by Alfred Bekker & Silke Bekker The size of this book corresponds to 481 paperback pages. Lübeck 1450: The engagement between Barbara Heusenbrink, the daughter of Riga's amber king Heinrich Heusenbrink, and the rich patrician's son Matthias Isenbrandt is celebrated with a big party. Although Barbara does not love Matthias, she agrees to the marriage of convenience. Shortly afterwards, however, she meets the soldier of fortune Erich von Belden, to whom she feels magically attracted. But they both realize that their love has no chance. And then Barbara is kidnapped to Gdansk by amber smugglers who want to blackmail her father .. .
Alfred Bekker and Silke Bekker The size of this book corresponds to 444 paperback pages. A passionate love story between two worlds. Around 1000 AD in western China: a group of papermakers are abducted by Uyghurs and taken to the west. Among them are Master Wang and his beautiful daughter Li. In Samarkand, Li meets the Saxon knight Arnulf von Ellingen, who is immediately fascinated by the paper maker. A passionate love develops between the two. But when Arnulf falls victim to an intrigue, they both have to flee, and an adventurous journey via Venice to Magdeburg begins .. .
Da Vinci's Cases by Alfred Bekker The scope of this book is 120 pages paperback. In the small village of Vinci, near Florence, in 1462: The watermark form of the Medici Bank has been stolen out of Master Andrea di Marco's paper mill. Shocking! Because the paper must be at the bank within three days. What is that theft all about? For Leonardo and Carlo there is only one explanation: Counterfeit! And not more than three days remain to stop the counterfeiter gang's game. Alfred Bekker, born in 1964, writes fantasy, historical novels, criminal novels and books for young readers. His historical adventures for young readers are full of suspense, stuff which even kids who hate reading cannot resist.
A bold fantasy in the tradition of Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber, The Merchant Princes is a sweeping new series from the hottest new writer in science fiction! Miriam Beckstein is happy in her life. She's a successful reporter for a hi-tech magazine in Boston, making good money doing what she loves. When her researcher brings her iron-clad evidence of a money-laundering scheme, Miriam thinks she's found the story of the year. But when she takes it to her editor, she's fired on the spot and gets a death threat from the criminals she has uncovered. Before the day is over, she's received a locket left by the mother she never knew-the mother who was murdered when she was an infant. Within is a knotwork pattern, which has a hypnotic effect on her. Before she knows it, she's transported herself to a parallel Earth, a world where knights on horseback chase their prey with automatic weapons, and where world-skipping assassins lurk just on the other side of reality - a world where her true family runs things. The six families of the Clan rule the kingdom of Gruinmarkt from behind the scenes, a mixture of nobility and criminal conspirators whose power to walk between the worlds makes them rich in both. Braids of family loyalty and intermarriage provide a fragile guarantee of peace, but a recently-ended civil war has left the families shaken and suspicious. Taken in by her mother's people, she becomes the star of the story of the century-as Cinderella without a fairy godmother. As her mother's heir, Miriam is hailed as the prodigal countess Helge Thorold-Hjorth, and feted and feasted. Caught up in schemes and plots centuries in the making, Miriam is surrounded by unlikely allies, forbidden loves, lethal contraband, and, most dangerous of all, her family. Her unexpected return will supercede the claims of other clan members to her mother's fortune and power, and whoever killed her mother will be happy to see her dead, too. Behind all this lie deeper secrets still, which threaten everyone and everything she has ever known. Patterns of deception and interlocking lies, as intricate as the knotwork between the universes. But Miriam is no one's pawn, and is determined to conquer her new home on her own terms. Blending the creativity and humor of Roger Zelazny, the adventure of H. Beam Piper and Philip Jose Farmer, and the rigor and scope of a science-fiction writer on the grandest scale, Charles Stross has set a new standard for fantasy epics. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Explains how amber is formed, where it is found, and why it holds a mystical place in our hearts. Explores the role amber plays in the folklore of many cultures, how to detect fake amber, how to care for amber jewelry, and how to use amber for lapidary projects. Photographs illustrate some of the finest amber specimens available.
G. A. Henty's 'Times of War & Peril - The Historical Novels Series (Illustrated Edition)' is a collection of gripping historical fiction that transports readers to various tumultuous periods in history. Henty's vivid descriptions and attention to historical accuracy immerse readers in the sights and sounds of scenes ranging from ancient battles to medieval sieges. The book's literary style is characterized by its detailed storytelling and ability to make complex historical events accessible to readers of all ages. Each story is a testament to Henty's skill in combining adventure with education, making it a valuable resource for history enthusiasts and literary connoisseurs alike. This illustrated edition enhances the reading experience by bringing the stories to life with visual interpretations of key events and characters. G. A. Henty, known for his sweeping historical adventures, draws inspiration from his own experiences as a war correspondent and keen observer of global events. His firsthand knowledge and passion for history shine through in 'Times of War & Peril', as he weaves together gripping narratives that captivate readers and offer insights into the challenges faced by historical figures. Henty's dedication to historical accuracy and commitment to storytelling make him a respected figure in the world of historical fiction. I highly recommend 'Times of War & Peril - The Historical Novels Series (Illustrated Edition)' to readers who enjoy immersive historical fiction that educates as it entertains. G. A. Henty's masterful storytelling and attention to detail create a truly unforgettable reading experience that will appeal to anyone with a love for history and adventure.
In G. A. Henty's 'Ultimate Collection', readers are taken on a thrilling journey through over 100 historical novels, adventure tales, and short stories. Henty's works are known for their vivid storytelling, detailed historical accuracy, and inspiring tales of courage and perseverance. Set against the backdrop of various historical events and time periods, these stories transport readers to different eras and cultures with rich and immersive narratives. Henty's literary style combines adventure, history, and moral lessons, making his works both entertaining and educational for readers of all ages. G. A. Henty, a prolific British author born in 1832, drew inspiration from his own experiences as a war correspondent and journalist to write his historical novels. His firsthand knowledge of military campaigns and historical events shines through in his detailed descriptions and authentic portrayals of various time periods. Henty's passion for history and storytelling led him to become one of the most popular authors of historical fiction in the late 19th century. I highly recommend G. A. Henty's 'Ultimate Collection' to readers who enjoy immersive historical fiction, thrilling adventures, and tales of heroism. This extensive compilation of Henty's works offers a diverse range of stories that will captivate and educate readers about different eras in history. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply enjoy a good adventure tale, Henty's collection is sure to entertain and inspire.
The Merchant Princes is a sweeping new series from the hottest new writer in science fiction! The six families of the Clan rule the kingdom of Gruinmarkt from behind the scenes, a mixture of nobility and criminal conspirators whose power to walk between their world and ours make them rich in both. Braids of family loyalty and intermarriage provide a fragile guarantee of peace, but a recently ended civil war has left the families shaken and suspicious. Miriam, a hip tech journalist form Boston, discovered her alternate-world relatives with explosive results that shook three worlds. Now, as the prodigal Countess Helge Thorold-Hyorth, she finds herself ensnared in schemes and plots centuries in the making. She is surrounded by unlikely allies, lethal contraband, and, most dangerous of all, her family. With her modern American attitudes, she's not sure she can fit in, or if she even wants to, but to stay alive, she really has no choice. To avoid a slippery slope down to an unmarked grave, Miriam must build a power-base of her own. She started applying modern business practices and scientific knowledge to a trade heretofore dominated by medieval mercantilists-with unexpected consequences for three different timelines, including the quasi-Victorian one exploited by the hidden family. Blending the creativity and humor, and the rigor and scope of science-fiction on the grandest scale, Charles Stross has set a new standard for fantasy epics. Charles Stross is one of the big new SF writers of the 21st century, and the saga of The Merchant Princes is his most ambitious work yet. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
With intrigue, romance and suspense to rival Gone With the Wind, Amber Road tells an epic story of one woman’s indomitable spirit against the backdrop of World War II. As an empire is swept away, a young woman's world is ripped apart... It’s 1941 and seventeen-year-old Victoria Khoo lives in luxury in colonial Singapore. Her carefree days are spent fantasising about marrying Sebastian Boustead, scion of a great British merchant family, and becoming mistress of his imposing mansion on Amber Road. Not even Sebastian’s arrival from London with his new fiancée, Elizabeth Nightingale, can dampen her dreams... Then the war reaches Asia and ‘Fortress Singapore’ abruptly surrenders to the Japanese. As the inhabitants are deserted by Britain, Victoria is forced to protect both her family and her rival, Elizabeth, from the cruelty of the occupation. Victoria’s old life has vanished in a heartbeat - but nothing will stand in the way of her destiny. Not the war. Not Elizabeth. And certainly not Joe Spencer, the charismatic Australian who both charms and infuriates her at every turn...
A spellbinding new novel of contraband masterpieces, tragic love, and the unexpected legacies of forgotten crimes, Ayelet Waldman’s Love and Treasure weaves a tale around the fascinating, true history of the Hungarian Gold Train in the Second World War. In 1945 on the outskirts of Salzburg, victorious American soldiers capture a train filled with unspeakable riches: piles of fine gold watches; mountains of fur coats; crates filled with wedding rings, silver picture frames, family heirlooms, and Shabbat candlesticks passed down through generations. Jack Wiseman, a tough, smart New York Jew, is the lieutenant charged with guarding this treasure—a responsibility that grows more complicated when he meets Ilona, a fierce, beautiful Hungarian who has lost everything in the ravages of the Holocaust. Seventy years later, amid the shadowy world of art dealers who profit off the sins of previous generations, Jack gives a necklace to his granddaughter, Natalie Stein, and charges her with searching for an unknown woman—a woman whose portrait and fate come to haunt Natalie, a woman whose secret may help Natalie to understand the guilt her grandfather will take to his grave and to find a way out of the mess she has made of her own life. A story of brilliantly drawn characters—a suave and shady art historian, a delusive and infatuated Freudian, a family of singing circus dwarfs fallen into the clutches of Josef Mengele, and desperate lovers facing choices that will tear them apart—Love and Treasure is Ayelet Waldman’s finest novel to date: a sad, funny, richly detailed work that poses hard questions about the value of precious things in a time when life itself has no value, and about the slenderest of chains that can bind us to the griefs and passions of the past. This eBook edition includes a Reading Group Guide.
