Great Kindle Books

"A Day With Marie Antoinette by Hélène Delalex is a beautifully crafted, intimate look at the life and legend of Marie Antoinette as told through the objects, places and people that defined her story: the furniture, paintings, etchings, lavish rooms and gardens of Versailles where she spent most of her ultimately tragic life are highlighted in this concise, charming overview of Marie Antoinette." -VIVE LA QUEEN BLOG "Hélène Delalex follows the breathless and unsettling pace of change set by Marie Antoinette at Versailles, visiting the sumptuous palace interiors that are imbued with her memory, such as the Gilded Cabinet or the Cabinet de la Méridienne, and the Queen’s Hamlet, still so strongly marked by her presence and determination to break with the conventions of court life. Until that fateful day in October 1789, when she was forced to flee the palace of Versailles, which will always embody the ambivalences of her spirit." -WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY

“Corsets and Codpieces is an extremely expansive, often jolly book. Karen Bowman is the writer’s equivalent of a magpie, her beady eye alert for the offset of details and the weirdest of facts in her brisk romp through a millennium of fashion’s victims.” —New York Times Book Review Have you ever wondered why we wear the type of clothes we do? Packed with outlandish outfits, this exciting history of fashion trends reveals the flamboyant fashions adopted (and discarded) by our ancestors. In the days before cosmetic surgery, people used bum rolls and bombastic breeches to augment their figures, painted their faces with poisonous concoctions, and doused themselves with scent to cover body odor. Take a fresh look at history’s hidden fashion disasters and discover the stories behind historical garments: How removing a medieval woman’s headdress could reveal her as a harlot Why Tudor men traded in their oversized codpieces for corsets How crinoline caused a spate of shoplifting among Victori...

Praise for Gill Paul: ‘A cleverly crafted novel and an enthralling story… A triumph.’ DINAH JEFFERIES  ‘Gripping, romantic and evocative of its time.’ LULU TAYLOR It is 1912. Against all odds, the Titanic is sinking. As desperate hands emerge from the icy water, a few lucky row boats float in the darkness. On the boats are four survivors. Reg, a handsome young steward working in the first-class dining room; Annie, an Irishwoman travelling to America with her children; Juliet, a titled English lady who is pregnant and unmarried, and George, a troubled American millionaire. In the wake of the tragedy, each of these people must try to rebuild their lives. But how can life ever be the same again when you’ve heard over a thousand people dying in the water around you? Haunting, emotional and beautifully written, Women and Children First breathes fresh life into the most famous disaster of the 20th century. A gripping read from the bestselling author of  The Secret...

An engrossing biography of the longest-reigning female pharaoh in Ancient Egypt and the story of her audacious rise to power. Hatshepsut—the daughter of a general who usurped Egypt's throne—was expected to bear the sons who would legitimize the reign of her father’s family. Her failure to produce a male heir, however, paved the way for her improbable rule as a cross-dressing king. At just over twenty, Hatshepsut out-maneuvered the mother of Thutmose III, the infant king, for a seat on the throne, and ascended to the rank of pharaoh. Shrewdly operating the levers of power to emerge as Egypt's second female pharaoh, Hatshepsut was a master strategist, cloaking her political power plays in the veil of piety and sexual reinvention. She successfully negotiated a path from the royal nursery to the very pinnacle of authority, and her reign saw one of Ancient Egypt’s most prolific building periods. Constructing a rich narrative history using the artifacts that remain, ...

“Captivating . . . Sarah Addison Allen produces tantalizing fiction.”— The Roanoke Times “A dusting of magic, the aroma of sugary cakes swirling through the breeze, and a girl who unwittingly brings change to a town of misfits make for a sweet summer story filled with hope and forgiveness.”—Beth Hoffman, author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt “Charming and entertaining . . . Don’t miss this spellbinding tale.”— Asheville Citizen Times “Allen clearly knows that all the fun is in the journey. . . . Sit back, open this book and join her.”—Greensboro News & Record   “An enjoyable read [with] doses of magical realism and romance.”—Associated Press “Easy to devour in one sitting.” — The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“[Allison] Pataki successfully juggles numerous political and personal plot lines while maintaining her focus on a fascinating central character. Extensive notes reveal the author’s attention to detail and explain where the novel diverges from the historical record. . . . Readers of Pataki’s first book will want to know the rest of Sisi’s story, but this novel stands on its own for historical fiction fans.” — Library Journal   “ Sisi is a deeply moving book about a complex character.” — BookPage   “A satisfying saga of the late Habsburg period.” — Kirkus Reviews   “Pataki’s extensive historical research is evident as she deftly explores the complex life of a woman who was both loved and hated by those whom she ruled. . . . Pataki brings richness and relevance to the story of the woman who worked tirelessly to protect the face of an empire.” — Publishers Weekly “Allison Pataki simply stuns me with each new book. I savor each page. Sisi is her best yet!” —...

“ The Miniaturist is one of the year’s most hyped novels, and it’s easy to see why. Burton conjures every scent and crackle of Nella’s world. A-” (Entertainment Weekly) “The Miniaturist is that rarest of things - beautifully written, yet also a compelling page-turner. It’s haunting, magical, and full of surprises, the kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with reading.” ( —S.J. Watson, author of Before I Go To Sleep ) ‘Utterly transporting...one of those rare debut novels that excels in every regard. The past is brought to life in potent, sensory detail: one feels steeped in it. Burton’s prose beguiles the reader...My first instinct on finishing this book was to immediately read it again.” ( Hannah Kent, author of Burial Rites ) “Burton’s writing is expressive and descriptive. While her prose is rich, it does not overwhelm the story...This historical novel with its strong female characters will appeal to those who enjoy the haunting undercurrents of Carlos Ru...

"Anne Fortier delivers a rollicking quest through the dark alleyways and shimmering hill towns that once inspired Shakespeare's great love story. This book has everything: Juliet and Romeo;  the Italian nobility and the mafia underworld; swashbuckling heroes and spunky heroines; secret documents and hidden treasures; passionate loves and violent vendettas that span the centuries. Juliet is a thrilling debut novel, completely saturated in fascinating history."—Katherine Neville, author of The Fire "This book is a stunner. Elegantly written in exquisite, vibrant and witty prose that rides well with the clever use of quotes from Shakespeare, it interweaves an astonishing historic take on the tale of the star-crossed lovers with a fast-paced, modern thriller. Every sentence is a joy, every character lives, and medieval and modern Siena are brilliantly evoked. The theme is delightfully original - and the kind of thing you wish you had thought up yourself. Th...

"Allen has written a beautiful, lyrical story, complete with genuine characters whose depth reflects Allen's skill as a writer. Allen's fans will be eagerly awaiting her next." -Publisher's Weekly "Thomas Wolfe was wrong.  You can go home again, and in returning to the Waverley household, the winsomely wise Allen demonstrates that sometimes it's necessary to embrace the magic to find out what's real in life and in one's own heart." -Booklist, Carol Haggas

"Like the most decadently addictive bonbons, once started, Allen’s magically entrancing novel is impossible to put down."—Booklist, starred review “Bewitching…. Such a pleasurable book.”—Publishers Weekly Praise for GARDEN SPELLS, Sarah Addison Allen's magical and utterly delicious debut novel -- : 'Beguiling ... Weaves a magical spell that enchants you as it draws you in. An absolute gem' -- Now 'This compelling book has it all - passion, romance and sibling rivalry. This is Sarah Addison Allen's first novel - she's definitely one to watch' -- My Weekly Sarah Addison Allen was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She is the author of Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen .

I will be the first to admit that when it comes to the paranormal genre, I am very picky as to what books I will read. I think it has to be done in the right way in order for me to enjoy it because it can't overshadow the plot. With my fascination of the Salem Witch Trials and everything surrounding that part of our history, I knew that I would want to read The Witches of BlackBrook the moment I stumbled across the synopsis. Needless to say, this one hit every single one of my requirements and then some. I was utterly consumed and unable to put this incredibly well-written novel down!  "Together remain, and from fighting refrain, as the bond you share, time will not wear. So mote it be."  As a female, I adore a good, strong heroine, but to have a book that was all about female empowerment and the spirit of a woman was incredibly special. It's so rare to see a novel these days where the female steals the show, but Witches of BlackBrook really did just that. There w...

“The Peculiar Miracles of Antoinette Martin is the kind of book that invites you home, sits you down at the kitchen table, and feeds you something delicious and homemade. You will want to stay in this world, where new relationships bloom out of broken ones, sisters find one another again, and miracles really do occur. Antoinette will stick in your head like a beautiful song.” ─Tiffany Baker, New York Times bestselling author of The Little Giant of Aberdeen County  “Overall, Stephanie Kipper has written a stunning and lyrical debut worthy of a read – complete with complex relationships, deep meaning and, above all, loves that conquer all.” —Bookreporter.com “Stephanie Knipper’s rich prose moves us through Rose, Lilly, and Rose’s daughter, Antoinette’s points of view to weave this beautiful portrait of a family as they grow through life’s difficult moments.” —Huffington Post  “A haunting and beautiful story.” —The Oklahoman  “Full of wonder, told gently and with gre...

"Allen is the master of magical details and plots that combine a fairy-tale sensibility with character-driven pathos. This imaginative, lyrical novel is an intricate web of magical misfits, Southern gothic charm, and the power of new possibilities, both romantic and redemptive." -NPR  "Allen always manages to nimbly mask her potent messages of inspiration and romance beneath her trademark touches of mirth and magic, but this endearing tale of surprising second chances may just be her wisest work yet." -Booklist, starred review

"Spell-bindingly charming, Allen's impressively accomplished debut novel will bewitch fans of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Esquivel, as her entrancing brand of magical realism nimbly blends the evanescent desires of hopeless romantics with the inherent wariness of those who have been hurt once too often." — Booklist , Starred Review, on Garden Spells "Charming...Imbued with a Southern charm that readers won't want to resist." — Christian Science Monitor on Garden Spells "Bewitching." — Publishers Weekly on The Sugar Queen Sarah Addison Allen on The Girl Who Chased the Moon   "How tall is he?" she asked, her voice hushed, as if he might hear. "Tall enough to see into tomorrow."--Chapter Two, The Girl Who Chased the Moon  Every book I’ve written has had some element of fairytale to it. The sentient apple tree in Garden Spells. The Rapunzel references in The Sugar Queen. And The Girl Who Chased the Moon is no different. ...

“A complex, vividly drawn tale... The intricate way in which Burton pulls the two plots together is unexpected and impressive, a most original story about creative freedom, finding one’s voice, and the quest for artistic redemption.” (Publishers Weekly) “[A] smart blend of literary and commercial fiction with intriguing characters and a compelling mystery at its center... Burton creatively infuses historical fiction with mystery in her exploration of the far-reaching consequences of deception, the relationship between art and artist, and the complex trajectory of women’s desires. (Booklist) “A simmering historical love story” (Glamour UK) “Like its predecessor, this is a tale with a refreshingly feminist slant, interested in the slipperiness of meaning” (Daily Mail (UK)) “[A] rich palette of ideas and emotions… The novel excellently explores the writing process itself.” (Independent (UK)) The Muse is a brilliantly realised story, and the parallel narratives are perfectly ba...

“A thoroughly engrossing and informative story…Degas’ paintings of the Paris Opera Ballet corps come to life in all their freshness and immediacy.”—Historical Novels Review  “Like Tracy Chevalier, Wagner imagines how layers of meaning pervade works of art, but her real forte is detailing the sexual politics of poverty and evoking the rivalry among dancers, especially between stars and the newcomers who wish to replace them. Wagner’s… abandonment of the masterpiece-in-the-making formula is a nice turn.”—Publishers Weekly  “First-time novelist Wagner skillfully compresses the war into a series of brief letters in this engaging tale illuminating the dark side of French society high and low. With appearances by Degas’ peers Cezanne and Monet, this fascinating visit to a bygone world of art and sex, war and love will draw many.”—Booklist