Best of
Roman

2019

The Offing


Benjamin Myers - 2019
    Poetry, perhaps, and a good glass of wine. A nice meal. Nature. Love, if you're lucky. One summer following the Second World War, Robert Appleyard sets out on foot from his Durham village. Sixteen and the son of a coal miner, he makes his way across the northern countryside until he reaches the former smuggling village of Robin Hood’s Bay. There he meets Dulcie, an eccentric, worldly, older woman who lives in a ramshackle cottage facing out to sea.Staying with Dulcie, Robert’s life opens into one of rich food, sea-swimming, sunburn and poetry. The two come from different worlds, yet as the summer months pass, they form an unlikely friendship that will profoundly alter their futures.From the Walter Scott Prize-winning author of The Gallows Pole comes a powerful new novel about an unlikely friendship between a young man and an older woman, set in the former smuggling village of Robin Hood’s Bay in the aftermath of the Second World War.

The Butterfly Room


Lucinda Riley - 2019
    Still living in her beautiful family home, Admiral House, set in the glorious Suffolk countryside where she spent her own idyllic childhood catching butterflies with her beloved father, and raised her own children, Posy knows she must make an agonising decision. Despite the memories the house holds, and the exquisite garden she has spent twenty-five years creating, the house is crumbling around her, and Posy knows the time has come to sell it.Then a face appears from the past - Freddie, her first love, who abandoned her and left her heartbroken fifty years ago. Already struggling to cope with her son Sam’s inept business dealings, and the sudden reappearance of her younger son Nick after ten years in Australia, Posy is reluctant to trust in Freddie’s renewed affection. And unbeknown to Posy, Freddie - and Admiral House - have a devastating secret to reveal . . . Full of her trademark mix of unforgettable characters and heart-breaking secrets, The Butterfly Room is the new spellbinding, multi-generational story from Sunday Times bestseller Lucinda Riley.

The Most Precious of Cargoes


Jean-Claude Grumberg - 2019
    The woodcutter is very poor and a war rages around them, making it difficult for them to put food on the table. Yet every night, his wife prays for a child.A Jewish father rides on a train holding twin babies. His wife no longer has enough milk to feed both children. In hopes of saving them both, he wraps his daughter in a shawl and throws her into the forest.While foraging for food, the wife finds a bundle, a baby girl wrapped in a shawl. Although she knows harboring this baby could lead to her death, she takes the child home.Set against the horrors of the Holocaust and told with a fairytale-like lyricism, The Most Precious of Cargoes is a fable about family and redemption which reminds us that humanity can be found in the most inhumane of places.

The Love Child


Rachel Hore - 2019
    A child's desperate search for the truth . . . London, 1917 When nineteen-year-old Alice Copeman becomes pregnant, she is forced by her father and stepmother to give up the baby.  She simply cannot be allowed to bring shame upon her family. But all Alice can think about is the small, kitten-like child she gave away, and she mourns the father, a young soldier, so beloved, who will never have the chance to know his daughter.   Edith and Philip Burns, a childless couple, yearn for a child of their own. When they secretly adopt a baby girl, Irene, their life together must surely be complete. Irene grows up knowing that she is different from other children, but no one will tell her the full truth.   Putting hopes of marriage and children behind her, Alice embarks upon a pioneering medical career, striving to make her way in a male-dominated world. Meanwhile, Irene struggles to define her own life, eventually leaving her Suffolk home to find work in London.   As two extraordinary stories intertwine across two decades, will secrets long-buried at last come to light?  Brilliantly evoking the changing attitudes of the time, The Love Child is a novel about love, family, separation, despair and hope, full of tenderness and deep feeling.'Simply stunning . . . I savoured every moment of this moving story of love, loss and, ultimately, forgiveness. The Love Child is an absolutely beautiful book and, in my view, Rachel’s best so far’ DINAH JEFFERIES'Rachel's stories are always absorbing and  intricately woven and The Love Child is no exception. This is a wonderfully moving tale of love and loss, hope and eventual reconciliation, and I very much enjoyed it' BARBARA ERSKINE 'The Love Child is a hugely compelling, poignant and moving read. Rachel has great skill as a storyteller and readers are sure to be engrossed and swept away by her clever double-stranded tale' JANE JOHNSON  PRAISE FOR RACHEL HORE: 'Compelling, engrossing and moving; a perfect holiday indulgence' SANTA MONTEFIORE ‘Fascinating, hugely readable’ JUDY FINNIGAN ‘An elegiac tale of wartime love and secrets’  Telegraph ‘A tender and thoughtful tale'  Sunday Mirror ‘Plenty of delicious detail and a satisfying mystery at its heart’ woman&home 'Pitched perfectly for a holiday read'  Guardian  ‘Another of this year’s top offerings’ Daily Mail

Coming Home to the Loch


Hannah Ellis - 2019
    Full of excitement, she leaves her home in a remote Scottish village and heads for the bright city lights. In Edinburgh she meets Alasdair – a cute and charming singer/songwriter. As their relationship develops everything feels perfect. But as the sparkle of her new life begins to fade, Leana finds herself longing for her cosy home on the Isle of Skye, and the close-knit family she left behind. When Alasdair is offered the career opportunity of a lifetime, Leana is left even more confused. Now, she must choose between a high-flying life as the girlfriend of a celebrity – or returning home to her safe, predictable life.Home is where the heart is … but what happens when the heart is pulled in two different directions?

The Little Village of Happiness


Holly Martin - 2019
    The perfect place to fall in love this summer… Willow McKay needs a fresh start. Her recent break-up may not have left her heartbroken, but it’s certainly wounded her pride. Desperate for a change, an advert offering free homes in a picturesque village on the Cornish coast sounds like just what she needs. Without thinking twice Willow packs up her life and heads to the village of Happiness.But when Willow arrives, she finds ramshackle cottages, shops lying empty and villagers that seem in need of cheer themselves. It's nothing like the pretty picture the advert had boasted. It seems Happiness was too good to be true. That is until she meets the handsome estate manager Andrew Harrington.His passion for restoring the village to its former glory is contagious and soon they are working together, forming a secret society to bring happiness back to Happiness. And as sparks fly between them Willow can feel herself falling. But Andrew is holding something back.Will they succeed in transforming the old village to its original beauty before it’s too late? Can the gift of happiness really save a village, and can it save Willow herself? Get swept away to the sun-kissed Cornish coast with this gorgeous love story, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Sophie Kinsella and Katie Fforde. What readers are saying about Holly Martin: 'LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!... This book was so engaging with characters I absolutely loved… An absolutely magical book.’ Best Crime Books and More, 5 stars‘A fabulous book… Highly recommended without any hesitation!! 5++++++ stars!’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars‘Simply brilliant and just couldn't put it down at all… Every page brought a new twist and turn and you wanted to keep reading to see what happened… It's full of heartbreak and romance and laughter… worth far more than five stars and can't recommend it enough.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars‘5 stars. Such a gorgeous story… will have you smiling, laughing and crying, so prepare for an emotional ride.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars‘A glorious and uplifting read that leaves you feeling as if you've been wrapped up in a big warm hug. I smiled from start to finish.’ Stacy is Reading‘This is the book that I have been waiting for… I found myself welling up with tears towards the end… I was enchanted by this book from the moment I started reading it… one fabulous story… A beautifully told story that I really wish didn't end…’ Rachel’s Random Reads, 5 stars‘Wow another fantastic read from Holly Martin.

Boston Underworld: The Collection: Books 1-3


A. Zavarelli - 2019
     CROW: He’s a killer. A mobster. The last man on earth I’d ever want to be with. He’s one of the only leads in my best friend’s disappearance, and I don’t trust him. So I’ve got a few rules in mind when it comes to dealing with Lachlan Crow. 1.Keep a clear head and don’t get distracted. 2.Do what’s necessary and never forget why you’re there. 3.Never, and I mean never, fall for him. REAPER: He’s dark and mysterious. Quiet and lethal. An Irish mobster. Pure sin wrapped up in a beautiful package. But there’s also something off about him. He hasn’t spoken to me in two years. Not a single word. But we share a secret, he and I. And if it ever comes out, I have no doubt in my mind… He won’t have a problem killing me too. GHOST: I have always been a bird. Caged by one prison or another when the only thing I ever wanted was to fly away. Sold. Beaten. Starved. Drugged. Nothing scares me anymore. Until him. *** Titles available individually under the Boston Underworld Series.

The Missing Sister


Dinah Jefferies - 2019
    A daughter determined to uncover the truth. 'I was gripped, moved and utterly in thrall to this deeply emotional and compelling tale' Kate Furnivall Belle Hatton has embarked upon an exciting new life far from home: a glamorous job as a nightclub singer in 1930s Burma, with a host of sophisticated new friends and admirers. But Belle is haunted by a mystery from the past - a 25 year old newspaper clipping found in her parents' belongings after their death, saying that the Hattons were leaving Rangoon after the disappearance of their baby daughter, Elvira. Belle is desperate to find out what happened to the sister she never knew she had - but when she starts asking questions, she is confronted with unsettling rumours, malicious gossip, and outright threats. Oliver, an attractive, easy-going American journalist, promises to help her, but an anonymous note tells her not to trust those closest to her. . . Belle survives riots, intruders, and bomb attacks - but nothing will stop her in her mission to uncover the truth. Can she trust her growing feelings for Oliver? Is her sister really dead? And could there be a chance Belle might find her?'A moving and complex story, beautifully told' Isabel Wolff 'Dinah Jefferies has a knack of getting under the skin of her exotic locations and this story about loss and love, set in sultry Burma during the troubled 1930s, is no exception' Kate Riordan

Emperor's Sword


Alex Gough - 2019
    A mission gone wrong. An impossible goal. A gripping new series of Ancient Rome.Roman scout Silus is deep behind enemy lines in Caledonia. As he spies on a raiding party, he is abruptly discovered by an enemy chief and his son.Mounting a one man ambush, everything quickly goes wrong. Silus must run for his life, the head of the enemy leader in his hands. Little does he know the price he will pay...As Silus is inducted into the Arcani, an elite faction of assassins and spies, he must return to Caledonia, back into the wilderness, and risk everything in the service of his Caesar. The odds don’t look good.Failure is not an option.

Knight of Rome Part II


Malcolm Davies - 2019
    It is a great achievement but comes at great cost. His ties of comradeship with his oldest friend, Tribune Lucius “Boxer” Longius, are beginning to weaken. His rank in the legion allows him to take his full part in councils of war but will anyone listen to him? The question for Otto Longius is, has he become a true Roman and will he be accepted on an equal footing with his brother officers? An uprising by the Marcomanni of eastern Germany sets the Rhine borders alight. A prolonged siege and a mission for the Emperor Augustus test his courage and loyalty to the limit. Then a chance meeting throws his belief in his own fate into doubt. Otto must confront a formidable enemy and decide once and for all on his true path.

The Gangsta That Stole My Heart


Nique Luarks - 2019
    Her quirky attitude and sunny disposition all come naturally on her quest to find inner peace. The only forcing drive that can seem to knock her off her square is True Jones. Violent, egocentric, and just plain inconsiderate, he’s the only man she’s ever been in love with, and he has been her BFF since grade school. One night of selfish passion changes things dramatically, causing a crack in the foundation they’ve built on trust and understanding. True continues with his womanizing ways, leaving Chance to question his loyalty. Unsure of where their spiraling friendship is headed, they find themselves lost in love. Holding onto the little hope she has left, Chance must decide if giving her all to a gangsta is worth the risk.

Knight of Rome Part I


Malcolm Davies - 2019
    No nation can stand against his legions but even the Empire has its limits. The brooding forests across the Rhine hold warriors who will not submit and the Suevi are the mightiest of them. With only their hatred of each other in common, the Romans and the Germans cross the river to raid and slaughter but neither of them has the force to take the other’s territory and hold it. This does not prevent them trying. Otto of the Suevi, son of the Chieftain and war counsellor Badurad, lives freely among the woods and glades on the far side of the river, hoping to live the same life as his father and become a respected warrior in his turn but that is not to be. He visits a wise woman with his father and her shocking, prophetic vision of his future sets him on a different path than he could never have imagined. Fate is not to be defied so Otto accepts what she has told him as absolute truth and lets it guide him through blood and fire to his personal destiny far from his own people.

The Path to the Sea


Liz Fenwick - 2019
    These are tales that draw you in and keep you engaged until the last page is turned’ Deborah Harkness‘Evocative and compelling, a glorious tale of the choices women make for love. I adored it’ Cathy Bramley‘Vivid and beautifully written, Liz Fenwick is a gifted storyteller’  Sarah Morgan‘A warm and feelgood romance that will have you pining to feel sand beneath your feet’ Woman’s Weekly‘Full of emotion and mystery’ HELLO!‘Sweeping, romantic and gorgeously evocative of Cornwall’ BEST

Prima Facie


Ruth Downie - 2019
    A tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal in Roman Gaul. It's AD 123 and the sun is shining on southern Gaul. Ex-military medic Ruso and his British wife Tilla are back after a long absence - but it's not the reunion anyone had hoped for. Ruso's brother has left him in charge of a farm he has no idea how to manage, a chronic debt problem and a gaggle of accident-prone small children. Meanwhile his sister Flora has run away to rescue her boyfriend, who's accused of murdering a wealthy guest at a party. Can Ruso and Tilla save the boyfriend from the murder charge - or should they be saving Flora from the boyfriend? Will any of the guests tell the truth about the fatal party before it's too late? And meanwhile, how long can Ruso continue to lie about what's inside the bath house? Don't miss this novella from the author of the New York Times bestseller Medicus.

Swallowtail Summer


Erica James - 2019
    . . It was the summer a new story began. Linston End has been the summer home to three families for several decades. The memories of their time there are ingrained in their hearts: picnics on the river, gin and tonics in the pavilion at dusk, hours spent seeking out the local swallowtail butterflies. Everyone together. But recently widowed Alastair is about to shock his circle of friends with the decisions he has made - and the changes it will mean for them all... Can these friends learn to live life to its fullest? Fans of Fern Britton and Katie Fforde will love escaping into summertime with this warm-hearted, uplifting story set in the beauty of the Norfolk Broads.

The Last of the Romans


Derek Birks - 2019
     Northern Italy. Dux Ambrosius Aurelianus has served the Roman Empire with distinction. His bucellarii, a small band of irregular soldiers, have helped to bring a fragile peace to the beleaguered empire in the west. But, with the empire now at peace, his master, Flavius Aetius, decides to chain up his dogs of war. Ambrosius and his men are left to idle away their days in a rural backwater, but Ambrosius’ boredom is brutally swept aside when old rivals seize the opportunity to destroy him. Pursued as a traitor by the imperial guard, Ambrosius takes his loyal band, along with other dissident soldiers and a Saxon girl, Inga, into the mountains. Since nowhere is safe, Ambrosius travels north, across the crumbling ruins of the empire, to his estranged family in Gaul. But there too, he finds nothing but conflict, for his home town is now besieged by a small army of rebellious Franks. Freedom and peace seem a world away. Whatever course the soldier takes, Ambrosius and his bucellarii will need to muster all their strength and skill to survive. At the twilight of the empire, they may be the Last of the Romans… Recommended for fans of Ben Kane, Anthony Riches and Conn Iggulden. 'Fast-paced and action-packed.' Richard Foreman, author of Spies of Rome Derek Birks is a former history teacher. He is also the author of Rebels & Brothers, a series of historical novels set during The Wars of the Roses.

Invitation to Die: A Novella of Ancient Rome


Lindsey Davis - 2019
    In 89 B.C.E., Roman emperor Domitian throws a terrifying banquet for the Senators—one that everyone is certain they won't survive in Lindsey Davis's Invitation to Die: A Novella of Ancient Rome...

Maybe This Time


Jill Mansell - 2019
    Not to be missed by readers of Lucy Diamond and Katie Fforde.When Mimi first visits her dad's new home in the Cotswolds, she quickly falls in love with Goosebrook and its inhabitants. (Well, maybe not rude Henrietta, who lets Mimi walk miles in the rain rather than give her a lift.) There's Paddy, with his flashing eyes and seductive charm. Friendly and funny Lois makes her laugh. And seriously gorgeous Cal is welcoming and charismatic. Mimi would be more than happy to return to Goosebrook if it means bumping into him again...Time passes and Mimi comes and goes, and concentrates on her career. Yet as their lives continue to intersect over the years and emotions (or relationships) become tangled, it's Cal who makes her feel most welcome whenever she does return to Goosebrook. But if he's The One, will it ever be the right time for them both?

A Season in the Snow


Isla Gordon - 2019
    She has a job she adores, a devoted family, and friends she'd lay down her life for.So when tragedy strikes, bringing with it Bear - a rapidly-growing puppy in need of a home - it turns Alice's whole world upside down. She retreats inside her flat, and inside herself, with only her new companion for company. But one-bedroom London flats aren't made for mountain dogs, and so Alice lets Bear push her out of her comfort zone to his homeland: the mountains of Switzerland. Could a change of scene in snowy serenity be just the thing to help Alice fall in love with life again? A Season in the Snow is the perfect read this Christmas, promising snowy mountains , Christmas markets and heart-warming seasonal romance. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Heidi Swain.

Best Man with Benefits


Aubrey Wright - 2019
    NEVER sleep with the best man. Especially if he's your brother's best friend. And your first. There I am, naked, trying on this dang bridesmaid's dress in the "women's only dressing room" and in walks Ol Big "bleep" Jacob.The same Jacob that deflowered me.Once my face stopped turning two shades of tomato, I sharply told him where to stick his big ego.He doesn't deserve a second chance.Or third, or fourth, or fifth...But that cocky smile has a way of making panties spontaneously combust.Well, these panties ain't going anywhere.At least, I hope not... This second chance romantic suspense offers one hell of a happily ever after and a surprise ending guaranteed to leave you breathless.

Saving You


Charlotte Nash - 2019
    Three escaped pensioners. A road trip across the United States. The new emotionally compelling page-turner by Australia's Charlotte Nash.In their tiny pale green cottage under the trees, Mallory Cook and her five-year-old son, Harry, are a little family unit who weather the storms of life together. Money is tight after Harry's father, Duncan, abandoned them to expand his business in New York. So when Duncan fails to return Harry after a visit, Mallory boards a plane to bring her son home any way she can.During the journey, a chance encounter with three retirees on the run from their care home leads Mallory on an unlikely group road trip across the United States. Zadie, Ernie, and Jock each have their own reasons for making the journey and along the way the four of them will learn the lengths they will travel to save each other - and themselves.Saving You is the beautiful, emotionally compelling page-turner by Charlotte Nash, bestselling Australian author of The Horseman and The Paris Wedding. If you love the stories of Jojo Moyes and Fiona McCallum you will devour this book.

Unauthorized Bread


Cory Doctorow - 2019
    But soon the program's newest recipients, Salima--a young woman recently released from a refugee camp in Arizona--and her friends with similiar backgrounds, discover themselves living in a technologically fortified parallel universe.Not only are the elevators digitally programmed to economically discriminate against the building's tenants (the low-income residents can only use the elevators if they're not occupied by anyone from the wealthy side of the building), but the apartments' appliances are designed to extract revenue. The fridge won't chill unauthorized groceries. The toaster won't toast unauthorized bread.When hedge funds tank the companies behind these electronic "conveniences," they stop working altogether. Salima then takes it upon herself to lead a dangerous jailbreaking underground, training a child army that liberates the building's appliances, even those hated elevators. However, the stakes rise when the group finds themselves faced with the danger of losing everything they've built and being deported back to their war-torn countries.

Rubicon: A HWA Short Story Collection


Nick BrownL.J. Trafford - 2019
    Rubicon has something for everyone: action, humour and historical insight." Michael Arnold Ten acclaimed authors. Ten gripping stories. Immerse yourself in Ancient Rome through a collection of thrilling narratives, featuring soldiers, statesmen and spies. Read about some of your favourite characters from established series, or be introduced to new writers in the genre. The stories in Rubicon are, like Rome, diverse and intriguing - involving savage battles, espionage, political intrigue and the lives of ordinary - and extraordinary - Romans, such as Ovid, Marcus Agrippa and a young Julius Caesar. This brand new collection, brought to you by the Historical Writers' Association, also includes interviews with each author. Find out more about their writing processes and what attracts them to the Roman world. View Ancient Rome through fresh eyes. Rubicon is a feast of moreish tales and a must read for all fans of historical fiction. Authors & Stories Featured in Rubicon: Nick Brown - Maker of Gold Gordon Doherty - Eagles in the Desert Ruth Downie - Alter Ego Richard Foreman - A Brief Affair Alison Morton - Mystery of Victory Anthony Riches - The Invitation Antonia Senior - Exiles Peter Tonkin - The Roman L.J. Trafford - The Wedding S.J. Turney - The Praetorian Praise for Rubicon: "Rubicon is a declaration of intent to intrigue, inspire and entertain. For me, this collection of stories extols the camaraderie that exists amongst the historical fiction bother and sisterhood. It perfectly encapsulates a shared passion for the subject of Rome in all its abundance and varied manifestations, taking the reader on a guided tour through the familiar and the strange. Leading us wide-eyed through a genre which has never lost its lustre. This is the fiction equivalent of a box of chocolates, a celebration of diverse Rome stories drawing upon all the riches of that most extraordinary and enduring of civilisations. It is a treasure trove of tales, showcasing a wealth of talent. I have been entertained by authors whose work I know and love, and I’ve discovered new voices too, writers whom I look forward to getting to know better. Indeed, if the purpose of this collection is to delight, distract and to whet the reader’s appetite, leaving us eager for more, it is a resounding success. Rubicon is a rare treat which I thoroughly enjoyed. I don’t know what the official collective noun for Roman short stories is, but in this case I think it’s a triumph." Giles Kristian.

Romanland: Ethnicity and Empire in Byzantium


Anthony Kaldellis - 2019
    It was an identity so strong in the eastern empire that even the conquering Ottomans would eventually adopt it. But Western scholarship has a long tradition of denying the Romanness of Byzantium. In Romanland, Anthony Kaldellis investigates why and argues that it is time for the Romanness of these so-called Byzantines to be taken seriously.In the Middle Ages, he explains, people of the eastern empire were labeled "Greeks," and by the nineteenth century they were shorn of their distorted Greekness and became "Byzantine." Only when we understand that the Greek-speaking population of Byzantium was actually Roman will we fully appreciate the nature of Roman ethnic identity. We will also better understand the processes of assimilation that led to the absorption of foreign and minority groups into the dominant ethnic group, the Romans who presided over the vast multiethnic empire of the east.

Freydis: An Epic Nordic Novel


Gunhild Haugnes - 2019
    She leads a harsh life amid the towering cliffs and great glaciers in the heart of a Greenland fjord.Freydis has inherited the warrior spirit of her father, Eirik the Red, and follows in the footsteps of her brother Leif to Vinland, the promised land.Christianity makes inroads into her beloved Greenland, but Freydis continues to worship the old Norse gods, and to live her life as she pleases. But one day she is summoned by the mysterious Volva, Torbjorg.Fiery passion, perilous voyages and powerful history.This book has it all.

What We Know Is True


Jamie Bennett - 2019
    Who would have thought it?” Polar opposites. Karis and Reid are nothing alike. Where she calculates risks, he takes them. When she looks, he leaps—literally. But somehow, they do work well together—better than well, because oddly, they seem to complement each other. They’re great work colleagues. They’re great friends. Could they be great at something more? Can Reid give up roaming around the world, looking for adventure? Can Karis let go of her control a little, to take a chance? Sometimes, your happy ending can’t be planned, coordinated, and calculated…but it’s there, if you can let go and reach for it!

Ancient Magic: A Practical Guide to Spells, Potions, and Power


Philip Matyszak - 2019
    The supernatural abounded, turning flowers into fruit and caterpillars into butterflies. In a time before scientists studied weather patterns and figured out what caused the Earth’s most mysterious phenomena, it was magic that packed a cloud full of energy until it exploded with thunderbolts. It was everyday magic, but it was still magical.In Ancient Magic, author Philip Matyszak ushers readers into that world, showing how ancient Greeks and Romans concocted love potions and cast curses, how they talked to the dead and protected themselves from evil spirits. He takes readers to a world where gods interacted with humans and where people could not only talk to spirits and deities, but could themselves become divine.Ancient Magic presents us with a new understanding of the role of magic, combining a classical historiography with a practical how-to guide. Using a wide array of sources and lavish illustrations, this book offers an engaging and accessible way into the supernatural for all.

Cabin Fever


Annabelle Costa - 2019
    No food. No cell service. Not even a curling iron.And then a shadowy figure emerged from the depths of the blindingly white snow. My handsome prince--except, well, my dashing hero on a mighty steed turned out to be a beast with an eyepatch and a beard, driving a dented pickup truck.Yes, he saved my life.But does he have to be such a grouch about it?

Magnus and the Crossroads Brotherhood: The complete collection


Robert Fabbri - 2019
    From rival gangs and unpaid debts to rigged chariot races and blood feuds - if you have a problem, Magnus is the man to solve it. He'll do everything in his power to preserve his grip on the less-travelled back alleys of Rome, and of course, make a profit.But while Magnus inhabits the underbelly of the city, his patron, Gaius Vespasius Pollo, moves in a different circle. As a senator, he needs men like Magnus to do his dirty work as he manoeuvres his way deeper into the imperial court...In these thrilling tales from the bestselling Vespasian series, spanning from the rule of Tiberius through the bloody savagery of Caligula to the coming of Nero, Robert Fabbri exposes a world of violence, mayhem and murder that echos down the ages.______________________________________________ Don't miss Robert Fabbri's epic new series Alexander's Legacy

Nexus


Alison Morton - 2019
    Ex-Praetorian Aurelia Mitela is serving as Roma Nova’s interim ambassador in London. Asked by a British colleague to find his missing son, Aurelia thinks it will only be a case of a young man temporarily rebelling. He’s bound to turn up only a little worse for wear.But a spate of high-level killings pulls Aurelia away into a dangerous pan-European investigation. Badly beaten in Rome as a warning, she discovers the killers have kidnapped her life companion, Miklós, and sent an ultimatum: Back off or he’ll die.But Aurelia is a Roma Novan and they never give up…Set between AURELIA and INSURRECTIO in the Aurelia Mitela Roma Nova adventures

The Encyclopedia of the Ancient Roman Empire


Carlos Gómez/Classical History - 2019
    It’s not just in the roads, aqueducts and settlements, though, that Rome’s immense legacy can be found. Or even in more recent buildings – from the Renaissance to the present day – that have been constructed in a neoclassical style. We need only look at modern law, which is based on principles developed during the Roman Empire. Or modern philosophy, which stands on the shoulders of work by Seneca and others. And although Latin may be a dead language, we still use it in scientific classification – even for newly coined words. From Augustus’s reign as the First Emperor of Rome to the Barbarian invasions beginning in the 5th century CE, The Encyclopedia of the Ancient Roman Empire is an outstanding celebration of the glory that was the Roman Empire. Ranging from military expansion to life within a Roman legion, from Pompeii to Jerusalem to Constantinople, from political assassinations to gladiatorial games, from the Roman Catacombs to Hadrian’s Wall, and from the Jewish Revolt to early Christianity, the book expertly explores the political, cultural, social and religious history of the Roman Empire. This is the story of Marcus Agrippa, Caligula, Claudius, Hadrian, Livia and Hadrian – and many others. Accessibly written and with a wealth of colour illustrations and photographs, The Encyclopedia of the Ancient Roman Empire is a good reference work for any home.

Behind Every Boss There's a Bae


Phillis T. Forrest - 2019
    Her unfortunate death was caused by a crazed Kingpin and owner of the Lion’s Den named Sinister, he took her rejection personally. Chucky’s mother Ro became indebted to Sinister for some drugs and money she stole, he negotiated a deal to save his mother’s life by working in his organization to pay off her debt. But the payment came with more than what he expected when Sinister sets his eyes on Chrissy as part of the negotiation. Without a doubt, it was time for Sinister to be dealt with. Disposal was inevitable but handled delicately. Stepping into Sinister’s shoes, Chucky took the city by storm, life was good, at first. Suffering from sporadic migraines from time to time, Chrissy’s illness became more consistent and aggressive. Seeking medical attention at Chucky’s request, what they found, no one would have ever suspected. Delve into this romantic saga as Chrissy slowly unfolds into Chucky’s best kept secret.

A Gladiator's Love


Lance Morcan - 2019
    First he must defeat an opponent he knows he cannot kill.The year is 83AD and it’s nine years since Roman soldiers killed a young Leonidas’s family in their farmhouse outside Athens and consigned him to the life of a gladiator at Ludus Magnus, one of the biggest and best ludi gladiatori, or gladiator schools, in Rome. Since then, he remains undefeated after twenty-five fights and has risen to the top of the gladiator rankings.The Greek gladiator craves freedom. The one good thing in his life is Fatuma, an Ethiopian beauty who is a gladiatrix, or female gladiator, and who has stolen his heart. They share fleeting but precious hours together after dark in Leonidas’s cell – a concession occasionally granted to the gladiators by their Roman masters. The outcome of Leonidas’s next fight will decide both their futures for he’ll be fighting Gaius, another undefeated gladiator who held the Greek to a bloody draw when they met in the arena previously. At stake will be the rudis, the small wooden sword given to gladiators who are granted their freedom.

Le Comte de Monte-Cristo - tome 1 (1) (Pocket classiques)


Alexandre Dumas - 2019
    It is one of the author's more popular works, along with The Three Musketeers. Like many of his novels, it was expanded from plot outlines suggested by his collaborating ghostwriter Auguste Maquet.

LEGO Harry Potter The Magical Guide to the Wizarding World


D.K. Publishing - 2019
    Relive memorable movie moments, including exciting Quidditch matches and spooky adventures in the Forbidden Forest.The beautiful cover with gold foil adds extra sparkle and makes this book the perfect gift for LEGO Harry Potter fans!Bring a little magic into your life with this essential companion to everything LEGO Harry Potter. HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & (TM) Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s19). ©2019 The LEGO Group.

Lara The Runaway Cat: One Cat’s Journey to Discover Home Is Where the Heart Is


Dion Leonard - 2019
    If she’s being honest, she’s jealous of Gobi’s fame and the international attention she has received ever since Dion found her. Okay, Gobi may have survived an ultra-marathon across the Gobi Desert, but it’s not as if Lara doesn’t earn her fresh prawns! She dreams about the day when she can go outdoors and see the world, discover new friends and be free to make her own name.But Lara’s wishful thinking gets the better of her as she takes a leap into the unknown and is forced to decide between her loyalties to her family and need to experience an adventure to rival Gobi’s. Join Lara in her eventful travels from Edinburgh to France, Beijing to Australia, where she is faced with challenges that will change her life forever.Following on from the astounding real-life story of Dion Leonard, this fictionalised tale is a must-read for animal lovers everywhere.

Goodnight, Owl!


Clive McFarland - 2019
    Lift the felt flaps to reveal frogs, mice, and a very cute family of foxes. The beauty of this book lies in the simplicity of the illustrations and the clever use of negative space. Toddlers will enjoy recognizing simple colors and learning to count in this very special book.

Attend


West Camel - 2019
    Seamstress, sailor, story-teller and self-proclaimed centenarian immortal, Deborah slowly reveals to Anne and Sam her improbable, fantastical life, the mysterious world that lies beneath their feet and, ultimately, the solution to their crises. With echoes of Armistead Maupin and a hint of magic realism, Attend is a beautifully written, darkly funny, mesmerisingly emotive and deliciously told debut novel, rich in finely wrought characters that you will never forget.

Carthage's Other Wars: Carthaginian Warfare Outside the 'Punic Wars' Against Rome


Dexter Hoyos - 2019
    Although characterized in the surviving sources and modern studies as a predominantly mercantile state, Carthage fought many wars, both aggressive and defensive, before and in between the contests with the Roman parvenus. The Greek states of Sicily, above all Syracuse under its tyrants Dionysius the Great and then Agathocles, were her most resolute opponents, but in North Africa itself, in Sardinia, and later on in Spain she won--and sometimes lost--major wars. This is the first full-length study dedicated to these other wars which furthered Carthage's interests for over half a millennium. The book is based firmly and analytically on the ancient sources, and among many insights is that Carthage, though usually considered a naval power, did more fighting on land than at sea and with more success.