Audiobooks narrated by Deryn Edwards

Artists, Siblings, Visionaries: The lives and loves of Gwen and Augustus John

"'Judith Mackrell has done an incredible job in bringing to life the stories of these two great artists' - Anthony D'Offay 'This is a must read . . . a deeply moving account of a family bursting with talent' - Anne Sebba In Artists, Siblings, Visionaries, acclaimed biographer Judith Mackrell turns her attention to British brother and sister artists Gwen and Augustus John. In many ways they were polar opposites. Augustus was the larger of the two; vivid, volatile and promiscuous, he was a hero among romantics and bohemians, celebrated as one of the great British talents of his generation. As a woman, Gwen's place in the art world was much smaller, and her private way of working and reserved nature meant it was only long after her death that her tremendous gifts were fully acknowledged. But her temperament was as turbulent as her brother's. She formed passionate attachments to men and woman, including a long affair with the sculptor Rodin. And there were other ways in which the two Johns were remarkably alike, as Mackrell vividly reveals. The result is a powerful portrait of two prodigiously talented artists and visionaries, whose experiments with form and colour created some of the most memorable work of the early twentieth century."

Judith Mackrell (Author), Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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The Midwives

"One of them would kill to be a mother… When someone tries to steal a newborn from Darkford General Hospital, everyone is horrified. Even more so when evidence suggests it was one of the midwives … Katie, Erica and Sue are used to being heroes, not villains, as colleagues on the labour ward, so when one of them is arrested, the others must protect and reassure the pregnant women in their care that the danger has passed. Leila is already anxious. She's always wanted to be a mother – but her partner isn't sure he's ready for fatherhood and she doesn't know if she can have this baby by herself. As Leila's due date approaches, what at first feels like support from her midwives starts to seem more sinister. She's sure someone is following her, watching, waiting. Who can she trust … and is it too late to run?"

Anna Schofield (Author), Charlie Sanderson, Deryn Edwards, Rose Robinson (Narrator)

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The Business of Philanthropy: Perspectives and Insights from Global Thought Leaders on How to Change

"A collection of one-on-one discussions with 40 of the world’s greatest thought and action leaders and prominent philanthropic figures. THE BUSINESS OF PHILANTHROPY features diverse insights into the power of strategic philanthropy to inform, inspire and mobilise the next generation of social innovators in their pursuit of positive social and environmental impact. In conversation with social entrepreneur Badr Jafar, philanthropic leaders including Bill Gates, Baroness Valerie Amos, Kristalina Georgieva, David Miliband, Razan Al Mubarak and many more discuss their hopes and priorities for the world of today and tomorrow. Their insights shed new light on the increasingly important role that strategic philanthropy is playing in helping to address some of the world’s greatest challenges. In a world that is confronting a host of grave interconnected risks, this book reveals fresh perspectives on old and new problems, and provides a much-needed infusion of hope and optimism in our collective capacity to meet this historic moment."

Badr Jafar (Author), Alan Urving, Christopher Ashman, Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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Pause: How to enjoy God, find hope and bear fruit through midlife and the menopause

"Pause to see menopause & midlife through Scripture's transforming lens There are some things we'd rather not face - and midlife is definitely one of them. Who wants to look in the mirror and see their mother? But when our minds feel foggy and pressures mount, we need to pause rather than panic. Dealing candidly with the struggles of midlife and menopause, Sarah Allen offers a refreshing biblical perspective to changing emotions, bodies and lives."

Sarah Allen (Author), Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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Out of Faith: A Mother, A Sect, And a Journey to Freedom

"AS SEEN IN THE TIMES Maria Compton was born and raised in the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. Encouraged to keep her distance from outsiders, she grew up in a world of Church meetings, banishments and with the fear that the end of the world - known as the Rapture - was nigh. When she was still in her late teens, she married a man she barely knew. To those around her she lived the perfect life; dutiful wife, loving mother, devout Brethren woman. But underneath the surface, this life was far from perfect. Plagued by spiritual doubts, stuck in an abusive marriage and with her mental health in severe decline, Maria came to realise that she simply could not go on. And so, although knowing everything it would cost, she did the unthinkable: she left her church. Despite her attempts to stay in touch, Maria is no longer seen by her family, her friends or even her own children. But whilst she continues to grieve for everything she has lost, she holds fast to what she has gained: her liberty and her hope for the future. Out of Faith is testament to the strength of the human spirit even in the darkest of times, and an incredible story exposing the tangled ties between family, faith and freedom."

Maria Compton (Author), Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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Before the Fact

"'Some women give birth to murderers, some go to bed with them, and some marry them. Lina Aysgarth had lived with her husband for nearly eight years before she realized that she was married to a murderer.' Following the success of Malice Aforethought, novelist Anthony Berkeley Cox returned to his Francis Iles pen-name for another experiment in the inverted mystery. Where Malice Aforethought is a study of murder from the perpetrator's perspective, Before the Fact is a masterful tale of the suspicions of a possible victim and her impressions of disquieting husband Johnnie. Unsettling and gripping for its incisive portrayal of human emotion and fears, this experimental classic of crime fiction was the basis for Alfred Hitchcock's film Suspicion, but remains an arresting literary read today."

Francis Iles (Author), Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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The Unretirement

"'Funny, uplifting and warm' Sunday Times bestselling author PHILLIPA ASHLEY 'Beautifully written, the characters leap from the page' Million-copy bestselling author SUE MOORCROFT The Unretirement is an uplifting story about the joy of pursuing dreams at any age, full of warmth, heart and community spirit. ––––––––––––– Meet foodie Maggie Lawford. After spending her retirement travelling the world, she’s home again – and ready for a new adventure. When Maggie’s daughter, Hannah, takes her to their favourite restaurant, Maggie is heartbroken to find the place empty. But the last straw comes when Maggie hears the chef is at his wit’s end – she can’t resist charging into the kitchen and taking matters into her own hands. Never one to give up without a fight, Maggie resolves to save their beloved restaurant from failure, and it’s not long before she has a military-grade plan to turn the place around again. Finding herself back at work, all she’ll need is support from Hannah and her cheeky granddaughter, Alice, as well as a little help from her neighbours. After all, Maggie’s golden days aren’t behind her just yet… –––––––––––––––– AUTHORS LOVE THE UNRETIREMENT! 'A breath of fresh air… funny, uplifting and warm.' PHILLIPA ASHLEY 'An uplifting gem of a novel! Funny, heartwarming and hopeful!' KATE STOREY 'An uplifting celebration…a great big hug of a book.' JULIE MA 'Funny, fresh and gloriously inspiring. I feel joyous after finishing this book.' KATE GALLEY 'A likeable cast of characters, an engaging story and delicious food…a fun, involving read.' JANE LOVERING 'I loved Maggie from the first page and cheered her on through every chapter.' RUTH O'LEARY READERS LOVE THE UNRETIREMENT: ‘A must-read for anyone hungry for heartwarming stories!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Maggie’s zest for life is contagious…’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Warm, funny and heartwarming … I loved the diverse community of characters!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A delightful page turner that proves dreams know no age limit.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Maggie's resilience is as inspiring as her recipes are mouthwatering!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A delightful concoction of laughter, love, and the sweet taste of second chances.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Penny Mirren (Author), Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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The Quality of Love: Twin Sisters at the Heart of the Century

"A rich family archive reveals the incredible lives and loves of two sisters who captivated Europe’s intelligentsia When her mother Celia Paget died, Ariane Bankes inherited a battered trunk stuffed with letters and diaries belonging to Celia and her twin Mamaine. This correspondence charted the remarkable lives of the Paget sisters and their friends and lovers, including Arthur Koestler, Albert Camus, Sartre and de Beauvoir, Edmund Wilson and George Orwell. The Quality of Love weaves the story of these charismatic and beautiful identical twins who overcame a meagre education to take 1930s London society by storm and move among Europe’s foremost intellectuals during the twentieth century’s most dramatic decades. Above all, it is a sparkling portrait of the deep connection between two spirited sisters. PRAISE FOR THE QUALITY OF LOVE 'Taking us from the high bohemia of 1930s London to the European intellectual scene of the 1940s and 1950s, Ariane Bankes weaves a story as spirited and alluring as the Paget sisters at its centre' Antonia Fraser 'The sisters’ charms and talent for friendship are evident, as various stars of the postwar European intellectual firmament pass through the book’s pages. Most of all, though, it is enriched by the correspondence between the twins – for, ultimately, the great love story is theirs alone' Telegraph 'Lives at the intellectual heart of the mid-20th century... Part of the book’s fascination lies in the domestic side of these intellectuals... Oh, what lives they both led!' Spectator"

Ariane Bankes (Author), Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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A Sicilian Affair

"Don’t miss the latest utterly emotional thriller, brimming with family drama from Sunday Times bestseller Susan Lewis! What happened to her was unforgivable. But what she did was worse… A fresh start where no-one knows her name is exactly what jazz musician Catie Mac is looking for from her sunny Sicilian escape. When she meets the enigmatic Giancarlo, she has stumbled across a love that could last forever … or can it? The scars of betrayal from her broken marriage and fragile family are only part of her story … and she is certain Giancarlo is hiding something too. Some secrets are too devastating to share… Sunday Times bestseller Susan Lewis returns with a pulse-pounding page-turner about fresh starts, family secrets, and the lengths we go to protect them. Discover the secret now! Readers LOVE Susan Lewis! ‘I could not put this book down. It had me hooked from start to finish with a great storyline and many twists and turns along the way. What a rollercoaster!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow this book is amazing. I am a huge fan of Susan Lewis but this book had me up most of the night reading’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Oh what a tangled tale, my suspicions moved from character to character as I read the book. A fantastic read’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This one did not disappoint, I couldn't put it down desperate to discover what was going to happen next. I would have given this more than 5 stars if I could’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Susan Lewis (Author), Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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Sophie Street

"Janet and Hywel Griffiths dream of seeing their son Frank happily married, but Mair, the daughter of the local police constable, does not seem to be the wisest choice. And anyway, she is far more interested in the secretive Carl Rees, who refuses to even be seen with her in public. Elsewhere in Pendragon Island, Jennie Francis must rethink her life as she is forced to say goodbye to her business and her marriage. All she ever wanted was to run a successful shop, but now she will have to start again. How can she manage if she is completely alone? Lewis and Dora are finally reconciled, but when she finds a mysterious box of newspaper clippings in the attic, she can't help but be suspicious. Her investigation will turn someone's life upside down, but not quite who she expects. . ."

Grace Thompson (Author), Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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A Shop in the High Street

"Edward Jenkins dreams of opening a sports shop in the Welsh town of Pendragon Island. Then his ambitions become a possibility through his and his sister Margaret's inheritance, but Margaret has plans of her own. Can Edward stand up to her for the very first time? Rhiannon and Charlie Bevan want to start a family, but her father Lewis is living with them, refusing to accept the happiness of their marriage. If only they could find a way to reunite him with her mother Dora, they could finally have the home they've dreamed of. . .Meanwhile Megan Weston is pregnant, but has refused to marry the father, freeloading Terrence Jenkins. As she helps Terrence's cousin Edward with his shop, all he can think of is their friendship becoming something more. But what could a girl like Megan ever see in him?"

Grace Thompson (Author), Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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Maisie's Way

"When Maisie Vasey leaves her husband and brings her daughter to live on Pendragon Island, she causes unrest within more than one family. Underneath the happy surface of this Welsh seaside town, relationships can seem fragile and easily destroyed. When Maisie comes to work for Edward Jenkins at Montague Court, he soon makes his intentions clear, but she has very different ideas about where their friendship is heading. Lewis and his fiery wife Dora continue to row with each other, even though they both know that love still binds them together. But how will Maisie's arrival affect the reconciliation they seek? Can their marriage survive?"

Grace Thompson (Author), Deryn Edwards (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Deryn Edwards