Showing results by author "James Payne" in All Categories

'I want absolutely nothing to do with this book.' – Owen Farrell THREE RUGBY MEGASTARS. ONE EPIC BOOK. Welcome to the wild world of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby. They say what goes on tour stays on tour…but not this time. Dive headfirst into the banter, bruises and brilliance of rugby with...

THE HIGHS. THE HEARTBREAKS. THE HANGOVERS. THE PERSONAL. THE VULNERABLE. THE DOWNRIGHT ABSURD. IT'S TIME TO RELOAD. The rugby boys are back – and this time, it’s personal. Alex, Mike, and Hask return with their second book, ready to tackle everything from rugby highs and lows, to the...

Celebrate Jane Austen’s classic novels with this short story anthology starring forgotten characters as they experience their own happy endings. In honor of her 250th birthday, eight authors have come together with wildly imaginative reboots of the lives of several of Jane Austen’s minor...

The Battle of Agincourt provided a surprise English victory in the Hundred Years' War. It took place in 1415 and brought a turning point in the war between France and England after failed negotiations. This romance by James begins in the lead-up to the battle, with the mysterious "Hal of Hadnock" shown hospitality by Sir Philip Beauchamp while on an unknown journey. He is befriended by young Richard of Woodville, who has suspicions regarding Hal. Gradually, we learn more of Hal and Richard as we follow their fortunes and the twists and turns surrounding Richard’s love for Mary. (Summary by ...

From Knightmare to Chucklevision to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers..Zzzap to the Future takes you back to classic kids TV of the 1990s! Join James Payne and Mike Muncer - podcasters, millennials and the owners of several hundred Pogs - as they journey through some of the weird and wonderful shows that made up their childhood and answer some of the big questions: How did Mr Blobby become such a phenomenon? What would you do if you owned Bernard's Watch? Did Sunny Delight REALLY make your skin turn yellow?? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The lot of a younger son was less assured than his older brother in days gone by. It was worse for his descendant, especially if he wanted to marry above his means. Such is the case for young Ralph Woodhall. He is a scholar, but is not attracted by the usual professions. He wishes to make his name -- and fortune -- and win the hand of his love, Margaret. On a whim, the couple visit an astrologer, who tells them that, although there are many trials ahead, happiness will eventually be theirs. With this in mind, Ralph sets out on his adventures. - Summary by LynneT

The time of French king Louis XIV was a time of religious conflict. His father, Louis XIII had tried to suppress the teachings and followers of Calvin but was thwarted by his ministers. The son took a different path. The king was Catholic, and although he was tolerant of others, some in his government were less so, and persecuted the Protestant Huguenots. This is the story of Albert, Count of Morseiul as he treads the tightrope of being a Huguenot landowner and loyal subject and friend of the king.

In the backwoods, lives a man and his two teenage children. He has sought the quiet life on the frontier, although he is a friend to all and never turns away a stranger. One evening, one such stranger arrives at his door, asking for shelter for the night and he is not disappointed. But who is this stranger? He does not give his name or his errand, although he has an aristocratic bearing. As they are about to leave the table, a third man, apparently known to both, arrives and lets himself in to claim hospitality. His mission is to hold counsel with the stranger and he invites their host to join...

G.P.R. James was a historian and novelist, who took well-documented historical events and characters and wove stories around minor or imaginary actors in the events. In this work, set in seventeenth century France, we follow the adventures of young Louis, heir to the Count of Bigorre, after an encounter with the vindictive Marquis de Saint Brie forces him into exile. The tale wends its way inexorably towards the Battle of Marfee in the 30 years War and the death of the Count of Soissons in a failed coup against the much hated minister, Cardinal de Richelieu. Young love, a brush with the law, ...

A young man is crossing the English Channel bound for France. It is obviously not his first such trip, but who is he and what is his errand? Almost immediately, Ned, for such is his name, falls into danger. He is carried to the home of a town official, where he is tended by a doctor, the official and his beautiful ward. It emerges he is page to Lord Montagu, right-hand man to the Duke of Buckingham. What message does he carry, how will he get it to its destination and how will this affect the history of Louis XIII? He crosses paths with the infamous Richelieu and has cause to call on him ...

This early novel by James is written in the first person by "James Young", and tells of his early experiences of the deaths of his father and brother, and his enduring love for his childhood companion, Emily. We watch the development of his character, influenced by these early experiences, family, education and enduring love as he becomes a Desultory Man. Unlike James's other works, this is written as a series of sketches, thoughts and poems.(Summary by LynneT)

Picture a tranquil English village, with an inn on the green. A lone patron enjoys his wine and teasing the landlord's pretty daughter, when suddenly they are rudely interrupted by a local aristocrat and his two henchmen. These same three reappear the following day to disrupt the May Day celebrations.Suddenly, a group of men in Lincoln green appear to save the day. But who are they? This is a different take on the tale of Robin Hood, placing him in the time of Henry III, rather than the more traditional reign of Richard I. James claims to have history on his side as he relates the story of an ...

Fifteenth century Europe was a time of political upheaval and uncertainty. Mary of Burgundy of the House of Valois ruled over a collection of states including modern-day Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland. The only child of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, she received many offers of marriage, from the age of 5, from parties who wanted to control the territory. She was just 19 when her father was killed in battle and that same year married Maximillian of the House of Hapsburg in what appears to have been a love-match as well as a political maneuver. However, just five years later, Mary, ...

Written in three volumes, this fictionalized biography of Richelieu is supposedly based on a manuscript that fell into the author's hands and written by someone intimately acquainted with the facts. Cardinal Richelieu was a powerful French statesman and there is still some debate as to whether he was a great statesman or a cunning fiend. Maybe he was a bit of both. He rose to power under the regency of Mary de Medici and contrived to keep Louis XIII subservient and powerless. He was famous for his foreign policy, but also his scheming to maintain domestic disharmony and bring about the ...

Nestled in the southeastern corner of England, the county of Kent is a prime hotspot for the smuggling trade. With its proximity to London—an eager market for contraband—and the English Channel just 21 miles from France, Kent has long been a haven for those who dabble in illicit activities. Unlike the rugged coast of Cornwall, where smugglers depended on shipwrecks brought on by treacherous weather or human error, the world of Kentish smuggling was dominated by affluent gentleman smugglers. These cunning individuals had the means to run legitimate import businesses but chose instead to ...

A sci-fi film podcast where two hosts pair movies to explore how science-fiction cinema evolved. Each episode connects two films (often from completely different eras) to uncover how sci-fi ideas, themes and storytelling have changed over time. From Metropolis to Dune, The Terminator to Ex Machina, Journey Through Sci-Fi explores the history of science fiction through smart, unexpected pairings. 🎧 New episodes every other Thursday

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Welcome to the JPD podcast, in these podcasts we will reflect on topics related to a musician perspective but also for life in general

In the early light of a late August morning, two young men embark on a journey from London to the fictional village of Emberton. One is Captain Delaware, a naval officer freshly returned from a stint in Sicily, while the other, the enigmatic Burrell, initially strikes the observer as a dandy. Their conversation is minimal during the ride, but when Burrell disembarks at a quaint cottage, it becomes clear that he is headed to the estate of Captain Delawares reclusive father. Their paths are destined to intertwine through a web of deception, murder, exile, and love, revealing the complex ties ...

In Forgery, we delve into the life of Humphrey Scriven, a kind-hearted merchant left to raise his three daughters and a son after the loss of his wife. While two of his daughters find love and marriage, their happiness proves fleeting. The third daughter resists her fathers disapproval of her suitor, choosing to forge her own path. Meanwhile, Humphreys son, a source of disappointment due to his unkind nature, unexpectedly inherits the family business—except for a portion entrusted to the enigmatic clerk, Mr. Hayley. As secrets unravel, Mr. Hayleys true intentions come to light, leading to a ...