridge University for Martynsborough, a tiny English village with a shadowy history. For Ruth, retreating to a forgotten corner of the country is more than a safety maneuver; it's an opportunity to end an undesirable engagement and begin writing her first novel.But upon her arrival, Ruth learns of a ghostly wraith haunting the villagers after decades of silence. Although Ruth is enthralled by the legend, the locals are less charmed by the wraith's return. They blame the evacuees--and among them, Ruth--for stirring up restless spirits.Undeterred, Ruth joins forces with Malcolm, an injured soldier, to unravel the mystery of the wraith. As Ruth and Malcolm draw closer to the truth, they'll unearth long-buried secrets that could threaten them both...even as they craft a forbidden love story of their own.
Dr. Evan Wilding, a professor of semiotics, assists homicide detective Addie Bisset after an esteemed historian is found in her car, killed by a cobra's bite.
From author and body-positive activist Leah Vernon comes a daring dystopian novel that explores the power of friendship in a future society built on violence and division. A thousand years in the future, a Black elite class reigns. The lower classes toil in the fields or scrape by in blighted cities, serving their rulers in a cruel, divided world. Among the Elites is eighteen-year-old Avi Jore, born to a powerful father and destined to rule. But as she comes of age, Avi cannot help but notice the injustices in her world-the treatment of enslaved workers, the oppression of the lower classes. Her disillusionment grows when she meets Saige Wilde, a mixed-race enslaved girl whose only goal is escaping beyond the borders of their brutal nation. When Saige saves Avi from an assassination attempt, their paths become intertwined in ways they never imagined. As Saige plots her path to freedom, Avi tries to enact change from the inside. But it's a complicated endeavor, fraught with danger and malice. Together, their efforts could spark a revolution-and underscore the staggering power of friendship. Publisher Note: This title was previously self-published as Impure. This edition of The Union includes substantial editorial revisions.
Ten years after a fiery raid kills her family, former cult member Sybilla "Billie" Laure has a completely new identity. She's settled in rural Colorado with her daughter, hoping for a quieter life. But the world has other plans. With wildfires raging and birds dropping from the sky, Billie wonders if her cult leader father's apocalyptic predictions are finally coming true. When an intruder murders her husband and kidnaps her daughter, Billie has no choice but to confront the secrets of her past. But Billie's journey has other perils, too--namely, a police chief hot on her trail, determined to expose the dangers of the defunct doomsday cult. To save her daughter, Billie will have to go back to where it all began--to the ruined compound in New Mexico where the real threat is the truth.
A house of haunted history and ill temper. Make yourself at home in this beguiling novel of love, magic, and danger by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg. Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home-until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever. Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it's in Merritt's best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she'll need to move in, too. Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda's work still proves unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house's secrets run deeper than they anticipated. And the sentient walls aren't their only concern-something outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could be more dangerous than what rattles within.
"Nora Harmon has a lot to be thankful for: two great kids, a stable marriage, and now, a dream career. Software consultant Jane Bell wants Nora on her team. She's offering a fantastic salary, flexible hours, and a chance to travel the world. It sounds too good to be true, but Jane won't take no for an answer. Jane acts more like a friend than a boss, and Nora's personal and professional boundaries begin to blur. Jane is smitten with Nora's perfect family--particularly her daughter--and far too attentive to Nora's husband. Nora can't help but feel insecure and unsettled. Maybe Jane is everything she says she is: a lonely woman in need of feeling the love of a kind and decent family. Maybe Nora is just being paranoid. Maybe not" -- Back cover.
"Lillian Smith leads an unexceptional life, writing obituaries and killing time with her inattentive husband and disconnected son. Then she meets David, a handsome stranger, in a coffee shop. Lured into an affair, she invents a new persona, one without strings, deadlines, or brooding husbands. Lillian has never felt so reckless, unpredictable, or wanted. But as her affair with David intensifies, she withdraws from everything that's real, even her closest friend. When evidence of her life as a secret lover finds its way onto her son's social media, she risks ruining much more than her marriage or reputation. As lies beget lies, Lillian's two worlds spiral dangerously out of control. And betrayals run deeper than she imagines. Because Lillian isn't the only one leading a double life"--Page 4 of cover.
When the body of her violent stepfather surfaces in the Arkansas River twenty-five years after his disappearance, Jane Mooney returns to Maud Bottoms to reckon with her past, and discovers some secrets are better left undisturbed.
"Four cousins navigate love, loss, and the meaning of family over the course of one memorable year in this heartfelt family drama"--
"A reformist teacher. A dangerous student clique. A powerful novel about secrets and redemption set in the shadows of McCarthy-era America. Rosemary Chivers is haunted by the choices she made as a teenager - and by those made for her by a controlling mother. Now, in the Cold War era of conformity and suspicion, Rosemary is a modern new teacher at a school for troubled girls, where she challenges the narrow curriculum meant to tame restless young minds. She also keeps a devastating secret. She knows one of the students is the child she gave up. But which one? Ignoring warnings, Rosemary forms an impenetrable bond with the three girls who are the right age: shrewd runaway Maisie, alcohol-indulging Sandra, and overly flirtatious Jean. But these are no ordinary girls, and what begins as an effort to bring closure to her own rebellious youth soon spirals dangerously out of control. Rosemary is prepared to do anything to find her daughter. What she isn't prepared for are the deadly consequences that come with discovery - or just how wicked wayward girls can be.
"Sleep deprived and overwhelmed, first-time mom Jenn is struggling to adapt to her new role. Frustrated with her loving but preoccupied husband and still grieving the death of her own mother, she feels isolated and depressed. It's only when she joins a new-moms' group that she starts to think she's finally getting back on track. Until Isabel, the group's leader, suddenly disappears. Now Jenn's baby isn't the only reason she can't sleep. Consumed with worry over Isabel, Jenn is teetering on the edge of obsession. Concern turns to paranoia when Jenn finds clues that force her to look at herself, her marriage, and the women in her support group, who have more in common than Jenn realized. Much more. Saving Isabel means unearthing secrets that were supposed to stay buried forever, and Jenn has to decide what she's willing to risk to help a woman she barely knows. With each revelation, she gets closer to a slow-burning act of retribution that could easily and irrevocably draw her into the flames"--
"From the celebrated author of The Last Protector comes an action-packed sequel about a man whose duty to his country threatens the life of the woman he has vowed to protect. Ex-Secret Service agent Clayton White doesn't miss the relentless danger that defined his career. These days, he's enjoying life at sea with his fiancee-who also happens to be the daughter of the double-dealing vice president, Alexander Hammond. But for the most part, Clayton has made peace with his old nemesis. Then their ship, the NOAAS Surveyor, comes under attack. That same day in Miami, the Second Lady of the United States is assassinated. Hammond, who dodged the bullet meant for him, calls upon Clayton to help him hunt down the responsible party. Clayton wants nothing to do with the notorious vice president, who boasts a violent and capricious history. But with his fiancee's life in the balance, Clayton has no choice. He jumps back into the fray, where he'll face off with enemies new and old. And unbeknownst to Clayton, a deep-rooted enemy has been waiting in the shadows and has now set his sights on him. This time, it's not just the world Clayton's trying to save-but the woman he loves."--
With another chance at love, what could possibly go wrong?Recovering from heartbreak, unlucky-in-love events manager Cara has vowed to avoid relationships. That is until fate throws her into the path of handsome and kind Henry, who is worlds apart from the men she's dated before. Unfortunately, this encounter is short-lived when Cara misses her coach home--and with it, any chance of seeing him again.But fate is not finished with the mismatched couple. When Cara quite literally bumps into Henry a second time at a work event, the run-in leaves them with feelings instead of bruises, and they can't wait another day before seeing each other again. Yet it soon becomes clear how deeply different their worlds are: Cara's drama-filled African and Caribbean family couldn't be further from Henry's family of wealthy lords and ladies.With interfering relatives, problem friends, and an inconvenient ex-boyfriend attempting a comeback, everything seems stacked against the two new lovebirds. This is no straightforward love story--Cara and Henry will have to get creative with romance if they stand any chance of beating the odds to win their happy ever after.The Second Time We Met is a hilarious and heartwarming romance, perfect for anyone who believes in second chances.
"Amanda Prowse has built a bestselling career on the lives of fictional women. Now she turns the pen on her own life. I guess the first question to ask is, what kind of woman am I? Well, you know those women who saunter into a room, immaculately coiffed and primped from head to toe? If you look behind her, you'll see me. From her childhood, where there was no blueprint for success, to building a career as a bestselling novelist against all odds, Amanda Prowse explores what it means to be a woman in a world where popularity, slimness, beauty and youth are currency--and how she overcame all of that to forge her own path to happiness. Sometimes heartbreaking, often hilarious and always entirely relatable, Prowse details her early struggles with self-esteem and how she coped with the frustrating expectations others had of how she should live. Most poignantly, she delves into her toxic relationship with food, the hardest addiction she has ever known, and how she journeyed out the other side. One of the most candid memoirs you're ever likely to read, Women Like Us provides welcome insight into how it is possible--against the odds--to overcome insecurity, body consciousness and the ubiquitous imposter syndrome to find happiness and success, from a woman who's done it all, and then some"--
Two people find love in the embers of their painful pasts in this slow-burn romance from Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw.For me, family is a curse. My father and brother made my life hell. My mother's untimely death still keeps me up at night. Now that my brother, Donovan, has been killed in an accident, I can forget the past.The last remnant is the childhood home I've inherited--and which I intend to burn to the ground. The only obstacle? Anneliese Nielsen, Donovan's fiancée.Donovan left her destitute, and selling this run-down house is her only chance to recoup her losses. I shouldn't care, but...maybe it's her eyes when she sees me. I look strikingly like my brother, a man she loved despite everything.So we strike a deal. We'll renovate the house together, but she'll have to convince me to sell--or up in flames it goes.But the more time we spend in the house, the more its terrible history threatens to come out.And even more dangerous, the harder I start to fall for Anneliese.
When a hurricane hits Sandcastle, Texas, damaging the assisted living center, B&B owners and cousins Tabby and Ellie May open their doors to a small eclectic group of folks, becoming the perfect harbor for healing past wounds, finding romance, and making up for lost time.
Navsari, India. Penniless and trapped in a loveless marriage, Nirmala spends her days anxiously caring for her sick young son, Varun. Looming over Nirmala's impoverished home is an imposing mansion built by her grandfather, and from its balcony her cruel aunt scorns them, refusing to help in any way.But when a mysterious letter addressed to her long-dead father arrives from Zimbabwe, it opens a door to a past Nirmala never knew existed and a future she never imagined possible. If the contents of the letter can be believed, not only does she have family in Africa, but they might also hold the answers to a family mystery that spans three generations.While travelling to Zimbabwe might lead to a brighter future for Nirmala and her son, it could also reignite the bitter family feud that condemned her family to poverty. Nirmala is ready to risk it all to uncover the truth, but how will she cope when this journey changes her life forever?
"To secure a wedding date, lonely advertising rep Malia Evergreen makes a deal with her former client, CEO Palmer Matterson--an alpha billionaire whose best quality is insincerity, but soon discovers he is not the man she thought she knew, losing her heart in the process."--
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