Taking A Chance On Love

When his friend George Gershwin persuaded Vladimir Dukelsky to change his name to Vernon Duke, what the music world already knew became apparent to the public at large—the man had two musical personas—one as a composer, the other as a tunesmith. One wrote highbrow music, the other lowbrow. Yet the two sides complemented each other. Neither could function without the other. Born and classically trained in imperial Russia, Vladimir Dukelsky (1903–1969) fled the Bolshevik Revolution with his family, discovered American popular music in cosmopolitan Constantinople, and pursued his budding interest to New York before his passion for classical music drew him to Paris, where the impresario Serge Diaghilev hired him to compose a ballet for the Ballets Russes. Taking a Chance on Love immerses us in Duke’s dizzying globe-hopping and genre-swapping, as financial concerns and musical passions drive him from composing symphonies to writing songs, from brilliant successes to Broadway flops, and from performing with classical performers to writing books and articles. Throughout, as he crisscrosses the landscape of American music, collaborating with lyricists such as Howard Dietz, Ira Gershwin, and Sammy Cohn, the incomparable Vernon Duke emerges clearly from these pages: sometimes charming, sometimes infuriating, always entertaining. Although Vernon Duke has entered the canon of American standards with such songs as “Taking a Chance on Love,” “I Can’t Get Started,” and “April in Paris,” little is known about the composer with two personas. Taking a Chance on Love brings the intriguing double life of Dukelsky/Duke back into the spotlight, restoring a chapter to the history of the Great American Songbook and to the story of twentieth-century music.

'Full of humour, poignancy and ultimately uplifting this is an absolutely gorgeous read. We loved it! Highly recommended!' Hot Brands Cool Places A heartwarming, feel-good novel from the author of New Beginnings at Rose Cottage. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Holly Martin. Readers love Taking a Chance on Love! 'If you like books by Lucy Coleman, Kim Nash and Lucy Diamond then you won't be disappointed with this gem of a book!' ***** 'Hopeful and uplifting, with characters you'll want to root for' ***** 'Love Erin's books, it's like a warm hug' ***** ........................................................................... One question can change everything. Meet Carmen, Polly and Dana - all happy and successful women, with very different views on relationships. Carmen has made a life with Elliot for the past eight years. She's ready for the next step but a proposal seems to be as far away as ever. Polly is devoted to her family. But after her parents' bitter divorce, she's wary of marriage - even after sharing twenty years and one son with Fraser. Single mother Dana longs for companionship, despite her dedication to raising her son Luke. Finding the right person to bring into their lives feels impossible - until a unique way to select a potential Mr Right comes along. With 29th February fast approaching, will they each take the chance this Leap Year to take control of their fates? ........................................................................... 'Uplifting' Woman & Home Don't miss New Beginnings at Rose Cottage from Erin Green in which three women who discover that it's never too late for a fresh start - or to change your life story: 'Like a scrummy bowl of Devon cream and strawberries, this is a tasty, rich and delicious summer read laced with the warmth of friendships and the possibilities of new beginnings... The author has the knack of making her characters spring off the pages so real that you'll care about them' Peterborough Telegraph And staycation in glorious Lerwick with From Shetland, With Love - a heartwarming and uplifting treat of a read - out now!

Officer Quincy Adams is a hero. She pulled eleven people from burning cars and risked her own life to save the twelfth—a woman trapped in a car that could explode at any moment. But the event begins to trigger flashbacks to another time. Another tragedy. Trying to avoid the depression that she’s certain is just around the corner, Quincy heads to the local lesbian bar in search of light and life. Lindy James is a loner. She’s only at the bar to celebrate her best friend’s birthday. But something about the bedraggled woman, whose image is breaking news on the TV, touches her heart and she agrees to drive the stranger home. But Quincy doesn’t want to be alone and Lindy agrees to stay as long as Quincy doesn’t expect sex or ask personal questions. One night turns into three intimate but sexless nights. Then Monday morning Quincy asks Lindy for a date. And Lindy flees. Thrown together by a devastating accident, but kept apart by fears from the past—will Quincy and Lindy take a chance on love?

They've grown up together, laughed together and loved together. But there's one secret that hasn't been shared... Taking a Chance on Love is a captivating saga of friendship and a nostalgic look back at the Liverpool of yesteryear, from much-loved writer Joan Jonker. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Katie Flynn. 'Another wonderfully warm novel with characters you'd like to know' - Coventry Evening Telegraph Ginny Porter and Joan Flynn were born within days of each other in adjoining houses in a narrow street of two-up two-downs in Liverpool. They've been friends since they were toddlers and now they've become young ladies and left school. Joan finds work at Dunlop's tyre factory, while Ginny's dream comes true when she is taken on as a counter assistant at Woolworths. But things don't work out as she had expected, and she carries around a dark secret... What readers are saying about Taking a Chance on Love: 'Yet again Joan was right about needing a half box of Kleenex!! Not just for the crying but for the laughing... I love all her books and her characters are so real and the stories totally enthralling' 'Whether in laughter, or sadness, this book had me crying all the way through. There's something about Joan Jonker's style that really appeals to me, maybe it's the way this book will appeal to everyone, or just the way the characters are so beautifully brought to life... Whichever, this book carries on the Joan tradition of writing that draws you in gently, until you can't put the book down, but have to know what happens next'

Newspaper columnist Peyton MacGruder has returned to her job after covering the story of an ill-fated Pan World flight. Having recently discovered Christine, the daughter she gave up to an adoption agency nineteen years ago, she is reluctant to commit to the handsome sportswriter Kingston Danville. She feels she owes it to Christine to set her love life aside and make up for lost time. But when a reader challenges Peyton’s advice to “let caution trump passion,” Peyton determines to learn the reason behind her reader’s cynicism . . . and in the process, discovers answers to her own heart-rending dilemma. A sequel to Angela Hunt’s best-selling novel, The Note, on which the Hallmark movie was based. This novelization based on the Hallmark movie sequel will contain color images from the second movie.

Even in a small town the drama is larger than life... Cleo Quinn doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will's come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo... apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing's Hill and tormenting her as if he'd never been away. Meanwhile Cleo's sister Abbie has a problem of her own-husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she's determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage? The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places... Praise for Jill Mansell: "Pick this up at your peril: you won't get a thing done till it's finished." -Heat Magazine "Witty and charming, this easygoing tale is full of twists that make it hard to put down." -Woman Magazine "Mansell knows her craft and delivers a finely tuned romantic comedy." -Kirkus "A fast pace and fun writing make the story fly by." -Publishers Weekly