“Great fun to read . . . sensual plotting . . . a Cinderella story set at the turn of the century.”—Glamour With only her exotic beauty, seductive innocence, pride, and fiery spirit, Leonie came from the provinces to find her future in Paris. From the shame of music halls, she rose to international fame singing songs of love and longing, straight from the heart. From Paris to the Cote d'Azur, from New York to Brazil, from Cuba to Cairo, she moved in a dazzling world of money, passion, and power—a world darkened only by the relentlessly hunger of one man's obsession—a man determined to possess her . . . a man who could never lover her, never let her go . . . . “Literate and engaging entertainment.”—Kirkus Reviews
Leonie is born into a world of poverty and hardship, until her exotic beauty and her fighting spirit lead her to a very different life of wealth and luxuary. As mistress of the ruthless and wealthy Duc de Courmont, she craves love, but he craves her, needs her, is obsessed by her.
The story of Léonie Gilmour (1873-1933)—partner of Japanese writer Yone Noguchi, mother of artist Isamu Noguchi and dancer Ailes Gilmour—a woman who chose a unique path to achieving her personal and professional goals, rising above poverty, racism and an ill-fated marriage to take up the challenge of raising two mixed-race children alone in distant Japan. Bringing together extensive research and lively storytelling, Leonie Gilmour: When East Weds West is the first complete portrait of the unique, pioneering American educator, editor and writer whose story inspired Hisako Matsui's acclaimed film Leonie, starring Emily Mortimer and Shido Nakamura. Gilmour's fascinating tale is told here through her own writings and those of her associates, including rare and unpublished stories and intimate correspondence, along with a detailed biographical account by Edward Marx.
A Tough Little Lady How dare Charlie Wheeler suggest that she needed a man—for anything! It looked to her like he, and his little daughter, Cecilia, needed the tender loving care that a woman could provide. Cecilia might act tough, but Leonie knew that underneath it all was a vulnerable little girl. Well, maybe Leonie was a little lonely at night…and perhaps Charlie did have deep, dark eyes and a smile that could warm her heart. But in Leonie's experience, men were just plain bad luck—but could that luck be about to change?
Why is the ewe crying? What will Leonie find? Where is the lamb? Where is Jack? What will Leonie do? Find out all the answers in this charming little tale about the need for love and cooperation between human and animal, and human and human.
When your dad consistently 'out cools' you on your own turf, you need to take the battle back onto his ... even if that means battling it out over toothpaste! Dom has left school and is about to launch into the real world. All his friends have their futures mapped out, but Dom is distinctly lukewarm about the prospect of doing a degree in science. Before he has to commit, however, there is the holiday job painting his dad's offices. Dad is an award-winning creative in an ad firm, with possibly his greater success being his ability to look younger - and way, way cooler - than his 17-year-old son. Annoyed that his dad has beaten him to the stud earring, the Maori-design bicep tatt, and the wardrobe, Dom decides to take on his dad on his own turf - an ad campaign. How hard can it be? It's only selling crap to losers, after all. How hard can it be? try getting creative over toothpaste! Ages:12+
The inspiration for the STARZ original series, The Serpent Queen, premiering September 11. “A beautifully written portrait of a ruthless, subtle and fearless woman fighting for survival and power in a world of gangsterish brutality, routine assassination and religious mania. . . . Frieda has brought a largely forgotten heroine-villainess and a whole sumptuously vicious era back to life. . . . This is The Godfather meets Elizabeth.” —Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar Poisoner, besotted mother, despot, necromancer, engineer of a massacre: the dark legend of Catherine de Medici is centuries old. In this critically hailed biography, Leonie Frieda reclaims the story of this unjustly maligned queen of France to reveal a skilled ruler battling extraordinary political and personal odds. Based on comprehensive research including thousands of Catherine’s own letters, Frieda unfurls Catherine’s story from her troubled childhood in Florence to her tumultuous marriage to Henry II of France; her transformation of French culture to her reign as a queen who would use brutality to ensure her children’s royal birthright. Brilliantly executed, this enthralling biography goes beyond myth to paint a very human portrait of this remarkable figure.
'Wonderfully romantic’ Sandy Barker Escape to the breath-taking beauty of Venice – The City of Love. When pragmatic, sensible and resolutely single Deirdre York (Didi to her friends) is sent to Venice for work she is determined not to be taken in by the romantic clichés. Winter in the floating city may be breathtakingly beautiful, but she’s here with a clear purpose and will not let the magic of Venice distract her. Piero Zanetti is the epitome of the handsome yet tortured artist. Heart-broken by the end of his love affair with a glamorous opera singer, he has lost his ability to work, and his inspiration has drained away, along with his zest for life. But Didi needs Piero working – she has been tasked with commissioning him to do a glass centrepiece for a luxury department store display – some how Didi has to cheer Piero up or at least find him a new muse... As Didi and Piero slowly become friends, and as Venice starts to melt Didi’s heart and gently nudge Piero out of the blues, something special begins to happen. Can Venice – the City of Love – work a miracle and help Didi and Piero to find their happiness at last... Leonie Mack is back with the most gloriously romantic escape, perfect for all fans of Mandy Baggot, Jo Thomas and Carole Matthews. 'Leonie has written another gorgeous love letter to Italy. She’s fast becoming a favourite of mine with her warm, relatable heroines, beautiful settings and brooding romantic heroes. I cannot wait to return to Venice for Norah’s story.' Sarah Bennett What readers are saying about Leonie Mack: 'I read a lot of romance books and I have to say this book is one of the best in terms of chemistry. Readers - we’re talking red hot!' 'A hot and sizzling read!' 'An uplifting, intelligent novel with a lot of substance and of course, plenty of romance' 'I can't stop thinking about this book!' 'Beautifully written, this is a great take on the opposites attract theme.' 'A delight to read with lots of fun, romance and funny bits along the way.'
A lonely troll and a fierce, spiky girl form an unlikely alliance in Leonie Agnew's extraordinary novel for children aged 9 years and up. For as long as Seth can remember he’s been trapped behind the iron bars of the public gardens, desperate to explore the world outside. By day he’s frozen in a stone skin as a statue of a shepherd boy. As soon as the sun sets he’s free to roam the park, ravenously hungry. He’s a troll, and the food he seeks is human memories. But somehow he’s yearning for something more than an endless cycle of hunting and loneliness. Then he meets Stella, who has just moved to live with her grandfather in a house neighbouring the park. Her mind is sharp and quick and there’s something so different about her — she’s the only human Seth has met whose memories make his insides burn. He doesn’t want to feed off her. He simply wants to talk to her. Maybe she can help him find another way to live? Engrossing, spine-chilling and surprising, this is a novel that grabs the reader and holds them spellbound. What terrible memory is Stella trying to escape? What are the fragments of memory that Seth is trying to put together? And is there any possibility that Seth could escape the lonely garden and start truly living?
