Hazel Prior
BOOKS
AWAY WITH THE PENGUINS
(UK title)
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HOW THE PENGUINS SAVED VERONICA
(USA title)
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Number 1 bestseller on Kindle
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Number 1 bestseller in audiobooks
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Richard and Judy Book Club
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BBC Radio 2 Book Club
Veronica McCreedy is about to have the journey of a lifetime ...
Veronica McCreedy lives in a mansion by the sea. She loves a nice cup of Darjeeling tea whilst watching a good wildlife documentary. And she’s never seen without her ruby-red lipstick.
Although these days Veronica is rarely seen by anyone because, at 85, her days are spent mostly at home, alone.
She can be found either collecting litter from the beach (‘people who litter the countryside should be shot’), trying to locate her glasses (‘someone must have moved them’) or shouting instructions to her assistant, Eileen (‘Eileen, door!’).
Veronica doesn’t have family or friends nearby. Not that she knows about, anyway . . . And she has no idea where she’s going to leave her considerable wealth when she dies.
But today . . . today Veronica is going to make a decision that will change all of this.
'"I love this gorgeous book. Unflinching, stubborn, funny and moving, Veronica is an unlikely heroine who will sneak in and capture your heart'"
~ Trisha Ashley, Sunday Times bestselling author
"A glorious, life-affirming story. I read it in a day. I’m going to buy it for so many people this year!"
~ Clare Mackintosh, Sunday Times bestselling author
“A warm and witty journey of self-discovery.”
~ Wendy Wax, USA Today bestselling author
"A touching, uplifting tale"
~ Jo Whiley, Radio 2 Book Club
"This year's Eleanor Oliphant . . . Funny, bittersweet and wholly original."
~ Daily Express
CALL OF THE PENGUINS
Meet the heroine everyone's talking about . . .
Fiercely resilient and impeccably dressed, Veronica McCreedy has lived an incredible 87 years. Most of them alone, in her huge house by the sea.
But Veronica has recently discovered a late-life love for family and friendship, adventure and wildlife.
More specifically, a love for penguins!
And so when she's invited to co-present a wildlife documentary, far away in the southern hemisphere, she jumps at the chance. Even though it will put her in the spotlight, just when she thought she would soon fade into the wings.
Perhaps it's never too late to shine?
"Call of the Penguins is just what the doctor ordered – for any ailment ever! Funny, wise, touching... I loved it."
~ Tracy Rees
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"Beautifully written by a born storyteller"
~ Lorraine Kelly
'This gorgeous book has everything! Mysteries, misunderstandings, arguments, reconciliations, kindness, love and lots of PENGUINS!'
~ Clare Pooley,
GONE WITH THE PENGUINS
"Emperor penguins defy the odds, and I shall too.”
Still fiery and feisty at eighty-seven, Veronica McCreedy, the very first Penguin Ambassador, is determined to prove that nothing is impossible when you put your mind to it.
Eileen, Veronica’s ever-patient assistant, is content taking care of other people. But when a new adventure calls, it makes her question everything...
Ten-year-old, penguin-obsessed Daisy can’t wait to be reunited with Mrs McCreedy in her huge house by the sea for the school holidays.
When they discover that the local Sea Life Centre is under threat, the unlikely trio are determined to save it and the penguins that live there.
Inspired by the penguins and fuelled by Darjeeling tea and finger sandwiches, they embark on an epic fundraising walk. But soon, their mission becomes so much more and it might just lead each of them to a new beginning...
ELLIE AND THE HARP MAKER
MEET ELLIE. She’s perfectly happy with her home and her husband and her quiet life. Happy enough, anyway. Which is why she’s so surprised to find herself drawn to an extraordinary stranger who gives her a gift – and a fresh perspective.
MEET DAN. He thinks that all he needs is the time and space to carry on making harps in his isolated barn on the moor. But the last thing he expects is for Ellie to whirl into his life, bringing a string of surprises to his ordered existence.
Sometimes it takes a chance encounter to discover what your life can be . . .
This heart-warming, funny and quirky love story features . . .
86 plums
69 sandwiches
27 birch trees
a 17-step staircase
a pair of cherry-coloured socks
and a pheasant named Phineas
“Ellie and the Harpmaker is uplifting escapism… rejuvenated by a set of unusual characters, the raw beauty of England and the musicality of Prior’s prose… Prior’s lyricism feels like a warm song.”
~ The Washington Post
“How I loved this book! An uncommonly lovely story told with elegance, insight, and so much heart."
~ Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author.
"Wow, what a love story. Ellie and The Harp Maker is uplifting and full of heart, and I couldn't put it down!"
~ Jo Thomas, bestselling author.
"A melodious and heartwarming debut about love, friendship, and a secret that could change everything. This one is special.”
~ Emily Liebert, USA Today bestselling author.
LIFE AND OTTER MIRACLES
Down by the river, Phoebe Featherstone is about to make a life-changing discovery . . .
Clever, nosy Phoebe is unable to get out much, but she has a talent for uncovering her neighbours' secrets by examining the parcels delivered by her courier father, Al.
When they discover an abandoned baby otter on the riverbank, Phoebe must step out of her comfort zone - and she experiences an unexpected sense of happiness that she has not felt in a very long time. But now, further secrets are coming to light.
Phoebe soon realises that something is amiss at the local otter sanctuary. She will need to overcome her own closely guarded issues and put all her sleuthing skills to good use if she wants to save the otters . . . and in the process, change her life for ever.
"I loved everything about this novel. Another incredible read from Prior."
~ Samantha Tonge, author of Summer Secrets at Streamside Cottage
'A lovely holiday read . . . Packed full of humanity and otters!'
~Sally Page, bestselling author of The Keeper Of Stories
"A warm-hearted and uplifting story which celebrates the power of nature
and the resilience of the human spirit. Otterly charming!"
~ Freya Sampson, author of The Girl on the 88 Bus
"An otter JOY! Amazing characters, cute otters, clever plot, emotion, the beauty and perils of the countryside beautifully evoked. If you want to be happy, read this book!"
~ Tracy Rees, bestselling author of Amy Snow
