Stacy Brock

Renegade patriot Harry Lampeter is called back into service by MI6. The Franco-German alliance has occupied the island of Guernsey and plans to invade England. They try to pass their action off as a peacekeeping operation but they have built steam launchers for their flying bombs, high altitude observation balloons for targeting, and "Big Bertha", an enormous gun situated on the French coast that can bombard London.

Urban anarchist Harry Lampeter is employed by MI6 on a casual basis. Modern technology has collapsed, returning the world to the steam age. The war between Scotland and England, is on hold while the United States army of occupation keeps the peace. The Americans are in no hurry to leave, they plan to make Great Britain the 54th State of their Union. Scotland and England eye one another with mistrust and an arms race seems inevitable as the English plan building a fleet of Ironclad warships.

The Witch’s Family is an inspirational story for young children about the power of kindness, patience, and compassion. The witch cares for a band of problematic pets until she’s run herself ragged. She takes care of everyone but herself, until she gets completely burnt out and falls into a depression. Now it’s the pets’ turn to take care of her. A gentle and accessible introduction to mental health, this story demonstrates the importance of returning care to those that have cared for us.

The world has returned to the Steam Age. Incensed by cross-border raids from England, the Scots decide it's time to march on London. The English army heads north to stop them and MI6 send Harry Lampeter to report on the hostilities. General Malina’s American peacekeepers arrive as the battle for York begins. In between amorous entanglements, Harry discovers the Americans have a hidden agenda: the invasion of Europe. Meanwhile, Harry’s friend, Telford Stephenson, has joined the Scottish Air Force and is enjoying his own adventures.

Tracy Slater may be a successful pop star, but fame and fortune isn't everything she thought it'd be. Under the thumb of a husband who is growing steadily more abusive, she's decided her marriage is over. She just needs to make it through one more trip home for the holidays with him before she's free. Stephen Austin worked hard to become the successful novelist he's always wanted to be. So why isn't he happy? Then he runs into his old girlfriend, the one he thought he had lost forever.

Attorney Desiree Contando can think of only one word to describe her very first home: disaster. The vintage Queen Anne is beautiful - or will be, in about 1,000 years. Certainly not in time to host the family Christmas gathering. “Disaster” also describes the bad breakup that left her picket-fence vision in tatters. Even the carpenter she’s hired is a reminder of lost dreams - the high school crush who never spared her a passing glance. But she’s a grown-up now, perfectly capable of keeping things professional.

Lila Weston is a pro at keeping secrets, but this time, she can’t wait to share with her friends and *ahem* boyfriend. She has been counting down the days until Gavin is home for the holidays. Beth Ann is skilled in avoiding her issues, but she’s never had to face someone just as stubborn. All year, she’s brushed off Dylan’s flirting. Yet, the extra attention he seems to save just for her warms her from head to toe. It was easy to ignore while in New York, but now she’s home for three weeks. And there’s no way she’ll be able to stay away.

Every detail of Lila's life has been meticulously planned out since she was a child. To the point where she forgot one vital thing: to live. When she receives news that drastically alters the path of her future, she realizes she has one last chance to create memories and make the most of her summer. Gavin, on the other hand, is known for his carefree attitude. He has lived a charmed life for almost 18 years. He's never short on friends or a good time, he has a supportive family, and he's all set to go off to college and follow his dreams. The one thing he doesn't have is the girl.

Seven-year-old Frankie awakens the morning after her mother’s surgery to learn a horrible truth from her father: “Mommy didn’t make it.” Frankie’s life turns upside down as the house fills with visitors, a funeral is held, and Mommy lies in a satin coffin wearing a dress she’d never be caught—well, dead, wearing. It's powder blue! All wrong, wrong, wrong! Sadness envelops Frankie. She listens to children playing in the neighborhood, instead of joining them. She stays in her room, coloring, or reading, or otherwise drowning herself in grief.

Hannah and Tamar are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving break with their grandparents. On the long ride to Vermont, the sisters are quick to offer assistance when a fellow passenger - a girl in her late teens - is hassled by a rough-looking young man. Grateful as she may be for their help, Gwen is in no hurry to make friends, not even as she thrusts a mysterious package into Tamar’s hand and disappears in the Rutland train station. Puzzled by her behavior, Hannah and Tamar set out to locate Gwen and unravel the secret of the mysterious package.