Once upon a time, a wallflower collected moments of strangers' lives and given them new names - the names of Greek god*desses and heroes. In hopes to remember the souls they've met and those who shared the time with them for a little while. Those are a few stories showing different facets of life - of friendships, love, heartbreak and loss.
Headstrong American heiress Lillian Bowman has come to England to find an aristocratic husband. Unfortunately, no man is strong enough to tame the stubborn beauty's fierce will. Except, perhaps, the powerful and arrogant Earl of Westcliff—a man Lillian despises more than anyone she's ever met. Marcus, Lord Westcliff, is famous for his icy English reserve and his supreme self-control. But something about the audacious Lillian drives him mad. Whenever they're in the same room, they can't stop themselves from battling furiously to gain the upper hand. Then one afternoon, a stunningly sensuous encounter changes everything . . . and Lillian discovers that beneath the earl's reserved façade, he is the passionate and tender lover of her dreams. What neither Westcliff nor Lillian suspect, however, is that a sinister conspiracy threatens to destroy any chance of happiness. After a shocking betrayal endangers Lillian's safety—and possibly her life—will Marcus be able to save her before it's too late?
It's Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with the very proper Natalie Blandford. But when four former Wallflowers try their hands at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. Martin's Press.
From the New York Times bestselling author of Devil in Disguise, the first book in her beloved Wallflowers series. The Wallflowers: four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands . . . no matter what it takes. Proud and beautiful Annabelle Peyton could have her pick of suitors—if only she had a dowry. Her family is on the brink of disaster, and the only way Annabelle can save them is to marry a wealthy man. Unfortunately her most persistent admirer is the brash Simon Hunt, a handsome and ambitious entrepreneur who wants her as his mistress. Annabelle is determined to resist Simon's wicked propositions, but she can't deny her attraction to the boldly seductive rogue, any more than he can resist the challenge she presents. As they try to outmaneuver each other, they find themselves surrendering to a love more powerful than they could have ever imagined. But fate may have other plans—and it will take all of Annabelle's courage to face a peril that could destroy everything she holds dear.
In the heartwarming tale of "Beneath New Skies," Amina, a young immigrant in search of belonging and purpose, finds solace within the pages of books and the vibrant walls of Mr. Van der Veen's bookstore. Little did she know that within this sanctuary, a door was about to opena door that would lead her on a transformative journey of self-discovery, friendship, and the realization that even as an immigrant wallflower, she possessed the power to bloom. As Amina's story unfolds, "Beneath New Skies" becomes an everlasting reminder that the journey itself is as extraordinary as the destination, and that the indomitable spirit of those who seek a better future can illuminate the world with resilience, hope, and the beauty of shared experiences. You are invited to embark on a poignant and transformative journey, weaving together themes of love, friendship, and the power of embracing change.
In most bookstores you'll find innumerable books about communication, the power of language, manipulation through words. Yes, words can easily blind. But what happens when we realize, that words are no more than empty vessels? That they lack inherent depth and meaning? What does the limit of language mean for a relationship of two people? One of them full of thoughts and feelings, unable to convey them. The other one so vacant inside, and yet so rich with clever words. Language can make thoughts visible, audible. Language can be so meaningful, and still so meaningless. "It takes sonnets and poems to turn strangers into lovers. It takes a single word to turn lovers into strangers."
From the acclaimed bestselling author of Must Love Dogs comes a winning and witty new novel about a woman who emerges from the shadow of her overbearing family and finds herself “dancing with the stars.” Deirdre Griffin has a great life; it’s just not her own. She’s the around-the-clock personal assistant to her charismatic, high-maintenance, New Age guru brother, Tag. As the family wallflower, her only worth seems to be as gatekeeper to Tag at his New England seaside compound. Then Deirdre’s sometime boyfriend informs her that he is marrying another woman, who just happens to be having the baby he told Deirdre he never wanted. While drowning her sorrows in Tag’s expensive vodka, Deirdre decides to use his massive online following to get herself voted on as a last-minute Dancing with the Stars replacement. It’ll get her back in shape, mentally and physically. It might even get her a life of her own. Deirdre’s fifteen minutes of fame have begun. Irresistible and offbeat, Wallflower in Bloom is an original and deeply satisfying story of having the courage to take a leap into the spotlight, no matter where you land.
2004, Shanghai. A 12-year-old girl sees her new classmate, Wolfgang, and all of a sudden she understands what love means. Padma was always a wallflower in a world full of loud people. She didn't think loving Wolfie ever be anything more than a secret. But two years later when Wolfie was to leave China forever, Padma is devastated. She's used to saying goodbye, but saying it to Wolfie? The words can't leave her mouth. Then came an email; the flutter of a butterfly's wings in 2006 become the profound event that would forever transform Wolfie and Padma years later. Call it fate, call it destiny, call it whatever you want. The word does not matter. All I know is it happened, and the tale is as extraordinary as the circumstances. What you will read is all true. Names have been changed but the story is completely intact. Take a journey with Wolfie and Padma as they navigate from adolescence into adulthood, and as they are unknowingly pulled together by the Red Thread of Fate.
"And just like the story of our being, what we tell is only a fraction of the forever, so the beginning really is no start, and the ending will never determine the point where all is told." Yeah, so, this is Marigold. Amidst endless "well-kept" secrets, bottled up feelings and (un-)expected truth bombs, she has always tried finding her place of belonging growing up as her mothers' daughter, wavering between blooming into someone wiser and staying true to herself in the process. And even though she knows that she doesn't really get to choose, Marigold is not so sure whether she is up for the ride that is ahead and the road that's now behind. Are you?
