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How to Drive a Dragon Crazy
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
Some things never go away, like vile enemies, bad ale, and annoying kin. But I thought I was finished with the one dragon I'd have done anything for: Éibhear the Blue, a big, gorgeous, bluehaired beast who thinks the world belongs to him. The world and, apparently, me.
So if Éibhear wants to play the caring hero and travel into the most forsaken of Gods forsaken lands to protect the one woman who doesn't need itnamely meI'll let him. Because while I'm trying to fulfill a ridiculous quest for a pushy god, I'm going to draw this overconfident warlord much too close, rekindle his fires, and enjoy every minute of his delicious defeat...
Dragon on Top
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
Try a little dragon tenderness.
I am Glheanna the Decimator. I am a warrior. A soldier. I know no fear. No pain. No mercy. I do, however, know acute embarrassment! How could I not after getting dumped by a bastard dragon in front of my own troops? So I tuck tail and return to my cave, drowning my sorrows in ale—as is my family’s way. But instead of leaving me to my misery, I’ve been summoned to the Dragon Queen’s court.
As if my life wasn’t pathetic enough, Her Majesty now has me escorting the highborn Bram the Merciful through dangerous territories—not exactly the best use of my military training. And just so he can negotiate with enemy dragons instead of battling them? Honestly, what has my world come to? Then again…Bram is quite easy on the eyes. And the perfect distraction for what ails me. Perhaps I’m looking at all this the wrong way. Maybe there is a place for a little “mercy” in my life…
Last Dragon Standing
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
He’s not the only flame in town…
I know what they see when they look at me. The charming, soft-spoken dragoness bred from the most powerful of royal bloodlines. A disguise stronger than any battle shield that allows me to keep all suitors at tail’s length. A technique that’s worked until him. Until Ragnar the Cunning, handsome barbarian warlord and warrior mage from the desolate Northlands. Unlike those who’ve come before him, he does not simply submit to my astounding charm and devastating smile. Instead he dismisses me as vapid, useless and, to my great annoyance, rather stupid!
Yet I’ll allow no male to dismiss me. Soon he’ll learn my worth, my many skills, and the strength of my will. For this one challenges me enough to make me want to ruthlessly taunt him, tease him and, finally, when the trap is set, bring him to his knees.
A Tale of Two Dragons
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
Braith of the Darkness likes going through life unnoticed. Not an easy task for a She-dragon of royal descent. But the evil plots of her father are turning her quiet, boring life upside down, and she has now become the enemy of the most vicious queen her kind has ever known. But for once, Braith won't have to fight alone. Not when the warrior dragon of her dreams is willing to risk everything to save her neck.
Addolgar the Cheerful wishes he could say he’s helping the pretty royal strictly for honorable reasons - but he'd be lying. It’s not his fault, though! He didn't tell Braith of the Darkness to have the most delicious tail he’s ever seen! Yet before Addolgar can get his very strong claws on that tail, heads are going to roll. Just hopefully not theirs...
Feel the Burn
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
War makes strange bedfellows.
I, Gaius Domitus, one-eyed rebel dragon king of the Provinces, know that better than most, since I have to fight off half my ungrateful family on a regular basis to keep law and order here in my lands. But I never expected to have to consort with a barbarian human woman.
Kachka is beautiful, if you like them fierce—and of course I do. But she keeps complaining about how spoiled and decadent I am, and how a feared Daughter of the Steppes has no time for foolish dragons. I think she likes my eye patch, though. It is quite dashing. With death always at our tails, we take our passion like we take our allies. As they say, love the barbarian you’re with…
About a Dragon
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
C’mon dragon, light my fire…
For Nolwenn witch Talaith, a bad day begins with being dragged from bed by an angry mob intent on her crispy end and culminates in rescue by—wait for it—a silver-maned dragon. Existence as a hated outcast is nothing new for a woman with such powerful secrets. The dragon, though? A tad unusual. This one has a human form to die for, and knows it. According to dragon law, Talaith is now his property, for pleasure…or otherwise. But if Lord Arrogance thinks she’s the kind of damsel to acquiesce without a word, he’s in for a surprise…
Is the woman never silent? Briec the Mighty knew the moment he laid eyes on Talaith that she would be his, but he’d counted on tongue-lashings of an altogether different sort. It’s embarrassing, really, that it isn’t this outspoken female’s magicks that have the realm’s greatest dragon in her thrall. No, Briec has been spellbound by something altogether different—and if he doesn’t tread carefully, what he doesn’t know about human women could well be the undoing of his entire race…
What a Dragon Should Know
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
Attraction that’s off the scale…
Only for those I love would I traipse into the merciless Northlands to risk life, limb, and my exquisite beauty. But do they appreciate it? Do they say, “Gwenvael the Handsome, you are the best among us—the most loved of all dragons?” No! For centuries my family has refused to acknowledge my magnificence as well as my innate humility. Yet for them, and because I am so chivalrous, I will brave the worst this land has to offer.
So here I stand, waiting to broker an alliance with the one the Northlanders call The Beast. A being so fearful, the greatest warriors will only whisper its name. Yet I, Gwenvael, will courageously face down this terrifying…woman? It turns out the Beast, a.k.a. Dagmar Reinholdt, is a woman—one with steel-gray eyes and a shocking disregard for my good looks. Beneath her plain robes and prim spectacles lies a sensual creature waiting to be unleashed. Who better than a dragon to thaw out that icy demeanor?
And who better than a beast to finally tame a mighty dragon’s heart?
The Dragon Who Loved Me
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
Come on, barbarian, light my fire…
I was raised for battle. And as the first daughter of a warrior family, I’ve earned my reputation the hard way. Yet now I fight alongside uncivilized male Northland dragons who think a female is only good for breeding and waiting back home in the cave. But it’s the foolish and foolhardy who would try to stop me, Rhona the Fearless, from doing what I do best—destroying the enemies of my kind.
So the smartest thing wily barbarian Vigholf the Abhorrent can do for me is stay out of my way as we risk all on a deadly mission in enemy territory. I don’t care if he’s fascinated by me, even though he is as attractive as he is resourceful. He’s having far too much fun putting me in difficult situations and testing my sense of duty to the limit. And I’m going to enjoy challenging his insufferable confidence, outwitting his schemes, and making him surrender in the wildest ways…
Dragon Actually
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
A high-flying fantasy "packed with bold adventure and sizzling sensuality"—first in the series by the New York Times bestselling author (RT Book Reviews). It's not always easy being a female warrior with a nickname like Annwyl the Bloody. Men tend to either cower in fear—a lot—or else salute. It's true that Annwyl has a knack for decapitating legions of her ruthless brother's soldiers without pausing for breath. But just once it would be nice to be able to really talk to a man, the way she can talk to Fearghus the Destroyer. Too bad that Fearghus is a dragon, of the large, scaly, and deadly type. With him, Annwyl feels safe—a far cry from the feelings aroused by the hard-bodied, arrogant knight Fearghus has arranged to help train her for battle. With her days spent fighting a man who fills her with fierce, heady desire, and her nights spent in the company of a magical creature who could smite a village just by...
G A Aiken Dragon Bundle
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
Includes Dragon Kin:3. What a Dragon Should Know 4. Last Dragon Standing5. The Dragon Who Loved Me
Merchants of Menace
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES BY20 VENDORS OF VILLAINYMystery Writers of America is pleased to present this sinister volume of larceny, deception, and murder, brought to you by the very finest purveyors of perfidy.Donald E. Westlake tells a tale of a cheating wife who tries to turn the tables on her blackmailer, only to find herself caught in a bigger web of lies than she could have imagined. From Robert Bloch comes a story of a man whose very best friend has the very worst plans for his wife. Miriam Allen deFord tells the mystery of a family that is disappearing off the face of the Earth, one by one. And master of suspense Cornell Woolrich takes us south of the border for a sultry tale of jealousy, death, and revenge from beyond the grave.And now that the transaction is complete, there is nothing left but to open the book and lose yourself in any one of these twenty suspenseful stories, each written by a true merchant of menace.
The Girl From Paris
Aiken, Joan
Joan Aiken's invention seemed inexhaustible, her high spirits a blessing, her sheer storytelling zest a phenomenon. She was a literary treasure, and her books will continue to delight for many years to come.' Philip PullmanLonging to flout convention and spread her wings in Society, Ellen Paget accepts a position as a governess in Paris. Old family friend Benedict Masham has long carried a torch for Ellen and is naturally stunned when she makes her departure. But when family tragedy and a subsequent scandal force Ellen to return to London, Benedict's passion is reignited and he vows to express his love through unwavering help and support.Ellen will need to use all of her ingenuity and daring to solve the mysteries of the past and present and keep her family safe. But will she also find romance in a place she least expected?Praise for The Girl From Paris:'The tale has echoes of both Charlotte and Emily Bronte, but the fast moving narrative and thoroughly modern...
Trojan Horse
Part #2 of "Jeff Aiken" series by Mark Russinovich
It’s two years post-Zero Day, and former government analyst Jeff Aiken is reaping the rewards for crippling al-Qaida’s attack on the computer infrastructure of the Western world. His cyber - security company is flourishing, and his relationship with Daryl Haugen intensifies when she becomes a part of his team. But the West is under the East’s greatest threat yet. The Stuxnet virus that successfully subverted Iran’s nuclear defense program for years is being rapidly identified and defeated, and Stuxnet’s creators are stressed to develop a successor. As Jeff and Daryl struggle to stay together, they’re summoned to disarm the attack of a revolutionary, invisible trojan that alters data without leaving a trace. As the trojan penetrates Western intelligence, the terrifying truth about Iran is revealed, and Jeff and Daryl find themselves running a desperate race against time to reverse it - while the fate of both East and West hangs in the balance. Like Zero Day, Trojan Horse is a thrilling suspense story, a sober warning from one of the world’s leading experts on cyber-security, Microsoft’s Technology Fellow, Mark Russinovich. Trojan Horse demystifies the dangerously realistic threat of a cyber-terrorism attack on the Western world, while chronicling the lengths through which one man and will go to stop it.
The Heretic Royal
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
In this riveting, feminist tale perfect for fans of Katee Robert and Nalini Singh, two sisters battle for a single throne, warring factions take up arms, a land is divided, and uncertain allies become very certain lovers. With subtle commentary on today's political polarization, this riveting epic celebrates strong female characters and champions the underdog with diverse, expert world building.Gods save the queen! Ainsley Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters. Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt which sister must be queen. She'll do whatever is necessary to take down the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs. Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan has no...
Son Of A Soldier
Aiken A. Brown
Son of a Soldier is the powerful story of how God used one unlikely, country girl to change the course of history. It seemed impossible to believe that an eighteen-year-old girl from the middle-of-nowhere, Tennessee would have any real significance in the history of our nation...that is until God chose her to make a Godly man out of a flawed, military hero's stubborn son.Hailey was a small town, farm girl who had never left her home state of Tennessee. She was a naïve tomboy who possessed an unassuming charm, the power of which she could not comprehend.Grant was a rebellious Army brat who had seen the world. Glib, sarcastic and self-destructive, he was a loner lost in a world he had never felt he fit into.They seemingly had little in common, but when two hearts collided, two worlds became one; while Hailey embarks on a beautiful journey of self-discovery in this unique coming-of-age story, Grant travels a winding, dirt road that helps him rediscover a lost...
![G A Aiken - [Dragon Kin]](https://picture.readfrom.net/img/dragon-on-top-html/g_a_aiken_-_dragon_kin.jpg "G A Aiken - [Dragon Kin]")
Aiken In Check
Michael Frost Beckner
In 1959, Castro took the vital step to nationalize the bat guano caves...and ban Santa Claus."The Cuban DI has always beaten us, Russell. To save the love of your life, you'll be required to sacrifice your country." "Nina is my country now.""Then go, but if you don't bring your best game, you will have sacrificed both your lives, and they'll rape and torture Nina out of spite before they put a bullet in her skull."The Hotel Florida, Havana. Christmas Eve. Hapless but ever-striving CIA lawyer Russell Aiken defects to Fidel Castro's Cuba. Unlucky in love as he is at treason, Aiken is in the unenviable position of having to betray his country to save the life of Nina Estrada, his one true love.Nina: met, loved, and lost on an LSD-fueled one-night stand in 1978. Years later, revealed as Nathan Muir's asset hidden from Aiken over two decades, the pair reunite at the old spymaster's wake. But their chance at...
Bring the Heat
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
HE SAYS . . .
I, Aidan the Divine, am, well divine. My name was given to me by the Dragon Queen herself! I’m a delight! Cheerful. Charming. And a mighty warrior who is extremely handsome with a very large and well-hidden hoard of gold. I am also royal born, despite the fact that most in my family are horrendous beings that don’t deserve to live. And yet, Branwen the Awful—a low-born, no less—either tells me to shut up or, worse, ignores me completely.
SHE SAYS . . .
I’ll admit, I ignore Aidan the Divine because it annoys him. A lot. But, we have so much to do right now, I can’t worry about why he keeps staring at me, or why he always sits so close, or why he keeps looking at me like he’s thinking about kissing me. We have our nations to save and no time for such bloody foolishness . . . no matter how good Aidan looks or how long his spiked tail is. Because if we’re going to win this war before it destroys everything we love, we’ll have to face our enemies together, side by side and without distractions. But if we make it out alive, who knows what the future will hold . . .
Stoneywish and other chilling stories
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
A brilliant collection of spine-chilling tales by Joan Aiken, author of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. From a mysterious traveller who leaves an injured horse with a stranger, to a garden plant that slowly creeps into a house during a thunderstorm and a man who comes across two angry forces in the middle of a forest, this chilling collection of stories will have readers jumping at bumps in the night.Much-loved author Joan Aiken is best known for The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and the Arabel and Mortimer books. This brilliant collection has spooky black-and-white illustrations by TBC and is perfect for children who are developing as readers. The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with brilliant books to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2, with book-banded stories by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence, covering a wide range of...
Queen of Belize
Aiken Ponder
Before taking her first breath, death appeared ready to claim her life. Surviving birthed a calling to be an avenger and equalizer for those who have no voice. When dark forces emerge and threaten not only her life, but the lives of those closest to her, Naysa, Queen of Belize, becomes a foot soldier, calling upon the assistance of allies and a few adversaries to aid in a personal war. It's then that she fulfills the meaning of her name, glorious war hero.ABOUT THE QUEENS OF THE CASTLE SERIESEach Queen book is a standalone, NO cliffhangersUSA TODAY, and National Bestselling Authors have created a world where women can—and will have it all—love, family, career, and leave a legacy while overcoming generational challenges.These powerful women, brought together for a higher purpose, change lives by providing safety for those who cannot protect themselves; care for those from tragic backgrounds, and make an impact on their families,...
The Little Ambulance War of Winchester County
I. M. Aiken
A fascinating and darkly funny novel giving readers front-row access to the world of EMS and other first responders — and the stink, sweat, and sex that accompanies long days caring for others at their most vulnerable.Following in the footsteps of their beloved Boston cop father, Alex Flynn trains as an EMT, and spends years chasing emergencies in an ambulance. But the person Alex becomes is a far cry from the hero they signed up to be.Over four decades in public safety, Alex encounters a changing America, where veterans are left to rot on streets, women are welcome in dangerous fields but abusers still walk free, and service providers are subjected to intense public scrutiny while being denied the resources they need. After moving from bustling Boston to small town Vermont, Alex discovers an escalating feud between emergency operators and must decide which to protect: their community, or their legacy.
MIND FIELDS
Brad Aiken
"Imagine a world where surgery is no longer needed. Imagine having the ability to analyze and repair damage to the human brain without making a single incision. You are imagining a nanobot, a programmable robot about the size of a single human cell." - Dr. Sandi Fletcher, Johns Hopkins University; June 5, 2045. Special Agent Trace McKnight imagines a very different world; a world in which nanobots implanted in the human brain can be used to control the actions and thoughts of their host, turning any man into the perfect killing machine, even one who could assassinate the President of the United States. This renegade NSA agent infiltrates the lab of Dr. Fletcher to steal her nanomedicine research in order to develop his mind-control weapon, but soon arouses her suspicions. Fletcher enlists the help of Baltimore police detective Richie Kincade, and the pair soon find themselves caught up in a web of espionage that places them directly in the cross-hairs of the seditious NSA agent, a man feared even by those within his own organization. As McKnight's plan unfolds, Kincade realizes that he and the good doctor have just been pawns in a game that neither of them were prepared to play, but that won't stop them from playing to win. "In his latest sci-fi novel, Mind Fields, Brad Aiken's brilliance as a writer weaves a strikingly vivid tale of scientific advancement that leads to a terrifying vision of the future. The resulting rollercoaster ride of action and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire novel! " - Melissa Minners, G-Pop
Light My Fire
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
The trouble with humans is that they're far too sensitive. Forget you put a woman in the local jail for a few months - and she takes it so personally! And yet she is the one trying to assassinate the queen. And now I'm trapped with Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight... gods! That endless name!
But what am I to do? I am Celyn the Charming with direct orders from my queen to protect this unforgiving female.
Even more shocking, this unforgiving female is completely unimpressed by me. How is that even possible? But I know what I want and, for the moment, I want her. And I'm sure that she, like all females, will learn to adore me. How could she not when I am just so damn charming?
Nightbirds on Nantucket
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Product DescriptionHaving had enough of life on board the ship that saved her from a watery grave, Dido Twite wants nothing more than to sail home to England. Instead, Captain Casket's ship lands in Nantucket, where Dido and the captain's daughter, Dutiful Penitence, are left in the care of Dutiful's sinister Aunt Tribulation. In Tribulation's farmhouse, life is unbearable. When mysterious men lurk about in the evening fog, the resourceful Dido rallies against their shenanigans with help from Dutiful, a cabinboy named Nate, and a pink whale.About the AuthorJoan Aiken, daughter of the American writer Conrad Aiken, was born in Rye, Sussex, England, and has written more than sixty books for children, including The Wolves of Willoughby Chase.
The Stolen Lake
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Dido Twite, heroine of Black Hearts in Battersea and Nightbirds on Nantucket, is on her wildest adventure yet. On her way back to London aboard the Thrush, Dido and crew are summoned to the aid of the tyrannical queen of New Cumbria. Her island is an infernal place where birds carry off men and fish eat human flesh. The queen is greatly distressed because a neighbouring king has stolen her lake. Dido faces fire, flood, wild beasts and, ultimately, threat of execution in order to get the lake back. Is she equal to the challenge? A rich mixture of legend, fantasy, humour and pure snowballing adventure.
Midnight is a Place
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Now, back in print, the engaging and suspenseful British fantasy by one of England's most imaginative storytellers.Lucas Bell is lonely and miserable at Midnight Court, a vast, brooding house owned by his intolerable guardian, Sir Randolph Grimsby. When a mysterious carriage brings a visitor to the house, Lucas hopes he's found a friend at last. But the newcomer, Anna Marie, is unfriendly and spoiled—and French. Just when Lucas thinks things can't get any worse, disastrous circumstances force him and Anna Marie, parentless and penniless, into the dark and unfriendly streets of Blastburn.
Midwinter Nightingale
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
From School Library JournalGrade 5-7-Forty years after the publication of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (Doubleday, 1963), Aiken presents a new and vibrant adventure of indomitable Dido Twite in this eighth book in the series. Dido gets involved in a plot by an exceedingly evil werewolf-Baron fresh from 15 years incarceration in the Tower of London. The Baron connives to place his own son on the throne of England, rather than Dido's friend Simon. Energetic, imaginative characterization, suspense, and superb timing drive the story to a satisfying conclusion. Although titles in the "Wolves" series may be read independently, readers of the earlier books are the best audience for this romp of a Victorian parody. Aiken's faux-historical novels should appeal to readers of Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" (HarperCollins).Susan Patron, Los Angeles Public LibraryCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. From BooklistGr. 5-8. The latest installment of the Wolves Chronicles finds Simon, Duke of Battersea, hiding the dying King Richard from enemies and on the lookout for a missing coronet needed for the coronation of the new king (who will probably be the unwilling Simon). Also back on the scene is Dido Twite, who, following her return from America, is almost immediately kidnapped. There is much to like here, including a vampire and his nasty son, some Russian bears, and plenty of cliffhangers that lead from one chapter to the next. But the book will be best appreciated by series followers, who have a background in the complicated politics that permeate the story, and are already familiar with those characters whose stories were told in previous books. The last chapter, which finds Simon crowned king and Dido in tears (fearing that Simon's love is now forever lost), signals more adventures to come. Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Night Birds On Nantucket
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Shipwrecked Dido Twite, picked up by a whaling ship, finds herself many miles from home and facing deep troubles. Sinister Miss Slighcarp, the governess from Willoughby Chase, makes a reappearance, this time is cahoots with Hanoverian plotters who have a dastardly plan in mind.
The Shoemaker's Boy
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
This series of 7 stories are full of adventure, intrigue and suspense.
The Princess Knight
G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
In New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken's gripping new fantasy romance series, the Blacksmith Queen must confront armies and pretenders desperate to take her new-won crown. But with the Princess Knight at her side and a centaur warrior clan at her back, she'll risk everything for victory . . . LONG LIVE THE QUEEN Gemma Smythe dedicated her life to the glory of battle. With her fellow War Monks, she worshipped the war gods, rained destruction on her enemies, and raised the dead when the fancy took her. Until her sister Keeley became the prophesied Blacksmith Queen, and Gemma broke faith with her order to journey to the Amichai Mountain and fight by Keeley's side. The Amichai warriors are an unruly, never-to-be-tamed lot, especially their leader-in-waiting, Quinn. But when the War Monks declare support for Gemma's ruthless youngest...
Arabel and Mortimer
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
In this silly sequel to Arabel's Raven, Mortimer floats out to sea on a grand piano, tries to get even with three giraffes that have stolen his doughnuts at the zoo, and takes off with King Arthur's sword. Will Arabel ever be able to control her troublemaking pet raven?
The Cockatrice Boys
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
What does a cockatrice enjoy most for dinner? Anyone it can find. So the alarmed inhabitants of England discover when a plague of monsters-known as cockatrices-invade their country and begin gobbling them up. They must be stopped! A plucky band of survivors dubbed the Cockatrice Corps- including youngsters Dakin and Sauna-decide to fight back. But how? A rollicking adventure filled with breathtaking twists and turns, The Cockatrice Boys is Joan Aiken at her comic best.At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.
In Thunder's Pocket
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
When Ned is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle in Thunder's Pocket, he's not very pleased. But from the moment a bird flies into the train carriage on his journey there, Ned realises this isn't going to be an ordinary seaside holiday. Has the eccentric sculptor, Marlot Corby, really put a curse on Ned's aunt? What secrets will he find in Marlot's house and gardens? Life in Thunder's Pocket is going to be anything but dull.
The Teeth of the Gale
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
"Don Francisco wants you home, and in double-quick time, too. We must leave tomorrow at dawn . . ." Felix's heart sinks at Pedro's words. What can be wrong? Is his beloved grandfather ill? Dashing and loyal, he speeds towards Villaverde - and a rescue mission. Donna Conchita's children are kidnapped and Felix may be reunited with the feisty Juana, if he agrees to help. Despite warnings of a conspiracy and his own suspicions of a trap, Felix fearlessly plunges into a plot thick with intrigue and danger. His grandfather said it was a matter of life and death - but whose?
The Monkey's Wedding
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Praise for Joan Aiken:"Joan Aiken's invention seemed inexhaustible, her high spirits a blessing, her sheer storytelling zest a phenomenon. She was a literary treasure, and her books will continue to delight for many years to come."—Philip Pullman"Aiken writes with the genius of a born storyteller, with mother wit expanded and embellished by civilized learning, and with the brilliance of an avenging angel."—The New YorkerJoan Aiken's stories captivated readers for fifty years. They're funny, smart, gentle, and occasionally very, very scary. The stories in The Monkey's Wedding are collected here for the very first time and include six never before published, as well as two previously published under the pseudonym Nicholas Dee. Here you'll find the story of a village for sale . . . or is the village itself the story? There's an English vicar who declares on his deathbed that he might have lived an entirely different life. After his...
The Girl from Paris
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
The Paget Family Saga comes to a riveting conclusion in this historical romance reissue from legendary author Joan AikenLove and scandal are close on her heels... Ellen Paget moves to Paris, longing to flout convention and spread her wings in Society. She wants nothing to do with the charming Hon. Benedict Masham, an old family friend who's made it his business to look after her welfare. But when tragedy and scandal force Ellen back to England, it takes all her ingenuity to keep her family safe, and Benedict's steadfast help and unwavering support are suddenly indispensable... What readers love about The Paget Family saga: "Romance and high adventure." "Cracking entertainment." "Vivid vocabulary and vibrant imagery." "A relatable, believable heroine.""Period romance full of thrills and chills."
The Whispering Mountain
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Winner of the Guardian Prize for FictionIn the small town of Pennygaff, where Owen has been sent to live after his mother’s death, a legendary golden harp has been found. Knowing of the prophesy of the Harp of Teirtu, Owen must prevent the magic harp from falling into the evil clutches of its reputed owner, the sinister and diabolical Lord Mayln. But it won’t be easy. Owen and his friend Arabis are plunged into a hair-raising adventure of intrigue, kidnapping, exotic underground worlds, savage beasts...even murder.For only too late will Owen learn that Lord Mayln will stop at nothing to have the golden harp.At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.
The Witch of Clatteringshaws
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Dido Twite's sharp wits are put to the test in this new adventure in the Wolves Chronicles. After King Richard dies, Dido's good pal Simon is put on the English throne, but he hates being cooped up in drafty St. James Palace, and his crusty old advisors won't let him have any fun at all. If only another descendent of the king could be found, Simon would gladly be replaced. Never short a solution, Dido discovers a lead to another member of the royal line. But no one knows exactly who--or where--the child is.The masterful storyteller Joan Aiken once again invites readers into a spellbinding world of magic, mystery, and mayhem--with a dose of "proper" English hilarity, of course.
(1/3) Go Saddle the Sea
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Felix Brooke, the orphaned son of an English soldier and an aristocratic Spanish mother, has been raised in the strict, loveless household of his grandfather in Villaverde, Spain. When Felix gains possession of a letter that contains a clue to the whereabouts of his father's family, he gladly runs away form home to pursue the trail. His journey from Spain to far-off England begins the adventure of a lifetime.
(3/3) Bridle the Wind
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
After visiting his family in England, Felix is on his way back to Spain when he's shipwrecked off the coast of France. He is taken in by monks to recover from his ordeal--but it soon becomes clear to him that he is actually being held prisoner. Felix encounters an injured boy, Juan, on the grounds of the monastery and saves him from death. The two boys escape and continue on to Spain together--but a gang is pursuing Juan, and the journey is more dangerous than they imagined.
Go Saddle the Sea
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Despised by his Spanish relatives and ignored by his distant grandfather, twelve-year-old orphan Felix Brooke is lonely and unhappy. So when he's given a parcel with a blood-stained letter from his dead father, it inspires him to track down his long-lost English family. Felix packs his bag, jumps on his trusty mule and heads for the coast and a new life. But his journey across the mountains and over the sea does not prove to be plain sailing - as Felix soon discovers . . .
Black Hearts in Battersea
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
'Wait, wait! Save us! What'll we do?'Simon is determined to become a painter when he grows up so he sets off to London to make his fortune. But the city is plagued by wolves and mysterious disappearances. The Twite household, where Simon is lodging, seems particularly shifty. Before he even gets a chance to open his glistening new paints Simon stumbles right into the centre of a plot to kill the King. And worse than that Simon is kidnapped and sent to sea! Luckily there are two friendly stowaways aboard - the feisty Dido Twite and the spoiled young Justin. But when the ship catches fire things look pretty dire. Can they escape? Will they save the king in time?BACKSTORY: Test your knowledge of Black Hearts in Battersea and play the name game.
Castle Barebane
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Strong and independent Valla Montgomery abandons her New York career to search for her half-brother in Joan Aiken's gothic novel, Caste Barebane.To get away from her pretentious New York Fiance, Valla is only too pleased to have an excuse to travel to England. So when she discovers her half-brother and his wife have disappeared from their London home - leaving their young two children all alone - Valla rushes to their rescue.Between all the local clubs, music halls and lodging houses Valla has no luck, resolving to extend her search wherever it may take her. With her niece and nephew by her side Valla journeys to Scotland, ending up in a bleak castle perched on the edge of a cliff. In this Gothic setting the mystery surrounding her missing brother only gets darker, more sinister, and more terrifying . . . This unforgettable Gothic tale of love, loss, and human nature is brought to life by Joan Aiken's vivid story-telling and gripping plot....
Judas Flowering
Jane Aiken Hodge
Historical Fiction / Literature & Fiction
Set against the background of war-torn Savannah during the Revolution, this enchanting novel unfolds the sags of a family divided – and a beautiful heroine, Mercy Phillips, caught desperately between the passions of Rebel and Tory.Mercy Phillips was a penniless English orphan when Hart Purchis, wealthy young heir to the Winchelsea Plantation rescued her from the mob.Hart did not know it then, but Mercy was to play a part in his life that would shape not only the future of Winchelsea but the whole American Revolution itself.
Dido and Pa
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Dido Twite is waylaid by her father, the shady Abednego Twite, acting on instructions from his evil patron. Why is Dido so urgently needed in Wapping? Why are King Richard's friends all accidentally drowning in the Thames? How does hard-drinking Mrs Lily Bloodvessel figure in this intricate plot, with her cellar full of sleeping guttersnipes? Another rollercoasting story by Joan Aiken, in which Dido's scheming Pa finally receives his comeuppance.
Watch the Wall, My Darling
Jane Aiken Hodge
Historical Fiction / Literature & Fiction
Only a deathbed promise to her dying father could force Christina Tretton to travel to Tretteign Grange, the 'Dark House', and meet her estranged family for the first time. Having to fast-talk her way out of an encounter with smugglers on the way is only the beginning. Waiting for her is flighty aunt Verity, her two very different cousins – the stoic Ross and fawning Richard – and her formidable grandfather, who changes his Will every few days.Taking the neglectful servants in hand, Christina is soon managing the house, proving herself invaluable in her grandfather's eyes. This backfires when he decides he wants her as his heir, and only on the condition that she marries Ross or Richard. Outraged, she swears she will marry neither, but her cousins have different ideas. Should she marry the cousin she is drawn to, even if he appears to have no true feelings for her? Hanging over them is the constant threat of invasion, as Dark House looks over the sea to France,...
Wide is the Water
Jane Aiken Hodge
Historical Fiction / Literature & Fiction
At the height of the American War of Independence, Hart Purchis, captain of a privateer, marries the rebellious spy Mercy Phillips, rescuing her from the wrath of the British in Savannah. But it is not long before the wide waters of the Atlantic separate the lovers: Hart's ship is captured by the British and Hart himself falls under the spell of his evil cousin Julia in London.Mercy, it seems to him, is lost to him forever. Or is she? Back in Philadelphia Mercy has met a mysterious but charming young Frenchman and is now laying her own plans...
The Winding Stair
Jane Aiken Hodge
Historical Fiction / Literature & Fiction
Juana Brett's hapless father has dragged her to England from her beloved home in Portugal. In Portuguese, she is not hindered by the stutter that plagues her when she speaks in English, and she is not at the mercy of her teasing stepsisters and icy stepmother. When Gair Varlow fixed his political machinations on her, he never expected to fall in love with her too. Pulling strings to get her an invitation back to Portugal, he knows he is sending her into danger. For Juana, nothing could be better than going home. But as the threat of invasion by France hangs over her return, she has no idea how completely the political intrigue has taken hold of her Castle home, and soon finds herself amidst terrorists and spies. Juana can trust no one, which is made all the more difficult when she is caught between the persistent courtship of her handsome cousin, and the draw she feels towards Gair Varlow. But all this is dimmed by the mystery and terror of the winding stair...
Strangers in Company
Jane Aiken Hodge
Historical Fiction / Literature & Fiction
Marian is in her mid-thirties, and trying to get over the shock of her eighteen-year-old twins leaving her to live with their father in the USA. As a distraction she takes a job looking after a younger woman, Stella, on a coach tour to Greece. It seems to be the answer to all her worries - financial and otherwise - although there is some mystery surrounding Stella's background.As the tour gets underway, strange things begin happen, including some serious accidents. People become suspicious, and nobody is at all sure whom they can trust. Marion becomes increasingly worried, both for her own sake and for Stella's, and at the same time tries to resist her increasing attraction to a friendly classics professor who is also on the tour.A suspenseful thriller, tense and concise, that builds interesting characters with ease.
Rebel Heiress
Jane Aiken Hodge
Historical Fiction / Literature & Fiction
But Henrietta was no one's enemy. She came to London from Boston in search of her father— a father thought lost to her until she discovered her aunt's treachery. Now armed with her mother's marriage papers, she set sail for England to prove her identity and, unknowingly, to gain a fortune—and a love—she had never dreamed of. Henrietta was too beautiful to ignore. Her wealthy father was enchanted with her. Her stepmother hated her on sight. And her stepbrother Cedric was an enigma.But nothing would stop Henrietta from becoming the talk of London society. At all the elegant parties, at fashionable Almack's, at masquerade balls, everyone was agog with the lovely young American girl. There were a few, however, who longed to see her ruined....
(2/3) The Teeth of the Gale
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
From Publishers WeeklyIn this suspenseful sequel to Go Saddle the Sea and Bridle the Wind , both set in early 19th century Spain, a mature Felix returns, prepared for adventure. Three children have been kidnapped by their father, an escaped political prisoner who is hiding in the mountains. Will Felix be able to free them? Even knowing these are "wild and heartless times" because of King Ferdinand's terrible reign, he agrees to try. The trip will give him a chance to see his love, Juana. From the start, it seems that the little party is being followed. The horses are poisoned, and there are further ominous signs of a plot. Whom can they trust? Have they been sent into a trap? Intrigue is Aiken's stock-in-trade, and there is plenty to be found in this novel. While readers may sense a lack of underlying theme and wish for a greater development of Felix's affection for Juana, they could hardly ask for a more diverting, action-filled plot. As usual, Aiken writes with endless inventiveness and ease. Ages 12-up. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library JournalGrade 7 Up A stirring continuation of the adventures of the resourceful orphaned heir who, at 12, ran away from his Spanish grandfather's estate to seek his English father's people in Go Saddle the Sea (Doubleday, 1977; o.p.); and a year later made a shipwrecked return, in Bridle the Wind (Delacorte, 1983). It is a more mature Felix, now 18, who develops an understanding of his responsibilities as he meets physical dangers and political intrigues when his studies are interrupted and his help asked in regaining custody of children kidnapped by their mad fatheran escaped political prisoner. His elderly aunts fear that it is all a political trap to confiscate the estates, as grandfather is a known liberal, whose friends and views are out of favor with the restored monarch turned reactionary. But one member of the rescue party is Juana, the Basque girl whom Felix lovesrespectfully, since she has entered a conventand hopefully, since she has not taken final vows. Full of action, interesting characters, and made-real places, this forms a well-meshed conclusion to earlier episodes and an intriguing glimpse into Spain in the 1820s. (Author's historic notes and reading list are appended.) These books get better with each reading; share them with the adults. Ruth M. McConnell, San Antonio Public LibraryCopyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Arabel's Raven
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
Young Arabel's life is changed forever when her father, a taxi driver, brings home an injured bird he finds in the street. This wacky raven eats everything in sight, answers the telephone by squawking "Nevermore!" and causes chaos wherever he goes—but Arabel loves her new feathered friend, whom she names Mortimer.This is the first volume of Arabel and Mortimer's adventures, brightened with hilarious illustrations by Quentin Blake.
A Gentleman's Kiss Romance Collection
Ginny Aiken
Romance / Literature & Fiction
In a frantic-paced world where chivalry seems dead, readers will delight in nine novellas that celebrate old-fashioned romance in contemporary settings. While working their careers, making music, taking vacations, or trying to please their grandmothers, nine modern women are forced to slow down and take a fresh look at dating and romance. With a bit of faith and some desperate prayers they discover that God has a real of a sense of humor in how he brings men of quality into each of their lives.
Dragon On Top (supernatural)
Part #1 of "Supernatural" series by G. A. Aiken
Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal
The Song of Mat and Ben
Joan Aiken
Children's Books / Mystery & Thrillers / Historical Fiction
There is eerie trouble once again in the Cornish village of St Boan, often known as Thunder's Pocket. Some hundred-year-old water pipes are being replaced and the digging has disturbed the ghosts of the past, namely the twins Matthew and Ben Pernel who were killed in mysterious circumstances and their musician father blamed. The three are now trying to be reunited but less innocent forces are also at work and the present townspeople are involved as the unhappy incidents of a hundred years ago are relived. Aunt Lal calls on her nephew Ned to help. She believes only he can bring the Pernels together again and thus truly bury the past. But even Ned is not immune to the horrors of the disturbed spirits. A thrilling sequel to In Thunder's Pocket by this prestigious author.
Deathline
Jane Aiken Hodge
Historical Fiction / Literature & Fiction
When Helen Westley’s elderly mother dies, leaving her nothing more than a small allowance, she struggles to cope with the shock. Having nursed her mother to the very end, the last thing Helen expects is to be left homeless, but when her mother’s will reveals that the family home has been left to Helen’s half-brother, she must accept that her life has changed forever. In desperation, Helen accepts the post of live-in carer to the bedridden Beatrice Tresikker, and moves from suburban London to the village of Leyning near the south coast. Although the relationship between the two women is initially strained, they soon build a trusting and lasting friendship. With the help and support of some of the villagers - including the gruff doctor Hugh and the young legal partner Frances - Helen determines to make her patient’s final weeks as comfortable as possible. But then Beatrice’s young, incredibly handsome American relative appears on the scene, with stories of her estranged family in America. But can his motives be trusted? And what does the future now hold for Helen?
Decorating Schemes
Ginny Aiken
Romance / Literature & Fiction
Another murder is uncovered and Haley Farell's general contractor is implicated. Can she clear him of the crime—or will she paint herself into a very dangerous corner with a murderer lying in wait?
Whispering
Jane Aiken Hodge
Historical Fiction / Literature & Fiction
When Caterina Gomez returns to her beloved home of Oporto, Portugal, her troubles have only just begun. For the country is at war with France, and, even though Oporto is no longer in French hands, it is a shadow of its former self. The scandalous cloud she left under is still not forgotten, and her cruel and distant father insists on a hasty marriage or the convent. Half English and half Portuguese, she must walk a fine line between both societies, which is all made near impossible considering her troubled past.Thankfully, her dear friend Miss Harriet Brown and cousin Jeremy Craddock have accompanied her from England. But Harriet can only offer comfort whilst sharing in her fate, and Jeremy – who is seeking treatment for his ill health – becomes distracted by his fair and pretty healer. Then Caterina's past resurfaces in a most confusing manner in the shape of Luiz, her childhood sweetheart, drawing her further into the tangles of political intrigue...
The Collected Short Stories of Conrad Aiken
Conrad Aiken
This indispensable volume, which includes the classic stories "Silent Snow, Secret Snow" and "Mr. Arcularis," is a testament to the dazzling artistry of one of the twentieth century's most influential writers A young woman passes through the countryside to visit her dying grandmother for a final time. A cabbie, exhausted from a long day's work, fights to get an intoxicated woman out of his taxi. A man on his way to a bachelor party tries to come to grips with the brutishness that lies within every gentleman—and finds that Bacardi cocktails do nothing to help. A master craftsman whose poetry and prose offer profound insight into the riddle of consciousness, Conrad Aiken thrills, disturbs, and inspires in all forty-one of these astute and eloquent tales.