The Asylum world

The Asylum world

John Jakes

Historical Fiction / Science Fiction / Children's

Sean had never been on Earth, for which he felt both a vague loyalty and a colonist’s contempt. After all, Earth had made quite a mess of it in the late 1990s. But here he was, on the one in-shuttle Mars owned, going on behalf of the Martian colonies to request arms to defend the planet against the alien fleet sighted off Saturn.But supposing the cheerful newstapes Earth sent the colonies were retouched? Suppose Westbloc hadn’t any weapons, or needed them for its arms race with Eastbloc? Sean rubbed his aching head. No doubt about it, there’d be further headaches awaiting him in’
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Murder at the Ritz

Murder at the Ritz

Jim Eldridge

Historical / Historical Fiction / War

August 1940. On the streets of London, locals watch with growing concern as German fighter planes plague the city's skyline. But inside the famous Ritz Hotel, the cream of society continues to enjoy all the glamour and comfort that money can buy during wartime – until an anonymous man is discovered with his throat slashed open.Detective Chief Inspector Coburg is called in to investigate, no stranger himself to the haunts of the upper echelons of society, ably assisted by his trusty colleague, Sergeant Lampson. Yet they soon face a number of obstacles. With the crime committed in rooms in use by an exiled king and his retinue, there are those who fear diplomatic repercussions and would rather the case be forgotten. With mounting pressure from various Intelligence agencies, rival political factions and gang warfare brewing either side of the Thames, Coburg and Lampson must untangle a web of deception if they are to solve the case – and survive.
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After the Great Muskie Hunt

After the Great Muskie Hunt

J.G. Sandom

Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction / Young Adult

Please be advised that this is a short story (4,000 words).When his father loses his job, a young painter offers to take him fishing for muskellunge, a barracuda-like freshwater fish, at Big Eagle Lake, in Ontario, Canada.From the award-winning author of Gospel Truths; The God Machine; The Wave; The Wall Street Murder Club; Kiss Me, I'm Dead; and Confessions of a Teenage Body Snatcher.Please be advised that this is a short story (4,000 words).When his father loses his job, a young painter offers to take him fishing for muskellunge, a barracuda-like freshwater fish, at Big Eagle Lake, in Ontario, Canada."Haunting and beautiful."Cornucopia PressJ.G. Sandom is the author of six thrillers and mysteries, including The God Machine, Gospel Truths and The Wall Street Murder Club, plus the eco-thriller The Wave – A John Decker Thriller. Booklist called Gospel Truths "a splendid, tautly woven thriller . . . (and) an intelligent mystery of tremendous spiritual and literary depth." And Library Journal termed it, "A masterful first novel, based on a true incident, which spins a complicated web of corruption, greed and deception." Kirkus Reviews called The Wall Street Murder Club "A Big Apple Deliverance, endowing New York culture with all the corrosively dehumanizing power of Dickey's wild nature." And Booklist said, "(Sandom) writes with stunning elegance . . . A sure hit with any suspense reader." Caroline Thompson (author of Edward Scissorhands) said, "Move over, Dan Brown . . . All hail J.G. Sandom . . . (The God Machine) is a thrilling and breathless, rapturously-written and mind-blowing read. It'll keep you up all night, turning pages as fast as your little fingers can manage." And Historical Novels Review said, "History galore, violence, and intrigue fill the pages of this tightly plotted, twisting and turning adventure story . . . The God Machine is a very impressive historical thriller!" Kirkus said, "Sandom's strength lies in the verve of his story, with writing that has both muscle . . . (and) brains . . . (The Wave) races from improbable to crazywild, all in good fun, with Sandom always one step ahead . . . A story with enough manic energy to be worthy of a nuclear explosion." While known mostly as a writer of thrillers and mysteries, Sandom is also the author of several Young Adult (YA) novels, including the award-winning Kiss Me, I’m Dead and Confessions of a Teenage Body Snatcher. The Washington Post said, "(Sandom) writes with a precision and delicacy unusual for YA fiction," and called Kiss me, I’m Dead "a subtle gem."
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Going to the Chapel

Going to the Chapel

Deborah Cooke

Romance / Fantasy / Historical Fiction

It's September in Manhattan and the weather is perfect for a wedding – if not two! Cassie and Reid tie the knot with style in this short story, while Haley and Damon take their vows surrounded by friends and family. Will Amy and Tyler's son arrive in time for the festitivies? Join the F5 crew as they celebrate two weddings, welcome the first child of the partners, and make changes to build the future of their fitness club.
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Glory

Glory

Heather Graham

Mystery & Thrillers / Romance / Historical Fiction

In Civil War–era Florida, a woman suspected of witchcraft reawakens a tired doctor’s heart Julian McKenzie, a surgeon and makeshift colonel, is at the end of his rope. He’s trapped deep in the South with his Rebel platoon, and their supplies and morale are running low. But while fleeing from an attack, he finds salvation in a most unusual form: a run-down plantation. Inside, widow Rhiannon Tremaine, a Union sympathizer, practices what the locals describe as witchcraft. In reality, Rhiannon is a gifted healer and medic. Still, she does have a bit of magic in her.  In the fifth book of her Florida Civil War series, bestselling author Heather Graham evokes a treacherous world of divided loyalties. Rhiannon has the gift of second sight, and while she used to welcome her visions, now her dreams only give her pain. In Julian, though, she may have found someone to change them . . . if the war doesn’t conspire to rip the two apart. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Heather Graham, including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.
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The Well of Shades

The Well of Shades

Juliet Marillier

Science Fiction & Fantasy / Historical Fiction / Young Adult

Juliet Marillier continues the epic fantasy begun with" The Dark Mirror, " which" Interzone" called: "A fascinating evocation of life in Pictish England and an emotional roller coaster of a story." King Bridei is a man with a mission. His wish to unite his kingdom seems almost within his grasp but there are forces working to undo his dream. He sends Faolan, his most trusted advisor (who is also a master assassin and spymaster) out into the world to ferret out the truth of who is friend and who is foe. Along the way Faolan will uncover many truths. Some may hold the key to Bridei's future. But more important, they may unlock the secrets that Faolan has held deep within his soul for decades. And offer him the chance of redemption.
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Beauty in Thorns

Beauty in Thorns

Kate Forsyth

Historical Fiction / Children's Books / Fantasy

A spellbinding reimagining of 'Sleeping Beauty' set amongst the wild bohemian circle of Pre-Raphaelite artists and poets.The Pre-Raphaelites were determined to liberate art and love from the shackles of convention. Ned Burne-Jones had never had a painting lesson and his family wanted him to be a parson. Only young Georgie Macdonald - the daughter of a Methodist minister - understood. She put aside her own dreams to support him, only to be confronted by many years of gossip and scandal. Dante Gabriel Rossetti was smitten with his favourite model, Lizzie Siddal. She wanted to be an artist herself, but was seduced by the irresistible lure of laudanum. William Morris fell head-over-heels for a 'stunner' from the slums, Janey Burden. Discovered by Ned, married to William, she embarked on a passionate affair with Gabriel that led inexorably to tragedy.Margot Burne-Jones had become her father's muse. He painted her as Briar Rose, the focus of his most renowned...
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The Blind Date Surprise

The Blind Date Surprise

Barbara Hannay

Romance / Literature & Fiction / Historical Fiction

Dear Ask Auntie, The loneliness of the Outback is driving me crazy. I'm two hundred kilometers from the nearest nightclub, and it's so hard to meet guys. The few dates I've had have been spectacularly forgettable, but now I've met a wonderfully warm, funny and clever man over the Internet and I'm in love. I want to dash off to the city to meet him, but all my life I've been accused of being too hasty and impulsive, so I'm seeking guidance. What do you advise? Marooned in Mirrabrook Annie McKinnon's agony aunt says, "Go for it!" Find out what happens when she does...
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The Fourth Treatment

The Fourth Treatment

T.W. Fendley

Science Fiction & Fantasy / Historical Fiction

When Jorge92A2020, the only survivor of the first dozen longevity pioneers, grants Andrea an exclusive interview before his Fourth Treatment, she learns the changes from his previous treatments are more than skin deep. He may look like a Neanderthal, but Jorge challenges Andrea to consider her own humanity as he pursues his quest for immortality.A retired cop who suffered a personal tragedy is coming to grips with his grief and considering returning to law enforcement. That decision escalates when he finds a friend murdered. Coincidences, the emergence of a secret life, a treasure, an heiress searching for her birth mother and the ulterior motives of some regular citizens all have Kelly McWinter scrambling to uncover the truth before his best friend ends up behind bars.Previously published as The Indian Creek Texas mysteries "DEADLY SECRETS kept me guessing. Just when I thought I knew "whodunit," I'd turn the page and discover someone new with the means, motive and opportunity. If you like an entertaining mystery that will confound you until the very end, DEADLY SECRETS is for you. I highly recommend it and look forward to more from this talented storyteller." ~ 5 out of 5 stars, Marilyn Miller "Mystery Maven"
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Matecumbe

Matecumbe

James A. Michener

Historical Fiction / History / Biographies & Memoirs

Pulitzer Prize-winning author James A. Michener was in his sixties when he began traveling frequently to the Florida Keys. One result of those visits was the novel Matecumbe, named after two of the islands that comprise the town of Islamorada, located approximately half way between Miami and Key West.Never before published, Matecumbe features many of the hallmarks of Michener's best work, including detailed descriptions of place. However, the plot is much more intimate than that found in most of his large-scale, epic historical novels. Focusing on the parallel lives of a woman and her mother, both divorced, Michener spent his creative energy on character development and allegorical storytelling. Random House, his publisher, wasn't pleased, and wanted the mega-best-selling author to concentrate on producing "heavyweight" books like Hawaii and Centennial. Matecumbe seemed too much in the vein of his earlier romance novel, Sayonara. So it sat in a drawer until, eventually, Michener gifted it--including the copyright--to Joe Avenick, his friend and former ghostwriter. Avenick played a key role in the research and writing of Sports in America andChesapeake, and introduced Michener to Melissa (Missy) DeMaio, who soon became the primary reason for Michener's increasingly frequent visits to the Keys.
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A Stolen Tongue

A Stolen Tongue

Sheri Holman

Historical Fiction / Literature & Fiction / Children's Books

It is 1483. Father Felix Fabri has set sail from Germany to Mount Sinai on a pilgrimage to venerate the relics of the spiritual bride he took when he first swore his vows, the martyr Saint Katherine of Alexandria. Joined by a disturbed young woman who claims that Saint Katherine speaks through her, and her older brother whose intentions are never clear, Felix soon finds his expectations for a pure and holy journey crushed. Following a tempestuous sea voyage, Felix's group comes ashore to pay homage and celebrate Katherine's life in Greece and Palestine. Each time they come to worship, though, they find that the remains of Katherine's body are being stolen in bits and pieces; her hand, her ear, and then her tongue are missing from their holy resting places. Desperate to discover the thief and save his saint from such a brutal fate, Felix is thrust into a deep and strange mystery that takes him across the desert and plumbs the depths of his soul. Based on the historical Wanderings of Friar Felix Fabri, this suspenseful and thrilling novel is an irresistible look at how history resonates in the present landscape, and how heaven, through the follies and passions of men, constantly reinvents itself.
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