Historical adventure fiction

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2020 Southern Book Prize Indie Next Pick, April 2019 One of the Atlanta Journal Constitution's "South's 10 best books of 2019" Finalist for the Townsend Prize Books All Georgians Should Read from the Georgia Center for the Book One of the Wall Street Journal's Spring Picks for books Okra Pick from the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance In this gorgeously envisioned debut, set as the emergence of electricity and women’s desire for political, cultural, and sexual power electrified the country, a young woman’s rise to Vaudeville fame exposes secrets of her family’s past—and the keys to her own future. In rural north Georgia two decades after the Civil War, thirteen-year-old Lulu Hurst discovers an obscure book by legendary Mesmerist Henrietta Wolf on her father’s shelf. After Lulu uses Wolf’s wisdom to convince a cousin she can conduct electricity with her touch, her father sees an opportunity. Her father’s lessons transform Lulu, once deemed gangly and indelicate, into an electrifying new woman: The Magnetic Girl, captivating enthusiastic crowds by lifting grown men in parlor chairs, throwing them across the stage with her “electrical charge.” As her notoriety grows, Lulu harbors a secret belief that she can use the power of Mesmerism to heal her disabled baby brother, Leo, with whom she shares a profound and supernatural mental connection. To help him, she delves into the mysterious book’s pages, determined to harness Wolf’s teachings and convince herself, and the world, that her gifts are authentic. But will they be enough to heal her family? Based on true events, this award-winning novel is a unique portrait of a forgotten period in history, seen through the story of one young woman’s power over her family, her community, and ultimately, herself.Trade ReviewWinner of the 2020 Southern Book Prize Indie Next Pick, April 2019 One of the Atlanta Journal Constitution's "South's 10 best books of 2019" Finalist for the Townsend Prize Books All Georgians Should Read from the Georgia Center for the Book One of the Wall Street Journal's Spring Picks for books Okra Pick from the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance "Handler captures the ambivalence of female adolescence, where the newfound ability to captivate others exists in unsteady balance with the fear of loss of independence. A thoroughly fresh historical novel that both captures the essence of its time and echoes challenges that still exist today."—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED Review "This is a story that gets at the core of what it’s like to be alive, honing in on modern day feminist anxieties through the lens of a distant time when electricity was glamorous instead of merely a technological afterthought. Handler provides a touching look at how human desire doesn’t always equal what is right, and the result is an astonishing tale that does not pander or falter, but crackles with magic."—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Author Jessica Handler paints a quaint picture of life in the late 19th century, when electricity was a new phenomenon. Lulu begins as a young woman used to obeying her parents, but through her performances, she begins to see her parents and their shortcomings more clearly. The Magnetic Girl is hypnotic tale about a girl growing into a woman and discovering the truth of her own powers."—BookPage “Lulu’s is a story on the precipice: of scientific discovery, of cultural evolution, and of increased autonomy for women. As a daughter of this dawning new world, Lulu captivates her way toward dismaying realizations, deadly conundrums, and new freedoms. Beyond its sleight of hand, The Magnetic Girl is a vintage tale about learning to harness your singular powers.” —Foreword Reviews "Like the powers of Lulu Hurst, Jessica Handler's literary power feels like a sleight of hand. It's impossible that a novel can be this beautiful, this haunting, and this resonant, but your eyes (and your heart) are not deceiving you. The Magnetic Girl is a gorgeous, brutal book: a strange alchemy of love, fear, fate, and hope."—Wiley Cash, New York Times Bestselling author of The Last Ballad "Jessica Handler brings history to glorious life in a captivating tale anchored by masterful writing, especially the vivid, unique voice she gives to Lulu Hurst. With deft pacing that kept me turning pages long into the night, Handler lights up Lulu’s fascinating trajectory into a strange kind of stardom and beyond. The world sees Lulu, a natural mesmerist, as a person with mystical talents, but at its heart, this is the story of a young woman stepping boldly and at last into her true powers. The Magnetic Girl is something special. Don’t miss it."—Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Gods in Alabama and The Almost Sisters “The Magnetic Girl is a compassionate, clear-eyed coming-of-age tale unlike anything I’ve read. The story belongs to Lulu Hurst, but Handler is the one doing the true mesmerizing. What a unique, accomplished debut!”—Therese Anne Fowler, New York Times Bestselling author of Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald “A heartwarming tale of the sacrifices we make for family, the delusions we fall for in the name of love, and the human need to keep on dreaming despite it all. Mesmerizing.”—Thomas Mullen, author of Darktown

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Book SynopsisPackaged in handsome, affordable trade editions, Clydesdale Classics is a new series of essential literary works. The series features literary phenomena with influence and themes so great that, after their publication, they changed literature forever. From the musings of literary geniuses such as Nathaniel Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter, to the striking personal narratives from Harriet Jacobs in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, this new series is a comprehensive collection of our history through the words of an exceptional few.Ernest Hemingway once said: “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as good since.” Often referred to as “the great American novel,” The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn defined American literature with its richness of characters, colorful vernacular, and vibrant depictions of the American Midwest. Told in the first-person from the viewpoint of the classic protagonist, the satirical narrative follows young “Huck” Finn as he searches for escape and adventure along the Mississippi River.The story begins where Twain’s previous novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, left off: Huck and his friend Tom Sawyer come into a large sum of money, and Huck is adopted by a middle-class widow who attempts to civilize him. Accustomed to a poor, destitute existence and vagabonding with his abusive alcoholic father, Huck quickly becomes dissatisfied with the confines and rigidity of his new life. When his father returns and begins to harass him for money, Huck is kidnapped and taken to his father’s cabin, where he longs to escape. After faking his own death, Huck escapes to Jackson’s Island where he meets a slave named Jim, who is also running away. Together, they travel on a raft up the Mississippi River in search of freedom.An absolute, uncontested classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of the greatest coming-of-age adventure tales of our time.

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Book SynopsisOne jump to save all time Life is progressing normally for sixteen-year-old Dan Renfrew when he accidentally transports himself to England in the year 1066. He soon realizes that he’s trapped there, and that’s not his only astonishing discovery. Dan learns that he’s descended from a long line of time jumpers—secret heroes who travel to the past and resolve glitches in the time stream that threaten to alter subsequent history. The only way Dan can return home is to set history back on its proper course in the Anglo-Saxon age. This is no easy task. A Viking horde is ravaging England in the north while a Norman army threatens to invade from the south. In between and desperately struggling to hold on to his throne is Harold Godwinson, the newly-crowned English king. Dan is fighting to ensure that events play out correctly when he finds himself plunged into an even more lethal conflict. To save history, Dan must battle a band of malevolent time jumpers whose lust for wealth and power threatens the entire future of the world.Trade Review"Fun adventure and an interesting historical background"--Kirkus Reviews“Andrew Varga has successfully blended a compelling historical fiction story with a sci-fi/ fantasy tale to create a novel that includes the best of both genres."—Jeffrey Westbrook, editor of the Altavista Journal and the Union Star “The Last Saxon King is a riveting story. Well researched and beautifully written, you can practically sense the sights, sounds and smells of 11th century England. A unique take on the momentous events of 1066, the reader finds themselves egging the characters on. This is edge-of-the-seat time traveling historical fiction.”—Historian Sharon Bennett Connolly is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and the author of Heroines of the Medieval World, Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest, Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England and Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey"The interplay of modern and early Medieval culture is fun, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense and time travel.”—Simon Spalding, historian and author of Food at Sea: Shipboard Cuisine from Ancient to Modern TimesA thrilling adventure and a wonderful introduction to the history of pre-Conquest England.”—Annie Whitehead, is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and author of Women of Power in Anglo-Saxon England, Mercia: The Rise and Fall of a Kingdom, To Be A Queen, Tales of the Iclingas Series, and Alvar the Kingmaker“As a historical fiction writer and as a homeschool parent, I loved every page of The Last Saxon King.”—Lynn Dean, Hands-On Homeschool ResourcesThe Last Saxon King is a gripping, faced paced read, perfect for readers who love a clever blending of history and fantasy.”—Cryssa Bazos, author of Honor of Thieves, Severed Knot and Betrayal: Historical Stories“A rollicking action/adventure of time travel with both male and female heroes! A modern day tale of love and sacrifice to save the world. I couldn’t put it down.” —Tom Taylor, author of Brock’s Assassin, Brock’s Traitor, Brock’s Railroad and Brock’s Agent

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Book SynopsisEVERY SECOND COUNTS IN THE FIGHT TO SAVE ALL TIME Dan Renfrew hates that he’s a time jumper—seventeen-year-olds should not be stuck with the responsibility of saving history. But with no one else stepping up to stop Victor Stahl’s plot to take over the world, Dan and his time-jumping partner Sam have no choice but to jump back into history again. They land on the Celtic island of Anglesey in 60 CE, hoping to find answers on how to stop Victor. Their task isn’t easy. Everyone seems to be hiding something, from the druids who rule Anglesey to the Celts who take the time jumpers in. As two Roman legions—intent on wiping out everyone on the island—draw closer, time is running out for Dan and Sam.Trade Review"The storyline is replete with ancient battle action and tactics, flashes of romance, clever humor, and unexpected turns in events. The book delivers not only fast-paced fun and adventure but engaging historical insight into a time of turmoil and change."---Thomas J. Howley, Historical Novel Society"Fun immersion in the world of the Celts and the lives of endearing characters the two protagonists come to know as well as plenty of fast-paced, bloody action sequences."---Kirkus Reviews “The Celtic Deception is a thrilling trip back in time! I would definitely recommend this book to adult and young adult readers.”--–Stephanie Rowsey, Librarian, Barr Memorial Library, Fort Knox, Kentucky “An awesome second installment to Varga’s time jumper series”--–Ashley McKay, bookseller at The Ancient Nook

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Book SynopsisEvery second counts in the fight to save all time. Dan Renfrew hates that he’s a time jumper—seventeen-year-olds should not be stuck with the responsibility of saving history. But with no one else stepping up to stop Victor Stahl’s plot to take over the world, Dan and his time-jumping partner Sam have no choice but to jump back into history again. They land on the Celtic island of Anglesey in 60 CE, hoping to find answers on how to stop Victor. Their task isn’t easy. Everyone seems to be hiding something, from the druids who rule Anglesey to the Celts who take the time jumpers in. As two Roman legions—intent on wiping out everyone on the island—draw closer, time is running out for Dan and Sam.Trade Review"The storyline is replete with ancient battle action and tactics, flashes of romance, clever humor, and unexpected turns in events. The book delivers not only fast-paced fun and adventure but engaging historical insight into a time of turmoil and change."---Thomas J. Howley, Historical Novel Society"Fun immersion in the world of the Celts and the lives of endearing characters the two protagonists come to know as well as plenty of fast-paced, bloody action sequences."---Kirkus Reviews “The Celtic Deception is a thrilling trip back in time! I would definitely recommend this book to adult and young adult readers.”--–Stephanie Rowsey, Librarian, Barr Memorial Library, Fort Knox, Kentucky “An awesome second installment to Varga’s time jumper series”--–Ashley McKay, bookseller at The Ancient Nook

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Book SynopsisBest-selling author Laverne Stewart (Angels in the Afterlife; Healing After Homicide, Haunted Heart) offers a gripping new read with Coven of the Soul Sisters. Her novel chronicles the plight of those accused of witchcraft and sentenced to death in 1690s New England. Then, this intriguing novel catapults into current times where reincarnated victims and persecutors of the past find themselves again grappling with religious beliefs and zealots inflicting suffering on non-believers and witchcraft to some remains an unforgivable sin punishable by death.

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