Showing results for "Charles Baker" in Literature & Fiction

Charles Dickens' story of solitary miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is taught the true meaning of Christmas by the three ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, has become one of the timeless classics of English literature. First published in 1843, it introduces us not only to Scrooge himself but also to the memorable characters of underpaid desk clerk Bob Cratchit and his poor family, the poorest amongst whom is the ailing and crippled Tiny Tim.

Ray Midge is waiting for his credit card bill to arrive. His wife, Norma, has run off with her ex-husband, taking Ray’s cards, shotgun, and car. But from the receipts, Ray can track where they’ve gone. He takes off after them, as does an irritatingly tenacious bail bondsman, both following the romantic couple’s spending as far as Mexico.

For a time, Jimmy spent his expat days in Mexico unearthing pre-Columbian artifacts. Now he makes a living doing small trucking jobs and helping out with the occasional missing-person situation. But Jimmy’s laid-back lifestyle is being seriously imposed upon by a ninety-pound stalker named Louise. Add to this a sudden wave of hippies led by a murderous ex-con guru in search of psychic happenings, archaeologists unearthing (illegally) the Mayan tombs, and Louise and her weirdo husband’s quest for UFO sites, and Jimmy’s south-of-the-border existence is in danger.

Left penniless by the death of his father, nineteen-year-old Nicholas Nickleby seeks help, along with his mother and sister, from Uncle Ralph Nickleby. The hard-hearted money lender takes an instant dislike to his nephew and gets rid of the boy by securing him a teaching position at Dotheboys Hall, where the evil Wackford Squeers presides. Horrified by the barbarity he sees there, Nicholas defies Squeers and is forced to flee.

Unabridged readings of four spine-tingling stories. This suspenseful anthology collects together four gripping tales of gruesome scientific experiments and chilling supernatural events - all read in full by some of the very best voice actors. With over 18 hours of electrifying listening, tracked by chapter, these classic tales will have you on the edge of your seat.

In the polluted and poverty-ridden Coketown, Louisa and Tom Gradgrind endure a cold and loveless childhood at the hands of their self-satisfied and unimaginative father, Thomas. Starved of affection, Louisa is forced into a miserable marriage with the self-made industrialist Josiah Bounderby, 30 years her senior, whilst Tom descends into a secret life of theft. Into such squalor and misery comes generous and spirited Sissy Jupe, a child of the circus whose ailing father, Sleary, has deserted her.

An American literary treasure, Charles Portis penned the Western classic True Grit. Set in the 1960s, Norwood is a picaresque romp taking audiences on a journey from Texas to New York and back again. An ex-marine, troubadour Norwood Pratt is on a mission to recover money he once loaned to a buddy in the service. Along the way, he gets into all manner of trouble involving stolen cars, beautiful women, and a chicken with a college education.

Here is the story of Pip and his mysterious rise from abused orphan to gentleman. Magwitch, the brutal convict, withered Miss Havisham, still wearing her yellowed wedding gown, and the heartless and beautiful Estella, are vibrant characters. Listen in to this superb story told with typical Dickensian warmth and humor and woven around unforgettable characters.

Set against the bloody background of the French Revolution, this is perhaps Dickens' most famous work. Doctor Manette, his devoted daughter Lucie, and the young French aristocrat Charles Darnay are memorable characters. Above all the others rises the reckless Sidney Carton, whose selfless love makes him one of literature's great heroes.

When Lady Moira Brennan leaves her home at Brennan Castle for the wilds of her own homestead claim in the Montana territory, she has no idea that a husband awaits her. Sold into marriage by her uncle, she arrives to find a bleak landscape of scarce farmers, all desperately trying to scratch out a living on their claims. Pryor MacAteer came to Montana himself only three years ago, and his farm has prospered. All that he needs to make it complete is a wife and family, one whose passage he paid, and whose name is on the marriage contract.

Moira is back on the family ranch, Circle O, for spring break. Although she's glad to be home again, she's slightly depressed. It's not easy to be in love with someone who doesn't even know you exist. That changes, however, when the very next day at the ranch, she sees Mitchell and discovers love for the very first time. Trouble is just around the corner, however, when Mitchell loses his mother and a can of worms is opened, threatening the fragile relationship between the two lovers.

Marcella is sick to death of being victimized by criminals, by Coventry County, and even by her husband Mike Phelan The time has come to put her needs first and take back control of her own life. What is she willing to do to accomplish it?

A woman's night of Carnaval in Quebec City is short-circuited by an abandoned baby.

Here are five spooky stories to listen to near the fireplace. Sit back and relax with the Shiver and Fears first Christmas short tales!

In this true to life tale, Texas girl Amanda finds love in a young man named Andrew. However this new commitment is not all perfect. She has a variety of new worries including the approval of her father and pushing away difficult high school memories. Can their love survive rocky times?

In love with Maddie from the next ranch, Jim O'Connor has tried everything he knows to get her back. Everything except the one thing that Maddie asks for: a place of their own. His brother has made it a life mission to make things impossible for Jim and he needs to find a way to get around the unrelenting stance of his brother in order to get the love of his life.

At the end of his life, St. Francis reflects on all that took place during his life. Historically correct, a play that takes St. Francis out of the birdbath. A drama in two acts.

The Telepaths were not finished with Erwyn and Clement Green, fortunately for them. But they were the jerks that handed the Greens over to the Aliens! So what gives? A trip back in time for them both, courtesy of Marian's discarded Gift of Need. How can two convicted criminals survive in the wilds of Pre-Columbian New England? Not easily, as it turns out.

Four very short stories, all told in the first person, some that cannot, and others that should not, happen in our lifetimes.

Depressed and struggling with grief after the death of her long-time fiancé, Emily travels to Texas as a favor for a friend. She falls in love with the big blue skies and the beautiful landscapes, but she knows it's only temporary. Then she meets big, gruff cowboy, Andrew O'Connor and almost everything she thought she knew about herself crumbles as she fights her attraction for the wary Texan.