Audiobooks narrated by Karen Cass

Hacking the Code of Life: How gene editing will rewrite our futures

Just 45 years ago, the age of gene modification was born. Researchers could create glow-in-the-dark mice, farmyard animals producing drugs in their milk, and vitamin-enhanced rice that could prevent half a million people going blind every year. But now GM is rapidly being supplanted by a new system called CRISPR or ‘gene editing’. Using this approach, scientists can manipulate the genes of almost any organism with a degree of precision, ease and speed that we could only dream of ten years ago. But is it ethical to change the genetic material of organisms in a way that might be passed on to future generations? If a person is suffering from a lethal genetic disease, is it even more unethical to deny them this option? Who controls the application of this technology, when it makes ‘biohacking’—perhaps of one’s own genome—a real possibility? Nessa Carey’s book is a thrilling and timely snapshot of a technology that will radically alter our futures.

Nessa Carey (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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Poppy's Recipe for Life: Treat yourself to the gloriously uplifting new book from the Sunday Times b

Treat yourself to a glorious novel full of food, sunshine, friendship and love! Things haven't always been straightforward in Poppy's life but her dreams are finally within her reach. She's moving into a cottage in beautiful Nightingale Square, close to the local community garden, where she can indulge her passion for making preserves and pickles. She may not have the best relationship with her family but she is surrounded by loving friends, and feels sure that even her grumpy new neighbour, Jacob, has more to him than his steely exterior belies. But the unexpected arrival of Poppy's troubled younger brother soon threatens her new-found happiness and as the garden team works together to win community space of the year, Poppy must decide where her priorities lie and what she is prepared to fight for … Readers everywhere are falling in love with Heidi Swain's writing: 'A lovely, sweet, summery read' Milly Johnson 'Wise, warm and wonderful' heat 'A ray of reading sunshine!' Laura Kemp, author of A Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness 'Sparkling and romantic' My Weekly

Heidi Swain (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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Virtual Leadership: Practical Strategies for Getting the Best Out of Virtual Work and Virtual Teams

Virtual working – also known as remote working, telecommuting, flexible working, or homeworking – is an important and growing trend in the global employment landscape. Its popularity has increased due to globalization and outsourcing. However, unlocking the benefits of virtual work – increased productivity, flexibility, and collaboration across dispersed teams – depends largely on the organizational culture, management, and leadership to support it. Without the knowledge and skills to be effective in leading virtually, many managers are reluctant to embrace it. Virtual Leadership identifies the challenges of virtual work and explains how to develop the facilitative leadership mindset to effectively manage people remotely. It focuses on tried and tested strategies for being a better leader in a virtual working scenario, and directly addresses the common challenges of managing a company of telecommuters using real-life examples from organizations all over the world. Chapters cover why virtual leadership is vital; virtually working with others; using technology; leading virtual meetings; working across cultures, time zones, languages, and generations; and putting leadership into practice.

Penny Pullan (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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Last Orders at the Star and Sixpence: feel-good fiction set in the perfect village pub!

Ice-cold drinks, summer sun and colourful characters - welcome to the perfect village pub! Nestled in the quiet countryside sits the cosy village of Little Monkham, home of The Star and Sixpence, a renovated pub owned by sisters Sam and Nessie. As the locals welcome the new season, it appears that change is afoot in their tiny community, and not all of it for the better . . . Nessie is moving in with her boyfriend, leaving Sam alone in the pub. But with the arrival of new chef Gabriel causing a flutter among the women of the village, it seems that Sam might not be so lonely after all. Having just recently come out of a relationship, Sam's attraction to Gabe is inconvenient, but that's the least of her worries when an unexpected visitor arrives at the pub, determined to stir up trouble. As Gabe and Sam grow closer, Little Monkham's latest arrival threatens to reveal a secret that will turn more than one world upside down. Can Sam and Nessie work through the fall out, or is it really last orders at The Star and Sixpence? The brand new novel from Holly Hepburn, author of A Year at the Star and Sixpence, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley and Jenny Colgan. ~*~Praise for the STAR AND SIXPENCE series~*~ 'A fresh new voice, brings wit and warmth to this charming tale of two sisters' Rowan Coleman 'Warm, witty and laced with intriguing secrets! I want to pull up a bar stool, order a large G&T and soak up all the gossip at the Star and Sixpence!' Cathy Bramley 'You'll fall in love with this fantastic new series from star of women's fiction, Holly Hepburn. Filled to the brim with captivating characters and fantastic storylines in a gorgeous setting ... simply wonderful. I want to read more!' Miranda Dickinson 'The Star and Sixpence sparkles with fun, romance, mystery, and a hunky blacksmith. It's a real delight' Julie Cohen 'Like the dream pub landlady who always knows exactly what you want, Holly Hepburn has created the most delightful welcome to what promises to be a brilliant series, in the first Star and Sixpence. The sisters are warm and intriguing, the neighbours are (mostly!) friendly and the gossip is utterly addictive. I was very sad when it was time for last orders, and am already looking forward to the next round. Especially if a certain blacksmith happens to be at the bar...' Kate Harrison ++ Last Orders at the Star and Sixpence is the bind-up of the new Star and Sixpence e-novellas. If you have already enjoyed the novellas, then you have already enjoyed Last Orders at the Star and Sixpence. For new novellas from Holly, check out her Castle Court series and her Picture House by the Sea series ++

Holly Hepburn (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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An Orphan in the Snow

Haunted by the death of her sister, June Lavender takes a job at a Dr Barnardo's orphanage. June couldn't save Clara from their father's violence, but perhaps she can help children whose lives have been torn apart by war.When June bumps into Flight Lieutenant Murray Andrews on the bombed streets of Liverpool, the attraction is instant. But how can they think of love when war is tearing the world apart?As winter closes in, and the war rages on, can June find the strength and courage to make a better life for herself and the children?

Molly Green (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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The Tudor Crown

When Edward of York takes back the English crown, the Wars of the Roses scatter the Lancastrian nobility and young Henry Tudor, with a strong claim to the throne, is forced into exile.Recently widowed and vulnerable, his mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, forges an uncomfortable alliance with Edward's queen, Elizabeth Woodville. Swearing an oath of allegiance to York, Margaret agrees to marry the king's shrewdest courtier, Lord Stanley. But can she tread the precarious line between duty to her husband, loyalty to her son, and her obligation to God and the king? When tragedy befalls Edward's reign, Richard of York's ruthless actions fire the ambition of mother and son. As their destinies converge each of them will be exposed to betrayal and treachery and in their gruelling bid for the Tudor crown, both must be prepared to pay the ultimate price...

Joanna Hickson (Author), Karen Cass, Oliver J. Hembrough (Narrator)

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The Make

Murder, loyalty and vengeance collide in Jessie Keane's gritty fourth novel.Life is good for Gracie Doyle - running her Manchester casino keeps her busy. Until the police turn up at her door one day and her world is turned upside down. She is given news that her two estranged brothers have been viciously attacked. George is in hospital on a ventilator and worringly, Harry is missing.Gracie has no option but to leave the good life and dip her toe into the murky waters of her East End past. She leaves for London in an attempt to avenge her brothers and in doing so uncovers some unsavoury secrets about the lifestyle they've been leading. Their little games have got them into big trouble with the wrong people...She must keep her wits about her and try to find Harry, or it could prove fatal...

Jessie Keane (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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Scarlet Women

She was a madam in a brothel, then a gangster's moll. Now Annie Carter owns the East End of London, and God help anybody that crosses her...It's 1970, London, and there's a killer on the loose.When gang boss Annie Carter gets a call, suddenly it's personal. A close friend of hers is the latest victim, and another is in the frame for the murder.With the hated Delaney gang still causing trouble, and NY mob boss Don Constantine Barolli's family making no secret of the fact that they hate her, she senses a feud blowing up in all their faces very soon.To save her old friend, Annie has to try to find out who's been targeting the girls. Before long she's diving head-first into the seedy underbelly of the streets.How long before the killer strikes again? And who will be the next victim?

Jessie Keane (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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Un Lun Dun

The iron wheel began to spin, slowly at first, then faster and faster. The room grew darker. As the light lessened, so did the sound. Deeba and Zanna stared at each other in wonder. The noise of the cars and vans and motorbikes outside grew tinny . . . The wheel turned off all the cars and turned off all the lamps. It was turning off London. Zanna and Deeba are two girls leading ordinary lives, until they stumble into the world of UnLondon, an urban Wonderland where all the lost and broken things of London end up . . . and some of its lost and broken people too. Here discarded umbrellas stalk with spidery menace, carnivorous giraffes roam the streets, and a jungle sprawls beyond the door of an ordinary house. UnLondon is under siege by the sinister Smog and its stink-junkie slaves; it is a city awaiting its hero. Guided by a magic book that can't quite get its facts straight, and pursued by Hemi the half-ghost boy, the girls set out to stop the poisonous cloud before it burns everything in its path. They are joined in their quest by a motley band of UnLondon locals, including Brokkenbroll, boss of the broken umbrellas, Obaday Fing, a couturier whose head is an enormous pincushion, and an empty milk carton called Curdle. Winner of the Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book, China Miéville's Un Lun Dun is an extraordinary vivid creation; populated by astonishing frights and delights that will thrill the imagination.

China Miéville (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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Emotional Intelligence: Managing Emotions to Make a Positive Impact on Your Life and Career

Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. Were all born with this ability - emotional Intelligence is a skill and we all have the capacity to develop this skill. This book takes a strengths based approach; it recognises and explains that weve already got emotional intelligence and we all have the ability to develop our emotional intelligence. We just need to know how. This book will change the way you think about emotions you will discover that all emotions have a positive intent. Having learnt what emotional intelligence is, how to develop it and how to use emotional intelligence to communicate more effectively, be more assertive, confident and resilient, this book presents a variety of real life situations where you will discover how to manage relationships with friends, family and at work.

Gill Hasson (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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Underneath the Christmas Tree

***The sparkling new Christmas novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author Heidi Swain!*** Wynter's Trees is the home of Christmas. For the people of Wynmouth it's where they get their family Christmas tree, and where Christmas truly comes to life. But for Liza Wynter, it's a millstone around her neck. It was her father's pride and joy but now he's gone, she can't have anything to do with it. Until her father's business partner decides to retire and she must go back to handle the transition to his son Ned. When Liza arrives, she discovers a much-loved business that's flourishing under Ned's stewardship. And she's happy to stay and help for the Christmas season, but then she has other plans. But will the place where she grew up make her change her mind? And can it weave its Christmas cheer around her heart…? Underneath the Christmas Tree is the perfect festive read, promising snowfall, warm fires and breath-taking seasonal romance. Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Carole Matthews and Cathy Bramley. Praise for HEIDI SWAIN: 'Full of Heidi's trademark gentle charm. Lock the door, pour some mulled wine and settle into this wonderful Christmas treat!' Milly Johnson 'More Christmassy than a week in Lapland - we loved it!' heat magazine 'Sprinkled with Christmas sparkle' Trisha Ashley 'Give yourself a Christmas treat and curl up with this magical book!' Sue Moorcroft, author of The Little Village Christmas 'A real Christmas cracker of a read!' Penny Parkes, author of Practice Makes Perfect 'Cosy, Christmassy and deeply satisfying! Another wonderful read!' Mandy Baggot, author of One Christmas Kiss in Notting Hill

Heidi Swain (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life

SLEEK. CHIC. NOTORIOUSLY GUARDED. WELCOME TO THE SECRET WORLD OF COCO CHANEL. Justine Picardie’s definitive biography explores the dark mysteries hidden beneath the shimmering surface of a fabled fashion icon. Unveiling remarkable details about Coco Chanel’s traumatic childhood and her flight into unconventional adulthood, this beautifully constructed portrait reveals her passionate and painful past, her turbulent loves and losses, her quest for fame and fortune, and how she transformed herself into her own most powerful creation. Feared and revered by her contemporaries, Chanel died in 1971, but her legacy lives on as an enduring global brand. Drawing on interviews with her last surviving friends and relatives, and unprecedented archival research, Justine Picardie brings Chanel out of hiding, unpicking the seams between reality and myth, and telling a timeless story that uncovers the true art and heart of fashion. This special new edition has been extensively revised and updated, and offers a uniquely authoritative account of the greatest designer in the world. Adding fresh insights and discoveries, it comes complete with a compelling array of previously unseen images from the Chanel archives.

Justine Picardie (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Karen Cass