The ring sealed their fate for ever.. . In the turbulent days of Germany in the thirties Kassandra von Gotthard met the man who would change her life: Dolff Sterne. She was the beautiful wife of a wealthy Berlin banker. He was a famous Jewish writer. Together they shared a love that happens only once in a lifetime. But theirs was a love fated to end in tragedy. The terrible day came when Dolff was wrenched from Kassandra's arms by Nazi soldiers
- leaving her heartbroken & humiliated. & Kassandra decided that her life was no longer worth living. All that she leaves for her descendents is her memory of pain & a diamond signet ring. A ring that will carry the destiny of the von Gotthards to new lives & new loves.
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The excitement surrounding the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton has prompted four of Britain's top historical biographers to look closely at Royal Weddings from 1066 to the present day. Professionally Alison Weir Kate Williams Sarah Gristwood & Tracy Borman do events & television together & are known affectionately as the ' History Girls'. They bring an elan & a passion for detail & dramatic narrative to all their subjects. Each writer focuses on different areas of interest. Alison Weir deals with the medieval Tudor & Stuart periods. Kate Williams scrutinises the Georgians & Victorians. Sarah Gristwood takes up the story in 1919 when Princess Patricia of Connaught revived the tradition of royal brides marrying in Westminster Abbey & goes on to examine the weddings of the Queen Mother (1923) the Queen (1947) & Princess Margaret in 1960. Lastly Tracy Borman brings the book right up to date with accounts of the wedding of Prince Charles & Diana Spencer through to the fanfare that will celebrate the nuptials of Kate & William. Every kind of wedding features
- from those attended by great public celebrations to the many that took place in private chapels parish churches & even in secret. Fascinating anecdotal details are revealed in the course of this most informative & entertaining overview of royal weddings through history some amusing some poignant some bawdy. The Ring & the Crown" places the royal wedding of the heir to the throne in historical perspective & it does so with carefully selected illustrations that help make the authors' insights come even more vividly alive."
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Hailed a masterpiece when it was first published the story of Gavin Maxwell's life with otters on the remote west coast of Scotland remains one of the most lyrical moving descriptions of a man's relationship with the natural world. One of the outstanding wildlife books of all time."-New York Herald Tribune First published 1960 by Longmans Green & Co." ...

Fifty years ago Gavin Maxwell went to live in an abandoned house on a shingle beach on the west coast of Scotl&. A haven for wildlife
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Young Samurai: The Ring of Earth" is the fourth book in this blockbuster series by Chris Bradford. Jack Fletcher is on the run with no sensei to guide him he has just his wits & his swords against many new & unknown enemies as he journeys along the treacherous road to the port of Nagasaki & perhaps home... But the Shogun's samurai are hot on his trail. Barely escaping their clutches Jack runs headlong into a trap. Kidnapped by ninja & led to their village deep in the mountains Jack has no means of escape. The only question is who will kill him first
- the ninja or samurai? "A fantastic adventure that floors the reader on page one & keeps them there until the end". (Eoin Colfer). Chris Bradford has trained in karate kickboxing & samurai swordsmanship. He earned his black belt in Zen Kyo Shin Taijutsu the secret fighting art of the ninja. Before writing the " Young Samurai" series he was a professional musician & songwriter & has performed for HRH Queen Elizabeth II."
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Moto GP is enjoying a period of unprecedented popularity & Ring of Fire" details the acclaim the heroism & the pressures of riding motorbikes at speeds of more than 200mph. This is a world where manufacturers invest millions & the world champion celebrates by staging mock jail breaks & giving pillion rides to a blow-up doll. One rider warms up for major races by singing Hank Marvin songs on his karaoke machine & a rising Italian star sees the world in terms of black & white energy tubes. Another sees nothing strange in racing with two broken ankles. Ring of Fire covers the recent history of Moto GP from American Nicky Hayden spectacularly overturning established champion Valentino Rossi in 2006 through the emergence of wild young Australian Casey Stoner as the new champion in 2007 to the fierce rivalry between them & Spaniards Dani Pedrosa & Jorge Lorenzo in what would prove to be one of the most closely-contested years of racing in 2008. It gives a behind the scenes look at World Superbike Champion James Toselands attempts to break into this elite & looks back at the tradition of reprobates romance & debauchery in the paddock dating back to the 60s & stars like Mike Hailwood & Giacomo Agostino. Rick Broadbent introduces us not just to the stars & the multi-million pound contracts but also to the officals mechanics doctors team owners & fans who make up this white-knuckle ride of a sport. By turns funny sad shocking & uplifting " Ring of Fire" brings us face to face with those who battle to emerge unscathed or who just ignore the pain & ride to win against all odds." ...

Fans of Jonathan Strouds Bartimaeus books will devour this book
- a cracking adventure brimming with magic intrigue & a treasure
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Fans of Jonathan Strouds Bartimaeus" books will devour this book
- a cracking adventure brimming with magic intrigue & a treasure
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An unexpected glitch in his plan... Working late is nothing new for tycoon Alex
- & its the perfect excuse to get close to office-cleaner
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Panina Manina a trapeze artist falls & breaks her neck. As the ringmaster bends over her he notices an amulet of amber around her neck the same trinket he had given his own lost child who was swept away in a torrent some sixteen years earlier. This tale is narrated by Petter a precocious child & fantasist & perhaps Jostein Gaarders most intriguing character since Sophie. As an adult Petter makes his living selling stories & ideas to professionals suffering from writers block. But as Petter sits spinning his tales he finds himself in a trap of his own making. ...