In 1904, nine-year-old Samantha, an orphan living with her wealthy grandmother, and her servant friend Nellie have a midnight adventure when they try to find out what has happened to the seamstress who suddenly left her job.

From the introductory.SOUTHERN Spain -- and a short, sleepless night full of the drifting scent of orange-blossoms; moonlight slanting in a white bar through the open window; footsteps coming and going ceaselessly in the street outside; voices, laughter; then, later, silence creeping in like a deep, slow tide, and suddenly a man's voice, singing: Por una mirada tuya Lo que diera no sé yo; Por un beso, la existencia, Por tu amor, salvación.The words float through the window with the moonlight and the scent of orange-blossoms, fading gently away as the late passer goes farther on. A warm Sunday in early Spring. In the fields the young wheat, green beneath the smoky olive trees; above, the radiant sky of Andalusia, and the sun showering gold through the limpid air. In front of an inn which stands beside the dusty road just outside the town a girl with pinks in her hair is dancing seguidillas. Near her an Arab-eyed youth twangs a guitar. Her friends sit around in a half-circle, clapping their hands to mark the measure of the dance. "Ole! Ole!" they cry, at intervals, in gay applause. On a table are half-empty glasses of aguadiente; yellow flowers bloom near the door of the little inn, a baby tumbles happily about on the brown earth, and a bird hops in a rough wooden cage. The girl's body, lithe and slender, sways alluringly to and fro, the sun flashes on her white teeth and lights a gleam in her sombre eyes. The guitar-player watches her gravely, his hand trembles, then he sings: Hechiceros y ladrones, Que tienes unos ojos nina, Y que salen por los caminos A robar los corazones.

These nine Latin American gems will be a stunning addition to your vocal repertoire. Whether performed in Spanish or English, these masterful arrangements feature sophisticated piano accompaniments and stylish vocal lines which emphasize the dramatic nuances of their delightful texts. Nine wonderful and heartfelt songs, which offer a wide variety of styles and tempos.

"Volinworks, in two volumes, is a comprehensive method for the adult beginner, taking students carefully from the very first steps to around Grade 3 standard. The approach suits self-taught beginners as well as those who have teachers, and emphasizes the importance of good habits from day one, of using your ear, and of always aiming for the best sound. Each volume contains a wide selection of repertoire, plus detailed descriptions and photos to demonstrate correct playing positions. The accompanying CD includes play-along tracks for all pieces, with piano, string quartet, or band backings, plus aural exercises and downloadable PDFs of piano accompaniments. There are supporting video clips and additional resources on a dedicated website, making Violinworks a complete resource for all new learners."--Publisher's description.