Gisèle d'Estoc was the pseudonym of a nineteenth-century French woman writer and, it turns out, artist who, among other things, was accused of being a bomb-planting anarchist, the cross-dressing lover of writer Guy de Maupassant, and the fighter of at least one duel with another woman, inspiring Bayard's famous painting on the subject. The true identity of this enigmatic woman remained unknown and was even considered fictional until recently, when Melanie C. Hawthorne resurrected d'Estoc's discarded story from the annals of forgotten history. Finding the Woman Who Didn't Exist begins with the claim by expert literary historians of France on the eve of World War II that the woman then known only as Gisèle d'Estoc was merely a hoax. More than fifty years later, Hawthorne not only proves that she did exist but also uncovers details about her fascinating life and career, along the way adding to our understanding of nineteenth-century France, literary culture, and gender identity. Hawthorne explores the intriguing life of the real d'Estoc, explaining why others came to doubt the "experts" and following the threads of evidence that the latter overlooked. In focusing on how narratives are shaped for particular audiences at particular times, Hawthorne also tells "the story of the story," which reveals how the habits of thought fostered by the humanities continue to matter beyond the halls of academe.

Now in its second edition, Gender and Women’s Studies: Critical Terrain provides students with an essential introduction to key issues, approaches, and concerns of the field. This comprehensive anthology celebrates a diversity of influential feminist thought on a broad range of topics using analyses sensitive to the intersections of gender, race, class, ability, age, and sexuality. Featuring both contemporary and classic pieces, the carefully selected and edited readings centre Indigenous, racialized, disabled, and queer voices. With over sixty percent new content, this thoroughly updated second edition contains infographics, original activist artwork, and a new section on gender, migration, and citizenship. The editors have also added chapters on issues surrounding sex work as labour, the politics of veiling, trans and queer identities, Indigenous sovereignty, decolonization, masculinity, online activism, and contemporary social justice movements including Black Lives Matter and Idle No More. The multidisciplinary focus and the unique combination of scholarly articles, interviews, fact sheets, reports, blog posts, poetry, artwork, and personal narratives reflect the vitality of the field and keep the collection engaging and varied. Concerned with the past, present, and future of gender identity, gendered representation, feminism, and activism, this anthology is an indispensable resource for students in gender and women’s studies classrooms across Canada and the United States.

Finalist in the 2022 Best Book Award - American Book Fest - Travel: Guides and Essays Publishers Weekly Review "Captured in a confident tone and detail-rich language, Stambush’s exploits are moving and memorable. Travel aficionados and those in search of an Eat, Pray, Love–style escape, take note." BookLife Prize Critic “… The prose brings India to life, evoking the beauty and the harshness of the landscape and its people—a mirror image of the author’s transformative journey. Stambush portrays her metamorphosis in easy tones, and the adventure she includes will keep readers engaged until the very end. There is a strong emphasis on independence running throughout—a theme that is echoed in the vivid descriptions of the many sides of India.” “C.L. Stambush's story will inspire anyone who's wanted to grow beyond their limitations.” - Author Ginny Wiehardt Determined to discover her true grit and despite never having ridden a motorcycle in her life, journalist C.L. Stambush impulsively buys a Royal Enfield Bullet and sets out on a 7,000-mile, 5-month solo journey around the Subcontinent. Fraught with danger and near-death experiences, she encounters ominous men, confronts culture clashes, and narrowly escapes homicidal drivers. Along the way, she crashes her motorcycle, loses her camera, her way, and her self-control—crossing lines she never imagined possible. In the end, will the price she pays be worth it? Discussion questions in the back of the book with contact information on how to invite the author to participate in your book club’s meeting. Take a look inside now. Available in both paperback and digital. An audio version is coming soon!

Erin Moore, kidnapped as a teenager and held for months, learns her abductor is up for parole. The police always believed her captor acted alone, and that the female accomplice Erin described years ago was the fabrication of a traumatized mind. Twenty years later, Erin leads a rigidly structured life with her husband and two young daughters and has a successful psychology practice in the same small midwestern town. When her abductor is paroled early and goes missing, leaving behind a large pool of blood, Erin and her husband become suspects. Erin receives threatening notes she is certain came from the accomplice, but she is unable to convince the police the menace is real. As Erin watches her life unravel, including her marriage, career and possibly her sanity, she knows the only way out is to bring the accomplice to justice, even if it’s twenty years late.

*warning* This book may contain graphic materials that some may not find suitable. Read at your own risk. This short story anthology is all about one item that is cursed for its original owner. The items do not affect anyone else but the original owner. These stories are twisted! A must read for anyone's collection!

If you’re going to adopt a philosophy to live by, make it one that gets your heart pumping and unleashes your spirit of adventure! Married Men Make the Best Lovers is a classic, smart, and sassy advice book from the 1960s, the heyday of the sexual revolution. As one of the most outspoken leaders of the movement, Ruth Dickson unleashes a wicked mind, a razor-edged wit, and the freewheeling attitude that made her one of the most popular writers of the day. After years of personal research, she offers pointed advice on becoming a happy and successful Other Woman, covering everything from the selection, capture, and care of a married lover to his ultimate release. She leaves no stone unturned, discussing every aspect of the affair, up to and including the problematic Wife. Wrapping things up with an informative Q&A, Married Men Make the Best Lovers is a must-read for any woman who treasures both her single status and the enjoyment of a rich, fulfilling sex life. And for those ladies (and gentlemen) who seek further enrichment, Dickson went on to author the definitive non-marriage manual, Now That You’ve Got Me Here, What Are We Going to Do? Sexier than Helen Gurley Brown, wittier than Xaviera Hollander, Ruth Dickson tells the truth, makes you laugh, gives you innovative ideas and thoughtful advice on how to navigate the tricky waters of true freedom of choice. Other Woman status may not be for everybody but it’s difficult to disregard Dickson's cleverly persuasive argument in defense of this provocative lifestyle.

When Vanessa Ochs begins to suspect her various physical ailments are due to her leading an ?unsanctified life,? she decides to travel to Jerusalem with her family to explore the sacred books of Judaism. Armed with a list of institutions and the names of women who specialize in teaching these sacred texts, Ochs sets out on a journey of discovery. She forges a personal relationship with her mentors, women who are determined to disprove the claim of Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus: ?The words of the Torah should be burnt rather than taught to women.? As her year in Jerusalem draws to a close, Ochs begins to find a way to reconcile her feminist views with her quest to live a life according to laws shaped by the ?sexist? views of traditional Judaism.Part scholarly investigation, part anecdotal memoir, Words on Fire is an accessible portrait of a remote world and a fascinating, firsthand account of the clash between feminism and Judaism.

In the novel that introduced Anne Rice to the world, Interview with the Vampire, a reporter seeks out the facts behind an extraordinary life. In the years since, Anne Rice has created a remarkable and acclaimed body of work--encompassing her celebrated Vampire Chronicles, The Lives of the Mayfair Witches novels, two haunting historical epics, and her controversial, equally sought-after excursions into erotica. One of the world's best known and biggest bestselling authors of contemporary fiction, Rice has herself been the subject of countless interviews, profiles, and a full-length biography. Yet, who Anne Rice is, and the beliefs, fascinations, desires, fears, and passions that inspire her work, remain endlessly fascinating topics. In this first-of-its-kind book-length interview with Anne Rice, film scholar and author Michael Riley seeks out--and finds--the truth behind the extraordinary life and work of a unique, tantalizing writer. In Conversations with Anne Rice, the creator of Lestat, Louis, and Lasher talks in depth--and in her own words--about everything: from her early struggles toward publication to the tremendous literary reputation she has achieved. From the success and adulation of the vampire novels to the lesser-known books that are her personal favorites. From the influence of classical and popular literature to that of Catholicism and eroticism. From the role of movies in her literary vision to her definitive critique of the film version of Interview with the Vampire, and far beyond. Here, then, is Anne Rice--her heart, her psyche, her soul--in candid and captivating dialogue with her audience.

From the pen of J.T. Marie come three lesbian romance stories sure to warm your heart! Renovated Heart: Joanne and Edie have both had their fair share of bad relationships in the past. But when they meet, there’s no denying the instant attraction between them. Joanne is ready to take a chance on someone new, but Edie has sworn off dating altogether. Can Edie let herself trust another again? Or will her past relationships screw up any chance of a future with Joanne? Heat Wave: Wildwood: Tara returns to Wildwood in search of recapturing the summers of her youth, but her relatives would rather get drunk than have fun on the boardwalk. Plus her aunt is determined to set Tara up with a coworker of hers even though Tara isn't interested -- in men or in romance. Then she meets Delaney, and suddenly the summer heat isn't the only thing making her sweat. Like I Love You: Dana falls for Bethany the first time they meet in college, but her feelings go unrequited. As their friendship deepens after graduation, Dana struggles to find a way to put aside the love she feels for Bethy. When one drunken kiss threatens to ruin everything they’ve built up together, Dana would rather run away than admit how she feels. But is she the only one?

Confusion. Lust. Fear. Passion. It started the moment she passed out in my arms. Seduction. Vile. Depraved. Desire. She couldn’t remember her past but looked to me like I was her future. My walls were built. My heart was cold. My emotions vacant. After being alone for five years with only my motorcycle club at my side, she was who I had been searching for. The one I had needed all along to light up the darkness surrounding my life. Just when I thought I had her, just when I thought I could finally allow myself that happiness I didn’t think I deserved. She was ripped from my hands…