Late in the summer of 1923, Mary Russell Holmes and her husband, the illustrious Sherlock Holmes, are ensconced in their home on the Sussex Downs, giving themselves over to their studies: Russell to her theology, and Holmes to his malodorous chemical experiments. Interrupting the idyllic scene, amateur archaeologist Miss Dorothy Ruskin visits with a startling puzzle. Working in the Holy Land, she has unearthed a tattered roll of papyrus with a message from Mary Magdalene. Miss Ruskin wants Russell to safeguard the letter. But when Miss Ruskin is killed in a traffic accident, Russell and Holmes find themselves on the trail of a fiendishly clever murderer. Clearly there was more to Miss Ruskin than met the eye. But why was she murdered? Was it her involvement in the volatile politics of the Holy Land? Was it her championing of women's rights? Or was it the scroll--a deeply troubling letter that could prove to be a Biblical bombshell? In either case, Russell and Holmes soon find that solving her murder may be murder itself.Amazon.com ReviewSherlock Holmes and his scholarly companion Mary Russell are caught up in an exciting mystery when an archaeologist leaves them with a treasured find, a papyrus supposedly written by Mary Magdalene. When the archaeoligist winds up dead and someone attempts to make off with the artifact, Holmes and Russel become embroiled in a rollicking story filled with political intrigue and highbrow sleuthing. The level of writing hasn't been higher in this Laurie King series. From Publishers WeeklyKing set a new paradigm for Holmesian scholarship with her inspired invention of a retired, still energetic Sherlock Holmes who trained young Mary Russell in The Beekeeper's Apprentice (1994) and then embraced her as a professional partner and wife (A Monstrous Regiment of Women, 1995). This third in the series, set in 1923, involves the suspicious death of Dorothy Ruskin, an amateur archeologist recently returned from Palestine, who gave Mary, an academic theologian, a letter dated about A.D. 70 written by "Mariam the Apostle" to her sister in Magdala. Mary Magdalene? An Apostle? Holmes and "Mrs. Sherlock," as Lord Peter Wimsey addresses her in a funny cameo, collaborate. Red herrings define the political and cultural climate: a retired colonel's opposition to women's suffrage; Dorothy's interest in Zionism; the British Near East scholar/spy network; the tumultuously upsetting implications of the letter for organized Christianity. The investigation also includes the Ruskin family. King's achievement is her depiction of the complex relationship between two individualists. Almost 40 years apart, they're fondly indulgent of one another's idiosyncrasies and share intellectual camaraderie, companionable humor and sexual attraction. While Sherlock delivers ongoing tutelage in arcane clue analysis, Mary hypnotizes a witness to prod her memory. If you can't imagine the misogynist Sherlock Holmes sharing domestic bliss, this novel will make you a believer. Major ad/promo; author tour; paperback rights: Bantam; audio rights: Durkin Hayes and Recorded Books.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. Views: 66
Bestselling author Lori Wick's novels have warmed the hearts of millions of fans! Now for the first time ever, Lori's short stories are released to her ebook readers in this new Lori Wick Short Stories collection, with a personal note from Lori after each story.Volume 2 reveals the blossoming love story of "Beyond the Picket Fence." Dominique "Nikki" Brinks thought moving back to her small hometown would give her more time to write children's books. She didn't expect to find two very special children and their father right next door. As Nikki's sweet spirit brings healing to two little hearts, she discover the abundant love God has waiting for her beyond the picket fence.BONUS! Chapter One from the first book in Lori Wick's endearing Rocky Mountain Memories series, Where the Wild Rose Blooms, is included. Views: 66
He was the bad boy no one trusted
Bailey’s burned out, and not sure what leads her back to Ryker Falls, but has a feeling it’s got something to do with closure. Bad boy Joe Trainer was once her soulmate, but she isn’t sure she has a soul anymore. Finding he’s made something of his life is a shock, as he’d been on a one-way trip to hell when she left. This new Joe is sexy and enticing, but she knows all too well there’s a devil underneath the urbane exterior.
She was the good girl who never broke the rules
When Joe’s childhood friend, Bailey Jones, returns to Ryker Falls, his life suddenly shifts from settled to off-center. Once they’d been closer than anyone ever guessed; now, they’re chilly strangers. But Joe’s not letting his stubborn, sexy-as-hell ex-best friend stay closed off. He lost her once through his own stupidity; this time he’s never letting her go. Joe knows he doesn’t deserve a second chance, but he’s never played by the rules before, so he’s not starting now. Game on. Views: 66
"A captivating historical western romance set in the burgeoning and treacherous city of San Francisco. Go along for the ride in this gripping story that seizes your attention from the very first page." "If you're a reader who wants to discover an entire family of characters you can fall in love with, this is the series for you." - Authors to Watch Pierce is a rough man, but happy in his new life as a Special Agent. Tasked with defending the rights of the federal government, Pierce is a cunning gunslinger always ready to tackle the next job. That is, until he finds out that his new job involves Mollie Jamison. Mollie can be a lot to handle. Headstrong and independent, Mollie has chosen a life of danger and intrigue guaranteed to prove her liquor-loving father wrong. She will make something of herself, and no one, not even arrogant Pierce MacLaren, will stand in her way. A secret mission brings them together, but will their attraction to each other prove deadly in their hunt for justice? The payoff for success is high, much higher than any assignment either has taken before. But will the damage to their hearts and souls be too much to bear? Can Pierce and Mollie find a way to overcome their misgivings and work together as one? Read Wilder than the Rest, another heartening story of duty, honor, passion, and love in book six of the MacLarens of Fire Mountain. Views: 66
Rachel Frye plays to win. And this time the prize is a partnership at her Manhattan ad agency. She's up against some stiff competition—including Garrett Calder, aka The Shark. Only one of them can win. Everyone else is out of a job.Despite the stakes, suddenly Rachel's fantasizing about being on Garrett's team. Dying to find out what's under the brilliant executive's I-don't-need-anyone facade.The attraction is entirely mutual—a fact neither of them can ignore. And what started as corporate rivalry is about to get a whole lot more personal!Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.He's breaking up with me.Rachel Frye took a swig of champagne. No longer the appropriate drink for the occasion, but she needed something to do with her hands. Something other than clasping them together on the table while she begged Piers not to end it.Given they were sitting in one of Manhattan's coolest bars, a little dignity was called for."Don't get me wrong, you're really attractive and smart. I enjoy spending time with you." Piers leaned forward with the earnestness that Rachel found ninety-nine percent charming and one percent temptation to tell an off-color joke. "But, you know… Oyster?" He pushed the silver plate they were sharing across the highly varnished table for two."Thanks," Rachel muttered, as her mind scrambled for compelling arguments as to why they shouldn't break up just yet. She picked up one of the mollusks remaining from the dozen they'd ordered. She'd suggested Crush, a new champagne and oyster bar, for this date because she'd been considering sleeping with Piers tonight.Also because it was around the corner from her Madison Avenue office, but still. When a woman suggests to her boyfriend of three months that they start their evening at a place serving well-known aphrodisiacs, the last thing she expects is to get dumped.She'd unbuttoned two buttons of her blouse, for goodness' sake!"It's just, I get the feeling we're not on the same page," Piers said.Rachel realized too late that slurping an oyster from its shell wasn't dignified. She swallowed hastily, the salty mass gliding past the lump in her throat.Was this about sex? Piers had wanted to sleep with her on the first date, something Rachel would never contemplate. Nor the second. Nor the third. Was it unreasonable to want to believe they might have a future together before she jumped into bed?"Actually, I think we have a lot in common," she said, as she set the empty shell back on its bed of crushed ice. They were both hardworking, capable people. And Piers had the kind of family she'd like to have come from: his father was the second-generation owner of an upstate accounting firm, and his mother ruled the local bridge club with an iron, yet friendly, grip."You glanced at your watch when I walked in tonight," he said. It sounded like an accusation."I…was checking the time," she said uncertainly. She dabbed at a drop of oyster juice on her chin with her napkin."Rachel, I was two minutes late. It's not a crime.""I never said it was. I never even thought it. That's why you're dumping me? Because I looked at my watch?" Ugh, she needed to rein in that shrillness.She turned away from Piers's concerned gaze to take a deep breath.And encountered another gaze, this one altogether unsympathetic.Garrett Calder, her fellow creative director at Key Bowen Crane, New York's largest independent advertising agency, was watching her from his black leather bar stool.Rachel had noticed him at the bar when she walked in, noticed the bottle of Dom Perignon champagne—which would set him back at least two hundred bucks in a place like this—in front of him. She'd assumed he was waiting for someone, but he was still alone and she realized there was only one glass on the bar.She knew the guy was a loner—small wonder, with that scowl on his face—but drinking a bottle of champagne by himself?"—and it feels like you're clinging" Piers said, finishing a sentence she'd failed to hear.She jerked back to face him. "I don't cling!" She was loyal and committed, sure. But those were good things. "I admit, punctuality is important to me, but I never meant to make you feel, uh, pressured."What was wrong with him, that a glance at her watch could terrify him into thinking she wanted a pledge of undying love?Which she didn't. Not yet. She just wanted to be certain the relationship would last more than five minutes."We shouldn't rush to break up at the first obstacle," she said, "when there's every chance we can get past it."Piers was an actuary, a man who calculated risk to the nth degree, and she liked the way his analytical approach spilled over into his personality. There was a lot she liked about him, frankly. His low-key sense of humor, his easy conversation. She was attracted to him physically, and they'd done some serious making out to prove it.Though now, when she eyed his receding hairline, she saw it for what it was. Imminent baldness, not a sign of dependability.Nothing wrong with bald. Hair was unarguably a nice-to-have, but it was nowhere near the top of the list."When I'm late," Piers said, "I get the feeling that you worry I'm not going to show up. When we're together, I feel like you're always watching me, to make sure I'm still interested. That's a lot of pressure, Rachel."She forced a laugh. "Piers, I'm a businesswoman with a high-level job and an excellent salary." She felt as if she was interviewing for the role of Steady, Nonclinging Girlfriend. "I hardly think I'm that insecure."She didn't assume a guy was a no-show after five minutes. It was more that she started to wonder just how reliable he was. She knew it was illogical, so she tried not to let Piers's occasional tardiness color her opinion of him.She reached across the table for his hand. A nice hand. Neatly squared fingernails. Pale, but that was okay. "I don't think we should be too quick to end a good thing. How about," she continued, lowering her voice to what she hoped was husky, "we go back to my place and…work this out."Wariness flickered in his eyes. Then his gaze dropped to those two buttons she'd undone—about time—and the hint of black bra she knew he'd see there.Rachel wriggled her shoulders just a little.He let out a sigh. "You are a very special woman, Rachel," he admitted.That was more like it! He'd simply had cold feet. Rachel pushed her chair back. It scraped loudly on the wooden floorboards. "Let's go," she said.Piers stood. "Just so you know, I have an early start tomorrow. I won't be able to stay the night."She paused as she reached for the jacket she'd slung over the back of her chair. "That's okay, I have a meeting first thing, too." The most important meeting of her life, in fact. But was now the time to be discussing work? "We can do dinner tomorrow, instead of breakfast."If her meeting went the way she anticipated, they'd be celebrating her inevitable promotion come dinnertime. She grinned at the thought, and her worries about her love life eased.Piers helped her into her jacket, then pulled some bills from his wallet. When he frowned, Rachel knew he was calculating the seventeen-and-a-half percent tip he liked to leave.Shouldn't he be tossing money onto the table willy-nilly, in his haste to get out of here and into her bed?Rachel turned away. And once again met Garrett Calder's gaze. His scowl had gone. He raised his glass to her in a toast that was intended to be ironic, if the tiny, mocking curve to his lips was anything to go by.What was that about? She didn't know Garrett well—no one did—but he always managed to unsettle her, even when she was at her most together. Not because of the stupid nickname they gave him in the office: The Shark. That little piece of hyperbole didn't bother her at all. What disturbed her was the blend of intelligence and aloofness in his eyes, the suggestion that he knew everything and he didn't give a damn.Now he looked as if he knew exactly what had just transpired between her and Piers. Knew they were headed to her bed.She willed the sudden heat in her cheeks to subside. There was no way Garrett could have overheard their conversation. None.At last, Piers wedged some neatly folded bills beneath the pepper grinder, and they could leave. The bar's layout and teeming Thursday night crowd meant they had to walk past Garrett. As she drew level with him, she gave him a polite nod."Let it go, Rachel," he said.She stopped, unsure if she'd heard him correctly over the hubbub of reveling office workers. "Excuse me?"Piers bumped into her, jolting her toward Garrett. Who leaned back against the bar, as if he didn't want her in his space."Begging never works," he said, his enunciation careful and unfortunately crystal clear to both her and, she was certain, Piers.Her heart lurched in her chest. Mortification…and fear."I don't know what you're talking about," she said. "You're drunk."An exaggeration, maybe, but he sure wasn't sober. The bottle next to him was empty."Who is this guy?" Piers asked."No one. A colleague." She tugged the lapels of her jacket together, because Garrett's eyes were definitely straying in that direction. Maybe, when she got her promotion, she could fire him.The delightful fantasy didn't last more than a moment. Garrett was too good at his job. Which was how he got away with acting like a jerk.The bartender removed Garrett's empty Dom Perignon bottle and began peeling the foil from around the cork of a second bottle."Oh, look, Garrett, your date's arrived," Rachel said. "Let's go, honey."Piers looked startled at the endearment, but he took her elbow."Just so you know," Garrett said, "offering a guy sex so he won't break up with you smacks of desperation." The bartender paused in his loosening of the wire cage around the champagne cork and looked Rachel up and down. Was it her imagination, or did he register the black bra and give her a knowing look? Piers let go of her."Whatever's driving you to drink alone, Garrett—"... Views: 66
From one of America's most beloved storytellers comes a classic love story--the breathtaking tale of a man and a woman caught in a web of temptation and seduction.All she wanted was to escape the hot, crowded London ballroom. But moments after stepping into the bitterly cold night, she is seized by a pair of strong hands and spirited away. Fully expecting to be ravished, sheltered Alexandra Purnell instead finds herself at the mercy of the man who saved her from certain scandal. Edmund, Earl of Amberley, is bold and sensual, tempting Alexandra to be reckless for the first time in her life. But as passion ignites, Edmund's offer of marriage takes Alexandra completely by surprise. Now a woman who craves her freedom above all else is about to discover how far one man will go to protect and possess the woman he loves....From the Paperback edition. Views: 66
