The first in a series, this novella covers the origins of a centuries-old on-and-off relationship between a wealthy young lawyer and his mistress.The Duck And The Doe is the tale of two immortal beings whose eternal love has soured a bit in the last two centuries. Written as a memoir by the "hero", this novella is a musing on both what love is and how much America has changed since the early 19th century. The first volume deals with both the supernatural and the racism of the old American south. Told with humor and passion (and the occasional rant) the story of these strong characters, including a wealthy young lawyer and a clever courtesan, will change your idea of what "love forever'' really means.

Two years before she would conceive of Frankenstein, sixteen-year-old Mary Godwin becomes captivated by the grim murder of a pregnant shopgirl and the disappearance of her stepbrother, involving her stepsister Jane "Claire" Clairmont and the seductive poet Percy Bysshe Shelley to solve the crime . . . London, June 1814: On a day out in Hyde Park to celebrate the peace treaty with France, Mary and Jane are less than charmed by their brother Charles's courtship with a girl from the local cheese shop. When Miss Winnet Davies is not swooning from the heat, she's imploring Charles to buy her a pretty dress. But he hasn't a tuppence—nor have they, as their father, philosopher William Godwin, is facing the prospect of debtor's prison. When a constable arrives at the Godwin home the following day, looking for Charles, Mary and Jane learn that the lifeless body of Miss Davies was found hanging from a tree branch and an examination revealed she was with...

In The Angels Weep by Wilbur Smith, on a continent of breathtaking beauty and bitter suffering, two vastly different cultures clashed, mingled, and recoiled. Here, amidst mist-shrouded mountains and gold-studded plateaus, ancient tribesmen lived close to the earth, as white men dug fortunes out from beneath them and laid plans for a new civilization. Out of Southern Africa the enigmatic Cecil Rhodes built an empire in the late 1800s and attracted the brightest and bravest of a generation--including a remarkable far-flung family named Ballantyne. But for the natives, another day was dawning: a day of retribution... From a courageous woman doctor to a fierce, one-eyed slave trader turned soldier, the whites of Africa were buffeted by two horrific waves of war. And just when a bloody peace seemed possible, the seeds of future turmoil were sown …

Scotland Yard's best detective, Inspector Ian Rutledge, must solve a dangerous case that reaches far into the past in this superb mystery in the acclaimed series Declaring he needs to clear his conscience, a dying man walks into Scotland Yard and confesses that he killed his cousin five years earlier during the Great War. When Inspector Ian Rutledge presses for details, the man evades his questions, revealing only that he hails from a village east of London. With little information and no body to open an official inquiry, Rutledge begins to look into the case on his own. Less than two weeks later, the alleged killer's body is found floating in the Thames, a bullet in the back of his head. Searching for answers, Rutledge discovers that the dead man was not who he claimed to be. What was his real name--and who put a bullet in his head? Were the "confession" and his own death related? Or was there something else in the victim's past that led to his murder? The inspector's only clue is a gold locket, found around the dead man's neck, that leads back to Essex and an insular village whose occupants will do anything to protect themselves from notoriety. For notoriety brings the curious, and with the curious come change and an unwelcome spotlight on a centuries-old act of evil that even now can damn them all.

Olivia wants to believe Gabe when he says her worth is far above rubies, but would he still say it if he knew the truth?It’s 1863, and Olivia Owens believes education should be a top priority in the new settlement of Good Springs. Between planning lessons and helping on her family’s homestead, Olivia doesn’t have time for Gabriel McIntosh’s charming advances. When the council denies her request to build a schoolhouse, Olivia must challenge their ruling while hiding frequent bouts of word blindness (dyslexia).If the council knew the new teacher couldn’t always read, they wouldn’t allow Olivia to teach anymore.As a carpenter, Gabe McIntosh is working hard to help build the settlement of Good Springs, and once his land is granted, he begins constructing his own house. When Olivia discovers he plans to share it with her, she guards her heart from him. But Gabe is determined to win her affection and to discover what she’s hiding.

'An Absence of Light' is a short two-act play. It is a drama set in London at the outbreak of the Second World War. The free play captures the tension and bleak anticipation of another cataclysmic conflict - the second in a quarter of a century - that again threatens to engulf Europe in upheaval and horror.This free play is essentially a melodrama. 'An Absence of Light' is a human drama, showcasing the horrors of impending war - and the fear of its inevitable consequences - as seen through the lives of four characters.This eBook is given to readers by the author, William Andrews, free of charge, in the hope that they will visit his web page and download more works.Happy reading!

Who needs a knight in shining armor when there's an earl at your side...?Gwendeline Gregory doesn't know what to think when she encounters the dashing Alex St. Audley, Earl of Merryn. She's in over her head in London Society, trying to fend off a scoundrel who will stop at nothing to ruin her. On the brink of a devastating scandal, the earl arrives just when she needs him most. But are his motivations trustworthy? And can he avert ruin for both of them?What People Are Saying About Jane Ashford: "Jane Ashford absolutely delights."—Night Owl Reviews "Exquisite...one to savor."—Library Journal for The Duke Knows Best "Filled with wit and charm."—Fresh Fiction for Nothing Like a Duke"Expertly crafted...another triumph of nuanced characterization and sparkling wit."—Booklist for Nothing Like a Duke **Who needs a knight in shining armor when there's an earl at your side...?** Gwendeline Gregory doesn't know what to think when she encounters the dashing Alex St. Audley, Earl of Merryn. She's in over her head in London Society, trying to fend off a scoundrel who will stop at nothing to ruin her. On the brink of a devastating scandal, the earl arrives just when she needs him most. But are his motivations trustworthy? And can he avert ruin for both of them?

Prussia, 1836Hanne Nussbaum is a child of nature - she would rather run wild in the forest than conform to the limitations of womanhood. In her village of Kay, Hanne is friendless and considered an oddity . . . until she meets Thea.Ocean, 1838The Nussbaums are Old Lutherans, bound by God's law and at odds with their King's order for reform. Forced to flee religious persecution the families of Kay board a crowded, disease-riddled ship bound for the new colony of South Australia. In the face of brutal hardship, the beauty of whale song enters Hanne's heart, along with the miracle of her love for Thea. Theirs is a bond that nothing can break. The whale passed. The music faded.South Australia, 1838A new start in an old land. God, society and nature itself decree Hanne and Thea cannot be together. But within the impossible . . . is devotion.LONGLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS FICTION 2022Praise for...

The Story of Rolf and the Viking\'s Bow By Allen French

Railway financier Simon Davenant has waited seven years for a second chance with his childhood sweetheart and best friend. He's not about to let his impending financial ruin destroy the opportunity. This time, he'll do anything he can to secure her hand in marriage--even if it means losing her heart for good. The Lady Always Wins is a short story of 18,500 words (about 60 print pages). It was previously published in the anthology "Three Weddings and a Murder."

Set in a village in which the women get caught up in occult rituals and wholesale slaughter perpetuated in the name of the Amazon women, the goddess of the cult being incarnated in the form of the town's female mayor. The evil only happens at night - and only happens to men.

A female accountant in 1908, Eloisa Drake thought she'd put her past behind her. Then her new job lands her in the path of the man who broke her heart. Alex Duval, mayor of a doomed town, can't believe his eyes when he sees Eloisa as part of the entourage that's come to wipe his town off the map. Can he convince her to help him—and give him another chance?