When a bridge collapses in the Highlands of Scotland dozens of people vanish into the river below. A car hired by a woman tourist was filmed pulling onto the bridge moments before it fell. Now numbered among the missing the woman seizes her chance to start her life over. But her new path takes her no farther than a wooden cabin on the riverbank where she seeks rebirth & freedom from her old self. There she lives with Silva an illegal immigrant whose husband & daughter have not been seen since the day of the bridges collapse. The women are befriended by the boatman Ron & together they create a fragile sanctuary. Lost souls all they keep secrets from each other yet connect in ways none of them expects as they strive to reconcile their past histories with the present & shape for themselves an elusive longed-for future. ...

Restless gripped by an overwhelming wish to make a name for himself in a world ever more hemmed in by progress & 'civilization' Thesiger (1910-2003) embarked on his amazing journeys across Saudi Arabia's Empty Quarter to test himself & to show what could still be done. The result was a monument both to his resilience & to the Bedu who guided him & who emerge as the book's real heroes. Great Journeys" allows readers to travel both around the planet & back through the centuries
- but also back into ideas & worlds frightening ruthless & cruel in different ways from our own. Few reading experiences can begin to match that of engaging with writers who saw astounding things: great civilisations walls of ice violent & implacable jungles deserts & mountains multitudes of birds & flowers new to science. Reading these books is to see the world afresh to rediscover a time when many cultures were quite strange to each other where legends & stories were treated as facts & in which so much was still to be discovered."
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From the author of The Grafton Girls comes the story of one Liverpool family preparing for the onslaught of World War Two but feuding amongst themselves... Jean & Vi are twins but couldn't be more different. Jean's proud of her honest hardworking husband & their children but there's never a penny to spare. Vi's equally proud of her husband's new role as a local councillor & their elegant new house & has raised her children to expect the best. As war breaks out agonising decisions must be faced. Should the oldest children enlist? Should the youngest be evacuated? All the traditional certainties are overturned. Then the twins' own younger sister singer Francine returns home unexpectedly & stirs up the past even in the midst of present danger. This is a tremendous saga of fighting spirit & family closeness & the belief that even though today is full of destruction & pain there is hope for a better tomorrow. ...

In his black-walled fortress at Inuyama the murderous warlord Iida Sadamu surveys his famous nightingale floor. Constructed with exquisite skill it sings at the tread of each human foot. No assassin can cross it unheard. Brought up in a remote mountain village among the Hidden a reclusive & spiritual people Takeo has learned only the ways of peace. Why then does he possess the deadly skills that make him so valuable to the sinister Tribe? These supernatural powers will lead him to his violent destiny within the walls of Inuyama
- & to an impossible longing for a girl who can never be his. His journey is one of revenge & treachery honour & loyalty beauty & magic & the passion of first love.
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The War is just over. In Venice a city elaborately & affectionately described the American Colonel Richard Cantrell falls passionately in love with Renata a young Italian countess who has a profile that could break your or anyone elses heart. Cantrell is embittered war-scarred & old enough to be Renatas father but he is overwhelmed by the selflessness & freshness of the love she is offering. But this is no fairy tale. The fighting may be ended but the wounds of war have not yet healed. & for some the longed-for peace has come too late. A lesser known classic by one of the great American writers of the twentieth century Across the River & Into The Trees is still vintage Hemingway. ...

Amy has left the life she loves for a world 300 years away Trapped in space & frozen in time Amy is bound for a new planet. But fifty years before shes due to arrive she is violently woken the victim of an attempted murder. Now Amys lost on board & nothing makes sense
- shes never felt so alone. Yet someone is waiting for her. He wants to protect her; & more if shell let him. But who can she trust amidst the secrets & lies? A killer is out there
- & Amy has nowhere to hide...

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Must-have short story collection by Garth Nix containing thirteen stories all introduced by the author himself. ACROSS THE WALL brings together an eclectic mix of Garth Nix's writing spanning several years. The opening story is the 2005 World Book Day novella & Old Kingdom story NICHOLAS SAYRE & THE CREATURE IN THE CASE winner of two prestigious Aurealis Awards. The rest of the collection

Includes:: two tales inspired by Arthurian legend a war story a western a traditional tale with a twist & a hilarious choose-your-own-adventure spoof. The volume is introduced by the author himself & even better so is each story -- giving context anecdotes & a generous dollop of Nix's own wry humour. Plus! A final bonus section of frequently asked questions for which Garth Nix supplies vital answers.

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This is a practical & inspiring guide for all acrylics enthusiasts from the beginner to the experienced artist. There is helpful general advice on which materials to choose & then three high profile artists share their expertise tips & techniques. Wendy Jelbert explains the basics of painting with acrylics & gives advice on useful techniques & the effects they can create. David Hyde writes on painting landscapes with acrylics from composing landscapes & choosing colours to creating depth & painting different seasons. Carole Massey shares her flower painting expertise with advice on flower colours drawing flowers composing flower paintings & using tone. Finally Wendy Jelbert explores further creative techniques for painting with acrylics & shows how these can be applied in paintings. There are ten easy to follow step-by-step demonstrations with clear photographs & helpful instructions & many inspirational paintings for readers to admire. This title comprises material from the Leisure Arts" series: " Painting with Acrylics" (9780855328405); " Landscapes in Acrylics" (9780855320234); " Creative Acrylic Techniques" (9780855328481); " Flowers in Acrylics" (9780855328535)." ...

This fantastic acrylic painting book contains practical answers & advice from the experts to all your questions about painting landscapes buildings people animals still life & murals. Here you will find the reliable answers you need to build confidence & produce rewarding results.

Includes:: step-by-step tips & techniques to help you learn & improve important skills. Invaluable questions include: What is the wax resist technique? How do I lay white over dark colours to create interesting landscapes? Is mixing acrylic & gouache a good medium for still life?

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Relaunched in paperback this book assumes no prior knowledge or experience & guides the beginner painter step-by-step through the basics of painting in acrylics. Full of easy-to-follow exercises & demonstrations You Can Paint Acrylics will give even the most hesitant of beginners the enthusiasm & confidence to start painting in acrylics. Melanie Cambridge takes the reader by the hand explaining the basic acrylic painting materials & mark-making techniques. All the demonstrations are broken down into easy-to-follow step-by-step exercises allowing the reader to build up their acrylic painting expertise gradually. Covering a broad range of subjects from flowers & skies to people & animals this book teaches the beginner everything they need to know to learn to paint in this popular & versatile medium. ...