Showing results by narrator "Melanie Crawley" in All Categories

Named after the lager that christened her at birth, Stella's life is characterised instability and neglect. Her teenage mother abandons her in the first few weeks of her life, and left in the 'care' of her father, she ends up lying deserted in a house with no food, no water, no clothes and no warmth. She eventually lands in the care of foster carer Louise, who is determined to change her life for the better.

Growing up, Joanne suffered at the hands of a violent boyfriend and controlling relatives, as her mother lapsed into a downward spiral following the break-up of her marriage. But the consequences of her mother's lifestyle turned out to be worse than Joanne could ever have imagined. She already knew about the baby buried in a shallow makeshift grave next to the family plot. But when Joanne came across a red plastic bin in her mother's wardrobe in 2009, she realised that the family home held an even more sinister secret.

Standing in my bathroom, the luxurious marble tiles cool under my feet, I stare at the test in my trembling hand. The second line is unmistakable: I’m pregnant. This is all my husband Theo and I have ever wanted, but I didn’t think it was possible. I should be excited, but all I can think about is telling my stepdaughter. Because Ellie’s always hated me, ever since she realised it was no longer just her and Theo. Now she’s seventeen, beautiful and smart–smart enough to see through me. And if Ellie decided to uncover my secrets, it wouldn’t be just my marriage at stake… it would be my life.

Louise has trouble on her hands from the first moment that 5-year-old Billy Blackthorn comes to stay. He is one of more than 20 children taken into care from a single family, and erupts into the Allen household with a volatility that is frightening and disturbing in equal measure. It is only as Louise begins to uncover the secrets of Billy's dark past that she begins to understand what made his family 'untouchable'.

Nothing could be more out of character, but after fifty-nine years of marriage, as her husband Bernard’s health declines, and her friends' lives become focused on their grandchildren—which Jenny never had—Jenny decides she wants a little something for herself. So she secretly applies to be a contestant on the prime-time TV show Britain Bakes. Whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras and timed challenges, Jenny delights in a new-found independence. But that independence, and the stress of the competition, starts to unearth memories buried decades ago.

When 30-year-old Kate’s childhood sweetheart dumps her without a goodbye, she almost hits rock bottom. But she’s determined to have a fresh start and goes to Italy’s stunning capital city in search of healing. Hot sun, fresh coffee and white marble piazzas; here, Kate might be able to put herself back together. But when a glass (or three) more wine than is strictly necessary leads to questioning by a concerned policeman – a tall, Italian policeman, with wavy, black hair and cheekbones to die for – she knows she’s in trouble.

The moor is a difficult place for a young woman to grow up in the eighteenth century, and life for Hettie Gale is no different. Abused by her father and abandoned by her family, she builds a new life for herself and her young son. But when she’s assaulted by men who lie about the encounter and accuse her of a heinous crime, Hettie is sentenced to death. In the present day, Alice receives news that her cousin has gone missing from her cottage on the moor, where Alice spent many of her childhood summers. Wanting to help find Fleur, she heads to the village.

Three years ago, Alice Kelly was found dead in a lake near the house where she was staying with friends for the weekend. Mia was there, and so was her now-husband Tom, yet they have never spoken about what really happened. But now Mia’s in therapy, she’s having flashbacks. She remembers new details about Alice’s final hours–how they argued, how she threatened to expose Alice’s darkest secret, and how Alice’s lifeless body floated in the inky blue water… Was Mia the one who killed her beloved best friend? And how has she lived with this lie for so long?

Ashley is a young single mum raising her daughter, Eden, and working hard to do the very best job she can - until one night she can't find a babysitter and makes the decision to leave Eden home alone for a couple of hours, asleep inside a wardrobe. It is an action that begins a terrible downward spiral for both of them. When Eden arrives at experienced foster carer Louise Allen's home, she has entered the care system because her mother is in prison. Eden is five years old and will not speak to any human.

A young girl's life is shadowed by secrets and lies. When Willow arrives in the Allen household, curious things begin to happen. Who is the strange child dressed in outlandish clothes who refuses a mobile phone? What are the mysterious allegations that have been made about her?

Abby's Story is the second book in the Thrown Away Children series by author and foster mum Louise Allen. She doesn't want this baby. She can't look after this baby. She will never be able to love this baby. Little Abby's life begins badly, then just gets worse. Now foster mum Louise and her family must help her deal with the truth of her past to give her the chance of a future.

Orphaned Leah has never had it easy in life. Desperate for a job, she agrees to become ruthless Giovanni Zanetti’s housekeeper and finally gain some security. What she never expected was that being between his billion-dollar sheets would be so undeniably tempting… Gio’s night with the totally off-limits innocent was a strictly one-time indiscretion. Anything more than that would require a level of trust he no longer has to give. Then Leah returns with a revelation that rocks the Italian’s carefully constructed world: she’s pregnant!

Take a trip to a terrifying carnival and uncover the secrets within, solve a mysterious puzzle box and await your reward, join a travelling circus and witness the strangest ventriloquist act you've ever seen. In this follow-up to the bestselling Cursed: An Anthology, you'll unearth curses old and new. From a very different take on Snow White, to a new interpretation of The Red Shoes, the best in fantasy spin straw into gold, and invite you into the labyrinth.

A surprise pregnancy is only the beginning of the roller coaster in this dramatic marriage of convenience romance by USA Today best-selling author Lynne Graham! He doesn’t remember their night together...until he meets the nine-month consequence! When a tiny baby is left on his doorstep, billionaire Tor Sarantos can’t believe his eyes. He’s even more stumped when a beautiful woman arrives in a panic, declaring it’s their son! Pixie Miller’s horrified her brother has revealed her secret.

An official ITIL® Licensed product, ITIL® Foundation Essentials is a distillation of critical information - no waffle or padding; just exactly what you need to understand how to pass the ITIL Foundation exam. Created for self-study candidates, ITIL community training delegates, itSMF/BCS members, and V2 Foundation Certificate holders who have yet to take an upgraded exam, this pocket guide is fully aligned with the ITIL 2011 core volumes.

The next book in Louise Allen's Thrown Away Children series.

When chef Claire is introduced to her elusive employer, she gets the shock of her life. The powerful royal that Claire has been working for is Raif, the man whose touch is seared into her memory—and father to the baby Claire’s just discovered she’s carrying! Raif will never let his child feel unwanted, like he had felt. He’ll rewrite the royal rule book to ensure his heir’s happiness! But, when Claire must become his wife, will he rewrite the rules of their convenient agreement to ensure her happiness too?

April 1897: A young nanny arrives at Sandringham, ancestral estate of the Duke and Duchess of York. She is excited, exhausted - and about to meet royalty. So begins the unforgettable story of Charlotte Bill, who would care for a generation of royals as their parents never could. Neither Charlotte - LaLa, as her charges dub her - nor anyone else can predict that eldest sons David and Bertie will each one day be king. LaLa knows only that these children, and the four who swiftly follow, need her steadfast loyalty and unconditional affection.

Discovering she was pregnant with twins changed the course of Scarlett Pearson’s life. Knowing love wasn’t on his agenda, she fled her fling with guarded billionaire Aristide Angelico—her babies deserved more. Aristide can’t forget his blazing chemistry with Scarlett, or that she ended their affair. Reunited two years on, he’s appalled to discover the fire between them still burns. Determined to regain control, Aristide invites her to Italy, only to be floored by Scarlett’s secret twin revelation…and his instant need to claim his family!

The King's Hidden Heir: He’s claimed his throne. Now he will claim his son! A new royal romance from USA Today bestselling author Sharon Kendrick. Two Secrets to Shock the Italian: A billionaire discovers that the woman who got away is hiding the biggest surprise of all. USA Today bestselling author Lynne Graham enthralls with this dramatic secret-baby romance!