The time is now

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Kathryn Lynn Davis

A rare, exquisite novel of courage and passion, betrayal and love. Dashing English diplomat Charles Kittridge relished the abundant pleasures of the world...and in his far-flung wanderings, he left behind three remarkable daughters: Ailsa Rose, a beauty of the Scottish highlands, endowed with her father's lust for adventure. She betrays her heart to follow the one man who promises her the world. Li-an hates the devil-father who made her a blue-eyed outcast in her Chinese homeland. But withher brilliant, reckless lover, she almost forgets her shame...until he is wrenched from her arms. Genevra, the gentle English daughter, lives amidst the splendor and squalor of India. Though unexpected passion promises her a joyous love, she must fight to escape the terrors and scandals of the past. Each of them has grown to womanhood haunted by a legacy of betrayal, longing and dreams. Now their father has but one final desire...to bring together the daughters he has never known....

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Aleksandr Pushkin

Eugene Onegin (Russian: Евге́ний Оне́гин, BGN/PCGN: Yevgeniy Onegin) is a novel in verse written by Alexander Pushkin. It is a classic of Russian literature, and its eponymous protagonist has served as the model for a number of Russian literary heroes (so-called superfluous men). It was published in serial form between 1825 and 1832. The first complete edition was published in 1833, and the currently accepted version is based on the 1837 publication. Almost the entire work is made up of 389 stanzas of iambic tetrameter with the unusual rhyme scheme "AbAbCCddEffEgg", where the uppercase letters represent feminine rhymes while the lowercase letters represent masculine rhymes. This form has come to be known as the "Onegin stanza" or the "Pushkin sonnet." The rhythm, innovative rhyme scheme, the natural tone and diction, and the economical transparency of presentation all demonstrate the virtuosity which has been instrumental in proclaiming Pushkin as the undisputed master of Russian poetry. The story is told by a narrator (a lightly fictionalized version of Pushkin's public image), whose tone is educated, worldly, and intimate. The narrator digresses at times, usually to expand on aspects of this social and intellectual world. This allows for a development of the characters and emphasises the drama of the plot despite its relative simplicity. The book is admired for the artfulness of its verse narrative as well as for its exploration of life, death, love, ennui, convention and passion. It influenced Vikram Seth's Golden Gate.

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Sheelagh Kelly

Marty Lanegan is working as a boot boy in York's splendid Station Hotel, when he catches sight of the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. Herietta Ibbetson is the daughter of a prominent landowner, who's far from pleased with his rebellious daughter. When she announces her love for a mere servant, he throws her out. Marty's family is one too delighted with his choice - Etta can't cook, sew, clean or make herself useful in any way. However, Marty is ambitious, Etta is content and they are wildly in love. But is that enough to sustain them as they raise a family of their own.

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Kate O'Donnell

Cian O'Connor watched Bronwynn Fitzhugh toy with her betrothed. Cian despised her conniving ways, but she was his only hope to escape from bondage at Castle Carrick. So the Irish rebel took her hostage, never reckoning that the fiery beauty would become his passionate ally, and risk her life to save his own... She was King Edward's ward, promised to a nobleman she despised, when the brooding Irishman seduced her with his magical harp. Now Bronwynn was Cian's prisoner, shamelessly abandoned in his arms, caught up in his fight against the ruthless overlord who would stop at nothing to get her back -- and destroy the rebel chieftain who captured her heart and soul. Here, amidst the wild beauty of 14th century Ireland, a man and a woman discover desire amidst the spoils of war, defying king and country in the name of love...