On the evening of January 28, 1922, several hundred people fought their way through the greatest snowstorm in Washington’s history to see a show at the Knickerbocker Theater, the city’s largest and most modern moving picture theater of the time. Unbeknownst to the theater patrons, the Knickerbocker Theater’s flat roof was tremendously burdened by the weight of the snow. During the show’s intermission, the snow-covered roof crashed down upon the crowd. As the roof fell, it collapsed the theater’s balcony and pulled down portions of the surrounding brick walls, killing 98 people and injuring 133. Some of Washington’s prominent politicians and business owners were among the casualties. The disaster ranks as one of Washington’s worst in history, and the snowstorm continues to hold the record for Washington’s single greatest snowfall.

For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, explore the dazzling world of America’s 19th century elite in this lush series of sparkling, page-turning love stories… New York City's Gilded Age shimmers with unimaginable wealth and glittering power. The men of the Knickerbocker Club know this more than anyone else. But for one titan of industry, the business of love is not what he expected… Born in the slums of Five Points, Emmett Cavanaugh climbed his way to the top of a booming steel empire and now holds court in an opulent Fifth Avenue mansion. His rise in stations, however, has done little to elevate his taste in women. He loathes the city's "high society" types, but a rebellious and beautiful blue-blood just might change all that… Elizabeth Sloane's mind is filled with more than the latest parlor room gossip. Lizzie can play the Stock Exchange as deftly as New York's most accomplished brokers—but she needs a man to put her skills to use. Emmett reluctantly agrees when the stunning socialite asks him to back her trades and split the profits. But love and business make strange bedfellows, and as their fragile partnership begins to crack, they'll discover a passion more frenzied than the trading room floor… Raves for The Courtesan Duchess "Original and alluring." —Publishers Weekly "Riveting." —Sabrina Jeffries "Passionate and seductive." —RT Book Reviews "Captivating." —Booklist

Despite bad weather, Paddington and the Brown family have a very pleasant outing at the beach.

For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, explore the dazzling world of America’s 19th century elite in this lush series of sparkling, page-turning love stories… New York City’s Gilded Age shines as bright as the power-wielding men of the Knickerbocker Club. And one pragmatic industrialist is about to learn that a man may make his own destiny, but love is a matter of fortune . . . Born into one of New York’s most respected families, William Sloane is a railroad baron who has all the right friends in all the right places. But no matter how much success he achieves, he always wants more. Having secured his place atop the city’s highest echelons of society, he’s now setting his sights on a political run. Nothing can distract him from his next pursuit—except, perhaps, the enchanting con artist he never saw coming . . . Ava Jones has eked out a living the only way she knows how. As “Madame Zolikoff,” she hoodwinks gullible audiences into believing she can communicate with the spirit world. But her carefully crafted persona is nearly destroyed when Will Sloane walks into her life—and lays bare her latest scheme. The charlatan is certain she can seduce the handsome millionaire into keeping her secret and using her skills for his campaign—unless he’s the one who’s already put a spell on her . . . Raves for Magnate “Original and captivating . . . Complex and layered.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred “An engaging romance.” — Library Journal, Starred “A sexually charged, intense, poignant and powerfully written love story.” —RT Book Reviews “A beautiful romance . . . Sexy and clever.” —The Washington Post

For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, explore the dazzling world of America’s 19th century elite in this lush series of sparkling, page-turning love stories… A desperate shop girl finds protection—and passion—in the arms of a wealthy stranger . . .“Nothing makes me happier than a new book by Joanna Shupe.” —Sarah MacLean, New York Times-bestselling author of Daring and the Duke RITA® Finalist for Best Novella Standing on the platform at Grand Central Depot, Ted Harper is surprised by a fiery kiss from an undeniably gorgeous damsel in distress. He's certain she’s a swindler who’s only after his money, but he's never met a woman so passionate and sure of herself. Disarmed, he invites her to spend the journey to St. Louis in his private car—perhaps against his better judgment . . . Clara Dawson has long known how to take care of herself, but the savvy shop girl is at a loss when she witnesses—and becomes entangled in—a terrible crime. Desperation propels her into a stranger’s arms at the train station, but she hadn’t expected Ted to offer her the protection she so badly needs—nor did she expect their chemistry to develop more steam than the engine of the train. He’s everything she never thought she could have, and she’s everything he didn’t know he wanted. But as her secrets begin to unfurl, their fledgling romance could be in danger of derailing before they arrive at the next station. Acclaim for the Knickerbocker Club novels: “A rapid-fire plot and a smoldering love story produce Gilded Age gold.” —Kirkus Reviews “A tremendously entertaining romance—sexy and clever—set in an era the genre has been waiting for.” —Sarah MacLean, New York Times-bestselling author of The Season

Peggy Knickerbocker, a native San Franciscan, and daughter of a drama critic and a political activist, had a long and charmed career in the world of food. She taught cooking, ran a catering business in the 1970’s and co-owned, with her childhood friend, Flicka McGurrin, two colorful restaurants, one still thrives on the waterfront with McGurrin as sole owner. In 1989 she left the business to write about food. At first she wrote steadily for magazines such as Saveur, Food and Wine and Gourmet and then went on to write four cookboo ks, the last won a James Beard Award. She’d eaten her way through every continent by the time she was done writing about food. Along the way, Knickerbocker had the greatest friends and a fascinating life, including years in Paris. She’d wrestled most of her demons to the mat, but with men, she’d faltered. After an early divorce and one or two good relationships, she repeatedly under-served herself with her choices. Late in middle age, Peggy realized that she was quite satisfied with her life. That was when the man appeared. She’d never considered a businessman, let alone one originally from the Midwest. Since Knickerbocker had come of age in San Francisco’s Bohemian North Beach during 70’s, she’d gone for unconventional and often unavailable men. Robert Fisher, a widower, a man with innumerable attractions, pursued her hotly. She clung to her independence only to realize she could have it all. She discovered the man with whom she’d spend her life, and, along the way, the subject of this book.