As Luck Would Have It

Young Sophie Everton, whose life has had more than its share of ups-and-downs, is determined to restore her family's fortune by becoming a spy for the Prince Regent, but finds the dark and dangerous Duke of Rockeforte in her way.

I felt, intuitively, that luck exists. It’s like capitalism: For better or for worse, and whether you believe in it or not, luck is inescapable. —from As Luck Would Have It While cowriting the books in the Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, Joshua Piven came across dozens of people with tremendously compelling stories of triumph (or misfortune), seemingly against all odds and logic. When they were asked what they had in common, invariably their answer was: good luck, or not enough of it. The beneficiary of his own brand of extraordinary luck in publishing, Piven decided to take a closer look at how this phenomenon plays a part in success and survival. As Luck Would Have It offers a fascinating survey of the phenomenon, presented through incredible first- person stories: the swimming pool repairman who had only a hundred-dollar bill to pay for his hot dog, asked for his change in lottery tickets, and won $180 million; the woman who survived a plane crash at sea; the teller who was struck by lightning while at his window inside the bank; the guy who invented the Pet Rock. Weaving the subjects’ own beliefs about their experiences with compelling research on chance, probability, and luck psychology, As Luck Would Have It also includes research on how to prepare for luck, how to deal with it when it arrives, and how to make the choices that will help us benefit from luck. Mesmerizing, by turns hilarious and harrowing, As Luck Would Have It offers a series of scenarios that are at once unimaginable and vividly real.

Left to take care of the family farm and fortune while their parents are away, twin bear cubs Juniper and Jonas have a series of mishaps before outwitting three thieves, in spite of themselves.

'A hilarious and charming read that had me turning the pages until I’d devoured the whole book in one sitting... Sweet, heart-warming and full of gorgeously escapist descriptions... A must-read.' Daily Express, 5 stars

A weave of mostly joys, some sorrows, and a sprinkling of earthy humour during a muddled childhood. I was orphaned in 1935 at the age of two, and my maternal grandmother became my legal guardian. The main thrust of my childhood memories focuses on home and school life, as well as childhood activities and travel in Englands North East, particularly in County Durham. Of course, the major conflict of World War II was a prevalent factor that affected everyone. Being six when the war started and twelve at the end, observations and experiences of that period are no doubt of interest to a wide readership. Generally, in the telling of my personal recollections, I have also relayed information regarding the working-class fabric prevalent during the thirties and forties. Another facet of the story concerns my attempts to cope with and solve personal problems and inadequacies. Consequently, there is, at times, a reflective, searching tone to the narrative. The final chapter describes the preparation for immigration to Canada and the trip by plane and train to Vancouver, British Columbia. Everyones story is unique, but I believe I have managed to portray a wide-enough spectrum to interest all age groups.

Star of stage, screen and television, and one of only two people to be awarded two Knighthoods, Sir Derek Jacobi is one of Britain’s most distinguished actors. ‘If you want to be an actor, don’t. If you need to be an actor, do.’

In northern Uganda, an American special forces team is decimated by a group of normally peaceful farmers. Video of the attack shows even women and children possessing almost supernatural speed and strength, consumed with a rage that makes them immune to pain, fear, and all but the most devastating injuries. Covert-One's top operative, army microbiologist Colonel Jon Smith, is sent to investigate the attack and finds evidence of a parasitic infection that for centuries has been causing violent insanity and then going dormant. This time, though, it's different. The parasite had been purposely kept alive and crudely transmitted in acts of terrorism. Now the director of Iranian Intelligence is in Uganda trying to obtain this biological weapon to unleash it on the West. Smith and his team are ambushed and cut off from all outside support just as they begin to suspect that forces much more powerful than the Iranians are in play-forces that can be traced to Washington itself.