An engrossing tale of new beginnings and second chances from an ever-popular author. Miranda Fox has devoted much of her life to caring for her elderly father. After his tragic death, she starts to make plans for her future, funded by the inheritance she is sure will be coming her way, but it seems her arrogant and domineering half-brother has very different ideas...Then a chance encounter with a man who has been given months to live boosts Miranda's confidence, and as their friendship grows she finally learns to stand up for herself and her dreams. Can Miranda find the happiness that she deserves? Views: 22
The bestselling author of The Madonnas of Leningrad returns with a breathtaking novel of love, madness, and devotion set against the extravagant royal court of eighteenth-century St. Petersburg. Born to a Russian family of lower nobility, Xenia, an eccentric dreamer who cares little for social conventions, falls in love with Andrei, a charismatic soldier and singer in the Empress's Imperial choir. Though husband and wife adore each other, their happiness is overshadowed by the absurd demands of life at the royal court and by Xenia's growing obsession with having a child—a desperate need that is at last fulfilled with the birth of her daughter. But then a tragic vision comes true, and a shattered Xenia descends into grief, undergoing a profound transformation that alters the course of her life. Turning away from family and friends, she begins giving all her money and possessions to the poor. Then, one day, she mysteriously vanishes. Years later, dressed in the tatters of her husband's military uniform and answering only to his name, Xenia is discovered tending the paupers of St. Petersburg's slums. Revered as a soothsayer and a blessed healer to the downtrodden, she is feared by the royal court and its new Empress, Catherine, who perceives her deeds as a rebuke to their lavish excesses. In this evocative and elegantly written tale, Dean reimagines the intriguing life of Xenia of St. Petersburg, a patron saint of her city and one of Russia's most mysterious and beloved holy figures. This is an exploration of the blessings of loyal friendship, the limits of reason, and the true costs of loving deeply. Review“For those familiar with the story of St. Xenia, this is a gratifying take on a compelling woman. For others, Dean’s vivid prose and deft pacing make for a quick and entertaining read.” (Publishers Weekly )“Love affairs, rivalries, intrigues, prophecy, cross-dressing, madness, sorrow, poverty—THE MIRRORED WORLD is a litany of both the homely and the miraculous. Intimate and richly appointed, Debra Dean’s Imperial St. Petersburg is as sumptuous and enchanted as the Winter Palace.” (Stewart O’Nan, bestselling author of Last Night at the Lobster )“THE MIRRORED WORLD explores the mysteries of love and grief and devotion. Against a vivid backdrop of eighteenth century St. Petersburg and Catherine the Great’s royal court, the woman who would become St. Xenia is brought fully to life. Is there a more imaginative, elegant storyteller than Debra Dean?” (Ann Hood, bestselling author of The Knitting Circle )“With evocative, rich prose and deep emotional resonance, Debra Dean delivers a compelling and captivating story that touches the soul. Truly a wonderful read.” (Garth Stein, bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain )“Transporting readers to St. Petersburg during the reign of Catherine the Great, Dean brilliantly reconstructs and reimagines the life of St. Xenia, one of Russia’s most revered and mysterious holy figures, in a richly told and thought-provoking work of historical fiction.” (Bookreporter.com )“Dean’s novel grows more profound and affecting with every page.” (Booklist )“In Debra Dean’s skilled hands, history comes alive. . . . Though the world she creates is harsh and cold at times, it is the warmth at its center— the power of love — that stays with you in the end.” (Miami Herald ) About the AuthorDebra Dean's bestselling debut novel, The Madonnas of Leningrad was a New York Times Editors' Choice, a #1 Booksense Pick, a Booklist Top Ten Novel, and an American Library Association Notable Book of the Year. It has been published in twenty languages. Her collection of short stories, Confessions of a Falling Woman, won the Paterson Fiction Prize and a Florida Book Award. A native of Seattle, she and her husband, poet Clifford Paul Fetters, now live in Miami where she teaches at Florida International University. Views: 22
When paranoia is a way of life, trust doesn't come easily. The fifth in the Hidden Empire space opera series.The Sidhe look like us. They live among us. What they lack in numbers they make up with their fearsome mental abilities and the considerable physical resources at their disposal. And their biggest advantage? Almost no one believes they exist. Bez, the best hacker in human-space, is fighting a secret war against them. Always one step ahead, never lingering in one place, she is determined to bring them down. But she can't expose the Hidden Empire alone and when the only ally she trusted fails her she must accept help from an unexpected quarter. Just one misstep, one incorrect assumption, and her Sidhe trap-her life's work-could end in vicious disaster. Worse, if Bez fails, humanity may never have another chance to be free of the manipulative and deadly Sidhe.Jaine Fenn is the author of the Hidden Empire series, which includes Consorts of Heaven, Principles of Angels, Guardians of Paradise, and Bringer of Light, and has had short stories published in such magazines as Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and On Spec."Vividly depicted characters and an intriguing plot make this a standout purchase, especially for the postcyberpunk crowd. Highly recommended." -School Library Journal starred review of Principles of Angels"A fabulous setting for a sprawling series of old-fashioned adventure novels. There is a similarity here to the oeuvre of Neal Asher. . . . Good light entertainment, which continues to build a platform on which Jaine Fenn can grow her empire and her audience." -Strange Horizons on Guardians of Paradise"Fenn has a way with characters that makes them utterly believable, both flawed and fortunate. This strong series should appeal to readers of Sharon Shinn's 'Samaria' novels and fans of far future SF." -Library Journal on Guardians of Paradise Views: 22
Mariah Sayers survived a brutal attack as a teenager, and ran away out of fear. Sixteen years later she returns with her daughter to make peace with her past. Just as she feels she is rekindling old friendships and even an old flame, she receives some shocking news; a girl has been killed in her town. Now, Mariah will have to confront the unthinkable—and reclaim the broken pieces of her shattered past. Views: 22
Mels Carmichael, reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal, gets the shock of her life when a man stumbles in front of her car outside the local cemetery. After the accident, his amnesia is just the kind of mystery she likes to solve, but she soon discovers they're over their heads with his past. Over their heads with passion, too ...As shadows walk the line between reality and another realm, and her lover's memory begins to come back, the two of them learn that nothing is truly dead and buried. Especially when you're trapped in a no-holds-barred war between angels and demons. With a soul on the line, and Mels's heart at risk, what in heaven — or in hell — will it take to save them both? Views: 22
Sex and the sea...Desperate to win back his ex, billionaire playboy Jeb Whitcomb spent a year in self-discipline and (mostly) celibacy. He's a new man. But when she decides to marry someone else, Jeb immediately sets sail. He has only four days to stop the wedding and, worse still, he has a stowaway...the only woman who can make a newly good man behave very, very badly!R.N. Haley French is furious. For one night, she lets go of her usual boring routine, and the next she knows she's accidentally off to Florida with Mr. Sexy Superficiality, and desperately trying to forget the steamy encounter they almost shared.And in the boat, there's no escape from each other...or the unfurling lust that threatens to send their self-control overboard! Views: 22
Tony loves reading creepy stories about vampires. But when one night he finds a real vampire sitting on his windowsill, he is very surprised and terribly frightened. Luckily the little vampire turns out to be friendly. Thus begin the adventures of Tony, Rudolph, Anna the Toothless, Gruesome Gregory, and Nightwatchman McRookery. Views: 22
A new chapter in the book of love?After being left at the altar in Texas, Madison Wagner is determined to fly solo. The once-burned book reviewer's move to Oregon is difficult, especially when she becomes attracted to the one man she should avoid at all costs. She can't help being irresistibly drawn to rugged and handsome bestselling author Stuart Kendall. If only Stuart's sister hadn't married Madison's snake of an ex-fiancé....Although Stuart is secretly thrilled that Madison chose to settle in Portland, he still bears the pain of his ex-wife's cruel betrayal. And he's vowed to protect himself and his young twin daughters from being hurt again. But Madison is different, and she is slowly breaking down his barriers, one by one. Suddenly, Stuart's fantasizing about a future with her. Could they both have a second chance at romance...together? Views: 22
Who you gonna call to ghostbust a graveyard spook? Doyle and Fossey, that's who! They're on the job and ready to free a snobby girl from a tight situation, uncover the culprit who's ruining some prize roses, nab a dangerous smuggler of rare animals, and of course...reveal the truth about that pesky ghost! Views: 22
The thrilling conclusion to Learning to Trust (Interviewing the Billionaire)!Distraught and full of disbelief about the news of her deadly involvement, Marisa flees Roland's empire with Frederic after running into him on the way out of her office. They head to a distant hotel to wait out the storm until further instructions.When the phone call arrives, they learn that the final act of the play has already begun. The actors are in place, the stage is set, and the show must go on. Roland's big event is about to begin--and there is no telling who will be left standing at the end.Don't miss the thrilling end to this top-selling erotic romance series! Views: 22
