Showing results by narrator "Anne Smith" in All Categories

Less than two months into his ten years of active-duty service to the Hegemony of Velvet Stars as an adept, and Desmond McLaughlin has already gotten himself embroiled in even more trouble. He's settled in just fine aboard his ship, the Fist of Defiance, and made plenty of friends. But it wouldn't be life if there weren't a few bad apples mixed in. Having clashed several times—once in a very physical fashion—with Adept Windracer, Desmond can only hope that the overly aggressive Uth'ra will stop trying to force him into the mold that she believes a male should occupy.

An acclaimed crime novelist and dramatist, Alison Joseph has scripted over 25 plays for BBC Radio. This collection showcases four of her original crime dramas, all specially written for Radio 4 – beginning with an apparently open-and-shut case for Sister Agnes that turns out to be anything but...

Faust is one of the pillars of Western literature. This classic drama presents the story of the scholar Faust, tempted into a contract with the Devil in return for a life of sensuality and power. Enjoyment rules, until Faust’s emotions are stirred by a meeting with Gretchen, and the tragic outcome brings Part 1 to an end. Part 2, written much later in Goethe’s life, places his eponymous hero in a variety of unexpected circumstances, causing him to reflect on humanity and its attitudes to life and death.

Finishing up his first year as a cadet-adept, Desmond’s life is going pretty well as far as he’s concerned. Three beautiful and exotic women love him and have agreed to entwine their lives together. His powers as an Adept have continued to grow as he practices and refines weaving the threads of mana into the world. All while he continues to defy the expectations set by his origins. Sure, he’s still a member of the active military training for one of the most dangerous jobs in the entire Hegemony, but with his girls at his side, Desmond is confident he can handle it.

Promoted early, Desmond McLaughlin and his mates are now full members of the Hegemony military, with all the rights and duties that rank includes. Given the benefits of achieving the rank of full adept early, Desmond and company elected to be deployed aboard the battlecruiser Fist of Defiance, a ship that just happened to be part of the Seventh Border Fleet. The same fleet headed by a certain admiral whose daughter was saved by Desmond and his girls.

Join Desmond as he learns to manipulate mana—a source of power that exists beyond the reach of most people in the universe—meets vastly different alien species, risks life and limb, all while trying to pass classes. If he’s lucky, he will find someone he can trust out here amongst the weird. If he's very lucky, maybe someone he can love.

After the death of a grandfather he never knew, Caleb Holdstock inherits a mysterious mansion. The place needs a lot of work if its to be liveable, but the truly strange thing about it is what's in the basement. A doorway drawn in chalk. It seems harmless at first, until a midnight encounter with a silver-haired elf proves that this doorway is, in fact, the entrance to another world. With knowledge of a magical world beyond Earth, Caleb's life will never be the same again. And the best thing about it? He can travel back and forth freely.

Thane's bloodline and progression continue to transform his once ordinary life. Strength floods his veins, his magic deepens, and his hound, Pork Chop, is deadlier (and hungrier) than ever. With Mira warming his heart and bed, he fights for a future of his own making. Yet conflict brews in the kingdom, and its come to Thane's front door. Word spreads of his power and generosity, and a small host of allies and friends continue to fill his life. Two in particular have caught his attention, Cyrene, a green-eyed firebrand, and Elara, a dark and dangerous beauty with secrets of her own.

I'm Thane Stone, a simple man that wants nothing more than to put down a few crops in the plot of land I purchased at the edge of town. My dream might very well have come true were it not for what I found in the forest. It called to me, woke something buried deep within, a bloodline that raises far more questions than it answers. So, I suppose I'm a bastard with royal blood? To be frank, I'm not sure I give a damn. For now, I'd settle for being left alone with my dog, and maybe save some space for a wife one day. My bloodline's powers are a nice touch though.

When a God of War barged into his apartment, Jake had no idea what to expect... but it wasn't being forced into a never-ending war against evil invaders, or that the battle would strangely resemble the MMORPG games he loved. Working hard and building himself up from almost nothing, Jake would need every bit of knowledge and preparation to master his new class of Summoner. Joined by a sly Demoness with an ancient past and a shy Valkyrie hoping to prove herself in battle, they'll find excitement and enjoyment as they level and grow in power.

When a God of War barged into his apartment, Jake had no idea what to expect... but it wasn't being forced into a never-ending war against evil invaders, or that the battle would strangely resemble the MMORPG games he loved. Working hard and building himself up from almost nothing, Jake would need every bit of knowledge and preparation to master his new class of Summoner. Joined by a sly Demoness with an ancient past and a shy Valkyrie hoping to prove herself in battle, they'll find excitement and enjoyment as they level and grow in power.

A little over four months has passed since Desmond McLaughlin was physically yanked from his home and thrown to the mercy of a conquering alien empire when they demanded he be handed over for training as he was an ‘Adept’, one of the few able to harness the power of magic in the universe. During that time, he has learned how to manipulate mana and made several friends amongst the aliens whose culture he was now immersed in. And one lover.

Soon to be divorced Julia South never expected to be caught up in solving a murder, until she discovered the body of her cafe's most awkward customer. With a new smug Detective Inspector in town who underestimates her every move, Julia makes it her mission to discover the real murderer, before her village friends are dragged into the frame, and more bodies are discovered.

Caleb Holdstock never expected to find himself with the ability to open portals to other worlds. He definitely never expected to find himself a citizen in a place called the Wyrdworld. What he could have never predicted, even in his wildest dreams, would be that he'd find himself running for senator in this fantasy world. But here he is, putting himself forward as the latest candidate for office in the Celestial Senate.

Jake has united and empowered the beastkin into a formidable force, marching towards Life's Haven to reclaim their city and exact payback for countless lives lost. Yet danger lurks as enemy Champions, reptile betrayers, and a horrible curse tests their resolve. The war to reclaim the world stretches beyond a single battle, for it is an unrelenting war for survival. With the help of Jake's new beastkin mate and his bonded wives, they press on, rallying their people to face the enemy head-on.

Jake and his wives have fought against the evil invaders to exhaustion, and the war is escalating to its conclusion. The beastkin have been empowered, and allies have been gathered. But greater rifts threaten to release powerful enemies, and champions of evil gods have arrived. The vicious naga prepare their ambush, and the terrible undead legions roam. Then, there is the difficult dungeon raid, which could send their budding kingdom crumbling down, should they fail.

After saving the world of Highlands from the eldritch horror and being crowned King, Jake had hoped for a chance to relax and enjoy fatherhood. But between undead insect armies, treacherous conspirators, and untrustworthy allies, Jake and his family will have to band together to protect the people and the land that they love.

Jake's monster girls just want to have fun, but success always brings new challenges. After his embarrassment in the Trials, an evil god wants vengeance, and he'll stop at nothing to get it. Despite his sound defeat, Apophis's plot is going to make it difficult for Jake's party to enjoy their hard-won freedom. Meanwhile, the true perils of the war with Tartarus loom on the horizon. Join Jake and his growing family as they face fresh challenges and summon a new ally that's a lot more than they can handle. The giant dark elf lamia proves to be as difficult to deal with as she is powerful.

Wisteria Island is buzzing with excitement as Danielle and Bennett prepare for their long-awaited wedding. But with quirky residents determined to "help," nothing is as simple as it seems. From a dramatic bake-off to debates over decorations, the journey to the altar is filled with laughter, mishaps, and the undeniable charm of island life. As Danielle juggles her duties as the island nurse and her dreams of the perfect day, Bennett faces unexpected family drama that threatens to derail their plans.

After the death of a grandfather he never knew, Caleb Holdstock inherits a mysterious mansion. The place needs a lot of work if it's to be liveable, but the truly strange thing about it is what's in the basement. A doorway drawn in chalk. It seems harmless at first, until a midnight encounter with a silver-haired elf proves that this doorway is, in fact, the entrance to another world. With knowledge of a magical world beyond Earth, Caleb's life will never be the same again. And the best thing about it? He can travel back and forth freely.