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A Song for Arbonne
A Song for Arbonne
Guy Gavriel Kay
¥63.18
Based on the troubadour culture that rose in Provence during the High Middle Ages, this panoramic, absorbing novel beautifully creates an alternate version of the medieval world. The matriarchal, cultured land of Arbonne is rent by a feud between its two most powerful dukes, the noble troubador Bertran de Talair and Urte de Miraval, over long-dead Aelis, lover of one, wife of the other and once heir to the country's throne. To the north lies militaristic Gorhaut, whose inhabitants worship the militant god Corannos and are ruled by corrupt, womanizing King Ademar. His chief advisor, the high priest of Corannos, is determined to irradicate the worship of a female deity, whose followers live to the south. Into this cauldron of brewing disaster comes the mysterious Gorhaut mercenary Blaise, who takes service with Bertran and averts an attempt on his life. The revelation of Blaise's lineage and a claim for sanctuary by his sister-in-law sets the stage for a brutal clash between the two cultures. Intertwined is the tale of a young woman troubadour whose role suggests the sweep of the drama to come.
The Water Children
The Water Children
Anne Berry
¥45.62
Four lives. Four defining moments which will bring them together. Owen Abingdon is haunted by nightmares of the Merfolk. He believes they have stolen his little sister who vanished while he was meant to be minding her on the beach, but he was only a child himself. Is it fair for his mother to blame him? Catherine Hoyle's perfect Christmas with her cousin from America was blighted when they went skating on thin ice and Rosalyn nearly died. Somehow, instead of being praised for raising the alarm, Catherine gets blamed. Sean Madigan grew up on a farm in Ireland. Learning to swim in the Shannon was his way of escaping the bitter poverty of his childhood, but it also incurred his father's wrath. He flees to England, but his heart belongs to the Shannon and her pulling power is evernear… Unlike the other three, Naomi Seddon didn't fear the sea. She'd been orphaned and placed in a children's home in Sheffield and cruelly abused. The sea offered her a way out and she revelled in its cruel power. The "water children" meet in London in the searing hot summer of 1976 and Naomi uses her siren's charm to lure Owen,Catherine and Sean into her tangled web of sexual charm and dangerous passion. A holiday in the Tuscan mountains with a flooded reservoir and its legend of the beautiful Teodora who drowned there brings this emotional drama to a powerful climax. Will the power of family, love and redemption finally help the water children conquer their fears and triumph over their childhood traumas?
The Last Light of the Sun
The Last Light of the Sun
Guy Gavriel Kay
¥86.23
From the multiple award-winning author of Ysabel, Tigana and A Song for Arbonne, this powerful, moving saga evokes the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse cultures of a thousand years ago. There is nothing soft or silken about the north. The lives of men and women are as challenging as the climate and lands in which they dwell. For generations, the Erlings of Vinmark have taken their dragon-prowed ships across the seas, raiding the lands of the Cyngael and Anglcyn peoples, leaving fire and death behind. But times change, even in the north, and in a tale woven with consummate artistry, people of all three cultures find the threads of their lives unexpectedly brought together… Bern Thorkellson, punished for his father's sins, commits an act of vengeance and desperation that brings him face-to-face, across the sea, with a past he's been trying to leave behind. In the Anglcyn lands of King Aeldred, the shrewd king, battling inner demons all the while, shores up his defenses with alliances and diplomacy-and with swords and arrows-while his exceptional, unpredictable sons and daughters pursue their own desires when battle comes and darkness falls in the woods. And in the valleys and shrouded hills of the Cyngael, whose voices carry music even as they feud and raid amongst each other, violence and love become deeply interwoven when the dragon ships come and Alun ab Owyn, chasing an enemy in the night, glimpses strange lights gleaming above forest pools.
Ysabel
Ysabel
Guy Gavriel Kay
¥63.18
In this exhilarating, moving novel set in modern and ancient Provence, Guy Gavriel Kay casts brilliant light on the ways in which history – whether of a culture or a family – refuses to be buried. Ned Marriner, fifteen years old, has accompanied his photographer father to Provence for a six-week “shoot” of images for a glossy coffee-table book. Gradually, Ned discovers a very old story playing itself out in this modern world of iPods, cellphones, and seven-seater vans whipping along roads walked by Celtic tribes and the Roman Legions. On one holy, haunted night of the ancient year, when the borders between the living and the dead are down and fires are lit upon the hills, Ned, his family, and his friends, are shockingly drawn into this tale, as dangerous, mythic figures from conflicts of long ago erupt into the present, claiming and changing lives.
Whatever it Takes: The Real Story of Gordon Brown and New Labour
Whatever it Takes: The Real Story of Gordon Brown and New Labour
Steve Richards
¥80.25
At the beginning of the financial crisis, in September 2008, Gordon Brown called an emergency press conference in which he declared, 'we will do whatever it takes to restore stability in the financial markets'. He was to repeated the phrase ‘whatever it takes’ constantly in the following weeks. As Shadow Chancellor Brown would do whatever it took to restore Labour's economic credibility. As leader-in-waiting he would do whatever it took to acquire the crown. As Prime Minister he would do whatever it took to buttress his enfeebled regime, going as far instigating a rapprochement with Peter Mandelson, a figure he had come to despise. Determined, wilful, multi-layered in his complexity, Brown would always do whatever it took to survive. New Labour, as a political force, rootless and defensive in its origins, would similarly do whatever it took to retain support in what its founders regarded as a conservative country. Written by one of the most influential political commentators in the UK, the Independent's chief political commentator, Steve Richards, this political expose examines Gordon Brown's wildly oscillating career and the ruthless and sometimes shallow pragmatism displayed by New Labour as a whole.
The Moses Legacy
The Moses Legacy
Adam Palmer
¥34.14
An ancient enigma threatens to shake the world to its very core… When fragments of stone covered in a mysterious ancient * are found in Egypt, language expert Daniel Klein is called in to help. Daniel believes that the stone's origins, if revealed, could be potentially explosive, but others are determined to prevent the truth from seeing the light of day. Framed for murder and forced on the run, Daniel and archaeologist Gabrielle Gusack are pursued across the Middle East by a ruthless killer with shadowy motives. As they try to stay one step ahead of their hunter, they realise that the secret of the stones is only the beginning…and the truth could cost them their lives. Be blown away by a heart-stopping conspiracy thriller - the perfect buzz for fans of Matthew Reilly and David Gibbins.
The Blitz: The British Under Attack
The Blitz: The British Under Attack
Juliet Gardiner
¥72.40
In a series of powerful accounts drawn from diaries, letters, sound archives and interviews recorded during the period of devastation, discovery and transformation that make the blitz such an outstanding event in Britain's recent past, "The Blitz" brings to life the intense experiences, as they happened all over Britain. The blitz proved to be a highly effective laboratory constructed out of necessity, and intense forcing house for change. Yet, compared to other great events of the Second World War – Dunkirk, D – Day, and even VE Day, the Blitz remains curiously unexamined. A type of cleansing resulted from it. It soon became evident that many of the attitudes in society were outdated. The most obvious inequalities between British society also became clear, and yet with everyone sharing the same devastation, these differences slowly began to lose their importance. As well as a social laboratory, the Blitz was a medical one too. Overworked doctors and scientists were forced to experiment and improvise. It was during the Blitz that the embryonic blood transfusion service grew to become a nation-wide institution. Psychoanalysis took on a new meaning too: the enemy was now external, someone different from "us". It gave coherence to artists and writers at the time such as Cecil Beaton. The Blitz is arranged as a series of chronological chapters, each focusing on an aspect of key importance. The perspective will primarily be that of those who had actual experience of those tumultuous months, when no one knew when or if the bombings would stop. Above all, it will be recounted in the words of the many "ordinary people" across Britain who were caught up in the Blitz, their stories, entries that are taken from the journals that they kept during this difficult time and also interviews with those who are still alive today.
Outback Baby (Mills & Boon Cherish)
Outback Baby (Mills & Boon Cherish)
Barbara Hannay
¥31.10
Max Jardine always behaves like a bossy big brother to Gemma Brown. Except for one night five years ago–a night they have never talked about since. But now Gemma is moving into Max's remote Outback home to help him care for a friend's baby… Seeing stubborn, gorgeous Max with a baby in his arms confuses Gemma–almost as much as it intrigues Max to see Gemma all grown up! And tension mounts as they confront the past…
One Tough Marine (Mills &  Boon Intrigue) (Cooper Justice, Book 3)
One Tough Marine (Mills & Boon Intrigue) (Cooper Justice, Book 3)
Paula Graves
¥31.20
Threatened by masked men making an impossible demand of her, Abby Chandler runs to Luke Cooper for help. She knows it's been three years since he vanished after their blazing one-night stand…and that she might be forced to reveal the secret that he's her little boy's father. Abby has no idea that the former marine has also been keeping a painful secret–that his disappearance was the only way to keep her alive. Luke knows Abby came to him for protection, but earning her trust isn't going to be easy. Nor will keeping his hands off her. But admitting their once-forbidden attraction still exists could be risky. And deadly.
The McClintock Proposal (Mills &  Boon Intrigue)
The McClintock Proposal (Mills & Boon Intrigue)
Carol Ericson
¥31.10
The moment Rod McClintock spots the disheveled bride on the side of the road, he knows life is about to become a lot more complicated. Callie Price is on the run and in need of his protection. She's also the answer to his financial woes, if they're both willing to say "I do." A marriage of convenience is Callie's sole shot at inheriting the ranch that'll help her rebuild her life. All she needs is a husband in name only. Her smoldering cowboy rescuer fits the role perfectly. Too perfectly. As they struggle to escape a killer's obsession, peril and passion tie them together. And before long, someone is putting "till death do us part" to the ultimate test….
Special Ops Affair (Mills &  Boon Vintage Romantic Suspense) (All McQueen's Men,
Special Ops Affair (Mills & Boon Vintage Romantic Suspense) (All McQueen's Men,
Jennifer Morey
¥31.10
As far as Odelia Frank is concerned, her heart went into lockdown the day her agent-husband was killed in action. Then Jagger "Jag" Benney is assigned to help her investigate a notorious arms broker, and the invincible intelligence officer feels a glimmer of vulnerability she hasn't felt in years…. Despite their chemistry, Jag has his own suspicions about Odie, and the secrets he knows she's hiding. But as a deadly conspiracy explodes, Odie will have to decide if her too-quiet, too-clever, too-sexy partner is someone she can trust–or just a terrible reminder of what happens when you mix duty and love.
Home to Sparrow Lake (Mills &  Boon Heartwarming)
Home to Sparrow Lake (Mills & Boon Heartwarming)
Lynn Patrick
¥31.10
Police chief Alex Novak is exactly the kind of man Kristen Lange could fall for. If she were staying in Sparrow Lake. But she can't fall. And she can't stay. Moving home was a temporary setback, not a life choice! As soon as she lands a job in Chicago, Kristen will be packing her Manolos and hopping back on the fast track. If she’s going to meet her goals, she can’t afford distractions – or involvement. Not in her aunt’s quilting store, not in her widowed sister’s life, and certainly not with Alex. No matter how intriguing – and determined – he is. No matter what she’s starting to feel.
Must Like Kids (Mills &  Boon Modern Tempted)
Must Like Kids (Mills & Boon Modern Tempted)
Jackie Braun
¥30.61
“Children have a place and it’s anywhere I’m not!” It was one off-the-cuff remark. But when it goes viral, Alec McAvoy, the new CEO of Best for Baby, is labelled a playboy bachelor who hates kids. Enter Julia Stillwell, image consultant extraordinaire. The widowed mom of two has a knack for changing public opinion, and she’ll teach Alec all he needs to know. But once they start this makeover, they don’t want to stop… and that’s when one little kiss leads to many, many others! So now Julia’s worked her magic, but is Alec’s transformation only skin-deep? Or can this hunky executive convince her he’s truly become a family man?
The Chosen One
The Chosen One
Sam Bourne
¥58.86
Number One bestseller Sam Bourne, author of The Righteous Men, delivers this page-turning political conspiracy thriller that goes right to the heart of the US establishment. Bruised by years of disappointments, political advisor Maggie Costello is finally working for a leader she can believe in. She, along with the rest of America, has put her trust in President Stephen Baker, believing he can make the world a better place. But suddenly an enemy surfaces: a man called Vic Forbes reveals first one scandal about the new president, and then another. He threatens a third revelation – one that will destroy Baker entirely. When Forbes is found dead, Maggie is thrown into turmoil. Could the leader she idolizes have been behind Forbes’s murder? Has she been duped by his message of change and hope? Who is the real Stephen Baker? On the trail of the truth, Maggie is led into the roots of a massive conspiracy that reaches back into history - and goes right to the heart of the US establishment…
Wonders of a Godless World
Wonders of a Godless World
Andrew McGahan
¥95.75
An electrifying, tumultuous story of inner demons, desire and devastation. On an unnamed island, in a Gothic hospital sitting in the shadow of a volcano, a wordless orphan girl works on the wards housing the insane and the incapable. She counts amongst her patients a virgin, an archangel, a duke and a witch. Everything appears fine until a silent, unmoving and unnerving new patient arrives from foreign climes. He claims to be immortal. Suddenly strange phenomena occur, bizarre murders take place, and the lives of the patients and the island's inhabitants are thrown into turmoil. What happens between the orphan and her beguiling new patient is an extraordinary exploration of consciousness, reality and madness.
Whicker’s War
Whicker’s War
Alan Whicker
¥69.26
Alan Whicker is quite simply a legend. A visionary and master of his craft, his television shows from the fifties to the nineties almost single handed invented the language of travel television and earned him the status of one of the most foremost of British media icons. Yet throughout his forty years in TV he was steadfast in his belief that his programmes should not be about himself but about those people he encountered. Until this year when he was persuaded, as part of the 60th anniversary of the invasion of Italy, to tell his remarkable war experiences in two fabulously reviewed hour-long television pieces. This book uses these programmes as the starting point to tell the story of Alan Whicker's remarkable war. Alan Whicker joined the Army Film and Photo Unit as an 18-year-old army officer, following the Allied advance through Italy, from Sicily to Venice. He filmed the troops on the front line, met Montgomery, and other military luminaries, filmed the battered body of Mussolini after his execution and accepted the surrender of the SS in Milan. This is remarkable account of the Italian campaign of 1943 and 1944 as he retraces of his steps over sixty years later. Beautifully written, poignant with humour and pathos this is a masterful book by one of the 20th centuries greatest TV journalists.
Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 1)
Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 1)
Stacia Kane
¥56.11
If you liked the compelling characters in 50 Shades of Grey, you’ll love the Downside Ghosts series. Murderous spirits and ruthless drug dealers combine to create serious problems for fiercely independent heroine, Chess, in these fast-paced, sexy and addictive novels. The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen and constantly attack the living. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Consequently, there are many false claims of hauntings from those hoping to profit. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully-tattooed witch and freewheeling Debunker and ghost hunter. She's got a real talent for nailing the human liars or banishing the wicked dead. But she's keeping a dark secret from the Church: a little drug problem that's landed her in hot and dangerous water. Chess owes a murderous drug lord named Bump a lot of money. And Bump wants immediate payback. All Chess has to do is dispatch a very nasty species of undead from an old airport. But the job involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and crossing swords with enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust with a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump's ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah.
Blood Brothers
Blood Brothers
Josephine Cox
¥45.62
Another page-turning story of tragedy and triumph from the No.1 bestselling author of The Loner and The Journey. Alice Jacobs has finally found the family she always wanted… With her shy smile and kind nature, Alice wins the hearts of the Arnold family. A decent and well respected couple,Tom and Nancy Arnold have raised two very different sons, Frank and Joe. Frank is a devious, brutal man. Seeing Alice as the key to his fortune, he is determined to have her for himself. However, his younger brother Joe has fallen in love with Alice, so when she and Frank become engaged to marry, Joe leaves home, determined to put a distance between himself and temptation. He reluctantly returns when Frank summons him to be his best man. Alice finds herself inexplicably drawn to Joe, but feeling it to be her duty, she goes ahead and marries Frank, not wishing to hurt him. On their wedding night Frank shows his true colours and when he forces Alice to reveal a devastating secret, his evil nature reaps a shocking revenge. In his blind hatred, intent on punishing those who have crossed him, Frank plans the final, ultimate retribution. An act that could tear apart not only the Arnold family, but shatter the lives of those around them forever. Unless someone can stop him …
The Death of Dalziel: A Dalziel and Pascoe Novel (Dalziel &  Pascoe, Book 20)
The Death of Dalziel: A Dalziel and Pascoe Novel (Dalziel & Pascoe, Book 20)
Reginald Hill
¥63.18
The highly anticipated return of Dalziel and Pascoe, the hugely popular police duo and stars of the long-running BBC TV series, in a new psychological thriller. Caught in a huge Semtex explosion, it seems the only thing preventing Superintendent Andy Dalziel from death is his size – and sheer bloody-mindedness. An injured DCI Peter Pascoe is convinced there’s a conspiracy at work, despite the security services concluding the blast was in fact an accident. Who, then, are the mysterious Knights Templar with their gruesome acts of vengeance? And what of a hit-and-run on one of Pascoe’s colleagues? And, most importantly, will Dalziel ever wake up to hear the truth…?
Cool Irish Names for Babies
Cool Irish Names for Babies
Pamela Redmond Satran,Linda Rosenkrantz
¥73.58
A must-have guide for parents-to-be everywhere. Whether you’re Irish, of Irish heritage or you simply love Celtic-inspired names, this book is packed full of the most popular, unusual and creative names around. By the best-selling authors of Cool Names for Babies and Brilliant Book of Baby Names, this collection takes you beyond the straightforward listings of other books and gives opinion on what’s hot and what’s not in the world of Irish baby names. The information given really helps parents to make the right choices and includes loads of original features – pronunciation guides; which names are going up and which down in popularity; which are unisex, which are good as middle but not first names; and which should really be avoided at all costs. Packed full of creative lists such as Names that are Classic But Not Boring, Place Names, Names from Literature, Spiritual Names and Names of Irish Heroes and Heroines this is every new parent’s one-stop guide to selecting the coolest Irish name for their baby.
The Dead Town (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 5)
The Dead Town (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 5)
Dean Koontz
¥59.84
The cataclysmic conclusion to Koontz’s brilliant reworking of the classic tale. The war against humanity is raging. As the small town of Rainbow Falls, Montana, comes under siege, scattered survivors come together to weather the onslaught. Victor Frankenstein’s nihilistic plan is to remake the future: a future in which mankind will be annihilated. To accomplish this aim he has created nothing less than the shock troops of the Apocalypse. Now the alliance of the good must make their last, best stand and do battle against overwhelming odds. And Deucalion, Frankenstein's original and flawed attempt at replicating life, must finally confront his evil creator. In a climax that will shatter every expectation, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance…