dinner for one

"THE OPPOSITES ATTRACT LOVE STORY OF MY DREAMS." -B. K. Borison, #1 New York Times bestselling author "FANS OF ALI HAZELWOOD WILL CHEER." -Grace Reilly, USA Today bestselling author A swoony, steamy, STEM romance in which two curators at a science museum-a handsome but grumpy astronomer and an anxious but sunshine-y entomologist-realize they are the perfect match. Now with exclusive bonus content! Millie has never taken the expected path. Her childhood love for bugs and science led her to entomology, and her role as a curator, inspiring museum visitors every day. It's her dream to run her own department-so when a rare director position opens, she is determined nothing will distract her from her goal. Especially not Finn, her grumpy coworker with his permanent scowl, electric blue eyes, and endless supply of astronomy ties. . . . Not that she's spent time noticing any of those things. Finn doesn't mean to glare at everyone, but he's juggling his role at the museum, navigating the grief of losing his sister, attempting to make his nieces smile, and trying not to ruin dinner for the fifth night in a row. He can't afford to let anything slip, and certainly doesn't need more to deal with-especially not Millie literally stumbling into him, with her bright smile and sunny optimism. He bugs her. She's too starry-eyed for him. They want nothing to do with each other. But with Finn on the interview committee, avoidance is impossible. And Millie soon realizes it's one thing when a job is on the line. It's quite another when it's her heart. Give Me Butterflies is a sweet and sexy STEM romance, featuring: Grumpy x Sunshine Heroine in STEM Slow burn Open door spice Found family Nerdy banter

Have you ever dreamed of having your own red carpet moment? Or wondered how to emulate the effortlessly chic style of the most photographed trendsetters? Or wished you could master the art of all things glamorous? In Style A to Zoe, Hollywood's hottest celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe, shares her insider tips in this essential guide to the art of a fashionable, behind-the velvet-rope lifestyle. With an eye toward living the luxe life, even if it's on a dime, Zoe zeroes in on the must-have accessories and wardrobe staples for all occasions, when to splurge and save on handbags and heels, how to decorate, entertain, and travel in style. From award shows to advertising campaigns, Zoe is the go-to force among A-list actresses, fashion houses, beauty firms, and magazine editors. Now she offers full access to the style secrets that skyrocketed her famous clients to the top of best-dressed lists worldwide. With the help of some of fashion's biggest names-including Michael Kors, Donatella Versace, and Diane von Furstenberg-Zoe shares her invaluable insights on: Mastering red carpet moments in your own life Developing a style for work or play that's unstudied and glamorous Personalizing your own modern look by referencing your favorite style icons and vintage clothes The importance of the "wow" piece-and how to choose one right for you Throwing a chic dinner party and creating a luxuriously cozy living space Packing and traveling like a jet-setter Enjoying every day, living it up in style.

A Sunday Times and Observer Thriller of the Month, from the bestselling author of The Kind Worth Killing and All the Beautiful Lies'They had a secret, the two of them, and there was no better way to start a friendship than with a secret.'When Hen and Lloyd move into their new house in West Dartford, Mass., they're relieved to meet, at their first block party, the only other seemingly-childless couple in their neighborhood, Matthew and Mira Dolamore. Turns out they live in the Dutch Colonial immediately next door.When they're invited over for dinner, however, things take a sinister turn when Hen thinks she sees something suspicious in Matthew's study. Could this charming, mild-mannered College Professor really be hiding a dark secret, one that only Hen, whose been battling her own problems with depression and medication, could know about? Lloyd certainly doesn't seem to believe her, and so, forced together, Hen and Matthew start to form an unlikely bond. But who, if anyone, is really in danger?From its deeply unsettling opening, Peter Swanson, the master of contemporary domestic thrillers, fashions a novel as brilliant, dark, coruscating and surprising as Patricia Highsmith and Ira Levin at their very best.

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Stephen and Evie Colbert invite you to pull up a chair as they share their favorite recipes from family and friends and offer a glimpse of food and fun in their South Carolina home. "Hopefully reading this book and cooking these recipes will feel like hanging out with us at home. We basically live in the kitchen anyway." -Evie and Stephen Colbert As Evie and Stephen explain it, Does This Taste Funny? had its beginnings in the Covid lockdown. "We were all stuck together and couldn't go out, so we cooked. We had all three kids back under one roof for the first time in a long time, and we had dinner each night as a family. Cooking together became a major source of entertainment." Now, the Colberts invite us into their kitchen and around their dining room table. Sharing Stephen and Evie's favorite recipes, as well as those of their family and friends, this book offers everything from Party Food (called "party food" because "appetizers" implies something to follow when we all know that, often, this is the only course), to Seafood, to Poultry and Meat ("Evie and I have different relationships to meat. I like it. Evie can take it or leave it, and mostly she leaves it."), to Desserts ("This is one of the largest sections of the book. Evie always reminds me that desserts are a great way to postpone clearing up."), to Drinks ("I love cocktail hour. It feels like a reward for having gone so long without a cocktail"), all tied together with playful dialogue between Stephen and Evie and gorgeous shots of their food, family, and home.

'HIGHLY recommended.' Marian Keyes'Nora Breen will become a favourite character.' Ian Moore'Nora Breen is Maria Von Trapp on steroids.' Richard Armitage'A seaside mystery full of intrigue and secrets.' Olivia Kiernan'A beautiful book, exquisitely written, I loved it.' Nicola UpsonThe first in a sparkling new 1950s seaside mystery series, featuring sharp-eyed former nun Nora Breen.In a house like Gulls Nest, curiosity might prove fatal . . .After thirty years in a convent, Nora Breen has thrown off her habit. Her fellow sister Frieda has gone missing and it's up to Nora to find her. Nora's only clue is that Frieda was last seen at Gulls Nest boarding house. So she travels down to the seaside town of Gore-on-Sea, takes a room and settles in to watch and listen. Over dubious - and sometimes downright inedible - dinners, Nora gathers evidence about the other lodgers. At long last, she has found an outlet for her powers of observation and, well, nosiness.When one of the lodgers is found dead, Nora decides she must find the murderer. Not least because she suspects the victim knew Frieda. Could solving this mystery help her to understand what has happened to her friend?'Kidd has imagination to die for and a real command of plot and character.' GuardianReaders love Murder at Gulls Nest A story that hooks you in and races you along. I loved it. The character observations are wonderful. Highly recommended. I fell in love with Nora from the moment I met her.

Seriously, why do guys on dating apps think I want a picture of what's in their pants? I could open an art gallery with the collection I've got. Zoe really doesn't want to die alone and surrounded by cats. But it's not looking good: she's had sex precisely twice in the last year, and her feline friend isn't the kind of male company she wants in bed... Her top dating disasters include: 1) The guy who kissed her hand, took out a violin and serenaded her in public. 2) The guy who force-fed her oysters (she can confirm that they're not an aphrodisiac). 3) The guy who was so hungover he turned up with his t-shirt on inside out, sweating sambuca. 4) The guy who brought his actual kid on a dinner date. And don't even get her started on the dick pics, or how on earth you're supposed to know whether a total stranger is an axe murderer or not. Zoe's ready to give up on the search for love, until her friend has an idea. Robbie lives by his horoscope, and he's sure she's got this dating stuff all wrong. He dares her to work her way through the zodiac until she finds The One. Usually Zoe would laugh at such a suggestion, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Could love be written in the stars? Or is she destined to end up alone, eating take-out in bed and watching endless re-runs of Friends? A feel-good, fresh and fabulous page-turner for anyone who has torn their hair out over their love life, drunk their weight in wine to survive an awful date, or stared at their phone, willing it to ring. Fans of rom-coms by Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk and TV shows like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Jane the Virgin will absolutely love this laugh-out-loud tale. Readers totally love Thank You, Next: 'I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!... I did really love it... I'm just so happy... It was one of those books that I picked up and didn't wanna put back down. Sophie Ranald books always warm my heart and this was no exception... I really did love this book!' Goodreads Reviewer, ¿¿¿¿¿

'If only my Cantonese parents weren't so allergic to the word love...' 'A wonderfully heartwarming memoir with lots of foodie insights.' Rachel Khoo 'A real and delightful surprise - and also very funny.' Ella Risbridger __ What is the most unsayable thing you have ever wanted to say to your parents? For newly single food journalist Candice Chung, there's been one thing on her mind lately: she has never told them, 'I love you.' Simple. Reasonable. If only her estranged Cantonese parents weren't so allergic to the word 'love'. With a 13-year relationship coming to an end, Candice Chung finds herself losing not only her first love but also her most reliable restaurant review partner. And so when her parents offer to be her new plus-ones, she faces a dilemma: is it better to eat together in polite silence or to try to broach how, for the past decade, they've managed to drift so profoundly apart? Through shared meals and culinary adventures, Candice and her parents begin to break their silence. Yet when a new relationship begins to bloom, it forces her to try to address what still remains unsaid. To do so, she must find a new vocabulary - a way to unscramble what her family has been trying to express all along. Not through words, but with food. Set against the backdrop of this burgeoning new relationship, grasped-at date nights mid-pandemic and an uncertain future across seas, Chinese Parents Don't Say I Love You is packed with heart, humour and those bright-hearted moments around a dinner table that bring us together. __ 'A world-spanning love story, a book of philosophy via the dinner table, a tender portrait of family trying to communicate: Candice Chung's gorgeous memoir is all of these things and more.'  Rebecca May Johnson, author of Small Fires 'Tenderly shows how food steps up to provide the emotional support, comfort, and safety that humans need, when words cannot.'  Hetty Lui McKinnon 'Will undo anyone whose love language is food.'  Tara Wigley, co-author of Ottolenghi SIMPLE

An iBooks Best Romance of August Pick! One of Publishers Weekly's Buzz Books of Romance 2017! An Amazon Best Romance of August Pick! 2017 RT Reviewer's Choice Book of the Year Nominee and 2017 RT Reviewer's Choice Nominee for Best Historical Love & Laughter!   When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules… Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do. His terms are simple: - They will be husband and wife by night only. - No lights, no kissing.  - No questions about his battle scars. - Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again. But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own: - They will have dinner together every evening. - With conversation. - And unlimited teasing. - Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

Indulge in the ultimate fan experience with Forbidden Feasts: The Official Lights Out Cookbook & Apron Gift Set. Inspired by Navessa Allen’s bestselling dark romantacy novel, this collection of 60 decadent recipes, immersive lore, and an exclusive collector’s apron captures the tension, obsession, and passion of the hit novel. Forbidden Feasts: The Official Lights Out Cookbook & Apron Gift Set draws fans deeper into Navessa Allen’s sultry, suspense-filled world with a one-of-a-kind culinary journey inspired by her bestselling novel. Featuring 60 recipes that tempt at every turn, from wickedly indulgent appetizers to decadent desserts and dangerously captivating cocktails, this set transforms every meal into an experience of seduction and suspense. Complete with immersive lore, exclusive character notes, and a beautifully designed collector’s apron, Forbidden Feasts invites fans to step into the story’s dark allure. Whether you’re hosting a themed soirée or savoring the tension at home, each recipe and detail in this set celebrates the flavors of obsession, desire, and danger. EXCLUSIVE GIFT SET: The first-ever officially licensed culinary gift set based on Navessa Allen’s bestselling Lights Out. COLLECTOR’S APRON INCLUDED: Includes a beautifully designed, high-quality apron inspired by the dark allure of Lights Out, available only in this gift set edition. 60 SEDUCTIVE RECIPES: From wickedly indulgent appetizers to dangerously captivating cocktails, each of these 60 detailed dishes is infused with tension, passion, and desire. GIFT-READY PRESENTATION: Elegantly packaged for gifting, making this the ideal present for holidays, collectors, or themed dinner nights. FOR FANS & FOOD LOVERS: The perfect collectible for readers, foodies, and anyone drawn to Lights Out’s deliciously dark world of obsession and romance. IMMERSIVE STORY EXPERIENCE: Features character notes, in-world anecdotes, and behind-the scenes insights for fans craving a deeper connection to the story.

Third Culture Cooking is American Cooking: Delicious everyday multicultural recipes, borrowing from our parents and their parents' homes, melding the old with the new and the familiar with the unfamiliar to create bold flavors and new classics for the next generation of cooks. The food that author Zaynab Issa cooks-inspired by her East African and South Asian roots, the American suburban delights she grew up eating, and her international travels-is packed with unique and flavorful riffs. Her affectionate homages to the chain restaurants we love are reflected here: fluffy cinnamon rolls that rival Cinnabon's, Baskin Robbins-inspired almond fudge squares, and an artichoke dip that recalls TGI Fridays' delights that will make you want to stay in. To complete the collection, Zaynab looked to her primary inspiration, the women who've fed her, and meticulously recorded her favorite traditional dishes from each of them. Beyond the recipes, Zaynab shares her tips on establishing yourself as a confident cook-one who prepares food consciously, hosts with pride, and is never without a well-stocked pantry. The book includes sections like "Set Yourself Up for Success," which outlines Zaynab's essential kitchen tools and ingredients, "On Food & Feelings" to guide the reader through cooking based on their mood, and "Host with the Most" featuring suggested menus and Zaynab's method for executing any organized dinner. Finally, look to "Eating with Your Eyes" for her philosophy on serving beautiful food. For extravagant entertaining as well as weeknight ease, Third Culture Cooking is a love letter to American home-cooking and the many influences that make it so. Recipes include: French Onion RamenSamosas Two WaysChocolate Cake with Chai ButtercreamFarzana's BiryaniThai-Style Crispy SalmonSteak Sandwich with Date ChutneyTandoori TacosBaklava GranolaBanana Cake with Tahini FudgeChicken Kitchriand many more!

Anthology of Christmas Stories is a unique collection of Christmas tales, reflections, and poems from beloved authors across the centuries and makes the perfect gift for the reader in your life. This beautiful treasury will take you back to firesides, simple gifts, and warm family moments of Christmases past as you cherish the timeless truths and joys of the season. Contents: Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol The Chimes G.K. Chesterton A Christmas Carol L.M. Montgomery The Red Room A Christmas Mistake A Christmas Inspiration The Josephs' Christmas Aunt Cyrilla's Christmas Basket The Osbornes' Christmas Bertie's New Year Ida's New Year Cake The Christmas Surprise at Enderly Road Clorinda's Gifts The Falsoms' Christmas Dinner The Unforgotten One Christmas at Red Butte Uncle Richard's New Year's Dinner L. Frank Baum A Kidnapped Santa Claus Little Bun Rabbit Mark Twain A Letter from Santa Claus Louisa May Alcott A Merry Christmas Leo Tolstoy A Russian Christmas Party Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Christmas Bells The Three Kings Nikolai Gogol Christmas Eve William Dean Howells Christmas Everyday The Pony Engine and the Pacific Express Joseph Rudyard Kipling Christmas in India Elizabeth Harrison Little Gretchen and the Wooden Shoe John Milton On the Morning of Christ's Nativity Hans Christian Andersen The Fir Tree The Little Match Girl Selma Lagerlof The Holy Night Clement Moore The Night Before Christmas Henry van Dyke The Other Wise Man Beatrix Potter The Tailor of Gloucester Anton Chehov Vanka O. Henry The Gift of the Magi Hesba Stretton The Christmas Child Kenneth Grahame The Wind in the Willows Robert Louis Stevenson Christmas at Sea Walter Scott Christmas In The Olden Time Alfred Tennyson Ring out, wild bells Abbie Farwell Brown The Christmas Angel Anthony Trollope Christmas at Thompson Hall Thomas Hardy The Oxen William Butler Yeats The Magi William Makepeace Thackeray The Mahogany Tree Charles Kingsley Christmas Day Ella Wheeler Wilcox Christmas Fancies C. W. Stubbs Twas Jolly, Jolly Wat Eugene Field Jest 'Fore Christmas Paul Laurence Dunbar A Christmas Folksong William Topaz McGonagall A Tale of Christmas Eve Emily Dickinson The Savior must have been a docile Gentleman

The No.1 bestselling author of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is back with a BRAND NEW story about love, heartbreak and finding forever. Suddenly Maddy is right there... in her own future. And it's all wrong, yet again. It happens to her every time. When the kisses lead to the bedroom, just when she thinks she might have found the one... Just for a split second, Maddy disappears, and she finds that she's living her own life. But ten years from now. She's only there for a little while. But each time, it's long enough to know that she doesn't want to be any of those versions of Maddy. Because every man she falls for seems to lead her to a life that is just... wrong. Until she meets Oliver. And the vision of what lies ahead for them is happy. A little girl runs around, her braids flying behind her, giggling about how she wants sausages for dinner. She has eyes just like Oliver's.There's just one catch. If Maddy wants the life she's seeing with Oliver, she realises she has to break his heart now... Would you destroy your present if there's a chance that it could give you the perfect future? Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Matt Haig, and The Husbands by Holly Gramazio. The most unmissable 'what if?' love story of the year! Readers love Laura Pearson: 'Even when I couldn't see properly as the tears streamed down my face rivalling the force of the Niagara Falls, I couldn't put this novel down. It is raw, it is devastating (yes, I'm aware I've used that word before but it is!) and yet, it's wonderful and I absolutely loved it!' Goodreads reviewer 'Heartbreaking, uplifting, eye opening... Such a beautiful story.' Goodreads reviewer 'Will break and melt your heart in equal measure. A genuinely stunning read!... Absolutely EXQUISITE... A powerful story about friendship, found family, lost love, identity, self-acceptance and living life authentically and to its fullest... A beautiful story that will never leave me.' Goodreads reviewer 'Wow... amazing... Straight away it captures your heart, it is so beautifully written and impossible to put down... Have the tissues ready... it feels so real... it stays with you.' Goodreads reviewer 'I absolutely loved this book. One of the most enjoyable that I have read this year. It is heartbreaking, beautiful and totally uplifting. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. It will also make you look back at your own life and examine the decisions and choices that you have made... A really life affirming read.' Goodreads reviewer 'Be still my beating heart. I've smiled and I've cried and everything in between... I'd give it 10 stars if I could.' Nicki's Book Blog 'Gorgeous... Tender and beautiful... As hopeful as it is heart-breaking... I loved it.' Amy Beashel, author 'Captured my heart. It's a tender and uplifting read... Leaves you feeling warm, hopeful, and satisfied.' Lisa Timoney, author

Bloomsbury presents The 10:12 by Anna Maloney, read by Elaine Claxton, Sarah Thom, Maxim Reston and Dane Williams. 'Thought-provoking and thoroughly compelling' B P WALTER, bestselling author of THE DINNER PARTY 'An excellent twist ... a tribute to tough post-menopausal women everywhere' LITERARY REVIEW 'A twisty, propulsive thrill-ride, and a hero who will keep surprising you' SAM BECKBESSINGER Claire Fitzroy was just trying to get home when her train from Manchester to London was hijacked by a group of armed men. In one terrifying moment she faced the starkest of choices: to stand back. To fight back. And maybe to die either way. Claire chose to fight back, and in doing so saved hundreds of lives. But what looks like heroism in the heat of the moment can play out very differently in the courts and the eyes of the public. Especially when you have the blood of two men on your hands. Selfless and quick-thinking. Attention-seeking vigilante. Unrepentant murderer. Whichever she is, this is Claire's story of what happened that day. But is it the whole story? A breathtaking thriller where nothing is as it seems and saving the day is only the beginning, The 10:12 is the perfect read for fans of Sarah Vaughan, Catherine Ryan Howard and Ava Glass.

The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle is one of 56 short Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the seventh story of twelve in the collection The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. It was first published in Strand Magazine in January 1892.As London prepares for Christmas, newspapers report the theft of the near-priceless gemstone, the "Blue Carbuncle", from the hotel suite of the Countess of Morcar. John Horner, a plumber and a previously convicted felon, is soon arrested for the theft. Despite Horner's claims of innocence, the police are sure that they have their man. Horner's record, and his presence in the Countess's room where he was repairing a fireplace, are all the police need.Just after Christmas, Watson pays a visit to Holmes at 221B Baker Street. He finds the detective contemplating a battered old hat brought to him by the commissionaire, Peterson. Both the hat and a Christmas goose had been dropped by a man in a scuffle with some street ruffians. The honest Peterson had sought Holmes's help in returning the items to their owner but although the goose bears a tag with the owner's name—Henry Baker—based on the number of people with this name in London there is little hope of finding the man. Peterson takes the goose home for dinner, and Holmes keeps the hat to study as an intellectual exercise.Famous works of the author Arthur Conan Doyle's: "A Study in Scarlet", "Silver Blaze", "The Hound of the Baskervilles", "The Yellow Face", "A Scandal in Bohemia", "The Red-Headed League", A Case of Identity", "The Boscombe Valley Mystery", "The Five Orange Pips", "The Man with the Twisted Lip", "The Blue Carbuncle", "The Speckled Band", "The Engineer's Thumb", "The Noble Bachelor", "The Beryl Coronet", "The Copper Beeches" and many more.

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Asher comes a heartfelt, second-chance romance about two exes on a non-refundable honeymoon that forces them to confront everything that went wrong between them . . . and if there's anything left to save. Natalia Aguilar isn't sure which mistake she regrets more: spending thousands of dollars on a honeymoon to celebrate a wedding that never happened or picking the non-refundable option because it was a better deal. Now that she's no longer engaged to Gabriel, she needs to choose between taking a financial hit or going on the trip despite the risk of running into her ex-fiancé for the first time since their breakup. It's been over a year since their engagement was called off, and Gabriel Saint James is just starting to settle into his new life when he hears that Natalia is going on their honeymoon with another man. Rather than stay home, Gabriel decides his misery could use some company and crashes Natalia's romantic getaway meant for two. Candlelit dinners, snorkelling excursions, and sunset hikes - whatever Natalia does, Gabriel is around to remind her that the man she fell in love with is still here . . . even if she wishes he wasn't. During their trip, the two exes are forced to confront their feelings for one another and whether the past they're still holding on to is worth sacrificing the future they always dreamed of sharing together. Tropes Second-chance romance Forced proximity Brother's best friend Slow burn A man who yearns

INCLUDING RECIPES FROM JAMIE'S HIT CHANNEL 4 TV SHOW KEEP COOKING FAMILY FAVOURITES Make everyday meals more exciting with the No. 1 bestselling cookbook, featuring 120 exciting and tasty new recipes _______ Jamie has done his research to find out exactly what we, as a nation, love to eat. He's taken 18 of our favourite ingredients and created 7 new, easy and delicious ways to cook them. We're talking about those meal staples we pick up without thinking - chicken breast, salmon fillet, mince, eggs, potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, to name but a few. Jamie will share 7 achievable, exciting and tasty ways to cook each of these hero foods, requiring minimal time, effort and a maximum of only 8 ingredients. Jamie's fun, delicious and nutritious recipes include: · Crispy Salmon Tacos · Prosciutto Pork Fillet · Pepper & Chicken Jalfrezi · Mushroom Cannelloni · Beef & Guinness Hotpot · Broccoli & Cheese Pierogi With everything from fakeaways and traybakes to family and freezer favourites, you'll find bags of inspiration to help you mix things up in the kitchen. Discover 7 Ways , the most straight-forward cookbook Jamie has ever written. _______ Readers can't stop cooking from Jamie's brilliant 7 Ways: 'The new 5 Ingredients!' · 'By far the best cook book I have ever bought' 'Might just be the best Jamie book ever' · 'The best book ever' 'One of Jamie's best ideas' · 'The best cook book I've owned' 'Best Jamie book ever' · 'My favourite Jamie Oliver book' _______ 'Easy, achievable and delicious; Oliver has created another fail-safe cookbook for families and those of us who are stretched for time' Daily Telegraph 'This is perfect for anyone stuck in a cookery rut and in need of some inspiration' Daily Mail 'Simple, affordable and delicious food designed for all the family' i 'Cooking dinner just got easier (and tastier) with Jamie's brilliant new book 7 Ways' Mail on Sunday

Spanked By The Fireman (Spanking Discipline) Spanked and Taken Book 2 Amy burned the dinner again. She had been so busy with her college studies that she kept setting off the smoke alarm, which automatically alerted the fire department to send a fireman out to check the premises. The fireman that usually got called out to her apartment was getting sick of her cooking mishaps. She swore to him she wouldn't do it again, and she even made a little deal to show him she was serious. "Alright, there's no more danger," said the Fireman. "So I'm done here." "Okay," said Amy. "After I get what you owe me." "What?" "What you promised." "What I promised?" "Last time you dragged me out here for your nonsense." "Uh...shit," said Amy, remembering her promise. "Remember what you said?" asked the fireman, walking past Amy toward her couch. "Not really," lied Amy. "Look, can I just get back to my studies and let's forget the whole thing. Please?" The fireman sat down on her couch. Despite her promise, Amy had no intentions of being disciplined like a child on her own couch, in her own apartment which she pays for herself. And yet she couldn't put up a real fight for some reason. She looked at the fireman sitting on her couch with a cocky grin. How could he have the nerve to sit on her couch without asking? There was something sexy about how he was so bold, confident. There was something erotic about the sudden idea of actually fulfilling her promise. But could he be serious? Was he actually going to spank her? "Miss," said the fireman. "You agreed to consent to a spanking, as punishment for making me come all the way out here. It's just a few slaps on your behind, that's all. Then I can be on my way. But you need to be punished, one way or another." He really wanted to do it. What was most surprising was that Amy suddenly really wanted to do it, too. The idea of being spanked by a big, tough fireman was actually starting to make her wet. Spanked by the Fireman (Spanking by the Alpha, Spanked and Taken) Rated X, for readers age 18 and over only.

Take a moment to consider how many outcomes in your life may have been affected by poor communication skills. Could you have gotten a job you really wanted? Saved a relationship? What about that political conversation that got out of hand at a dinner party? How is it that we so often fail to say the right thing at the right time? In her career as an NPR host, journalist Celeste Headlee has interviewed hundreds of people from all walks of life, and if there's one thing she's learned, it's that it's hard to overestimate the power of conversation and its ability to both bridge gaps and deepen wounds. In We Need to Talk, she shares what she's learned on the job about how to have effective, meaningful, and respectful conversations in every area of our lives. Now more than ever, Headlee argues, we must begin to talk to and, more importantly, listen to one another - including those with whom we disagree. We Need to Talk gives readers ten simple tools to help facilitate better conversations, ranging from the errors we routinely make (put down the smart phone when you're face to face with someone) to the less obvious blind spots that can sabotage any conversation, including knowing when not to talk, being aware of our own bias, and avoiding putting yourself in the centre of the discussion. Whether you're gearing up for a big conversation with your boss, looking to deepen or improve your connection with a relative, or trying to express your child's needs to a teacher, We Need to Talk will arm you with the skills you need to create a productive dialogue.

For fans of The Love of My Afterlife and The Seven Year Slip , this debut by Reese's Book Club LitUp Fellow Natalie Messier follows a woman who travels back in time to her university days to win the one that got away. 'If you like your love stories messy (and I really do), then you must read Natalie Messier's debut' CARLEY FORTUNE , #1 New York Times bestselling author of Our Perfect Storm ****** She's gone back in time to win the man of her dreams, so why is she falling for her worst nightmare? The last place Joey Vasquez wants to spend her Friday night is at this dinner party. It's only because she misses her geriatric cat, and it definitely has nothing to do with the fact that she is in love with the host Elijah, her dashing golden-retriever best friend who also happens to be married. She's barely through the door when she runs into the one man she'd sworn never to see again: Alex Aquino, smug broody tech billionaire - and the disaster of a one-night stand Joey spent years trying to forget. The night couldn't possibly get worse - and then she dies. Given a second chance at life, Joey returns to the year 2012. She's eighteen again and determined to undo some of her biggest regrets, starting with getting Elijah to love her back. But 2012 is also the year she met Alex, and well . . . old habits die hard. Some regrets are too messy to undo, and not even death can save her from a love triangle that feels destined to happen. 'Insatiably bingeable!' ASHLEY POSTON , New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Year Slip 'A one-of-a-kind love story yet deeply nostalgic' HANNAH BONAM-YOUNG , New York Times bestselling author of People Watching Readers are OBSESSED with Every Version of You: ' Hooked me harder than Fourth Wing and ACOTAR. I TORE through this boo k' 真真⭐ 'Firing my therapist because this healed me ' 真真⭐ 'A love story of EPIC proportions' 真真⭐ ' My #1 favourite romance novel EVER! ' 真真⭐ 'EARLY REVIEWERS ARE RAVING!! - it's me, I'm early reviewer. This is perfection .' 真真⭐ Tropes: Second chances Hate to love Time travel Reverse 13 Going on 30 'I'd follow you anywhere' 2010s nostalgia

Winner of the Award of Merit of the 2023 Christianity Today Book Awards — Fiction!"Profound and compulsively readable." —Silas House, author of SouthernmostNew from a fresh voice in literary fiction comes this riveting deep-dive into one woman's experience with bipolar disorder and God.Her mind has never failed her—until an ill-fated dinner party. Meet Dr. Susan Huffman: wife to chancery court judge Samuel Ellison, mother to adorable Ian, and college professor on track for tenure. She's a woman who has always lived by her mind, and begins each day with a plan and a purpose. But then new-in-town Lorraine Davis accepts an invitation to Susan and Samuel's home, and Susan begins to see mysterious visions. Are they symptoms of mental illness or warnings from God? And if so, how can she protect her circle of friends, her family, and her life as she knows it?In this urgent and emotionally raw novel, a mother and professor journeys through revelations and betrayals to recover and thrive against tough odds. The Book of Susan is the spare and sympathetic recounting of a journey—from derailment, to diagnosis, to the discovery of a lifetime.

100 unfussy, comfort food recipes from the creator of Moribyan, including 30-minute dinners, one-pot and sheet pan suppers, popular restaurant remakes, decadent desserts, and the flavorful Moroccan and Libyan dishes she grew up on. On her wildly popular online platform, Moribyan, Hajar Larbah is known for sharing crave-worthy dishes that always deliver on flavor and quality without being overly complicated. With her carefully crafted recipes perfected for home cooks, from internet-famous comfort foods like Lasagna Soup to globally inspired dishes like Creamy Butter Chicken , Hajar’s cooking brings big flavor without the fuss. In Moribyan's Kitchen, Hajar presents 100 recipes for every meal that are bold, cozy, and super easy. You'll find cherished family recipes for the Moroccan and Libyan meals she grew up on in addition to inventive restaurant remakes that bring the excitement of viral dishes right into your kitchen. There's even a whole chapter devoted to quick and easy, weeknight-friendly options. The diverse range of recipes are sure to satisfy any craving, with chapters including: Breakfast and Brunch: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes; Fried Chicken, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches; Strawberries and Cream Croissant French Toast Bake Weeknight Wins: Honey Harissa Glazed Lamb Chops; French Onion Pasta; Chicken Shawarma Sheet Pan Bake Restaurant Remakes: Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad; Taco Bell Cheesy Gordita Crunch; Costco Chicken Bake Sweet Treats: Tiramisu Brownie Bars; Cookies & Cream Tres Leches Cake; White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Middle Eastern: Zaalouk (Moroccan Roasted Eggplant Dip); Embatna (Libyan Fried Potatoes Stuffed with Beef); Djaj Mhammar (Moroccan Roasted Chicken Oven Bake) For Hajar, cooking is the ultimate expression of love, and Moribyan's Kitchen is designed to make the comfort of a home cooked meal accessible to everyone.

'SO witty, so entertaining, yet so moving. Countless women will identify with Laura Clark. I loved it so much!' MARIAN KEYES 'Brilliantly entertaining . . . surprisingly moving 'JENNIE GODFREY 'Riotously funny' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING 'If you're a woman with only so many f*cks left to give, this book is for you' CALLY BEATON ------- WHO IS LAURA CLARK? To her colleagues: an invisible forty-something HR manager who restocks the meeting-room snacks. To her husband and teenage daughter: the woman who puts food in the fridge and dinner on the table. To her elderly mother: a round-the-clock helpline for endless complaints. Laura Clark is the woman everyone relies on. But barely anyone sees. So, one day, Laura puts on her 'out of office' message - and doesn't come back. And soon, everyone's formerly ordered lives quickly begin to descend into all-out chaos. Where has Laura gone? Has something terrible happened to her? Or has she - unthinkably - decided to finally give her own life the finger? To find out, the people in her life must realise that, maybe, they never really knew Laura Clark at all . . . ------- MORE PRAISE FOR LAURA CLARK 'Once I started reading, I couldn't stop' READER REVIEW 'A book with a big, generous heart' BOBBY PALMER 'An empowering story for any woman who's felt invisible - or is just sick of everyone's s**t!' FIONA GIBSON 'Funny, wise and everything in between, I absolutely loved it' READER REVIEW 'Intriguing, relatable and utterly fabulous! I was completely hooked!' HELGA JENSEN 'A wonderfully relatable book that had me cheering for Laura' SHEILA McCLURE 'So relatable and a little bit chaotic . . . can't recommend it enough' READER REVIEW 'A gloriously funny manifesto for why we should never take the Laura Clarks of this world for granted!' JULIE MA 'Helen Russell's exquisite storytelling reveals the layers of Laura's life gently like the unfurling of a peony in summer . . . I loved every second of it' JENNI BAYLISS 'Laugh-out-loud funny' READER REVIEW 'Every woman needs to read this . . . 12/10 across the board' RIA LINA 'Wonderful . . . so much fun - hugely hilarious, and so well observed!' M.K. OLIVER 'The ending was so satisfying' READER REVIEW

Paris, 1939: Gazing out at the glittering skyline, Evelina clutches the letter from her love in shaking hands. "I know I do not deserve you, my darling, but I pray that you will change your mind. You have my heart, and I hope that nothing will keep us apart..." London, present day . Blake gazes down at a scrap of shimmering silver velvet attached to a faded dress design. They were left by her great-grandmother at Hope's House, a home for unmarried mothers, and now that her beloved grandmother has passed, the designer's signature is the only clue Blake has about her biological family. Armed with a plane ticket, a Paris address and the details of a handsome fashion curator named Henri , Blake is determined to find out the truth about her talented great-grandmother Evelina's life. Perhaps doing so will help Blake get her old spark for designing back, after her dreams have sat forgotten for so long. Soon Blake is walking down the Champs-Élysées and enjoying intimate dinners with Henri, who is researching Evelina's work as one of Paris' most celebrated designers, whose bold designs rivalled Coco Chanel's. Soon Henri and Blake grow closer, uncovering Evelina's legacy, and her forbidden romance that set the fashion world ablaze. As Blake discovers the devastating choice that caused Evelina to flee the most romantic city in the world, she wonders if she, too, could do the impossible and risk everything for love with Henri. Or will the fallout of Evelina's heart-wrenching past drive Blake back home? A completely addictive and emotional novel about family secrets, forbidden love and having the courage to follow your dreams. Perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Lucinda Riley and Victoria Hislop.

*The Buzzy US Bestseller**A Read With Jenna Book Club Pick**A Spotify Book of the Year*'An extraordinary book about the power of family and sisterhood' – Jenna Bush Hager'A sparkling debut' – Jenny Jackson, author of Pineapple Street'The family saga we all need' – Jessica Soffer, New York Times bestselling author of This Is a Love StoryThree adult sisters reunited at their childhood home must confront a shared tragedy in The Irish Goodbye – the devastatingly beautiful debut novel from Heather Aimee O'Neill.It's been years since the three Ryan sisters were all home together at their family's beloved house on Long Island. Two decades ago, their lives were upended by a tragic accident on their brother Topher's boat that drove him to suicide. Now, the Ryan women are back for Thanksgiving, but each carries a heavy secret.The eldest, Cait, is still holding guilt for the role no one knows she played in the boat accident, when she rekindles a flame with her high school crush, Topher's best friend. Middle sister, Alice, has been thrown a curveball threatening her career and, potentially, her marriage. And the youngest, Maggie, is finally taking the risk to bring the woman she loves home to her devoutly Catholic mother.When Cait invites a guest to Thanksgiving dinner, old tensions boil over and new truths surface. Far more than a family holiday will be ruined unless the sisters can find a way to forgive themselves – and each other.'Absorbing, sharply funny and thoroughly satisfying' – Daily Mail

Perfect for fans of the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn In mourning over the death of her beloved Father, the beautiful Belinda Lanwick hides away from the dinner party hosted by her cousin. However, as the guests are leaving, she lays eyes on the exceedingly handsome Lord Ian Cheddington, considered the most eligible bachelors in London. Just at that moment, Belinda overhears an indiscreet conversation between her cousin and a Countess. The Countess speaks of a Russian Princess in London who is doing everything she can to attract Lord Ian, and what is more Princess Natasha is suspected of being a Russian spy. When Belinda receives a letter from her sister suggesting she visit her in London so they can go shopping together to buy Belinda a new wardrobe for when she comes out of mourning, she decides to go. However, when she arrives she finds that she is on her own most of the time because her sister is so busy. One morning Belinda sees an advertisement in The Times for a lady's maid to Princess Natasha. Remembering the conversation she overheard at her cousin's party, and with a strong sense of patriotism, Belinda feels strongly that she must defend her country and so applies for the position and begins work immediately. Once inside the Princess's house, Belinda cleverly finds a way of overhearing what is said when the Princess entertains a suspicious visitor. Hearing that Lord Ian is in grave danger, she has to find a way to warn him. How Lord Ian is almost given a new and powerful drug that would make him unknowingly reveal vital State secrets. How he and Belinda travel to Marseilles to find where this evil drug is made. And how Belinda is frightened and upset by what then happens, but finds the true love she has always been seeking is all told in this romantic and exciting novel by BARBARA CARTLAND.

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Asher comes a heartfelt, second-chance romance about two exes on a non-refundable honeymoon that forces them to confront everything that went wrong between them . . . and if there's anything left to save. Natalia Aguilar isn't sure which mistake she regrets more: spending thousands of dollars on a honeymoon to celebrate a wedding that never happened or picking the non-refundable option because it was a better deal. Now that she's no longer engaged to Gabriel, she needs to choose between taking a financial hit or going on the trip despite the risk of running into her ex-fiancé for the first time since their breakup. It's been over a year since their engagement was called off, and Gabriel Saint James is just starting to settle into his new life when he hears that Natalia is going on their honeymoon with another man. Rather than stay home, Gabriel decides his misery could use some company and crashes Natalia's romantic getaway meant for two. Candlelit dinners, snorkelling excursions, and sunset hikes - whatever Natalia does, Gabriel is around to remind her that the man she fell in love with is still here . . . even if she wishes he wasn't. During their trip, the two exes are forced to confront their feelings for one another and whether the past they're still holding on to is worth sacrificing the future they always dreamed of sharing together. Tropes Second-chance romance Forced proximity Brother's best friend Slow burn A man who yearns

Americans eat more processed foods than anyone else in the world. We also spend more on military research. These two seemingly unrelated facts are inextricably linked. If you ever wondered how ready-to-eat foods infiltrated your kitchen, you'll love this entertaining romp through the secret military history of practically everything you buy at the supermarket. In a nondescript Boston suburb, in a handful of low buildings buffered by trees and a lake, a group of men and women spend their days researching, testing, tasting, and producing the foods that form the bedrock of the American diet. If you stumbled into the facility, you might think the technicians dressed in lab coats and the shiny kitchen equipment belonged to one of the giant food conglomerates responsible for your favorite brand of frozen pizza or microwavable breakfast burritos. So you'd be surprised to learn that you've just entered the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, ground zero for the processed food industry. Ever since Napoleon, armies have sought better ways to preserve, store, and transport food for battle. As part of this quest, although most people don't realize it, the U.S. military spearheaded the invention of energy bars, restructured meat, extended-life bread, instant coffee, and much more. But there's been an insidious mission creep: because the military enlisted industry-huge corporations such as ADM, ConAgra, General Mills, Hershey, Hormel, Mars, Nabisco, Reynolds, Smithfield, Swift, Tyson, and Unilever-to help develop and manufacture food for soldiers on the front line, over the years combat rations, or the key technologies used in engineering them, have ended up dominating grocery store shelves and refrigerator cases. TV dinners, the cheese powder in snack foods, cling wrap . . . The list is almost endless. Now food writer Anastacia Marx de Salcedo scrutinizes the world of processed food and its long relationship with the military-unveiling the twists, turns, successes, failures, and products that have found their way from the armed forces' and contractors' laboratories into our kitchens. In developing these rations, the army was looking for some of the very same qualities as we do in our hectic, fast-paced twenty-first-century lives: portability, ease of preparation, extended shelf life at room temperature, affordability, and appeal to even the least adventurous eaters. In other words, the military has us chowing down like special ops. What is the effect of such a diet, eaten-as it is by soldiers and most consumers-day in and day out, year after year? We don't really know. We're the guinea pigs in a giant public health experiment, one in which science and technology, at the beck and call of the military, have taken over our kitchens.

Welcome to Maple Bay, a small town with heaps of heart-where family dinner is a must, and someone will always leave the light on for you. A small-town romance series enjoyed by fans of Debbie Macomber, Elana Johnson, and Susan Mallery. Includes four full-length novels, and a BONUS prequel novella! Grab a cozy blanket and wrap up with the warmth of Maple Bay. You'll get friends-to-lovers, single dads, second chances, enemies-to-lovers, cowboys, meddling but lovable grandmas & aunts, close-knit families, tons of small-town wonderfulness, and more. Titles included: Rescued in Maple Bay (BONUS prequel): His best friend's widow needs his help... But he's afraid she's stealing his heart as well. Starting Over in Maple Bay (book 1): Hazel inherits an old carriage house from a mother she never knew. But can this fixer-upper mend her heart? Second Chance in Maple Bay (book 2): His best friend's little sister, has always been off-limits. But when Kat comes home to Maple Bay, a ring on her hand and sadness in her heart, Creed is pulled to her once again. But is she worth the risk of losing the only family he's got? Country Stars in Maple Bay (book 3): Myra is tasked with turning a country music star into a real cowboy to save his music career. But as Myra and Skyler are forced to spend time together, will they find a happily-ever-after? Or is their love song destined to end on a sour note? Matched in Maple Bay (book 4): Val & Evan aren't looking to rebuild a love from the past, but a farmhouse renovation uncovers more than either of them expected. Will they build a new connection on an old foundation, or is this one restoration that isn't built for a second chance? A small-town series full of hope, heart, and happily-ever-afters. Start reading today & get whisked away to Maple Bay! What readers are saying about the Maple Bay series: "One of the best books I have read in a long time, and I read A LOT of books!" -Once Upon a Library Blog "Swoon! This story had me ALL IN from the first page." -Christina Butrum, author of the Dixon Ranch Series "Romance filled with laughter, tears, and love that will make one never want to leave Maple Bay." -Ind'tale Magazine

Learn Costa Rican Spanish One Word At A Time No matter whether traveling to Costa Rica as a tourist, a student, or with the intention of moving to the country as an expatriate, this guide will serve you well. You probably already know the Spanish spoken by Ticos (Costa Ricans) is a distinct and unique idiom, rich with words and phrases they don't teach in high school Spanish class. Intended for English speakers, this book shares common slang words and phrases (Tiquismos) that will help you communicate in everyday situations like ordering dinner in a restaurant, shopping at the Mercado for fresh produce, flirting, getting street directions, or hiring a taxi. That said, be advised this little book is neither a complete course in learning the Spanish Language. Neither is it a textbook. Instead, this basic introduction to Costa Rican Spanish is a good pocket beginners guide you can handily carry on your travels either in your back pocket or tucked away in a backpack. Before you go, consider taking the time to learn a few Tiquismos so you can speak street Spanish like a local. This guide contains a wealth of words and expressions that you can look up when you hear, or read them, in order to know what is going on around you. Even better, spend a night curled up with the book gaining familiarity with the wisdom it contains. That way, when you hear a vaguely familiar word on the street, you will know which page to consult to refresh your memory. >Before you go, click on the BUY BUTTON and arrive in Costa Rica ready to speak like a local.

Australia's bestselling cookbook author returns with a stunning new book, Basics to Brilliance -- and a TV series tie in. Australia's most trusted and best-selling cookbook author, Donna Hay, wants to take you from basics to brilliance. Donna believes that, just like anything you want to be good at, mastering the basics is how you build confidence. So, in this book, she's sharing all her favourite, tried and true recipes - think the perfect tender steak, golden roast chicken, crispy pork belly, her nan's sponge cake, and of course the fudgiest brownies! Each basic recipe is followed by clever variations and simple flavour change-ups, so one recipe becomes many and your repertoire naturally grows. Take Donna's 'no-fail meringue mixture' - once mastered, this basic recipe can be tweaked to be turned into the perfect pavlova; divinely flavoured salted caramel, chocolate, rosewater and pistachio, and raspberry meringues for an elegant afternoon tea; or a silky smooth and tangy lemon meringue pie for a divine dessert for a dinner party. This is your ultimate guide to being brilliant in the kitchen! Basics to Brilliance is a luxurious hardback, featuring beautiful photography and featuring over 200 recipes. This is a book you will want to treasure forever. In 2011, Donna's first television series - fast, fresh, simple - premiered on LifeStyle, garnering her a 2012 Astra award for Best New Female Personality and went on to air in more than 17 countries worldwide. In 2016, Donna is returning to Foxtel with a brand new eight part show, Basics to Brilliance, based on this book, which will go to air in late May and be on repeat rotation as the book goes on sale.