Collection: Historical Fiction

Filled with Victorian-era intrigue for readers of Rhys Bowen, Deanna Raybourn, Tasha Alexander, and Julia Seales, Dianne Freeman's Agatha Award-winning series takes a delightful jaunt to the City of Light as Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, encounters a murder scene at the Paris Exposition.

Frances and her husband, George, have two points of interest in Paris. One is an impromptu holiday to visit the Paris Exposition. The other is personal. George's Aunt Julia has requested her nephew's help in looking into the suspicious death of renowned artist Paul Ducasse. Though Julia is not entirely forthcoming about her reasons, she is clearly a woman mourning a lost love.

At the exposition, swarming with tourists, tragedy casts a pall on the festivities. A footbridge collapses. Julia is among the casualties. However, she was not just another fateful victim. Julia was stabbed to death amid the chaos. With an official investigation at a standstill, George and Frances realize that to solve the case they must dig into Julia's life--as well as Paul's--and question everything and everyone in Julia's coterie of artists and secrets.

They have no shortage of suspects. There is Paul's inscrutable widow, Gabrielle. Paul's art dealer and manager, Lucien. Julia's friend Martine, a sculptress with a jealous streak. And art jurist, Monsieur Beaufoy. The investigation takes a turn when it's revealed that George has inherited control of Julia's estate--and another of her secrets. While George investigates, Frances safeguards their new legacy, and is drawn further into danger by a killer determined to keep the past buried.

In this Bridgerton era You've Got Mail, the clever, popular, and deliciously shocking ladies' periodical Mrs. Goode's Magazine for Misses only employs women who are equal to the challenge--and for one biting theatre critic, that challenge happens to include romance.

A fast-paced, innovative, sexy historical romance with a modern twist that readers of Sabrina Jeffries, Sarah MacLean, and Julia Quinn will adore.

As the daughter of a clergyman, Julia Addison knows she'll never be able to fulfill her lifelong dream of acting on the stage. But writing forthright reviews of the Season's most popular plays for Mrs. Goode's Magazine for Misses, popularly known as Goode's Guide to Misconduct is surely the next best thing. Even better, she's got a ticket to Ransom Blackadder's latest irritating satire about English society. Best of all, she's sharing a theater box with the gruff but handsome Lord Dunstane, which is enough to make Julia call for an encore . . .

Graham McKay, the Earl of Dunstane, rarely leaves his home in the Scottish Highlands. Why would he? Nothing about London has ever held his interest--until he meets Julia. But when Graham realizes she is the critic who panned his last play--and she discovers he is in fact the man behind Blackadder's wicked pen--will it bring down the curtain on their romance--not to mention the magazine that published the humiliating review? Or can an unexpected collaboration set the stage for a scandalous love affair?

Genres collide in this dark and atmospheric reimagining of 1930s Shanghai for fans of Nghi Vo and S. A. Chakraborty.

Jingwen spends her nights as a showgirl at the Paramount, one of the most lavish clubs in Shanghai, competing ruthlessly to charm wealthy patrons. To cap off her shifts, she runs money for her grandmother, the exclusive surgeon to the most powerful gang in the city. A position her grandmother is pressuring her to inherit...

When a series of dancers are targeted--the attacker stealing their faces--Jingwen fears she could be next. And as the faces of the dancers start appearing on wealthy foreign socialites, she realizes Shanghai's glittering mirage of carefree luxury comes at a terrible price.

Fighting not just for her own safety but that of the other dancers--women who have simultaneously been her bitterest rivals and only friends--Jingwen has no choice but to delve into the city's underworld. In this treacherous realm of tangled alliances and ancient grudges, silver-armed gangsters haunt every alley, foreign playboys broker deals in exclusive back rooms, and the power of gods is wielded and traded like yuan. Jingwen will have to become something far stranger and more dangerous than her grandmother ever imagined if she hopes to survive the forces waiting to sell Shanghai's bones.

From the award-winning and bestselling French author Colombe Schneck, a woman's personal journey through abortion, sex, friendship, love, and swimming

At fifty years old, while taking swimming lessons, I finally realized that my body was not actually as incompetent as I'd thought. My physical gestures had been, until then, small, worried, tense. In swimming I learned to extend them. I saw male bodies swimming beside me, and I swam past them, I was delighted, my breasts got smaller, my uterus stopped working. My body, by showing me who I was, allowed me to become fully myself.

In Seventeen, Friendship, and Swimming, Colombe Schneck orchestrates a coming-of-age in three movements. Beautiful, masterfully controlled, yet filled with pathos, they invite the reader into a decades-long evolution of sexuality, bodily autonomy, friendship, and loss.

Schneck's prose maintains an unwavering intimacy, whether conjuring a teenage abortion in the midst of a privileged Parisian upbringing, the nuance of a long friendship, or a midlife romance. Swimming in Paris is an immersive, propulsive triptych--fundamentally human in its tender concern for every messy and glorious reality of the body, and deeply wise in its understanding of both desire and of letting go.

Dragon Age: The Calling by David Gaider is another thrilling prequel to Dragon Age: Origins, the hit role-playing video game from award-winning developer BioWare!

After two hundred years of exile, King Maric has allowed the legendary Grey Wardens to finally return to Ferelden. When they come, however, they bring dire news: one of their own has escaped into the Deep Roads and aligned himself with their ancient enemy, the monstrous darkspawn.

The Grey Wardens need Maric's help, and he reluctantly agrees to lead them into the passages he traveled through many years before, chasing after a deadly secret that will threaten to destroy not only the Grey Wardens but also the Kingdom above.

"Gold!" Jason shouted at the top of his lungs. "Read all about it! Gold discovered in Alaska!"

Within hours of hearing the thrilling news, fifteen-year-old Jason Hawthorn jumps a train for Seattle, stow away on a ship bound for the goldfields, and joins thousands of fellow prospectors attempting the difficult journey to the Klondike. The Dead Horse Trail, the infamous Chilkott Pass, and a five-hundred-mile trip by canoe down the Yukon River lie ahead. With help from a young writer named Jack London, Jason and his dog face moose, bears, and the terrors of a subartic winter in this bone-chilling survival story.

00-01 Tayshas High School Reading List, 01-02 Young Hoosier Book Award Masterlist (Gr 4-6), 01-02 Young Hoosier Book Award Masterlist (Gr 6-8), 01-02 William Allen White Children's Book Award Masterlist, and 01 Heartland Award for Excellence in YA Lit Finalist

Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2000, National Council for SS & Child. Book Council, 2000 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA), and 2000 Quick Picks for Young Adults (Recomm. Books for Reluctant Young Readers)

In book 2 of the Asha and Baz series, readers once more dive into the past--this time to learn about famous actor and inventor Hedy Lamarr!

Computer class is off to a rocky start for Asha and Baz! They've been given a Coding Challenge and must correctly code instructions to send a digital frog across a computer screen. But they can't seem to figure it out. With their reputation as the smartest kids in their class at stake, the pair turn to their magic stick for answers. They use it to draw their coding problem in the sand and are transported back in time to 1941 Hollywood to meet Hedy Lamarr, leaving them even more confused: How can an actor help them solve the Coding Challenge?

But when they learn there's a war happening and that Hedy Lamar has been hard at work inventing a device to help with war efforts, the kids realize her problem-solving skills may be just what they need. Coding, frequency hopping, and more await in Asha and Baz Meet Hedy Lamarr!

Themes: children's books on STEM/STEAM, early reader, women in science, women in history, female inventors, gender equality.

Science activity in book can be replicated in schools or at home using simple supplies. Instructions provided in story.l

Time travel takes two friends to the 1940s for valuable lessons on problem-solving and perseverance.-- BookLife

A down-and-out samurai who can't even hold a sword enters a strange world of magic searching for honor and redemption.

In early 19th-century Japan, a down-and-out samurai named Ryudo Konosuke struggles through his hardscrabble life. His dear departed mother's last hope was for him to live his life as a splendid warrior, but a cruel curse repels and distorts any metal that gets near him. Will he ever be able to wield a sword, much less live the life of an honorable samurai?

After his wife Tsuki is abducted by an onmyoji sorcerer, Konosuke tries to get on with his life. Struck by a curse that affects his memory, he can't remember who Tsuki was. Then he meets Aki, a young medium whose powers may help Konosuke recover his memory, and help him look for Tsuki. Konosuke's persistence draws the ire of the dark servants of the Bureau of Onmyo, who have orders to eliminate him...

Embark on an unforgettable safari adventure with "Hello, Kenya! Children's Picture Book Safari Animal Adventure for Kids Ages 4-8." This captivating book is designed for young explorers who are eager to learn about the wonders of Kenya and its incredible wildlife.

Discover the rich tapestry of Kenya through the eyes of your child:

• Foster a love for nature and wildlife with engaging stories about Kenya's majestic animals.
• Expand their knowledge of different cultures and geography, opening their minds to the diverse world we live in.
• Develop a sense of adventure and exploration, encouraging curiosity and learning in a fun and interactive way.

Authentic, educational, and filled with breathtaking illustrations, "Hello, Kenya!" is more than just a picture book; it's a journey into the heart of Africa. Don't miss the chance to take your child on a thrilling safari adventure. Secure your copy of "Hello, Kenya!" today and watch as your child embarks on a journey filled with discovery and wonder.

Immerse yourself in the brilliant storytelling of Leo Tolstoy with ""The Greatest Short Stories of Leo Tolstoy."" This captivating collection showcases the literary genius of one of the greatest Russian authors, featuring tales of love, morality, and the human condition that will leave you spellbound.

• A curated selection of Leo Tolstoy's finest short stories
• Masterpieces that explore the depths of human emotions
• Compelling narratives with rich character development
• Thought-provoking themes of love, justice, and spirituality
• An essential addition to any literature lover's collection.

(Bilingual English-Dari edition) Some 250 years ago, the Great King Ahmad Shah Durrani ruled Afghanistan and, from there, a magnificent empire extending from eastern Iran to northern India, and from the Amu Darya River to the Indian Ocean. Known to his people as Ahmad Shah Baba (Ahmad Shah, our father), the beloved king was an outstanding general and a just and wise ruler. But he was vexed with all kinds of problems that threatened his kingdom, and he realized he needed to find someone with the right qualities to help him. The big question was how to find such a person. Among other things, this story provides a framework through which young readers can consider and discuss the qualities one needs in order to live a useful and happy life. This intriguing legend is retold for young people by the Afghan storyteller and teacher Palwasha Bazger Salam, and is beautifully illustrated by artist Natasha Delmar. Additional pages include a biography of Ahmad Shah, a map of the Durrani Empire and suggested discussion points.

Justine Holmes is a widow, former activist, and funeral thief, mourning her husband's death during the aftermath of the Ferguson unrest in St. Louis, Missouri. As family tensions deepen between Justine and her three grown children - a former Bay Area activist at odds with her hometown's customs, a social climbing realtor stifled by the loss of her only child, and a disillusioned politician struggling with his sexual identity, the matriarch is forced to face her grief head-on. By reconciling a past tied to her secret involvement in civil rights activism during the early 1970's in St. Louis, Justine quickly learns the more she attempts to make peace with her history, the more skeletons continue to rise to the surface.

Excerpts from BONE BROTH have been featured in Eleven Eleven, The Offing, Joyland, The Stockholm Review of Literature and Entropy.

"Wake up, mermaid. Balance has been disrupted, and we must fight. Nature as we know it needs restoration. We need our water back."

Lake Superior is home to hundreds of shipwrecks . . . but only one mermaid. "H" doesn't know where she came from. She doesn't even know her full name. That hasn't stopped her from having a good time: she's spent the last few decades evading tourists, befriending local wildlife, and sharing spectral martinis with shipwrecked spirits. But there are whispers in the waters, rumors of a strange new threat killing whitefish by the hundreds. Out of the deep blue nowhere, H finds her North Shore paradise under attack. H must unravel her origins and harness long-dormant powers to lead Gitchi-Gami's residents (furred, finned, and ectoplasmic alike) in the fight to reclaim their waters. It will take unexpected allies, divine intervention, and pie . . . lots of pie.

Includes maps as well as numerous charming black-and-white illustrations by artist Jill Myer.

A novel of courageous parental love and the instructive, healing bonds that form between humans and animals

Set in early 1950s rural South Carolina, One Good Mama Bone chronicles Sarah Creamer's quest to find her "mama bone," after she is left to care for a boy who is not her own but instead is the product of an affair between her husband and her best friend and neighbor, a woman she calls "Sister." When her husband drinks himself to death, Sarah, a dirt-poor homemaker with no family to rely on and the note on the farm long past due, must find a way for her and young Emerson Bridge to survive. But the more daunting obstacle is Sarah's fear that her mother's words, seared in her memory since she first heard them at the age of six, were a prophesy, "You ain't got you one good mama bone in you, girl."

When Sarah reads in the local newspaper that a boy won $680 with his Grand Champion steer at the recent 1951 Fat Cattle Show & Sale, she sees this as their financial salvation and finds a way to get Emerson Bridge a steer from a local farmer to compete in the 1952 show. But the young calf is unsettled at Sarah's farm, crying out in distress and growing louder as the night wears on. Some four miles away, the steer's mother hears his cries and breaks out of a barbed-wire fence to go in search of him. The next morning Sarah finds the young steer quiet, content, and nursing a large cow. Inspired by the mother cow's act of love, Sarah names her Mama Red. And so Sarah's education in motherhood begins with Mama Red as her teacher.

But Luther Dobbins, the man who sold Sarah the steer, has his sights set on winning too, and, like Sarah, he is desperate, but not for money. Dobbins is desperate for glory, wanting to regain his lost grand-champion dynasty, and he will stop at nothing to win. Emboldened by her lessons from Mama Red and her budding mama bone, Sarah is committed to victory even after she learns the winning steer's ultimate fate. Will she stop at nothing, even if it means betraying her teacher?

McClain's writing is distinguished by a sophisticated and detailed portrayal of the day-to-day realities of rural poverty and an authentic sense of time and place that marks the best southern fiction. Her characters transcend their archetypes and her animal-as-teacher theme recalls the likes of Water for Elephants and The Art of Racing in the Rain. One Good Mama Bone explores the strengths and limitations of parental love, the healing power of the human-animal bond, and the ethical dilemmas of raising animals for food.

A New York Times Notable Book
A San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, and Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year

"A gripping and resonant novel. . . . It immerses the reader in a distant world with startling immediacy and ardor. . . . Riveting." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

In 1886 a shy, middle-aged piano tuner named Edgar Drake receives an unusual commission from the British War Office: to travel to the remote jungles of northeast Burma and there repair a rare piano belonging to an eccentric army surgeon who has proven mysteriously indispensable to the imperial design. From this irresistible beginning, The Piano Tuner launches readers into a world of seductive, vibrantly rendered characters, and enmeshes them in an unbreakable spell of storytelling.

Perfect for fans of Alan Gratz and Jennifer A. Nielsen, a gripping and accessible story of a young girl from Cold War East Berlin who is forced to spy for the secret police... but is determined to escape to freedom.

Sophie has spent her entire life behind the Berlin Wall, guarded by land mines, towers, and attack dogs. A science lover, Sophie dreams of becoming an inventor... but that's unlikely in East Berlin, where the Stasi, the secret police, are always watching.

Though she tries to avoid their notice, when her beloved neighbor is arrested, Sophie is called to her principal's office. There, a young Stasi officer asks Sophie if she'll spy on her neighbor after she is released. Sophie doesn't want to agree, but in reality has no choice: The Stasi threaten to bring her mother, who has a disability from post-polio syndrome, to an institution if Sophie does not comply.

Sophie is backed into a corner, until she finds out, for the first time, that she has family on the other side of the Wall, in the West. This could be what she needs to attempt an escape with her mother to freedom -- if she can invent her way out.

Jenni L. Walsh, author of I Am Defiance, tells a page-turning story of a young girl taking charge of her own destiny, and helping others do the same, in the face of oppression.

"Filled with adrenaline-inducing action and inspired by true stories, this novel evokes the perils of life in East Berlin and the risks some took in search of something better. The ingenuity Sophie and Katarina display in overcoming obstacles is compelling, and the no-win situation Sophie finds herself in rings painfully true. Page-turning action and dangerous intrigue fuel this Cold War-era novel." -- Kirkus Reviews