After their broken engagement, there’s only one thing that can get unbeatable crime-solvers Julie West and Reverend James Burton back into action—the murder of a beloved friend. No one can figure out who would have a motive to kill Twila Belk, who was a saint by all accounts. Paying for a cruise to Antarctica for 48 of her “closest friends” was just one of many generous gifts she bestowed upon those around her. When the body of the benefactress is discovered on Brown Bluff Island, Julie and James must set their past aside to bring the killer to justice and along the way, perhaps, uncover a new beginning for themselves. Note: This is a previously published work. For readers who purchased the original edition, this second edition is not substantially different.
Chosen as a Most Anticipated Book of 2024 by Oprah’s Book Club, Elle, Reader’s Digest, The Rumpus, Kirkus Reviews, The Millions, Lit Hub, and more “An inventive ode to self-determination and also a surrealistic vision of Black life as forged within the crucible of American history . . . [written in] lush, ornamental prose.” —The New Yorker “Fans of The Underground Railroad, The Water Dancer, and Let Us Descend will devour this lyrical and surreal saga.” —Oprah Daily From a writer of singular voice and vision, a mesmerizing epic that reimagines the past to explore the true nature of freedom In this ingenious, sweeping novel, Phillip B. Williams introduces us to an enigmatic woman named Saint, a fearsome conjurer who, in the 1830s, annihilates plantations all over Arkansas to rescue the people enslaved there. She brings those she has freed to a haven of her own creation: a town just north of St. Louis, magically concealed from outsiders, named Ours. It is in this miraculous place that Saint’s grand experiment—a truly secluded community where her people may flourish—takes root. But although Saint does her best to protect the inhabitants of Ours, over time, her conjuring and memories begin to betray her, leaving the town vulnerable to intrusions by newcomers with powers of their own. As the cracks in Saint’s creation are exposed, some begin to wonder whether the community’s safety might be yet another form of bondage. Set over the course of four decades and steeped in a rich tradition of American literature informed by Black surrealism, mythology, and spirituality, Ours is a stunning exploration of the possibilities and limitations of love and freedom by a writer of capacious vision and talent.
The lives of the saints are either too grisly for little kids or too saccharine for older ones. But this collection appeals to both groups with a combination of gentle humor and frankness – battle-tested at the author’s weekly chapel services at the school where she teaches. It’s organized into two full school years, with each saint’s story falling on or near his or her special day so that each story can be a springboard to a creative seasonal teaching unit or small festival. Saints represent a wide variety of ethnic and geographic backgrounds.
“Robert Westbrook’s novel strips the gilt off the Hollywood Golden Age to reveal the seamier underside. The Torch Singer begins with an ending, a scene of murder and mayhem on St. Valentine’s Night in 1956 Beverly Hills and unravels the many and various threads of the lives and careers that took them there.” Time Out The Torch Singer is a sweeping historical saga that takes the reader from the horrors of Nazi-occupied Poland to the glittery excesses of Hollywood in the 1940’s and 50’s: the rise and fall of Sonya Saint-Amant, a singer who schemes her way to fame and glory breaking all the rules. Book One, An Overnight Sensation, charts the rise of Sonya from the age of 17 in 1940, a girl dreaming of being an understudy at the Krakow Opera when Nazis raid the theater. After witnessing the summary execution of her mother by German soldiers she escapes Poland and makes her way to London. Using guile and beauty, she finds passage to America in 1943 on the Mauretania, a dangerous North Atlantic crossing on a troop ship full of men. As the ship steams north into Arctic waters evading enemy submarines, Sonya almost wins at a high-stakes game of love . . . only to arrive in New York alone and desperate but determined to become a star. “A masterpiece of storytelling. A book of constant intrigue which from the outset creates that delicious paradox of it being immediately clear that nothing is ever quite as it seems.” Daily Mail “Robert Westbrook is a born storyteller and a bit of a magician.” Ally Sheedy The Torch Singer is an unforgettable journey through the shadowlands of fame.
When psychologist Julie West responds to a call from “reformed” criminal Stefan Lauber, she doesn’t expect to find him murdered in Room 623 at the Cartledge Inn. Even more, she can’t understand why people are calling to reserve that particular room before the body even gets cold. She’s going to find out, though, even if it means working with the man she secretly loves to solve the mystery. And once Julie and Pastor James Burton are on the case, there’s no time to dwell on unrequited love. Not when there’s a murderer on the loose, odd detectives to work with...and more killings to come. Note: This is a previously published work. For readers who purchased the original edition, this second edition is not substantially different.
Book Two in Robert Westbrook's epic "Hollywood Noir" Torch Singer Thriller series. “An Almost Perfect Ending ranks alongside the best Hollywood noir. It takes the reader on a journey which leads relentlessly towards a final, fatal conclusion.” Daily Mail Book Two, An Almost Perfect Ending opens with sultry heroine Sonya Saint-Amant at the height of her career—a glittering, triumphant appearance at Ciro’s, the clubhouse for the stars in 1950s Hollywood where everyone wants to claim her as their friend. But in 1954, popular music is undergoing a revolution in which all but the biggest stars will be cast aside. With her looks and popularity fading, Sonya believes she has come up with the perfect plan to save her career . . . if only she can maneuver a tricky path through the many dangers that beset her, a vortex of politics, sex, blackmail, and murder . . . “Pacy and unstoppable, the second book in the The Torch Singer series takes over where the first left off, grabbing your wrist, tugging you along, refusing to let go.” Evening Standard “The Torch Singer exposes the fragility of fame. The higher the edifice the greater the risk that some element of deep-set animal emotion or human baseness will bring everything crashing down . . . and watching it happen is not just compulsive—it’s addictive and unmissable.” Event Magazine “Robert Westbrook is a born storyteller and a bit of a magician.” Ally Sheedy Ambition, blackmail, murder . . . THE TORCH SINGER is an unforgettable journey through the shadowlands of fame.
50 Westerns The Best Cowboy Adventures, Rider Trails, Stories of Outlaws & Battles with Indians represents an unparalleled compilation that traverses the length and breadth of the Western genre. This anthology highlights the rich tapestry of the American frontier, encapsulated through gripping tales of adventure, conflict, and the human spirit. The collection's diversity is not only reflected in the array of narratives that span from intimate personal journeys to epic battles but also in the literary styles that range from classic prose to innovative storytelling techniques. The assembled works, including tales of high-stakes standoffs, nuanced depictions of native cultures, and explorations of the moral compass of the rugged landscape, underscore the anthologys thematic depth and the genres capacity to interrogate the American mythos. The contributors to this collection, including luminaries like Zane Grey, Bret Harte, and Willa Cather, among others, bring a rich mosaic of backgrounds, perspectives, and literary achievements. Their collective oeuvre not only aligned with but also propelled several movements within the Western genre, enriching its narrative complexity and thematic breadth. From the romanticized tales of daring outlaws to the nuanced portrayals of frontier life, this anthology captures a pivotal era in American literature, offering insights into the socio-cultural fabric of the time. The diversity among the authors ensures a multi-faceted exploration of themes such as justice, freedom, and survival, set against the backdrop of the untamed American West. 50 Westerns invites readers on a journey through the rugged landscapes and turbulent times of the American frontier. For enthusiasts and scholars alike, this anthology presents a unique opportunity to engage with the foundational narratives that have shaped the Western genre. Through its wide-ranging selection, the collection fosters a dialogue between different voices and perspectives, enriching the readers understanding of the complexities and contradictions of the American West. This anthology is a doorway to an extensive, immersive experience of the Western literary tradition, promised to captivate, educate, and inspire reflections on the enduring themes of a bygone era.
DigiCat presents this meticulously edited collection of the carefully selected - best and most exciting Westerns: Rebel Spurs (Andre Norton) Ride Proud, Rebel! (Andre Norton) The Bandit of Hell's Bend (Edgar Rice Burroughs) Riders of the Purple Sage (Zane Grey) The Rainbow Trail (Zane Grey) The Spirit of the Border (Zane Grey) Winnetou (Karl May) The Untamed (Max Brand) The Night Horseman (Max Brand) The Seventh Man (Max Brand) The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains (Owen Wister) The Last of the Mohicans (James Fenimore Cooper) The Prairie (James Fenimore Cooper) Chip, of the Flying U (B. M. Bower) The Flying U Ranch (B. M. Bower) The Flying U's Last Stand (B. M. Bower) Cabin Fever (B. M. Bower) Rimrock Trail (J. Allan Dunn) The 'Breckinridge Elkins' Series (Robert E. Howard) The Outcasts of Poker Flat (Bret Harte) Heart of the West (O. Henry) White Fang (Jack London) The Wolf Hunters (James Oliver Curwood) The Log of a Cowboy: A Narrative of the Old Trail Days (Andy Adams) The Two-Gun Man (Charles Alden Seltzer) The Law of the Land (Emerson Hough) The Short Cut (Jackson Gregory) Whispering Smith (Frank H. Spearman) A Texas Cow Boy (Charles Siringo) The Desert Trail (Dane Coolidge) Hidden Water (Dane Coolidge) That Girl Montana (Marah Ellis Ryan) A Voice in the Wilderness (Grace Livingston Hill) The Rules of the Game (Stewart Edward White) Paid Off (Walt Coburn) The Lonesome Trail (John Neihardt) Spawn of the Desert (W. C. Tuttle) A Texas Ranger (William MacLeod Raine) Gunsight Pass (William MacLeod Raine) The Conquest (Oscar Micheaux) John Brent (Theodore Winthrop) The Lone Ranger Rides (Fran Striker) The Heart of Canyon Pass (Thomas Holmes) The Lions of the Lord (Harry Leon Wilson) Raw Gold (Bertrand William Sinclair) The Valley of the Giants (Peter B. Kyne)...
Book One in The Maggie Kelly Mystery Series by New York Times Bestselling Author Kasey Michaels. Maggie Kelly writes the best selling St. Just Mystery Series featuring Regency Era amateur sleuth Alexandre Blakely, Viscount St. Just. One day she turns around and her handsome, arrogant fictional character is standing in the middle of her living room. It seems she has drawn him so well, that he was able to pop out of her head and into her life. While juggling lies explaining her strange “houseguest,” Maggie also finds herself the prime suspect in the murder of her publisher and former lover. St. Just, hero that he is, naturally insists he will solve the crime, but she has her doubts. So far, her perfect hero has yet to remember to put the cap back on the toothpaste…
