With a Mohawk mother and a French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval finds it easiest to remain neutral among warring sides. But when her British ex-fiancé, Samuel, is taken prisoner by her father, he claims to have information that could end the war. At last, she must choose who to fight for. Is she willing to commit treason for the greater good? Views: 74
Tony Linden can recover the estate his father lost to a cheat by marrying the man’s daughter, but his scandalous (though false) reputation makes him a social pariah. Though Alexandra Vale wishes to atone for her father’s crime, she cannot easily accept a man of Tony’s reputation. Fate will foil both their schemes, and the truth will out… Regency Romance by Allison Lane; originally published by Signet Views: 73
Trading herself for her men was her duty, but helping a stranger with the breakout was pure pleasure. Stella has given her life to the Coalition, but her soul belongs to the men on her team. When they see something they shouldn’t, her men are locked in stasis while she is held hostage to keep the charade of their situation hidden. Her cooperation is the ransom to keep her men alive and when someone offers her an opportunity to rescue them, she would give anything to see them free. Anything. Views: 73
Before she met Il-sun in an orphanage, Gi was a hollow husk of a girl, broken from growing up in one of North Korea’s forced-labor camps. A mathematical genius, she has learned to cope with pain by retreating into a realm of numbers and calculations, an escape from both the past and present. Gi becomes enamored of the brash and radiant Il-sun, a friend she describes as “all woman and springtime.” But Il-sun’s pursuit of a better life imperils both girls when her suitor spirits them across the Demilitarized Zone and sells them as sex workers, first in South Korea and then in the United States.This spellbinding debut, reminiscent of Memoirs of a Geisha, depicts—with chilling accuracy—life behind North Korea’s iron curtain. But for Gi and Il-sun, forced into the underworld of human trafficking, their captivity outside North Korea is far crueler than the tight control of their “Dear Leader.” Tenderhearted Gi, just on the verge of womanhood, is consigned to a fate that threatens not only her body but her mind. How she and Il-sun endure, how they find a path to healing, is what drives this absorbing and exquisite novel—from an exciting young Algonquin discovery—to its perfectly imagined conclusion.From BooklistDebut novelist Jones conducts a compelling psychological tour of life inside the socially and politically restrictive borders of North Korea via the poignant stories of two young girls on the cusp of womanhood. Gi, a mathematical genius compelled to keep her gifts hidden, nevertheless survives the seemingly inescapable brutality and drudgery of her existence by quietly exercising the life of the mind. When Gi meets the lushly beautiful Il-sun in an orphanage, the two girls forge a strong, immutable bond. They eventually escape but are then sold into sex slavery first in South Korea and later in the U.S., and it’s not difficult to guess who will flame out and who will triumph. This tale of female friendship is distinguished by its illuminating glimpse into the arcane intricacies of both an ancient and a modern culture. Guaranteed to appeal to fans of Memoirs of a Geisha (1997) and the novels of Lisa See. --Margaret Flanagan Review“Gripping.”—O, The Oprah Magazine“An eye-opening journey to the dark side of desire.”—Vogue.com“Lifting the veil on a little-known country, Brandon W. Jones’s debut novel tells the story of two North Korean teenagers escaping the authoritarian state and battling the modern-day slave trade.”—National Geographic Traveler“An all-around great read and the kind that needs and deserves to be passed around.”—Bookfoolery and Babble“Beautifully written, both in prose and plotting . . Very highly recommended.”—Devourer of Books“[A] moving, heartbreaking, yet hopeful novel.” —Salt Lake City Weekly“Compelling . . . poignant.” —Booklist “[A] terrifying and masterfully realized debut . . . Impossible to put down, this work is important reading for anyone who cares about the power of literature to engage the world and speak its often frightening truths.”—Library Journal“Dramatic . . . [A] well-paced story.”—Publishers Weekly“This book will open your eyes, break your heart, and then mend it again.”—Tayari Jones, author of *Silver Sparrow*“One of the most absorbing, chilling, beautifully written and important novels I’ve read in many years.”—Alice Walker“Riveting and utterly compelling to the very end.” —Wisconsin Bookwatch (Wisconsin Bookwatch ) Views: 73
War is a jealous lover who is reluctant to release me from her embrace. Pacorus fights for the very survival of the Parthian Empire. ‘Sarmatian’ is the thirteenth volume in the Parthian Chronicles series and follows on from ‘Lord of War’. Views: 73
This brilliant southern gothic novel, by the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Ron Rash, observes the consequences of love and murder across generations.The year is 1951 and Holland Winchester, the local thug and a war veteran, has gone missing from his small, backwater South Carolina town. The local sheriff, Will Alexander, has a gut feeling Holland's been murdered but the sheriff can find neither the body nor the killer. He has his suspects but no evidence. And his suspects have their stories, their motives and their truths. But secrets can only stay buried so long.Told from the perspective of the sheriff, a local farmer, his wife, their son and the sheriff's deputy, One Foot in Eden explores the crime, shifting suspicion, blame and guilt with each new voice.'A wonderfully gritty, tangled novel that drags the reader deep into the undertow of a dreadful crime. Beautifully crafted and reminiscent of a dark fairytale.' Chris Womersley Views: 73
Innocent young Candida is almost destitute after the death of her beloved father.Resolving to keep up the family's modest Elizabethan manor house in Hertfordshire and support Ned, the family's faithful servant, she sees no alternative but to sell her beloved pitch-black stallion, Pegasus.So, when the worldly Major Hooper offers to take her and her mount to Hyde Park where she will undoubtedly find a high price, she agrees, though with a heavy heart.Little does she suspect that Major Hooper trades in young women as well as horseflesh – and soon she finds herself and Pegasus 'sold' to the dashing but awe-inspiring Lord Manville.A terrible maze of misunderstanding ensues and just when Candida realises that she has lost her heart to his Lordship, the London Society that seemed so carefree turns cruel.Even as she flees astride Pegasus, she is heartbroken, knowing she may never again see the man she loves – Views: 73
'Wait, wait! Save us! What'll we do?'Simon is determined to become a painter when he grows up so he sets off to London to make his fortune. But the city is plagued by wolves and mysterious disappearances. The Twite household, where Simon is lodging, seems particularly shifty. Before he even gets a chance to open his glistening new paints Simon stumbles right into the centre of a plot to kill the King. And worse than that Simon is kidnapped and sent to sea! Luckily there are two friendly stowaways aboard - the feisty Dido Twite and the spoiled young Justin. But when the ship catches fire things look pretty dire. Can they escape? Will they save the king in time?BACKSTORY: Test your knowledge of Black Hearts in Battersea and play the name game. Views: 73
Confronted with unforeseen challenges, Claire Winslow is forced to make all her decisions based on what will affect her multi-handi-capped daughter. Though widowed, lonely, and working full-time, Clair has decided marriage would only further complicate her situation. An unexpected introduction to Jake Lindsey, a sergeant in the United States Army, causes Claire to question her stand on marriage. He has brought a spark to her life, but she must let him go. Claire has more than herself to consider-her God, whom Jake does not serve, and her daughter, whom she can't trust Jake will love unconditionally. As she seeks God's will in determining her future, will Claire permit herself to once again explore the possibilities of love? Views: 73
