Publisher: Émile Zola
L'Assommoir (1877) is the seventh novel in Émile Zola's twenty-volume series Les Rougon-Macquart. Usually considered one of Zola's masterpieces, the novel—a harsh and uncompromising study of alcoholism and poverty in the working-class districts of Paris—was a huge commercial success and established Zola's fame and reputation throughout France and the world.
"Parker's deft evocation of a lost era in Western American history—the life of the mining boom town—and her complex characterization make Leaden Skies an absorbing read."—Stephanie Barron, national bestselling authorIt is summer 1880, and Inez Stannert, one of the partners in the Silver Queen Saloon in Leadville, Colorado, travels with her photographer friend Susan to the fashionable summer retreat of Manitou for a reunion with her son, now a toddler in the care of her sister. On the way, fellow stagecoach passenger Edward Pace suddenly grows faint, swigs some medicine, and dies under their horrified gaze. Pace's widow rejects a weak heart theory and begs Inez to investigate. As Inez digs deeper, she uncovers the shady side of spa tourism including spurious claims, profiteering from the coming bonanza in medicinal waters and miracle cures, and medical practitioners who kindle false hopes in the desperate and the dying. Then Inez's husband Mark reappears after a year and a half's unexplained absence. Now she must fight to hold on to her child and the life she has built for herself in an era where "independent woman" is an oxymoron.Silver Rush Mysteries:Silver Lies (Book 1)Iron Ties (Book 2)Leaden Skies (Book 3)Mercury's Rise (Book 4)What Gold Buys (Book 5)A Dying Note (Book 6)Mortal Music (Book 7)Praise for the Silver Rush Mysteries:"Plenty of convincing action bodes well for a long and successful series."—Publishers Weekly STARRED review for Iron Ties"Meticulously researched and full of rich period details…her characters will stay will you long after you've finished the last page. Highly recommended."—TASHA ALEXANDER, New York Times bestselling author for Mortal Music"One of the most authentic and evocative historical series around. Long live Inez!"—RHYS BOWEN, New York Times bestselling author for What Gold BuysBruce Alexander Historical Mystery Award WinnerMacavity Historical Novel Award FinalistColorado Book Award FinalistWILLA Literary Award FinalistAgatha Best Historical Mystery Award FinalistShow book
A boss's marriage of convenience for his daughter's sake. Only from USA TODAY bestselling author Catherine Mann! Widower Xander Lourdes will do anything for his toddler daughter. But in a high-profile custody battle, his millions only go so far. What he really needs is a wife, in name only. And he has just the woman in mind if only he weren't so drawn to the beautiful redhead! Zoologist Maureen Burke is still reeling from a painful past, but her boss's proposal comes just as her work visa is expiring. If they're not careful, the heat between her and Xander may destroy the no-strings situation they're both counting onShow book
In this swashbuckling tale of medieval adventure, an English fisherman lost at sea finds romance, intrigue, and war among the peoples of Peru.While exploring the jumble of curiosities at the home of an eccentric antiquarian, an editor discovers a collection of letters dating back to the era of King Richard II. These letters recount the incredible life story of one Hubert of Hastings, a fisherman turned London goldsmith whose turbulent fortunes brought him to a strange new land that would become his home. Shortly after a whirlwind wedding, Hubert finds himself both widowed and framed for murder. Together with his old friend Kari, he escapes by ship, only to be storm-tossed across the Atlantic. Undertaking a voyage to Kari’s homeland along the Pacific coast, they hope to finally find peace. Instead they find a brewing war between the Chancas and the Incas, and Hubert finds an unattainable love that could change the course of history.Show book
The timeless adventure featuring explorer Allan Quatermain, the inspiration for Indiana Jones, from one of the first authors of the “Lost World” genre. The Ivory Child is a novel by H. Rider Haggard featuring Allan Quatermain—explorer, treasure hunter, and adventurer. In one of his strangest undertakings yet, Quatermain finds himself in the throes of a war between two African tribes, one of them led by an evil spirit that resides in the body of a gigantic elephant. Two foreigners, Harût and Marût, call upon Quatermain by the name he uses among the Africans: Macumazana. They are convinced by divination that only Quatermain can defeat the elephant god and save Africa from an epic battle destined to plunge the continent into chaos . . .Show book
Lucy, Lady Wymonde, reluctantly agrees to her husband’s request that she would chaperone his innocent orphaned young niece, Ina, for her first Season as a debutante.It was infuriating to have to take another guest with her to Chale Hall, the Marquis of Chale’s majestic stately home in the country, but that it should be a lovely young girl made it worse. It was not a question of her being a rival, that was not what Lucy feared. It was that Ina would be completely out of place in what was to be her party given her by the Marquis, whom Lucy has become infatuated with and it is only a matter of time before they begin an affaire-de-coeur.Little does she know what an innocent threat the beautiful Ina will soon become! Having reluctantly left her Bohemian background and a family friend’s villa near Nice with her devoted lady’s maid, Ina is bewildered by the sophisticated Society world of London and rather in awe of the handsome Marquis. But soon, to Lucy’s fury, the Marquis is smitten by Ina’s untainted beauty and the almost clairvoyant perceptiveness by which she seems to see deep into his soul. Ina too is entranced and, despite her aunt’s attempts to pair her off with over-eager and unattractive suitors, she too is falling in loveShow book
When Marshal Buchanan put outlaw rachman in jail for the murder of his brother-in-law, Hank Carter, he knew the badman would seek revenge. Sure enough six months later, Rachman was out, riding back across the desert with his murderous companion Pedro Torres and aiming for a showdown with Buchanan.Show book
