London 1890. Queenie Bonner is only two years old and oblivious to the dirt and squalor of the slums she lives in. She is the youngest of ten children and is happy with her brothers and sisters. Harry, the eldest, is the one she loves the most.One day when they are all having a rough and tumble in the street, with Queenie right in the middle laughing with joy, a posh carriage arrives. While they all watch in awe at such a sight, Queenie's mum and dad put her in the coach with a strange man and woman. As they drive away a terrified little girl leans out of the window calling to Harry to help her. They arrive at a large house in the country and the little girl begs to be taken home. Albert and Mary Warrender tell her this is now her home, and rename her Eleanor.Over the years she forgets about her other family and loves Albert and Mary, believing they are her parents. Fifteen years later Mary dies and Albert tells her about her past and what her real name is.Albert helps her to... Views: 21
Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Steve Berry, Naomi Novik, and Harry Turtledove, Alan Smale's gripping alternate history series imagines a world in which the Roman Empire has survived long enough to invade North America in 1218. Now the stunning story carries hero Gaius Marcellinus deeper into the culture of an extraordinary people--whose humanity, bravery, love, and ingenuity forever change his life and destiny. In AD 1218, Praetor Gaius Marcellinus is tasked with conquering North America and turning it into a Roman province. But outside the walls of the great city of Cahokia, his legion is destroyed outright; Marcellinus is the only one spared. In the months and years that follow, Marcellinus comes to see North America as his home and the Cahokians as his kin. He vows to defend these proud people from any threat, Roman or Native. After successfully repelling an invasion by the fearsome Iroqua tribes, Marcellinus realizes that a weak and fractured... Views: 21
When beautiful Fiona of Dunsheauna appears to Dag Thorsson in his underground prison, he fears she is a fairy come to enchant him. But when Dag escapes and takes Fiona captive, it's not magic that enslaves the Viking warrior, but desire. He takes her to his harsh homeland in the North, where the two of them must survive treachery and betrayal on their journey to a fierce and passionate love. Views: 21
Some years have passed since the Crow-Girl set off on a journey, met Eidi and her mother, Foula, along with a few others, and persuaded them to come live near the little cove where a brook runs out to the sea. But when Foula has another baby, Eidi feels there's no longer room for her in the settlement. So she leaves Crow Cove to make her own way in the world, hoping to help her old friend Rossan with his wool out on the heath. Fate, however, brings her to a harbor town where she must find work, and she takes a position as a weaver in the household of a wealthy merchant. In town, Eidi faces disturbing reminders of her past. She also meets a neglected boy named Tink and soon makes a decision that changes the course of both of their futures. The second book in the Children of Crow Cove series is beautifully written in Bodil Bredsdorff's spare style and will deeply satisfy fans of The Crow-Girl and new readers alike. Views: 20
Product DescriptionSynopsisJane Purefoy is a woman with a double life masquerading as the leader of a gang of Irish revolutionaries. But its the passionate and determined Sir Nicholas Spencer who tears her heart in two. Publishers WeeklyMcGoldrick (The Promise) explores Georgian Ireland in this latest offering, which features the extensive historical detail for which the husband-and-wife team is known. Sir Nicholas Spencer, an English philanthropist, decides that he needs to settle down if he's going to open a house for homeless children. Determined to select a wife quickly, he heads for Ireland to meet Clara Purefoy, the demure daughter of an English lord. Arriving in Cork, however, he stumbles upon a band of Shanavests, Irish peasants who oppose the oppressive English government. The leader of the band, Nicholas discovers to his surprise, is Jane Purefoy, the disgraced elder daughter of the Purefoy family. Captivated by the stunning rebel, Nicholas agrees to keep her secret. Now he must extricate himself from a relationship with Clara as well as unravel the mystery of why Jane's family holds her in such disdain. The historical detail here can be heavy-handed at times, as when McGoldrick introduces Dr. Samuel Johnson ("a man who is perhaps the leading light of English letters today") in a clumsy aside. The plot occasionally feels contrived, as well, but the story's strong pacing, likeable hero and heroine and surprising twists and turns compensate for these minor flaws. (July 2) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information. From BooklistThe Irish rebel Egan and his band have been a thorn in the side of the British Crown for years, but something goes dreadfully wrong on their latest mission. Englishman Sir Nicholas Spencer, who is traveling from London to stay with the Purefoy family and their lovely young daughter, Clara, captures the rebel leader after encountering the group robbing a British bishop and his entourage; then, before Egan slips out of his grasp, Nicholas briefly unmasks the Irish rebel and discovers that Egan is a woman. An even greater surprise lies in store for Nicholas once he arrives at the Purefoy estate and meets Clara's older sister, Jane, a spirited beauty who looks remarkably like the masked woman he was struggling with earlier that day. Skillfully blending history and romance, McGoldrick borrows the hero's best friend from her previous book, The Promise [BKL Ag 01], and gives him a courageous, stubborn heroine of his own to love in this vivid, compelling historical. John CharlesCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "The classic Rebel-In-Disguise story has never been more fun, exciting, or romantic…fabulous!" --Susan Wiggs Views: 20
A is for Apple She was like the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Touching her was strictly prohibited, but that didn't take away the desire. Lady Alexandra Worthington has been betrothed to Lord Coldwell since birth, an arrangement that never bothered her until her parent's unexpected death. Feeling as if she has no control over her life, Alexandra begins acting out and soon becomes too much of a burden for her brother, her current guardian, to bare, so she is sent to be under the care of her betrothed's father, Lord Emberson. Aaron Beaumont, the Marquess of Emberson, lives an orderly existence—nothing in his life is out of place. That is until Alexandra shows up and quickly turns his structured world upside down. Convinced he is a man incapable of passion, he soon discovers that isn't true as temptation, in the form of a beautiful and lively girl, is thrust upon him. The chemistry between the pair is palpable and soon leads to love, a forbidden union that can never come to fruition since Alexandra is legally betrothed to Aaron's son. Can love find a way to conquer when legalities stand in the way? Views: 20
A brilliant, exhilarating debut novel that retells The Odyssey during the 1965 Watts Riots—like nothing you've ever read beforeIt's August 1965 and Los Angeles is scorching. Americo Monk, a street-haunting aficionado of graffiti, is frantically trying to return home to the makeshift harbor community (assembled from old shipping containers) where he lives with his girlfriend, Karmann. But this is during the Watts Riots, and although his status as a chronicler of all things underground garners him free passage through the territories fiercely controlled by gangs, his trek is nevertheless diverted. Embarking on an exhilarating, dangerous, and at times paranormal journey, Monk crosses paths with a dizzying array of representatives from Los Angeles subcultures, including Chinese gangsters, graffiti bombers, witches, the Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad, and others. Graffiti Palace is the story of a city transmogrified by the upsurge of... Views: 20
FOR HONOR'S SAKE When Clara became a midwife, she vowed to preserve life above all. She'll keep that vow, even if it means defying a Norman baron by hiding a Saxon slave and her child. Yet when the ruthless lord threatens Clara's village--and her life--she's forced to rely on another Norman to keep her safe. Kenneth D'Entremont is a soldier, one who takes lives instead of healing them. Clara despairs of finding any common ground with him. But when he begins guarding her, she learns to see him in a new light. His care and compassion make her feel safe...even loved. Can she bring herself to put her secrets, and her heart, under the protection of the warrior? Views: 20