On Sarah Whitfield's seventy-fifth birthday, memories take her back to New York in the 1930s. To a marriage that ends after a year, leaving Sarah shattered. A trip to Europe with her parents does little to raise her spirits, until she meets William, Duke of Whitfield. In time, despite her qualms, William insists on giving up his distant right to the British throne to make Sarah his dutchess and his wife. On their honeymoon, the newlyweds buy an old French chateau, but not long after, the war begins. William joins the allied forces, leaving Sarah, their first child, an infant, and their second child on the way, in France. After the Nazi forces take over the chateau, Sarah continues to survive the terror and deprivation of the Occupation, unwavering in her belief that her missing-in-action husband is still alive. After the war, as a gesture of goodwill, the Whitfields start buying jewels offered for sale by impoverished war survivors. With Sarah's style and keen eye, the collection becomes the prestigious Whitfield's jewelry store in Paris. Eventually, their jewelry business expands to London and Rome, as their family grows. Phillip, their firstborn, is stubborn and proud; Julian, their second son, is charming and generous and warm; Isabelle is rebellious and willful; and Xavier, unusual and untamed, is the final unexpected gift of their love. They each find their own way, but will be drawn to the great house of gems their parents built. In Jewels, Danielle Steel takes the reader through five eventful decades that include war, passion, international intrigue, and the strength of family through it all.

Selections from the over 600 stories which, according to legend, Shaharazad told a mighty king as a way to save the lives of the girls of her land. Includes stories of the voyages of Es-Sindibad, the magic horse, the wonderful lamp, and Ali Baba and the thieves.

Matilde Serao "The Desire of Life” is a fascinating exploration of the human experience, love, and societal expectancies. Set against the wealthy tapestry of Italian existence in the past due 19th century, the unconventional introduces readers to characters grappling with the complexities of preference and achievement. The narrative unfolds with Serao signature realism, delving into the intricacies of human relationships and the struggles of individuals in opposition to societal norms. The story revolves around the pursuit of a meaningful life, touching upon themes of ardour, identification, and the clash between personal aspirations and societal constraints. Serao storytelling is marked via vivid characterizations and keen observations, imparting readers with a nuanced portrayal of Italian society during this period. As a prominent parent in Italian literature, Matilde Serao showcases her literary prowess in "The Desire of Life," growing a timeless work that resonates with the standard quest for cause and happiness. The novel remains a testament to Serao contribution to realist literature and her ability to seize the essence of the human situation.

New York magazine was born in 1968 after a run as an insert of the New York Herald Tribune and quickly made a place for itself as the trusted resource for readers across the country. With award-winning writing and photography covering everything from politics and food to theater and fashion, the magazine's consistent mission has been to reflect back to its audience the energy and excitement of the city itself, while celebrating New York as both a place and an idea.

In Victorian London at the height of the industrial revolution, Horatio Lyle is a former Special Constable with a passion for science and invention. He's also an occasional, but reluctant, sleuth. The truth is that he'd rather be in his lab tinkering with dangerous chemicals and odd machinery than running around the cobbled streets of London trying to track down stolen goods. But when Her Majesty's Government calls, Horatio swaps his microscope for a magnifying glass, fills his pockets with things that explode and sallies forth to unravel a mystery of a singularly extraordinary nature. Thrown together with a reformed (i.e. 'caught') pickpocket called Tess, and a rebellious (within reason) young gentleman called Thomas, Lyle and his faithful hound, Tate, find themselves pursuing an ancient Chinese plate, a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of polite society and a dangerous enemy who may not even be human. Solving the crime will be hard enough - surviving would be a bonus...