Modern Fiction

The New Atlantis (1627) is a utopian novel by Sir Francis Bacon in which he describes a vision of the future of human discovery, expressing his aspirations and ideals for humanity. The novel portrays a utopian world where "generosity and enlightenment, dignity and splendour, piety and public spirit" are the dominant qualities of the inhabitants.

Drags, fags and trans-women were attracted to the Big Apple because they were able to find work as impersonators in a small number of Lower East Side clubs. Decades before Stonewall, they occupied the margins of society, determined to live as they pleased, despite of the attentions of the police. Sometimes reduced to stealing to get their costumes, these girls were unstoppable, fearless and fabulous. When a cache of their letters were discovered, these individuals were given a voice where they had traditionally been silenced.

Unlike my conniving brother, I have no designs on the throne. Let better men rule. I'm happy to let better men rule-I've never pretended to be a good man. I've been in exile, but no longer. I'm finally going home. This time, no one can keep me away. Not Ariel, the woman I left behind. Not the killer on my tail. Hell, not even my cousin-the king-can stop me. But I do have a score to settle. Everything's going just fine until Ariel is assigned to my protection detail. She will ruin everything, and probably enjoy doing it. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Long ago and far away (and somewhere south of France) lies the kingdom of Esquaveta. There, Princess Tullia is in nearly as much peril as her struggling kingdom. Esquaveta desperately needs to forge an alliance, and to that end, Tullia's father has arranged a marriage between her and an odious prince. However, one month before the "wedding of the century," Tullia falls in love with a lowly apprentice scribe. The king turns to Anatole, his much-maligned magician. Seventeen years earlier, when Anatole first came to the castle, he was regarded as something of a prodigy.

Maeve O'Reilly Kensington has fully recovered from her heart-pounding escape from a murderer last summer. Now she and her husband, Will, are happily adapting to life as parents of an eight-month-old while also preparing for the birth of their second daughter. Will's catering business, A Thyme for All Seasons, is booming and Maeve's midwifery practice has blossomed under new hospital leadership.

When Evan's blind date with Scott ends in a marriage proposal, he can't believe the "yes" that pops out of his mouth. Is it really possible to fast-track a relationship to the commitment stage? Avoid all the drama of dating? There's only one way to find out. And what will their friends and family think of this instant romance? Mel, the happy matchmaker, with a marriage gone stale?

The turn of the 20th century saw radical developments in all art forms and particularly in poetry. The first volume of this series features the work of nine significant poets whose careers cover the period from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.

What links a café in Antarctica, a factory for producing electronic tracking tags, and personal spacecraft? They're among the multiple venues where award-winning writer Tania Hershman sets her unique tales in this spellbinding debut collection. This audiobook, adbridged from the original collection, is read by the author, Tania Hershman.

Can a handsome rocker from California and a pretty country singer from Kentucky move past their pride and prejudices and become friends, cocreators…or more? In this fun, witty, modern-day adaption of Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice, Chaz and Darcy, two members of the hottest rock band in the country, Persuasion, are on their quest to find quiet seclusion in the middle of nowhere Kentucky, when they cross paths with sisters Jade and Elle Bennett, southern girls with a real talent for playin’ country music.

In a sea of college freshmen, Elizabeth Bennet feels more like a den mother than a returning student. She’d rather be playing Exploding Kittens than dodge-the-gropers at a frat party, but no way was she letting her innocent, doe-eyed roommate go alone. Everything about Meryton College screams old money - something she and Jane definitely are not - but Elizabeth resolves to enjoy herself.

We are gathered here today...Lillian Snowe has finally succumbed to the Aidan's relentless pursuit. But before they say 'I do', the surprises begin. Some good and some bad, it becomes clear that while some want them together, there is an outside force trying to tear them apart. And Lilly isn't so sure she is cut out for this kind of life. Aidan Iversion III is about to put the worries of his employees, board, and family at ease. He is about to secure his wife. Grand gestures and small tokens are his tool for seduction, but it turns out all he needed was better vision.

Book One of Three Aidan Iverson III, old money wealthy and blatant playboy, has never felt the need to be with one woman. Why, when he has the looks, money and a family name to rule the nightlife? And, when it thoroughly aggravates Grandfather?

This is the third installment of the Modern Arrangements Trilogy. Lillian Snowe has been seduced, wedded, and bedded by the reformed playboy turned husband. Aidan Iverson III finally has his wife and unborn children home, where he can participate in their lives and protect them. But when hurdle after hurdle is thrown in the way of their happily ever after, will they be able to survive betrayals, lies, and the realization that they may really be meant for each other after all?

Evan Eaton spent three years waiting for the right Mail Order Bride to bite the hook. Time was not on his side and the note was coming due. He had to marry and produce an heir. Believing he’d finally found the perfect bride in Claudia, but as the months turned to days and the days turned into hours, he soon realized his bride to be was not going to show.

When Eugene Kim assembles his three estranged daughters at his deathbed, he means to put them to the test. Vicious and pathetic in equal measure, he wants to test who will abject themselves for his favor—and, more importantly, his fortune. Each isolated and desperate to escape their circumstances, the sisters wrestle with the legacy of their abusive father as they attempt to imagine a future with others—colleagues, lovers, friends, family—as rage and shame courses through their blood.

When former first lady Gwen DeVere Queen is discovered to be hale and hearty - after falling victim to a successful (and very public) assassination - the jig is finally up. Arthur Penn, a.k.a. King Arthur, reveals his true identity, and the existence of the Holy Grail, to the world. Unable to cope with the sick and dying who desperately entreat him to heal them with the power of the Grail, Arthur accepts an offer from an entrepreneur with a new approach to health care: siphon water through the Grail, bottle it, and sell it as a curative.

More than 1,500 years after his disappearance into the mists of Avalon, King Arthur has returned. This time, he's prepared to rule the Camelot of a new millennium: New York City. Handsome, charismatic Arthur Penn is running for mayor on a platform of common sense, humor, and knightly virtues. His advisors include a gifted 10-year-old named Merlin; Percival, an immortal accountant; and Gwen, a lovely young woman with no end of problems.

It has been 10 years since the police had charged him with the murder of his wife - an accusation that almost destroyed Jason’s life before finally being declared innocent. Now, all he wants is to retire and disappear into oblivion. Jason liked his plan, and it should have worked. Then, a strangely dressed man blew up his plan and sent him to training - warlock training.

Arthur Pendragon, the once and future king, has pursued his political career all the way to the White House. Then tragedy strikes, in the form of an assassination attempt that leaves his wife Gwen at death's door. To save her, Arthur must once again seek the Holy Grail, the Cup whose magical powers can heal her body and soul.... And as Arthur knows from experience, grail-hunting can be a very dangerous occupation.

Within the first Modern Madness collection, Gateway to the Grotesque, the modern-day dark-hearted master of horror Tim Chizmar introduced the world to his quality tales of terror. Now, in The Screaming Virgins, he seeks to usher in a brand-new group of masterful storytellers to shock, disgust, and scare you out of your mind!