Ellie And The Harpmaker

"Uplifting escapism...fresh and sweet."--Washington Post Discover the charming and heartwarming debut novel which shows us that love can be found in the most unexpected places... Meet Ellie. She's perfectly happy living her quiet life with her husband, Clive. Happy to wander the English countryside and write the occasional poem that nobody will read; happy to dream of all the things she hasn't yet managed to do. Meet Dan. He thinks all he needs is the time and space to make harps in his isolated barn, deep in the countryside. He enjoys being on his own, far away from other people and - crucially - far away from any risk of surprises. But what Ellie and Dan are about to learn that sometimes, you don't find love--love finds you...

From the author of no.1 ebook bestseller and Richard & Judy Book Club pick Away with the Penguins. 'Uplifting and full of heart, I couldn't put it down!' Jo Thomas, author of Celebrations at the Chateau - Sometimes it takes a chance encounter to discover what happiness really is . . . Meet Dan: Dan needs peace and order. He likes perfectly triangular sandwiches, the way coffee smells of sunshine and harvest, and the sound of birdsong that drifts into his harp-making workshop on Exmoor. His life is quiet, predictable, and safe from any danger of surprises. Meet Ellie: Ellie is a dreamer. But recently Ellie has stopped dreaming and her world has become very small. Her days are spent keeping a perfect home for her husband, Clive, and trying to keep him happy. When Ellie stumbles across Dan's workshop, they cannot imagine that their lives are about to change forever... - Readers love Ellie and the Harpmaker ***** 'Without question this is one of the best books I have read and I read a lot' ***** 'The perfect feel-good read!' ***** 'Warm, touching and funny, it's a great read that will fill your heart with joy' ***** 'A magical tale that leaves you feeling warm and hopeful' ***** 'A beautifully written, tender love story ... I didn't want it to end but couldn't put it down'

"A glorious, life-affirming story. I read it in a day. I'm going to buy it for so many people this year!" --Clare Mackintosh, New York Times bestselling author of Let Me Lie A heartwarming story about a curmudgeonly but charming old woman, her estranged grandson, and a colony of penguins that proves it's never too late to be the person you want to be...and that family is what you make it. After a disastrous first meeting with the grandson she never knew she had, eighty-four-year-old Veronica McCreedy wants to find a worthwhile cause to endow with her millions. Although she has health, wealth, and wit, Veronica has been alone for a long time, her only connection to her past a box of diaries from when she was a teenager during WWII...and a locket filled with a strand of hair from every person she has ever loved and lost. After learning about a research team studying endangered penguins in Antarctica, Veronica tells the scientists she's coming for a visit--and won't take no for an answer. Despite a discouraging first experience (a penguin attacks her favourite designer handbag), Veronica warms to the birds. She even convinces the team to rescue an orphaned baby penguin who swiftly becomes part of life at the base. Veronica's closed heart starts to open. But when she becomes ill, her grandson Patrick comes to Antarctica for one last attempt to get to know his grandmother. Together, Veronica and Patrick--and even the scientists--begin to really learn what family, love, and connection are truly all about.

From the bestselling author of Richard & Judy's pick Away with the Penguins comes this 'otterly' delightful, heart-warming and feel-good story about the healing power of nature. 'A lovely holiday read . . . Packed full of humanity and otters!' Sally Page, bestselling author of The Keeper of Stories 'This book was just amazing. It made me laugh and cry!' ***** 'There is so much to love and treasure in this story' ***** 'This book was a delight from start to finish!' ***** 'Glorious dose of otter cuteness' ***** You loved Veronica McCreedy. Now meet Phoebe Featherstone . . . _____ Down by the river, Phoebe Featherstone is about to make a life-changing discovery . . . Clever, nosy Phoebe is unable to get out much, but she has a talent for uncovering her neighbours' secrets by examining the parcels delivered by her courier father, Al. When they discover an abandoned baby otter on the riverbank, Phoebe must step out of her comfort zone - and she experiences an unexpected sense of happiness that she has not felt in a very long time. But now, further secrets are coming to light. Phoebe soon realizes that something is amiss at the local otter sanctuary. She will need to overcome her own closely guarded issues and put all her sleuthing skills to good use if she wants to save the otters . . . and in the process, change her life for ever. _____ Praise for Hazel Prior: 'A lovely holiday read . . . Packed full of humanity and otters!' Sally Page 'Beautifully written by a born storyteller' Lorraine Kelly 'Uplifting, heartwarming and wonderful, an utterly charming story - I loved it!' Faith Hogan 'This gorgeous book has everything!' Clare Pooley 'Perfect fireside read' Trisha Ashley 'A glorious, life-affirming story. I read it in a day' Clare Mackintosh 'A story that readers will be sure to fall in love with. Otterly charming!' Freya Sampson 'Funny, bittersweet and wholly original' Daily Express