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The Treasure of Montségur: A Novel of the Cathars
by Sophy BurnhamOne woman's unforgettable quest for freedom, love, and god.
But Come Ye Back: A Novel in Stories
by Beth LordanFor thirty-some years, Lyle has made a life for his family working as an accountant. But when he retires, his Irish-born wife, Mary, wants to leave America and go home -- where the ocean is near and the butter has flavor.Somewhat grudgingly, Lyle agrees, but during their years in Galway, they discover that the surprises of life are not over. Going home is more complicated than butter and the bay, and thirty content years does not mean that a couple is immune to romantic intrigue. In this new life, while Mary and Lyle are rediscovering each other and building a richer life together, an unexpected event forces Lyle to decide where his home truly is.Told in "quiet stories with emotions like old stepping-stones that have sunk beneath the surface" (Christian Science Monitor), Beth Lordan's evocative and heartfelt novel explores the complex emotional terrain of mature marital relationships.
Brazzaville Beach: A Novel
by William BoydA primatologist flees her broken marriage for a job in war-torn Africa in the renowned author’s “brilliant . . . stunningly magical” novel (Washington Post Book World).William Boyd’s classic Brazzaville Beach has been called a “bold seamless blend of philosophy and suspense . . . [that] nevertheless remains accessible to general readers on a level of pure entertainment.” (Boston Globe). When her marriage to a brilliant but unstable mathematician finally shatters, Hope Clearwater leaves England to join a team of primate researchers in a remote African country. Though she is there to study chimps, the greater challenge is her attempt to grapple with her own recent past—as well as her fellow scientists. And when she discovers evidence of supposedly peaceful chimps engaging in extreme violence, Hope finds herself drawn into a war of desperate egos and ruthless ambitions.
The Department of Lost & Found: A Novel
by Allison Winn ScotchFrom a New York Times bestseller, a “profound and moving” novel of a woman who receives a lifechanging diagnosis that rocks her love life and her career (Booklist).It didn’t start out as the worst day of Natalie Miller’s life. . . .As the top aide to New York’s powerful woman senator, Natalie’s moving rapidly up the political ladder. She works hard, stays late, and enjoys every bit of it. Then her neglected boyfriend announces he’s leaving. But that’s only the beginning. Her doctor gives her the worst news any woman can hear, and suddenly the life Natalie needs to change is her own.The time has come for her to overcome her strange obsession with The Price Is Right and take a tough look at the choices she’s made. She’ll start by tracking down the five loves of her life in order to assess what went wrong. And by revisiting her past, Natalie just might discover exciting new paths to unexplored places—and learn how to stop barreling through life long enough to really embrace it.“Allison Winn Scotch is the real deal and The Department of Lost and Found is one you absolutely won’t want to miss.” —Johanna Edwards, author of The Next Big Thing“Funny, touching, tender, true. . . . I loved it.” —Pamela Redmond Satran, New York Times bestselling author of Younger “Engrossing.” —Valerie Frankel, author of Smart Vs. Pretty“Allison Winn Scotch’s thoroughly engaging and optimistic debut novel simply sparkles!” — Claire Cook, New York Times bestselling author of Life’s A Beach“Smart and well-written.” —Marie Claire“A light, fast and fun read on a serious topic.” —Philadelphia Inquirer
The Body in the Fjord: A Faith Fairchild Mystery (The Faith Fairchild Series #8)
by Katherine Hall Page“Eighth in a charming series, complete with food talk, stolen antiques, murder—and recipes” from the Agatha Award-winning author of The Body in the Bog (Library Journal).This time out, small-town caterer and minister’s wife Faith Fairchild’s neighbor, Pix Miller, takes center stage, heading off to Norway to investigate the sudden disappearance of a family friend. Determined to discover the truth, Pix is drawn into a suspenseful world of intrigue, stolen antiques, secret histories, and deadly echoes from Norway’s past and the Nazi occupation. Surrounded by the country’s breathtaking beauty, the ever-resourceful New Englander perseveres—until at last she finds herself face-to-face with a remorseless killer . . . with no way out.“An expert at the puzzle mystery . . . Page smoothly keeps her plot on course . . . The Body in the Fjord is a solid example of her skill.” —Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel“Light and lively . . . a puzzling case of death and disappearance . . . leavened with humor and warmth.” —Boston Herald“Page at her lighthearted best.” —The Dallas Morning News
The Girl I Left Behind: A Personal History of the 1960s
by Judith NiesAt the height of the Vietnam War protests, twenty-eight-year-old Judith Nies and her husband lived a seemingly idyllic life. Both were building their respective careers in Washington—Nies as the speechwriter and chief staffer to a core group of antiwar congressmen, her husband as a Treasury department economist. But when her husband brought home a list of questions from an FBI file with Judith's name on the front, Nies soon realized that her life was about to take a radical turn. Shocked to find herself the focus of an FBI investigation into her political activities, Nies began to reevaluate her role as grateful employee and dutiful wife. A heartfelt memoir and a piercing social commentary, The Girl I Left Behind offers a fresh, candid look at the 1960s. Recounting Nies's courageous journey toward independence and equality, it evaluates the consequences of the feminist movement on the same women who made it happen—and on the daughters born in their wake.
Greygallows
by Barbara MichaelsNew York Times–Bestselling Author: In Victorian England, a bride arrives at her husband’s magnificent estate—but hope soon turns to horror . . . Lucy Cartwright placed her life and future into the hands of the dashing Baron Clare, despite the rumors of his dark, unsavory past. Trusting his kind words and gentle manner, she agreed to be his wife and followed the enigmatic lord to Greygallows, his sprawling country estate. But mystery, deception, betrayal, and danger surround the magnificent manor. A ghostly secret charges the atmosphere, and terror reigns in its shadowed hallways. Lucy entered Greygallows willingly . . . and now she may never leave.Praise for Barbara Michaels“A favorite of suspense fans.” —Publishers Weekly“This writer is ingenious.” —Kirkus Reviews“A consummate storyteller.” —Mary Higgins Clark
Jonah's Gourd Vine: A Novel (P. S. Ser. #No. 276)
by Zora Neale HurstonJonah's Gourd Vine, Zora Neale Hurston's first novel, originally published in 1934, tells the story of John Buddy Pearson, "a living exultation" of a young man who loves too many women for his own good. Lucy, his long-suffering wife, is his true love, but there's also Mehaley and Big 'Oman, as well as the scheming Hattie, who conjures hoodoo spells to ensure his attentions. Even after becoming the popular pastor of Zion Hope, where his sermons and prayers for cleansing rouse the congregation's fervor, John has to confess that though he is a preacher on Sundays, he is a "natchel man" the rest of the week. And so in this sympathetic portrait of a man and his community, Zora Neale Hurston shows that faith, tolerance, and good intentions cannot resolve the tension between the spiritual and the physical. That she makes this age-old dilemma come so alive is a tribute to her understanding of the vagaries of human nature.
Anam Cara
by John O'DonohueDiscover the Celtic Circle of Belonging John O'Donohue, poet, philosopher, and scholar, guides you through the spiritual landscape of the Irish imagination. In Anam Cara, Gaelic for "soul friend," the ancient teachings, stories, and blessings of Celtic wisdom provide such profound insights on the universal themes of friendship, solitude, love, and death as: Light is generous The human heart is never completely born Love as ancient recognitionThe body is the angel of the soul Solitude is luminous Beauty likes neglected places The passionate heart never ages To benatural is to be holy Silence is the sister of the divine Death as an invitation to freedom
Beet
by Roger RosenblattWhy is Professor Peace Porterfield trying to save Beet College? His own wife, Livi, hates the place. The Board of Trustees, led by developer Joel Bollovate, has squandered the endowment. Debutante-cum-self-styled-poet Matha Polite, an indis-criminate radical with a four-student following, wants to bring the institution down. Akim Ben Ladin (né Arthur Horowitz), a sweet-tempered terrorist hopeful and the college's only Homeland Security major (who lives in an off-campus cave), wants to blow up the school. Faculty members, when not concocting useless, trendy courses, fly at one another's throats. Not to mention that American higher education is already going down the tubes. So why is Porterfield trying to save Beet? Beats us.
Holy Fools
by Joanne HarrisJoanne Harris, bestselling author of Chocolat, presents her most accomplished novel yet -- an intoxicating concoction that blends theology and reason, deception and masquerade, with a dash of whimsical humor and a soupçon of sensuality. Britanny, 1610. Juliette, a one-time actress and rope dancer, is forced to seek refuge among the sisters of the abbey of Sainte Marie-de-la-mer. Reinventing herself as Soeur Auguste, Juliette makes a new life for herself and her young daughter, Fleur. But when the kindly abbess dies, Juliette's comfortable existence begins to unravel. The abbey's new leader is the daughter of a corrupt noble family, and she arrives with a ghost from Juliette's past -- Guy LeMerle, a man she has every reason to fear and hate. This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.
Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe
by Laurence BergreenFerdinand Magellan's daring circumnavigation of the globe in the sixteenth century was a three-year odyssey filled with sex, violence, and amazing adventure. Now in Over the Edge of the World, prize-winning biographer and journalist Laurence Bergreen entwines a variety of candid, firsthand accounts, bringing to life this groundbreaking and majestic tale of discovery that changed both the way explorers would henceforth navigate the oceans and history itself.
Patriot's Dream
by Barbara MichaelsA twentieth century woman time travels to Revolutionary America and finds intrigue and romance in this “well-plotted” thriller from a New York Times bestseller (Kirkus Reviews).Jan Wilde’s much-needed vacation in Williamsburg, Virginia, is anything but restful. Here in this historic restored colonial village, her sleep is invaded by strangers from two centuries in the past. They seem so close, so real—and when Jan awakens in the morning, their lives and loves and the secret they share shadow her very existence. The only way Jan can ever be free is to seek the truth . . . in her dreams.“Captivating and delightful.” —Des Moines Register
Public Enemy
by Will StaegerWhen quasi-retired CIA operative W. Cooper's routine of debauchery is interrupted by a request for his help in fencing millions of dollars in gold artifacts, Cooper doesn't see a downside--until, that is, everyone connected to the artifacts begins dying. Crackerjack intelligence analyst Julie Laramie, meanwhile, is sent to a meeting with a former head of the CIA, who tells her the first case of a suicide bombing by an American citizen has occurred within the continental United States. A deadly filovirus was dispersed . . . and the "suicide sleeper" was not alone. Laramie is told to form her own civilian "counterterror unit"--and for the role of operative, she has no choice but to call in Cooper. As the army of suicide sleepers and their leader are identified, Cooper must call upon the old-school skills he's tried for so many years to forget . . . and by the time he's dispatched for his most dangerous assignment yet, it may be too late for his mission to matter.
Abraham Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths
by Stephen B. OatesA biographical study of the 16th U.S. president, and an essential book for any student of Lincoln and American history.In this multifaceted portrait, Oates, “the most popular historical interpreter of Lincoln” (Gabor S. Boritt, New York Times Book Review), exposes the human side of the great and tragic president—including his depression, his difficulties with love, and his troubled and troubling attitudes about slavery—while also confronting the many legends that have arisen around “Honest Abe.” Oates throughout raises timely questions about what the Lincoln mythos reveals about the American people.Praise for Abraham Lincoln“There is no better introduction to current thinking about Lincoln and his place in history. . . . Oates, author of the best one-volume biography of Lincoln of our time, scales Lincoln down to human size yet solidifies his reputation as one of our greatest presidents. . . . Oates’ Lincoln fascinates. He is both flawed human being and genuine hero.” —Newsday“Oates re-creates the life and world of Abraham Lincoln with the skill of a master painter. He succeeds in portraying both the facts and myths of history as essential to our understanding it.” —Christian Science Monitor
Nectar: A Novel of Temptation
by Lily PriorRamona Drottoveo, an albino, is a chambermaid at a lush Italian estate. Distinguished by the intoxicating scent she exudes, Ramona is despised by all women and adored by all men, whose inexhaustible lust she eagerly satisfies. Life changes when her husband dies after discovering his bride with another man on their wedding night. Blamed for his death, Ramona and her lover are exiled to the neighboring city of Naples. There, Ramona's life is transformed once again by the birth of a daughter, Blandina, who "steals" her mother's scent. No longer able to seduce men into blind submission, Ramona humbly returns to the estate to an unexpected welcome -- and revenge. A hilarious and naughty celebration of the senses and the strange places they can lead us, Nectar explores the mystery of sexual attraction and the frivolous nature of divine justice.
Homeland and Other Stories (Faber "threebies" Ser.)
by Barbara KingsolverWith the same wit and sensitivity that have come to characterize her highly praised and beloved novels Animal Dreams and The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver gives us a rich and emotionally resonant collection of twelve stories. Spreading her memorable characters over landscapes ranging from northern-California to the hills of eastern Kentucky and the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, Kingsolver tells stories of hope, momentary joy, and powerful endurance. In every setting, Kingsolver's distinctive voice -- at times comic, but often heartrending -- rings true as she explores the twin themes of family ties and the life choices one must ultimately make alone. Homeland and Other Stories creates a world of love and possibility that readers will want to take as their own.
Nellie Taft: The Unconventional First Lady of the Ragtime Era
by Carl Sferrazza AnthonyOn the morning of William Howard Taft's inauguration, Nellie Taft publicly expressed that theirs would be a joint presidency by shattering precedent and demanding that she ride alongside her husband down Pennsylvania Avenue, a tradition previously held for the outgoing president. In an era before Eleanor Roosevelt, this progressive First Lady was an advocate for higher education and partial suffrage for women, and initiated legislation to improve working conditions for federal employees. She smoked, drank, and gambled without regard to societal judgment, and she freely broke racial and class boundaries.Drawing from previously unpublished diaries, a lifetime of love letters between Will and Nellie, and detailed family correspondence and recollections, critically acclaimed presidential family historian Carl Sferrazza Anthony develops a riveting portrait of Nellie Taft as one of the strongest links in the series of women -- from Abigail Adams to Hillary Rodham Clinton -- often critically declared "copresidents."
Stone Garden: A Novel
by Molly MoynahanNew York Times Notable Book: “Lyrical and honest. . . . a well-written story dealing with loss and coming of age reminiscent of Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones.” —Library JournalA smart young woman making her way through the privileged terrain of northeastern prep-school land, Alice McGuire is certain of her world and her future—until the summer her best friend and soul mate, Matthew Swan, vanishes on a trip to Mexico. Stunned, Alice and the rest of the close-knit town that adored Matthew search for answers. For Alice, the journey of heartbreak leads from everything that is familiar to forbidden places and forgotten people who will teach her about kindness and forgiveness: lessons that will open her to new possibilities and unexpected hope.Vividly wrought, deeply resonant, and told in a remarkable voice that sparkles with wit and wisdom, Stone Garden is a splendid triumph from an accomplished writer.“Alice McGuire, the narrator of Stone Garden, is just as smart and funny as Holden Caulfield.” —Trenton Times“Molly Moynahan’s second novel is about grief. It is also fun to read.” —The New York Times Book Review“A wonderful and wise novel, a story told with unflinching courage and honesty.” —Ken Wells, author of Meely LeBauve“I found myself missing Alice’s voice after I finished the book.” —Chicago Tribune
Tallulah!: The Life and Times of a Leading Lady
by Joel LobenthalOutrageous, outspoken, and uninhibited, Tallulah Bankhead was an actress known as much for her vices -- cocaine, alcohol, hysterical tirades, and scandalous affairs with both men and women -- as she was for her winning performances on stage. In 1917, a fifteen-year-old Bankhead boldly left her established Alabama political family and fled to New York City to sate her relentless need for attention and become a star. Five years later, she crossed the Atlantic, immediately taking her place as a fixture in British society and the most popular actress in London's West End. By the time she returned to America in the 1930s, she was infamous for throwing marathon parties, bedding her favorite costars, and neglecting to keep her escapades a secret from the press. At times, her notoriety distracted her audience from her formidable talent and achievements on stage and dampened the critical re-sponse to her work. As Bankhead herself put it, "they like me to 'Tallulah,' you know -- dance and sing and romp and fluff my hair and play reckless parts." Still, her reputation as a wild, witty, over-the-top leading lady persisted until the end of her life at the age of sixty-six.From her friendships with such entertainment luminaries as Tennessee Williams, Estelle Winwood, Billie Holiday, Noël Coward, and Marlene Dietrich, to the intimate details of her family relationships and her string of doomed romances, Joel Lobenthal has captured the private essence of the most public star during theater's golden age. Larger-than-life as she was, friends saw through Bankhead's veneer of humor and high times to the heart of a woman who often felt second-best in her father's eyes, who longed for the children she was unableto bear, and who forced herself into the spotlight to hide her deep-seated insecurities.Drawn from scores of exclusive interviews, as well as previously untapped information from Scotland Yard and the FBI, this is the essential biography of Tallulah Bankhead. Having spent twenty-five years researching Bankhead's life, Joel Lobenthal tells her unadulterated story, as told to him by her closest friends, enemies, lovers, and employees. Several have broken decadelong silences; many have given Lobenthal their final interviews. The result is the story of a woman more complex, more shocking, and yet more nuanced than her notorious legend suggests.
What You Don't Know Can Kill You: A Physician's Radical Guide to Conquering the Obstacles to Excellent Medical Care
by Laura NathansonIn 2003, Dr. Laura Nathanson was widowed after the misdiagnosis of her beloved husband. After this tragedy, she was determined to help others protect themselves and their loved ones from similarly preventable health care disasters—and help them benefit from health care miracles.In What You Don't Know Can Kill You, Dr. Nathanson provides a guide to getting the best medical care and navigating our frustrating and often impenetrable health care system. In clear, non-medical language, she shows how to:Flag any signs of misdiagnosis and misleading analysis of symptomsPrevent miscommunication among specialists from having dire consequencesStay safe in the hospital and bypass its dangers· Choose a health care plan without falling into the "uncovered services" trapFull of empathy for each individual patient and caregiver, What You Don't Know Can Kill You will empower patients to be their own best advocates.
Vindication: A Life of Mary Wollstonecraft
by Lyndall Gordon“Wonderful, and deeply sobering. . . . Lyndall Gordon relates Wollstonecraft’s story with the same potent mixture of passion and reason her subject personified.”—New York Times Book ReviewThe founder of modern feminism, Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) was the most famous woman in Europe and America in her time. Yet her reputation over the years has suffered—until now. Acclaimed biographer Lyndall Gordon mounts a spirited defense of this brilliant, unconventional woman who held strikingly modern notions of education, single motherhood, family responsibilities, working life, domestic affections, friendships, and sexual relationships.Offering a new interpretation for the 21st century, Gordon paints a vibrant, full portrait of Wollstonecraft, revealing how this remarkable woman’s genius reverberated through the generations, influencing not only her daughter, Mary Shelley, and other heirs, but early political philosophy in England and America as well—including the ideas of John and Abigail Adams.
The Baker's Apprentice: A Novel
by Judith R. HendricksA divorcée’s fresh start as a baker in Seattle comes with a side of new challenges in this sequel to the absorbing debut novel, Bread Alone.Having found her calling, Wynter Morrison is blissful about her new career in Seattle as a baker—cherishing the long days spent making bread and the comforting rhythms of the Queen Street Bakery. Still, she struggles with the legacy of her failed marriage and with her new boyfriend Mac’s reluctance to share his mysterious past. When Mac abruptly leaves Seattle, Wyn again feels abandoned and betrayed, at least until intimate letters arrive in which Mac at last reveals his deepest secrets. But the more she learns about her absent lover, the more Wyn discovers about herself—and when tragedy threatens, she will have to decide if there is a place for Mac in this new life she has made.“Hendricks rolls out a delicious sequel. . . . Prepare to have your appetite teased and stimulated.” —Seattle Post-Intelligencer“Food talk, romance, and recipes—what more could a reader want?” —Santa Fe New Mexican“Hendrick’s debut [Bread Alone] marked the arrival of a compelling new voice in women’s fiction, and The Baker’s Apprentice confirms her place among the most prominent authors of the genre.” —Pages Magazine“Hendricks’s latest expresses…heartfelt and committed love, sense of community, and pervasive kindness via fabulously cool and competent heroes. Highly recommended for both romance and women's fiction fans.” —Booklist
A Broom of One's Own: Words on Writing, Housecleaning & Life (P. S. Series)
by Nancy PeacockFor the twice-published novelist, reading an article about herself in the National Enquirer—under the headline "Here's One for the Books: Cleaning Lady Is an Acclaimed Author"—was more than a shock. It was an inspiration.In A Broom of One's Own, Nancy Peacock, whose first novel was selected by the New York Times as a Notable Book of the Year, explores with warmth, wit, and candor what it means to be a writer. An encouragement to all hard-working artists, no matter how they make a living, Peacock's book provides valuable insights and advice on motivation, craft, and criticism while offering hilarious anecdotes about the houses she cleans.
Change Your Looks, Change Your Life
by Michelle CopelandWhat if our lives, social and professional, could be changed for the better by cosmetic surgery or even a simple lunch-hour procedure? A recognized leader in the plastic surgery field, Dr. Copeland draws on years of clinical experience to guide readers through the myriad of options for cosmetic enhancement. With input from dozens of patients, complex-sounding procedures -- from face-lifts and breast surgery to liposuction and tummy tucks -- are demystified and defined, enabling readers to approach their doctors with confidence and gain the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision. Dr. Copeland also details nonsurgical "lunchtime fixes" such as Botox injections, light-laser treatments, and collagen injections, as well as topical peels and creams to banish wrinkles and improve appearance without recovery time. If you are among the increasing number of men and women who want to look younger, feel healthier, and live better than you ever thought possible, Dr. Copeland's skillful advice will inspire you to take control of your own cosmetic wellness.