This is a book for everyone who has ever wondered why pubs should be called The Cross Keys, The Dew Drop Inn or The Hope and Anchor. You'll be glad to know that there are very good - strange and memorable - reasons behind them all. After much research about (and in) pubs, Albert Jack brings together the stories behind pub names to reveal how they offer fascinating and subversive insights on our history, customs, attitudes and jokes in just the same way that nursery rhymes do. The Royal Oak, for instance, commemorates the tree that hid Charles II from Cromwell's forces after his defeat at Worcester; The Bag of Nails is a corruption of the Bacchanals, the crazed followers of Bacchus, the god of wine and drunkenness; The Cat and the Fiddle a mangling of Catherine La Fidele and a guarded gesture of support for Henry VIII's first, Catholic, wife Catherine of Aragon; plus many, many more. Here too are even more facts about everything from ghosts to drinking songs to the rules of cribbage and shove hapenny, showing that, ultimately, the story of pub history is really the story of our own popular history

Ellie Browne has left behind her high-flying job in London to return to the charming Buckinghamshire village of Little Leyton. Working shifts at the Dog and Duck pub and running her own doggy-daycare business, Ellie's looking for a simpler way of life in this idyllic English setting. But Little Leyton's landscape is changing: Johnny Tay, Ellie's ex, wants to pick up where they left off; sultry property developer Max Golding has moved into the village and is ruffling feathers; and rumour has it that the pub, which holds a special place in Ellie's heart, might be sold. Suddenly, life's looking a whole lot more complicated.... Can Ellie overcome all the challenges to finally find her one true love? A perfect feel-good romantic novel to curl up with. This story of new beginnings, love and friendship is perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan and Lucy Diamond. What readers say about Jill Steeples: 'Lovely romantic story. Well worth reading, couldn't put it down once I'd started it.' 'It is always nice to escape with a good book and this book will whisk you away. A great, uplifting read that is sure to put a smile on your face.' 'Jill Steeple's experienced hand crafts perfect and engaging stories, well rounded characters and wonderful romance. I can wholeheartedly recommend any of Jill's books to make you smile and feel a little warmer inside than when you began.' 'It is always nice to escape with a good book and this book will whisk you away for a few hours. A great, uplifting read that is sure to put a smile on your face.' 'I'm so delighted to have discovered Jill Steeples' writing - the beautiful setting of Primrose Woods (I'd rather like to walk the Wildflower Trail with Pia and Bertie too), the well developed characters and community, the gentle storytelling and the warmth that permeates every page.'

Discover the heartwarming Dog & Duck romance series from Jill Steeples ‘Just the loveliest place to cosy up and escape to' Beth Moran This boxset contains the complete Dog & Duck series from Jill Steeples, for fans of Cathy Bramley and Miranda Dickinson. Winter at the Dog & Duck Summer at the Dog & Duck Wedding Bells at the Dog & Duck Happily-Ever-After at the Dog & Duck Winter at the Dog & Duck Ellie Browne has left behind her high-flying job in London to return to the charming Buckinghamshire village of Little Leyton. Working shifts at the Dog and Duck pub and running her own doggy-daycare business, Ellie's looking for a simpler way of life in this idyllic English setting. But Little Leyton's landscape is changing: Johnny Tay, Ellie's ex, wants to pick up where they left off; sultry property developer Max Golding has moved into the village and is ruffling feathers; and rumour has it that the pub, which holds a special place in Ellie's heart, might be sold. Suddenly, life's looking a whole lot more complicated.... Can Ellie overcome all the challenges to finally find her one true love? Summer at the Dog & Duck Ellie Browne has found happiness running the Dog & Duck pub in the idyllic village of Little Leyton. Her blossoming romance with handsome property developer Max Golding is going swimmingly, and with her new best friend, Digby the black Labrador, at her side, life couldn't be sweeter. But their peace is shattered when Max's younger sister, Katy, turns up unannounced with a whole heap of attitude. And Max's loyalties are stretched further when his glamorous ex Sasha reappears with a burgeoning secret. With the master of the manor preoccupied with the demands of his 'other women', Ellie's forced to consider if she has any role to play in Max's life or in the village of Little Leyton. Can Ellie get her life and relationship back on track in time for the summer charity ball at Braithwaite Manor? Wedding Bells at the Dog & Duck Ellie Browne, landlady of the Dog & Duck, is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas Day before the arrival of her and Max’s baby in the new year. But with a snowstorm brewing outside, it seems that things might not go quite to plan. After the dramatic events of the holiday season, Ellie settles into her new life at Max's huge country mansion, Braithwaite Manor, juggling work and family as best she can. When she's asked to help organise a summer wedding for one of her best friends it's only natural that her mind turns to her own non-existent wedding plans! But with Max decidedly lukewarm on the subject and other family complications threatening to disrupt life further, Ellie fears there'll never be wedding bells at the Dog & Duck after all. Happily-Ever-After at the Dog & Duck Life in Little Leyton is never quiet, and when handsome developer Max and his bride-to-be Ellie receive some sad news, he decides to whisk her away for a romantic break. The time away gives Ellie a new perspective, and she's eager to get home to get on with planning their wedding. But a devastating incident at the pub she runs, the Dog & Duck, puts everything in jeopardy. And at their home, tensions are heightened when Ellie's future mother-in-law turns up with all her worldly belongings, much to Max's sister Katy’s despair. With Max preoccupied with problems at work, Ellie's left literally holding the baby while dealing with a seemingly endless list of dramas. And as Christmas approaches, Ellie begins to wonder if she'll ever get her happily ever after...

One dog . . . SO many ducklings! In this laugh-out-loud picture book that explores the meaning of family, Ralph the dog unexpectedly becomes the new dad to a flock of ducklings, and soon realizes he’s bitten off more than he can chew! Ralph the dog enjoyed a quiet life . . . until the day he stumbles across an egg. Surely the best thing for him to do is ignore it and walk right on by. But, CRACK! The egg hatches, then and there. What's inside? A cute and fluffy little duckling searching for a parent. And though Ralph isn't sure he wants a duckling, the duckling is definitely sure it wants Ralph! As does the very excitable, very loud, and very large flock of ducklings in the nearby field. . . Filled with heart, hilarity, and adorably raucous ducklings, Lorna Scobie's Duck, Duck, Dad? is a celebration of love and community that is perfect for all families, big and small--and fans of Mother Bruce, Harry the Dirty Dog, and Gaston.

When Brody's niece Anabel comes for a visit, Max and the gang's only job is to keep her out of trouble. How hard could it be to babysit a puppy anyway? To Max's surprise, this fun-loving pup can't help getting into trouble—especially when set loose in the backyard. Turns out being a “sitting duck” is a lot harder than Max expected! In this hilarious Max the Duck book, children will delight in the silly mayhem that results when Max tries to be a good babysitter.

Duck just received a new book and after telling all of his friends on the farm about it, he sat down to read it to them.