Fanny Blake Books

One of the most enduring images of the Ethiopian famine that shocked the world in 1984 was that of a young International Red Cross nurse faced with the harrowing task of choosing which starving children to feed, fully aware that those she turned away might not survive the night. This nurse, Claire Bertschinger, became a symbol of compassion and urgency, inspiring Live Aid, the largest relief program in history. Michael Buerk, who first broadcast these images, encouraged Claire to return to Ethiopia nearly twenty years later, where she confronted the memories of her difficult choices. Upon her return, the survivors embraced her as "Mamma Claire." Born in Sheering, Essex, to an Anglo-Swiss family, Claire overcame dyslexia to become a nurse. Her work with the International Red Cross fulfilled her desire for adventure and commitment to relief work in perilous situations. She has treated war-wounded individuals and hostages in Lebanon, worked with the Mujahidin in Afghanistan, and aided victims of civil wars in Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, often risking her own life to save others. This narrative is a powerful testament to a woman's courage, commitment, and compassion, highlighting her selfless dedication to helping those in need.

"When Hope's only son Paul met and married Edie, Hope was delighted that he had found love and was settling down to make his own family. Hope has loved bringing up her own child, and is happy to step in and help out now and again - but is always worried about overstepping the line between grandmother and mother. Edie was hoping that having children with Paul would fulfil her as much as her busy job as a barrister has. But the reality is far from her dream. And with her mother-in-law Hope constantly poking her nose in where it's not wanted, she finds herself frustrated and alone. Both women could be each other's greatest ally, but both have secrets that could ruin their relationship. Secrets neither wants Paul to uncover..."--Publisher

"The breadth of Mackintosh's creative output was considerable, ranging from interior decoration schemes and designs for furniture, textiles and posters, through watercolours and pencil drawings to vast public architecture projects ... [This book} looks at all aspects of his style, with a detailed commentary on 120 of his works"--Book jacket

Alberto is an old man. But he doesn't know how old—he remembers nothing before his arrival at an orphanage during the Spanish civil war. He rarely thinks about his missing childhood, but when seven-year-old Tino discovers his grandfather has never had a birthday party, never blown out candles on a birthday cake, never received a single birthday present, he's determined things should change. And so the two set out to find Alberto's birthday. Their search for the old man's memories takes them deep into the heart of Spain, a country that has pledged to forget its painful past. As stories of courage, cruelty and love unfold, Alberto realizes that he has lost more than a birthday. He has lost a part of himself. But with his grandson's help, he might just find it again.

The Long Way Home is set in the UK and 1950s Paris where the story really begins, spanning four generations of women and the secrets that get passed down through them.

A heartwarming and witty novel about female friendships and how they will outlast any man from the author of The Secrets Women Keep

Noveller. From wronged wives to nosy neighbours, from distant dads to new-found family, from secrets to lies, fresh starts to false endings - and everything in between..

A personal journey through the old British Empire by the nation's favourite comedienne.

How well do we know the ones we love? From the author of WOMEN OF A DANGEROUS AGE.

A warm and witty look at a female friendship gone wrong - this is women at war!

The Mystic Castle is a castle that is found in the Mystic Lands. The Mystic Castle is run by King Farrell, and King Farrell has a group of knights that protect the castle. The Mystic Castle shares land with the Dwarves of the Mystic Mountains. Many years ago the board of Castle agreed with the Dwarves to not cross each others land, because of the fights and the conflict between the guards of both the Castle and the Mountains. Now this year there is a new breed of Dragons, which have bred in lands beyond the Mystic Mountains, and they are very, very hungry. The Dragons are in large numbers from their successful breeding process, now the knights of the Mystic Castle and the Dwarves have to slay the Dragons before they destroy the Mystic lands.

In ihrem Haus in den andalusischen Bergen wartet Lucy auf ihre Geschwister Jo und Tom. An diesem Wochenende müssen sie sich von ihrem »Haus der Träume« verabschieden, dem Haus, in dem sie ihre Kindheit verbrachten und das nach dem Tod der Mutter nun verkauft werden soll. Aufgeregt sitzt Jo in Málaga am Flughafen und wartet vergeblich auf den Koffer, in dem die Urne mit der Asche ihrer Mutter ist, während ihre kleine Tochter ein Riesentheater veranstaltet. Tom hingegen kämpft sich mit seinen halbwüchsigen Söhnen und Ehefrau Belle im Mietwagen durch die Hitze, nicht ahnend, dass ihn an diesem Wochenende die Vergangenheit in Gestalt seiner Jugendliebe Maria einholen wird. Und Lucy? Gerade wieder Single, möchte sie am liebsten das Haus behalten, in dem so viele liebgewordene Erinnerungen stecken. Die drei Geschwister erwarten ein paar Tage voller Entdeckungen, denn ihre Mutter hat jedem der drei etwas hinterlassen, das so manche Überraschung bereithält …

Wunderbar entspannte Familienferien sollen es werden: Rose und Daniel verbringen wie so oft zwei Wochen mit den erwachsenen Kindern in ihrem Haus in der Toskana. Als auch noch Roses beste Freundin Eve mit ihrem Mann eintrifft, scheint die Sommeridylle perfekt. Alles geht seinen friedlichen Gang, Rose freut sich auf Pasta und Rotwein auf der Terrasse, Daniel zieht ein paar Bahnen im Pool – als eine harmlose SMS auf einmal alles durcheinanderwirbelt. Die Worte »Miss you. Love you. Come back soon«, die Rose auf dem Handy ihres Mannes sieht, erschüttern ihren Glauben an ihre glückliche Ehe zutiefst. Kann es sein, dass Daniel eine Affäre hat? Bestürzt sucht Rose Rat bei Eve, aber die braucht eigentlich selbst Unterstützung, denn nicht nur ihre berufliche Zukunft, auch ihre Ehe steht auf dem Spiel. Zu allem Überfluss spitzt sich der Dauerkonflikt zwischen Daniel und den beiden Töchtern dramatisch zu. Dann geschieht das Unfassbare – und der entspannte Urlaub wird zum Alptraum. Packend und mit feinem Humor erzählt Fanny Blake wie eine Familie sich komplett neu erfinden muss und wie ihr das am Ende gelingt.