Oprah Magazine calls it one of 16 Books by Caribbean Authors to add to your Reading List.Yahoo! and In The Know named it as one of 10 Must-Read books by Caribbean Authors.JAAWP Finalist.Silver Medallist.“A perfect read. ‘The Girl with the Hazel Eyes’ is well-written and compelling. I give this novel 5/5 stars.” - Bekah’s Bookshelves.Politics, poverty and puberty combine in this beautifully written coming-of-age tale that examines the bonds of womanhood, feminism and pre-independence life on a small island. Almost fifty years after Susan Taylor was exiled from Barbados for her famous whistle-blowing novel, ‘The Unspeakable Truth’, she contacts a young writer to pen her biography. Susan is crotchety and unpleasant but Lia Davis is broke so she has no choice but to stay and write Susan's biography. As Lia starts to unravel the reclusive author's life, she realizes that some things just don't add up. Susan has been hiding a massive secret for decades and Lia is determined to find out what it is. The Girl with the Hazel Eyes is an endearing historical fiction that tugs at your heart with its examination of love, lies, and loyalty.EXCERPT. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.Kenneth’s eyes lit up mischievously as he contemplated me quietly for a moment. “Be honest: if someone had a gun to your head and threatened to shoot if you didn’t eat one, would you choose the fried biscuits or the fish dumplings?” “I’d eat the bullet.” Our eyes met as we tried to stifle our laughter but it didn’t work. Kenneth and I broke into a fit of giggles. He smiled broadly, staring at me for a while. It made me a little nervous to have him watching me like that. I turned away and looked towards the horizon.The sun was setting just over the vast cane fields in the distance. It was late October and by then the land was stripped bare of canes and stretched as far as the eye could see. It was amazing to see it from that height and take in the majesty of the sunset from such a miraculous vantage point. “Did you ever notice how the sunlight changes from white during the daytime to that pretty gold when it sets? The way it paints everything in the world in a colour that isn’t orange or yellow or pink but a soft blend of all three?” Kenneth raised one eyebrow at me thoughtfully, both surprised and confused by what I was saying. He turned to the cane fields and a look of awe and comprehension dawned on his face before he smiled broadly. “Yeah. I don’t think I ever noticed that before, you know. Did you read that in one of those old books I always see you with?”I laughed. “No, I noticed it right before I climbed the tree.”“Hmm…”“What?”“Are you sure you didn’t read that in a book?” he asked me again.I glared at him. “I told you I didn’t.”Satisfied, he nodded sagely and then surprised me by saying, “You should write down the things you say. You describe something really hard in just a few words. It would have taken me about ten hours to explain that sun thing.” I felt quite pleased with myself at this nice compliment from a boy. A blush crept up my cheeks and he didn’t even try to make me feel embarrassed about it. He just took two more broken crackers from his pocket and handed me one. We sat there as quiet as anything while the light waned and the crickets turned up the volume on their chirping but little did Kenneth realized that he had watered the seed that my mother had planted in my mind. Writing was my gift and when someone is truly talented, their gift comes so effortlessly that it’s easy to take it for granted. Even now, decades later, I still can’t believe that Kenneth honed in on that aspect of my personality so easily. At that moment something clicked between us. Just like the knack that Kenneth saw I had for writing, our friendship came to us effortlessly.

Escape to Vienna this Christmas with the gorgeous new festive read from Helen Rolfe, perfect for fans of Shari Low, Heidi Swain and Cathy Bramley ???Two old friends One last letter A life-changing trip! ?Care assistant Sophie loves the holidays, and nothing makes her feel more festive than helping 82-year-old resident Bea keep in touch with her old friend Greta. In their Christmas letters, the women update each other on their lives – Bea’s in the quiet residential home in London, Greta’s in the heart of Vienna and the grand Wynter Hotel.But everything changes when Bea passes away before Sophie’s had a chance to post this year’s letter. Devastated, Sophie struggles to imagine this Christmas without her dear friend. But then Sophie finds one last note from Bea – and this time, it’s not addressed to Greta. It’s to Sophie, telling her to go to Austria.Which is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna at Christmas, with the snow falling, and an important delivery to make… But when Sophie reaches the Wynter Hotel, there are surprises in store, and before she returns to England, her life will have changed in ways she could never have imagined…Readers love Helen Rolfe's books!'A gorgeous story of love, loss, best friends and unbreakable bonds. It truly melted my heart' Shari Low‘I really loved this book! I ended up devouring it all in just two sittings…’ Jo Bartlett‘Helen Rolfe is an absolute specialist at building cosy communities and making me want to live there. I want the characters as my friends!’ Sue Moorcroft'A beautiful tale exploring the bonds of family and friendship and how strong these are when tested. Loved it' Jessica Redland‘This incredibly special book celebrates friendship. It is rich with perfectly flawed characters and relatable themes that had me visiting many emotions. Ultimately, it’s perfect and I can highly recommend it’ ?????????? Reader Review‘ This is an excellent book, it will take your emotion on a roller coaster ride’ ?????????? Reader Review'Good book throughout, couldn't put it down. Loved how it ended’ ?????????? Reader Review'It's a Helen Rolfe book, so it's worthy of nothing less than five stars!’ ?????????? Reader Review‘Barely a chapter in and I was hooked and knew I’d love it’ ?????????? Reader Review‘I have never read anything by Helen Rolfe before but I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the first chapter, I loved the setting of the story’ ?????????? Reader Review‘A must read!!’ ?????????? Reader Review‘Brilliant characters, a great storyline and an absolute delight to read’ ?????????? Reader Review

A chance meeting rewrites the past and changes two lives forever in a gripping novel about family secrets, homecoming and hope, from USA Today bestselling author Phillipa Nefri Clark.Journalist Sadie is home for the first time in fifteen years, staying in her small childhood bedroom as she deals with her estranged father’s death and her surprising inheritance.When Sadie meets Rebecca, the reclusive new owner of the solitary cottage at the edge of nearby Whisper Lake, she’s taken aback by the older woman’s request for help: ‘I need to find my family. Will you help me?’. She’s even more surprised when afterwards, Rebecca acts as if she never made the plea.Reluctantly, Sadie is drawn in to the mystery. With the help of Rebecca’s handsome neighbour Dan, Sadie begins to uncover the woman’s haunting secret, and the tragic story of when a young girl called Becky lived in another cottage nearby...By helping Rebecca to face her ghosts, could it be time for Sadie to face the trauma in her own past? As the time to leave draws close, will she learn the importance of family, and love, or will she keep choosing to protect her heart no matter the cost?An emotional page-turner with an extraordinary twist. The perfect uplifting read for fans of Barbara O’Neal, Jean Grainger and Mary Alice Monroe.Readers love The Cottage at Whisper Lake:‘I was a puddle of tears towards the end.’ Reader review, ??????????‘I loved it, flying through, unable to put it down until I’d finished.’ Reader review, ??????????‘Pulled me right in… and oh, ALL the feels!... Warning: Make sure you have tissues for the last half hour or so of the book.’ Reader review, ??????????‘OMG, I almost ran out of tissues!’ Reader review, ??????????‘I loved this one so very much… you made me cry Phillipa Nefri Clark always a good sign for a great story, one for the keeper shelf.’ Reader review, ??????????‘Hurt my heart and made me cry copious amounts of tears… I was immediately immersed in the story, and literally couldn’t put it down. As the story unfolded I was drawn into the lives of the characters, and didn’t want to leave. This is a beautiful story, and is definitely one that I will go back to again.’ Reader review, ??????????‘This is a wonderful book… Makes you feel like you’re in the story. I couldn’t put it down.’ Reader review, ??????????‘Touched my heart… Emotional and heart-wrenching… I could not believe the story as it unfolded. I was crying as I heard Rebecca’s story.’ Reader review, ??????????Readers love Phillipa Nefri Clark:‘A beautiful story… Better than Nicholas Sparks!!’ Reader review, ??????????‘OMG… had me hooked from beginning to end… pausing occasionally to reach for the tissues.’ Reader review, ??????????‘WOW this is such an awesome story… Make yourself comfortable and sit back with this one because you are not going to want to put it down.’ Reader review, ??????????‘Heartbreaking and heart-warming in equal measure this book is an emotional rollercoaster that had me in tears. This book is simply beautiful and I cannot recommend this book highly enough and it will be a book I will read again.’ Reader review, ??????????‘5 big fat Stars… Wow. Superb. Beautiful. Outstanding.’ Reader review, ??????????‘Absolutely brilliant… Made me cry from sadness and joy.’ Reader review, ??????????‘Not very often does a book leave your soul to bleed as this one did to me… There are so many times while reading this I would ask WHY and catch my breath… Superb.’ Reader review, ??????????

From bestseller Clare Swatman comes the Christmas love story of the year! Perfect for fans of The Holiday and Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid.Last Christmas I gave you my heart...Looking up at the departures board in Heathrow airport, her flight to New York boarding soon, Bea Preston knows that getting on that plane changes everything. Her life in London has grown stale, her relationship with boyfriend Dom has run its course, and New York has always been her dream. But it’s a risk – she’ll miss her parents, her friends, her job.What if Bea could live both lives? In one she goes back home for Christmas, and in another she heads to the Big Apple. Would her fate remain the same, or can one decision really change everything? And will Bea get one happy ending - or two...In a grand sliding-doors love story that spans oceans, years and lives, Clare Swatman’s unforgettable tale of fate and friendship is perfect for all fans of Jojo Moyes, Beth Moran and Ruth Jones.Readers love Clare Swatman:‘A treasure of a read and one I’m sure I will come back to again in the future.’?????‘One of the many reasons I’ve grown to really love the author’s books – as well as for her quite wonderful storytelling – is because of their exceptional emotional authenticity…Original, engaging, emotional, uplifting, and filled with warmth – I really loved it.’?????‘Excellent story, I couldn’t put it down, first book I’ve read in a while that shows the true feelings of breaking up and starting over.’?????‘I absolutely loved this book. A story of friendships, heartbreak, new beginnings, forgiveness. Oh and a couple of cute dogs. The story had me totally absorbed from start to finish. Thoroughly enjoyed.’?????‘What a thoroughly enjoyable story. Lovely characters that you get to know and like. I was sorry when it was over and look forward to reading more by this author.’?????Praise for Clare Swatman:'Utterly believable, charming and immersive, full of acute emotional insights and truths, this is a novel every women will identify with. Highly recommended.' F.L. Everett'An absolutely gorgeous festive read which will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. I related to Bea from the very first page of this beautifully written story.' Freya Kennedy'It was so easy to get absorbed into the world Clare Swatman has created for Beth. I felt her losses and disappointments acutely, which only made the ending more satisfying. It really kept me guessing, too.' Laura Pearson'Warm, immersive and hugely relatable, The Lost Letters of Evelyn Wright really tugged at my heartstrings. I galloped through this story of friendship, motherhood and love in all its forms.' Lisa Timoney'Swatman does it again! An engaging read about heartbreak, navigating new normals and finding your feet in a new life you never expected to have. One to curl up with on a rainy day.' Rachel Dove'Irresistible... A delightfully bittersweet story that will appeal to fans of One Day' - Sunday Mirror

Small-town charm and a family on the brink of disaster as Christmas brings its much-needed magic to those who need it most. 1959 – June and Patrick Elden spend their very first Christmas together in their tiny downtown apartment in the rural town of Redmond. As newlyweds, they have their entire lives ahead of them, and their dreams of a home and family loom large. Despite not having much money, Patrick surprises June with a beautiful Christmas star necklace as a symbol of all the years to come. And as their life grows and changes, the story of that little necklace becomes a family tradition that their children and grandchildren cherish throughout the years.2022 – Jessica Paxton hasn’t returned home for Christmas since the passing of her beloved Grandma June. Despite being an accomplished divorce lawyer in Minneapolis, she still dreads the thought of spending time in her childhood home with her mother without her grandmother as a buffer. Her mother hasn’t forgiven her for a long-ago tragedy, and frankly, Jess hasn’t forgiven herself either. But her younger sister has begged her to come home, so she does. What awaits her is a family full of problems and tension between her and her mother at its worst. Should Jess turn tail and run for home, or will the Christmas traditions of the past prove strong enough to hold this family together?