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.

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.

Her gilded world holds a deeply hidden secret. After years of tragedy, Gwen Kellerman now lives a quiet life as a botanist at an idyllic New York college. She largely ignores her status as heiress to the infamous Blackstone dynasty and hopes to keep her family's heartbreak and scandal behind her. Patrick O'Neill survived a hardscrabble youth to become a lawyer for the downtrodden Irish immigrants in his community. He's proud of his work, even though he struggles to afford his ramshackle law office. All that changes when he accepts a case that is sure to emphasize the Blackstones' legacy of greed and corruption by resurrecting a thirty-year-old mystery. Little does Patrick suspect that the Blackstones will launch their most sympathetic family member to derail him. Gwen is tasked with getting Patrick to drop the case, but the old mystery takes a shocking twist neither of them saw coming. Now, as they navigate a burgeoning attraction and growing danger, Patrick and Gwen will be forced to decide if the risk to the life they've always held dear is worth the reward. Elizabeth Camden's writing is full of . . . "Richly drawn characters and fascinating American history."-- All About Romance "Fabulous love stor[ies] wrapped around compelling historical events."--Booklist "Adventuresome, entertaining romance."--Foreword Reviews

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

A lively competition draws her into her rival's blueprints--and maybe even his heart. Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it's only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny--not knowing that she'll be working for her idol, Joplin's leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott. Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny--she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What's worse, Maxfield's current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder's work. As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive's involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future?

A FORBIDDEN LOVE.
AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE...

When Pixie Tate is summoned to the wild Cornish coast to unravel a curious mystery at the stately St Sidwell Manor, she knows that something quite extraordinary must be hiding in its shadows.

Over one hundred years ago, in the dark of night, a child vanished from his bed never to be seen again - and Pixie must now discover the truth of those final moonlit hours.

As she loses herself in the past, secrets are revealed, love affairs exposed and, ultimately, Pixie will be forced to make a devastating choice that will change her life forever...

"Gabhart's skillful use of period details and the Appalachian landscape lend plenty of atmosphere to accompany the lessons of hope, compassion, and fortitude amid hardship. This is her best historical inspirational yet."--Publishers Weekly starred review "Gabhart crafts an absorbing story that deeply explores the rich tradition of storytelling."--Booklist *** Kentucky packhorse librarian Tansy Calhoun doesn't mind the rough trails and long hours as she serves her Appalachian mountain community during the Great Depression. Yet she longs to find love like the heroines in her books. When a charming writer comes to town, she thinks she might have found it--or is the perfect man actually closer than she thinks? Perdita Sweet has called these mountains home for so long she's nearly as rocky as the soil around her small cabin. Long ago she thought she could love, but when the object of her affection up and married someone else, she stopped giving too much of herself away to others. As is so often the case, it's easier to see what's best for others than to see what's best for oneself, and Perdita knows who Tansy should choose. But why would anyone listen to the romantic advice of an old spinster? Saddle up for a heartfelt story of love--love of family, love of place, and the love of a lifetime--from bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart.

Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own . . . When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family. Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family's new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth's many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars--both visible and those hidden deep within--and her cloistered heart will never be the same. Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.

Her heart seeks safety. But will trouble find her even here? After her sister's marriage, Michelle Stiles is left hiding at Two Harts Ranch with the handsome but stubborn Zane Hart. She's managed to stay one step ahead of her stepfather and his devious plans, but if he finds her, she will no longer be safe. Zane has problems of his own. Having discovered a gold mine on his property, he must figure out how to harvest it without kicking off a gold rush. Michelle, educated and trained to run her father's business, wants to manage all aspects of the mine, but Zane thinks for a person so smart she can have some misguided ideas. Running the mining operation will be a dangerous job, and he can't risk putting her in harm's way. But danger finds Michelle anyway when she's suddenly attacked. If they go to the sheriff, they'll reveal her location, but if they do nothing . . . their troubles have only just begun.

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.