Books with author M.L. Stedman

This months-long New York Times bestseller is “irresistible…seductive…with a high concept plot that keeps you riveted from the first page,” (O, The Oprah Magazine). AFTER FOUR HARROWING YEARS ON THE WESTERN Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a “gift from God,” and against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

The crying persisted. The door of the ligthhouse clanged in the distance, and Tom's tall frame appeared on the gallery as he scanned the island with the binoculars. 'Izzy!' he yelled, 'a boat!' He vanished and re-emerged at ground level. 'It's a boat all right,' Tom declared. 'And - oh cripes! There's a bloke, but -' The figure was motionless, yet the cries still rang out. He hoisted out a woollen bundle: a woman's soft lavender cardigan wrapped around a tiny, screaming infant. Tom Sherbourne, released from the horrors of the First World War, is now a lighthouse keeper, cocooned on a remote island with his young wife Izzy, who is content in everything but her failure to have a child. One April morning, a boat washes ashore carrying a dead man - and a crying baby. Safe from the real world, Tom and Izzy break the rules and follow their hearts. It is a decision with devastating consequences.

Gifts of magic come with a price; always, someone has to pay."Reggie groaned; his head, saints how it hurt! When Jess whined and licked him he opened his eyes: not now, girl, not now. Far to the south lay the great Snow Hill, barely visible against the haze. It was far away and – he squinted – getting smaller. Putting his hand to his hair he felt stickiness. There was blood on his fingers. He sat down suddenly on the deck, back against the ship’s prow, fighting the pain, the nausea. Why was he here, all alone?"Reg, orphaned and alone, is the first to realize the threat posed by Duke Wilyam and his men. Little does Gregor realize that when he rescues the shipwrecked castaway, he will set in motion events that will shape his homeland forever.An exciting novella, set in the world of the SoulNecklace Stories. The backstory to the SoulNecklace Stories - discover the origin of the Tower guards, the necklace, and the Fire Festival.

"This third book was AMAZING. It was a total rush ... I have fallen so deep in love with this series." –Goodreads reviewer"A great story, wrapped up nicely - a fantastic job! Well done." – Goodreads reviewer The Past Isn't Always Dead About my wrist is a tattoo of roses, strung like beads on a bracelet of thorns. I have a past, if only I could remember – but I cannot remember.Held captive in a strange city, Dana dreams of fire and flight. There is something she must find, but she does not know what it is, or why it is important. If only her dreams would let her rest.Half a word away, Will studies a new, exciting discipline. But while enchantress N'tombe is impressed by with newfound skills, inside he feels only desperation. A terrible moment is approaching. Soon, Dana must face her final ordeal.Will his new power be enough to save her? And is he prepared for what might happen next? In this thrilling conclusion to the award-winning SoulNecklace Stories, Will and Dana must make a heart-breaking choice. A choice that will change their world forever.

"This series only gets better!" – Goodreads ReviewerDreams of SorrowDana and Will must find the weapon to defeat the Emperor. But his army is close behind and the Kingdom and its Guardian have vanished - only N’tombe and Jed remain. As the comrades flee, Dana is hampered by dreams of dragons and by a deep, unbearable sorrow. A fire is coming, and she is in its path. Dana and Will must learn to overcome despair and to fight on, despite the darkness. For a warrior must adapt, or die.The second volume of the SoulNecklace Stories.PRAISE FOR A SKILLFUL WARRIOR"This series and this author gets better with time!" – Goodreads ReviewerAn astounding piece of work that I felt compelled to read – I begrudged all the time I had to spend away from this story." – Goodreads Reviewer"Masterful. The changes in Dana are amazing." – Goodreads ReviewerRecommended Series Reading Order:A Necklace of SoulsA Skillful WarriorA Memory of FireA Long, Long Life (A SoulNecklace Novella)

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. After two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby's cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Her husband Tom wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists they claim her as their own. When they return to the mainland two years later and are reminded that there are other people in the world, their choice has devastated one of them.

***Shortlisted for the Tom Fitzgibbon Award 2012***Every Child Deserves an Education — Even if They're Dead‘The school will be good for you, Tayla,’ said the inspector. ‘You’ll have children your own age to play with.’ ‘Dead children.’‘Well, yes. True. But you can’t have everything’ Stuck in a hospital bed, unable to move, Tayla decides to leave his body. But floating around intensive care is kind of boring, although being invisible means he can do some cool practical jokes. Until the inspector arrives, that is. Jamie, newly arrived from Scotland, is lonely. No one can understand his accent and all his practical jokes are going wrong. Plus, his new school is seriously weird. Perhaps it's haunted... A spooky, fun-filled adventure – packed with hospitals, ghosts, computers and practical jokes.The Prankster and the Ghost is a story of the healing power of friendship and of learning to live with loss. Suitable ages 9 – 99+"A fun read with an important message ... " – Goodreads Reader

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. The years-long New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Best Historical Novel that is ""irresistible, seductive, with a high concept plot that keeps you riveted from the first page"" (O, The Oprah Magazine). Soon to be a major motion picture from Spielberg's Dreamworks starring Michael Fassbender, Rachel Weisz, and Alicia Vikander, and directed by Derek Cianfrance. After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day's journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby's cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a ""gift from God,"" and against Tom's judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them. ""Elegantly rendered, heart-wrenching, beautifully drawn"" (USA TODAY), The Light Between Oceans is a gorgeous debut novel, not soon to be forgotten.

"I really love this book!!" – Amazon ReaderAnger Makes Us Burn'Maybe it would be better if I started at the beginning.’ Gran watched me carefully. ‘This ability we have; my mother, me. You. We draw heat along our bodies; anger makes us flame.’When her friend is assaulted, Corinne Peterson can’t help reacting. But she didn’t think and now her hands are burnt, Gran is coming to look after her and, scariest of all, strange men are watching her house. Could they be terrorists? Secret agents?It seems that Gran’s idea of a solution is to introduce Corinne to Rowan. Okay, sure, maybe eighteen year old Rowan is gorgeous – but he has his own troubles. And right now, Corinne doesn’t need more complications in her life.But in a world of surveillance and secrecy, complexity is inevitable. And as the tension mounts Corinne realizes - maybe Gran can help her, after all.When someone's always watching - where can you hide?Inner Fire is a pulse-pounding view of a rapidly-approaching future. If you like fast-paced adventures, swoon-worthy romance and exotic locations, you'll love this action-packed tale.Buy Inner Fire – and escape into adventure today. Contains coarse language and sexual references.