Book picks similar to
The Stone Dragon by Peter Watt


cheryls-books
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The Botanist's Daughter


Kayte Nunn - 2018
    Desire. Deception. A wondrously imagined tale of two female botanists, separated by more than a century, in a race to discover a life-saving flower . . .In Victorian England, headstrong adventuress Elizabeth takes up her late father's quest for a rare, miraculous plant. She faces a perilous sea voyage, unforeseen dangers and treachery that threatens her entire family.In present-day Australia, Anna finds a mysterious metal box containing a sketchbook of dazzling watercolours, a photograph inscribed 'Spring 1886' and a small bag of seeds. It sets her on a path far from her safe, carefully ordered life, and on a journey that will force her to face her own demons.In this spellbinding botanical odyssey of discovery, desire and deception, Kayte Nunn has so exquisitely researched nineteenth-century Cornwall and Chile you can almost smell the fragrance of the flowers, the touch of the flora on your fingertips . . .

A Call to Colors


John J. Gobbell - 2006
    It will take 165,000 troops and 700 ships in the bloody battle of Leyte Gulf to do it. Among them is the destroyer USS Matthew and her skipper, Commander Mike Donovan, a veteran haunted by earlier savage battles. What Donovan doesn’t know is that Vice Admiral Takao Kurita of Japan has laid an ingenious trap as the Matthew heads for the treacherous waters of Leyte Gulf. But Donovan faces something even deadlier than Kurita’s battleships: Explosives secretly slipped on board American ships by saboteurs are set to detonate at any time. Now the Matthew’s survival hinges on the ability of Donovan and his men to dismantle a bomb in the midst of the panic and the chaos of history’s greatest naval battle.“Gobbell’s sea tales . . . will have you looking up your nearest Navy recruiter.” —W.E.B. Griffin“[John Gobbell is] a first-rate storyteller.” — Stephen Coonts“Wonderful . . . a rousing dramatization of history’s greatest sea battle.” — James D. Hornfischer, author of The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

The Women in Pants: Sidesaddle No More


Stan Himes - 2017
    Will they overcome with hearts and humor intact? Will they survive at all? Reader Reviews: "I know if you enjoy reading about strong confident and brave women you will love this book as much as I did!" "Recommend this books to all who enjoy Westerns, or even if you have never read one. I think you would perhaps see some of the personalities, philosophies and behavior in yourself and those you know and only read about! A very HUMAN book!" "WOW. Bought this book with the thoughts of perhaps a light read.... I'm telling you, the detail, the writing, the story were all superb." "This book is for everyone. I couldn't wait to see what happened but I didn't want it to end." "If this book doesn't get made into a big-budget movie with an ensemble of major actresses, Hollywood will have missed out on a blockbuster." "I loved this book from beginning to end. And the unique way the author told it. A most fun read. If I had lived in that time period I would have wanted to be one of those women in pants!"

Trial By Fire


Richard Townshend Bickers - 1983
     War is about to be declared in Europe. Roger Hallowes, an RAF sergeant pilot returns to the hangars with his comrades from B Squadron to see who else had returned from the latest attack. Only one more Blenheim had come in. Of the nine that had taken off, three had been shot down. One crashed on landing. One captain, one second pilot and two wireless operator-air gunners had been killed in the six which had survived the battle. The mental arithmetic Roger did to calculate his chances of surviving another half-dozen operations gave him no comfort. Three young men, Roger and his two cousins, share the last few precious days of peace with their families and friends. Their carefree, comfortable lives are about to be shattered by the hardships and horrors of the Second World War. ‘Trial by Fire’ follows these men through the dramatic first year of war; the fall of France and the triumph of the Battle of Britain. It gives a comprehensive view of the early air operations whose outcome affected the whole future course of the war. ‘Trial by Fire’ is a gripping war story told from first-hand experience and a wide knowledge of the R.A.F in all its facets. Praise for Richard Bickers: 'A thrilling page turner.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'Trade Off'. Richard Townsend Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of the second world war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. He wrote a range of military fiction and non-fiction books, including ‘Torpedo Attack’, ‘My Enemy Came Nigh’, ‘Bombing Run’ and ‘Summer of No Surrender’. Originally published as 'The Gifts of Jove'. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.

The President’s Weapon


Russ Snyder - 2015
    Determined to fight terrorists and protect his country and its citizens, President Williams moves ahead three weeks later with a risky plan. But first, he needs help from an old friend from the Marine Corp, Captain Richard Starr. Starr has the perfect weapon to help the president in the war against terrorism: Sergeant Marvin Styles, a seasoned recon sniper whose mission is simple—to kill the enemy by any means available. Helping Styles and Starr is fighter pilot J. C. Christman and the world’s best computer hacker, Darlene Phillips. Williams hides the quartet of experts under the umbrella of his newly-formed department tasked with filtering terrorist information gathered by worldwide intelligence agencies and then reporting its findings directly to Williams. With their agenda declared, only two mission perimeters are set—to not get caught or kill innocent people. In this political thriller, a group of experts acting on orders from the President of the United States must do everything in their power to rock the world of terrorism to its core as an anxious world waits.

A New War: At Home and at Sea, 1803


John G. Cragg - 2016
    She seems to be more interested in estate management and improvement than in the more usual pursuits of young ladies. A French frigate of possibly new design has been using the period of peace to take British frigates and merchant ships illegally and spirit the captures to some unknown base. Giles is called from his bucolic pursuits to take command of a newly built frigate whose task is to find and destroy the enemy vessel and recapture her prizesWhile Captain Giles is doing this, life continues apace at Dipton so that when Giles can snatch some leave, he finds that things have not remained static. The novel tells of how events develop at sea and also on land in the early days following the abrogation of the treaty of Amiens.

Kimberley Sun


Di Morrissey - 2002
    Lily Barton, now 53, is beautiful, adventurous and looking for a life change. Sami, her daughter, is driving alone through the outback to finally, reluctantly confront her family roots. Together they are swept into a world where legends, myths and reality converge. They find that everyone they meet has a story to tell, from Farouz, the son of an Afghan camel driver, to Bobby, the Chinese-Aboriginal man who is tangled up in the murder of a German tourist. And who is the mysterious artist hiding in the desert? All have a secret and a story to share as each finds their place under the Kimberley Sun.

A Coin for the Hangman


Ralph Spurrier - 2016
    When our man finds the tools of one of England’s last hangmen, along with the diary of a condemned man he executed - a diary that points the finger in a disturbing direction - he knows he has a mystery to solve. Was there a miscarriage of British justice? Did the wrong man die at the noose?

Days of Fire


Stuart Minor - 2017
     As the weather begins to turn and the first traces of winter settle across the Western Front, the battle at Ypres comes to its bloody end. Both sides have been exhausted by the savage fighting. However, before the year is out, the British plan for one last assault on the enemy. With hundreds of tanks leading the way, the British plan to smash through the enemy lines with a steel fist, striking without warning against the Germans. Harry and his section, after the savage fighting at Ypres, are desperate for a respite from the fighting. However, before the winter finally settles over the Western Front Harry and his men must go over the top one more time. Attacking beside the men of the Tank Corps they must combat the enemy and their nerves as they fight to survive amongst the chaos of war as the last great battle of Nineteen Seventeen is fought.

Reckoning


Tim Oliver - 2019
    The German army is rampant, and Lieutenant Scottsdale and the British Expeditionary Force are trapped. Yet amid the chaos, Scottsdale must rescue two French scientists trapped behind enemy lines. What they know will tilt the balance of war towards the Allies.The brilliant and mercurial Helene Dubois is in hiding with her frail uncle, as they flee the advancing German armies. They must be found, but pursuing them is Schiller, a ruthless SS Officer, who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape.As they are caught up in the bloody rearguard at Dunkirk, Scottsdale and Dubois will find love, tragedy, and triumph as they fight to escape Schiller, in a story perfect for fans of Ken Follett, Rory Clements and Robert Harris.

The Hawthorne Heritage


Teresa Crane - 1988
    She is surrounded by all the grandeur and respectability money can buy – but without the furnishings of affection.Robert Fitzbolton, a young aristocrat, is the companion of her lonely childhood, her comfort through family tragedy and the heartache of young love. But is the support of Robert’s friendship enough?Together they flee to Florence searching for freedom and fulfilment. Robert finds what he is seeking, but Jessica is a true Hawthorne and is drawn – inevitably – back to Melbury, to her destiny…. The Hawthorne’s Heritage is a compelling historical romance of betrayal, love, and friendship perfect for fans of Lily Graham and Natalie Meg Evans.

Master Guns


Raymond Hunter Pyle - 2013
    Master Guns Rhodes was expecting a tour on the operation staff after an eighteen month extended tour in I-Corps with 3rd Battalion 4th Marines. He had served as Charlie Company Gunny as a Master Sergeant for most of eighteen months, and his nerves were nearly shot. Charlie Company Skipper, now a Major and S3 for 3rd Recon Battalion, had talked Rhodes into waving his return to combat date and another tour as 3rd Recon Operations Chief, a staff billet. A tour as a pogue in a soft staff job was just what Rhodes needed. Or so he thought. There was just one hitch. Rhodes had the training, but no operational Recon experience. Major Slaughter wanted Rhodes to get some operational experience with the recon teams before he started in the Three Shop. But how bad could that be? A few walks in the sun and then an office, hot meals, daily showers, shined boots and clean utes. It didn’t quite work out that way.

Across the Wilderness


Pamela Ackerson - 2014
    A time-travel romance where a Sioux warrior from the 1800's meets a contemporary woman doctor, Across the Wilderness is a love story that transcends time, bringing two soul mates together on a journey interwoven with romance, revenge, and intrigue.

1918: We will remember them (British Ace Book 5)


Griff Hosker - 2015
    The Sopwith Camels are holding their own against the German war machine and then they meet the Fokker Triplane and the pilots of the RFC began to fall. As the war drifts into 1918 the Germans have one last throw of the dice and come within a whisker of the sea. It is up to Bill, Gordy and Ted to lead their young pilots in a last desperate attempt to halt the grey wall of steel. With a dramatic climax during bloody September in 1918 the final book set in the Great War shows how the squadron emerges from four bloody years of war.

The Passengers


Eleanor Limprecht - 2018
    Sarah, Hannah’s grandmother, is returning to the country of her birth, a place she hasn’t seen since boarding the USS Mariposa in 1945. She, along with countless other war brides, sailed across the Pacific to join the American Servicemen they’d married during World War II.Hannah is the age Sarah was when she made her first journey, and in hearing Sarah tell the story of her life, realises the immensity of what her grandmother gave up.The Passengers is a luminous novel about the journeys we undertake, the sacrifices we make and the heartache we suffer for love. It is about how we most long for what we have left behind. And it is about the past - how close it can feel - even after long passages of time.Praise for The Passengers: ‘A compelling novel about the bruises inflicted by fate and by ourselves, and the blessings to be found in resilience, determination, and love.’ - Debra Adelaide, author of The Household Guide to Dying‘Two women, two generations, two countries, two journeys. Eleanor Limprecht gracefully navigates the crosscurrents of history and creates vibrant characters from the extraordinary true experiences of Australian war brides. Sarah and Hannah’s urgent search for love and wholeness moved me in both senses: they touched my hearts and I still feel I am churning across the Pacific with them. A deeply satisfying novel.’ - Susan Wyndham, former literary editor, The Sydney Morning Herald'I loved this book and I loved its characters, beautifully observed and movingly examined by Limprecht’s exquisite prose. A stunning exploration of hope and desire, fear and control, this story is full of heart and heartbreak.’ - Ashley Hay, author of The Railwayman’s Wife