"The Mayor of Casterbridge" focuses on a simple theme with complex plot. The mingled theme of conscience and its reconciliation through deceit is presented. Characters' shameless past ceaselessly haunt them and render them dejected and guilty. The tragic actions involve a man who manages to establish prestige, wealth, and authority over Casterbridge that leads to the fall of the deeply flawed man.

"The Mayor of Casterbridge" focuses on a simple theme with complex plot. The mingled theme of conscience and its reconciliation through deceit is presented. Characters' shameless past ceaselessly haunt them and render them dejected and guilty. The tragic actions involve a man who manages to establish prestige, wealth, and authority over Casterbridge that leads to the fall of the deeply flawed man.

'Intriguing ... an impressive debut' Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door 'It made me look at marriage in a different light' Jane Corry, author of My Husband's Wife 'T. A. Cotterell masterfully conjures up the suffocating atmosphere that envelopes the couple as they navigate the mental trauma of maintaining a complex web of lies ... An intriguing, well-constructed and dramatic debut' TLS How far would you go to keep a secret? Alice has a perfect life – a great job, happy kids, a wonderful husband. Until he goes missing one night; she receives a suspicious phone call; things don’t quite add up. Alice needs to know what’s going on. But when she uncovers the truth she faces a brutal choice. And how can she be sure it is the truth? Sometimes it’s better not to know. An FT ' Reader Pick' Books for Summer Reading.

"The classroom of life" is filled with the author's thoughtful and heartfelt reflections on what makes a rich and fulfilling life. He guides young adults navigating life's journey through a collection of treasured lessons learned, inspirational stories and wisdom gathered from mentors. The author shares what is important to a meaningful life, how to harness personal power, and strategies needed to achieve personal fulfillment"--Judith Minium, School Psychologist "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant" Robert Louis Stevenson Everyone's life journey is replete with pain, stress, and worry. Obstacles and problems raise their ugly heads daily. Without tools and skills, it is impossible to slay these impending dragons. You will experience difficult people, failed relationships, love, death, addictions, temptations, and danger. In 1967 I had a dream about my children and the future children of the world! Having already started my own journey, I had discovered the many obstacles needed to overcome life's sojourn. If only I could build a classroom to guide my youngsters and their worldly brethren. My treatise would address the problems met during life's voyage, and it would propose solutions to each. The book would include the wisdom and advice of the sages, past, and present. It would embrace a compendium of stories, research, quotes, and down to earth lessons. This virtual classroom would identify the multitude of obstructions faced on life's odyssey, including its painful trials and tribulations, the development of rules of conduct, a moral compass, social skills, emotional maturity, humility, character, and all the other necessary adaptations and applications to weather life's struggles. I began collecting as much documented knowledge as possible. It included quotes, stories, books, seminars, cartoons, articles, and notes. After a half-century, I was mesmerized at the volume of hidden jewels collected. And, humbled by the mental giants whose cherished words had endured for millennia. This was my Holy Grail, a cache of many rare and priceless antiquities. With resolute passion, I began my dream, to share this treasure trove of instructional and inspirational gems. "...a nostalgic trip from childhood to adulthood providing answers to the stumbling blocks we all face on our journey. While each of us travel a slightly different path, the basic concepts for handling obstacles on life's journey. I found myself smiling, chuckling and laughing out loud, and at other times misty-eyed. I believe this book represents a way to more easily handle the road ahead and the peace of growing older and wiser. I recommend it highly"--Jerry Kramer, Retired High Tech Engineer, Plant Manager

"A GRIPPING NOVEL." —New York Times Book Review When her children's school is set ablaze, Grace runs into the burning building to rescue her teenage daughter, Jenny. In the aftermath, badly injured, Grace learns the police have identified the arsonist, but they have blamed the wrong person. Only Detective Sarah McBride, the sister-in-law Grace has never liked, is searching for the real arsonist--a hunt that becomes urgent when it's clear Jenny is still the perpetrator's target. Page-turning suspense combines with a beautiful portrayal of deep family bonds to make this a stunning and riveting read. Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader’s guide and bonus content

The Chimes A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In, a short novel by Charles Dickens, was written and published in 1844, one year after A Christmas Carol. It is the second in his series of Christmas books five short books with strong social and moral messages that he published during the 1840's.