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Before the Poison
by Peter RobinsonThe Number One bestseller and winner of the Arthur Ellis Award for Best NovelAfter years of Hollywood success composer Chris Lowndes wanted only one thing: to take his beloved wife home to the Yorkshire Dales.But Laura is gone, and Chris is on his own.He welcomes the isolation of Kilnsgate House, and the beauty of the dale. And it doesn't surprise him that a man died there, sixty years ago.That his wife was convicted of murder.That something is pulling him deeper and deeper into the story of Grace Elizabeth Fox, who was hanged by the neck until she was dead . . .
Before the Poison
by Peter RobinsonThrough the years of success in Hollywood composing music for the world's most lauded films, Chris always promised his wife they would return to the Yorkshire Dales one day. Now, after his wife's death, Chris feels he must not forget his promise. Back in the Dales, he rents an isolated house that will allow him the space to come to terms with his grief and the quiet to allow him to compose his piano sonata. But when he finds that the house was the scene of a murder in the 1950s, and that the convicted murderer was one of the last women hanged in England, he finds himself increasingly distracted by the events of sixty years before . . .(P)2011 Hodder & Stoughton
Before the Queen Falls Asleep: A powerful novel about exile, displacement and family by an iconic Palestinian writer
by Huzama Habayeb*As featured as an editor's pick on Radio Four's OPEN BOOK**One of the Guardian's books to look out for in 2024*"A brilliant novel of the Palestinian diaspora. Funny and gritty, and bursting with life and humour" Ahdaf Soueif, GuardianBorn a girl to parents who expected a boy, Jihad grows up treated like the eldest son, wearing boy's clothing and sharing the financial burden of head of the household with her father.Now middle-aged, each night Jihad tells her daughter a story from her life. As Maleka prepares to leave home to attend university abroad, her mother revisits the past of their Palestinian family, tenderly describing their life in exile in Kuwait and her own experiences of love and loss as she grows up.Huzama Habayeb weaves a richly observed and affectionate portrait of a Palestinian family displaced from their homeland, exploring with humour and poise the love and betrayal that pursues Jihad and her family from Kuwait to Jordan to Dubai. This is a novel whose words will resound long after you finish the final page.Translated from the Arabic by Kay Heikkinen
Before the Rains
by Dinah JefferiesA romantic, heart-wrenching tale of love against the odds from the Number One Sunday Times bestselling author1930, Rajputana, India. Since her husband's death, 28-year-old photojournalist Eliza's only companion has been her camera. When the British Government send her to an Indian princely state to photograph the royal family, she's determined to make a name for herself.But when Eliza arrives at the palace she meets Jay, the Prince's handsome, brooding brother. While Eliza awakens Jay to the poverty of his people, he awakens her to the injustices of British rule. Soon Jay and Eliza find they have more in common than they think. But their families - and society - think otherwise. Eventually they will have to make a choice between doing what's expected, or following their hearts. . .
Before the Raj: Writing Early Anglophone India
by James MulhollandAnglo-India's regional literature was both a practical and imaginative response to a pivotal period in the early colonialism of South Asia.During the later decades of the eighteenth century, a rapid influx of English-speaking Europeans arrived in India with an interest in expanding the creation and distribution of anglophone literature. At the same time, a series of military, political, and economic successes for the British in Asia created the first global crisis to shepherd in an international system of national ideologies. In this study of colonial literary production, James Mulholland proposes that the East India Company was a central actor in the institutionalization of anglophone literary culture in India. The EIC drew its employees from around the British Isles, bringing together people with a wide variety of ethnic and national origins. Its cultural infrastructure expanded from presses and newspapers to poetry collections, letters, paper-making and selling, circulating libraries, and amateur theaters. Recovering this rich archive of documents and activities, Mulholland shows how regional reading and writing reflected the knotty geopolitical situation and the comingling of Anglo and Indian cultures at a moment when the subcontinent's colonial future was not yet clear. He shows why Anglo-Indian literary publics cohered during this period, reexamining the relationship between writing in English and imperial power in a way that moves beyond the easy correspondence of literature as an instrument of empire. Tracing regional and "translocal" links among Madras, Calcutta, Bombay, and settlements surrounding the Bay of Bengal, Before the Raj recovers a network of authors, reading publics, and corporate agents to demonstrate that anglophone literature adapted itself to geographical politics and social circumstances, rather than being simply imitative of the works produced in the English metropole.Mulholland introduces readers to figures like the Calcutta-born Eyles Irwin, the first man to sustain a literary career from India. We also meet James Romney, an army officer who wrote poems and plays, including a stage adaptation of Tristram Shandy. Alongside these men were anonymous female poets, hailed as the harbingers of an "anglo-asiatic taste," and captive adolescent Europeans who, caught up in the conflict with southern India's last independent ruler, Tipu Sultan, were forcibly converted to Islam, castrated, and made to cross-dress as "dancing boys" for Tipu's entertainment. Revealing the vibrant literary culture that existed long before the characters of Rudyard Kipling's best-known works, Before the Raj reveals how these writers operated within a web of colonial cities and trading outposts that borrowed from one another and produced vital interlinked aesthetics.
Before the Rose Petal Beach
by Dorothy KoomsonBefore the Rose Petal Beach is an exclusive ebook preview to Dorothy Koomson's brilliant new novel The Rose Petal Beach. This mini-sampler includes a special ebook-only prequel scene, the first two chapters of the new book, and an intimate Q and A with the author. Download now to discover one of 2012's most unforgettable stories...
Before the Ruins: A Novel
by Victoria GoslingNamed a Best New Book of 2021 (so far) by Real SimpleNamed a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 by Lit Hub and Bustle A gripping, multilayered debut in the tradition of Tana French and Donna Tartt about four friends, an empty manor, and a night that will follow them for the rest of their livesIt's the summer of 1996 and school's out forever for Andy, her boyfriend Marcus, her best friend Peter, and Em. When Andy's alcoholic mother predicts the apocalypse, the four teenagers decide to see out the end of the world at a deserted manor house, the site of a historic unsolved mystery. There they meet David—charming and unreliable, he seems to have appeared out of nowhere. David presents an irresistible lure for both Andy and Peter and complicates the dynamics of their lifelong friendship. When the group learns that a diamond necklace, stolen fifty years ago, might still be somewhere on the manor grounds, the Game—half treasure hunt, half friendly deception—begins. But the Game becomes much bigger than the necklace, growing to encompass years of secrets, lies, and, ultimately, one terrible betrayal.Meticulously plotted and gorgeously written, Before the Ruins is a page-turner of the highest order about the sealed-off places in our pasts and the parts of ourselves waiting to be retrieved from them.
Before the Ruins
by Victoria GoslingAndy believes that she has left her past far behind her. But when she gets a call from Peter's mother to say he's gone missing, she finds herself pulled into a search for answers.Bored and restless after their final school exams, Andy, Peter, Em and Marcus broke into a ruined manor house nearby and quickly became friends with the boy living there. Blond, charming and on the run, David's presence was as dangerous as it was exciting. The story of a diamond necklace, stolen from the house fifty years earlier and perhaps still lost somewhere in the grounds inspired the group to buy a replica and play at hiding it, hoping to turn up the real thing along the way. But the game grew to encompass decades of resentment, lies and a terrible betrayal.Now, Andy's search for Peter will unearth unimaginable secrets - and take her back to the people who still keep them.
Before the Scandal (Notorious Gentlemen #2)
by Suzanne EnochIt Was a Scandal Waiting to Happen . . . Colonel Phineas Bromley is a legend-on the battlefield and in the bedroom. Though he's won many wars, and even more hearts, nothing could prepare him for his new life. When Phin discovers that someone has been pushing his family toward ruin, he assumes the role of a legendary highwayman. Riding out in the middle of the night, hidden behind a mask, Phin heads straight into trouble . . . and into the arms of the ravishing girl next door. Coming face-to-face with a masked man did not frighten Alyse Donnelly as it should have. Instead, she finds him rather dashing. But her foolish heart has led her into trouble before, and helping a fugitive may mean jeopardizing her own plans, no matter how enticing his kisses. Now, as the danger grows, Alyse must make a choice between freedom . . . and the chance for true love.
Before the Scarlet Dawn
by Rita GerlachIn 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father's estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar's daughter, Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life. Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward's path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it's a temporary reprieve. Hayward joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.
Before the Scarlet Dawn
by Rita GerlachIn 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father's estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar's daughter, Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life. Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward's path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it's a temporary reprieve. Hayward joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness. "Filled with true-to-life characters whose struggles will linger with readers long after the last page is turned, Before the Scarlet Dawn is a memorable story of Revolutionary War-era England and America." - Amanda Cabot, author of Summer of Promise "Rita Gerlach has written a colorful historical with a feisty heroine on a search for survival, romance, and a place to belong." Cynthia Hickey, author of the Summer Meadows mysteries "Ms. Gerlach's unique literary prose has once again captured my heart with a stirring tale of love and loss, desperation and hope during one of the most uncertain times in American History--the Revolutionary War. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!" - MaryLu Tyndall, author of Surrender the Dawn "A stirring story of love and its consequences, Before the Scarlet Dawn will draw you in from the start and not let you go again." ~ Roseanna M. White, author of Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland and Jewel of Persia "While reading Before the Scarlet Dawn, you'll travel back in time--and from England to Maryland--without ever leaving your easy chair! This is a big, beautiful, well-told story of love, faith, and the struggles of war that changed lives...and hearts. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!" Loree Lough, best-selling author of more than 80 award-winning books, including reader favorite From Ashes to Honor
Before the Season Ends (The Regency Trilogy #1)
by Linore Rose Burkard Nick HarrisonAriana Forsythe is sent to her wealthy aunt's London townhouse and thrust into the world of the upper crust. Trouble finds her with an instant enemy in Lady Covington, an aging beauty. Ariana must team up with the Paragon, the darkly handsome and powerful Phillip Mornay, to quench the scandal. She can trust God's hand in her life, but can she resist Mr. Mornay's increasing claim on her heart? When she finds herself betrothed to him, she is faced with a terrible choice--and she must make it soon, before the season ends!
Before the Show
by J. M. SnyderA college student by day, drag queen by night, Devin Elliot loves his job. He likes to watch himself get ready, primping in the mirror, his masculinity slowly peeled away and replaced with feminine silk and lace.But as he's getting ready for his stage show, a knock on the door interrupts him. Chuck works as a bouncer at the club where Devin performs, and he has it bad for the hot drag queen. Nothing turns him on more than watching his boyfriend become Devine.With the clock counting down to showtime, can Devin and Chuck manage to snag some time alone before the show?
Before the Storm
by Diane ChamberlainFifteen-year-old Andy Lockwood is special. Others notice the way he blurts out anything that comes into his mind, how he cannot foresee consequences, that he's more child than teenager. But his mother sees a boy with a heart as open and wide as the ocean.Laurel Lockwood lost her son once through neglect. She's spent the rest of her life determined to make up for her mistakes, and she's succeeded in becoming a committed, protective parent-maybe even overprotective. Still, she loosens her grip just enough to let Andy attend a local church social-a decision that terrifies her when the church is consumed by fire. But Andy survives...and remarkably, saves other children from the flames. Laurel watches as Andy basks in the role of unlikely hero and the world finally sees her Andy, the sweet boy she knows as well as her own heart.But when the suspicion of arson is cast upon Andy, Laurel must ask herself how well she really knows her son...and how far she'll go to keep her promise to protect him forever.
Before the Storm: A Novel (Mira Ser. #1)
by Diane ChamberlainFrom a New York Times bestseller, a “graceful . . . engrossing” novel about a mother struggling to protect her disabled son after he is accused of a crime (Publishers Weekly).Fifteen-year-old Andy Lockwood is special. Others notice the way he blurts out anything that comes into his mind, how he cannot foresee consequences, that he’s more child than teenager. But his mother sees a boy with a heart as open and wide as the ocean.Laurel Lockwood lost her son once through neglect. She’s spent the rest of her life determined to make up for her mistakes, and she’s succeeded in becoming a committed, protective parent—maybe even overprotective. Still, she loosens her grip just enough to let Andy attend a local church social—a decision that terrifies her when the church is consumed by fire. But Andy survives . . . and remarkably, saves other children from the flames. Laurel watches as Andy basks in the role of unlikely hero and the world finally sees her Andy, the sweet boy she knows as well as her own heart.But when the suspicion of arson is cast upon Andy, Laurel must ask herself how well she really knows her son . . . and how far she’ll go to keep her promise to protect him forever.Praise for The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlin:“Powerful and thrilling This tautly paced and emotionally driven novel will engross Chamberlain’s many fans as well as those who read Sandra Brown and Carla Buckley.” ?Booklist“Hard to put down.” ?Better Homes and Gardens“A compulsively readable melodrama.” ?Kirkus Reviews“A page-turner to the very end. A must for all mystery lovers and those who like reading about family struggles.” ?Library Journal
Before the Storm: The thrilling new instalment of the Sunday Times bestselling series (DSI William Lorimer #18)
by Alex Gray***THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES*** Whether you've read them all or whether you're discovering Alex Gray's bestselling series for the first time, BEFORE THE STORM will have you gripped until the final page. 'BEFORE THE STORM is classic Alex Gray - warm-hearted, atmospheric . . . with a very interesting twist' ANN CLEEVES 'An exciting procedural' SUNDAY TIMES 'Another brilliant Lorimer adventure' ***** Reader Review'Exciting and unexpected, I hope it's not too long till the next one' ***** Reader Review'Lorimer is up there with the best' ***** Reader Review'Alex Gray returns with another belter' THE HERALD__________________Your favourite Scottish detective is back with a brand new case, one that threatens to destroy everything. Inspector Daniel Kohi of the Zimbabwean police force returns home one night to find his worst nightmare has been realised. His family dead, his house destroyed, and in fear for his life, he is forced to flee the country he loves. Far away in Glasgow, DSI William Lorimer has his hands full. Christmas is approaching, the city is bustling, and whilst the homicide rate has been relatively low, something much darker is brewing. Counter-Terrorism have got wind of a plot, here in Lorimer's native city, to carry out an unspeakable atrocity on Christmas Eve. They need someone with local knowledge to help them root it out and who better than the head of the Scottish Major Incidents Team. But the investigation is complicated by a spate of local murders, and by the rumours that someone is passing information to criminal organisations from inside the police force. Soon Lorimer finds himself in desperate need of assistance. Then he meets an extraordinary man - a refugee from Zimbabwe whose investigative skills are a match for Lorimer's own . . .__________________ Readers love Alex Gray 'Relentless and intriguing' PETER MAY'Move over Rebus' DAILY MAIL'Immensely exciting and atmospheric' ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH'Alex Gray's great crime fiction series is one you can pick up at any stage and not feel lost . . complex, intriguing, tense' Reader review'A fast-paced thriller with lots of twists and turns' Reader review'Exciting, pacy, authentic' ANGELA MARSONS'Convincing Glaswegian atmosphere and superior writing' THE TIMES'This series just gets better and better and everything still feels fresh. Highly recommended' Reader review'Lorimer is without doubt my favourite detective' Reader review'I have read every book in the series and each one has been a pleasure.' Reader review'Alex Gray is a master storyteller' Reader review
Before the Storm: The thrilling new instalment of the Sunday Times bestselling series (Dsi William Lorimer Ser.)
by Alex Gray***THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES*** Whether you've read them all or whether you're discovering Alex Gray's bestselling series for the first time, BEFORE THE STORM will have you gripped until the final page. 'BEFORE THE STORM is classic Alex Gray - warm-hearted, atmospheric . . . with a very interesting twist' ANN CLEEVES'Another brilliant Lorimer adventure' ***** Reader Review'Exciting and unexpected, I hope it's not too long till the next one' ***** Reader Review'Lorimer is up there with the best' ***** Reader Review'Alex Gray returns with another belter' THE HERALDPRAISE FOR ALEX GRAY'Relentless and intriguing' PETER MAY'Immensely exciting and atmospheric' ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH'Move over Rebus' Daily Mail'Exciting, pacy, authentic'ANGELA MARSONS'Convincing Glaswegian atmosphere and superior writing'The Times__________________Your favourite Scottish detective is back with a brand new case, one that threatens to destroy everything. Inspector Daniel Kohi of the Zimbabwean police force returns home one night to find his worst nightmare has been realised. His family dead, his house destroyed, and in fear for his life, he is forced to flee the country he loves. Far away in Glasgow, DSI William Lorimer has his hands full. Christmas is approaching, the city is bustling, and whilst the homicide rate has been relatively low, something much darker is brewing. Counter-Terrorism have got wind of a plot, here in Lorimer's native city, to carry out an unspeakable atrocity on Christmas Eve. They need someone with local knowledge to help them root it out and who better than the head of the Scottish Major Incidents Team. But the investigation is complicated by a spate of local murders, and by the rumours that someone is passing information to criminal organisations from inside the police force. Soon Lorimer finds himself in desperate need of assistance. Then he meets an extraordinary man - a refugee from Zimbabwe whose investigative skills are a match for Lorimer's own . . .__________________Readers love Alex Gray 'Alex Gray's great crime fiction series is one you can pick up at any stage and not feel lost . . complex, intriguing, tense''A fast-paced thriller with lots of twists and turns''This series just gets better and better and everything still feels fresh. Highly recommended''Lorimer is without doubt my favourite detective''I have read every book in the series and each one has been a pleasure.' 'Alex Gray is a master storyteller'
Before the Storm: The thrilling new instalment of the Sunday Times bestselling series (DSI William Lorimer #18)
by Alex Gray***Discover your next reading obsession with Alex Gray's Sunday Times bestselling Scottish detective series*** Whether you've read them all or whether this is your first Lorimer novel, Before the Storm is perfect if you love Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves 'Before the Storm is classic Alex Gray - warm-hearted, atmospheric . . . with a very interesting twist' ANN CLEEVES 'An exciting procedural' SUNDAY TIMES 'Another brilliant Lorimer adventure' ***** Reader Review'Exciting and unexpected, I hope it's not too long till the next one' ***** Reader Review'Lorimer is up there with the best' ***** Reader Review'Alex Gray returns with another belter' THE HERALD_______________Your favourite Scottish detective is back with a brand new case, one that threatens to destroy everything. Inspector Daniel Kohi of the Zimbabwean police force returns home one night to find his worst nightmare has been realised. His family dead, his house destroyed, and in fear for his life, he is forced to flee the country he loves. Far away in Glasgow, DSI William Lorimer has his hands full. Christmas is approaching, the city is bustling, and whilst the homicide rate has been relatively low, something much darker is brewing. Counter-Terrorism have got wind of a plot, here in Lorimer's native city, to carry out an unspeakable atrocity on Christmas Eve. They need someone with local knowledge to help them root it out and who better than the head of the Scottish Major Incidents Team. But the investigation is complicated by a spate of local murders, and by the rumours that someone is passing information to criminal organisations from inside the police force. Soon Lorimer finds himself in desperate need of assistance. Then he meets an extraordinary man - a refugee from Zimbabwe whose investigative skills are a match for Lorimer's own . . .__________________PRAISE FOR THE WILLIAM LORIMER SERIES'Immensely exciting and atmospheric' ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH'Move over Rebus' DAILY MAIL 'Relentless and intriguing' PETER MAY 'Convincing Glaswegian atmosphere and superior writing' THE TIMES
Before the Storm: A Thrilling Historical Novel of Real Life Nazi Hunters
by James D. ShipmanPerfect for fans of Kate Quinn, Kristin Hannah, and Pam Jenoff, this thrilling, high-stakes Cold War novel from a bestselling author follows one couple&’s relentless pursuit of an infamous fugitive Nazi scientist across Europe in the aftermath of WWII. Berlin, 1948: World War II may be over, but a new era of conflict has begun. The Russians have cut off all access to the western part of Berlin in an attempt to seize it from the Allies. The thirst for power, dominance, and revenge is as strong as ever, and anti-Semitism is still rampant. When a store in West Berlin is vandalized with swastikas, Sara Sturm, a German woman working for the US Department of Public Affairs, is dispatched to investigate, and meets Max and Karl Portnoy, two Jewish survivors of the Holocaust. Sharing their stories of loss, Sara and Max form a bond. Max and his family were sent to a concentration camp during the war, where his parents and sister perished. The man who betrayed them, Nazi nuclear scientist Heinz Hoffman, is now a wanted criminal. Since Max and his brother are among the very few who can identify him, Sara agrees to accompany them to Hoffman&’s last known whereabouts, hoping they will finally be able to bring him to justice. But tracking the elusive Hoffman is not just difficult, it&’s perilous. From the mountainous backroads of Bavaria to the Soviet border, Sara and Max race to evade assassins sent by the top-secret Odessa organization. And then there are other adversaries, hidden but no less lethal, determined to gain control of Hoffman and the knowledge he possesses—knowledge that may determine the course of countless wars to come.&“Set in 1948 against the backdrop of the Berlin Blockade, this fast-moving Cold War thriller brings to life the shifting alliances that splintered the Allies in the years immediately following WWII. As readers attempt to sort out motives, the plot twists keep coming.&” – Booklist
Before the Storm (Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis #1)
by Michael P. Kube-McDowellIn the blockbuster bestselling tradition of Heir to the Empire comes this thrilling addition to the Star Wars(r) saga, as peace gives way to a new threat...<P> It is a time of tranquillity for the New Republic. The remnants of the Empire now lie in complete disarray, and the reemergence of the Jedi Knights has brought power and prestige to the fledgling government on Coruscant. Yesterday's Rebels have become today's administrators and diplomats, and the factions that fought against imperial tyranny seem united in savoring the fruits of peace.<P> But the peace is short-lived. A restless Luke must journey to his mother's homeworld in a desperate and dangerous quest to find her people. An adventurous Lando must seize a mysterious spacecraft that has weapons of enormous destructive power and an unknown mission. And Leia, a living symbol of the New Republic's triumph, must face down a ruthless leader of the Duskhan League, an arrogant Yevetha who seems bent on a genocidal war that could shatter the fragile unity of the New Republic...and threaten its very survival.<P> Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!
Before the Storm (World of Warcraft): A Novel
by Christie GoldenAn all-new, official prequel novel to The Battle for Azeroth, Blizzard Entertainment’s next expansion to the critically acclaimed World of Warcraft videogame. <P><P>Azeroth is dying.The Horde and the Alliance defeated the demonic Burning Legion, but a dire catastrophe is unfolding deep below the surface of the world. There is a mortal wound in the heart of Azeroth, struck by the sword of the fallen titan Sargeras in a final act of cruelty. <P><P>For Anduin Wrynn, king of Stormwind, and Sylvanas Windrunner, warchief of the Horde and queen of the Forsaken, there is little time to rebuild what remains and even less to mourn what was lost. Azeroth’s devastating wound has revealed a mysterious material known as Azerite. In the right hands, this strange golden substance is capable of incredible feats of creation; in the wrong ones, it could bring forth unthinkable destruction. <P><P>As Alliance and Horde forces race to uncover the secrets of Azerite and heal the wounded world, Anduin enacts a desperate plan aimed at forging a lasting peace between the factions. Azerite jeopardizes the balance of power, and so Anduin must gain the trust of Sylvanas. But, as ever, the Dark Lady has her own machinations. <P>For peace to be possible, generations of bloodshed and hatred must be brought to an end. <P><P>But there are truths that neither side is willing to accept and ambitions they are loath to relinquish. As Alliance and Horde alike grasp for the Azerite’s power, their simmering conflict threatens to reignite all-out war—a war that would spell doom for Azeroth. <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
Before the Tavern: 100 Character Concepts for Tabletop Role-Playing Games
by Gus Rachels Amelia Som Haley WhipjackWho are you? Where did you come from before you entered the tavern? Explore a treasure trove of 100 compelling character concepts from the minds behind the TTRPG podcast Unprepared Casters. This collection is essential for tabletop role-playing game enthusiasts of all experience levels — from beginners who want to build captivating heroes and villains to veterans wading into uncharted waters. For Game Masters and writers, it's a wellspring of inspiration and a cure for writer's block. This compendium also includes a detailed guide to developing fascinating and unique adventurers, as well as tips on how to name characters. Engage in a world of storytelling possibilities with this dynamic backstory development guide and character creation tool. Concept pages are perforated for removal.
Before the Throne
by Naguib MahfouzNearly sixty of Egypt's past leaders--from the time of the Pharoahs to the twentieth century--are summoned to judgment in the Court of Osiris in the Afterlife, in this extraordinary novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz.Before the Throne calls forth a parade of those who have shaped the modern nation of Egypt--from the ruler who first unified Egypt in 3000 BC to Anwar Sadat, the president assassinated by religious extremists in 1981, and including figures as various as the famous pharaoh Ramesses II and the medieval vizier Qaraqush. As they defend their decisions under questioning by Osiris, Isis, and Horus, those who acted for the nation's good are honored with immortality in paradise while those who failed to protect it are condemned either to the inferno or to "the place of insignificance." Full of Mahfouz's unique insight into his country's timeless qualities, this provocative work skillfully traces five thousand years of Egypt's past as it flows into the turbulent present.
Before the War: A Novel
by Fay WeldonLondon, 1922. It’s a cold November morning, the station is windswept and rural, the sky is threatening snow, and the train is late. Vivien Ripple, 20 years old and an ungainly five foot eleven, waits on the platform at Dilberne Halt. She is wealthy and well-bred—only daughter to the founder of Ripple & Co, the nation’s top publisher—but plain, painfully awkward, and, perhaps worst of all, intelligent. Nicknamed “the giantess,” Vivvie is, in the estimation of most, already a spinster. But she has a plan. That very morning, Vivvie will ride to the city with the express purpose of changing her life forever. Enter Sherwyn Sexton: charismatic, handsome—if, to his dismay, rather short. He’s an aspiring novelist and editor at Ripple & Co whose greatest love is the (similarly handsome, but taller) protagonist of his thriller series. He also has a penchant for pretty young women—single and otherwise. Sherwyn is shocked when his boss’s hulking daughter, dressed in a tweed jacket and moth-eaten scarf, strides into his office and asks for his hand in marriage. But his finances are running thin to support his regular dinners on the town, and Vivien’s promise to house him in comfort while he writes is simply too good to refuse. What neither of them know is that she is pregnant by another man, and will die in childbirth in just a few months…With one eye on the present and one on the past, Fay Weldon offers Vivien’s fate, along with that of London between World Wars I and II: a city fizzing with change, full of flat-chested flappers, shell-shocked soldiers, and aristocrats clinging to history. Inventive, warm, playful, and full of Weldon’s trademark ironic edge, Before the War is a spellbinding novel from one of the greatest writers of our time.
Before the Week's Through
by Anne PedkeDuring the Dust Bowl, Sarah’s family is losing their crops from wind damage. In order to care for his family, Sarah's father leaves for California to find work. Now, the family must work together to keep the farm running. During a storm, the family gives shelter to a stranger. How will this stranger give hope to Sarah that their father will return?