Beautiful young Roxana Barclay cannot bear to see her wealthy widowed mother, Lady Barclay, marry a raffish fortune-seeker five years her junior. And so she flees to join her Dutch aunt and uncle, who are Missionaries, on their voyage to Bali in the East Indies. Matters are complicated further when Roxana discovers en route that her aunt is with child. Tragically her aunt dies of a fever after the difficult birth of her son, Karel, and then her grief-stricken uncle is found dead too, struck down Roxana is convinced by a Black Magic curse. Terrified of the colonial Dutch authorities, who would force Karel into an orphanage if they discovered his existence, Roxana entrusts him for safekeeping to a Balinese family. To her horror the repellent overweight Dutch Governor takes a predatory interest in her, making it clear that if she refuses to become his mistress he will have her imprisoned or she will be thrown of the Island of Bali. Which she become so attached to. Worse still the Governor introduces her to a dashing new arrival, Count Viktor van Haan, who also takes a keen interest in her and her beautiful wood carvings, which express so much of her and her attitude to life. But soon Roxana is surprised to find herself confiding in this handsome stranger and the Count is equally surprised to find that he has fallen in love!

Problem Number One – Getting There Old childhood friends each fly separately to join their families on what’s been an annual holiday themed yacht adventure. Secret ex-lovers, Hannah and James are determined to make the best of things… Problem Number Two – Getting Stuck. When everyone but Hannah and James gets held up in an airport snarl, it leaves them stuck together for four days, making Hannah’s already problematic trip a whole lot harder to face. Especially because she comes bearing more than just gifts… Problem Number Three -- Falling In Love (again) As the former lovers try to make the best of the Christmas snafu, they soon realize that the best things in life can’t be planned and sometimes love is sweeter the second time around.

Living in Paradise brims with the best of tropical residential designs. Architecture and interior design experts Annie Kelly and Tim Street-Porter have selected unique interiors that will inspire readers to create their own paradises. The stunning venues in lush settings profiled here range in style from the environmentally sustainable utilizing indigenous materials, such as thatching and bamboo, to breezy courtyard spaces. These homes take into account the dramatic natural landscapes--some are surrounded by tropical plantings, while others open onto dramatic sun-drenched beaches. The interiors incorporate organic textures such as cane and bamboo furnishings, some covered in exotic Indonesian fabrics, including ikat- and batik-style textiles. Pool pavilions with decorative roof details are perfect for outdoor entertaining, and infinity pools are presented as a striking and organic part of the landscape. Beautifully photographed, this will inspire readers with design ideas that can be gleaned from these breathtaking dwellings.

Luke Williams flies to Kuala Lumpur coming down off crystal meth without plans or much cash. He is in Asia for three years. He spends time working as a prostitute in Pattaya, eats snake heart in Vietnam, consults an American medium in Ubud, and explores the eye-popping red light scenes in Jakarta and the Philippines. Along the way, he encounters other Westerners who go to Asia for the things they can't find at home - riches, wives, ladyboys, cheap living and even cheaper drugs, cults, spices, mountains, tropical beaches, beach gigolos, 'self-esteem' necklaces, and ascended masters. Luke fully immerses himself in every environment and encounter, going far beyond reportage, while aspects of his own history - his dreams, disappointments, urges, and his inherited struggle with mental illness - begin to catch up with him. He becomes addicted to Valium, is haunted by the past, and ends up in jail. Ultimately, Luke is confronted by what is and what was, and his own footprint upon it all.

The first substantial collection of short fiction from "a writer with enough electricity to light up the country" (Ann Patchett) "I guess the things that scare you are the things that are almost normal," observes one narrator in this collection of effervescent and often uncanny stories. Drawing on fifteen years of work, See You in Paradise is the fullest expression yet of J. Robert Lennon's distinctive and brilliantly comic take on the pathos and surreality at the heart of American life. In Lennon's America, a portal to another universe can be discovered with surprising nonchalance in a suburban backyard, adoption almost reaches the level of blood sport, and old pals return from the dead to steal your girlfriend. Sexual dysfunction, suicide, tragic accidents, and career stagnation all create surprising opportunities for unexpected grace in this full-hearted and mischievous depiction of those days (weeks, months, years) we all have when things just don't go quite right.

This book embodies the current trends towards inter- and intra-disciplinary studies specifically within the areas of Literature, Linguistics, and Translation. It is a collection of original and insightful essays by Malaysian academics, reflecting state-of-the-art research, and seen through traditional and modern lenses of conceptualising reality or “spaces” within the fields mentioned. The uniqueness of this book lies in its attempts to provide textual and theoretical readings from a variety of positions and perspectives. The multi-disciplinary approach taken will appeal to readers from diverse backgrounds, particularly with the contemporary emphasis on and celebration of heterogeneity in all its forms within a global context.

Serena Graham is looking forward to the vacation of a lifetime-a week at Paradise Resort, a Caribbean hideaway where she'll be able to indulge her every sexual fantasy with complete abandon and total anonymity. For the next week, she's Sexy Siren Serena and she'll do whatever she wants-with whomever she wants. Michael Donovan planned a week at Paradise Resort to research his next erotic crime novel, as well as indulge in some hot sex with his fashion model girlfriend. But when he finds his now ex-girlfriend has other plans, he's resigned to research without recreation. That is, until Serena shows up at his door claiming he's occupying her room! After a little negotiating, Michael and Serena become roommates, and Serena boldly asks Michael to be her lover for the week. How can he pass up the opportunity to mix a little pleasure with business? But despite their vow to keep their relationship strictly physical, they find much more than passion in paradise.

Miller Gavins' life has hit rock bottom. His wife leaves him, his children turn against him, the recession hits his business hard, the owner of the company he works for passes away and it seems as if his employment future is questionable. When the owner's widow takes over the company, he meets the gorgeous, Grace Stroinski and Miller falls deeply in love. There is only one problem. Grace is married. Does Grace love and admire Miller the same way that Miller admires and loves Grace? After the Sunset is the unforgettable debut novel by Earle H. Morse. It is a romantic novel full of emotions, passionate and sexy romance and laced with touches of offbeat humor. Romance aside, After the Sunset is actually a touching story of one man's journey from the ashes of despair to joy, and how his journey touches and changes the lives of four other persons, who are searching for fulfillment in their lives too.

Title: "The Ordeal of Richard Feverel" by George Meredith - A Profound Exploration of Love, Morality, and Social Expectations in Victorian England. In "The Ordeal of Richard Feverel," celebrated English novelist George Meredith delves into the intricate dynamics of love, familial ties, and societal norms. Noted for his penetrating societal critiques in works like "The Egoist," Meredith's debut novel continues to tackle these themes with profound depth and sensitivity. The story centers around Richard Feverel, a young man subjected to his father's rigorous 'System' of education aimed at creating the perfect gentleman. However, Richard's burgeoning romantic feelings towards a local farmer's daughter challenge the 'System', resulting in a dramatic collision between personal desire and societal expectations. Meredith's insightful commentary on Victorian societal norms, moral values, and the complexities of romantic love presents a rich tapestry of human emotions and experiences. His nuanced portrayal of Richard's struggles provides a compelling exploration of the human condition and the often tumultuous path to maturity. "The Ordeal of Richard Feverel" is an insightful exploration of Victorian society and the complexities of love and morality. With its thought-provoking themes, complex characters, and engaging narrative, it is a must-read for fans of classic literature and historical narratives. Keywords: George Meredith, The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Victorian England, love, morality, societal norms, familial ties, The Egoist, Victorian societal critique, The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Victorian literature, classic English novels, societal norms, love and morality, historical fiction, Victorian societal critique, debut novel, The Egoist, exploration of human condition, path to maturity, complex characters, classic literature, historical narratives.