" Well, when it was discovered that the trolls had switched you babies (you in your floating water lily cradle, with the other babe in a nest of down), my friend the kingfisher was to give you each a gift. You see, we never knew that you had been changed in your cradle until it came time for your wings to grow and you to be starting to flutter and the other to be learning to dive. By then we loved you, and the water sprites loved her, and it was beyond changing things back. But your mother wept because you couldn't fly, and the water sprite mother wept because her babe couldn't breathe underwater, so the kingfisher tried to make it right.... "

_______________________________ THIS SHOCKING CONSPIRACY THRILLER IS A WORK OF FICTION. MOSTLY. _______________________________ What if the President of the United States is a foreign intelligence asset? It’s October 2016. A loud, brash businessman with a history of shady dealings and sexual misbehaviour is a serious contender to win the presidency. Even a porn star’s credible allegations don’t seem to slow him down. But his most dangerous secrets may be hidden behind the former Iron Curtain. Journalist Grace Elliot is dispatched to Europe, hot on the trail of a story so big it could blow up the entire election – if she can stay alive long enough to tell it: The man who might become President was married to a Czech woman with a beguiling and contradictory past, no records, and no history – and who has all the hallmarks of a Soviet intelligence asset. Her codename is Kingfisher. And her mission is almost complete... THE AUTHOR HAS CHOSEN TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF HIS OR HER SOURCES.

A review of the 123 species of kingfisher, bee-eater and roller. Dazzling in their beauty, many of the 123 species of kingfisher, bee-eater and roller are very poorly known. This reference provides a review of the group showing every species, all the main races and most sex and age variations. Text and 40 colour plates are closely coordinated with emphasis on behaviour, field characters and identification. Colour maps showing breeding and wintering ranges are also included.

RSPB Spotlight Kingfishers is packed with eye-catching, informative color photos and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.

History leaps from the page in this completely revised and updated edition of the critically acclaimed Kingfisher History Encyclopedia. From man's earliest history right through to the technological and social revolutions of the current day, this trusted reference provides a one-stop source for research, and is the perfect companion to any study of world history. The encyclopedia is organized chronologically and then thematically within each time period. A timeline runs across the top of each page for context. Each section includes biographies of important people and key features on the art, architecture, and technology of the period. A brand new chapter details modern-day events, such as the fight for equality, the threat of climate change, the COVID-19 crisis, and space exploration and discoveries.With more than 2,000 full-colour illustrations, photographs, and source materials, as well as research-friendly back matter and index, this encyclopedia provides a beautiful, authoritative reference that is essential for any home, school, or library.

A powerfully life-affirming story of the wonder of nature, the ties of family, and the healing power of love from bestselling novelist and national treasure Alan Titchmarsh *** An ordinary life. An extraordinary choice. Adam Gabriel has always been a child of nature. Raised on his parents' remote Yorkshire farm, where life is measured by the rhythms of the flock, the turn of the seasons, and the yearly arrival of an itinerant local monk, he seems destined for a quietly contented life. As Adam grows, Luke and Bethany see flickers of something extraordinary in their son - a healing touch that goes beyond his love for the land. But Adam's gentleness has always made him an outsider, and a powerful gift can also be a heavy burden... When tragedy turns the Gabriels' life upside down, Adam faces a stark choice. Can he keep faith in his talents, even if it means risking the suspicion of others? Should he listen to the lure of new horizons, or does happiness lie closer to home? And when he needs it most, can he find the strength to save the people he loves? *** There's an Alan Titchmarsh novel for every mood! If you're looking for . . . An enthralling wartime mystery, head over to THE SCARLET NIGHTINGALE 'A perfect love story' (Katie Fforde), search for THE HAUNTING An uplifting, enchanting novel about second chances, dive into MR GANDY'S GRAND TOUR An absorbing family saga, head over to the page for FOLLY An escapist family mystery, read BRING ME HOME Praise for Alan Titchmarsh: 'The story brims with intrigue' - Daily Express on THE HAUNTING 'A pleasurable read which fans will lap up' - Daily Mail on MR GANDY'S GRAND TOUR 'It's just brilliant - full of poetry' - Jilly Cooper