Publisher: Classica Libris
The remarkable inner history of Gérald de Lanoy, the hero of one of the most extraordinary adventures of the time, one which recalled in the middle of the prosaic nineteenth century the romance of a bygone age.
London, 1991: Alex Johns, trainee art intern at the Courtauld, believes a hidden secret lies within Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas – one of the most written about paintings of all time. Her own mother died in mysterious circumstances while trying to uncover its secrets and Alex is troubled by memories of her own encounter as a child with the girl in the painting – the Infanta Margarita – who continues to haunt her. Alex must take up her mother’s work and find evidence to uncover the truths within the canvas. A treacherous trail through the art world, the church and 17th century Spanish Court via mysterious drawings, letters and cryptic notes has Alex trying to piece together what happened in King Philip’s court... But powerful players will do anything to stop these truths coming to light. Madrid, 1656: The Infanta Margarita senses that those around her believe the royal household is cursed. She wonders why her father, the King, is a pale shadow of himself and why the Queen is distressed; what threatens the royal offspring? She struggles to fight for her own destiny as the forces around her seek to marry her off and send her from the home she loves. In the tradition of Tracy Chevalier’s Girl With a Pearl Earring and A.S. Byatt’s Possession, Andrea Hotere’s The Vanishing Point slowly reveals the secrets in the painting that have been closely guarded for centuries. But will Alex live to share them with the art world or is she, too, cursed?Show book
A RAW LAND DRENCHED IN BLOOD, PASSION, AND DREAMS...The third book in the dramatic and intriguing story about the colonisation of Australia: a country built on blood, passion, and dreams.England sends convicts to Australia, but among them, there are hard-working men and women who wish to create a new life for themselves. The same desire is shared by those who are free — but it will be a gruelling fight for survival.And the strong, young, and stubborn Jenny Taggart does not give up ...Rebels and outcasts, they fled halfway across the earth to settle the harsh Australian wastelands. Decades later — ennobled by love and strengthened by tragedy — they had transformed a wilderness into a fertile land. And themselves into The Australians.Show book
The twenty-first book in the dramatic and intriguing story about the colonisation of Australia: a country made of blood, passion, and dreams. The fires of nationalism are being kindled across the continent – especially in the hearts of the young. The children of The Seafarers and The Mariners are growing up in a young country only just coming to nationhood. Some cry for unity while others raise the spectre of race hatred and violence. It is hard to see how these young Australians could ever realise their dream of one free and mighty land.Show book
Bound by duty; saved by love. When tragedy leaves Fitzwilliam Darcy clinging to life, Elizabeth Bennet sacrifices her dreams to repay the debt owed to her family's damaged savior. But can her compassion penetrate his bitter heart and spark hope again? Beneath Darcy’s aloof bitterness smoulders a broken, vulnerable man stripped of his mobility and purpose. While Elizabeth grapples with this unexpected fate—a marriage of convenience that is proving to be decidedly inconvenient—they discover that they might just be more alike than they are different. As mutual dependence awakens a deep, trusting affection between two defiant hearts, can their blossoming care withstand not only Darcy’s demons, but pressure from a society still expecting them to produce an heir? What fates decree as a marriage of cold duty has the power to transform two contrary souls and lead them to discover the truest liberation—of laughter and joy; partnership and understanding. And above all, the freedom found when true minds and hearts decide to throw off their armour for one another.Show book
This is a concise summary and analysis of Twelve Years a Slave, by Solomon Northup. It is not the original book and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Solomon Northup. Ideal those seeking a quick and insightful overview. Twelve Years a Slave is a powerful, harrowing account of one man’s struggle for freedom in the face of unimaginable adversity. The author’s journey through slavery, from the initial shock of being enslaved to his eventual freedom, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of never losing hope. Through vivid storytelling, the author brings to life the brutal realities of slavery and challenges readers to confront the deep injustices that existed within this system. For listeners interested in personal development, the book offers invaluable lessons in resilience, hope, and the importance of maintaining a sense of purpose, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The author’s unwavering desire for freedom and his ability to survive despite physical and emotional abuse provide powerful inspiration for anyone striving to overcome their own obstacles. The book also serves as a call to action, urging listeners to reflect on the importance of standing up against injustice, wherever it may occur.Show book
Ethel Lina White was born on the 2nd April 1876 in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, in Wales. Her family were wealthy due to her father’s invention of a waterproofing material used, initially, for the London Underground. Ethel started writing when she was only a child and published essays and poems in children’s papers. She was also a talented artist. As an adult she began to write short stories and, some years later, she started writing novels. At the time she was working for the Ministry of Pensions in London but resigned in order to accept an advance of ten pounds and begin a career as a novelist. It was this determination that helped her become one of the best-known crime writers in the English-speaking world during the 1930’s and 40’s. Perhaps her best-known books are the ‘The Lady Vanishes’ and ‘The Spiral Staircase’ both of which were originally entitled differently but were republished with new names after being filmed. Whilst today she lacks attention, in her day she was as popular and as highly regarded as Agatha Christie. Ethel Lina White died in London on the 13th of August 1944 of ovarian cancer. She was 68. In her will she made a bizarre condition in order for her sister to receive her estate of £5737. It read: "I give and bequeath unto Annis Dora White all that I possess on condition she pays a qualified surgeon to plunge a knife into my heart after death." In life she had a fear of being buried alive.Show book
