Other books that might interest you

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  Life Sentences

  Billy O'Callaghan

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  The sweeping story of one Irish family’s fight for survival makes for an unforgettable tale of love, abandonment, hunger, and redemption. 
  At just sixteen, Nancy Martin leaves the small island of Cape Clear for the mainland, the only member of her family to survive the effects of the Great Famine. Finding work in a grand house on the edge of Cork City, she is irrepressibly drawn to the charismatic gardener Michael Egan, sparking a love affair and a devastating chain of events that continues to unfold over three generations. 
  Spanning more than a century, Billy O’Callaghan’s Life Sentences weaves together the journey of an Irish family determined against all odds to be free. In 1920, Nancy’s son Jer has lived through battles of his own as a soldier in the Great War. Now drunk in a jail cell, he struggles to piece together where he has come from, and who he wants to be. And in the early 1980s, Jer’s youngest child Nellie is nearing the end of her life in a council house just steps away from her childhood home; remembering the night when she and her family stole back something that was rightfully theirs, she imagines what lies ahead for those who will survive her. 
  This moving portrait of life in Ireland is set in the village where O’Callaghan’s family has lived for generations, and is partly based on stories told by his parents and grandparents. His writing is imbued with lived experience and hard-earned truths, creating a novel so rich in life and empathy it is impossible to let go of these characters. This ambitious and lyrical family saga confirms Billy O’Callaghan as one of the finest living Irish writers.

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  The Rhino Keeper

  Jillian Forsberg

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  Before The Porcelain Menagerie, Jillian Forsberg introduced listeners to a world of wonder, obsession, and fragile beauty in The Rhino Keeper—a 2025 Kansas Notable Book—brought vividly to life by narrator Caroline Hewitt. 
  Inspired by the true story of a Dutch sea captain who toured 18th-century Europe with an Indian rhinoceros named Clara, this richly layered novel moves between past and present. As Captain Douwemout van der Meer and Clara enchant Europe’s courts and crowds, admiration turns to danger, and devotion to sacrifice. Among those captivated is a young artist, Johann Joachim Kändler, whose porcelain masterpiece will echo through Forsberg’s companion novel, The Porcelain Menagerie. 
  With Hewitt’s evocative performance guiding the journey, The Rhino Keeper transports listeners across centuries—where art, ambition, and compassion collide. Continue the story in The Porcelain Menagerie, also from History Through Fiction.

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  The Adventures of Gerard

  Arthur Conan Doyle

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  The Adventures of Gerard is a lively and entertaining collection of stories that brings to life the daring exploits of one of literature's most charming and boastful heroes. Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, best known for his Sherlock Holmes tales, this work showcases a different side of his storytelling—filled with humor, action, and spirited adventure set during the Napoleonic Wars.
  
  At the center of the narrative is Brigadier Gerard, a French cavalry officer whose courage is matched only by his boundless confidence in his own abilities. A devoted soldier of Napoleon, Gerard views himself as the bravest and most skillful officer in the army—a belief that often leads him into a series of extraordinary and sometimes comical situations.
  
  Through a sequence of episodic adventures, Gerard recounts his experiences on and off the battlefield, from daring missions and narrow escapes to encounters with enemies, allies, and unexpected challenges. Whether infiltrating dangerous territory, delivering crucial messages, or navigating the complexities of military life, he approaches every situation with unwavering self-assurance and enthusiasm.
  
  What makes these stories particularly engaging is the contrast between Gerard's perception of himself and the reality of his circumstances. His heroic self-image is often undercut by humorous mishaps and misunderstandings, creating a delightful blend of action and comedy. Doyle's skillful use of irony allows readers to enjoy both the excitement of the adventures and the wit embedded in Gerard's storytelling.
  
  Set against the backdrop of early 19th-century Europe, the book offers glimpses into the atmosphere of military campaigns, the structure of army life, and the broader historical context of the Napoleonic era. However, the focus remains firmly on character and storytelling, making the historical setting accessible and engaging.
  
  Themes of bravery, honor, pride, and the nature of heroism run throughout the work. While Gerard is undeniably courageous, his exaggerated sense of self provides a playful commentary on the idea of what it truly means to be a hero.
  
  Filled with energy, humor, and memorable escapades, The Adventures of Gerard stands as a delightful departure from Conan Doyle's more serious works. It is a spirited celebration of adventure and personality, offering readers a timeless and thoroughly enjoyable journey alongside one of fiction's most endearing and unforgettable characters.

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  The Middle Sea

  Andrew Wareham

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  Captain Turnhouse RN—Bloody Nick—is still in the Mediterranean, nursing his experimental frigate and enjoying the mixed blessings of being favored by Old Jervie, a hard but just taskmaster. 
   
   
   
  The French are still reeling from the shock of the Battle of the Nile, the Ottoman Empire is hastening into decline, the Spanish are in their customary disarray, and the Barbary Rovers are enjoying a resurgence. The Mediterranean is in a state of chaos—ideal for a predatory young captain, even if at first in an unreliable ship. 
   
   
   
  Bloody Nick makes his somewhat erratic way from the coast off Barcelona to the Siege of Acre and the equally erratic Sidney Smith, touching the shores of Egypt and Malta en route before being brought up short off Venice. In process, he adds a little to his store of prize money and more to his reputation as a wild and often lucky captain. He also discovers there is such a thing as bad luck, that it is possible to take too many chances.

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  Taming The Rogue - BWWM...

  Sage Dearly

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  Can their hearts break free in a world where love is forbidden? 
  Zelena has spent her life fighting to survive in a world that wasn't built for women with dark skin like her. Running from a past filled with danger and deceit, she never expected to land in the arms of Lucien, one of the wealthiest plantation owners in the South. After a botched attempt to steal from him, she's forced into his home to pay off her debt. 
  Lucien is captivated by Zelena's strength, beauty, and defiance, but she is no ordinary maid. An undeniable attraction simmers beneath the surface as the two spar with words and wills. 
  She’s determined not to fall under his spell, but Lucien isn't a man who easily gives up what he wants. The more he tries to tame her, the more he realizes she’s the one changing him, and possibly saving his soul. 
  In a time when love between them is forbidden, Lucien and Zelena must navigate the turbulent waters of class, race, and society’s judgment. Will they risk everything for a chance at a love neither of them expected? 
  A closed-door romance filled with passion, forbidden love, and intense emotion that will sweep you off your feet and into a world where love transcends all boundaries.

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  3 Stories About Secret Societies...

  Robert W. Chambers, W F Harvey,...

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  There is something about the number 3.    
  The Ancient Greeks believed 3 was the perfect number, and in China 3 has always been a lucky number, and they know a thing or two.   
  Most religions also have 3 this and 3 that and, of course, in these more modern times, three’s a crowd may be too many, except when it’s a ménage à trois.  It seems good things usually come in threes. 
  Whatever history and culture says WE think 3, a hat-trick of stories, is a great number to explore themes and literary avenues that classic authors were so adept at creating. 
   
   
  01 - 3 Stories About Secret Societies 
  02 - The Repairer of Reputations Part 1 by Robert W Chambers 
  03 - The Repairer of Reputations Part 2 by Robert W Chambers 
  04 - The Dabblers by W F Harvey 
  05 - The Late Mrs Fowke by Amyas Northcote

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