Religious & Spiritual Fiction Books

Book SynopsisAn inventive, ambitious interpretation of Don Quixote for our times, Mr Iyer Goes To War is a playful, profound adventure heralding a bold new voice in Indian fictionDispatched to a home in the sacred city of Varanasi, Lalgudi Iyer spends his days immersed in scripture. When an accident leaves him with concussion, he receives a vision of his past incarnation - he was the mythological warrior Bhima, sent from the heavens to destroy evil. Convinced of his need to continue Bhima''s mission and revive the noble principles of the Mahabharata, Iyer embarks on an epic adventure down the sacred Ganges with the help of his trust companion Bencho, the undertaker. His attempts at restoring order to the world - and winning the heart of the half-beautiful but oblivious widow Damayanti - are hampered only by his complete detachment from the reality of contemporary India. Mr Iyer Goes to War introduces a bold, witty new voice of Indian fiction in this playful and profound Trade ReviewA clever reworking of Don Quixote ... Much haphazard hilarity ... Weaves a nifty path between mayhem and genuine emotion. A satisfying and touching ending * Daily Mail *By reimagining the story of the errant knight Don Quixote in contemporary India, Ryan Lobo has created a touching, hilarious and insightful meditation on the ills of contemporary society * Hannah Rothschild, bestselling author of The Improbability of Love *A wicked, scuttling jaunt of a book filled with unforgettable characters ... Utterly bonkers * Tishani Doshi, author of The Pleasure Seekers *A compelling, humane story … Filled with witty characters, easy humour, insightful quotes and most importantly, with a protagonist who’s like a classic Shakespearean fool – wisest of all ... A delightful read. Unputdownable * Asian Age *An audacious Cervantes-inspired romp across a nation that might just be in need of a concussed hero * Jerry Pinto, author of Em and the Big Hoom *I finished it in one sitting! It has a great climax and is really well written * Shrabani Basu, author of For King and Another Country *Transplanting Cervantes’ knight into a new cultural context with its own distinct tradition of honour and holiness is a clever idea, acknowledging the perennial follies of daft old men while commenting on present-day India * Sunday Herald *In a nod to Don Quixote, Lobo’s debut plays with imagination and humour as his protagonist embarks on an adventure of a lifetime * Buzzfeed *Splendid … A picaresque adventure … Lobo’s novel vibrates with more energy than the original, and modern readers will probably more naturally root for the indefatigable Iyer … Manages to combine page-turning adventure with philosophical inquiry about regeneration and courage, all in a world rich with modern India’s beauty and chaos. Lobo may have taken inspiration from the greats, but he has created something brilliant in its own right * Washington Independent Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray?one of the most beloved voices in inspirational romance?welcomes readers back to Apple Creek, Ohio, a bright and bustling Amish community where a woman with her hands full keeping home for her widowed father and his new blacksmith apprentice forge an unexpected path to love. Perfect for fans of Beverly Lewis, Suzanne Woods Fisher, and Charlotte Hubbard, this third installment in The Amish of Apple Creek is sure to enchant readers looking for a sweet twist on the classic Cinderella story!Now in mass market paperback!Now that her friends are all marrying or moving away, Heart Beachy has started feeling lonely. Worse, everyone keeps asking when she?s going to find a man of her own. Don?t they realize Heart has her hands full at home with her widowed dad, too many chores, and a menagerie of needy, small animals? Besides, she doesn?t understand the fuss about marriage . . .Newcomer Clayton Glick is utterly charmed by Heart?and completely confounded. He can?t figure out why this beautiful woman is as awkward as a teenager whenever he?s around, which is often now that he?s an apprentice to her blacksmith father. So Clayton starts assisting with Heart?s never-ending tasks, even helping her corral her unruly pets. How else can he court an adorably flustered woman who doesn?t know the first thing about courtship? Because courting is exactly what he intends . . .Heart doesn?t know why her pulse hammers every time she sees Clayton. She only knows yielding to such emotions will mean trouble. . . . But maybe with a little faith?and the loss of a shoe?Clayton can convince her to join him on the road to happily ever after.

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Book SynopsisShortly after burying her unfaithful husband, Georgia Peyton unexpectedly inherits the derelict Stardust motel from a distant relative. Despite doubts from the community and the aunt who raised her, she is determined to breathe new life into it. But the guests who arrive aren''t what Georgia expects: Her gin-loving mother-in-law; her dead husband''s mistress; an attractive but down-on-his-luck drifter who''s tired of the endless road; and an aging Vaudeville entertainer with a disturbing link to Georgia''s past.Can Georgia find the courage to forgive those who''ve betrayed her, the grace to shelter those who need her, and the moxy to face the future? And will her dream of a new life under the flickering neon of the STARDUST ever come true?Trade ReviewWhile the story is heartbreaking, there is much more to this book. The lives of Mitzi and Brooke are told both in present time and with flashbacks, weaving together love, loss, tragedy and friendship. Stewart skillfully entertains and engages the reader with each character's private pain and survival skills. - Romantic Times, 4 stars for Broken WingsCarla Stewart is a talented writer who has proven that again with STARDUST. I was hooked from the first sentence and am anxious to share this engaging story with our She Reads readers. - Marybeth Whalen, Founder and Co-Director of She Reads (www.shereads.org), the fiction division of Proverbs 31 Ministries

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Book SynopsisWhen a stray dog helps himself to a bone from a display in the supermarket, he doesn''t know his actions will brand him a criminal and spark a romance between two humans. Stewart Coolidge works as a bag boy at the store, and his outraged boss offers a reward and demands Stewart catch the thieving animal. He fails at that, but now he finally has the perfect excuse to talk to his cute neighbor, Lisa. Lisa has always dreamed of being a journalist and asks Stewart if she can interview him for the local paper. As she gets to know Stewart, she likes him more and more, and she''s delighted to learn he shares her Christian faith. Stewart can''t bring himself to tell her she''s mistaken, that he''s not religious at all. And that''s not Stewart''s only deception. When the dog shows up on the doorstep of their building, Stewart decides to harbor the furry fugitive. But this is no ordinary dog, he has a divine sense of how things should be--and recognizing how much Stewart needs Lisa, h

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Book SynopsisThe first scholarly edition of forgotten late Victorian classic of rural life and sensation fiction.

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Book SynopsisThe second in this delightfully moving new series from beloved, New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray continues the story of four English-raised siblings who return to their grandparents'' Ohio community planning to become Amish. But one by one, they will soon learn more about living?and love?than they''d ever imagined . . .Exploring the relationship between Amish and English cultures through the lens of a single family, the Amish Again series is perfect for fans of Beverly Lewis, Amy Clipston, and Charlotte Hubbard ? and anyone who enjoys uplifting stories about faith, family, love, and the simple life.SIMULTANEOUS HARDCOVER AND TRADE PAPERBACK RELEASE!Raised by their divorced, lapsed-Amish father and English mother, siblings Jonny, Martin, Kelsey, and Beth can''t wait to reinvent their lives. The four don''t have much in common, but they long for the stable sense of family they felt when visiting their New Order grandparents, Josiah and Sylvia Schrock, in peaceful Holmes County, Ohio. And the Schrocks couldn''t be more surprised when the grandkids want to try living with them?and joining their faith . . .When Jonny hears startling news about his health, he knows it''s past time to change his life. Quitting college, he unexpectedly finds the fulfilling job of his dreams. And he''s instantly smitten with cafe owner Treva Kramer, whose baked goods are as warm and delicious as her lively personality. But no matter how hard Jonny tries, he can''t seem to get past her secret sadness and distrust. Can he prove that his feelings for her are for real?and forever?in time?A bad breakup left Treva heartbroken?and resolved to be independent without relying on anyone ever again. Exhausted from pouring everything she''s got into her cafe, she?s stunned by Jonny?s easygoing ways?and drawn to his optimistic nature. But when she thinks his real interest is in becoming Amish, she''s even more determined to stay focused?and keep her heart safe . . .Soon, deep secrets and hidden family truths will test Jonny and Treva in unexpected ways. And with help from his warm-hearted grandparents, he and Treva might gain the happiness they secretly long for?with each other.

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Book SynopsisThis emotional novel from a New York Times bestselling author follows four lifelong friends as each faces a crisis in family, love, and forgiveness. Serena, Michelle, Kenya, and Lynette have been best friends since they were small children. And as sister friends forever, they have always been there for one another, through good times and bad, no matter what.This year is a crucial turning point for each woman. Serena, still single, is questioning why love hasn't found her yet. Michelle is engaged and ready to walk down the aisle-until an old flame strolls back into her life. Kenya is happily married, but at the same time, her husband's ex-wife won't allow them or their family to live in peace. And Lynette's divorce from her cheating husband has her nervously dating for the first time in well over a decade.During this difficult period, their friendship will be tested like never before. Yet it is that sisterly love that they will need . . . more than ever.

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Book SynopsisWhat if you learn that everything you have been taught about happiness is false? What if you realize that happiness is not a goal and therefore it cannot be achieved? What if you discover that it is the ordinary path that leads to extraordinary treasure?This is a story about how two men from different walks of life learn that neither robes of honor nor the total renunciation of worldly life is required to enjoy the most fundamental human desire - happiness. Happiness is not a philosophical enigma but an attainable state of the mind and everyone can cherish the greatest joys through the simplest and smallest acts of daily life.

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Book SynopsisThey won't see eye-to-eye until they meet heart-to-heart...Kyle Miller never planned on becoming a country doctor. But when he's offered a medical practice in his sleepy hometown, Kyle knows he must return... and face the painful past he left behind. Except the Amish community isn't quite ready for Kyle. Especially the pretty midwife who refuses to compromise her traditions with his modern medicine...The more Leah Stoltzfus works with the handsome Englisch doctor, the more she finds herself caught between the expectations of her family and her own hopes for the future. It will take one surprising revelation and one helpless baby in need of love to show Leah and Kyle that their bond may be greater than their differences... if Leah can find the courage to follow her heart.

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Book SynopsisLondon, 1832: Isabelle Lira may be in distress, but she's no damsel. Since her father's death, his former partners have sought to oust her from their joint equity business. Her only choice is to marry-and fast-to a powerful ally outside the respected Berab family's sphere of influence. Only finding the right spouse will require casting a wide net. So she'll host a series of festivals, to which every eligible Jewish man is invited.Once, Aaron Ellenberg longed to have a family of his own. But as the synagogue custodian, he is too poor for wishes and not foolish enough for dreams. Until the bold, beautiful Isabelle Lira presents him with an irresistible offer . . . if he ensures her favoured suitors have no hidden loyalties to the Berabs, she will provide him with money for a new life.Yet the transaction provides surprising temptation, as Aaron and Isabelle find caring and passion in the last person they each expected. Only a future for them is impossible-for heiresses don't marry orphans, and love only conquers in children's tales. But if Isabelle can find the courage to trust her heart, she'll discover anything is possible, if only she says yes.

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Book SynopsisAn Amish seamstress and a single father have a chance to make a fresh start in this heartwarming first novel of a new series.Spirited, forthright, impulsive-everyone told Greta Eicher she'd have to change her ways if she ever hoped to marry. Then her best friend Calvin, the man she thought she would wed, chooses another woman. Now Greta's wondering if the others were right all along. Her dreams dashed, she pours her energy into crafting beautiful quilts at her shop and helping widower Noah Stoll care for his adorable young children.Noah knows it's time to think about finding a wife. When Greta offers to play matchmaker on his behalf, Noah eagerly accepts. After all, no one knows his children better. But none of the women she suggests seems quite right, because, unexpectedly, his feelings of respect and friendship for Greta have grown into something even deeper and richer. But will he have enough faith to overcome the pain of his past and give love another chance?

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Book SynopsisFormer Hope's Haven schoolteacher, Martha Eicher, has always been the responsible one, putting her family first and caring for her widowed father and two younger sisters. But now they're all happily married, and Martha isn't sure where she fits in anymore . . . until she hears that Asher Lantz needs a nanny. Even though her childhood friendship with Asher ended abruptly years ago, when a misunderstanding drove a wedge between them, Martha offers her assistance.Asher is also feeling adrift. As a single father to his niece and nephews, he struggles to balance his new family responsibilities with those on the farm and in his workshop. He's grateful for Martha's help, but worries things will always feel awkward with her. Yet before long, Asher realizes Martha is exactly what his family needs, and he can't imagine his home without her. Martha and Asher thought they were lost, but could they be right where they belong . . . together?

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Book SynopsisA sweet and heartwarming Amish romance where no disaster can conquer true love. Dairy farmer Abe Stoltzfus wants to propose to Lavinia Fisher, the beautiful young woman he's been dating, but being a traditional Amish man, he worries about how he can provide for her. Farming can be uncertain enough with weather conditions, crops not doing well, all manner of uncertainties. And after a bad summer storm and a serious injury from a rooftop tumble, Abe wants to wait until both he and his farm are back on their feet.Lavinia is relieved when Abe survives the fall, yet it seems like it's only the start of events that threaten their future together. But Lavinia is not only a talented Amish crafter, she's also the daughter of a farmer. She knows what the life of a farm wife is like and remains optimistic things will turn around. And when Abe continues to drag his feet, Lavinia makes him an interesting proposal. Will Abe be able to resist it-and her?

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Book SynopsisSometimes the road to forgiveness and restoration can be a rocky one. Set in Chicago and Baltimore in 1944 with flashbacks to the 1920s, JACOB'S BELL follows Jacob MacCallum on his arduous journey to redemption. At one time, Jacob had it all: wealth, a wonderful family and a position as one of the most respected businessmen in Chicago. Then he made some bad decisions and all that changed. For the past twenty years he lived in an alcohol-induced haze, riddled with guilt for the dreadful things he had done to his family and his role in the untimely death of his wife. Estranged from his children and penniless, he was in and out of jail, on the street and jumping freight trains for transportation. Realizing he needed a drastic change, Jacob embarked on a journey to find his children, seek their forgiveness, and restore his relationship with them. Befriended by a pastor at a Salvation Army mission, he struggled to transform his life. Yet finally he overcame his demons, but not without a fair number of setbacks. Jacob became a Salvation Army Bell Ringer at Christmastime. While ringing his bell on a street corner one snowy day, he met a young girl who, through a series of strange coincidences, led him back to his children and facilitated Jacob's forgiveness just in time for Christmas. Author John Snyder pens a story of love, hardship, and reconciliation that will leave readers filled with Christmas joy.Trade ReviewOne of the most incredible stories I have run across for a long time... a beautiful story that embodies the true meaning of Christmas. - Dr. Jerry Fuller, WGTS-FM - Silver Spring, MDJacob's Bell takes readers on a journey of success & failure, love & hate, bitterness & repentance. This tale promises to become a Christmas classic that transports each of us to many familiar and unfamiliar places all the while calling us to a place of forgiveness and restoration. Jacob's Bell is a gift that reminds us of the TRUE meaning of Christmas and the forgiveness that comes when we trust in God's indescribable gift...his Son Jesus. Jacob's Bell will hold a special place in our family library and Christmas tradition! - Jeff Sheets, Former President, Echolight Studios --Franklin, TNHere is a story that deals with the real meaning of Christmas. This is the kind of story you that you could sit around with the entire family and read. It's very entertaining-very heartwarming. - Doug Griffith, WAYM-FM - Nashville, TN

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Book SynopsisJem Perkins is used to her comfortable city life--she has a fine house, a handsome husband, and a new baby boy. But when her family's financial situation takes a turn for the worst, she must learn to adapt to her new life--in a sod house on a Nebraska homestead.Jem reluctantly adapts to the harsh realities of prairie life: churning butter, fighting illness, enduring loneliness. In Jem's desperate prayers for deliverance, she eventually encounters the God she's always thought she'd known and finds strength she didn't know she had.But when the history-making Children's Blizzard of 1888 sweeps across the land, ushering in a new season of hardship so harsh no one could have imagined, Jem will have to endure more than she ever has before. Can Jem's confidence, marriage, and new-found faith weather the storm?

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Book SynopsisSet in a world of kings and queens, celestial battles, invisible foes, and family rivalries, this epic tale forges legends in the fires of betrayal and prophecy.In this one-of-a-kind trilogy based on the Ramayana, the darkness in the kingdom of Ayodhya continues to spread as Rama, rightful heir and favored son of King Dasharatha, is cast out of the city after an unthinkable betrayal. Facing a fourteen-year exile, Rama—accompanied by wife Sita and brother Lakshmana—embarks upon a journey that will spark a legend. While struggling to survive in the mythical forests of ancient India, the trio encounters divine sages, unexpected allies, and an array of blood-drinking demons hell-bent on revenge. Throughout these ordeals, Sita discovers the true extent of her unique powers, Lakshmana battles with his own internal demons, and Rama struggles to make peace with his destiny in a kingdom on the verge of collapse. Alternately told through the perspectives of Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana, Queen of the Elements reveals an entirely new side to this classic saga.

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Book SynopsisA literary international espionage novel set between Israel and New York.

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Book SynopsisSeventeen authors re-imagine the biblical apocalypse and all the hell that follows in sixteen horrifying tales. What if the prophecies of Revelation hit today? What sort of craziness and evil would ensue? With this list of excellent authors contributing, it’s sure to be a Hell of a read!Wrath James White Sam WestThe Sisters of SlaughterJeff StrandK Trap JonesC Derick MillerChristine MorganPatrick C. Harrison IIIJohn Wayne ComunaleCody HigginsDelphine QuinnJames WattsWile E. YoungChris MillerMark DeloyRichard Raven

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Book SynopsisWillow Adair has a picture-perfect life—or so it seems. A stunning model-turned-wife-and-mother, she lives in a beautiful home with her husband and two kids in historic Bexley, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio. On the outside, she has everything. On the inside, she struggles with issues of self-worth. Spurned by her neglectful husband and at odds with her rebellious teen daughter, Willow never feels she is good enough. She fears everyone she loves will leave. Piece by piece, the cornerstones of Willow’s life begin to crumble. A routine colon operation goes horribly wrong. A yoga injury leads to a series of surgeries and misdiagnoses, ultimately ending in permanent loss of motion in her right arm. And then Willow is diagnosed with breast cancer. Convinced that no one will stand by her for one more day of sickness and depression, she prepares to end her life. That's where the Angels come in. Willow’s friends lift her spirits when she is sad, and weep with her when she is hurting. They walk beside her quite literally, on sidewalks from Cleveland to Miami. And they walk beside her spiritually and emotionally, soothing her heartache and reminding her that every single minute of her life is abundantly worth living. Walk Beside Me is the story of a woman who peels away the layers to find her inner warrior, a woman who faces insurmountable odds and—thanks to her earthly Angels—learns to treasure the gift of God's infinite light and love.

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Book SynopsisFrom master storyteller Stewart O'Nan, a timely moral thriller of the Jewish underground resistance in Jerusalem after the Second World War.In 1945, with no homes to return to, Jewish refugees set out for Palestine in their tens of thousands. City of Secrets follows one survivor, Brand, as he tries to regain himself after losing everyone he's ever loved. Now driving a taxi provided - like his new identity - by the underground, he navigates the twisting streets of Jerusalem as well as the overlapping, sometimes deadly loyalties of the resistance. Alone, haunted by memories, he tries to become again the man he was before the war - honest, strong, capable of moral choice. He falls in love with Eva, a fellow survivor and member of his cell, reclaims his faith, and commits himself to the revolution, accepting secret missions that grow more and more dangerous even as he begins to suspect he's being used by their cell's dashing leader, Asher. By the time Brand understands the truth, it's too late, and the tragedy that ensues changes history. A noirish, deeply felt novel of intrigue and identity written in O'Nan's trademark lucent style, City of Secrets asks how both despair and faith can lead us astray, and what happens when, with the noblest intentions, we join movements beyond our control.Trade ReviewThis short book packs a heavy punch...one of the best novels I have read this year. * Literary Review *[A] simple, quiet story, told with emotional depth and elegance. * The Times *A sharply written and atmospheric rendering of life in the Jewish underground in post-war Jerusalem. * Jewish Chronicle *I've been a Stewart O'Nan fan since his very first novel, and never more so than with his latest. In City of Secrets, O'Nan takes his mastery of language and depth of character in a fresh direction: a richly nuanced suspense novel, set in an immensely intriguing post-war Jerusalem. A remarkable book. -- Chris PavoneStewart O'Nan's City of Secrets will keep you up all night reading - what a beautifully crafted novel. -- Alan FurstCity of Secrets is, by inclination and design, quiet and finite, but its impact is deceptively large because O'Nan has something that can't be taught to a writer - and can indeed be unlearned by talented writers: the gift of authenticity. You'll rarely catch O'Nan being an author. You'll simply feel his story rolling past you, in the manner of an old Peugeot. * Washington Post *Enthralling... a clear-eyed and unsentimental look at an astonishing slice of history. * Seattle Times *Finely wrought and morally complex, O'Nan's considerable story-telling powers are masterfully deployed here. With deft strokes, he evokes the tensions and tragedies of Mandate Jerusalem, riven then as now by the fault lines of community and conscience. -- Geraldine BrooksTo Stewart O'Nan's 15 previous, omniform novels we can now add the excellent City of Secrets, a little jewel, ­wonderfully sparse, moody and uneasy, reminiscent of the delicious, frayed-­collar noir of le Carré's The Spy Who Came In From the Cold. * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisRich in plot and full of characters that have been neglected by Irish literature. - GuardianAt the start of the twentieth century, a young girl and her family emigrate from the continent in search of a better life in America, only to pitch up in Ireland by mistake. In 1958, a mute boy locked away in a mental institution outside of Dublin forms an unlikely friendship with a man consumed by the story of the love he lost nearly two decades earlier. And in present-day London, an Irish journalist is forced to confront her conflicting notions of identity and family when her Jewish boyfriend asks her to make a true leap of faith. Spanning generations and braiding together three unforgettable voices, Nine Folds Make a Paper Swan shows us what it means to belong, and how storytelling can redeem us all.Trade ReviewReminiscent of Téa Obreht, Nicole Krauss and Maggie O'Farrell... Wonderful * Colum McCann *Graceful, confident, vivid... I loved this beautifully written novel * Joseph O'Connor *A rich and layered story of the complications, the mistakes and the heartbreaks of which a human life is made... I haven't read anything like it * Belinda McKeon *Immensely readable and written with great flair * Irish Independent *Brimming with concepts and yarns * Irish Times *Rich in plot and full of characters that have been neglected by Irish literature * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe Guardian: Fresh voices: 50 writers you should read nowTwenty-three-year-old Vanessa is adrift in London. A year out of university and marooned in a quietly deflating relationship, she can’t work out where her passion and creativity went – and on top of that, she is experiencing frightening visions, and an overwhelming sadness that doesn’t seem to belong to her.Then something impossible happens: her best friend Mark, who vanished without a trace seven years ago, reappears, not a day older. As far as he is concerned, no time has passed.Shocked and confused but determined to help her friend make sense of what’s happening, Vanessa returns to Llangoroth, the rural town she left behind after he vanished. Torn between her responsibilities as an adult and the adventurous passion that Mark inspires in her, she must fight for him, and for herself, confronting painful memories and a terrifying pursuer who would rather see her friend dead than back in the world.Trade Review★★★★★ Building on the strength of his fantastic Bitter Sixteen trilogy, author Stefan Mohamed returns with an adult read that skilfully blends the fantastical with the everyday – making for an exhilarating and moving tale that cleverly combines supernatural happenings with human themes of loss, growth and love. A brilliant read. -- Luke Marlowe * The Bookbag *Falling Leaves is certainly an intriguing read. I enjoyed the sense of foreboding surrounding Vanessa’s troubling nightmares and visions alongside the reappearance of Mark. And in order to make sense of Mark’s appearance, Vanessa is forced to revisit memories from her past, including the grief she suffered when he disappeared. With Mark back by her side, and with the help of her aunt, Vanessa embarks on a difficult journey to find the truth, to make sense of their situation, and to uncover past secrets. * The Owl on the Bookshelf *★★★★ Once the scene had been set this became a fast moving and engaging adventure that will appeal to those who enjoyed the author’s Bitter Sixteen trilogy. The exploration of the effects interactions have on others, and of the damage caused by dogmatic beliefs added interest – serious issues are explored in a story that never appears to take itself too seriously. The style and zest of the prose make this an entertaining, dynamic read. * Neverimitate *

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Book SynopsisHarry Field, an elderly professor looking after his baby granddaughter, allows Oliver, the child's absentee father, to take her to the park. Only too late do Harry and his daughter Judy realise that the child has fallen into the hands of the cult to which Oliver belongs - a group led by Miller, a dangerous man who claims to be God...

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Book Synopsis''An extraordinary interrogation of the human heart in all its complexity. Anyone who has ever felt they might die for love will relish this book.'' Rowan PellingAfter an argument with her husband Gilles, Venus Rees is left devastated by his sudden death. But when she discovers that he died of a treatable genetic condition she knew nothing about, she is haunted by the thought that he didn't love her enough to save himself. As time passes, Venus looks set to be trapped between grief and distrust forever. Until she meets the shy, good-looking and seemingly ideal Alex.Intertwining Venus's compelling attraction to Alex in the present with Gilles' enraptured pursuit of her in the past, Ideal Love is an intimate and life-affirming novel about love, from its incandescent beginnings to its final breath and back again.''Burnett''s ear for dialogue between lovers and friends is second to none. Ideal Love is an extraordinary interrogation of the human heart in all its complexity. Anyone who has ever felt they might die for love will relish this book.'' Rowan Pelling''A rich and evocative novel about what it means to love and, above all, what it means to be human.'' Annabel Abbs''Interesting and challenging'' Katie Fforde

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Book SynopsisAccording to ancient scripture, Lucifer was cast out of heaven as a result of his disobedience, gaining freedom for mankind in the process. In Spain, local legends tell that the fallen archangel appeared in an earthly body, thousands of years ago. As the Child of Light, he was rocked on a mysterious stone cradle by a woman from the East. Seeking to uncover secrets held for centuries, Patrice Chaplin’s research into her book The Stone Cradle evolved naturally into Lucifer by Moonlight. From the material she discovered, the rebellious archangel surfaced into the modern day – treading his way down dark streets, forever trying to make sense of his destiny. In London, he is seen as a man of exquisite taste and blinding charisma, habitually breaking hearts. Alternatively, as Lucie Fur he is a high class hooker, walking the streets of Kentish Town whilst trying to avoid his old enemy, the Elysium Fox from Thebes. Chaplin – celebrated novelist and memoirist – takes us to the timeless Stone Cradle, where the old red-headed trickster, absorbing beams from the moon to feed his brilliance, lies waiting for his obligatory earthly reappearance. But could things turn out differently this time? Might his veneration of children and unexpected care for others change his fate? As Lucifer returns to the Stone Cradle with his dying friend, the morning light reveals the glories of Venus, the place for which he yearns. Will there be atonement – or even redemption – for the tired archangel’s past misdeeds? Illustrated with colour pictures by Melissa Scott-Miller, this imaginative new work is a thought-provoking fable for our time.Table of ContentsDramatis Personae – Foreword – Prologue – 1970, LONDON: Lucie Fur by Moonlight, Kentish Town – 2010, LONDON: Dole Queue, Kentish Town – Cemetery, Highgate – Cinema, Camden – 1999, NORWAY: Oslo – 1989, NORWAY: Oslo – 1999, NORWAY: Oslo – 2017, LONDON: Gloucester Place – Prof.'s Study – 2017, NORWAY: Oslo – 2017, LONDON: The Palisades – Prof.'s Study – Holland Park – The Boudoir – 2017, LONDON… The Ritz – Mornington Crescent – The Pallisades – Kentish Town: Time Running Out – Kentish Town Station – 2017, SPAIN… The Stone Cradle

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Book SynopsisThe story begins on the eve of 9/11, with the narrator's haunting description of the airplane attack on the Twin Towers as seen on TV while he is on holiday in Central Asia. Subsequent chapters shift backwards and forwards in time, but two main themes emerge: the rise of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan under the charismatic but reclusive leadership of Tahir Yuldash and Juma Namangani; and the main character, poet Belgi's movement from the outer edge of the circle, from the mountains of Osh, into the inner sanctum of al-Qaeda, and ultimately to a meeting with Sheikh bin Laden himself. His journey begins with a search for a Sufi spiritual master and ends in guerrilla warfare, and it is this tension between a transcendental and a violent response to oppression, between the book and the bomb, that gives the novel its specific poignancy. Along the way, Ismailov provides wonderfully vivid accounts of historical events (as witnessed by Belgi) such as the siege of Kunduz, the breakout from Shebergan prison - a kind of Afghan Guantanamo - and the insurgency in the Ferghana Valley.Trade ReviewA Poet and Bin-Laden is an extraordinary and important book, providing an unique perspective on vital questions. I appreciate the book's symphonic structure, its far-reaching, modern-epic-like chorus and its weave of fact and fiction and wonder. It's a fascinating and rich book. - Jill Shoolman /US Archipelago A few of us here have now had a chance to take a look at the pages of A Poet and Bin-Laden, which show the same intelligence, wit and deep political engagement so apparent in your short stories. Your work is clearly wonderful. - David Halpern

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