Bøger udgivet af Open Road Media

A woman fights for her life as a refugee, slave, mother, and farmer, in this “saga with many layers . . . [A] riveting, addictive journey” (Joanne Hardy, author of The Girl in the Butternut Dress). After the deaths of her white father and mixed-race mother, young Eliza is left with neither home nor family in the newly forming frontier of Texas. Enslaved by men who treat her body as their property, she eventually escapes, marries, becomes a mother, and realizes her dream of having a small farm. But she must fight and kill to keep it—even if it does mean welcoming others who have been shunned or forgotten by society. Living and laboring together, will these outcasts find the strength and community they need to survive and flourish? Acclaimed for her “wonderful” debut novel (Publishers Weekly), Roccie Hill, inspired by the story of her great-great grandmother, now presents an unforgettable literary saga of a woman and a place, growing and enduring under multiple flags and through the sorrows and turbulence of history. “Lonesome Dove meets Where the Crawdads Sing. I simply could not put this novel down. Vividly written, The Blood of My Mother is a gripping saga about a perilous time in our nation’s history and a woman who survived it against all odds. It is a novel about how love and hope transcend man’s inhumanity to man. I was pulled deeply into the story and was held there until the very last page.” —Patricia Wood, author of Lottery, shortlisted for the 2008 Orange Prize for Fiction “As a child, I saw my first American Indian outside Albuquerque. A big, rotund lady covered in colored beads, sitting by the side of the train tracks, selling trinkets and tightly woven baskets. I pointed to a small polished stone whose color I had never seen. The woman smiled, picked it up and held it out; it looked so bright against the brown callused hand. I nodded vigorously. Holding out my money, we exchanged treasures. I clutched my first turquoise, reveled in the real America, both still heart warm from the desert  sun. So began my love of the real American West. Roccie Hill, through all the terrors and trials of her heroine, never loses sight of the true beauty to be found out here and in this wonderful book.” —Maria Riva, bestselling author of Marlene Dietrich: The Life and You Were There Before My Eyes.

In this suspense novel by the bestselling author of The Devil's Advocate, a Catskills realtor's life begins to unravel after discovering her doppelganger. Cynthia Palmer Warner is worried her imagination is running away with her. Her husband, Stephen, and brother, Jason, are working long hours to grow the Palmer family business, and Jason's misogynistic attitude seems to be wearing off on Stephen. Stephen is antagonizing his wife more and more and Cynthia can't stand it. But when she finds old news clippings about Karla Hoffman, things get worse. Karla was the same age, had the same face and the same odd marital dilemma. The trouble is, Karla was murdered by her brother fifty years ago, and Cynthia can't help but wonder if she'll meet the same fate . . . "An expert weaver of suspense." --Fresh Fiction

An ad exec's dream date drags her into a twisted conspiracy in this romantic suspense tale by the bestselling author of The Devil's Advocate. Twenty-six-year-old Jillian Caldwell is on the verge of a promotion at a New York City advertising agency. Her mother, however, is more concerned that Jillian is the only one of her children who isn't married or engaged. It's not that Jillian hasn't tried. The men she's dated were just terribly boring and predictable. She wants a man with an air of mystery . . . Thirty-year-old Ron Cutler is a confident man who knows what he wants. He needs someone to help him expand his chain of upstate department stores, but after meeting Jillian, he'll settle for a date. That is followed by a full-blown romance, and Ron eventually surprises her with an engagement ring. When Jillian discovers something about Ron she doesn't like--he's disappears. Phone calls don't help. There's no number in Ron's name. His department store has never heard of him. They do, however, know a John Cutler, and Jillian decides to dig deeper. To find answers, she begins a twisted journey through a family's past that will irrevocably change her future . . . "A master of psychological thrillers." --V. C. Andrews

She supplies the goods and services that killers need. And in that line of work, the last thing you want is a dissatisfied customer . . . Hope Rippa may look like your average fashionista, but a dark secret bankrolls her luxury lifestyle. Although she might appear a legitimate businesswoman by day, after dark Hope serves as a personal shopper to some of Europe's wealthiest murderers. You name it, she'll find it--and charge a hefty sum for the convenience. She didn't plan to marry one, though. Fifteen years ago, her engagement with prison chaplain Killian Glass ended after she discovered that he moonlighted as a murderer. Since then, their relationship has been strictly professional. In fact, he's even her best client. Their arrangement works--that is, until Hope makes a mistake and Killian changes the rules. Now, a gruesome game of cat-and-mouse is about to be played in the never-ending night of Iceland's northern winter . . . But who will come out on top? This literary thriller is perfect for fans of the TV Series Killing Eve and will keep you hooked right until the last page. This book contains reference to drug use, violence, and sex.

From the author of The Things I Didn't Do: She never reported the men who attacked her years ago. Now someone is taking revenge . . . Years ago at university, Celia's boyfriend turned on her in a horrifying way--joining with his friends to sexually assault her during a party. Celia didn't go to the police. She told no one except her best friend, Lily. She just wanted to move on with her life. Now, her settled life with her beloved husband and daughter has been disrupted when one of her assailants is found dead. Celia can't help but wonder if the friend she confided in--who's gone on to become a private investigator--could be capable of murder. So she decides to search for answers. But her pursuit takes her down a path Celia never expected--and raises an even more terrifying question: Is she capable of murder herself?

A socially awkward widow is forced to take boarders into her Paris home, in this smart, witty novel of love, loneliness, friendship, and metamorphosis. Living in France among people she hardly understands, Annie has had trouble leaving the house since the death of her husband. And since home happens to be a small place nestled in the heart of Paris, why would she ever want to? But when unexpected events threaten her beloved home, Annie has no choice but to find lodgers--quickly. After placing an ad, Annie attracts tenants with the kind of baggage she isn't prepared for: a long-legged, cool-headed ex-model on the run from her abusive husband; a frail young woman harboring a possible death wish; a mysterious artist; and an infuriating blue-blooded Frenchman--and all soon threaten Annie's way of life in ways she never anticipated. But when Annie finds herself reluctantly but actively engaged in the lives of her tenants she discovers she might just free herself in the process . . .

How far would you go to protect your child? An absorbing new novel of psychological suspense by the author of Venus Was Her Name. Three friends at pivotal points in their lives have some serious decisions to make . . . Gina is struggling with demons from her past while trying to be the opposite of her feckless mother. She is about to lose everything and will do whatever it takes to avoid following in her parents' footsteps. Babs also has a battle on her hands, with her husband and her grown-up kids. After putting everyone first for so long, will she find the courage to break free? Robin has her own secret to keep, a vow to honour, and a fragile daughter to protect. But when her back is against the wall, and she has nowhere to turn, who will help her? These women, beset by threats, obstacles, and anguish, must find their paths forward. Each woman is living on the edge but for one of them, it's the final straw. Who will it be?

A young Iraqi shares the true story of his wartime experiences after he was recruited by the US Army as an interpreter. Fahdi was a twenty-one-year-old, upper-middle class, English-speaking student at Baghdad University when he was recruited right off the street to serve as an interpreter for a US Army unit just days after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. Over the next two years, Fahdi would go on to translate for US drill sergeants training new Iraqi Army recruits in Ramadi; serve alongside US Marines during the first Battle of Fallujah; and eventually land a position as a linguist with Iraq's newly formed national intelligence agency in Baghdad. Along the way, he suffered combat injuries, faced the challenges of integrating with American soldiers in US camps, was hunted by local insurgency groups for assisting the "infidels"--and eventually fell in love with an American service member. As told to that service member--now his wife and the author of her own memoir, A Foreign Affair--this is a unique firsthand perspective on one of the United States' most controversial foreign conflicts.

From the author of Obsessed: Six women fight to survive a kidnapper's lethal game as a seventh is about to be drawn into his lair . . . Noa Vickerman, host of a late-night confession show, gets a call from a man claiming he has six young women imprisoned. At first, it's dismissed as a prank--but that changes when the first body shows up. As the captives huddle in fear, he puts them through challenges, intent on finding a single special woman that suits his ultimate purpose. Meanwhile, with police watching her every move and the public following the story breathlessly, Noa is determined to save the women--but will she have to put herself within the monster's reach to do so?

Your husband had an affair. What do you do when the woman who destroyed your marriage asks for your help? A new thriller from the "hugely engrossing" author (Catherine Ryan Howard, Edgar Award finalist). Lauren Wade hates Jem Carter, and Jem hates her. So, when Lauren gets a message from Jem asking for help, she suspects it's some sort of attention-seeking stunt by the woman she caught in bed with her husband. Lauren decides to simply alert her ex, Daniel, who thinks Lauren is the one trying to cause trouble. However, when Jem's car is found abandoned on a bridge, the police become involved . . . Lauren knows she's been a bit erratic. She's acted in fits of jealousy at times. But she hasn't harmed Jem. With DS Bekah Bradley closing in, Lauren must make a desperate attempt to find out what happened to Jem--before she becomes a missing person herself . . . "Wildly entertaining and compelling." --Daily Mail "I was hooked from the first page. This is a book that pulls you in and demands that you read on. . . . Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Can't recommend highly enough." --Helen H. Durrant, bestselling author "Tense and gripping." --Sanjida Kay, author of My Mother's Secret

A well-read old dear has an unhealthy interest in murder, in this sharp, witty, and refreshingly original cozy crime novel. Retired librarian and bookshop owner May Morrigan lives in the affluent village of Blackheath with Fletcher, her best friend since they met decades ago, and May's two dogs. What could be more normal? But May is not your average little old lady . . . After an unpleasant church volunteer and an annoying local butcher meet their untimely ends, Fletcher and May team up to do some sleuthing. Soon, the elderly pair start working with a young journalist to investigate the case of a missing girl and its possible link to previous unsolved crimes. May finds this new project quite intriguing. She's never met a murderer before--and now she just may get the chance, if they play their cards right . . .

Celebrate the heroic swagger of Agent 007 with the ultimate fan’s guide to all things James Bond.For millions of American men who grew up in the 1950s and 60s, James Bond was the ultimate masculine icon. He was stylish, smart, and sophisticated. He was ready for adventure, unafraid of danger, and irresistible to women. In short, he was everything his young male fans wanted to be. In this volume, authors Bob Blackwood and John L. Flynn think back on the importance of James Bond in their lives, and the lessons they learned from his movies and novels. Covering everything from cars and clothes to how to order a martini, this is a loving celebration of the man they call “Bond, James Bond.”

From one of America's longest-serving foreign correspondents, a biography of France's controversial politician and statesman. The first major biography of Charles de Gaulle written from an American perspective, this book offers a compelling assessment of the French army officer, politician, and statesman. Author Don Cook, former bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, delineates de Gaulle's obsession with power and how the military man rose to leadership in the years following the fall of France during the Second World War. Recounting de Gaulle's triumphant quest to find dignity and independence for France, Cook masterfully brings to life one of Europe's most influential leaders of the twentieth century.

This biography recounting the Argentinean president’s rise, fall, and remarkable return to power is “a formidable achievement” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). Latin America has produced no more remarkable or enduring political figure than Juan Perón. Born to modest circumstances in 1895 and trained in the military, he rose to power during a period of political uncertainty in Argentina. A shrewd opportunist who understood the needs and aspirations of the country’s workers, Perón rode their votes to the presidency and then increased their share of the nation’s wealth. But he also destroyed the independence of their unions and suppressed dissent. Ousted in a coup in 1955, Perón wandered about Latin America and finally settled in Spain, where he masterminded an astonishing political comeback that climaxed in his reelection as president in 1973. Joseph A. Page’s engrossing biography is based upon interviews, never-before-inspected Argentine and US government documents, and exhaustive research. It spans Perón’s formative years; his arrest and dramatic rescue by the descamisados in 1945; his relationship with the now mythic Evita; the violence and mysterious murders that punctuated his career; his tragic legacy, personified by his third wife, Isabel, who assumed the presidency after his death under the influence of a Rasputin-like astrologer; and the continuing appeal of Perónism in Argentina. In addition, Page’s study of Argentine-American relations is particularly penetrating—especially in its description of the struggle between Perón and US ambassador Spruille Braden. “It would probably take a novel stamped with the surrealistic genius of a Gabriel García Márquez to render all the madness, perverse magic and tragedy of Juan Domingo Perón and his Argentina. But Joseph A. Page has come up with the next best option. . . . A clearly written, definitive study.” —The New York Times Book Review

First in a Samoan-set series featuring police officer Apelu Soifua: “Enright’s portrait of cultural collision is the heart of this engaging series debut.” —Booklist   The city of Tafuna may be located on a tropical paradise, but it’s no stranger to crime. Just like anywhere else in the world, it has its fair share of murder, drugs, and robbery. Which makes Apelu Soifua the perfect man for his job. He’s a cop of two worlds: San Francisco, where he started his career, and now his native Samoa.    Following up on a routine burglary call, Apelu heads to a palangi, or Caucasian, neighborhood. The victim, a VP at SeaKing Tuna—the largest employer on the island—reports only a few items missing. But a fatal shooting at a nightclub a few days later points Apelu to the executive’s hard-partying daughter. With some help from local reporter Lupe, Apelu chases a wave of violence that stems from the burglary—and seeks out what really went missing. The investigation puts Apelu in over his head and is about to be dragged under . . .   “Perfect for any armchair traveling mystery lover. Enright’s descriptions of the Samoan landscape—where the frigate birds are as much a part of the sky as the clouds—are vivid and poetic.” —Kittling: Books  “Enright meticulously interweaves the experience and landscapes of Samoa’s mountains, rain forests and jungles that he knows so well.” —Providence Journal  “The island setting is a terrific backdrop for the story, one that has Soifua bridging the cultural chasm between the local population and the American community.” —Mysterious Reviews

An ambitious reporter seeks a window into an obsessed killer's mind--and is forced to take a hard look in the mirror, in this dark psychological thriller. It starts when a Cornwall fisherman finds a body in the ocean. The blood of the victim has washed away, but the angry message etched deep into the victim's back is crystal clear: Grace--Number 1. It's the kind of story that could make local reporter Jennifer Mack's career--if she can keep her hypercompetitive colleague, Hayley, from undermining her at every turn. When the next body turns up far away in London, another carved message makes the link unmistakable--a serial killer is on the loose. Then, Jennifer receives a package from the killer. As she begins to communicate directly and publicly with a murderer-at-large, it appears she's been chosen to write the headline story. But as lines between right and wrong start to blur, Jennifer is forced to come face-to-face with her own inner darkness . . .

With her ex and her kids away, a woman takes up running and meets a new man--but can they make it to the finish line? Ten years after their divorce, this is the first time Hannah's ex-husband has had the kids for more than a weekend. Her calendar is gloriously blank, ready to be filled with some self-care time. That is, until Hannah's BFFs push her to join them in a charity race for which she'll need to start training--after all, she's not doing anything else. And her mum nags her to have Aunt Dorothy over for a visit. > However, Hannah's not in tip-top shape, and running is a challenge to say the least. Maybe Gabe, the nice-looking personal trainer, can help with that? The more Hannah struggles, the more determined she becomes. But then Hannah is tripped up when she finds out Gabe has a shocking secret. Does this mean he will be out of the running for a place in her heart? "Fabulously fun." --By the Letter Book Reviews "A brilliant writing style."--Donna's Book Blog "Will make you laugh out loud and warm your heart." --Books of All Kinds

A critically acclaimed nature writer explores the citizen scientist movement through the lens of entomological field research in the American Southwest. Award-winning nature writer Sharman Apt Russell felt pressed by the current environmental crisis to pick up her pen yet again. Encouraged by the phenomenon of citizen science, she decided to turn her attention to the Western red-bellied tiger beetle, an insect found widely around the world and near her home in the Gila River Valley of New Mexico. In a lyrical, often humorous voice, Russell shares her journey across a wild, rural landscape tracking this little-known species, an insect she calls "charismatic," "elegant," and "fierce." What she finds is renewed optimism in mysteries still left to be explored, that despite the challenges of climate change, there is a growing diversity of ways ordinary people can contribute to the research needs of scientists today in the name of environmental activism. Offering readers a glimpse into the pioneering field of citizen science, Diary of a Citizen Scientist documents one woman's transformation from a feeling of powerlessness to engaged hopefulness. Winner of the John Burroughs Medal and the WILLA Literary Award for Best Creative Nonfiction Named one of the top ten best nature books of 2014 by GrrlScientist in The Guardian

The sordid truth or a comfortable lie: Which would you choose? Learning the shocking truth about her past rocks Anna Greenwood's world and shakes her beliefs to the core. The information she discovers sets in motion a quest to bring justice to a man of position and influence who appears protected by his status. However, Anna's efforts seem futile--until help comes from an unexpected source. Anna's journey takes her to the brink of tragedy and the near-death of herself and another innocent woman. But can she bring down the powerful, arrogant man who caused her mother's heartache, or will she fail in the mission she knows to be justified? The Shape of Truth is an intense new thriller by the bestselling author of The Accident.

A decade after his young daughter's murder, a grief-stricken father's need for justice puts his own life in danger as events spiral out of control . . . Ever since Caitlin Grady was released from prison, Darren has been tormented by rage and injustice. He finds himself venting online, where a stranger befriends him--and encourages him to seek revenge. But Caitlin no longer goes by that name. She has been given a new identity and is living quietly, dreading exposure as the tabloids--with help from her publicity-hungry mother--try to hunt her down. And having committed the crime at age eleven, Caitlin struggles as an adult on her own, out in the world beyond prison walls. Will Darren manage to track Caitlin down, and if he does, will he be able to carry out his plans?

"[A] gritty, wide-angled modern noir . . . The first standalone novel by Birtcher, author of the Mike Travis series, pulls no punches." --Kirkus Reviews In 1976, as America celebrates its bicentennial, the drug game changes. Cocaine makes a comeback, bringing with it a previously unheard of level of violence. The copious amounts of blow crossing the US-Mexico border herald the beginning of a brave new--and terrifying--world. Far from the brutality on the border, the nameless narrator and his partner--both Vietnam vets--live a mostly peaceful life growing pot under the northern California redwoods. But when their livelihood is threatened by heavily armed robbers and a worthless rat, they find themselves drawn into a war with no good guys. Caught in the crossfire between a paranoid Mexican drug kingpin and dirty federal agents, they'll soon realize that--like every other player in the game--they're just pawns in a vast conspiracy that starts at the top . . . "A top-class thriller." --San Francisco Book Review "White-knuckle tension and crisp, clean prose . . . Many books call themselves 'thrillers, ' but this is the real deal." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Birtcher combines a gritty, action-filled thriller with a nuanced, almost contemplative character drama . . . Thoroughly entertaining." --Booklist "A thriller with genuine shocks and chills." --Cafe Libri

"The novel combines the mystery and honesty of Craig Johnson's Longmire with the first-person narration of a fiercely independent Oregon character." --Sheila Deeth, author of John's Joy Winner of the 2018 Killer Nashville Readers' Choice Award 2017 Foreword Indies Finalist for Historical A Korean War veteran, Ty Dawson finds refuge running his family's cattle ranch, the Diamond D, one of the largest in Oregon--and there's no place he'd rather be. But in 1973, the country falls into turmoil with the last soldiers returning from Vietnam, the stand-off at Wounded Knee, and the ongoing Watergate scandal. And it isn't long before Ty finds his own peace and quiet shattered by outside forces. A string of mysterious cattle deaths leads to the murder of a cowhand, but that's just the beginning. News leaks that the Bureau of Land Management plans on a wild horse slaughter, which brings protestors and news cameras to the area, not to mention a violent biker gang known as the Charlatans. Overwhelmed, the sheriff appoints Ty as undersheriff. And as events spiral out of control, Ty must take matters into his own hands to protect his family, his land, and his way of life . . . "A masterful work of a time gone by. Birtcher possesses a rare skill that is the envy of many a writer. He deftly employs literary prose to reveal the life of a hard-driven man. Ty Dawson is a cowboy, lawman, father and philosopher like none other." --Neal Griffin, Los Angeles Times-bestselling author of The Burden of Proof "[A] fast-moving series launch . . . Birtcher takes readers on an exciting ride." --Publishers Weekly

"[A] fast-paced mystery . . . Fans of the prolific Stuart Woods and Randy Wayne White will hope that Birtcher's engaging series has an equally long life." --Booklist A Nero Award Finalist After twenty years in the LAPD, Mike Travis should be enjoying his retirement in Hawaii. Instead, he's become a reluctant PI who can't manage to stay out of trouble--much to the chagrin of his long-suffering girlfriend. This time, the problem is his brother, Valden, head of the family company of Van de Groot Capital. A mover and shaker, he's in Los Angeles for a political fundraiser at the home of a powerful pharmaceutical titan. But first, he's being blackmailed. Someone has a compromising video of him and a young woman who is definitely not his wife--and they want three million dollars for it. That's when he calls Travis. With his longtime connections in Los Angeles--including his former partner on the force--Travis has everything under control, until he doesn't. Now entangled in a web of murder, finance, and politics, only Travis can unravel a conspiracy international in scope--and unparalleled in evil . . . "Birtcher is a solid, fluent writer; the story unfolds with good-humored ease, and Travis is a personable narrator . . . All of the elements are in place for a tense thriller." --Kirkus Reviews "Well-executed . . . Readers will hope they don't have to wait another seven years for the world-weary Travis's next adventure." --Publishers Weekly "A thrilling page turner with a very complicated plot that all comes together in the end . . . Highly recommended." --Detective Mystery Stories

The second Sheriff Dawson mystery has "lots of twists and turns that stretch back over years, then a mind-blowing ending that puts everything into place" (Killer Nashville). Winner--2019 Best Book of the Year, Killer Nashville Ty Dawson, now the sheriff of Oregon's Meriwether County, is ready to put a trying year behind him, but he's afforded no such luck. In a country still coming to grips with the Vietnam War, Watergate, and Charles Manson, Ty's neck of the woods isn't safe from the turmoil--especially when a commune of young so-called hippies springs up out of nowhere . . . A longtime local sheep rancher accuses the Rainbow Ranch residents of livestock theft, putting Ty in the middle of a culture clash. Though Ty finds no evidence of a crime, the rancher brings in his own stock detective. Behind fences topped with razor wire, the commune and its enigmatic guru hold secrets of their own--many of which have nothing to do with peace, love, and understanding. Tensions flare, setting off a bloody wave of violence that will forever scar the place Ty calls home, unless he can stop it. "Elegantly written . . . Ty may strike some readers as almost too smart, too well educated, and too pedantic for a small-town sheriff, but his insights into 1970s social issues make him an irresistible spokesman for the era." --Publishers Weekly "A modern Western . . . The characters are well developed, and place descriptions make it easy to visualize the landscapes." --New York Journal of Books

An "eerie, elliptical masterpiece set in a South African boarding school in the early 1960s. . . . First-rate psychological suspense . . . played out flawlessly" (Kirkus Reviews). The members of an elite girls swim team are the reigning queens at their South African boarding school. And then Italian student Fiamma Coronna joins their ranks. Beautiful, athletic, and suddenly commanding all the coach's attention, Fiamma is the envy of every girl on the team--until the summer she walks into the rural grasslands surrounding the school and disappears. Forty years later, the former teammates return to the school for a reunion, and the memory of that summer emerges like a long buried secret, the shocking, violent truth of what really happened to Fiamma no longer able to be contained . . . "Riveting . . . while evocative of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Picnic at Hanging Rock, Kohler's writing is so smoothly confident and erotic that she has produced a tale resonant with a chilling power all its own." --Elle "A stunning and singular tale of the passion and tribalism of adolescence, Cracks lays bare the violence that lurks in the heart of even the most innocent. Shocking, reminiscent of Lord of the Flies . . . conjures up the wildness of the veld and the passion and drama of adolescence . . . peculiarly satisfying." --The Times Literary Supplement "A disturbing, note-perfect novel. Dissection of evil has rarely been so extravagantly executed." --San Francisco Chronicle "Polished, compact and chilling . . . Powerful." --Publishers Weekly A Library Journal and Newsday Best Book of the Year, now a major motion picture starring Eva Green

“A comedy of errors [and] bedroom farce” from an award-winning author critically acclaimed for his satiric stories of love and Jewish experience (Kirkus Reviews).   Reunited at their Jewish day school reunion, Guido and Charlie find themselves attracted to the same woman, a beautiful cellist named Aviva. Guido, a photographer, makes his move by going to Aviva for music lessons and soon enough, they become lovers. What Guido doesn’t know is that his friend Charlie, a psychologist, has taken Aviva as a client and is a party to the relationship through Aviva’s weekly confessions.    Written from the point of view of all three characters, with a swirl of delightful supporting characters and even a directory of footnotes that adds expansions, humor and surprises to the narrative, Diary of an Adulterous Woman is a highly entertaining look at desire, jealousy, the power of secrets and the all-too-human complications both longing and love can bring.

"Charters interweaves many important topics--immigration, civil rights, women's rights--into her exciting novel . . . An evocative portrait of South Boston." --Kirkus Reviews After the deaths of her mother and infant sister during Ireland's Great Famine, thirteen-year-old Mary Boland makes her way to the Queenstown harbor and onto a coffin ship bound for America. But what happens during her transatlantic passage is enough to quash the strongest of dreams. After being assaulted by crewmembers, Mary thinks of ending her life--until a young Black slave named Kamua comes to her rescue . . . Forming a bond as strong as siblings, Mary and Kam reach Boston, determined to forge their own paths. No longer an innocent soul, Mary trusts no one, putting her faith in her own instincts. It is on the teeming streets of South Boston that she'll find a new home and a new purpose as a midwife, helping poverty-stricken women survive their pregnancies. And it is in this city, full of possibility, where Mary's heart will heal, and find the strength to survive the harsh choices she is forced to make, and grow into a woman true to herself . . . "The story of a young Irish girl's struggles told with an authentic, historically accurate voice." --Sallie Bissell, author of the Mary Crow series "To read Shanty Gold is to immerse oneself in a wild ride of discovery, romance, and the search for a new way of life. . . . A tale that will grab your heart and senses, with twists and turns along the way." --Susan Blexrud, author of the Fang series

The daughter of Irish immigrants and the son of an African slave forge their own destiny in Boston, in this compelling sequel to Shanty Gold. Boston, 1870. Nellie's mom and Neo's father met on a coffin ship sailing from Ireland to America, a journey they barely survived. Having heard this tale since childhood, the two teenagers now crave an adventure of their own. When an unfounded rumor gets Nellie suspended from school and puts her future in jeopardy, the lifelong friends flee to New York City to join a circus. And though their escapade is short-lived, it teaches both of them about courage, kindness, and acceptance. Rising above her scandalous background, Nellie inches toward her dream of becoming a teacher, while Neo battles against prejudice and hatred to marry the woman he loves. As they struggle with the hopes and expectations laid upon them by their parents, they'll navigate through tragedy and betrayal on a journey towards their hearts' true desires. Praise for Shanty Gold "Charters interweaves many important topics--immigration, civil rights, women's rights--into her exciting novel . . . Gripping." --Kirkus Reviews "The story of a young Irish girl's struggles told with an authentic, historically accurate voice." --Sallie Bissell, author of the Mary Crow series "To read Shanty Gold is to immerse oneself in a wild ride of discovery, romance, and the search for a new way of life. . . . A tale that will grab your heart and senses, with twists and turns along the way." --Susan Blexrud, author of the Fang series

Fascinating personal histories are revealed through the stories of cherished objects, in this anthology celebrating the meaningful mementos of our lives. Amber Lanier Nagle has always been interested in keepsakes, whether her own or those she encounters in her friends' homes. Seemingly ordinary items--a glass bluebird, a pocketknife, a dime-store locket, a faded fishing lure, a dented cake pan, a model train car--become priceless treasures when their stories are uncovered. In Project Keepsake, Nagle collects the tales of these objects and their beloved memories from contributors near and far. "Why do you keep this?" Nagle asks. "Where did it come from?" And then she listens as the stories pour out. Told in first-person by both seasoned and aspiring writers, every essay in the anthology is unique--yet each reveals common threads that connect us all and celebrate the glorious human experience.

"A master of the short story" discusses every aspect of the writing process, from story structure to staying focused, in this candid essay collection (Booklist). Ron Carlson's short stories have been featured in The New Yorker, Harper's Magazine, and elsewhere, while his numerous collections have won critical acclaim. In this series of personal essays, Carlson explores his own process, inviting the reader to watch over his shoulder as he creates the short story "The Governor's Ball." "This is the story of a story," Carlson tells us. But as he crafts a tale, he also offers practical advice for writers, covering everything from the first glimmer of an idea to the final sentence. Carlson urges the writer to refuse the outside distractions--a second cup of coffee, a troll through the dictionary--and attend to the necessity of uncertainty, the pleasures of an unfolding story. "The Governor's Ball"--included in its entirety--serves as a fascinating illustration of the detailed anatomy of a short story.