The Peacock Summer


Book Description

“This moving novel of family and missed opportunity will appeal to fans of Barbara Kingsolver.” — Booklist “The prose is lush and full-blooming, the pacing taut, and the setting brilliant with light and color as the suspense builds, pushing each woman to her breaking point. . . . Lillian and Maggie are rich and complex characters, struggling to embrace passion and yet fulfill their duty, and their alternating stories balance well against one another, imparting lessons on life, love, family, obligation, and—most of all—the enduring power and beauty of art. An immensely satisfying read.” — The Historical Novel Society “Even more beguiling than her previous books. Stuffed full of family secrets, it’s a tale of longing and dappled sunlight and the shimmering heat of lust. Exquisite, glamorous and breath-holdingly plotted.” — Veronica Henry “Poignant, romantic and beautifully written, I was completely captivated by this dual narrative story about forbidden love. Hannah Richell is a gifted storyteller; The Peacock Summer a wonderfully immersive book. Absolutely gorgeous.” — Kate Riordan “A rich, evocative and very moving piece of writing. The story drew me in and kept me immersed right to the final pages.” — Katherine Webb “A juicy mix of secrets and betrayals make The Peacock Summerby Hannah Richell a perfect holiday read.” — Good Housekeeping (UK)




The Peacock Summer


Book Description

A compelling story of hidden secrets and forbidden love, from the bestselling author of The Secrets of the Tides 'If she could reach back through the years and warn the person she once was, what would she say? ... What would she say to the ghosts who now inhabit her days? So many of those she has loved are now nothing but dust and memory.' At twenty-six, Lillian feels trapped by life. Her marriage to Charles Oberon has not turned out the way she expected it would. To her it seems she is just another object captured within the walls of Cloudesley, her husband's beautiful manor house tucked away high in the Chiltern Hills. But, with a young step-son and a sister to care for, Lillian accepts there is no way out for her. Then Charles makes an arrangement with an enigmatic artist visiting their home and his presence will unbalance everything she thought she knew and understood. Maggie Oberon ran from the hurt and resentment she caused. Half a world away, in Australia, it was easier to forget, to pretend she didn't care. But when her elderly grandmother, Lillian, falls ill she must head back to Cloudesley. Forced to face her past, Maggie fights to hold herself and her family's legacy together as she learns that all she thought was real, all that she held so close, was never as it seemed. Two summers, decades apart. Two women whose lives are forever entwined. And a house that holds the dark secrets that could free them both.




The Peacock


Book Description

Key Selling Points It's the aftermath of World War II in Toronto and 10-year-old Barbara realizes that, while her father's away helping Jewish refugees in Europe, she has to be the one to solve the problem of the peacock living in their back garden before the winter comes. The Peacock delves into the experience of being Jewish in 1947 in Canada, what it was like to be a child during the war, the treatment of refugees by the world at large, and how the acts of kind individuals can make huge positive change. This historical fiction chapter book takes on a less-represented period of history, just after World War II, shining a light on the displaced persons living in encampments in Europe and what people tried to do to help, from the viewpoint of a Jewish Canadian family. The metaphor of the peacock (a stand-in for the refugees Barbara's father is helping) gives readers an entry point to think about displaced people but in a lighthearted way (with a happy ending). A bonus glossary will be online for readers interested in extra background about the book's context. Contains 22 black-and-white illustrations.




The Essential Speaking and Listening


Book Description

The aim of this book is to help teachers teach children to speak and listen effectively by having them engage with the teacher and their fellow students in conscious dialogue.







The Billboard


Book Description




The Peacock House


Book Description

'The Peacock House is emotional, lyrical, glamorous and laugh-out-loud funny in places. Perfect!' TRACY REES Perfect for fans of Rosanna Ley, Karen Swan and Santa Montefiore, Kate Glanville's heartwarming and escapist story of love, family and friends, set in the stunning scenery of North Wales, has been richly praised: 'Poignant, warm, and unpredictable' JULIE COHEN 'A warm and touching family drama. Moving' LAURA WILKINSON 'A perfect page-turner' REBECCA F. JOHN 'I absolutely loved this book' AMAZON REVIEWER 'A fantastic story of love, family, war and relationships . . . a perfect read' AMAZON REVIEWER ________________ 1943 Evelyn dreams of escaping Vaughan Court and the loveless marriage that led her there. Then, at the height of the Second World War, a single moment changes her life and tethers her to the house for ever. 2016 Decades later, life has given as much as it has taken from Evelyn. Although a bestselling author, Evelyn still cannot escape the painful hold of the past. Aspiring journalist Bethan hasn't been back to Vaughan Court since she was a little girl. But the opportunity to interview her grandmother's oldest friend - the Evelyn Vaughan - leads her back to North Wales. As Bethan learns about Evelyn's life, she realises the ghosts of the grand house are yet to be laid to rest. And soon she's determined to uncover the secrets hidden within . . . ________________ FIND OUT WHY EVERYONE LOVES KATE GLANVILLE'S CAPTIVATING NOVELS: 'A wonderful read - I completely lost myself in this story *****' Reader Review 'I never could have anticipated how much I would LOVE this book! *****' Reader Review 'This is a wonderful, entertaining and gripping read that I cannot recommend enough *****' Reader Review 'A lovely heart-warming story, could not put down *****' Reader Review 'The best book I've read all year *****' Reader Review 'An enchanting and captivating novel *****' Reader Review




The Peacock's Stone


Book Description

Eleven-year-old Shahumin, who has just begun learning the wisdom of the elders, befriends an odd-looking youth whom she meets in the woods, not realizing he is an Other, one of the people not created by YAWH, and an enemy of her people.




The Peacock Summer


Book Description

Two summers, decades apart. Two women whose lives are forever entwined. And a house that holds the secrets that could free them both. At twenty-six, Lillian feels ancient and exhausted. Her marriage to Charles Oberon has not turned out the way she thought it would. To her it seems she is just another beautiful object captured within the walls of Cloudesley, her husband's Chilterns manor house. But, with a young step-son and a sister to care for, Lillian accepts there is no way out for her. Then Charles makes an arrangement with an enigmatic artist visiting their home and her world is turned on its head. Maggie Oberon ran from the hurt and resentment she caused. Half a world away, in Australia, it was easier to forget, to pretend she didn't care. But when her grandmother, Lillian, falls ill she must head back to Cloudesley. Forced to face her past, she will learn that all she thought was real, all that she held so close, was never as it seemed. An utterly compelling story of secrets, betrayals and the consequences of a long-ago summer from the internationally bestselling author of Secrets of the Tides and The Shadow Year.




The Peacock's Pleasaunce


Book Description