“The Curse of Emerald Green” is a unique and intriguing romantic mystery set in Victorian Era England. The story enfolds as the heroine, penniless Catherine Culpepper, nearly 18, upon the tragic deaths of her parents, begins her journey at the doorstep of Pepperwood, the ancient ancestral manor of her uncle. Catherine settles in, and with her cousin Amelia of the same age, prepares for the round of summer balls in London’s exclusive High Society. But Amelia dies under suspect circumstances and Catherine takes a stab at the role of amateur detective. She is perplexed as to who would wish to “murder” the stunning and accomplished Amelia. Could it be possible that one of the family, household members, or feasibly a jealous suitor, might very well be the one? Catherine was dead set on finding the answer. Sleuthing in tandem with the police inspector, Catherine develops into a tenacious and clever young woman seeking a killer. But life becomes dangerous for her as she unearths the many secrets deep in the recesses of Pepperwood. As she comes closer to solving the mystery, Catherine becomes a target herself and her life is in deadly peril. Surely, the colorful characters, tangled twists and turns, the enigmas surrounding the ancient manor, along with a captivating romance, will be a fun read for those who enjoy cozy romantic mysteries.
Frank and Joe must take the shine off a jewel thief who sends ominous riddles in this Hardy Boys adventure. First a priceless painting disappears from the museum; then two ancient samurai swords vanish from a private collection. A string of robberies has hit Bayport, and all signs point to “the Phantom,” a recently released ex-con who last struck more than twenty years ago. There’s only one problem: the Phantom has vanished into thin air, and not even Frank and Joe Hardy can track him down. Then the boys begin receiving threatening notes in the mail, each one containing a strange riddle. And it looks like the Phantom’s next target could be the valuable Emerald of Astara, the 2,500-year-old crown jewel of the Bayport Historical Museum. Can the Hardys crack the Phantom’s code before he strikes again?
Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is. She's only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she's just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along. Emerald Green is the stunning conclusion to Kerstin Gier's Ruby Red Trilogy, picking up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate.
That forest is made of a dark and mysterious past that has not been awakened for some years. We do not dare to wake it again. Evil has instilled fear in the people of Heddlestoke. Emerging from the forest, it captures people from the village and takes them away, never to be seen again. Eight years ago, it took Crystal and Jontys parents, leaving them in the care of their grandmother, and it has been dormant ever sinceuntil now. Jonty and Crystal are forced to face the mysterious forest, only to discover they hold the key to destroying the evil that has poisoned their lands. When they find a secret book that can assist them on their quest, the evil that hunts them becomes determined to stop the two children and their new friends, including the mysterious Treeman, whose secret past endangers Jonty and Crystal and their chances of being reunited with their family.
To sum it up: The amazing story of Prince Oliver, also known as the "Frog Prince," and his beloved Princess Amelia took place in the beautiful green Enchanted Forest. The interesting story began when a wicked witch cast a spell on Prince Oliver that turned him into a frog and told him he had to live as one until he found true love. He wanted a friend who could see through his green, slimy skin to the prince he really was, even though he looked different now. He went to the pond often to try to break the curse that held him back. For some reason, Princess Amelia went into the forest one sad day to pick wildflowers for her sick mother. She found Prince Oliver by the pond, and her kind heart saw how beautiful he was. She brought him home with her to try to keep her mom company. As the days turned into weeks, Prince Oliver and Princess Amelia became close friends who cared about each other a lot. As their relationship grew, Prince Oliver told Amelia about his curse. He promised Amelia that he would always be there for him and help him break the spell. As they went on their journey, they went deeper into the Enchanted Woods and met friendly woodland spirits, talking animals, and an old hermit who showed them how to break the curse. In order to do this, they had to give everything they had—a sacrifice that could only come from the heart—without expecting anything in return. At first, they were on a quest to help others, taking care of hurt animals, comforting the old, and bringing happiness to the forest. Prince Oliver suddenly turned back into a beautiful prince, showing how sincere and selfless their love was. The hermit tree told them what to do on their trip and said they would be successful. The famous love story of Prince Oliver and Princess Amelia in the Enchanted Forest showed how strong real love, friendship, and the beauty of the human heart can be. Their kindness and knowledge as leaders of their country had effects that went far beyond the Enchanted Forest. Their love story lived on and made many people believe in the healing power of love and giving without expecting anything in return. The pond next to the forest was where their trip began, and it stayed a place of love, laughter, and endless happiness. Frog families got together to talk about the good things about real love and the lessons they had learned along the way. The story of Prince Oliver and Princess Amelia's love story was always a source of hope, showing that real love could win over all problems and that miracles could happen in the middle of the Enchanted Forest. This is how the story starts: A long time ago, there was a friendly frog named Prince Oliver who lived in a lush, green forest. His home woods were like a picture of magic. The trees were so tall they seemed to reach the sky, and the soft wind blew the green leaves around. In the middle of the woods was a pond that looked like it was alive and as clear as glass. Even though he was in a beautiful place, Prince Oliver's story was anything but normal. Someone bad had cursed Prince Oliver to stay a frog until he found true love. He used to be a beautiful prince. A long time ago, Prince Oliver was a charming young man who was liked by everyone in the country because he was brave, kind, and looks so good. His eyes sparkled like gems and his smile could melt hearts. He lit up any room he walked into. As the prince walked around the palace grounds one fateful evening, he came across a mysterious woman. Her dark hair fell down her back, and her eyes showed things that no one could understand. She was a witch who had been watching Prince Oliver from afar because she liked how he looked and how he behaved. The sorceress went up to the prince with a fake sense of respect. She was actually jealous and mean. She purred, "You are a sight to behold, Prince Oliver, and I wish to offer you a gift as a token of my admiration." The prince, who was always kind and innocent, took her up on her offer. He didn't know that the witch was after bad things. The beautiful prince turned into a little green frog when she cast her spell with a sneaky glint in her eye. She laughed as she faded into the darkness and said, "You will stay in this form until someone really loves you for who you are." Oliver Prince had tears in his eyes. He was left alone by the pond in the lovely forest, and now his royal life is just croaks and hops. The curse was like a thick fog over him, and he had no idea when or how it would go away. Even though he had changed, he was still kind and gentle, and he hoped that someone would recognize him as the prince he used to be. To break the curse and come back as a prince, he hopped around the pond every day. In the forest, the prince met many frogs and other animals. They were all nice and inviting, but he felt like he was meant for more. He wished he had a real friend who could see the prince in him, even though his skin was green and slimy.
Gwen's life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she's been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean. At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he's very warm indeed; the next he's freezing cold. Gwen's not sure what's going on there, but she's pretty much destined to find out.
The Botanic Hill Detectives decipher a 70-year-old puzzle poem to find secret passages and an enormous cursed emerald at the de Corboda family's spooky estate in Southern California.
Upon arriving home from work one day, Professor Yish Kabibble receives a rather mysterious letter, requesting he attend an appointment in Kookaburra Woods the following day at ten o'clock. Despite the puzzling nature of the note, the professor can't help but show up, wondering who on earth would send him a "royal" invitation. Soon, Professor Kabibble finds himself the unwilling recruit of an ancient army sergeant—a representative of the underworld society known as the Scruttles. The Scruttles have fallen under a curse that threatens the survival of their secret race, and the professor is their only hope. To save them, however, Yish will risk more than just his scientific reputation ... In the subterranean world of the Scruttles, Professor Yish Kabibble must face a host of strange underworld creatures and life-threatening hazards to lift the curse. Only he can deliver their world into harmony and its former glory. Only he can bring the Scruttles back from annihilation. But will he fulfill his destiny, or will he too be swallowed by the curse of the Scruttles?
Gerald, Sam and Ruby fly to India in Gerald's private jet for a holiday at the home of Alisha Gupta, looking forward to getting away from the exhausting business of stolen gems, bejewelled caskets, thieves and bumbling police officers. But their holiday soon turns to a desperate quest to outwit a deadly cult; it's now a fast-paced race to beat Mason Green to the Emerald Casket. Full of suspense, humour and twists and turns, The Emerald Casket is an exciting instalment in Richard Newsome's award-winning mystery trilogy.
Is the "Holy Pail" cursed? Every owner of the vintage Chappy Wheeler lunchbox—a prototype based on the 1940s TV western—has died. And now Sterling Price, business tycoon and a client of Odelia Grey's law firm, has been fatally poisoned. Is it a coincidence that Price's one-of-a-kind lunch pail—worth over thirty grand—has disappeared at the same time? Treading cautiously since a recent run-in with a bullet, Odelia takes small bites of this juicy, calorie-free mystery—and is soon ravenous for more! Her research reveals a sixty-year-old unsolved murder and Price's gold-digging ex-fiancée with two married men wrapped around her breasts...uh, finger. Mix in a surprise marriage proposal that sends an uncertain Odelia into chocolate sedation, and you've got an unruly recipe for delicious disaster. Praise: "I'd like to spend more time with Sue Ann Jaffarian's Odelia."—The New York Times "Plus-size paralegal Odelia Grey gets more than she bargained for when she accepts an unusual gift from a favorite client...Jaffarian plays the formula with finesse, keeping love problems firmly in the background while giving her heroine room to use her ample wit and grit."—Kirkus Reviews "Jaffarian offers the perfectly flawed alternative for readers sick and tired of picture-perfect characters." —Booklist "Odelia Grey is a keeper."—Library Journal "Jaffarian's writing is sharp and sassy—like her protagonist—and she knows how to keep the suspense high."—Mystery Scene "I have enjoyed both books in the series. Odelia is a resourceful woman, and I didn't chafe at her amateur sleuthing. The book has an inspired cookie recipe."—Deadly Pleasures "Even better than her first...a major hoot!"—Thomas B. Sawyer, bestselling author of TheSixteenth Man, former head writer/producer of Murder, She Wrote "Odelia Gray is a wonderful addition to the mystery genre, a smart, funny, engaging plus-size heroine who takes readers on a plus-size ride. You root for her, laugh with her and cheer at her ultimate triumph. If I were in trouble, I'd want Odelia on my side."—Denise Hamilton, Edgar and Willa Cather Award-finalist and national bestselling author of Prisoner of Memory "More fun than a lunch pail full of plump paralegals, The Curse of the Holy Pail is a tale as bouncy as its bodacious protagonist."—Bill Fitzhugh, author of Highway 61 and Resurfaced "With a legendary curse, a possibly murderous little person, ruthless heirs, [and] charismatic thugs... a lively caper that will keep you guessing right till the end."—Kris Neri, award-winning author of the Tracy Eaton mysteries "A funny read, with off the wall characters, a twisty plot and not a surplus calorie to be had. Recommended."—Bookbitch.com "Well written and nicely paced, this is a good beach or airplane read."—Cycling.Finial.com "Big women of the world, hang on to your hats, you're going to love Sue Ann Jaffarian's plus-sized Odelia Grey, amateur sleuth. This is funny, sexy, romantic, you name it, all wrapped up in one great mystery."—Cozylibrary.com
