Collection: Historical Fiction

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Summer Cottage

In her inimitable style, Viola Shipman explores the unlikely relationship between two very different women brought together by the pain of war, but bonded by hope, purpose...and flowers.

Iris Maynard lost her husband in World War II, her daughter to illness and, finally, her reason to live. Walled off from the world for decades behind the towering fence surrounding her home, Iris has built a new family...of flowers. Iris propagates her own daylilies and roses while tending to a garden filled with the heirloom starts that keep the memories of her loved ones alive.

When Abby Peterson moves next door with her family--a husband traumatized by his service in the Iraq War and a young daughter searching for stability--Iris is reluctantly yet inevitably drawn into her boisterous neighbor's life, where, united by loss and a love of flowers, she and Abby tentatively unearth their secrets, and help each other discover how much life they have yet to live.

With delightful illustrations and fascinating detail, Viola Shipman's heartwarming story will charm readers while resonating with issues that are so relevant today.

Don't miss bestselling author Viola Shipman's charming new novel, THE WISHING BRIDGE--where an ambitious executive rediscovers the magic of family, friendship, home...and Christmas!

Other books by Viola Shipman:

• Famous in a Small Town
• The Secret of Snow
• A Wish for Winter
• The Edge of Summer
• The Summer Cottage
• The Clover Girls

Palace Walk is the first novel in Nobel Prize-winner Naguib Mahfouz's magnificent Cairo Trilogy, an epic family saga of colonial Egypt that is considered his masterwork.

The novels of the Cairo Trilogy trace three generations of the family of tyrannical patriarch al-Sayyid Ahmad Abd al-Jawad, who rules his household with a strict hand while living a secret life of self-indulgence. Palace Walk introduces us to his gentle, oppressed wife, Amina, his cloistered daughters, Aisha and Khadija, and his three sons--the tragic and idealistic Fahmy, the dissolute hedonist Yasin, and the soul-searching intellectual Kamal. The family's trials mirror those of their turbulent country during the years spanning the two world wars, as change comes to a society that has resisted it for centuries.

Translated by William Maynard Hutchins and Olive E. Kenny

From #1 bestselling authors Preston & Child comes a thrilling novel following archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI Agent Corrie Swanson as they work together to solve a twisted crime that reaches far beyond any of their worst fears.
Following the acclaimed debut of Old Bones, this second "happily anticipated" new thriller in Preston & Child's series features Nora Kelly, archaeologist at the Santa Fe Archeological Institute, and rookie FBI Agent Corrie Swanson, as they team up to solve a mystery that quickly escalates into nightmare (Booklist).

A mummified corpse, over half a century old, is found in the cellar of an abandoned building in a remote New Mexico ghost town. Corrie is assigned what seems to her a throwaway case: to ID the body and determine cause of death. She brings archaeologist Nora Kelly to excavate the body and lend her expertise to the investigation, and together they uncover something unexpected and shocking: the deceased apparently died in agony, in a fetal position, skin coming off in sheets, with a rictus of horror frozen on his face.

Hidden on the corpse lies a 16th century Spanish gold cross of immense value.

When they at last identify the body -- and the bizarre cause of death -- Corrie and Nora open a door into a terrifying, secret world of ancient treasure and modern obsession: a world centered on arguably the most defining, frightening, and transformative moment in American history.

It is 1926, the first year of the Showa era. Kanoko, a girl who can hear lies, and impoverished but cunning detective Soma Iwai venture back to Kanoko's hometown. Kanoko, who was chased out of her town for her ability, now comes face-to-face with her mother.

In To the Far Blue Mountains, Louis L'Amour weaves the unforgettable tale of a man who, after returning to his homeland, discovers that finding his way back to America may be impossible.

Barnabas Sackett was leaving England to make his fortune in the New World. But as he settled his affairs, he learned that a royal warrant had been sworn out against him and that men were searching for him in every port. At issue were some rare gold coins Sackett had sold to finance his first trip to the Americas--coins believed to be part of a great treasure lost by King John years before.

Believing that Sackett possesses the rest of the treasure, Queen Bess will stop at nothing to find him. If he's caught, not only will his dream of a life in America be lost, but he will be brutally tortured and put to death on the gallows.

The I Escaped Series: The World's Favorite New Escapes. Survival Stories For Today's Generation

Bestselling authors SD Brown and Scott Peters tackle the 1852 Klamath River Conflict in this gripping account of the 1852 Klamath River Conflict for modern young readers.

It's 1852, and California's Gold Rush is in full swing. Tempers are flaring along the mighty Klamath River, where men are wild with gold-rush fever. 14-year-old Hudson treads carefully amongst them, desperate to find her long-lost father. She can only pray that he'll take her in. A battle erupts between miners and local tribespeople, trapping Hudson in the crossfire. She is no fighter; she's just a runaway kid from San Francisco in need of a family. But her inner strength is sorely tested when her newfound father is attacked and wounded. Hudson can't bear to lose the only parent she's ever known. She helps him into a dugout canoe, setting the stage for a dramatic rescue.

This is the 11th children's book in the I Escaped Series about brave girls and boys who face real-world challenges and find ways to escape disaster.

In 1852, the Klamath River Conflict erupted in the Wild West, a stark episode in American history. This conflict highlights the intense confrontations between Native American tribes and settlers, emblematic of the era's deep-rooted tensions and struggles for control. It highlights the resilience of the indigenous people, who faced significant challenges, while acknowledging the complex circumstances faced by all parties involved in this tumultuous period.

Ideal for kids fascinated by survival stories and nature, this book delves into the unexpected dangers lurking in everyday life. Readers will experience the resourcefulness and bravery needed to face a sudden crisis. It's packed with educational insights about wildlife, safety measures, and problem-solving skills, engaging young minds with practical knowledge for real-world situations.

Great for kids book clubs and classrooms--a study guide is available at https: //scottpetersbooks.com/worksheets

Bonus:

- a special section on facts about California's Gold Rush Fever that's sure to satisfy curious minds.

- black and white pictures bring every chapter to life

- includes a fun gold-panning activity to do at home or in a classroom

Flesch Reading Ease: 85.6

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 3.2

An important, relevant read about bravery, kindness, and courage.

"a must for every reading list"

The I Escaped Series: The World's Favorite New Escapes. Survival Stories For Today's Generation

Listen to child orphans as they share their memories of transition and adventure, disappointment and loneliness, but ultimately of the joy of belonging to their own new families.

They were "throwaway" kids, living in the streets or in orphanages and foster homes. Then Charles Loring Brace, a young minister working with the poor in New York City, started the Children's Aid Society and devised a plan to give homeless children a chance to find families to call their own.

Thus began an extraordinary migration of American children. Between 1854 and 1929, an estimated 200,000 children, mostly from New York and other cities of the eastern United States, ventured forth to other states on a journey of hope.

Andrea Warren has shared the stories of some of these orphan train riders here, including those of Betty, who found a fairy tale life in a grand hotel; Nettie Evans and her twin, Nellie, who were rescued from their first abusive placement and taken in by a new, kindhearted family who gave them the love they had hoped for; brothers Howard and Fred, who remained close even though they were adopted into different families; and Edith, who longed to know the secrets of her past.

"This is powerful nonfiction for classroom and personal reading and for discussion." (School Library Journal starred review)

"Rhys Bowen crafts a propulsive, unexpected plot with characters who come vibrantly alive on the page." --Mark Sullivan, author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky

Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and Above the Bay of Angels.

Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisper...Venice. Caroline's quest: to scatter Juliet "Lettie" Browning's ashes in the city she loved and to unlock the mysteries stored away for more than sixty years.

It's 1938 when art teacher Juliet Browning arrives in romantic Venice. For her students, it's a wealth of history, art, and beauty. For Juliet, it's poignant memories and a chance to reconnect with Leonardo Da Rossi, the man she loves whose future is already determined by his noble family. However star-crossed, nothing can come between them. Until the threat of war closes in on Venice and they're forced to fight, survive, and protect a secret that will bind them forever.

Key by key, Lettie's life of impossible love, loss, and courage unfolds. It's one that Caroline can now make right again as her own journey of self-discovery begins.

Twelve-year-old Ann understands there is only one thing to be grateful for as a slave: having her family together. But when the master falls into debt, he plans to sell both Ann and her younger brother to two different owners. Ann is convinced her family must run away on the Underground Railroad. Will Ann's family survive the dangerous trip to their freedom in the North ? This Girls Survive story is supported by a glossary, discussion questions, and nonfiction material on the Underground Railroad, making it a valuable resource for young readers.

When one of her readers asks for advice following a suspected murder, Victorian countess Amelia Amesbury, who secretly pens the popular Lady Agony column, has no choice but to investigate in this first book in a charming new historical mystery series.

Amelia Amesbury--widow, mother, and countess--has a secret. Amelia writes for a London penny paper, doling out advice on fashion, relationships, and manners under the pen name Lady Agony. But when a lady's maid writes Amelia to ask for advice when she believes her mistress has been murdered--and then ends up a victim herself--Amelia is determined to solve the case.

With the help of her best friend and a handsome marquis, Amelia begins to piece together the puzzle, but as each new thread of inquiry ends with a different suspect, the investigation grows ever more daunting. From London's docks and ballrooms to grand country houses, Amelia tracks a killer, putting her reputation--and her life--on the line.

While Anotsu's strange crew of Itto-ryu are splintered and fatigued, Habaki Kagimura's group of suicidal Rokki-dan soldiers is hot on their heels.

Paths cross, swords clash, and all the pieces begin to fall into place for a ferocious final battle in this penultimate omnibus volume of Hiroaki Samura's spellbinding masterpiece.

Blade of the Immortal has won numerous awards across the globe, including the Eisner Award in America, the prestigious Media Arts Award of Japan, and multiple British Eagle Awards--among many other international accolades. Samura's manga epic was made into a complete anime series in 2008 and was adapted into a live-action film by Takashi Miike in 2017.

Collects Blade of the Immortal volumes 26 to 28 in the original 7" x 10" serialized format, in a faux-leather hardcover treatment, and with a bookmark ribbon.

Born into a basket of clean sheets--ruining a perfectly good load of laundry--Emmeline never quite fit in on her family's rural Nova Scotian farm. After suffering multiple losses in the First World War, her family became so heavy with grief, toxicity, and mental illness that Emmeline felt their weight smothering her. And so, she fled across the Atlantic and built her life in England. Now she is retired and living in a small coastal town with her best friend, Vera, an excellent conversationalist. Vera is also a small white dog, and so Emmeline is making an effort to talk to more humans. When she joins a memoir-writing course at the library, her classmates don't know what to make of her. Funny, loud, and with a riveting memoir, she charms the lot. As her past unfolds for her audience, friendships form, a bonus in a rather lonely life. She even shares with them her third-biggest secret: she has liberated hundreds of spoons over her lifetime--from the local library, Cary Grant, Winston Churchill. She is a compulsive spoon stealer.

When Emmeline unexpectedly inherits the farm she grew up on, she knows she needs to leave her new friends and go see the farm and what remains of her family one last time. She arrives like a tornado in their lives, an off-kilter Mary Poppins bossing everyone around and getting quite a lot wrong. But with her generosity and hard-earned wisdom, she gets an awful lot right too. A pinball ricocheting between people, offending and inspiring in equal measure, Emmeline, in her final years, believes that a spoonful--perhaps several spoonfuls--of kindness can set to rights the family so broken by loss and secrecy.

The Spoon Stealer is a classic Crewe book: full of humour, family secrets, women's friendship, lovable animals, and immense heart.

"I loved this gorgeous book about blood magic, chosen family and refugees in a hostile city. Naseem Jamnia has created a rich, complex world."
--Charlie Jane Anders, author of All the Birds in the Sky

[STARRED REVIEW] "A delight to read. Highly recommended."
--Library Journal

In this intricate debut fantasy introducing a queernormative Persian-inspired world, a nonbinary refugee practitioner of blood magic discovers a strange disease that causes political rifts in their new homeland. Persian-American author Naseem Jamnia has crafted a gripping narrative with a moving, nuanced exploration of immigration, gender, healing, and family. Powerful and fascinating, The Bruising of Qilwa is the newest arrival in the era of fantasy classics such as the Broken Earth Trilogy, The Four Profound Weaves, and Who Fears Death.

Firuz-e Jafari is fortunate enough to have immigrated to the Free Democratic City-State of Qilwa, fleeing the slaughter of other traditional Sassanian blood magic practitioners in their homeland. Despite the status of refugees in their new home, Firuz has a good job at a free healing clinic in Qilwa, working with Kofi, a kindly new employer, and mentoring Afsoneh, a troubled orphan refugee with powerful magic.

But Firuz and Kofi have discovered a terrible new disease which leaves mysterious bruises on its victims. The illness is spreading quickly through Qilwa, and there are dangerous accusations of ineptly performed blood magic. In order to survive, Firuz must break a deadly cycle of prejudice, untangle sociopolitical constraints, and find a fresh start for their both their blood and found family.

3 books of epic historical adventure now in one volume.

A family torn apart. A king with an iron fist. Will their love, faith and loyalty be strong enough to help them survive war, persecution and a cruel separation?

France, 1685. Jeanne is the wife of a wealthy merchant, but now she risks losing everything. Louis XIV's soldiers will stop at nothing to convert the country's Huguenot "heretics" to the "true" faith, yet Jeanne and Jacob hold fast to their Protestant principals of liberty of conscience.

But will the punishment for their defiance be more than they can bear?

If Jeanne and Jacob can't find a way to evade the soldiers' clutches, their family will face a fate worse than poverty and imprisonment. They may never see each other again...

As Jacob becomes an indentured servant in the New World and Jeanne earns a meager living in Switzerland, a sudden disruption in European politics leaves their chance of a bittersweet homecoming more doubtful than ever...

Will the Delpech family survive the years of war, piracy and persecution to reunite at last?

You'll adore this brilliantly researched historical saga, because everyone loves heart-warming tales of family loyalty and a fight for survival against the odds.

Read The Huguenot Chronicles trilogy to start a journey through history today!

In this boxed set, choose your own trail and complete the journey to Oregon City with all four paperbacks in this exciting series! It's 1850 and your first goal is to get your family, covered wagon full of supplies, and oxen to Chimney Rock on time. But hurry--you'll need to make it through the rugged mountains before winter snow hits. Plus, there are wild animals, natural disasters, unpredictable weather, fast-flowing rivers, strangers, and sickness that will be sure to stand between you and your destination!
Which path will get you safely across the unforgiving terrain--from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City? With twenty-two possible endings in each book, choose wrong and you'll never make it on time. Choose right and blaze a trail that gets you closer to your final destination--and don't forget to look at your map!

The box includes:

• The Race to Chimney Rock
• Danger at the Haunted Gate
• The Search for Snake River
• The Road to Oregon City
• A full-color poster of the Oregon Trail!

Presenting the newest discovery in the series with the Midas touch -- a mythical exploration fit for the gods.

In the early nineteenth century, an English nobleman embarked on a tour of the sites of ancient Greece. He brought as his guide a primer on Greek myths written by his friend Lady Hestia Evans, a devotee of Lord Byron who had recently taken the same voyage. In the true Romantic spirit, Lady Hestia's book was not only lavishly illustrated but also boasted many paper crafts and novelties, including a card game featuring the twelve Olympians, an oak-leaf oracle of Zeus, a pop-up Pandora's box (with hope still inside), a booklet retelling the tale of Odysseus, a piece of the Golden Fleece, an obolos coin to pay the ferryman on the River Styx, and many more flaps, foldouts, and other surprises. The nobleman added his own witty comments and drawings along the way, but seems to have wished for something odd at the Delphic oracle: as the book nears its end, it slowly begins to turn . . .to gold. Now, for lovers of Greek myths and those just discovering their timeless power, this fascinating volume is faithfully reproduced with all its Romantic ambience, clever wit and novelty features intact.