Follow an epic story of the Viking Age that traces the historical trail of an ancient piece of jewelry found in a Viking grave in England to its origins thousands of miles east in India. An acclaimed bioarchaeologist, Catrine Jarman has used cutting-edge forensic techniques to spark her investigation into the history of the Vikings who came to rest in British soil. By examining teeth that are now over one thousand years old, she can determine childhood diet—and thereby where a person was likely born. With radiocarbon dating, she can ascertain a death-date down to the range of a few years. And her research offers enlightening new visions of the roles of women and children in Viking culture. Three years ago, a Carnelian bead came into her temporary possession. River Kings sees her trace the path of this ancient piece of jewelry back to eighth-century Baghdad and India, discovering along the way that the Vikings’ route was far more varied than we might think—that with them came people from the Middle East, not just Scandinavia, and that the reason for this unexpected integration between the Eastern and Western worlds may well have been a slave trade running through the Silk Road, all the way to Britain. Told as a riveting history of the Vikings and the methods we use to understand them, this is a major reassessment of the fierce, often-mythologized voyagers of the North—and of the global medieval world as we know it.

Two sisters must fight to the death to win the crown in this first installment of a gripping, action-packed duology set in an ancient North African-inspired fantasy world. Now in paperback. Sixteen-year-old Eva is a princess, born with the magick of blood and marrow--a dark and terrible magick that hasn't been seen for generations in the vibrant but fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner was Queen Raina, who toppled the native royalty and massacred thousands, including her own sister, eight generations ago, thus beginning the Rival Heir tradition. Living in Raina's long and dark shadow, Eva must now face her older sister, Isa, in a battle to the death if she hopes to ascend to the Ivory Throne--because in the Queendom of Myre only the strongest, most ruthless rulers survive. A River of Royal Blood is an enthralling debut set in a lush ancient North African inspired fantasy world that subtly but powerfully challenges our notions of power, history, and identity.

*Includes famous art depicting Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and important people, places, and events in their lives. *Includes a discussion of their roles in the American and French Revolutions. *Includes a comprehensive discussion of their trials and executions. “I die perfectly innocent of the so-called crimes of which I am accused. I pardon those who are the cause of my misfortunes.” – Louis XVI “I was a queen, and you took away my crown; a wife, and you killed my husband; a mother, and you deprived me of my children. My blood alone remains: take it, but do not make me suffer long.” – Marie Antoinette Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are among France's most famous royalty, but for reasons they would have much rather avoided. Coming of age in the wake of the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV, and his father, Louis XV, Louis XVI initially intended to be one of France's most enlightened Kings. Instead, he was destined to be the only French King ever executed. Indeed, it is his death and his role in fomenting the French Revolution (along with his infamous Queen, Marie Antoinette) that continue to play the central role in Louis XVI's legacy. Throughout history, a countless number of historical figures have had their lives overshadowed by the myths and legends that surround them to the extent that their legacy comes to define them. In French history, this is truer of Marie Antoinette than just about everyone else. Nearly 220 years after she was put to the guillotine, Marie Antoinette is more famous than ever, fairly or unfairly coming to epitomize royalty and everything that was wrong with it. Since her death, Marie Antoinette has been the subject of sharp historical debate over whether she was actually a catalyst in the French Revolution or simply an insignificant scapegoat who was unfairly made a target. At the same time, the one thing everybody associates with Antoinette is the phrase “Let them eat cake”, a spoiled and ignorant comment supposedly made in response to being informed that the peasants had no bread. While that phrase has been used far and wide to depict someone as being out of touch, there's no indication Antoinette ever said anything like it. Nevertheless, she remains a pop culture fixture across the West, perceived just as negatively in death as she was in life. The Death of Royalty explains the couple's role in two of history's most famous revolutions, looks at the life of the famous, ill-fated Royal Family, attempts to separate fact from fiction and analyzes their legacies. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette like you never have before, in no time at all.

“Poignant and important.” —Refinery29 “A bright and sparkly celebration of love and self-acceptance.” —Kirkus Reviews Judy Blume meets RuPaul’s Drag Race in this funny, feel-good debut novel about a queer teen who navigates questions of identity and self-acceptance while discovering the magical world of drag. Perpetually awkward Nima Kumara-Clark is bored with her insular community of Bridgeton, in love with her straight girlfriend, and trying to move past her mother’s unexpected departure. After a bewildering encounter at a local festival, Nima finds herself suddenly immersed in the drag scene on the other side of town. Macho drag kings, magical queens, new love interests, and surprising allies propel Nima both painfully and hilariously closer to a self she never knew she could be—one that can confidently express and accept love. But she’ll have to learn to accept lost love to get there. From debut author Tanya Boteju comes a poignant, laugh-out-loud tale of acceptance, self-expression, and the colorful worlds that await when we’re brave enough to look.

Tanus is the fair-haired young lion of a warrior whom the gods have decreed will lead Egypt's army in a bold attempt to reunite the Kingdom's shattered halves. But Tanus will have to defy the same gods to attain the reward they have forbidden him, an object more prized than battle's glory: possession of the Lady Lostris, a rare beauty with skin the color of oiled cedar--destined for the adoration of a nation, and the love of one extraordinary man. International bestselling author Wilbur Smith, creator of over two dozen highly acclaimed novels, draws readers into a magnificent, richly imagined Egyptian saga. Exploding with all the drama, mystery, and rage of ancient Egypt, River God is a masterpiece from a storyteller at the height of his powers.

When I learned my husband married me to keep his trust fund, I served him divorce papers. Doing the deed on top of those papers probably wasn’t a good idea. From Marie Johnston comes a second chance romance. I was content being the girl from the trailer park who grew up to be a quiet librarian. My idea of excitement was when King Oil hosted an open house and invited my workplace. Aiden King would be there, and he’d probably look better than he did when we were kids. A girl could dream—his looks and money made sure of it. I didn’t expect him to remember me, much less ask me out. And keep dating me. He proposed and we married. I tried to be happy but he was distant and always gone for work. Then I learned the millions of reasons why he married me. In order to keep his trust fund, he needed a wife. I was nothing but an easy target. So I served him divorce papers. Only he won’t sign them, and I can’t figure out why. He cares more about his family’s company than me. I can’t believe I’m the woman he’d have chosen if he wasn’t rushed. But one night, he breaks and reveals why he’s not signing those papers, and his explanation is fast…and hot…and explosive. And right on top of those papers. I want to believe a simple girl like me could land a wealthy, handsome guy like him, but he fooled me once already. And I can’t go back to a cold husband who won’t make me a priority. King's Queen is a standalone novel in the Oil Kings series. For readers who also like Ann Mayburn, Carly Phillips, Carrie Ann Ryan, Cat Johnson, Catherine Cowles, Chelle Bliss, Cherise Sinclair, Cheyenne McCray, Claudia Burgoa, Debra Holt, Devney Perry, Diana Palmer, Esther E. Schmidt, Genevieve Turner, Helen Hardt, Jane Henry, Janet Dailey, Jeanne St. James, Jenna Jacob, Jennifer Ryan, Julia Sykes, Kennedy Fox, Kim Loraine, Lani Lynn Vale, Lauren Blakely, Lauren Landish, Laylah Roberts, Lexi Blake, Linda Lael Miller, Lindsay McKenna, Lorelei James, Lori Wilde, Maisy Yates, Max Monroe, Melissa Foster, Nicole Snow, Renee Rose, Samantha Madisen, Shayla Black, Sophie Oak, Stephanie Rowe, Susan Stoker, Vi Keeland, Vivian Arend, Willa Nash, Willow Winters, Zoe York, Erin Wright, Laramie Briscoe, Kylie Gilmore, Kait Nolan, Tracy Alvarez, Lili Valente, Vanessa Vale, Tawdra Kandle, Colleen Hoover, Maya Banks, Penelope Sky, Kendall Ryan, Kennedy Fox, Chelle Bliss, Sarina Bowen, Penelope Ward, Marie Force, Melissa Foster, Kristen Proby, Devney Perry, Susan Stoker, Tessa Bailey, Jana Aston, Sally Thorne, Christina Lauren, Elle Kennedy, Julia Kent, Sylvia Day, K.A. Linde, Jessica Hawkins, Rachel VanDyken, Jodi Ellen Malpas, L.J. Shen, Natasha Madison, Emily Henry, Corrine Michaels, and Kylie Scott. romance books, contemporary romance, small town, best friends, cowboy romance, western romance, marriage and family, series starter, first in series, romance series, romance saga, romantic family saga, bestseller romance, steamy, sexy, heartwarming, heart-warming, family, love, love books, kissing books, emotional journey, captivating romance, emotional, healing, hot, hot romance, forbidden love, second chance romance, loyalty, swoon, funny romance, modern romance, forbidden romance, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, family business, strong female lead, strong heroine, top romance reads, best seller, romance novels, love story, angst, American western, unrequited love, adult romance, mature romance, rodeo, heartbreak, breakup, strong woman, contemporary women, full length, steamy, angsty, first love, romance series, series, mistaken country westerns, marriage on the brink, divorce, Montana, farming and ranching romance.

In this sequel to A River of Royal Blood, Eva and Isa must find a way to work together if they want to save their queendom in the thrilling conclusion to this royal fantasy duology. Now on the run, Eva is desperate for answers about her transformation and her true heritage. Along with Aketo, a small contingent of guards, and the sister she could not kill, Eva flees Ternain in hopes of finding friends and allies to the north--not to mention Baccha--to help her decide what to do next. Princess Isa is a difficult, unremorseful captive, and Eva knows better than to trust her sister, but she wants to. Despite their history, Eva is convinced that to survive the growing unrest in the queendom, she and her sister must make peace. Since the Entwining ceremony, Eva's and Isa's lives have been bonded, and each can only die by the other's hand. This perhaps provides an opening for a truce and a more hopeful future for both the sisters and the queendom, if only Isa would see reason and give up the battle for the throne. With the two princesses on the run, the Queendom of Myre is on the brink of a revolution. And without Baccha to guide and train her magick, Eva must find a way not only to survive her own metamorphosis, but to unite all the people of Myre, including her sister, by finally taking the Ivory Throne.