Last Was Lloyd

A friendless, overweight 12-year-old with an overprotective mother begins to change the monotonous pattern of his life.

A friendless, overweight twelve-year-old with an overprotective mother begins to change the monotonous pattern of his life.

Introducing an extraordinary new voice---a magical debut that will make your skin tingle, your eyes glisten . . .and your heart sing. Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove the magic away. Twelve-year-old Felicity knows all about things like that; her nomadic mother is cursed with a wandering heart.But when she arrives in Midnight Gulch, Felicity thinks her luck's about to change. A "word collector," Felicity sees words everywhere---shining above strangers, tucked into church eves, and tangled up her dog's floppy ears---but Midnight Gulch is the first place she's ever seen the word "home." And then there's Jonah, a mysterious, spiky-haired do-gooder who shimmers with words Felicity's never seen before, words that make Felicity's heart beat a little faster. Felicity wants to stay in Midnight Gulch more than anything, but first, she'll need to figure out how to bring back the magic, breaking the spell that's been cast over the town . . . and her mother's broken heart.

This excellent book is a beautiful illustration of a life well lived. The life of this exemplary young man was cut short by ruthless, brutal enemies. I believe every person, especially every American youth, should read these true and inspiring words. Joshua Byers is one of the finest examples of what we need Americans to be. This writing will bring you to a new level of finding meaning and direction in your life. Ross Campbell, M.D. Retired child Psychiatrist and best selling author. I feel as though I know Josh better and look forward to having conversations with him in Heaven. We all think our children are the most special, but Josh really stood out from the crowd. I love how you have woven Joshs last words into a lesson on life. It is a tribute to Josh, but yet it is so much more. Molly Morel National President American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. (2010-2011) Molly is the proud Gold Star Mom of Captain Brent Morel, KIA Iraq, 2004. As a friend and West Point classmate of Josh, this book strikes home for me. As a combat veteran and infantry officer, my service in Iraq and Afghanistan was just like his. This book portrays so much about the ideals and sacrifices of a real hero and the struggles of so many of our families at home. Its a true portrayal of life at war, both at home and in combat. Joshs sacrifice will always be honored and I will keep moving forward in his name. Mike Jones Executive Director of Not Alone, Inc. www.notalone.com

A satirical novel on the corporate world as it tries to get fewer people to do more for less money. The hero is Lloyd, a corporate flunkey preparing a merger that will cost thousands of workers their job, some of whom are his friends. A first novel.

"I was pulled into The Memory Wood from the very first page—it grabs you by the throat and doesn't let you go" —Shari Lapena, #1 bestselling author of The Couple Next Door A heart-stopping, chilling thriller about an abducted girl, the boy who can save her and the terrifying cat-and-mouse game of deception and betrayal that they are playing. "If you've only just arrived . . . then why do you want to leave?" Elissa arrived in Memory Wood on the most important day of her life. The thirteen-year-old chess prodigy was competing at the English Youth Grand Prix when she was snatched, and then woke up in a makeshift cell underground. Elijah has lived beside Memory Wood for as long as he can remember. He's only twelve but he's spent his life so far exploring every inch of it, and that's how he finds Elissa. When he appears in her cell, Elissa assumes Elijah will help her; that he'll go to the police and give them the answers they desperately need. But Elijah doesn't want her to leave. As her abductor's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic, Elijah's company is soon her only source of relief and Elissa realizes that this strange, lonely boy is her one hope for survival. Drawing on all her resilience and powers of logic to outwit him, their deadly game of cat and mouse, of deception and betrayal, but also their bond of friendship, will determine both their fates. . . .

Perfect for fans of Jane Harper, the beautifully written, evocative and pulse-pounding new novel from Sam Lloyd. A family pushed to its limits, set against the backdrop of the most unforgiving of landscapes. The news doesn't strike cleanly, like a guillotine's blade. Nothing so merciful. This news is a slovenly traveller, dragging its feet, gradually revealing its horrors. And it announces itself first with violence—the urgent hammering of fists on the front door. Life can change in a heartbeat. Lucy has everything she could wish for: a beautiful home high on the clifftops above the Devonshire coast, her own thriving business, a devoted husband and two beloved children. Then one morning, time stops. Their family yacht is recovered, abandoned far out at sea. Lucy's husband is nowhere to be found and as the seconds tick by, she begins to wonder—what if he was the one who took the boat? And if so, where is he now? As a once-in-a-generation storm frustrates the rescue operation, Lucy pieces together what happened onboard. And then she makes a fresh discovery. One that plunges her into a nightmare more shocking than any she could ever have imagined . . .

A mature male blue whale, weakened by parasites and mercury poisoning, searches for his mate and surviving calf, while remembering the events of his life

A friendless, overweight twelve-year-old with an overprotective mother begins to change the monotonous pattern of his life.