Other books that might interest you

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  A Surgeon and a Spy

  Alina Rubin

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  "Unfortunately for you, you can't imprison my mind." 
   
   
   
  On the turbulent seas of the Napoleonic Wars, Ella Parker dedicates herself to healing the sick and wounded, resolutely dismissing the idea of romantic entanglements. Her commitment is tested when her childhood friend, Jamie Flowers, is captured by the enemy and imprisoned in a French fortress, along with other sailors for whom she deeply cares for. 
   
   
   
  When Ella is presented with a chance to travel to the prison, her mission is twofold: to care for her friends and to complete a covert assignment. As she embarks on this perilous task, she must navigate treacherous alliances, fend off bandits, and outwit a cunning prison commander. 
   
   
   
  As Ella's journey unfolds, she uncovers a sinister secret. But is she too late? Despite Ella's burgeoning affections for Jamie, she's unaware of his possible heart condition that may cut his life short. With time running out, Ella must confront her deepest fears. 
   
   
   
  Can Ella prevent a tragedy and save her friends?

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  A Witch's Den - A look into the...

  Helena Blavatsky

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  Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, often known as Madame Blavatsky, was born on 12th August 1831 into an aristocratic family in present day Dnipro in Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire.  She was the younger sister of the writer Vera Zhelikhovsky. 
   
  Much of Blavatsky’s life story relies on her own memories which changed much during her lifetime and therefore parts of it are unreliable.  What appears to be certain is that much of her life was lived first on family travels and postings and then on her journeys in an effort to further her own self-education and quest for knowledge. 
   
  As a teenager she developed an interest in Western esotericism and from there she claimed many travels including a trip to India where she encountered a group of spiritual adepts, the ‘Masters of the Ancient Wisdom’, who sent her to Shigatse, Tibet, where they trained her to develop a deeper understanding of the synthesis of religion, philosophy, and science.  
   
  By the early 1870s, Blavatsky was involved in the Spiritualist movement, which was then popular both in Britain and abroad, even though she argued against its main tenet that those ‘contacted’ were the spirits of the dead.  
   
  She moved to the United States in 1873 and became close to the journalist Henry Steel Olcott who helped her gain public attention as a spirit medium and then also became an adherent to her principles.   
   
  In 1875 in New York City she co-founded the Theosophical Society and two years later published ‘Isis Unveiled’, a book outlining her Theosophical world-view from its ancient roots to the modern day.  Her work was even more popular in Asia than elsewhere and is said to have influenced both Ghandi and Nehru amongst many others.  
   
  In 1880, she and Olcott moved to India, where the Society was allied to a Hindu reform movement.  That same year she converted to Buddhism.  However, she was often plagued with accusations of fraudulent paranormal phenomena.  
   
  With her health failing she returned to London and published ‘The Secret Doctrine’, her commentary on claimed ancient Tibetan manuscripts, and other books.  
   
  Helena Blavatsky died in London of influenza during the global pandemic on 8th May 1891.  She was 59.

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  Getting Vetted

  Tanya MacFarlane

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  New Zealand vet Samantha accepts a job in small town Southland after graduation. She wants to be thrown in the deep end and experience all life has to offer before heading overseas. Could life be any better? She has her career, her friends and her fiancé. His only vice is the drinking. And the annoying best mate always along for the ride. 
  Samantha travels with friends through South East Asia before setting up to work in the UK. With the arrival of foot and mouth disease, the collapse of the twin towers, and a floundering relationship, life feels very uncertain. 
  One reckless night kicks off a series of events that throw her out of her comfort zone. Grappling with her values and beliefs, she sets off on a journey of self-discovery. As America hunts for Saddam Hussein, she travels through the Middle East and discovers what really matters. 
  Getting Vetted is about relationships, spirituality and travel. Sometimes to grow up you need to let go of deeply-held beliefs and let go of childhood attachments to find your authentic self.

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  The Heartbreaker

  Rexanne Becnel

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  A rake seeks to mend his ways, but his new governess could quickly unravel that plan, in this Regency romance by the bestselling author of The Bridemaker. After returning home from adventures in the Orient, James Lindford, Viscount Farley, causes quite a stir in London society. The viscount’s womanizing past has caught up with him, and he decides he must take his illegitimate children into his household to raise. Doing the right thing, unfortunately, costs him both his fiancée and his political aspirations. With the gossip hounds soon on the prowl, he escapes to the calm of his country estate. But between his rowdy children and the beautiful woman next door, James is not about to get any peace. Phoebe Churchill’s quiet life of raising her niece and tending to her cottage is quickly upended upon the arrival of her new neighbor. When she discovers his daughter is stealing from her, James entreats her to be the children’s governess. It is a job Phoebe accepts with great caution. Though she yearns for the viscount’s kiss, she cannot ignore her mother’s warning—that all men are lustful creatures not to be trusted . . . Perfect for fans of the Bridgerton series!Praise for the Matchmaker Series “[A] sensual roller coaster of a book.” —Booklist on The Heartbreaker “Becnel gives us true insight into the human spirit and does not stint on creating the ideal atmosphere and recreating the era to near perfection.” —RT Book Reviews on The Matchmaker “Sparkling romance . . . Playful in tone and rich in character, this book is fun, breezy entertainment.” —Publishers Weekly on The Bridemaker

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  The Milliner of Bendigo

  Darry Fraser

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  Trouble with the law, a missing sister, and a growing attachment to the wrong man - Evie Emerson has a dangerous path ahead of her... From a bestselling Australian author comes an exciting and twisty historical mystery and adventure. 
   
  1898: Bendigo, Victoria 
   
  Evie Emerson has worked hard to build a fashionable clientele for her hats. But when an ex-paramour employs underhanded tactics after his attempt to coerce an engagement fails, Evie's reputation is in tatters. On the heels of having to put a case together to defend herself in court, Evie's life is thrown into further turmoil when the disappearance of her sister takes her to Cobram. 
   
  Roving reporter Fitzmorgan O'Shea has troubles of his own: his involvement in uncovering police corruption has placed a target on his back. And while hunting a new story in Cobram his problems collide with Evie's when his research exposes malicious intimidation and threats designed to make local landholders give up their properties. 
   
  For Raffety Dolan, he accepted long ago it's Fitz Evie loves - and his feelings will remain unrequited. But when a disgraced ex-policeman comes searching for revenge, he's ready to go save his friends. 
   
  There, on the banks of the mighty Murray, with so much misunderstood history and secrets between the three friends - plus the legitimate threat of being shot at - will they survive long enough to discover the truth? 
   
  'A fabulous storyteller who underlies this compelling plot with strong female characters who challenge the status quo ... an authentic, seamless and riveting tale.' Better Reading

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  The Bereaved - A Novel

  Julia Park Tracey

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  Based on her research into her grandfather's past as an adopted child, Julia Park Tracey has created a mesmerizing work of historical fiction illuminating the darkest side of the Orphan Train. 
   
   
   
  In 1859, women have few rights, even to their own children. When her husband dies and her children become wards of a predator, Martha—bereaved and scared—flees their beloved country home taking the children with her to the squalor of New York City. But as a naïve woman alone, preyed on by male employers, she soon finds herself nearly destitute. The Home for the Friendless offers free food, clothing, and schooling to New York's street kids and Martha secures a place temporarily for her children there. When she returns for them, she discovers that the Society has indentured her two eldest out to work via the Orphan Train, and has placed her two youngest for adoption. The Society refusing to help and with the Civil War erupting around her, Martha sets out to reclaim each of them.

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