Editora: Bu Classics Books
The youngest daughter of a large family comes of age as the shadow of the Great War falls over her peaceful home, forcing her to find courage she never knew she possessed. As her brothers go off to fight, she transforms from a carefree girl into a resilient woman facing global tragedy.
2025 Michigan Notable Book "Bartels perfectly meshes the stories of two women, both artists, living half a world and nearly a century-and-a-half apart. Bartels' settings and historical details are unusual and compelling; the dual time lines work perfectly, and this well-researched historical tale has the pacing of a thriller."--Booklist starred review *** Esther Markstrom and her artist mother have always been proud of their ancestor, painter Francisco Vella. They even run a small museum and gallery dedicated to raising awareness of his scandalously underappreciated work. But when Esther reconnects with her former art history professor, she finds her once-solid family history on shaky ground as questions arise about Vella's greatest work--a portrait entitled The Lady with the Dark Hair. In 1879, Catalan orphan-turned-fugitive Viviana Torrens has found sanctuary serving in the home of an aging artist in Southern France. It is in his studio that she meets Francisco Vella, a Gibraltarian merchant who sells artists' pigments. When her past catches up to her, she is compellefd to pose as Vella's sister and join him on his travels or be deported back to Spain to stand trial. Along the way she will discover that the many parts she has been playing in order to hide her identity have far-reaching implications she never could have foreseen. This dual-timeline story from award-winning author Erin Bartels takes readers from the sleepy Midwest to the sultry Mediterranean on a relentless search for truth, identity, and the freedom to follow one's dreams. *** "In the alluring novel The Lady with the Dark Hair, questions about a portrait's origins inspire a search for personal meaning."--Foreword Reviews "A fascinating time-split written by an author who consistently writes unique stories with layers upon layers of starts and stops, her characters merging and diverging upon the page, much like the brushstrokes on the incredible portrait."--Interviews & Reviews "I was thoroughly captivated by this story. . . .Bartels' writing is impeccable, her characters are full of life, and her mastery of both timelines is seamless."--Reading Is My Superpower "Carefully crafted with lots of historical detail, elegant language, and interesting twists. . . . The book educates readers about the art world while absorbing them in a great story."--The Historical Novels Review "Bartels' latest addition to her excellent novels for adults . . . adeptly gives voice to the longing women in different historical periods have felt to know themselves, to express themselves through creative pursuits, and to find fulfillment by choosing their own paths."--The BannerVer livro
In a bloody, brutal raid, Abbot Blathmac is slain on the steps of his monastery for refusing to give away the location of the sacred relics of St Columba, the missionary who first brought Christianity to Scotland. Following a night of rampage and mayhem, one Viking wakes up the next morning to find himself alone, hungover, and abandoned by his crew mates. He can't swim, there are no boats, and the only surviving monk on the island has taken his sword. With only his wits, he must survive long enough not only to rejoin his Viking comrades, but also to find the location of the elusive relics that brought him here in the first place. Rooted in the real history of Iona and its early monks, Columba's Bones is an utterly unique and thrilling book, exploring the clash of early Christianity and paganism, and expanding into a sharp, witty meditation on philosophy, redemption, shame, violence, love, transcendence, and reality.Ver livro
NOMINATED FOR THE 2025 DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 CAROL SHIELDS PRIZE FOR FICTIONFEATURED ON LITHUBCBC BOOKS:2024 SPRING FICTION PREVIEW Dickinson after her death: a novel of the trio of women who brought Emily Dickinson’s poems out of the shadows When she died, Emily Dickinson left behind hundreds of texts scribbled on scraps of paper. She also left behind three formidable women: her steadfast sister, Lavinia; her brother’s ambitious mistress, Mabel Loomis Todd; and his grief-stricken wife, Susan Gilbert Dickinson. With no clear instructions from Emily, these three women would, through mourning and strife, make from those scraps of paper a book that would change American literature. From the author of Paper Houses, this is the improbable, almost miraculous, story of the birth of a book years after the death of its author. In these sensitive and luminous pages, Dominique Fortier explores, through Dickinson’s poetry, the mysterious power that books have over our lives, and the fragile and necessary character of literature.Ver livro
This content is an independent and unofficial summary created for informational and educational purposes only. It is not affiliated with, authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by the original author or publisher. All rights to the original work belong to its respective copyright holders. This summary is not intended to substitute the original book, but to offer a concise overview and interpretation of its main ideas. Act of Oblivion is a sweeping historical thriller set in the turbulent aftermath of the English Civil War. It follows the gripping manhunt for Edward Whalley and William Goffe, two of the most wanted men in the British Empire—regicides who signed the death warrant of King Charles I and vanished into the New World to escape retribution. Their pursuer is Richard Nayler, a tireless agent of the Crown obsessed with justice—or perhaps vengeance. As Whalley and Goffe live as fugitives across the raw, unforgiving landscape of 17th-century America, Nayler’s pursuit becomes a shadow war of secrecy, loyalty, and relentless determination. This is not just a chase through history—it’s a profound exploration of conviction, sacrifice, and the long reach of power. Told with masterful pacing and emotional depth, Act of Oblivion invites listeners to confront the question: when you’ve risked everything for your beliefs, what happens when the world moves on without you? Perfect for fans of historical fiction, political intrigue, and stories of unshakable purpose.Ver livro
Margaret is her brothers' dependent. With her sister-in-law expecting another child and her younger brother soon to marry, Margaret will lose her home. When her former suitor offers her work as a governess, she accepts, despite misgivings. Unable to marry his first love, Alasdair abandoned his home for a disappointing military career. When his dying brother begs him to return, he agrees. He must protect his brother, the children, and the estate from his brother's wife and her greedy family. While on his brother's business, Alasdair meets his old sweetheart. Can love flare up again despite family chaos and fifteen years' separation? BY SWORD AND FAN won first prize in the Historical division of the Central Region Oklahoma Writers National Excellence in Story Telling contest for 2024.Ver livro
England, 1944. As I look around the childhood room I used to share with my twin brother, Ed, I realize just how much the war has taken from us already. Ed was never the same after he helped our father in the Dunkirk rescue. Clutching his call-up letter in my hands, I know that Ed has fled, leaving behind his family and all he has ever known. But I know that if Ed fails to accept his call-up then he will be found and imprisoned. I’m his sister, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect him. As I step into his overcoat and study myself in the mirror, I realize there might just be a way to save him, if only I can find the courage to do it. Arriving at the call up, I’m told that I’m to become a Bevin boy, one of the many men called to work in the mines and power the country through the war. I hesitate, unsure if I can really take on such difficult work whilst my friends become land girls and nurses. But my brother and my country need me, and in that moment, I vow to do whatever it takes. As I adapt to my new life, I meet a young man named Peter, and as we grow closer, I realize that I am slowly losing my heart to him. But I know the risks if the secret of who I really am is ever revealed. How much am I prepared to sacrifice for the ones I love the most? Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale, and Rhys Bowen, this completely gripping and heartbreaking story of love, courage, and a sister’s sacrifice shines a light on the forgotten heroes of World War Two.Ver livro
