Last year, the telly-watching public was gripped by "Downton Abbey" - the most successful British period drama in years and the number - one most-watched new drama programme of 2010. Captivated by the secrets, the scandal and the servant-master divide of an Edwardian household, viewers religiously watched in their millions. In "Life Below Stairs", bestselling author Alison Maloney responds to the public's desire to know more, going behind the scenes to reveal a detailed picture of what really went on 'downstairs', describing the true-life trials and tribulations of the servants in a gripping non-fiction account. Thoroughly researched and reliably informed, it also contains first-hand stories from the staff of the time. This charming and beautifully presented volume is a must-read for anyone interested in the lifestyle and conduct of a bygone era. Views: 43
Louisa Hoffman has just endured a humiliating annulment, which has left her bitter and determined never to marry again. Having tarnished her reputation in New York, she flees to the Colorado Territory to live with her sisters, Hannah and Paulina, who have happily married and settled. Determined to teach in Denver City, she is ready to live her dream, but the distracting children of a neighbor have caught her attention. A little girl by the name of Annie and her two brothers have been running amok, feral and starving, as their father has taken to the bottle in his grief over his departed wife. Not being able to mind her own business, Louisa secretly feeds the children, growing closer to them by the day. When their father, Matthias Montgomery, is struck in the head by a wooden beam, she takes over his house, nursing the rugged miner back to health. Through loss and disappointment, Louisa realizes that God might have something else planned for her, although she fights the attraction she feels for Matthias, determined never to trust a man again. However, she underestimates the charm of the Montgomery children, especially Annie, who tugs at her heartstrings. Louisa’s far more entrenched in their lives than she could have imagined…and living without them is quickly becoming unthinkable. This is the third book in The Colorado Brides Series, chronicling the lives of the Hoffman sisters and their adventures in finding love out west. Look for: An Unexpected Widow An Unexpected Bride An Unexpected Annulment An Unexpected Mother The Arizona Brides Series will be available fall, 2013.** Views: 41
With three straight #1 bestsellers and more than 4 million copies of his books in print, the most powerful traditional force in the American media now takes off his gloves in the ongoing struggle for America's heart and soul.Bill O'Reilly is the very embodiment of the idea of a Culture Warrior--and in this book he lives up to the title brilliantly, with all the brashness and forthrightness at his command. He sees that America is in the midst of a fierce culture war between those who embrace traditional values and those who want to change America into a "secular-progressive" country. This is a conflict that differs in many ways from the usual liberal/conservative divide, but it is no less heated, and the stakes are even higher.In Culture Warrior, Bill O'Reilly defines this war and analyzes the competing philosophies of the traditionalist and secular-progressive camps. He examines why the nation's motto "E Pluribus Unum" ("From Many, One") might change... Views: 39
A psychological thriller in the tradition of Patricia Highsmith about two couples caught in a web of conflicting passions while deep-sea diving off the beautiful Canary IslandsIn the late 1990s, Sven Fiedler and his girlfriend, Antje, left Germany for the island of Lanzarote, rejecting what Sven considered a vulgar culture of materialism and judgment. The young couple set up a diving service catering to tourists eager to bask in the warm sunshine and explore the silent, gleaming marine paradise that makes this otherwise barren volcanic island such a remarkable retreat. Sven's approach was simple: take the mechanics of diving seriously, instruct his clients clearly, and stay out of their personal business as best he can.And life on the island goes smoothly until two German tourists--Jola von der Pahlen, a daytime soap star on the verge of cinematic success, and Theo Hast, a stalled novelist--engage Sven for a high-priced, intensive two-week diving... Views: 38
Ellen Murphy was born to a world of rotting slums and starving children. Determined to escape from poverty and her drunken Irish father, she takes a job as a shop girl on Shoreditch High Street. David Cheifitz is the only son of devout Jewish parents, David has grown up with his future mapped out. But he is an artist and a rebel. When he falls in love with Ellen Murphy, he turns his back on the old ways. But as time passes, life starts to get in the way: religious differences, rejection by David's parents and domestic strife throw up barriers between the newlyweds. It is only when David is drawn into the Great War do they realise how precious their marriage is and by then it may be too late. Views: 37
Discovering his secret child! For committed surgeon Max Van Berg, career has always come first. He's only ever risked distraction once—during his whirlwind affair with stunning psychiatrist Evangeline Parker... But now Evie's unexpected reappearance has turned Max's world upside down. Not only is Evie battling illness, but she's been forced to keep an even bigger secret from the surgeon! Against all odds Max is a father, and suddenly his sole focus is fighting for Evie, for baby Imogen and for the family he never knew he wanted until now... Views: 36
"The 14 crime stories set in Prague in this superior entry in Akashic's Noir Series offer armored car robbery, kidnapping, murder masked as suicide, and more—not bad for a burg that, as the editor notes in his intro, didn't even have 'the profession of private detective' until 1990...In the varied and polished content of this volume, readers will find much to amuse."—Publishers Weekly"Murder and mayhem erupt, even in fairy-tale Prague. Editor Mandys maintains that it may be hard to imagine dark doings taking place virtually in the shadow of Prague Castle, yet he manages to harvest 14 artful tales that speak directly to the contrary. Although there are few standard whodunits, Prague's long history provides fertile ground for evildoers...Perhaps nowhere but Prague do vice and enchantment live at such close quarters, and Mandys' collection captures both beautifully. A lovely addition to Akashic's venerable series."—Kirkus... Views: 35
Falling for her husband? Theirs was a marriage of convenience, born out of desperate circumstances, but Thea can't forget the wedding night she spent in Ben Abrams's arms! Only, by dawn it was all over and her army-doctor husband had shipped out - out of the country and her life! Now Ben is badly wounded, and Thea must nurse him back to health. Having lost her heart to her reluctant husband once, she fears getting close to him again. Dare she hope that this time Ben will choose his desire for her over duty? Views: 35
Stranded on the outskirts of Ironopolis — nickname to a lost industrial Middlesbrough — the Burn Council Estate is about to be torn down to make way for regeneration. For the future ...But these streets know many stories, some hide secrets ...Jean holds the key to the disappearance of a famous artist ... Jim's youth is shattered during the euphoric raves of '89 ... A brutal boyhood prank scars three generations of Frank's family ... Corina's gambling addiction costs her far more than money ... And Alan, a man devastated by his past, unravels the darkness of his terrifying father, a man whose shadow has loomed large over the estate for a lifetime.And then there is the ageless Peg Powler, part myth, part reality: why is she stalking them all?'Human nature? Class politics? Whatever it was, it wasn't us ... Deep down we were part of a whole, single energy, and all we had to do was be ready to sink down together.' Views: 34
Two thousand years ago, Jesus walked across Galilee; everywhere he traveled he gained followers. His contemporaries are familiar historical figures: Julius Caesar, Caesar Augustus, Herod the Great, Pontius Pilate. It was an era of oppression, when every man, woman, and child answered to the brutal rule of Rome. In this world, Jesus lived, and in this volatile political and historical context, Jesus died—and changed the world forever. Adapted from Bill O'Reilly's bestselling historical thriller Killing Jesus, and richly illustrated, The Last Days of Jesus is a riveting, fact-based account of the life and times of Jesus. Views: 34
Hoping to escape an intolerable situation at home, Lola Foster agrees to marry a rich cattle baron from the New Mexico Territory. Her soon-to-be husband is far older, having already been married, although his wife died from illness.
Jack Kelly is set in his ways—used to having the world at his feet. He is also a man who will not tolerate lies and dishonest, fickle women. He tests his fiancé before they meet, disabling her train and sending one of his ranch hands to seduce her. When Lola discovers this, their first meeting is anything but pleasant. Sparks fly and personalities clash, although, through the storm, a glimmer of attraction flares … growing stronger by the day.
Lola’s family is determined to find her, as she is kidnapped and forced to return to Virginia. Although broken-hearted and desperate, she clings to the hope that Jack will come to the rescue, or did he wash his hands of her, realizing their union has been a mistake?
** Views: 33
Two independent stories of historical and religious intrigue are linked by the Voynich Manuscript, a centuries-old document and blueprint of advanced knowledge kept under wraps by religious authorities in the Vatican. The Vertebra of God details the fight of a Vatican priest who deciphered it, forced to flee Rome and go into hiding in Amsterdam, pursued for years by a shadowy, ruthless hitman with orders to kill him to prevent the knowledge in the manuscript becoming widespread. When word of the priest's whereabouts leaks out, the chase is on and the final battle is joined over a young student brought back to life by the priest. Set in Sicily, The Temple of One Thousand Crystals ranges from the Roman/Greek era to discoveries unearthed at a present-day archaeology site, a mysterious and macabre find that leads a pair of young students on a perilous journey. Romance blossoms along the way as they follow leads that bring them perilously close to revealing the existence of a... Views: 33
It is 1936 and the headmistress at Roehampton Secondary School, pioneer and suffragette Octavia Smith, is steering her pupils towards success as her exemplary girls' school moves from strength to strength. But as Europe rumbles towards war, Octavia's drive to change the world burns as bright as ever and she finds herself caught up in covert plans to rescue Jewish families from the Nazi advance in mainland Europe.Meanwhile, talk of an evacuation of schoolchildren is increasing and Octavia will have to uproot if she wants to continue her students' education. Furthermore, Octavia's prize student Lizzie has quite an interesting father – Octavia's old flame Tommy Meriton is back on the scene, and once again Octavia finds herself torn between love and duty...As a new World War strikes closer and closer to home, bringing challenges and tragedies along the way, Octavia's war is only just beginning Views: 32
Traumatized by his past as a Bolivian soldier who, in a sudden coup d'etat, was forced to participate in atrocities, Alfredo flees to Montreal, haunted by the dead. He rides the Montreal metro and pours his guilt and shame into his writing, until he falls for a woman without a nation—a Kurdish freedom-fighter trying to blast an independent Kurdistan into existence. As the net of intrigue closes in on his lover, Alfredo is forced to face more fully his own violent past.In a world where the intimate collides with the official and the past is made and remade again in a new country, Alejandro Saravia's novel in turn refuses to be bound by a single genre, style, or even language. Reminiscent of Michael Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion in its exploration of the complicated relationship between nation, memory, and identity, Red, Yellow, Green considers what a place can mean to people who are out of place. At once heartbreaking and uplifting, bleak and humorous, Saravia... Views: 31
