TERRY O’CONNOR always declared he was born under a happy star, and he also maintained that at the time of his coming into the world it had danced for very joy. This statement, which no matter how much others might doubt but could not dispute, he had direct from his mother’s mother, who was present on that most auspicious occasion, and had observed the unusual conduct of the stellar body from the window. And, moreover, as if to establish quite conclusively the connection between the shining...

Santa Claus’ Sweetheart is a short children’s book by Imogen Clark written and published in 1906.At Terry O’ Connor’s birth it was believed he was blessed by the fairies. But so too had the wicked fairy visited the new-born’s cradle where she wreaked her evil will so that the little child grew to be a man with a happy-go-lucky demeanour but who was known through the countryside as a good-for-naught.On his way home from the tavern one Christmas eve, Terry shivered momentarily...

The story is set during the Christmas season and centers on themes of love, kindness, and the spirit of giving. The protagonist is a young woman who becomes known as "Santa Claus' Sweetheart" due to her generous and loving nature.As the Christmas season approaches, she dedicates herself to bringing joy to those around her, particularly focusing on the less fortunate in her community. Through her actions, she embodies the true spirit of Christmas, spreading cheer and warmth wherever she goe...

Nothing could prepare Imogen Clark for the shock of discovering that her daughter was a heroin addict."I discovered that my daughter was a heroin addict at 7.25 pm on Tuesday, February 13, 1996... I'm not very proud of the next couple of hours. I would like to be able to write that I gathered her in my arms, soothed her obvious misery, reassured her that I loved her... but I was enraged. How could she do this to me? What was wrong with her? My child was not supposed to be on heroin...

Everyday Kindness is a charity anthology of short, fictional stories of kindness, edited by LJ Ross. These uplifting tales of hope and of small, everyday kindnesses are intended to support wider, positive mental health goals and foster wellbeing through the act of reading tales of goodwill inspired by others. Featuring authors across the spectrum of literature, some international bestsellers and award-winning writers amongst them, this is a unique collection of words.Proceeds from ...

From the million-copy bestselling author of In a Single Moment and Where the Story Starts comes a gripping tale of secrets, lies, and the unbreakable bonds of family.When Eve returns to her family home Fox House, the tension with her mother, Agatha, is palpable. But when Eve’s daughter, Lyra, and her granddaughter, Skye, arrive unexpectedly, four generations of women under one roof set the stage for explosive revelations. Lyra seems troubled, but ...

From million-copy bestselling author Imogen Clark comes a story of three siblings and a suitcase full of cash. Will the unexpected windfall tear them apart?When their father dies unexpectedly, siblings Max, Ellie and Nathan can’t even contemplate emptying his house—not least because he spent his last decade curating what feels like a museum to his polished public image. So it is Max’s wife, Caroline, who finds the suitcase under a bed… A suitcase stuffed full of an...

In this poignant novel from million-copy bestselling author Imogen Clark, an extraordinary final wish brings five lives together forever.Just turned eighteen, Romany is on the cusp of taking her first steps into adulthood when tragedy strikes, and she finds herself suddenly alone without her mother, Angie, the only parent she has ever known. In her final letter, Angie has charged her four closest friends with guiding Romany through her last year of school—but is th...

From the bestselling author of Where the Story Starts comes a tale about dealing with the past—and finally facing the future.Pip Appleby seems to have it all, with her prestigious job as a human rights lawyer and her enviable London home. But then a tragic accident stops her life in its tracks, and in an instant everything changes. Retreating to her family’s rural farm and the humble origins she has been trying to hide, Pip is haunted by what she has done....

A sudden departure. A story decades in the making.The chaotic but happy equilibrium of the Nightingale family is thrown into disarray when Cecily—whose children can’t remember her ever being remotely spontaneous—disappears to a Greek island with no warning or explanation.Her reasons for doing something so out of character are a total mystery to her three daughters, high-powered executive Felicity, unfulfilled GP Julia and organised mother-of-five Lily. What...

From million-copy bestselling author Imogen Clark comes a story of two families, two babies and one maddeningly hot day that will change their lives forever.It’s the hottest day of the 1976 heatwave and there’s not a breath of fresh air in the labour ward at Lincoln County Hospital. Michelle is having her fourth child, a girl, while beloved husband Dean is sipping a cold pint in the pub. Their little house is already bursting at the seams, but Michelle is sure they...

Shortlisted for the RNA’s Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award.A strange encounter. An unlikely friendship. But will it survive when they both know the truth?As single mother Leah struggles to get her children ready one morning, the doorbell rings. Standing on the doorstep of their terraced house in Whitley Bay is a well-dressed stranger, Clio, who feels an emotional tie to the house that she can’t explain. The story should end...