By the time of his death in 1982, Sam “Lightnin’” Hopkins was likely the most recorded blues artist in history. This brilliant new biography--the first book ever written about him--illuminates the many contradictions of the man and his myth. Born in 1912 to a poor sharecropping family in the cotton country between Dallas and Houston, Hopkins left home when he was only eight years old with a guitar his brother had given him. He made his living however he could, sticking to the open road, playing the blues, and taking odd jobs when money was short. This biography delves into Hopkins’s early years, exploring the myths surrounding his meetings with Blind Lemon Jefferson and Texas Alexander, his time on a chain gang, his relationships with women, and his lifelong appetite for gambling and drinking. Hopkins didn’t begin recording until 1946, when he was dubbed “Lightnin’” during his first session, and he soon joined Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker on the national R & B charts. But by the time he was “rediscovered” by Mack McCormick and Sam Charters in 1959, his popularity had begun to wane. A second career emerged--now Lightnin’ was pitched to white audiences, not black ones, and he became immensely successful, singing about his country roots and injustices that informed the civil rights era with a searing emotive power. More than a decade in the making, this biography is based on scores of interviews with Lightnin’s lover, friends, producers, accompanists, managers, and fans. Views: 49
Meet the daughters of King Arthur's descendant, Merin Pendragon. They have an appetite for adventure and a gift for driving men wild with desire. Marrying them off may seem an easy task, but it's only going to prove that when it comes to these girls, trouble follows in threes. Join New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small for a delicious new tale of proud, passionate sisters who live and love according to their own rules. . .The Dragon Lord's DaughtersAverilShe may be the Lord's eldest—and illegitimate—daughter, but Averil knows her dazzling beauty can buy her what she wants most: marriage to a great and powerful lord. But fate has other plans in the rugged form of Rhys FitzHugh. Thinking her the sole heiress, the penniless bailiff kidnaps the beauty. Now, to salvage his honor, he must marry the openly hostile Averil and accept his greatest challenge—winning her love, her loyalty, and her trust. . .MaiaAs the... Views: 49
Guilt and anger have kept them apart for years. Now, a love that never died has a chance to burn bright once more. But war-ravaged London brings a new kind of danger, and their rekindled romance is in danger of going up in flames with the city around them. Denise A. Agnew tells a heart-warming tale of hope and courage in her new romance novel, One London Night. br>War Time London, 1940A time when uncertainty festers within even the strongest of men.A time when fear rules everyone's lives.A time when love dares to defy the devastation of war.After years away, American war correspondent Sylvie Hunnicut returns to England determined to put aside tumultuous memories and muster the courage to cover the war in Great Britain. Guilt she harbors over a horrible accident that permanently injured childhood friend Alec Kent threatens to destroy their relationship. Secret longings for him remain in her heart, even if he wants nothing to do with her.Alec Kent's... Views: 49
Winner of the 2012 Man Booker Prize, the sequel to Hilary Mantel's 2009 Man Booker Prize winner and New York Times bestseller, Wolf Hall, delves into the heart of Tudor history with the downfall of Anne Boleyn. Though he battled for seven years to marry her, Henry is disenchanted with Anne Boleyn. She has failed to give him a son and her sharp intelligence and audacious will alienate his old friends and the noble families of England. When the discarded Katherine dies in exile from the court, Anne stands starkly exposed, the focus of gossip and malice. At a word from Henry, Thomas Cromwell is ready to bring her down. Over three terrifying weeks, Anne is ensnared in a web of conspiracy, while the demure Jane Seymour stands waiting her turn for the poisoned wedding ring. But Anne and her powerful family will not yield without a ferocious struggle. Hilary Mantel's Bring Up the Bodies follows the dramatic trial of the queen and her suitors for adultery and treason. To defeat the Boleyns, Cromwell must ally with his natural enemies, the papist aristocracy. What price will he pay for Anne's head? Views: 49
One Pink Rose Headstrong Travis takes a journey that opens his eyes to the splendor of his beloved West—and his heart to Bostonian Emily Finnegan. One White Rose Steady and quiet, Douglas will do anything to protect a creature in need—and that includes the strong-willed Isabel Grant. One Red Rose Thoughtful Adam learns a powerful secret from the irrepressible Genevieve Delacroix—that true freedom only comes when he trusts his heart. Views: 49
Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale... Views: 49
Stunningly beautiful Callie Conner is sick of being pursued by shallow suitors. She wants a man of faith, honesty and moral integrity who will love and value her for more than her appearance. So she flees to her aunt's hotel, where she soon finds herself falling for the handsome new stable hand.A successful businessman in disguise, Ezra Ryder enjoys working in Pinewood where he is accepted for himself, and not for his money. Growing closer to Miss Callie, he longs to proclaim his love. But revealing his true identity would also mean revealing his deceit--can he risk losing Callie's trust forever? Views: 49
One brilliant young hacker.One experimental government aircraft.One chance to keep it all from going up in flames.Still recovering from her troubled past, Farris is no stranger to change. But when the military transfers her father across the country to an experimental aircraft squadron, settling in to a new life is the least of her problems. As a series of apparent computer glitches threaten the security of the fleet and the blame falls on her father, she decides to put her computer skills to use digging up the truth. Soon she's drawn into the perilous world of a hacker who is determined to ground the fleet--at any cost.When all signs lead to someone close to her as the mastermind, Farris will have to burn more than bridges to get to the truth. She will have to risk her fragile new life to uncover the identity of the cyber criminal before they can escalate from harmless tampering... to all out murder. Views: 49
