Clare Boylan

Kate O'Brien

Mere Marie-Helene once turned her back on life, sealing up her heart in order to devote herself to God. Now the formidable Mother Superior of an Irish convent, she has, for some time, been experiencing grave doubts about her vocation. But when she meets Anna Murphy, the youngest-ever boarder, the little girl's solemn, poetic nature captivates her and she feels 'a storm break in her hollow heart'. Between them an unspoken allegiance is formed that will sustain each through the years as the Reverend Mother seeks to combat her growing spiritual aridity and as Anna develops the strength to resist the conventional demands of her background.

The Land of Spices

Spain in the years before the Armada, and high passion meets high politics. Ana, Princess of Eboli, heiress of Spain's leading family, widow of Philip II's wisest counsellor and rumoured to be the King's mistress, falls unexpectedly in love with Don Antonio Perez, dandy, adulterer, skilled politician. With her unusual looks, her aristocratic arrogance and the simplicities of her faith, Ana cannot understand why her private life should become entangled with the affairs of state and, finally, incur the terrible vindictiveness of the King himself...Kate O'Brien's understanding and love of Spain enhance the beauty of this passionate and intelligent novel.

A Novel

That Lady

Last Summer

When Anthony Considine creeps into Mellick town with a stolen horse in 1789, it sets the destiny of his family for decades to come. By the 1850s, through thrift and hard work, his son Honest John has made the Considines a leading Mellick family. In turn, his son Anthony builds a fine house in the country for his wife and children-most especially for his adored son Dennis. Little does he know that when Dennis grows up he will threaten the toil of generations with his love for a peasant girl. A stirring family saga of divided loyalties and individual freedom; of matches made and lost; and of the constraints of religion and family pride.

Without My Cloak

It is the Eve of All Saints, 1880, and Teresa Mulqueen lies dying. Her family gathers round her, and beneath this sad scene another drama, no less poignant, unfolds. In this house of stillness and shadow, her daughter Agnes anxiously awaits the return of her sister Rose-Marie and brother-in-law Vincent. Agnes adores her sister, but secretly, passionately loves Vincent-and she knows their marriage is foundering. Ahead lies a terrible battle between her uncompromising religious faith and the intensity of her love.

The Ante-room

When Anthony Considine creeps into Mellick town with a stolen horse in 1789, it sets the destiny of his family for decades to come. By the 1850s, through thrift and hard work, his son Honest John has made the Considines a leading Mellick family. With his father's money, John's son Anthony builds a grand country house for his wife and children - but especially for his youngest son Denis, who he adores, little knowing that one day Denis will threaten the toil of generations with his love for a peasant girl . . .

Confronted with the rising tide of environmental change, a growing number of people are seeking a healthier way of living, voicing concerns about the environment and sustainable practices. However, many still remain uncertain how they can make a real positive influence. SLOW LIFE is the answer. An acronym for a more conscious way of living, SLOW (Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wholesome) and LIFE (Learning, Inspiring, Fun, Experiences) describe a uniquely holistic approach to individual health in combination with environmental health. Since its inception in 1995, Six Senses has achieved acclaim for crafting luxurious resorts that are highly environmentally sensitive. The Six Senses business model embodies SLOW LIFE, embracing the idea of integrating business with planetary health in order to generate widespread change. With creativity and style, the Six Senses brands have created resort experiences that are environmentally friendly, suggesting that improving the ecological and carbon footprint of our homes, workplaces and wherever we choose to be truly is a reachable goal. Full of practical tips, inspiring case studies, and insightful analysis, this beautifully illustrated guide reveals how adopting the SLOW LIFE is both entirely approachable and utterly essential.

Sustainable . Local . Organic . Wholesome . Learning . Inspiring . Fun . Experiences

Slow Life

Last of Summer

Modern Ireland, a beautiful woman who rules her household with an iron hand, and a niece who comes from France to challenge her authority.

The Last of Summer

Teresa de Ávila

Ireland, 1880 and a prosperous, provincial family observes the three great autumnal feasts of the Church. As Teresa Mulqueen lies dying, her family gather round her and beneath this drama another, no less poignant, unfolds. Unmarried daughter Agnes awaits the return of her sister Marie-Rose and brother-in-law Vincent. She adores her sister, but secretly, pasionately, loves Vincent. And their marriage, she knows, is unhappy...Ahead lies a terrible battle between her uncompromising faith and the intensity of her love. In this delicately imagined novel, originally published in 1934, Kate O'Brien lays bare the struggles between personal need and the Catholic faith with the sympathy and insight which is the hallmark of her craft.

The Ante-Room

David Van der Meulen

The third book in Thames & Hudsons successful Spa Style series is an authoritative guide to Arabias most luxurious spas. Spanning the entire region, from Tunisia to Dubai, it is the first book to draw upon the ancient spa traditions of the region, and offers unparalleled insights into the opulence and pure indulgence of the new Arabian spa experience.

Therapies, Cuisines, Spas

Spa Style Arabia

It is 1939, the last summer before the outbreak of war. French actress Angele Maury abandons a group of friends travelling through Ireland and takes herself to picturesque Drumaninch, birthplace of her dead father. She has come to make sense of her past. Self-conscious with her pale, exotic beauty, Angele braves the idiosyncratic world of the Kernahans: her enigmatic aunt Hannah, her ridiculous but loveable uncle Corney and her three cousins - Martin, charming, intense; Tom, devoted to his mother, and their bright sister Jo, who combines religious faith with a penchant for gambling. But is there some mystery surrounding the past? History threatens to repeat itself as Angele finds herself seduced by the beauty of Ireland, and by the love of two men...First published in 1943, The Last of the Summer is a perfectly structured psychological love story.

If you are frustrated by spending vast amounts of money on expensive skincare products that don’t deliver on their promise, Kate O’Brien’s easy four-week GLOW plan is a must. Kate’s tried-and-tested revitalising GLOW plan contains over 60 easy, skin-nourishing, plant-based recipes along with a targeted step-by-step skincare routine that separates skincare fact from fiction. Discover what works for your skin, whatever your age, from face oils, scrubs and serums to moisturisers, skin acids and an optimum sleep plan that will take years off your face. Kate’s gut-friendly GLOW foods are overflowing with the necessary nutrients that will keep your skin, gut and body vibrant, alive and glowing. Whether you have an upcoming wedding, a holiday or simply want to look and feel your best, this quick and easy plan puts you on the fast track to beautifully radiant skin.

Your Complete Four-Week Plan for Healthy, Radiant Skin with 60 Skin-Nourishing Recipes

Glow

Paula Mee

Don’t fear your middle years – embrace them feeling STRONG, VIBRANT and in CONTROL OF YOUR DESTINY! Authors PAULA MEE and KATE O’BRIEN had a lot of questions when they reached the menopause. While doctors were matter-of-fact and friends had light-hearted conversations about the changes occurring in their bodies, there was no road map for what can, if you’re unprepared, be a turbulent transition. Your Middle Years provides just that. Combining the authors’ joint expertise, it shows that midlife and the menopause years are NOT a stumbling block but an opportunity to embrace maturity, feeling energised, refreshed and ready to take on the next phase of your life with gusto. With advice on diet, beauty, sex, sleep, emotional health and more, Your Middle Years will empower you before, during and after the menopause, helping you to anticipate and manage the changes.

A Book for the Menopause and Beyond

Your Middle Years – Love Them. Live Them. Own Them.

This distinctly personal elegy was written during the early days of the Spanish Civil War by a writer whose future was indelibly marked by a year of travelling in a unique and changing country. A series of reminiscences, impressions and vivid insights, Kate O'Brien's thoughtful journey offers something unique at every stage, and captures perfectly the spirit of a lost place and the experience of travel and memory.

Farewell Spain

Spain in the years before the Armada, and high passion meets high politics. Ana, Princess of Eboli is a remarkable woman. Married at thirteen and losing an eye in a duel a year later, Ana is also heiress of Spain's leading family, widow of Philip II's wisest cousellor and rumoured to be the King's mistress. Unexpectedly - and unwisely - she falls in love with Don Antonio Perez, dandy, adulterer, skilled politician. With her unusual looks, her aristocratic arrogance and the simplicities of her faith, Ana cannot understand why her private life should become entangled with the affairs of state and, finally, incur the terrible vindictiveness of the King himself . . . Kate O'Brien's understanding and love of Spain enhance the beauty of this passionate and intelligent novel.

Kate O'Brien

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