Showing results by narrator "Lesley Dessalles" in All Categories

Flowers have been depicted as objects of beauty and wonder in countless paintings and poems, exchanged as tokens of love and affection, and displayed as symbols of both celebration and remembrance—"saying it with flowers" is truly part of the human experience. But how does the significance of flowers vary across cultures and at different points in history? And what makes certain flowers special?

When Beth Brown loses her job and her boyfriend in the space of twenty-four hours, she thinks life can’t get any worse. That’s until she finds herself in the depths of the English countryside working for chef Rocco di Castri. Not only does she have to deal with his legendary moods, but she’s also expected to get his chaotic schedule and workload in check, all while she’s nursing a broken heart. It’s not long before Rocco’s idyllic home starts to work its magic and soon she sees a softer side to her boss too.

Lily-Anne Cole never fit in with the other maids. But when she inherits an estate, she doesn’t fit in with the ton, either. Matters only become more complicated when a wild-looking man breaks into her house. Luckily, a handsome groom comes to her rescue. Or at least she believes he is there to rescue her. Timothy Hastings has made himself into a successful, almost-gentleman by cleaning up the messes of the English ton. When he is hired to find a treasure of stolen diamonds, everything goes wrong from the beginning, and he finds himself playing the role of a groom.

Alice Fletcher doesn’t like to take chances and she certainly doesn’t believe in fate. Three years after the end of her last long-term relationship, she’s in no hurry to risk another heartbreak. But fate has other plans. One day, on her drive home, Alice comes across a man, dazed and lost, by the side of a wrecked car. And with no one else around, Alice goes to help. TV star Jimmy Mack is riding the crest of the career wave one minute, and the next he’s staring at his crashed car. But when Alice comes to rescue him, things start to look up.

Their new home promises so much, an idyllic life in the countryside, a peaceful existence outside the busyness of London. She'd dreamt of it. A forever home.

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Dobbs has a secret; when her parents discover what she has desperately tried to hide, Carrie's mother, Florrie takes matters into her own hands and arranges a marriage with Arnold Bateman to get Carrie out of Whitechapel and away from the gossips. He is a man Carrie could never love, the opposite of Johan, the young man she adores. Arnold has been posted to India and expects her to go with him and be the wife he needs to further his promotion and position in the army.

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Dobbs has a secret; when her parents discover what she has desperately tried to hide, Carrie's mother, Florrie takes matters into her own hands and arranges a marriage with Arnold Bateman to get Carrie out of Whitechapel and away from the gossips. He is a man Carrie could never love, the opposite of Johan, the young man she adores. Arnold has been posted to India and expects her to go with him and be the wife he needs to further his promotion and position in the army.

Carrie is so grateful that she can call 99 Nightingale Lane home, and Christmas promises are to be one to cherish with her dear friends around her and the first one her son John will remember, but a cloud hangs over her happiness. Arnold Bateman, Carrie's estranged husband is back in Whitechapel. He has made it clear to Carrie that he wants her back, not to be a husband to her, but simply for what she now owns. Unknown to Carrie, he has visited the house on many occasions to persuade her but has received constant rebuttals from Ida Coyle, Carrie's loyal cook.

Something sinister lurks in quiet suburbia. A paranormal team investigates poltergeist activity terrorizing one family in the unassuming Essex town of Manningtree. As night falls, a nightmare awaits them; whatever the motive, it is personal.

England is still in the grip of a war against an enemy which is holding its ground and food shortages are beginning to bite. Carrie's relief that David found his way back to her after being injured almost melts her, but he brings with him a problem she cannot solve. His mind is broken, terrorised by nightmares and memories of the men he feels he should have protected, but instead led to their deaths. Carrie loves David with all her heart, and because of her love for him she know she must make a decision for which she doubts he'll ever forgive her.

It is 1827: the height of Cheltenham’s Regency boom. The wealthy and the fashionable flock to the Cotswold town for its many pleasures and the healing powers of the spring waters. The unmarried glove trade heiress Alice Elliot has never experienced much of life and never expected to. But on her arrival in Cheltenham, she is thrown into a confusing world where she finds she has to make a choice between pleasure and excess or charity and religion.

When Carrie discovers Arnold's secret, she is determined to make a life for herself in Secunderabad. She still pines for home in Whitechapel, even though she isn't sure what would be waiting for her should she ever return. She knows if Arnold has his way, she will be in Secunderabad, as his wife and hostess, a trophy wife, until he has reached the pinnacle of his ambitions.

Carrie Dobbs and Arnold Bateman have arrived in India. The journey from Bombay to Secunderabad is arduous - hot, uncomfortable, and with little to eat but unfamiliar food. But when she steps over the threshold of the bungalow she and her baby son John are to share with Bateman, she realizes that nothing could have prepared her for the life she is now expected to live.

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Dobbs has a secret tearing her apart. When her parents discover her condition, Carrie's mother, Florrie takes matters into her own hands and arranges a marriage with Arnold Bateman to get Carrie out of Whitechapel and away from the gossips. He is a man Carrie could never love, the opposite of Johan, the young man she adores. Arnold has been posted to India and expects her to go with him and be the wife he needs to further his promotion and position in the army.

Inspired by Stories from 99 Nightingale Lane and to accompany the popular series, Stories and Recipes from 99 Nightingale Lane from Ida Coyle.

Mr. Stoker and I met each dawn on the East Cliff in the shadow of Whitby Abbey. On a bench overlooking the sea, Bram soon became the confidant I had yearned for. So, in faith, I shared the events that tormented my youth and left me haunted. And after that chance encounter, I will forever live within the pages of what became Bram Stoker’s masterpiece, for it was my story that inspired Dracula.

When humans come to fell the last forest, they are in for a nasty surprise. A short dark fantasy tale of the wrath of nature.

Follow the journey of a little snowman, encouraged along the way by Santa, a toy soldier, and an ice skater, trying to get to his best friend, the Christmas tree fairy, before Christmas morning.

Meet Herbie and his dino friends in this dinosaur story with all the hallmarks of a bedtime classic, plus a modern twist! But, watch out, a terrifying T. Rex is creeping about.

A rancid, stale odor laced the cold breath that fluttered over my shoulder. “Listen to me”, a voice hissed in my ear. It had been 10years to the day my best friend, Sophia Mason had disappeared the night of her 16th birthday. Every year seemed harder than the previous one. The ‘gang’ got together yearly to cry, laugh, and remember the girl that was the centre of our world. Lately, strange things had been happening. It was as if someone or something had a message to send and they demanded to be heard.