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Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
Tess Durbeyfield knows what it is to work hard and expect little. But her life is about to veer from the path trod by her mother and grandmother. When her ne'er-do-well father learns that his family is the last of a long noble line, the d'Urbervilles, he sends Tess on a journey to meet her supposed kin—a journey that will see her victimized by lust, poverty, and hypocrisy. Shaped by an acute sense of social injustice and by a vision of human fate cosmic in scope, her story is a singular blending of harsh realism and poignant beauty. Thomas Hardy created in Tess not a standard Victorian heroine but a woman whose intense vitality shines against the bleak backdrop of a dying way of life. The novel shocked contemporary readers with its honesty and remains a timeless commentary on the human condition.
Jude the Obscure
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
Jude the Obscure, the last completed of Thomas Hardy's novels, began as a magazine serial in December 1894 and was first published in book form in 1895. Its protagonist, Jude Fawley, is a working-class young man, a stonemason, who dreams of becoming a scholar. The other main character is his cousin, Sue Bridehead, who is also his central love interest. The novel is concerned in particular with issues of class, education, religion and marriage. The novel tells the story of Jude Fawley, who lives in a village in southern England (part of Hardy's fictional county of Wessex), who yearns to be a scholar at "Christminster", a city modelled on Oxford. As a youth, Jude teaches himself Classical Greek and Latin in his spare time, while working first in his great-aunt's bakery, with the hope of entering university. But before he can try to do this the naïve Jude is seduced by Arabella Donn, a rather coarse and superficial local girl who traps him into marriage by pretending to be pregnant. The marriage is a failure, and they separate by mutual agreement, and Arabella later emigrates to Australia, where she enters into a bigamous marriage. By this time, Jude has abandoned his classical studies.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
Far from the Madding Crowd was the first of Hardy's novels to apply the name of Wessex to the landscape of south-west England, and the first to gain him widespread popularity as a novelist. When the beautiful and spirited Bathsheba Everdene inherits her own farm, she attracts three very different suitors; the seemingly commonplace man-of-the-soil Gabriel Oak, the dashing young soldier Francis Troy, and the respectable, middle-aged Farmer Boldwood. Her choice, and the tragedy it provokes, lie at the centre of Hardy's ambivalent story.
The Return of the Native
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
The central figure of this novel is the returning "native", Clym Yeobright, and his love for the beautiful but capricious Eustacia Vye. As character after character is driven to self-destruction, the presence of Egdon Heath becomes all-embracing, while Clym becomes a preacher.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
Far from the Madding Crowd was the first of Hardy's novels to apply the name of Wessex to the landscape of south-west England, and the first to gain him widespread popularity as a novelist. When the beautiful and spirited Bathsheba Everdene inherits her own farm, she attracts three very different suitors; the seemingly commonplace man-of-the-soil Gabriel Oak, the dashing young soldier Francis Troy, and the respectable, middle-aged Farmer Boldwood. Her choice, and the tragedy it provokes, lie at the centre of Hardy's ambivalent story.
The Woodlanders
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
In this classically simple tale of the disastrous impact of outside life on a secluded community in Dorset, now in a new edition, Hardy narrates the rivalry for the hand of Grace Melbury between a simple and loyal woodlander and an exotic and sophisticated outsider. Betrayal, adultery, disillusion, and moral compromise are all worked out in a setting evoked as both beautiful and treacherous. The Woodlanders, with its thematic portrayal of the role of social class, gender, and evolutionary survival, as well as its insights into the capacities and limitations of language, exhibits Hardy's acute awareness of his era's most troubling dilemmas.
Under the Greenwood Tree; Or, The Mellstock Quire
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
"Under the Greenwood Tree" is the story of the romantic entanglement between church musician, Dick Dewey, and the attractive new school mistress, Fancy Day. A pleasant romantic tale set in the Victorian era, "Under the Greenwood Tree" is one of Thomas Hardy's most gentle and pastoral novels.
Desperate Remedies
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
Hardy described Desperate Remedies as a tale of 'mystery, entanglement, surprise and moral obliquity'.
Cytherea has taken a position as lady's maid to the eccentric arch-intriguer Miss Aldclyffe. On discovering that the man she loves, Edward Springrove, is already engaged to his cousin, Cytherea comes under the influence of Miss Aldclyffe's fascinating, manipulative steward Manston.
Blackmail, murder and romance are among the ingredients of Hardy's first published novel, and in it he draws blithely on the 'sensation novel' perfected by Wilkie Collins. Several perceptive critics praised the author as a novelist with a future when Desperate Remedies appeared anonymously in 1871. In its depiction of country life and insight into psychology and sexuality it already bears the unmistakable imprint of Hardy's genius.
Two on a Tower
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
Two On A Tower by Thomas Hardy is a tale of star-crossed love in which two lovers come together against the background of the stellar universe. The unhappily married Lady Constantine breaks all the rules of social convention when she falls in love with Swithin St. Cleeve, an astronomer who is ten years younger than her. Any profits made from the sale of this book will go towards supporting the Freeriver Community project, a project that aims to support community and encourage well-being. To learn more about the Freeriver Community project please visit the website- www.freerivercommunity.com Cover painting by Alfred Stevens 1823 - 1906
The Well-Beloved
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
Set on the Isle of Slingers, this novel follows the exploits of Jocelyn Pierston, a sculptor who falls in love successively with three generations of island women, seeking female perfection, just as he strives to realise the ideal woman in stone.
Annabel Horton, Lost Witch of Salem
Olivia Hardy Ray
From the Salem Witch trials through the Nineteenth Century and beyond, Annabel Horton, one of God's most powerful witches, is pursued by the devil's disciple, Urban Grandier, a demonic spirit bent on possessing her. In order to save herself and her family, she must take the bodies of those that the devil favors and uncover the motive behind the illusive Ursula, also known as Louis Bossidan, a scandalous cross-dresser who is pursuing her beautiful granddaughter. Most importantly, she must learn how to use her impressive power. But will it be enough to save her husband from Urbain's fiery inferno? Will it be enough to save her children from demons greater than themselves? Reader Reviews: "A hauntingly beautiful and well-written tale of the Lost Witch of Salem." "This is not just a novel, it is an experience."
The Trumpet-Major
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
Anne Garland is pursued by three suitors: John Loveday, the eponymous trumpet major in a British regiment, honest and loyal; his brother Bob, a flighty sailor; and Festus Derriman, the cowardly nephew of the local squire. The novel is set in Weymouth during the Napoleonic wars; the town was then anxious about the possibility of invasion by Napoleon. Of John Loveday fights with Wellington in the Peninsular War and and his brother Bob serves with Nelson at Trafalgar.
The Puffin Portal
Vashti Hardy
Grace's family are wardens of the incredible Griffin Map, using its teleport technology to fight crime across Moreland. Right now it's all systems go at Griffin HQ, where Grace, her mum and her brother have their hands full answering a huge number of calls for help. They could really do with another warden on the team – but Mum believes their important work should be kept inside the family. Meanwhile, Grace is investigating a series of puzzling petty thefts. The clues lead her to a ramshackle castle on a lonely island, where the mystery only deepens. Will Grace be able to track down the thief? Award-winner Vashti Hardy celebrates kindness, found family and brilliantly inventive kids in this mystery-led, steampunk companion to The Griffin Gate. This book features a dyslexia-friendly layout and font, and illustrations throughout so that even more readers can enjoy it.
Deadly Admission
Bonnie Hardy
Olivia Greer is counting the days until her date with Michael Bellemare, when her sister, Sage, calls in a panic. As the principal of Lily Rock Music Academy, she meticulously planned the parent orientation weekend. Then, an academic tutor is found dead. While Officer Janis Jets investigates the case, Olivia is called in to coach the weekend headliners, the Tone Rangers and go undercover for the constabulary. With Michael, and her lovable labradoodle by her side, Olivia discovers clues that leave her questioning everyone from the faculty to the local law enforcement. As accusations fly and rumors circle, can the trio expose the truth before the curtain rises? Or will someone see to it that the Tone Rangers final bow will be their last?
'Tis the Season
Bonnie Hardy
The last thing Officer Dixie Jones wants to do over winter break is take an assignment in the Podunk town of Lily Rock. But if locating a missing baby Jesus statue for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony is what she needs to do to land the big city assignment of her dreams, that's exactly what she'll do.As soon as Dixie arrives in town she realizes there are worse things at play than stolen decorations. Mysterious emails. Biker gang activity. A deadly fire.One thing is clear, there is more to Lily Rock than meets the eye.As the countdown to Christmas continues, many begin to worry if the tree lighting will take place at all. Realizing she's become attached to the charming town and its residents, Dixie is determined to give them the merry celebration they deserve.Can she unravel the mysteries before sleigh bells ring? Or will an exposed secret cause her to have a blue Christmas?Welcome to Lily Rock Holiday Mystery is a prequel spin-off series to the...
The Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in Chapters
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
At the beginning of this novel, it is told that Ethelberta was raised in humble circumstances but, through her work as a governess, married well at the age of eighteen. Her husband died two weeks after the wedding and, now twenty-one, Ethelberta lives with her mother-in-law, Lady Petherwin. In the three years that have elapsed since the deaths of both her husband and father-in-law, Ethelberta has been treated to foreign travel and further privilege by her benefactress, but restricted from seeing her poor family. The events of the story concern Ethelberta’s career as a famous poet and storyteller as she struggles to support her family and conceal her secret—that her father is a butler. Beautiful, clever, and rational, she easily attracts four very persistent suitors (Mr. Julian, Mr. Neigh, Mr. Ladywell, and Lord Mountclere), but is reluctant to give her much-coveted hand.
A Nurse and a Pup to Heal Him
Kate Hardy
A nurse, her puppy...And the family he never thought he'd have?After losing his wife and baby to his best friend, guarded GP Ben Mitchell's sworn off love. But nurse Toni Butler and her adorable therapy dog Archie are drawing him out of his shell. When a romantic weekend in Vienna leads to an unexpected pregnancy, Ben's painfully reminded of the family he lost. What will it take for Ben to believe this family's for keeps?"...Ms. Hardy has definitely penned a fascinating read in this book.... With the dialogue, it was entertaining, fast-paced and drew me in right from the moment the hero and heroine meet...the romance was worth the wait...."— Harlequin Junkie on Heart Surgeon, Prince...Husband!"This was an emotional and riveting tale...and I loved the way...the chemistry between this couple was instant and strong. However, it was the compelling dialogue and the hero and heroine's growing relationship that had me reading...
Kate Hardy
D. E. Stevenson
"Do you know anything about her, Richard?""Nothing except that she lives in London, is obviously well off and very impulsive. . . . She bought the house as if it were-a bun. She bought it straight off without seeing it.""She must be mad!"The arrival of novelist Kate Hardy at the lovely Dower House in Old Quinings, with her staunch ally and housekeeper Martha, has the whole village talking. But Kate is not in fact mad, merely in need of escape from her selfish sister Milly and spoiled niece Minty. Though welcomed warmly by Richard Morven at the Manor House and the charming, widowed Mrs. Stark, Kate likewise finds herself taken for a witch and is then one of the targets of a poison pen campaign-not to mention the rumours that her new home is haunted by its past inhabitant. With the arrival of Mrs. Stark's son Walter, back from his wartime triumphs and finding readjustment to village life difficult, Kate may find that the country allows her as little time for...
The Walled Garden
Sarah Hardy
A luminous debut novel about love, the trauma of war and the miracle of human resilience, for readers of Anna Hope, Sadie Jones and Elizabeth Jane Howard.No one survives war unscathed. But even in the darkest days, seeds of hope can grow.It is 1946 and in the village of Oakbourne the men are home from the war. Their bodies are healing but their psychological wounds run deep. Everyone is scarred - those who fought and those left behind.Alice Rayne is married to Stephen, heir to crumbling Oakbourne Hall. Once a sweet, gentle man, he has returned a bitter and angry stranger, destroyed by what he has seen and done, tormented by secrets Alice can only guess at.Lonely and increasingly afraid of the man her husband has become, Alice must try to pick up the pieces of her marriage and save Oakbourne Hall from total collapse. She begins with the walled garden and, as it starts to bear fruit, she finds herself drawn into a new, forbidden...
All Aboard for Murder
Bonnie Hardy
Who knew a seven-foot nutcracker could be a murder weapon?Finding the body of the toy store owner Betty King is the latest in a list of reasons Michael Bellemare feels far from jolly this holiday season. Having secured jobs for two local teens at the store, obligation leads Michael to help uncover the killer and clear both their names.Unfortunately, the mounting evidence seems to point to one of the teens.Partnering with detective Janis Jets, Michael listens in as Janis interviews residents and learns more about the hold Betty King had over Lily Rock. Possible mob ties. A runaway dog. A broke Santa and Mrs. Clause. It's all pointing to something. But what?Can Michael and Janis find the killer before Santa climbs into his sleigh? Or will one of the teens be found guilty adding to Michael's bah-humbug mood?All Aboard for Murder is book two in the Welcome to Lily Rock Holiday Mystery series. Step back into this beloved fictional town...
Wolfpack
William M. Hardy
Wolfpack is a gripping historical fiction novel written by William M. Hardy. The story is set during World War II and follows a group of German U-boat sailors who are on a mission to disrupt Allied shipping in the Atlantic Ocean. Led by the ruthless Captain Wolfgang L�����th, the crew of U-181 embark on a dangerous and deadly journey that will test their loyalty, courage, and humanity.As the U-boat travels deeper into enemy waters, the crew faces numerous challenges, including mechanical failures, enemy attacks, and the harsh realities of life at sea. Along the way, they encounter a British freighter, the SS Benlomond, and a fierce battle ensues. The crew of the U-boat must decide whether to show mercy or continue their mission at all costs.Throughout the book, Hardy explores themes of honor, duty, and sacrifice. He also provides a vivid and realistic portrayal of life aboard a U-boat during the war, painting a picture of the physical and emotional toll it took on the sailors. The characters are well-developed and complex, with each one facing their own struggles and dilemmas.Overall, Wolfpack is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, war stories, and tales of adventure on the high seas.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
Double Crossing
Part #1 of "Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys" series by Carolyn Keene
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Young Adult
The Hardy boys go undercover on a Caribbean cruise to pursue a thief and team up with Nancy Drew, also aboard investigating her own case, to track the clever criminals and a master spy together
A Fake Bride's Guide to Forever
Kate Hardy
Join Felicity as she navigates a bucket list, a ring debacle and unexpected feelings for her best friend in the second installment of The Life-Changing List duet. WHAT'S A DIAMOND BETWEEN FRIENDS...? Fizz's recently bequeathed bucket list requires a trip to Paris with her best friend, Oliver. But between sharing a one-bed studio and Oli's hospitalized father mistaking her for his fiancée, the rules of their friendship are tested! Fizz agrees to remain as his "bride" temporarily—after her traumatic past, she can't offer forever to anyone... And yet, even fake dating Oli soon makes her want to throw their friend zone guidebook out the window!From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.The Life-Changing ListBook 1: Slow Dance with the Italian by Scarlet WilsonBook 2: A Fake Bride's Guide to Forever by Kate Hardy
Deadbeat Dad
Bonnie Hardy
Olivia is riding high after her Sweet Four O'Clock summer tour. Michael is hard at work building their dream home and her sister, Sage, is expecting. Yet things take a dark turn when Olivia follows Mayor Maguire's barks and stumbles onto the body of Beat's Malone. Someone killed the talented drummer and dumped his body in a public parking lot. Olivia is on the case once more! Not only is she determined to uncover who is behind Beat's death, but to discover how it connects to her pregnant sister. Secrets abound with everyone—including Mayor Maguire—acting odd. But when an anonymous source sends the police a video of a skateboarder riding through downtown Lily Rock in the dark Olivia begins to wonder if this is a clue... or a threat. When Sage ends up in the hospital, Olivia is ordered by the handsome new Lily Rock doctor to drop everything and care for her sister at home. Janis Jets must continue the investigation on her own. Can Janis...
Tempted by Her Fake Fiancé
Kate Hardy
Resisting temptation with her fake fiancé is easier said than done for marketing executive Elle. Find out what happens in Kate Hardy's incredible one hundredth Harlequin book.A fiancé for the cameras......or forever? In Kate Hardy's one hundredth book, to secure her dream promotion, marketing executive Elle must put her childhood home on the map. Helping new manager Charlie promote Bluebell Farm as a new wedding venue is easy. Ignoring her chemistry with the brooding widower isn't, especially when they become the focus of the campaign. Suddenly, everyone thinks their posed engagement is real! Playing along with the ruse is fun, until the lines blur and Elle's tempted by a different dream...From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.
Harley Hitch Takes Flight
Vashti Hardy
Harley Hitch returns for an airborne adventure in this highly illustrated fiction series about a determined young inventor from award-winning author Vashti Hardy. The Aviation Parade is coming to Forgetown this summer, and Harley has her sights set on creating a flying machine that will really stand out: a robot hippogriff! And if the creature impresses Cosmo's mum enough, surely Cosmo will be able to keep it as a pet? But Harley wants the flying machine to be a surprise for everyone. She soon finds that keeping secrets leads to tricky explanations and lots of trouble - especially when REAL hippogriffs arrive and cause chaos! Join Harley, her robot dog Sprocket and best friend Cosmo for problem-solving adventures and mysteries in a world where science rules and technology grows in the forest! A rollicking adventure that celebrates STEM learning! Highly illustrated with lively, humourous illustrations by George Ermos. Vashti Hardy is an...
The Return of the Native
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
The central figure of this novel is the returning "native", Clym Yeobright, and his love for the beautiful but capricious Eustacia Vye. As character after character is driven to self-destruction, the presence of Egdon Heath becomes all-embracing, while Clym becomes a preacher.
Wrap It Up!
Bonnie Hardy
Who killed Baubles the Clown? The beloved performer Baubles, hired to entertain children with Sparkles his Shetland pony, is found slumped over in the corral strangled by his trick lasso. Lily Rock's librarian, Meadow McCloud, wants to help find the killer but she has a personal crisis to deal with. Between Christmas errands and the plentiful expectations that come with the season, she's feeling pretty overwhelmed. Plus there's the secret she's kept from her daughter, Sage, that keeps threatening her peace of mind. If that isn't enough, Sage is overwhelmed with her concerns. On winter break from the Lily Rock Academy, she's keeping her eye on Elf One and Elf Two at the town's wrapping station. But when her old friend Brad drops by wearing an unfamiliar fancy ring, she suspects he knows more than he's saying about Baubles's demise. The Christmas pageant. Booths at the fair. Cinnamon Rolls. Secrets revealed. Oh, and...
CH09 - Deal Me Out
Part #9 of "Cliff Hardy" series by Peter Corris
Cliff Hardy starts out to help a friend but before long he’s looking for an enemy, William Mountain – boozer, TV scriptwriter, would-be novelist who is missing and searching for adventure. Mountain is the dealer in a deadly game and the hands he deals become more and more bizarre.
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Wilted (A Witching Pen Novellas Prequel)
Dianna Hardy
Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
Fifteen-year-old Elena hides her magical abilities from everyone, except her best friend, Karl. Inseparable since very young, they've always shared everything, including the darkest parts of their lives. Elena's beginning to realise her feelings for Karl are growing into something more. But her mother's about to drop a bombshell – one that will change the course of her life, and heart, forever.A short story prequel to The Witching Pen Novellas. (This story takes place ten years before the events of The Witching Pen Novellas.) Fifteen-year-old Elena hides her magical abilities from everyone, except her best friend, Karl. Inseparable since they were very young, they've always shared everything together, including the darkest parts of their lives. Elena's beginning to realise that her feelings for Karl are growing into something more. But her mother's about to drop a bombshell on her – one that will change the course of her life, and heart, forever. PUBLISHER'S NOTES: This UK-based story is suitable for YA readers, but it should be noted that The Witching Pen Novellas series is aimed at adult readers. For fans of the series, this story includes two parts of Elena's past that were made reference to in The Witching Pen: 1) The moment that Karl turns up on Elena's doorstep having been beaten and 'jumped on' by his father and 2) "The Sex Talk" between Elena and her mother.Book length: short story (over 5500 words)
Unlocking the Italian Doc's Heart
Kate Hardy
His heart was broken...Will she be the one to heal it?Dr. Lorenzo Conti is devastated by his ex's revelation that his beloved daughter isn't his, and the pain of losing her from his life. Yet his new colleague, bubbly, generous pediatrician Jenna, incredibly connects with his brooding heart. Could she help him move on to a new life and a new family? Maybe—if he can learn to trust again...
Influenced to Death
Bonnie Hardy
Olivia Greer dreads returning to Lily Rock. But the dead tenant on her doorstep has made the trip a necessity. Without a doubt, reconnecting with the people she abruptly abandoned a year ago will be agonizing. None more so than Michael Bellemare, whose smile made her heart race. But to solve the murder, she will need to partner with officer Janis Jets and put her amateur sleuth skills to the test once more. Every clue they find, each lie uncovered in Internet photographs, proves Lana de Carlos's life was shrouded in secrets. Forced to take a deeper look at all the residents of Lilly Rock, Olivia begins to wonder if anyone there is who they claim to be. Will the truth solidify her sense of belonging with the town and its people? Or make her wish she never returned? Influenced to Death is gripping continuation of the Lily Rock Mystery series. Mystery and romance await on every page!
Crowfall
Vashti Hardy
More high adventure and invention with an ecological twist from the Blue Peter Award winning author of Wildspark and Brightstorm. Cast out from the clockwork island of Ironhold, where mechanical technology controls everything, Orin Crowfall wakes on a small boat in the middle of the ocean, with no idea of how he came to be there.Plagued by perilous seas and with a terrifying sea monster on his tail, Orin eventually washes up on island of Thray, which he is amazed to discover is a living, breathing organism that can communicate with its people. Orin is entranced by the island. But as he explores with his new friend Ferelith, he begins to realise that things on Thray aren't as perfect as they first seem, and he's also starting to remember the sinister revelation he made before he left Ironhold...
A Laodicean : A Story of To-day
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
One of Hardy's most unusual novels, A Laodicean features a heroine torn between the dilapidated aristocratic romance of the past and the energetic technocracy of the modern world. Paula Power's two suitors, a patrician Army officer, and an architect, representative of the new nobility of talent and enterprise & comically illustrates the great social changes that were taking place as Hardy wrote the novel.
Surprise Heir for the Princess
Kate Hardy
A secret royal escapeAn unexpected consequence!Princess Vittoria yearns to escape the pressures of her royal life. So when she's reunited with enigmatic photographer Liam MacCarthy at a party, she agrees to a secret beachside getaway. Vittoria knows she can never have a future with Liam, but under the stars, she gives in to their undeniable chemistry for one perfect night... Until Vittoria returns home to discover she'll have more than memories to remember Liam by! "I seldom give 5 star ratings, but this lovely tale certainly deserves it. I highly recommend this charming book. You will be uplifted...."¾Harlequin Junkie on A Will, a Wish, a Wedding"Such a delightful love story between two beautiful characters. A truly wonderful read!"¾Goodreads on Finding Mr. Right in Florence
Hardy Women
Paula Byrne
A TOP BOOK FOR 2024 IN: THE OBSERVER, INDEPENDENT, SUNDAY TIMES AND BOOKSELLER 'He understands only the women he invents – the others not at all' Thomas Hardy is one of the most beloved and most-read British authors. His influence on literature and the minds of his readers is singular. But how is it that the novelist who created some of the most memorable and modern female characters in literature had such troubled relationships with real women? In this highly innovative book, acclaimed biographer Paula Byrne re-examines Hardy's life through the eyes of the women who made him – mother, sisters, girlfriends, wives, muses. The story veers from shocking scenes such as his obsession with the sight of a woman hanged, to poignant vignettes of unfulfilled passion, to fascinating details of working women's lives in the nineteenth century. Hardy Women is the story of how the magnificent fictional women he invented would not have been possible without the hardship and hardiness of the real...
A Will, a Wish, a Wedding
Kate Hardy
Will an unexpected legacy......lead to wedding bells?Widowed architect Hugo Grey is stunned. His late great-aunt has bequeathed her house to Alice Walters—a complete stranger!—with the stipulation that Alice must recruit Hugo's services to help convert the house into a butterfly center. Clearly his great-aunt knew something he doesn't, because he and Alice clash over everything, which makes his attraction to the captivatingly feisty and beguiling butterfly expert even harder to ignore...
CH16 - Burn & Other Stories
Part #16 of "Cliff Hardy" series by Peter Corris
This collection of stories finds Cliff Hardy in his usual milieu of inner Sydney mixing with the good, the bad and the quirky as he works on his cases.With his wisecracks and fists in readiness, Hardy goes about his daily business of tracking delinquent arsonists, hired killers and missing girlfriends, protecting eye surgeons and radio announcers, solving old crimes and helping past acquaintances in the underworld.Always on the outside, but his sympathies with the underdog, Hardy's cases are never what they seem and his solutions are not always what the client expects. All in all, normal time for Cliff Hardy but a great deal more for his readers.
We Knew All Along
Mina Hardy
Writing as Mina Hardy, New York Times bestselling author Megan Hart, delivers a twisted tale of domestic suspense where no one is what they seem—and the skeletons in the closet are all too real.Blame the booze, her shaky marriage, her troubled son, or a thousand other things. Jewelann Jordan has one thing on her mind when she attends her class reunion, and that's making sure her old crush Christian Campbell sees exactly what he lost all those years ago. A late night, a hotel room, a rekindled flame that burns even hotter than it did back then. What could go wrong? Everything. The night with Christian isn't the first secret Jewelann has kept from her husband Ken, so one more shouldn't be much harder—except that Christian shows up without warning, seemingly determined to do his best to mess up Jewelann's life in any way he can. Worse than that, he seems to have his sights set on charming her son, Eli, and befriending her...
CH08 - The Greenwich Apartments
Part #8 of "Cliff Hardy" series by Peter Corris
Is brilliant young filmmaker Carmel Wise the innocent victim of gangland violence or is she enmeshed in a pornography racket as the press and the police imply? Carmel's businessman father hires Cliff Hardy to find the real reason 'the video girl' was shot dead outside the Greenwich Apartments in Kings Cross. Hardy follows a trail which is broken but clear - houses and flats with the power on and the rent paid, stand empty; photographs and other documents lead to Lionel Darcy, owner of the Champagne Cabaret; banks and business houses will supply just enough information to keep Hardy warm. The trail takes him to the sunny peninsula, leafy Lane Cove and the industrial waterfront. Hardy finds that every question and every answer has to be paid for in pain and fear. And to some questions there may be no answers at all...'Indigenous thrillers are better than any others, and the best of all are Peter Corris' accounts of his Sydney private detective, Cliff Hardy.' - Mark Thomas, Canberra Times
The Despair of Monkeys and Other Trifles
Françoise HARDY
"I was for a very long time passionately in love with her, as I'm sure she's guessed. Every male in the world, and a number of females also were, and we all still are." —David Bowie"Françoise was the ultimate pin-up of most hip bedroom walls, and I know for a fact that Brian Jones and Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and many other pop stars were desperately interested in having Françoise Hardy become their girlfriend in some way." —Malcolm McLarenFrançoise Hardy is best known in Europe for originating the famed "Yé-Yé" sound in pop music which began a cultural scene in the early 1960s. Her teenage success grew as she became a much-photographed fashion model and actress. Adored for her shy beauty and emotional songwriting, she sang hit songs in French, Italian, and German. In The Despair of Monkeys and Other Trifles, she bares her soul and tells the truth of her relationships, fears, and triumphs as well as the hard-won wisdom carved from a...
Sparks Fly with the Single Dad
Kate Hardy
Can a veterinarian resist her gorgeous new colleague, his adorable daughter and their sweet spaniel? Find out in the second installment of the Yorkshire Village Vets duet. A NEW VET, A NEW PUP...A NEW START? The arrival of gorgeous animal doc James sets sparks flying for vet Jenny. She hasn't felt anything since her divorce. Yet with her ailing mother to care for, Jenny doesn't have the emotional bandwidth for a relationship—particularly with a widowed single dad. But the instant connection she shares with James, his sweet daughter and their adorable spaniel soon jeopardizes Jenny's plans for staying off the market!From Harlequin Medical: Life and love in the world of modern medicine.Yorkshire Village Vets Book 1: Bound by Their Pregnancy Surprise by Louisa HeatonBook 2: Sparks Fly with the Single Dad by Kate Hardy
Wessex Tales
Thomas Hardy
Fiction / Poetry
In this, his first collection of short stories, Hardy sought to record the legends, superstitions, local customs, and lore of a Wessex that was rapidly passing out of memory. But these tales also portray the social and economic stresses of 1880s Dorset, and reveal Hardy's growing scepticism about the possibility of achieving personal and sexual satisfaction in the modern world. By turns humorous, ironic, macabre, and elegiac, these seven stories show the range ofHardy's story-telling genius.The critically established text, the first to be based on detailed study of all revised texts, presents manuscript readings which have never before appeared in print.The stories include: The Three Strangers; A Tradition of Eighteen Hundred and Four; The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion; The Withered Arm; Fellow-Townsmen; Interlopers at the Knap; The Distracted PreacherABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from...
Wildspark
Vashti Hardy
A mind-bending adventure from the author of Brightstorm!A year after the death of her older brother, Prue Haywood's family is still shattered by grief. But everything changes when a stranger arrives at the farm.A new, incredible technology has been discovered in the city of Medlock, where a secretive guild of inventors have developed a way to capture spirits of the dead in animal-like machines, bringing them back to life.Prue knows that the "Ghost Guild" might hold the key to bringing her brother back, so she seizes the stranger's offer to join as an apprentice. But to find her brother, she needs to find a way to get the ghost machines to remember the people they used to be.Yet if Prue succeeds, all of society could come apart...
Mistletoe Proposal on the Children's Ward
Kate Hardy
From Santa......with love!Children's doctor Anna Maskell loves Christmas. But Muswell Hill Memorial's new locum surgeon, Jamie Thurston, hates it! So Anna makes him a deal—if she teaches him to embrace Christmas again, he'll play Santa to their little patients! But as Anna tempts him with the joys of the season, they also discover a connection neither expected. Can Jamie find the courage to give Anna what she truly needs this Christmas—his love?"...Ms. Hardy has definitely penned a fascinating read in this book...I was absolutely hooked."—Harlequin Junkie on Heart Surgeon, Prince...Husband!"...the hero and heroine's progression was fabulous and had me wanting to know more about them...the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance was heart-warming...."—Harlequin Junkie on Carrying the Single Dad's Baby
Saving Christmas for the ER Doc
Kate Hardy
Will the new doc be able to show her boss that Christmas is still the most wonderful season of all? Find out what happens in the latest Harlequin Medical Romance by Kate Hardy. The greatest gift......a fresh start! With her children grown up, Dr. Rachel is putting her old life—and cheating ex-husband—behind her, starting with a new job in the ER. Christmas is Rachel's favorite season, unlike her boss, Dr. Tim, who dreads it after the loss of his wife. But in helping him to rediscover the joy of Christmas, their connection becomes closer than either ever intended. Could this most festive season bring them a whole new chance at happiness together? From Harlequin Medical: Life and love in the world of modern medicine.
Water Shall Refuse Them
Lucie McKnight Hardy
"A coming of age story where the threat of violence shimmers like a heat haze." – Andrew Michael Hurley, The Loney "Something strong, vivid and disquieting grows tall from Folk Horror soil in this novel." – Aliya Whiteley, The Arrival of Missives Shortlisted for the Mslexia Novel Award 2017 Longlisted for the Caledonia Novel Award 2018 The heatwave of 1976. Following the accidental drowning of her sister, sixteen-year-old Nif and her family move to a small village on the Welsh borders to escape their grief. But rural seclusion doesn't bring any relief. As her family unravels, Nif begins to put together her own form of witchcraft – collecting talismans from the sun-starved land. That is, until she meets Mally, a teen boy who takes a keen interest in her, and has his own secret rites to divulge. Reminiscent of the suspense of Shirley Jackson and soaked in the folk horror of the British landscape, Water Shall Refuse Them is an atmospheric coming-of-age novel and a...
Soldier Prince's Secret Baby Gift
Kate Hardy
One magical night......could ignite a royal scandal!In this A Crown by Christmas story, six months ago Tia Phillips and Prince Antonio of Casavalle shared one passionate night. Now she's on the palace doorstep—pregnant with his baby! Another royal scandal is all Casavalle needs, so Antonio whisks Tia away to a secret hideaway. Soon Antonio's falling for her, but will Tia accept his hand in marriage when she thinks he's asking only out of duty?A Crown by Christmas trilogyBook 1 – Cinderella's Prince Under the MistletoeBook 2 – Soldier Prince's Secret Baby GiftLook out for the next book, coming soon:Book 3 – Their Christmas Royal Wedding"Ms. Hardy has written a very sweet novel.... She does great character development...this is a good heartstring novel that will have you embracing happiness in your heart."—Harlequin Junkie on Christmas Bride for the...
The Raven Riddle
Vashti Hardy
Grace's family are wardens of the Griffin map, using its teleport technology to fight crime across Moreland. And now there's someone new on the team: Tom Eely, who has been training hard to become a warden. Grace and Tom reckon they're ready to tackle a mission together, but they're disappointed when Mum sends them to a quiet mountain village where ravens have been pestering the locals. Surely they won't be any opportunities to use their exciting gadgets or combat skills there? But as the pair investigate, the situation becomes more puzzling. Why does it seem like the ravens are protecting something? And are the villagers' tales of a mountain witch really to be believed? Grace and Tom will have to use all their wit, skill and courage if they want to solve the raven riddle ... Bestseller Vashti Hardy returns with another heartfelt and action-filled addition to the Griffin Gate series.
How to Tackle Your Dreams
Fiona Hardy
From the award-winning author behind How to Make a Movie in 12 Days and How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life comes a warm and funny celebration of following your dreams, wherever they lead.
Baby Miracle for the ER Doc
Kate Hardy
One passionate nightOne surprising consequenceDr. Florence Jacobs can't believe she was unable to resist her explosive chemistry with temporary doc Robert Langley even for one night! Rob's charm is a salve to Florence's damaged heart, but they're looking for different lives: she wants a family...he craves adventure. The shocking revelation that she's pregnant hands Florence the future she's dreamed of. Dare she hope that Rob will want to stay and share it with her and their baby?A Twin Docs' Perfect Match novel Twin Docs' Perfect Match duetBook 1 - Second Chance with Her Guarded GPBook 2 – Baby Miracle for the ER Doc"I loved this story. This a couple you find yourself rooting for. I recommend this book to any Harlequin fan...."-Goodreads on A Nurse and a Pup to Heal Him "...Ms. Hardy has definitely penned a fascinating read in this book...I was absolutely hooked."
Sight Unseen
Bonnie Hardy
Rex and Viv are all packed and ready to sip champagne as they cruise across the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately their plans are put on hold when Viv witnesses a man taking a dive off an elliptical machine. Is he injured or dead? She intends to find out! When the ship's staff refuses to believe her story, Viv takes matters into her own hands. it isn't until she's trapped in the morgue with a body bag that she realizes this matter is far more dangerous than she first thought. Concerned any evidence will be swept out to sea before they reach the shore, Viv becomes determined to find out the fate of the disappearing passenger. Can she uncover the truth before the ship reaches port? Or will the truth be washed away in the tide? Join the laughter and excitement of Sight Unseen, the third installment of Redondo and Rose neighbors in Crime!
Jack Hardy: A Story of English Smugglers in the Days of Napoleon
Herbert Strang
Herbert Strang was the pseudonym used by 2 British authors, George Herbert Ely (1866–1958) and Charles James L\'Estrange (1867–1947), to write adventure stories aimed primarily at young readers, especially boys.
The President's Man 2
Part #4 of "Aaron Hardy" series by Alex Ander
...Intense and electrifying, The President's Man 2 grabs your attention at page one and doesn't let go...The United States Government's elite covert agent, Aaron Hardy, must stop a terror plot, while battling an assassin. From there, he goes back to Russia to finish what was started in American Influence. Back on American soil, Hardy embarks on a coast-to-coast rescue mission to save the President's daughter.Patriot Assassin (Book #4) — The United States Government’s top Special Agent, Aaron Hardy must track down the remaining members of a terrorist cell before an assassin finds them. With innocent lives at risk from an impending terror attack, Hardy and the trained killer play a deadly game of cat and mouse, until they finally meet face-to-face, where Hardy is forced to make a split-second decision—is the assassin a threat or an asset?The Nemesis Protocol (Book #5) — Working secretly and...
Moment of Extinction
Paul R. Hardy
Science Fiction
The last survivors of a doomed world have been rescued and taken to safety in another universe, but they’re still dying out. All their rescuers can do is take them to see the ocean one last time – and try to persuade them to let their last child survive.The last survivors of a doomed world have been rescued and taken to safety in another universe, but they’re still dying out. All their rescuers can do is take them to see the ocean one last time – and try to persuade them to let their last child survive.This is a prequel to my novel The Last Man on Earth Club (but both can be read separately).A short story of 4,000 words.APOCALYPTIC TALES is a series of shorts and novellas about the end of the world. Because somewhere in the multiverse, a world is always ending…
Bachelor at Her Bidding
Kate Hardy
How to win a girl in ten cakes...When Dr. Rachel Cassidy comes back to Marietta with a broken heart and a divorce under her belt, going to a Bachelor Auction fund-raiser doesn't sound like her idea of a good time—and when her sister and friends "buy" her a dinner date with sexy Parisian-trained pastry chef Ryan Henderson, that sounds even worse. Ryan doesn't have time for dating—he's put his dreams to one side and come back to Marietta to look after his sick grandmother. But when he agrees to help a charity fundraiser by offering to cook a special meal to one lucky bidder, he gets more than he bargains for and discovers a woman he might just dare to let himself fall in love with. Then tragedy strikes, just when Rachel and Ryan think they might have a future, opening up old scars and pushing them apart. And if they're to stand a chance of getting back together, then Ryan's going to have to be seriously inventive. Can he win the love of his life with ten cakes?
CH36 - Follow the Money
Part #36 of "Cliff Hardy" series by Peter Corris
'When beautiful young women kiss you on the cheek you know you're over
the hill, but I didn't really feel like that. As Wesley said, I still
had the moves.'Cliff Hardy may still have the moves but he's in
trouble. The economy's tanking and he's been conned by an unscrupulous
financial advisor and lost everything he's got. Cliff only knows one
way, and that's forward, so he's following the money trail. WC It's a
twisted road that leads him down deep into Sydney's underbelly, into the
territory of big money, bent deals, big yachts and bad people. Cliff's
in greater danger than ever before, but he's as tenacious as a dog with a
bone.
The Outcasts of Foolgarah
Frank Hardy
A 'illegal' strike by two garbos has unexpected and far reaching consequences in this outrageous political satire. By turns, The Outcasts of Foolgarah is angry, funny, offensive, outrageous and disturbing. On its first publication, Geoffrey Dutton wrote of The Outcasts of Foolgarah that it was 'more genuinely Australian than The Weird Mob and much wider in the range of its humour and satire than Here's Luck.' He went on. 'They're a Weird Mob caught the idiom but flattered us, Hardy knows the idiom even better and doesn't flatter anyone.' Certainly not politicians!Frank Hardy (1917–1994) was a journalist, playwright, scriptwriter and award-winning novelist. His works include the bestselling Power Without Glory (1950), the powerful The Unlucky Australians (1968 – also in the Untapped Collection), and the internationally acclaimed But the Dead Are Many: A Novel in Fugue Form (1975). He was described...
The Oracle of Cumae
Melissa Hardy
Mariuccia Umbellino is a young woman living in the remote mountain village of Montemonaco, Italy, in the early years of the 19th century. Nearby, the secret recesses of the Grotto of the Fates—home to an ancient oracle of Apollo—are about to be invaded and destroyed, on orders from the Pope. But the men sent to do the dirty work don't know who (or what) they're dealing with. This oracle and this girl won't be messed with. In the dark of night, Mariuccia and her mother set out to rescue their revered oracle. In the adventure that ensues, things are blown up, love spells are miscast then recast, a downtrodden housekeeper gets her revenge, and the mysterious fate of a jettatore—a person born with the Evil Eye—is finally revealed.
The Weather Well
Vashti Hardy
It's the height of summer in Moreland, and Grace Griffin and her fellow warden Tom Eely are sweltering in the heat until they answer a strange call for help that comes through on the amazing Griffin map.After teleporting to Oakwell, they find the town paralysed by a freezing snowstorm, which is ruining the famous summer market that brings in visitors and trade. Using their mystery-solving skills and amazing inventions, can Grace and Tom find the cause for the weird weather and restore summer from the snow?
Volonians: Mysteries of The Vondercrat
Christopher Edwards, Jr & Carlos Hardy
Volonia, a magical planet, is home to millions of beautiful, charismatic expressive Witches and Warlocks. Their magic is mighty, their spells are rich in tradition and their rituals stand the test of time. The House of Lords, the governing body, is in a frenzy as one of it’s citizens, Varah Cutter, a crafty Witch, has single handily conjured a book only they can summon, The VONDERCRAT.Volonia, a magical planet, is home to millions of beautiful, charismatic expressive Witches and Warlocks. Their magic is mighty, their spells are rich in tradition and their rituals stand the test of time. The House of Lords, the governing body, is in a frenzy as one of it’s citizens, Varah Cutter, a rebellious, crafty Witch, has single handily conjured a book only they can summon. The VONDERCRAT is the most powerful book in all of Volonia. How she did it remains a mystery. Varah soon realizes The Lords aren’t the only entity after her, but an evil brigade lead by the mighty Menace seeks to capture her. Varah’s fate stands in ruins as she literally fights to protect her children, her honor and her truth.
Finding Mr. Right in Florence
Kate Hardy
Will the greatest love story......lead her to true love?Leading art historian Mariana Thackeray is happy to lose herself in researching the world's greatest love stories from the safety of her office. Until gorgeous billionaire Angelo Beresford invites her to investigate his grandfather's art collection, and she finds herself swept away to Florence and lost...in him! Nothing scares Mariana more than letting someone into her life again, but Angelo could be the Mr. Right she's been waiting for..."Another on the sweet side holiday read. I enjoyed these two and will put you in the holiday spirit."— Goodreads on A Diamond in the Snow"Ms. Hardy has written a very sweet novel about forgiveness and breaking the molds we place ourselves in...a good heartstring novel that will have you embracing happiness in your heart."— Harlequin Junkie on Christmas Bride for the Boss
Loving Lizzie March
Susannah Hardy
A funny and poignant debut novel about one woman's over-enthusiastic search for Mr Right. Life is not going to plan for failed fashion designer Lizzie March, and then she finds herself pregnant to super-hot bad boy Jake Wheeler.Convinced that he's The One, now all she has to do is make him realise that she is The One for him!But is it possible she's been looking for love in all the wrong places? Maybe everything she has ever wanted is right under her very own stilettos.
A Thymely Death
Bonnie Hardy
In between jobs, Olivia Greer is helping residents of the Hello Age retirement community on to their bus when one of their own is found dead. Murdered in the herb garden, a sprig of thyme is clutched tight in his cold, lifeless hand. Worse yet, Olivia's former student, Raleigh Ulrich, is suspected of the crime.Now, Olivia is on the case and determined to clear Raleigh's name. Unfortunately, focusing will be difficult.A trapped squirrel terrorizing her car.Her phone mysteriously dropping calls.It seems someone or something is sabotaging her investigation.As residents come forward with shocking revelations, Olivia begins to fear something nefarious is happening at Hello Age. With hunky architect Michael Bellemare can they uncover the truth before Thyme runs out?The laughs and intrigue continue in A Thymely Death, the fourth book in the Lily Rock Mystery series!
Surgeon's Second Chance in Florence
Kate Hardy
Love shines brighter under the Italian sun and there's a second chance on the cards for the surgeon... Find out more in award-winning author Kate Hardy's latest Harlequin Medical Romance.She's in Italy to save lives... ...But falling back in love? Surgeon Sam can't believe it! While she's on secondment in Florence, Dr. Angelo will be her new colleague. Two years ago, he left Sam brokenhearted and without an explanation. Now she's stuck working with him—for three months! But Sam soon learns that there was more to Angelo's departure than he let her believe... Can she forgive Angelo and claim her second chance with the gorgeous Italian doctor?From Harlequin Medical: Life and love in the world of modern medicine.