HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER (1921) by Gene Stratton Porter is the story of Linda Strong, the titular heroine, a determined and opinionated young woman growing up in California in the 1920s.

What could have been a typically charming and heartfelt story of personal discovery, loves and relationships by the beloved naturalist author is unfortunately marred by the strongly pronounced racist and anti-immigrant mindset of the heroine and several other characters. It must be pointed out that the racial prejudice portrayed here is typical of its time and must be viewed in a socio-historical context. Nevertheless, it is something the modern reader will find offensive.

Despite the controversial nature of the material, the novel is an interesting, albeit disturbing study, both for students of the period and fans of the author.

The first novel in Julia Quinn’s worldwide bestselling Bridgerton novels, now a series created by Shonda Rhimes for Netflix. This is the story of Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke: welcome to the ballrooms of Regency London . . .

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister, the lovely – and almost-on-the-shelf – Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth – it’s all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable . . .

Their ruse works like a charm – at first. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it’s his devilish smile, certainly it’s the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her. It wasn’t the plan, but it seems she’s falling for the duke, for real. And amidst the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule . . .

Find out why readers love Julia Quinn . . .

In this spellbinding tale from Danielle Steel, a princess is sent away to safety during World War II, where she falls in love, and is lost forever. As the war rages on in the summer of 1943, causing massive destruction and widespread fear, the King and Queen choose to quietly send their youngest daughter, Princess Charlotte, to live with a trusted noble family in the Yorkshire countryside. Despite her fiery, headstrong nature, the princess's fragile health poses far too great a risk for her to remain in war-torn London. Third in line to the throne, seventeen year-old Charlotte reluctantly uses an alias upon her arrival in Yorkshire, her two guardians the only keepers of her true identity. A talented horsewoman, Charlotte begins to enjoy life out of the spotlight, concentrating on training with her beloved horse. But no one predicts that in the coming months she will fall deeply in love with her protectors' son. Far from her parents, a tragic turn of events leaves an infant orphaned. Alone in the world, that child will be raised in the most humble circumstances by a modest stable manager and his wife. No one, not even she, knows of her lineage. But when a stack of hidden letters comes to light, a secret kept for nearly two decades finally surfaces, and a long lost princess emerges. A fascinating story of family and royalty, and an unforgettable portrait of an extraordinary young woman and the man who brings her home, Royal is an exhilarating work from the world's favourite storyteller.

Against a backdrop of national unrest and suffering, can Ida Scott and her brother, Boyd, find the courage to face betrayal and heartbreak? 1925. Attractive and strong-willed twenty-three-year-old Isla Scott leaves her job ss a nurse in Edinburgh to return to her hometown of Edgemuir and take up a vacancy at Dr Lorne's fashionable spa, where she is reunited with her handsome brother, Boyd. Revelling in her new role and being close to Boyd, all seems well for Isla and the Scott family. But the siblings soon find that romance threatens to cloud their future. Boyd is bowled over by pretty new waitress Trina Morris, but is she playing games with his affections? Meanwhile, the rest of the spa is falling under the spell of a new doctor, Grant Revie . . . but will Isla?

In "The Secret Path of Destiny," a young, disabled, German-American girl, named Isolde, and her destitute mother reach out for a lifeline being offered by a widower in the German town of Fredericksburg, Texas. The year is 1865, and the two travel from New York City through the aftermath of the Civil War. But another war is brewing, this time with Native Americans. And Isolde and her mother are heading right into the heart of Comancheria, the homeland of the Comanche.

It is not the Comanche Isolde fears, but her mother's new employer, who becomes her stepfather. Isolde realizes he is a cunning man who is not who he pretends to be. As the situation worsens, Isolde is forced to make a life-changing decision to escape; desperate, she seeks refuge with a Comanche Indian, who befriends her at first, but later joins a warring band of Comanche. Her malevolent stepfather pursues her across Texas, turning her life upside down. In the midst of her troubles, Isolde's faith sustains her, and she unexpectedly finds the love that has always eluded her. Eventually, Isolde accepts the difficult circumstances of her life and realizes that a person's destiny is often hidden from view because the path is sometimes rocky.

"Just about anyone can write a book, but only a good writer can write a good book. M. B. Tosi is a very good writer, and her books are truly worth reading."
-Jim Langford, author of "The Spirit of Notre Dame and Quotable Notre Dame"

"The Girl In the Tower" is an allegorical tale on romance. Its setting is in ancient, Medieval Times, bringing the reader back to a place where knights & fair maidens & castles & kings are part of everyday life. It is filled throughout with drama, surprises, and inflictions of intense pain from self-indulgent antagonists. This story mixes fantasy (giants, dragons, & fire-swamps) along with a taste of tradition & normal affairs of ancient kingdoms, particularly as related to royalty. Sprinkled all throughout are philosophically challenging moments for the main character (Passionate) and spiritual lessons, leading the reader to take a very deep look into the importance of playing an effective role in the whole process of courtship & falling in love. While the book focuses largely on struggles from the knight's perspective, the princess & her battles are treated as equally intense & important. The purpose of spending more time telling the knight's side of the tale is largely due to the author's passion for helping men everywhere come face-to-face with the Maker's design for their lives, and to catch glimpses into the beautiful mystery of capturing a woman's heart.

It’s no secret that love has plagued the Owens family for centuries. But when did the curse begin, and why?

It all began with Maria Owens, who arrived in America in 1680, with a baby in tow. Maria was abandoned in the English countryside by her birth mother and raised by Hannah Owens who warned her, “Always love someone who will love you back.” She inherits Hannah’s Grimoire—a magical book of enchantments that include instructions to heal illnesses,and spells that make a person burn with love for another. When Hannah dies in an attack, Maria leaves for Curacao, where she meets John Hathorne, a magistrate from Salem living freely for the first time in his life as he falls in love with Maria. But Hathorne soon abandons her, before Maria realizes she’s pregnant. When she gives birth to a red-headed baby girl, Faith, who possesses immense magical talent, Maria embarks on a voyage to Salem to face her destiny, with or without magic.

But aboard the ship bringing her to America, fate intervenes and she meets a man who will change her life, if she’ll only let him. Her journey, laced with secrets and truths, devastation and joy, magic and curses, will show her that love is the only answer, always.

Thomas Fletcher first sees her in 1916, at a drug store in Birmingham, Alabama. He doesn't know her, but her brown hair and beautiful eyes captivate him. He soon learns her name-Juliette Wilcox-and she would learn his. Their attraction cannot be denied, but something stands in their way.

Thomas is a drafted soldier, about to be sent to Europe to fight in the dreaded World War I. Although Juliette begs for them to be married before he goes to boot camp, he doesn't want to leave her a widow. Their letters will keep them close. Letters are all they will have until he returns from the battlefield-hopefully, alive.

For the next four years, letters arrive from far off France and Germany to Juliette's front porch in Alabama. For the next four years, their love grows, develops, and increases. Even so, war is a dark force, and many men never return. Will Thomas be one of the soldiers lost, or will he come home and make Juliette's dreams of marriage a happy reality?

Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room. When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything. Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.

Set in ancient Egypt, this is a love story, tender and at the same time erotic and sensitive, that will enchant and captivate the reader

""Do you play?" he asked.

She touched the keys and pressed lightly on them. "A little." Her fingers spread out naturally and she closed her eyes as the instrument echoed softly.

Demetrius recognized the composition and brought his arm around her so that his fingers rested above hers, gliding them along as she played. Then she suddenly paused and turned to look at him. How confused and lost she looked, but not anymore than he was. Their attraction grew stronger each time they encountered and no matter the dilemma making them take opposition, the animosity couldn't subdue the burning in their hearts.

He leaned forward to kiss her when she turned her head downward. Caressing her chin, he raised it so that their lips lightly touched. Then he slowly brought his mouth to hers, prolonging the intense throb in her heart. The softness of her lips lured him in and he pulled her closer. He kissed her softly at first and when he found her tongue, his kiss intensified. Jen wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back harder. Then they withdrew and looked into each other's eyes without an understanding of where they were leading themselves."

Keturah rescued from certain death in the desert by Ishmael, she was brought to Abraham's dwelling to be nursed back to health. Abraham married Keturah and six sons were born to them, some having scripture references inferring they had providential purposes.

Abraham was over one hundred and forty years old when the six sons were born. Being adventuresome lads brought problems Abraham and Keturah had to deal with: one traumatic instance was after a disobedient trip to Sodom where demons afflicted and influenced the lads to act out weird activities. One of many problems they had to work through.

Abraham knew Keturah's six sons had to be sent away in order to avoid conflict with future descendants of his first wife Sarah and their son Isaac, heir to the Promised Land. Keturah's sons were educated sufficiently and had vocations to get them started in life. When would be the right time to send them away? If he sent them east where he hoped they would go, how far east would they go? And would they stay away?

HEYERWOOD: A Novel is a romantic historical novel, set in the Georgian/Regency period in England. The story of a woman learning to cope with power and control at a time when women traditionally had little power at all, this book will appeal to readers of history, fans of historical novels, and admirers of Jane Austen alike.

Having fled the vicious, ant-Semitic Nazi hordes of 1938 Austria to live in France, the war and the German juggernaut catches up with Peter Kaufmann once more. He mounts his bicycle, narrowly escapes being pulverized by German bombs on the rural roads of France, and is eventually arrested and thrown into what threatens to become a Nazi style concentration camp in Southern France. He despairs of ever being set free again to rejoin his parents and go to The Promised Land, America!