Showing results by narrator "Ann Richardson" in All Categories

In the days leading up to Christmas, Dómhildur delivers her 1,922nd baby. Beginnings and endings are her family trade; she comes from a long line of midwives on her mother’s side and a long line of undertakers on her father’s. She even lives in the apartment that she inherited from her grandaunt, a midwife with a unique reputation for her unconventional methods.

Scientist Jane Farrell's new discovery might just change the world—if she lives long enough to introduce it at the World Energy Conference. After intruders break into her lab and her home, she flees to her brother's cabin outside the tiny mountain town of Hope Landing, hoping to elude them. With his Knight Tactical teammates marrying right and left, former SEAL Patrick Olivetti's charmed life is losing its sparkle. No longer content to be the life of the party, the bachelor might have to re-think his choices. But all that stops when he finds a beautiful intruder in his cabin.

Fallon and Piper McCaid have not spoken to each other in fifteen years, much to the despair of their younger sister, Ashley. With their brother missing, their grandfather in recovery, and their family home under threat, the sisters are reunited. The McCaid sisters are forced to put aside their differences to face their fears, unravel a mystery, and confront an unknown enemy.

Across twenty-five stories, Øyehaug renovates the form again and again, confirming Lydia Davis’s observation that her every story is “a formal surprise, smart and droll.” The stories converse with, contradict, and expand on one another; birds, hagfish, and wild beasts reappear, gnawing at the fringes. A section of a woman’s brain slips into the toilet bowl, removing her ability to remember or recognize types of birds (particularly problematic because she is an ornithologist). Medicinal leeches ingest information from fiberoptic cables, and a new museum sinks into the ground.

The strong winds of autumn are about to blow a few surprises in Cody Moore's way. Discovering her mother's true identity has left Cody and her family shocked. But as the Moore family settles back into their everyday lives and wind down from a summer filled with mystery and life-changing truths, they soon discover their troubles are far from over.

Captain Thuridur, born in Iceland in 1777, lived a life that was both controversial and unconventional. Her first time fishing, on the open unprotected rowboats of her time, was at age eleven. Soon after, she audaciously began wearing trousers. She later became an acclaimed fishing captain brilliant at weather-reading and seacraft and consistently brought in the largest catches. In the Arctic seas where drownings occurred with terrifying regularity, she never lost a single crewmember. Author Margaret Willson reveals Captain Thuridur's fascinating story.

By beginning a conversation that encourages self-examination and compassion, Combined Destinies invites listeners to look at how white Americans have been hurt by the very ideology that their ancestors created. Editors Ann Todd Jealous and Caroline T. Haskell, both experienced psychotherapists skilled at facilitating dialogue about racial issues, are cognizant of the challenges that even the thought of such conversations often presents. Their book is based on the premise that for positive and lasting change to occur, hearts as well as minds must be opened.

Cody, Christopher, Carla, and Steven are about to uncover a truth hidden for almost three decades. While they unravel the shocking mystery that will change their lives forever, they must find a way to forgive the past and each other and find their way to love again. While mysteries unravel and feelings blossom, Cody learns that true love deserves a second chance, after all. Escape into the beauty of the Atlantic coastline and fall in love with Cody Moore, her adorable teens, and her crazy house full of loveable pets.

Noted art historian Harriet F. Senie tackles pivotal subjects and more in Monumental Controversies. Senie places partisan politics aside as she investigates subjects that have not been adequately covered in classrooms or literature and require substantial reconciliation in order for Americans to come to terms with their history. She shines a spotlight on the complicated facts surrounding these figures, monuments, and sites, enabling us to revisit the flaws of our Founding Fathers and their checkered legacies while still recognizing their enormous importance and influence.

Icelanders believe in elves. Why does that make you laugh?, asks Nancy Marie Brown, in this wonderfully quirky exploration of our interaction with nature. Looking for answers in history, science, religion, and art—from ancient times to today—Brown finds that each discipline defines what is real and unreal, natural and supernatural, demonstrated and theoretical, alive and inert. Each has its own way of perceiving and valuing the world around us. And each discipline defines what an Icelander might call an elf.

Vera and Mamma are headed out for a march, but it’s not just any march: it’s October 24 in Reykjavík, and on this day in 1975, the women of Iceland took the day off, walked out of their homes and away from their jobs—as farmworkers, butchers, and fisherwomen; wives, daughters, and children—and marched to demand equality and change, chanting: “I dare! I can! I will!” And they did, inspiring and empowering girls and women to make change, not just in their country, but all around the world.

Marli Rivers’ signature carefree demeanor melts away when her sweet shop is hit with a series of fires, threats, and vandalism. Local firefighter, Jake Kline, steps in to help following the attacks, believing Marli is being targeted by an arsonist. Their professional relationship feels strained, at first, and she is less than thrilled that Jake is the one who’s investigating the fires. Marli perceives him as arrogant, but that perception quickly fades as he proves to be a trusted ally in the face of danger.

As a child, artist and potter Dani Bennett witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. With no memory of the incident or her true identity, she was forced to take on a new name and a new life, hidden away in Montana for the past twenty-five years.

At Rivers Boutique, where contemporary sophistication meets old-world romance, Cara Rivers curates a collection of the latest fashion, exquisite antique jewelry, and enchanting ornaments. Caught in the tangled web of fascination, Lance Steel, an FBI agent, becomes entangled in the Rivers family legacy. Once Cara's cherished childhood friend, Lance is torn between his duty and their deep connection. With rumors of art theft surrounding her family, Cara's trust in Lance was shattered, leaving their friendship in ruins. But fate intervenes as a mysterious benefactor clears Cara's name.

As October slides into November, Cody Bay enjoys a few rare moments of peace. Finally able to focus on her personal projects, Cody Moore sets out to start renovations on the Bay. December's Christmas rush is but a breath away, and with the trouble following them around at every turn, she needs to be ready. But Cody's hopes for a quiet November are soon shattered. The last guest to arrive at the Inn brings with them chaos anew.

Brandon Newton has two failed marriages under his belt, a shy teenage daughter abandoned by her mother, and a hope to start anew in Nantucket. After accepting a job at the local hospital, Brandon books into Cody Bay Inn, ready to start anew. He is completely unaware that his life is about to change forever. When a freak storm hits Cody Bay, a woman is found stranded on a lifeboat with no memory of who she is or how she got there. The only clue to who she may be is a medical alert necklace around her neck that identifies her as Summer Pearce.

As the Moore family and friends prepare for the annual Cody Bay Inn Halloween party, an unexpected guest arrives to stir up things at the Bay. Strange things start to happen around the Inn and the town, coinciding with the arrival of James Argent. A tall, dark, handsome man with silver eyes, a soothing voice, and an erased past. His distinguished accent, attire, and his valet make him look like he stepped out of the nineteenth century. But that's not all... On the night of James’ arrival at Nantucket, a storm blows in, knocking out the power on the island.

No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again—this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card—a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it—cannot be ignored.

Wendy Moore hides her collection of pilfered bric-a-brac from everyone, including her husband. He thinks she licked her kleptomania in therapy more than a decade ago. Therapy did help, as did focusing her attention on motherhood. But now Wendy’s gardening and furniture-refinishing hobbies fill up only so much of the day, leaving the recent empty nester lonely and anxious—a combination likely to trigger her little problem. She needs a project, fast. Luckily, Harper Ross—a single, childless younger woman in desperate need of highlights—just moved in next door.

When Annie’s ex-husband goes missing, she puts their differences aside to search for him. But when he turns up with a bullet wound and paler than death, Annie knows she’s seen it all. What has Roger done this time, and who is after him? And why will Roger trust no one but Tom, his lifelong rival, with his secret?