Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future. Based on the movie Miracle in East Texas , this is the story of two aging, fast-talking hucksters: Doc Boyd and Dad Everett. These hard-luck con men make their living swindling widows during the Great Depression by selling them shares in sham oil wells. The truth is that they're selling hope and more romance than the widows they swindle have ever known. Once they've sold about a thousand percent of these fraudulent shares, they declare the well a dry hole and head for greener pastures. Then, miraculously, every lie they tell comes true. They hit not just an oil well but the richest strike in North America. They should cap the well, declare it a dry hole, and make their getaway. But then they would have to walk away from being honest oilmen for the first time in their larcenous lives. What follows is funny and poignant, romantic and inspiring. This tall tale inspired by an absolutely true story comes from a time when bums became billionaires and sinners became saints.

I was winning when I met your gaze . . . So begins the confession of Gwendolen Harleth: dazzling beauty, wilful vivant and gambler of hearts: who bet her strength against her cruel husband, staked it all on the love of Daniel Deronda, and played her way back to a winning hand. With the profound insight of her acclaimed biographies, Diana Souhami fashions a real life for this most mercurial and magnetic of literary heroines, plotting Gwendolen's course in step with the drama of the age as a pioneer of women's aspirations in our own.

Shadows in the Moonlight is the first book in the sensational new series from Number One bestselling author Santa Montefiore.[Bokinfo]

Hermann Sudermann's "The Song of Songs" explores the complexities of love and passion within a historical setting. This enduring work of German literature, presented here in English translation, delves into the intricacies of human relationships and the timeless allure of romance. A compelling example of historical fiction, the novel captures the emotional intensity of its characters as they navigate the challenges of love and desire. Sudermann's prose masterfully portrays the depths of human emotion, making "The Song of Songs" a resonant and engaging read for anyone interested in classic literary fiction. Experience the enduring power of this translated work, a testament to the timeless nature of love stories and the enduring appeal of German literature. Prepare to be captivated by a narrative that explores the universal themes of the heart, meticulously presented for your reading pleasure. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The novel tells the story of two main characters: Charles Egremont, an aristocratic politician, and Sybil Gerard, a young woman from a working-class background. Through their intersecting lives, Disraeli presents a vivid portrayal of the stark contrasts between the wealthy upper class and the impoverished working class during the Industrial Revolution. "Sybil" addresses the social and political tensions of the time, depicting the harsh realities faced by the working-class population, such as poor living conditions, exploitation, and the absence of political representation. Disraeli weaves together elements of romance, social critique, and political intrigue to shed light on the societal divide and advocate for reform. The novel also introduces the concept of the "Two Nations," representing the stark divide between the rich and the poor, with each living in their own separate worlds. Disraeli argues for the necessity of recognizing and addressing this social disparity in order to create a more just and unified society. "Sybil" had a significant impact on public opinion and political discourse of its time, contributing to the growing awareness of social issues and the need for reform. It helped shape the political ideology of "One-Nation Conservatism" and influenced future social and political reforms in Britain. Overall, "Sybil" is a compelling work that combines elements of romance, social commentary, and political reform. It offers readers a thought-provoking exploration of the stark divisions and injustices within society during the Industrial Revolution, and it remains a significant contribution to both literature and political discourse.

“A moving act of absolution . . . . This strong novel about a girl who is debased but never destroyed pushes the reader to a new level of understanding of the things people do—and the things that are done to them.”— Washington Post Book World She has hair of ginger and lovely green eyes, and she has just been transported with her family from Terezín to Auschwitz. In short order, her father commits suicide, and her mother and younger brother are dispatched to the gas chambers, but fifteen-year-old Hanka Kauderzová is still alive. Faced with the choice of certain death in the camp or working in a German military brothel, she chooses a chance at life. Passing for an Aryan, Hanka spends her days in the brothel cold, hungry, fearful, and ashamed. She is sustained only by her loathing of the men who visit her and by a fierce, indomitable will to live. This devastatingly beautiful novel explores and delineates the impossible choices one sometimes has to make in life, when the fabric of the world is rent asunder. Soaring beyond the nightmare, it leaves the reader with a transcendent sense of hope. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Love's Shadow (1908) is a novel by Ada Leverson. Having established herself as a journalist and short story writer, Leverson published her debut novel in 1907 to moderate acclaim. Entertaining and effortlessly witty, Leverson's prose paints a stunning portrait of the Edwardian era, a time when hope and relative peace proved prosperous for many. Often compared to her close friend Oscar Wilde, Leverson, a pioneering Jewish woman, remains a unique and refreshing voice in English literature. Love's Shadow is the first installment in her Little Ottleys trilogy, a series of novels exploring the romantic lives of a hilariously diverse group of friends. Edith and Bruce Ottley seem to have it all--a charming flat, a healthy child, and a group of entertaining friends. Although they are far from perfect--Bruce can be jealous and quite the hypochondriac at times--their marriage remains strong and their home remains a place of refuge to their frequently lovelorn comrades. Among a dizzying array of faces and names, Hyacinth Verney, Mrs. Eugenia Raymond, Cecil Reeve, and Lord Selsey stand out. Although Hyacinth loves Cecil, a match favored by his uncle Lord Selsey, the young man seems inexplicably smitten with the widow Eugenia, who has no interest in marrying again. Edith and Bruce do their best to make themselves hospitable while defending their home against the hostilities of love, but the hearts and minds of their eclectic guests prove difficult to assuage. Love's Shadow is a humorous tale of romance and desire from Ada Leverson, an underappreciated novelist of the Edwardian era. This edition of Ada Leverson's Love's Shadow is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers. Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book. With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

The story begins in the early 1940s in Budapest and Baghdad where, 1,600 miles apart, Jewish communities are being brutally purged by fascists. In different, but equally devastating circumstances, the Weisz and Haroun families flee their homes to seek safety in England. As both clans deal with the challenges, upheavals and horrors of the Holocaust and its legacy, their lives become intertwined after an unlikely twist of fate. Nine Love Letters is a poignant and tender novel about the enduring power of love across generations, based on real events.

"The King became passionately enamored with a Jewess who was called by the name of Fermosa, meaning The Beautiful, and he forgot his wife. And he shut himself up with the Jewess for almost seven full years, forgetful of himself, and of his realm also, and paying no heed to any other thing." - Alfonso el Sabio, "Cronica General," c. 1270. This is a haunting love story of Alfonso VIII, the Christian King of Castile, and Raquel, the beautiful Jewess of Toledo, two lovers trapped by the bitterness and conflict of their times in a tragic alliance. Raquel was the daughter of Yehuda, a wealthy, proud aristocrat, who had come from Seville with his family to serve as Alfonso's Minister of Finance. His mission was to replenish the country's depleted treasury, but he saw in this assignment an opportunity to prevent war between the Christian North and the Moslem South and in the process to save his own people, the Jews, from being crushed between these two ruthless forces. But when the impetuous Alfonso fell in love with Raquel and demanded her as his mistress, Yehuda had to choose between his daughter's future and the fate of his people. In this epic romance of the lovers and their bitter destinies, Lion Feuchtwanger, one of the world's great historical novelists, has brilliantly recreated the drama and pageantry of the Middle Ages, rent with love and hate, cruelty and compassion, profanity and piety, bloodshed and ritual.

The classic novelization of one of Broadway’s most enduring and beloved musicals, updated with a beautiful new cover. Maria is young and innocent and has never known love—until Tony. And Tony, searching for life beyond the savagery of the streets, has discovered love for the first time with her, too. But Maria’s brother is the leader of the Sharks and Tony had once led the rival Jets. Now, both gangs are claiming the same turf and with tensions rising to the point of explosion, it seems there is no way to stop a rumble. Tony promised Maria that he would stay out of it. But will he be able to keep his word or will their newfound love be destroyed by violence or even death? Evocative and unforgettable, this novelization brings out all of the depth, drama, and beauty of one of the most enduring stories in the history of American theater.

The Twelfth Hour (1907) is a novel by Ada Leverson. Having established herself as a journalist and short story writer, Leverson published her debut novel to moderate acclaim. Entertaining and effortlessly witty, Leverson's prose paints a stunning portrait of the Edwardian era, a time when hope and relative peace proved prosperous for many. Often compared to her close friend Oscar Wilde, Leverson, a pioneering Jewish woman, remains a unique and refreshing voice in English literature. Felicity, Sylvia, and Savile Crofton all feel the pressure placed on upper-class youths to marry wisely. At 25, Felicity appears to have found herself a good husband, a man of wealth and social standing who on closer appearance seems more interested in leisure than love. Determined not to fall into a similarly unhappy marriage, her 20-year-old sister Sylvia hopes to thwart her father's wish that she marry millionaire Mr. Ridokanski. Although he is only 16, Eton student Savile is deeply in love with a famous opera singer--from a distance--but also feels obliged to entertain the affections of Dolly Clive, a girl his own age. Finding company in their own unique miseries of the heart, the Crofton siblings hatch a plan to achieve happiness for themselves, satisfaction for their father, and whatever it is young people are meant to owe to society. The Twelfth Hour is a humorous tale of romance and desire from Ada Leverson, an underappreciated novelist of the Edwardian era. This edition of Ada Leverson's The Twelfth Hour is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers. Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book. With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

In London, before the First World War, where in society love and money predominate, Bertha and Nigel had been inseparable. But then Nigel felt he had to focus on the economics of life, and after all Bertha's family were quite modestly off. Whereas the heiress Mary, also interested in him but not anywhere near so charming, was very well set up. His decision was made. Though initially heartbroken, Bertha realises quickly that she has escaped from a delusion. Equanimity returns, and she finds in Percy Kellynch a devoted lover, though one a little more sober and less racy. They marry, as do Nigel and Mary, and over time the two become friends again, though now with wise awareness on Bertha's side. Nigel begins to see his error, as Mary's jealousy and her wish to supervise his life take their toll. He finds comfort in simply seeing Bertha initially, but inevitably begins to wish for more. Bertha is not interested, having moved on, but, if noticed, Nigel's attentions could be misconstrued... In the meantime, Bertha is also looking out for the future of a young friend, Madeline Irwin, who is smitten with Rupert Denison, a young man with rather too much of a penchant for patronising and "educating" young women. Madeline is impulsive, a little inexperienced and quite needy. Her headlong qualities precipitate problems very readily. As Bertha negotiates several crises arising from Nigel's reviving attachment, she also tries to assist Madeline in avoiding her own self-created disasters. Much depends on Bertha's talent for good management and wise counsel in the perils of both their lives. She is determined to win over adversity, but it will be a strong test of her skills.... Bird of Paradise, Leverson's fifth novel, as radiant with wit and wisdom as those which preceded it, was first published in 1914.

In the eighth novel in The Performers family saga, the lives of Miriam Da Silva and Claudette, granddaughter of the notorious Lilith, are destined to cross. Miriam, beautiful and rich, danced at the first ball of the 1892 Season, whilst Claudette, desperate to find a way of surviving in backstreet London, gambled all her charms and won a place on the stage of the Gaiety Theatre. Their paths crossed in the house of Mrs Lovibond - a house whose veneer of elegance concealed all the sordid vices of the Victorian underworld.

Product Description Abel Lackland has risen from squalid beginnings to become one of the wealthiest surgeons in town. He wants his eldest son, Jonah, to follow in his footsteps, but Jonah decides that the future lies in the world of the arts. Jonah steals away one night to visit the forbidden Haymarket theatre and manages to meet the famous Lilith Lucas. He falls under her spell - a fatal spell that, unknown to him, has haunted Abel for many years. Lilith is aware of Jonah's identity and sees a chance to repay Abel Lackland for the indignity and heartbreak of the past... About the Author Claire Rayner, nurse, agony aunt and author was born in London in 1931. She married in 1957 and it was while her children were young that she began to write. She is also a tireless campaigner on many medical and social issues, including the long term care of the elderly. Her literary output comprises over eighty books including fiction and a broad range of medical matters. She now lives in Harrow with her husband.

As Hitler rises to power, a man and woman travel to Germany in the desperate search for a Jewish family. Yet, more than common purpose unites them in their mission. Together, Peter and his married cousin, Leah Lackland, head for Munich.

Nachdem der Vater, ein Oberstleutnant mit italienischen Wurzeln, frühzeitig in den Ruhestand geschickt wird, zieht die Familie Fabiani nach Salzburg. Da trifft Therese auf Alfred Nüllheim, einen Schulkameraden von Thereses Bruder Karl, der ihre erste Liebe wird. Dieser zieht bald nach Wien, um Medizin zu studieren, bittet davor aber Therese, auf ihn zu warten, um ihn nach Studienabschluss zu heiraten. Thereses Vater erkrankt bald und wird in einer psychiatrischen Klinik hospitalisiert, wo er kurze Zeit später verstirbt. Die Mutter, von altem aber verarmtem kroatischem Adel abstammend, verdient daraufhin den Lebensunterhalt durch das Schreiben von kitschigen Feuilletonromanen. Um eine gesicherte Existenz zu haben, will sie die Tochter an einen alten Grafen verkuppeln, was Therese ablehnt. Als sich Therese in einen jungen Leutnant verliebt und sich mit diesem in eine Liebesbeziehung einlässt, erfährt das Alfred an seinem Studienort. Er beschimpft die Freundin brieflich. Bald entpuppt sich der Leutnant als untreuer Gefährte. Arthur Schnitzler (1862-1931) war ein österreichischer Arzt, Erzähler und Dramatiker. Er gilt als Schriftsteller als einer der bedeutendsten Vertreter der Wiener Moderne.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of 19th-century music with Elizabeth Sheppard's "Charles Auchester, Volume 1 of 2," a captivating work of historical fiction. Delve into a story where the passion for music intertwines with the complexities of human relationships, against a backdrop of rich historical detail. This volume explores themes of romance and artistic dedication within the lives of musicians, offering a glimpse into their world of creativity and personal struggles. Sheppard's meticulous prose captures the essence of the era, making this a timeless read for anyone fascinated by musical history and the enduring power of human connection. Discover a world where music and emotion intertwine in this beautifully rendered historical romance. Prepared for print republication, this edition offers a renewed opportunity to experience a classic of musical fiction. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.