In a publishing career that spanned less than a decade, Jane Austen revolutionised the literary romance, using it as a stage from which to address issues of gender politics and class-consciousness rarely expressed in her day. The novels included in this beautiful leatherbound collection - Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, and Lady Susan - represent all of Austen's mature work as a novelist, and provide the reader with an introduction to the world she and her memorable characters inhabited.

It's 1569. Elizabeth I sits on the English throne, the Reformation inflames the Continent, and whispers of war abound. But in Troixden, just north of France, the Lady Annelore isn't interested in politics. Times are hard, taxes are high, and the people in her duchy need her help just to survive. Her widowed father is a good man easily distracted by horses, and her newly knighted childhood friend...well, he has plans of his own. Then Annelore receives a call she can't ignore. When Troixden's sadistic king died childless, his younger brother William returns from exile to find his beloved country on the brink of civil war. He's in desperate need of the stability that comes with a bride and heirs. But Annelore, his chosen queen, won't come quietly. Now the future of Troixden lies in the hands of two people who never wanted the power they've received and never dreamed that from duty and honor they might find love and a path to peace. Heirs & Spares is one part history, two parts palace plotting, and a whole lot of juicy romantic intrigue. Break out the spiced wine and sink in to this rousing read.

A masterful story of the Santa Fe Trail in 1846 during a time of fierce competition between traders who hauled goods past Bent's Fort to Talvarez Hacienda near Taos in New Mexico Territory at the dawn of the Mexican American War. Kate Willingham must hand-carry a locked chest to an unknown aunt in Taos. To cross the unforgiving wilderness, Kate hires on as Thomas McCann's personal cook, never suspecting that he is President Polk's secret emissary. Kate's journey becomes a test of endurance and honor. Trouble befalls her at the hands of villainous Henry Nave. But she blames freighter Luke Beckhart, a mercenary, bent on making a profit on the coming war with Mexico. Determined to buy Talvarez Hacienda, Beckhart and his partner Don Jacinto, suspects there is a spy in their midst. They do not realize a villain other than Nave, wants the chest, and will kill to get it. Love, loss, death and birth color the tightly woven fabric of this classic human saga, as each traveler faces circumstances that tries their soul and changes their heart.

Soul Sisters by Lesley Lokko is a rich, intergenerational tale of love, race, power and secrets which centres on the lifelong friendship between two women: Scottish Jen McFadden and South African-born Kemisa Mashabane, known to her friends as Kemi. Since childhood, Jen and Kemi have lived like sisters in the McFadden family home in Edinburgh, brought together by a shared family history which stretches back generations. Kemi was educated in Britain alongside Jen and the girls could not be closer; nor could they be more different in the paths they take in life. But the ties that bind them are strong and complicated, and a dark family secret exists in their joint history. Solam Rhoyi is from South Africa's black political elite. Handsome, charismatic, charming, and a successful young banker, he meets both Kemi and Jen on a trip to London and sweeps them off their feet. Partly influenced by her interest in Solam, and partly on a journey of self-discovery, Kemi, now 31, decides to return to the country of her birth for the first time. Jen, seeking an escape from her father's overbearing presence, decides to go with her. In Johannesburg, it becomes clear that Solam is looking for the perfect wife to facilitate his soaring political ambitions. But who will he choose? All the while, the real story behind the two families' connection threatens to reveal itself - with devastating consequences . . .

The Gentle Revolutionaries is a novel based on the lives of two prominent American missionaries, Dan and Emelie Bradley, who became close friends with the famous monk, later King Mongkut. They arrived in Thailand (Siam) in 1835 and made significant contributions to Thailand's medical, social and intellectual history. Their diaries and letters, as well as the Thai's evaluation of them, destroys the false image of Thailand an English writer had created. The Bradleys and their missionary coworkers came from New York's "Burned Over District," famous for its policy of accepting women as social equals. Thai nobles basically treated missionary women as their husbands did, respectfully and warmly.

Anna Leonowens, who served as an English teacher for the children and wives of King Mongkut, later fabricated two novels about him that were bestsellers. Unfortunately, these books were innocently used as the basis for Margaret Landon's novel, Anna and the King of Siam, which was made into successful Broadway and Hollywood musicals.

The Thai and the missionaries were so close that two missionaries negotiated Thailand's treaties with the United States and England. Missionaries also led the battle against smallpox and inspired the Thai to replace their antiquated educational system with one similar to Western schools. The best example of the Thai/missionary mutual respect came when an American ambassador to Thailand was shocked to discover at a royal dinner with King Chulalongkorn, that not he, but a missionary wife sat at the right hand of the king.

It is August of 1895 as Dr. Matt Stafford's ferry nears Ellis Island. His spirits soar as he approaches the island filled with immigrants pursuing their dreams. Seeking a change from the routine of his hospital surgical practice, he decides to take a temporary leave to provide medical care to those who left their homelands in pursuit of the American Dream.

Eager to interact with the newcomers, Dr. Stafford is quickly intrigued by their personal stories of struggles, courage, and determination. Soon though, everything is about to change on the island; major conflicts unfold, immigrants are exploited, and a riot takes place. Becoming entangled in a secret passionate relationship, Dr. Stafford witnesses President McKinley's assassination and a societal backlash against the rising tide of immigration. As he valiantly struggles to find emotional fulfillment, a series of events will lead to dramatic changes-both at Ellis Island and in his own life.

Based on actual events, "Guardians of the Gate" shares the intriguing tale of the people and provocative occurrences that occurred at Ellis Island during the 1890s and 1900s-through the eyes of a dedicated physician on a compelling quest for fulfillment.

Harnakhte is the son of the governor of a small town in the very south of Egypt, and Apet-hesit is one of pharaoh's numerous granddaughters. They meet as children and swear an oath to love each other forever. Six years pass and Harnakhte leaves his parent's home to look for his bride in Pi-Ramses. During the time of separation, Apet-hesit's mother was killed by a holy crocodile. Apet-hesit avenges her mother's death and kills the creature. The priests want to execute the killer of the holy crocodile, but don't know who is to blame. Apet-hesit's father fancies his chances to succeed as pharaoh, but he needs money to finance his plan, and sells Apet-hesit as a slave. Then he has her abducted and taken to Sharakh, a secret city in the desert where he hides her from her owner. Harnakhte arrives in Pi-Ramses to find Apet-hesit gone. He manages to find the city of Sharakh, but is imprisoned. The people of Sharakh train one of their girls to act as Apet-hesit and show her to Harnakhte to distract him from the real Apet-hesit. The lovesick man is taken in. Court politics intervene and the two lovers are kept apart. Will Harnakhte ever recognize his true love? Find out in the historical novel Apet-hesit: Scarred for Life. Raised in Holland, Marcus Johnson now lives in New Zealand. Fascinated by history, his last novel was Salome: An Invitation to the Dance. Publisher's website: http://sbpra.com/MarcusJohnson

The Teashop Girls is a warm and moving tale of friendship and love in wartime, by the bestselling author of the Woolworths series, Elaine Everest. It is early 1940 and World War Two has already taken a hold on the country. Rose Neville works as a Lyon's Teashop Nippy on the Kent coast alongside her childhood friends, the ambitious Lily and Katie, whose fiance is about to be posted overseas in the navy. As war creates havoc in Europe, Rose relies on the close friendship of her friends and her family. When Capt. Benjamin Hargreaves enters the teashop one day, Rose is immediately drawn to him. But as Lyon's forbids courting between staff and customers, she tries to put the handsome officer out of her mind. In increasingly dark and dangerous times, Rose fears there may not be time to waste. But is the dashing captain what he seems? Praise for Elaine Everest: 'Heartwarming . . . a must read' - Woman's Own 'A warm, tender tale of friendship and love' - Milly Johnson 'A lovely read' - Bella