A delightful adveture full of humor and heart set in Elizabethan England!Widge is an orphan with a rare talent for shorthand. His fearsome master has just one demand: steal Shakespeare's play "Hamlet" - or else. Widge has no choice but to follow orders, so he works his way into the heart of the Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare's players perform. As full of twists and turns as a London alleyway, this entertaining novel is rich in period details, colorful characters, villainy, and drama."A fast-moving historical novel that introduces an important era with casual familiarity." - School Library Journal, starred review"[Listeners] will find much to like in Widge, and plenty to enjoy in this gleeful romp through olde England" - Kirkus Reviews"Excels in the lively depictions of Elizabethan stagecraft and street life." - Publishers WeeklyAn ALA Notable Book Read more

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale is an 1851 novel by American writer Herman Melville. The book is the sailor Ishmael's narrative of the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that on the ship's previous voyage bit off Ahab's leg at the knee. A contribution to the literature of the American Renaissance, Moby-Dick was published to mixed reviews, was a commercial failure, and was out of print at the time of the author's death in 1891. Its reputation as a "Great American Novel" was established only in the 20th century, after the 1919 centennial of its author's birth. William Faulkner said he wished he had written the book himself, and D. H. Lawrence called it "one of the strangest and most wonderful books in the world" and "the greatest book of the sea ever written". Its opening sentence, "Call me Ishmael", is among world literature's most famous.Melville began writing Moby-Dick in February 1850 and finished 18 months later, a year after he had anticipated. Melville drew on his experience as a common sailor from 1841 to 1844, including on whalers, and on wide reading in whaling literature. The white whale is modeled on a notoriously hard-to-catch albino whale Mocha Dick, and the book's ending is based on the sinking of the whaleship Essex in 1820. The detailed and realistic descriptions of whale hunting and of extracting whale oil, as well as life aboard ship among a culturally diverse crew, are mixed with exploration of class and social status, good and evil, and the existence of God. The book's literary influences include Shakespeare, Carlyle and the Bible. In addition to narrative prose, Melville uses styles and literary devices ranging from songs, poetry, and catalogs to Shakespearean stage directions, soliloquies, and asides. In August 1850, with the manuscript perhaps half finished, he met Nathaniel Hawthorne and was deeply impressed by his Mosses from an Old Manse, which he compared to Shakespeare in its cosmic ambitions. This encounter may have inspired him to revise and deepen Moby-Dick, which is dedicated to Hawthorne, "in token of my admiration for his genius". Read more

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"Moby Dick" by Herman Melville is a literary masterpiece that follows the obsessive quest of Captain Ahab to hunt down the great white whale, Moby Dick. Set in the 19th century, the novel explores themes of obsession, revenge, and the human struggle against nature. Through vivid descriptions, philosophical musings, and rich symbolism, Melville crafts a profound exploration of the human condition and the depths of the sea.At its core, "Moby Dick" is a gripping tale of adventure and the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition. Ahab's relentless pursuit of the elusive Moby Dick consumes him and his crew, leading to madness, tragedy, and the ultimate clash between man and nature. Melville's powerful prose immerses readers in the dangerous world of whaling, while simultaneously delving into profound philosophical inquiries about fate, morality, and the mysteries of existence."Moby Dick" stands as a monumental work of American literature, renowned for its intricate narrative, rich symbolism, and its exploration of humanity's inherent struggle with the unknown. Melville's portrayal of the enigmatic white whale, Moby Dick, serves as a metaphor for the vastness of the universe and the unknowable aspects of life. The novel's enduring relevance lies in its examination of the human spirit, the pursuit of knowledge, and the eternal quest for meaning in a chaotic and unpredictable world. Read more

A delightful adveture full of humor and heart set in Elizabethan England!Widge is an orphan with a rare talent for shorthand. His fearsome master has just one demand: steal Shakespeare's play "Hamlet"--or else. Widge has no choice but to follow orders, so he works his way into the heart of the Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare's players perform. As full of twists and turns as a London alleyway, this entertaining novel is rich in period details, colorful characters, villainy, and drama.* "A fast-moving historical novel that introduces an important era with casual familiarity." --School Library Journal, starred review"Readers will find much to like in Widge, and plenty to enjoy in this gleeful romp through olde England" --Kirkus Reviews "Excels in the lively depictions of Elizabethan stagecraft and street life." --Publishers WeeklyAn ALA Notable Book Read more

“A happy ending? Why, my boy, I positively guarantee it!”— Gilles, in Masters: The Archers of Saint Sebastian III16-year-old Marieke is hoping against hope that these words can somehow prove prophetic. But things are looking grim for her and her beloved Tristan, the boy for whom she’s been serving as a squire while in disguise as a boy at the elite Archers’ Guild of St. Sebastian. She’s sworn a sacred vow to help Tristan win the guild competitions to become the prince’s newest Guardsman, without ever letting him discover that she’s really a girl — a girl who loves him.With the final Journeyman competitions fast approaching, time is running out for Marieke to find a way to keep her oath, and to accomplish the goal for which she went to St. Sebastian’s in the first place: to learn the truth about what really happened there long ago to her father. But the hardest thing of all will surely be figuring out an answer to the question she’s been avoiding ever since she stepped foot inside the guild: what in the world can come ‘after,’ once she has to leave St. Sebastian’s?It's time for answers, revelations, and confessions —it’s time for confrontations, catastrophes, and triumphs —And most of all, it’s time for there to be a winner, and to find out once and for all who is really the best shot who’s ever been at St. Sebastian’s.Guards: The Archers of Saint Sebastian IV is the stunning conclusion of the Archers of Saint Sebastian tetralogy. This series is a continuous story, so you’ll want to have read Journeys, Squires, and Masters, before reading Guards!Praise for Journeys and the Archers of Saint Sebastian series:“This storytelling has you like a fly on the wall!” – Amazon reviewer“An absolute favorite. I just finished the three first books and I haven’t had so much delight in reading I think EVER! Funny, exhilarating, suspenseful, roooommmaaanntic. (Not in a smutty way… a melt your heart, will they or won’t they kind of way.) I am dying for book 4! … I’ve fallen in love with each of these characters and feel like I’ve been on this “journey” with them.” – Amazon reviewer“One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. The novel is so finely crafted I savored every page … the plot holds mystery, intrigue, romance, and plenty of action. I really didn’t know what was coming next most of the time and appreciated that.” — Claudia Oltean, the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union“...[an] impressive knowledge of longbow shooting, displayed at its best in the three competitions that structure the plot. The prose is excellent.” — Historical Novel Society“I couldn't stop reading. The characters are so fun to read.” — Goodreads reviewer“This book might just become my new comfort book.” — Goodreads reviewer“The tension is breathtaking at every turn.” – Goodreads reviewer“I would give it a solid 6 stars, it was breathtaking … it is by far the best book I’ve read in years!” – Goodreads reviewer“This story is riveting. So well written with deep characters and realistic adventures. I have reread this series many times. As an avid reader, I get tired of the same old plots. This is refreshingly new. The angst. . . Oh the angst.” – Amazon reviewer“This is the best series of books I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited! I can’t believe I got to read them for free because they are quality writing! No cookie cutter plot or characters in these books, just great originality and superb writing. I’ve read each multiple times!” — Amazon reviewer“A MASTERPIECE in every way. A MASTERPIECE that ranks among ALL beautifully-written books, right up there with the literary jewels of the masters.” – Amazon reviewer Read more

“A happy ending? Why, my boy, I positively guarantee it!”— Gilles, in Masters: The Archers of Saint Sebastian III16-year-old Marieke is hoping against hope that these words can somehow prove prophetic. But things are looking grim for her and her beloved Tristan, the boy for whom she’s been serving as a squire while in disguise as a boy at the elite Archers’ Guild of St. Sebastian. She’s sworn a sacred vow to help Tristan win the guild competitions to become the prince’s newest Guardsman, without ever letting him discover that she’s really a girl — a girl who loves him.With the final Journeyman competitions fast approaching, time is running out for Marieke to find a way to keep her oath, and to accomplish the goal for which she went to St. Sebastian’s in the first place: to learn the truth about what really happened there long ago to her father. But the hardest thing of all will surely be figuring out an answer to the question she’s been avoiding ever since she stepped foot inside the guild: what in the world can come ‘after,’ once she has to leave St. Sebastian’s?It's time for answers, revelations, and confessions —it’s time for confrontations, catastrophes, and triumphs —And most of all, it’s time for there to be a winner, and to find out once and for all who is really the best shot who’s ever been at St. Sebastian’s.Guards: The Archers of Saint Sebastian IV is the conclusion of the Archers of Saint Sebastian tetralogy. This series is a continuous story, so you’ll want to have read Journeys, Squires, and Masters, before reading Guards.The saga of Marieke concludes in this final installment of the Archers of Saint Sebastian series, the story of a girl in disguise in an all-male archers’ guild in 14th-century Belgium. For fans of Robin Hood, Mulan, Twelfth Night, and Princess Bride, Squires is a light-hearted historical adventure with all the action and humor of Journeys, Squires, and Masters, and a satisfying ending!Praise for Journeys and the Archers of Saint Sebastian series:“This storytelling has you like a fly on the wall!” – Amazon reviewer“An absolute favorite. I just finished the three first books and I haven’t had so much delight in reading I think EVER! Funny, exhilarating, suspenseful, roooommmaaanntic. (Not in a smutty way… a melt your heart, will they or won’t they kind of way.) I am dying for book 4! … I’ve fallen in love with each of these characters and feel like I’ve been on this “journey” with them.” – Amazon reviewer“One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. The novel is so finely crafted I savored every page … the plot holds mystery, intrigue, romance, and plenty of action. I really didn’t know what was coming next most of the time and appreciated that.”— Claudia Oltean, the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union“I couldn't stop reading. The characters are so fun to read.” — Goodreads reviewer“The tension is breathtaking at every turn.” – Goodreads reviewer“It felt like I was reading the most romantic prose in my life.” – Goodreads reviewer“This story is riveting. So well written with deep characters and realistic adventures. I get tired of the same old plots. This is refreshingly new. The angst. . . Oh the angst.” – Amazon reviewer“This is the best series of books I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited! I can’t believe I got to read them for free ... No cookie cutter plot or characters in these books, just great originality and superb writing. I’ve read each multiple times!” — Amazon reviewer“A MASTERPIECE that ranks among ALL beautifully-written books, right up there with the literary jewels of the masters.” – Amazon reviewer Read more

“I’ve recently sworn to make a whole string of impossibilities possible this year” — Marieke (disguised as the squire Marek) Marieke Verbeke has survived a tough winter packed with plague, violence, bitter disappointment, and heartache. But like her beloved archers’ guild of Saint Sebastian, though she may be battered, she’s not broken. Everything she’s suffered has left her more determined than ever to help handsome Journeyman archer Tristan defeat his arch-rival Taran in the guild archery competitions. Only the six best boys are left, with two more to be cut in the upcoming trial. The problem is, Tristan is currently at the bottom of the rankings. Keeping him from elimination will take more than a brilliant plan — it’ll take a miracle. But with the help of some old friends and some new faces, there is one thing of which Marieke is certain: she’s going to find a way to make Tristan the prince’s newest Guardsman — even if it means having to face down the boy who broke her heart in the process. Join Marieke and all your favorite boys from Saint Sebastian’s as they head into their veteran year of competitions in this exciting third installment of the Archers of Saint Sebastian tetralogy. Old mysteries will be solved and new questions raised, as our dauntless heroine proves that when you hit rock bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up from the ashes. Masters is part of a continuous four-book series. If you’re new to the adventure, you’ll want to start with Journeys: the Archers of Saint Sebastian. Read more

The Murder on the Links is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie, first published in the US by Dodd, Mead & Co in March 1923, and in the UK by The Bodley Head in May of the same year. It is the second novel featuring Hercule Poirot and Arthur Hastings. Sûreté. Poirot's long memory for past or similar crimes proves useful in resolving the crimes. The book is notable for a subplot in which Hastings falls in love, a development "greatly desired on Agatha's part... parcelling off Hastings to wedded bliss in the Argentine." Read more

Henry VIII pardoned him. The nobles want him dead.England, January 1537. After his dead enemy’s confessions cleared him of a murder he didn’t commit, seventeen-year-old John Howard emerged from the dark and dangerous streets of Henry VIII’s London.Reunited with his family and married to the love of his life, he dared to look forward to a future of peace and happiness. But his enemies weren’t done with him yet…A brutal killer leaves a trail of destruction in his wake, and he's coming for the Howard family.With time running out, he rides north in a frantic quest to find his tormentor, and what he discovers has the power to shatter his world forever…John Howard and the Tudor Deception is the explosive third and final book in the John Howard Tudor Historical Fiction series. If you like Game of Thrones and wide casts of full characters with thrilling twists and turns, then you’ll love J.C. Jarvis’s breathtaking final chase for justice. Read more

A complicated and much-hated Tudor queen tells her side of the story in this engaging novel of Anne Boleyn.   Anne Boleyn was born without great beauty, wealth, or title, but she has blossomed into a captivating young woman—and she knows it. Determined to rise to the top, she uses her wiles to win the heart of England’s most powerful man, King Henry VIII. Not satisfied with the king’s heart, however, she persuades Henry to defy everyone—including his own wife—to make her his new queen. But Anne’s ambition would prove to be her fatal flaw.   Named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, among other honors, Doomed Queen Anne is part of the historical fiction Young Royals series that has illuminated the youthful lives of Europe’s most compelling—and sometimes, infamous—queens and princesses. Read more

A barracks full of beautiful boys. A girl in disguise, living among them.It’s the 14th century, and the longbow is king. But in the northern European principality of Ardennes, archery isn’t just the nation’s defense. It’s the national obsession.MEET THE JOURNEYS12 young Journeyman archers, the best in the country2 years of public competitions, in which looks count almost as much as ability6 will win a coveted membership in the Archers’ Guild of St. Sebastian1 will become the prince’s new GuardsmanMEET MARIEKE15-year-old Marieke is as obsessed with St. Sebastian’s as everyone else in Ardennes. Only it’s the middle ages, and girls just don’t become elite archers. Except Marieke's prospects as a girl aren't promising either, after a well-timed kick from a mule has left her with a face that’s badly scarred and ruined for marriage. But when circumstances force her to leave her old life behind and flee to the guild for refuge, there are only two things Marieke really knows about the place. One is that a mysterious accident ended her own father’s time as a Journey. The other?There are no women allowed inside St. Sebastian’s.Marieke knows disguising herself as a boy and infiltrating the guild means embarking on a dangerous deception. But it may be her only chance to find out the truth about her father’s past and to stop a murderous plot from coming to fruition. When the dashing young Journeyman Tristan takes her under his wing as his squire, she’s got to stay – at least long enough to help him beat out his brutal arch-rival to win the competitions.Keeping her identity a secret will be hard. Living in close quarters with a pack of gorgeous boys? That will be harder still. But the hardest thing of all will be keeping the vow she makes for herself: to see Tristan become the next Guardsman, without ever letting him find out she’s a girl - a girl, who loves him.Part Robin Hood and part Princess Bride, with a pinch of Mulan and a dash of Cyrano de Bergerac in the mix, The Archers of St. Sebastian I: Journeys is a humorous action and adventure saga inspired by late medieval/early Renaissance Belgium and packed with romance, wit, and longbow archery. Perfect for young adults looking for an immersive, character-driven story and adults who love young adult themes, Journeys is an escape into the past that reads more like romantic historical fantasy than pure historical fiction.Unrequited love? Ugly heroines who stay ugly? Friendship, coming of age, romance, adventure, and plenty of archery competitions? A unique setting inspired by the glorious city of Bruges, with a richly imagined world set within the walls of a male-only archers' guild? Journeys: The Archers of Saint Sebastianhas it all, so if you're looking for a great escape, don your disguise and join Marieke as she enters the forbidden world of Saint Sebastian's, and prepare to fall in love with the Journeys - that is, the twelve best and most beautiful archers in all of Ardennes, the Journeyman archers of St. Sebastian's. Read more

In this thrilling adventure by bestselling author Oliver Pötzsch, thirteen-year-old Lukas has been trained as a swordsman by his father, a nobleman who was once a famed Musketeer. When the threat of war and accusations of witchcraft spread across the land, Lukas’s life is forever changed. He flees his home and vows to find his missing sister.Surviving as an outcast, Lukas encounters thieves and mercenaries, a strange astrologer, and a master swordsman. He also meets three other fencers—Giovanni, Paulus, and Jerome. Each brings a special talent to their team that leads them to the Black Musketeers, the best fighters in the army. But living with the black-armored Musketeers is nothing like they imagined. In his quest to find his sister, Lukas learns of a legendary book that holds powerful magic. As he fights to keep the Book of the Night out of the hands of his greatest enemy, Lukas discovers the secrets of his own family and what it really means to be a Musketeer. Read more

A fallen aristocratic teenager is forced to live on the violent streets of Tudor London. Facing betrayal, famine, freezing weather, and the vicious street gangs that terrorise the city, John Howard faces the fight of his life in order to survive and prove his innocence.England, 1536. As the son of a rich earl, hardship is something sixteen-year-old John Howard has never known. But his privileged life descends into chaos when his vindictive stepparent accuses him of poisoning her older child. And when his father declares him guilty and prepares to banish him to France, John flees his punishment into the capital’s cutthroat alleyways.With his fortunes turned, the now disgraced aristocrat spends his time dodging brutal gangs and evading execution in the shadows with a lowly group of exiled misfits. But the runaway young man must rise up from his dark existence to lead an attack for vengeance when two of his friends are hunted down and murdered.Can this exiled noble save his outlawed crew from a cruel death among the cobblestones?John Howard and the Underlings is the thrilling first book in the John Howard Tudor historical fiction series. If you like Renaissance settings, unlikely leaders, and rediscovering family, then you’ll love J.C. Jarvis’s gritty tale.Buy John Howard and the Underlings to survive a dangerous bloodline today! Read more

A harsh winter is coming. With it, a dark and pitiless magic…Lukas wants only two things: to rebuild his castle home in time to make it through the coming winter and to reconnect with the sister who was stolen from him in a plot against his family.But then an astrologer appears with foreboding news: his old adversary, Inquisitor Waldemar von Schönborn, has stolen three royal artifacts, which are required to coronate a new German emperor. With these valuable objects—the sword, the crown, and the scepter—he could blackmail the empire. The treasures are currently hidden in three different places in the old imperial city of Prague.To protect his homeland and help him find the artifacts, Lukas will need his three best friendsu—all members of the elite fighting group known as the Black Musketeers. He’ll also need his feisty little sister, Elsa, whose magical gifts may be the key to stopping the inquisitor’s latest scheme.They head for Prague immediately, but the adventure that awaits them there will put their courage and their friendship to the ultimate test. Read more

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Escape into three JOHN HOWARD historical adventures...JOHN HOWARD AND THE UNDERLINGS: A fallen teen aristocrat. A scheming stepmother. Can his underground allies protect him in London’s deadly streets?England, May 1536. As the son of a rich earl, hardship is something sixteen-year-old John Howard has never known. But his privileged life descends into chaos when his vindictive stepmother accuses him of poisoning her older child. And when his father declares him guilty and prepares to banish him to France, John flees his punishment into the capital’s cutthroat alleyways.With his fortunes turned, the now disgraced aristocrat spends his time dodging brutal gangs and evading execution in the shadows with a lowly group of exiled misfits. But the runaway young man must rise up from his dark existence to lead an attack for vengeance when two of his friends are hunted down and murdered.JOHN HOWARD AND THE TUDOR LEGACY: An exiled young noble. A frenzied hunt. Failing to capture the truth could prove fatal…England, October 1536. Sixteen-year-old John Howard is striving to catch his breath. Sheltering in the Midlands after putting his false accuser in the ground, not even marrying the girl of his dreams is enough to make the fallen aristocrat forget it isn’t over. He abandons his short-lived attempt at respite after the battle catches up to them and stains an innocent house with blood.With the key to clearing his name hidden in a now-deceased enemy’s long list of confessions, John and his company gallop forth following little more than a pair of initials. But his status as the most wanted man in the British Isles soon attracts a maelstrom of unfavourable attention and wanton destruction...JOHN HOWARD AND THE TUDOR DECEPTION: Henry VIII pardoned him. The nobles want him dead.England, January 1537. After his dead enemy’s confessions cleared him of a murder he didn’t commit, seventeen-year-old John Howard emerged from the dark and dangerous streets of Henry VIII’s London.Reunited with his family and married to the love of his life, he dared to look forward to a future of peace and happiness. But his enemies weren’t done with him yet...A brutal killer leaves a trail of destruction in his wake, and he's coming for the Howard family.With time running out, he rides north in a frantic quest to find his tormentor, and what he discovers has the power to shatter his world forever…This ebook box-set contains 3 full-length JOHN HOWARD historical action-adventure thrillers. Read more

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The story of Mary Tudor's childhood is a classic fairy tale: A princess who is toinherit the throne of England is separated from her mother; abused by an evilstepmother who has enchanted her father; stripped of her title; and forced tocare for her baby stepsister, who inherits Mary's rights to the throne. Believe itor not, it's all true. Told in the voice of the young Mary, this novel explores the history and intrigueof the dramatic rule of Henry VIII, his outrageous affair with and marriage to thebewitching Anne Boleyn, and the consequences of that relationship for hisfirstborn daughter. Carolyn Meyer has written a compassionate historical novel about love and loss, jealousy and fear--and a girl's struggle with forces farbeyond her control. Read more

Imprisonment. Betrayal. Lost love. Murder. What more must a princess endure? Elizabeth Tudor's teenage and young adult years during the turbulent reigns of Edward and then Mary Tudor are hardly those of a fairy-tale princess. Her mother has been beheaded by Elizabeth's own father, Henry VIII; her jealous half sister, Mary, has her locked away in the Tower of London; and her only love interest betrays her in his own quest for the throne. Told in the voice of the young Elizabeth and ending when she is crowned queen, this second novel in the exciting series explores the relationship between two sisters who became mortal enemies. Carolyn Meyer has written an intriguing historical tale that reveals the deep-seated rivalry between a determined girl who became one of England's most powerful monarchs and the sister who tried everything to stop her. Read more