Showing results by narrator "Lynne Thompson" in All Categories

In the golden age of steam, the London train wends its way across the Tamar into the strange and mystic land that is Cornwall, having left most of its length at Plymouth. A weary doctor is gazing at the countryside when the train grinds to a halt and his professional attention is demanded. A young woman. An apparent suicide. Who was she? What brought her to Cornwall? What drove her to kill herself? Or did she?

To most people, it probably looks as if Laura has everything. Born in 1953 to wealthy Robert Hayden and his beautiful wife Lily, materially this is true. She lives in a Regency mansion, set in an attractive, good-sized country estate just outside of London. But behind the scenes it’s a very different story. 

Enid Belfame: 42 years old, 22 of them as a married woman; eminently respectable; founder of The Friday Club; small town dignitary; a paragon of virtue. But does she have what it takes to commit murder? And will the young and handsome Dwight Rush benefit if she does? 

Savage bears, a river rescue, capture by Indians, escape on wild mustangs and a revolutionary battle await the protagonists of this suspenseful adventure novel, set in California. 

Maud Ruthyn, the young, naive heroine, has a governess who is an enigmatic older woman, a liar, bully, and spy, who takes a dark secret with her when she leaves. Maud is then orphaned and moves in with her Uncle Silas, her father's mysterious brother and a man with a scandalous - even murderous - past. She is horrified to find her former governess appears in her life again, in this Gothic Victorian psychological thriller, with a touch of the occult.

We are introduced to Englishman Dudley Thorpe on the evening of his arrival in California. At a ball, he is introduced to several belles, including the lovely Nina Randolph. Is this the start of something special? Dudley thinks so, but what about Nina? Why won't she open herself up to love? She is obviously attracted to Dudley. What is the dark secret she is hiding? Will it make a difference to Dudley's feelings? Who will be there for her in her time of need? Dudley or her odious cousin, Richard Clough? And what will San Francisco society make of it all?

Described as "the first blogger", Mary MacLane lived a tortured life, ahead of her time. Her beloved father died when she was a young child, and at the age of eight, her stepfather moved the family from its home in Winnipeg, Canada, to Montana in the United States, where young Mary had a hard time making friends. Her sensational autobiographical style of writing was considered scandalous, as she told of her bohemian lifestyle, feminist politics, and open bisexuality. 

Roldan Castanada does not want to be conscripted into the army. Although no coward, the idea of a regimented army life does not suit his ideals, so he decides to run away from home with his friend Adan Pardo, and the pair disappear into the California wilderness. Savage bears, a river rescue, capture by Indians, escape on wild mustangs, and a revolutionary battle await the boys in this suspenseful adventure novel.

John Parsons Cook was a 28-year-old bachelor from a good family but not in robust health. He studied to become a lawyer, but instead of following that career, turned to raising race horses. In November 1855, during a visit to the Shrewsbury races, he was taken violently ill. He was attended by the 80-year-old local doctor, Dr. Bamford, and Cook's friend and sometimes partner, Dr. Palmer. William Palmer was a physician and surgeon, a widower and father. His appearance instilled confidence and invited trust. But were appearances deceptive? Was he, in fact, a cool, calculating, and vicious serial murderer?

A classic English murder mystery story, set in the legal center of London, draws the reluctant attention of a journalist as he makes his way home after a long night on the job. But his newshound instincts kick in. Who is the elderly man? What was he doing at the law chambers in the middle of the night? Why had someone seen fit to strike him on the back of the head? 

"Brother Jacob" is a short story by George Eliot in which she explores the relationship between the selfish, self-centered, and ambitious David Faux and his simple-hearted and naif brother, Jacob. 

Forced into hiding after witnessing her fiancé commit murder, artist Faith Chadwick finds her own faith lagging. Best-selling author Joel Wallac is on death watch. His son is dying, and Joel can only sit helpless in the hospital room. As grief overwhelms him, he employs Faith to help him bring a storybook to life for his son, and they begin to forge a relationship. Witnessing Joel’s steadfast belief in God spurs Faith’s own wobbling faith, but when she is threatened once again, the police insist Faith needs to leave the area. Joel convinces her to accompany him on his book tour.

Nick Slater is a new assistant pastor at Headley Cross Baptist. His focus should be on his job and volunteering at the shelter, but when the same woman keeps crossing his path, he knows God has orchestrated their meetings and resolves to help her, no matter what it takes. But even while scents of holly and fresh-baked pies fill the air with Christmas joy and Nick finds himself falling in love with Hope and her little girl, the dark stain of Hope's past threatens to affect Nick's career.

On his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Bev King signs up for the parcel service. He likes the contact from home, appreciates the generosity and thoughtfulness of his benefactor, and is intrigued by this woman who lives in the same town as his grandmother. Jude Travis loves sending care packages to servicemen and is thrilled when "her squaddie" replies. A rapid letter exchange follows, and when he comes home on R&R, they meet. But Jude is being stalked, and Bev might just get snagged in the crossfire. 

The work place is volatile and the volcano is restless… Jael Stevens questions her decisions after she ignores her brother’s warnings and takes a sabbatical to work as a nurse on the volcanic island Tiampu. The position isn’t what she imagined. Long hours, difficult working conditions, and frequent rumblings from the nearby mountain are only made bearable by the joy of helping others and a certain set-in-his-ways pilot. Micah Norris has dedicated his life to God and is more than content with his permanent bachelor status. 

Kaylie Wells loves her job as a lighthouse keeper—the job she took after her husband died. As her heart heals, she works on a lily pond, nurturing the plants to bloom once again. The high point of her day is the cheeky fisherman who radios in for weather reports. Rob Peacock is married to the sea, but dreams of the lady in the lighthouse to whom he speaks daily. When they finally meet, Kaylie is everything Rob longs for in a woman. But with his need to follow the fish, and her need for the solitude of the lighthouse, how will they forge a relationship? When a massive weather system comes in that threatens to inundate the entire town and possibly wash away the lighthouse, Kaylie tries to warn Rob of the ensuing disaster.

Dawn Stannis has little time for anything besides teaching, never mind organizing a careers fayre for the year nines - but by God's grace, she's able to book popular actor Gabriel Tyler. Score one for Dawn! His Hollywood playboy reputation might be the epitome of everything Dawn resists, but at least her event will be well-attended. After his father’s unexpected death, Gabriel Tyler becomes the eighth Earl of Elton a lot sooner than he expected. Now, his mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, is insisting he give up acting so he can play lord of the manor and produce heirs.

Adam West, a high powered lawyer, gets the shock of his life when he arrives to meet a new client. She’s the wife he hasn’t seen since they separated 10 years ago. Sam Reece doesn’t need the added complication of working with the husband who abandoned her a decade ago. She’s tried hard to put her failed marriage behind her, going back to her maiden name even though they never got divorced. The situation is bad enough as it is, but it seems Adam is the only person who can help.

Given a week’s notice in her current job, Eden Jameson is desperately looking for something new. Being a nanny for her widowed best friend, Hanna, is the ideal solution to both their problems. David Painter has other ideas. Having a stranger in the house - even if she is his sister's best friend - could ruin everything he’s worked so long to achieve. He needs to get rid of this nanny and fast. When Hanna dies unexpectedly, the reading of the will is a shock.

When uptight missionary Lucy Boyd is injured, her only ride to the hospital 200 miles away is the scary-looking guy who delivers their supplies every two weeks. Not only is he scary, he's obviously quite heathen based on the earring in his ear, the heavy metal music blasting from his truck when he pulls into the compound, and his salty language. Jed Gorman doesn't like people, especially Christians. The last thing he needs is that uptight missionary woman as a passenger.