★★★★★ - "David Blixt pens a heroine for the ages in "What Girls Are Good For," which follows the extraordinary career of pioneer newspaperwoman Nellie Bly. A pint-sized dynamo who refuses to stay in the kitchen, Nellie fights tooth and nail to make a name for herself as a journalist, battling complacent men, corrupt institutions, and her own demons along the way. This real-life Lois Lane had me cheering aloud as I turned the pages - simply a delight!" — Kate Quinn, NY Times Bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Rose Code "A well-crafted and thoughtful work of historical fiction." — Kirkus Reviews From Bestselling Author David Blixt: Nellie Bly has the story of a lifetime — if she can she survive to tell it! Step into the thrilling world of investigative journalism! This captivating novel takes you back in time to the 19th century, where pioneering undercover reporter Nellie Bly shatters barriers and defies expectations. Enraged by an article entitled ‘What Girls Are Good For’, Elizabeth Cochrane pens an angry letter to the Pittsburgh Dispatch, never imagining a Victorian newspaper would hire a woman reporter. Taking the name Nellie Bly, she struggles against the male-dominated industry, reporting stories no one else will tell — the stories of downtrodden women. Chased out of Mexico for revealing government corruption, her romantic advances rejected by a married colleague, Bly earns the chance to break into New York’s Newspaper Row if she can nab a major scoop — life inside a madhouse. Feigning madness, she dupes the court into committing her to the Insane Asylum on Blackwell’s Island. But matters on the Island are far worse than she ever dreamed. Stripped, drugged, beaten, she must endure a week of terror, reliving the darkest days of her childhood, in order to escape and tell the world her story. Only, at the end of the week, no rescue comes, and she fears she may be trapped forever... Based on the real-life events of Nellie Bly’s life and reporting, What Girls Are Good For is a tale of rage, determination, and triumph — all in the frame of a tiny Pennsylvania spitfire who refused to let the world change her, and changed the world instead. Praise for What Girls Are Good For: ★★★★★ — "With rich imagination and meticulous research, David Blixt has brought the hectic, exciting world of nineteenth-century journalism vividly to life. His Nellie Bly is determined, independent, crafty, irresistible -- a heroine any reader would be delighted to get to know." — Matthew Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of Eighty Days ★★★★★ — "Dramatic, engrossing, and spirited, What Girls Are Good For takes the reader straight to the heart of an unsung American hero--a feminist icon whose voice rings loud and true. This is a must-read for anyone who loves an underdog and celebrates justice; the perfect accompaniment for our present times." — Olivia Hawker, international bestselling author of The Ragged Edge of Night ★★★★★ — "Author David Blixt delivers a great story about Nellie before she exposes the horrors she endured during her stay at the asylum on Blackwell Island. The portrayal of Nellie Bly in What Girls Are Good For is astonishing and doesn’t give you the fake twists and turns and add-ons that a lot of historical fiction does. The characters are likable and I feel that Blixt did a wonderful job of capturing Nellie’s voice and personality in his words. I would love to read more of his work. Without a doubt, the best book I have read this month!" — Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review
Set in the early days of the 14th century, the exiled Dante and his eldest surviving son Pietro are invited to Verona, where political intrigue rules the day. His best friends are the eldest sons of the Montague and Capulet family, whose bitter and fabled feud is about to break out over the love of a woman in love with one and betrothed to another.
Before he was famous, he was a fugitive. Before he wrote of humanity, he lived it. Before he was the Bard of Avon, he was a spy. A very poor spy. England, 1586. Swept up in the skirts of a mysterious stranger, Will Shakespeare becomes entangled in a deadly and hilarious misadventure as he accidentally uncovers an attempt to murder Queen Elizabeth herself. Aided by the mercurial wit of Kit Marlowe, Will enters London for the first time, chased by rebels, spies, his own government, his past, and a bear. Through it all he demonstrates his loyalty and genius, proving himself to be - HER MAJESTY'S WILL.
A gripping sequel to the bestselling novel What Girls Are Good For, following the real-life reporting of undercover journalist Nellie Bly! Step into the electric streets of 1880s New York as trailblazing journalist Nellie Bly delves into the heart of the city's underbelly, where the cries of abandoned infants echo through the cobblestone alleys, as she discovers the fate of unwanted babies. Fresh from her harrowing escape from the madhouse on Blackwell's Island, undercover reporter Nellie Bly receives a letter that launches her next crusading investigation—what becomes of unwanted children? As Bly fearlessly navigates the dangerous labyrinth of 1880s New York, her unyielding pursuit of justice sheds light on the plight of the city's most vulnerable. Discovering the wide range of reasons children are abandoned, even Bly's characteristic pluck fails her as she chases down the doctors who buy and sell babies! With meticulous research and vivid prose, David Blixt transports readers to an era defined by social upheaval and journalistic tenacity. "Charity Girl" is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative impact of one woman's unwavering dedication to exposing the harsh realities of a bygone era. Praise for What Girls Are Good For: ★★★★★ - "David Blixt pens a heroine for the ages in "What Girls Are Good For," which follows the extraordinary career of pioneer newspaperwoman Nellie Bly. A pint-sized dynamo who refuses to stay in the kitchen, Nellie fights tooth and nail to make a name for herself as a journalist, battling complacent men, corrupt institutions, and her own demons along the way. This real-life Lois Lane had me cheering aloud as I turned the pages - simply a delight!" - Kate Quinn, author of The Alice Network
Tell a story to catch a story." - Nellie Bly Nellie Bly sets out to trap the greatest villain of her career! Step back in time to the mesmerizing world of 19th-century New York, where the indomitable Nellie Bly dons the guise of a cunning ingenue to unravel the web of deception spun by the enigmatic Edward Phelps—the notorious "King Of The Lobby." March 1888. A blizzard has frozen all of New York, and Nellie Bly is going stir-crazy, stuck at home with her mother and her detestable brother Albert. When a political speech inspires her, she and Colonel Cockerill plot out her most daring undercover assignment since she emerged from the Blackwell's Island insane asylum: she's going to trap the most crooked man in politics, Edward R. Phelps, the self-styled "King" of the Albany lobby. Catching a fox as wily as Phelps will take all her nerve, and she's learning that her meteoric rise has left her with few allies in the newspaper world. On her own, she must first trap Phelps, then confront him before a jury of his allies: the state senators of New York. As Nellie Bly navigates the intricate corridors of power and influence, she exposes the hidden machinations behind the political curtain. Phelps, the mastermind lobbyist, pulls strings with the finesse of a puppeteer, manipulating the fate of New York State from the shadows. But Bly, armed with wit, determination, and a relentless pursuit of truth, infiltrates the world of privilege to unmask the secrets that threaten to undermine the very foundations of democracy. Based on the real-life events and her own reporting, Clever Girl shows Nellie Bly at her furious best! Uncover the hidden truths that lie beneath the polished veneer of the Gilded Age—Clever Girl will leave you breathless, questioning, and hungry for more.
Eight years after the tumultuous events of THE MASTER OF VERONA, Pietro Alaghieri is living in exile in Ravenna, enduring the loss of his famous father while secretly raising Cesco, the bastard heir to Verona's prince, Cangrande della Scala. But when word of Cangrande's death reaches him, Pietro must race back to Verona to prevent Cesco's rivals from usurping his rightful place. But young Cesco is determined not to be anyone's pawn. Willful and brilliant, he defies even the stars. And far behind the scenes is a mastermind pulling the strings, one who stands to lose - or gain - the most. Born from Shakespeare's Italian plays, this novel explores the danger, deceit, and deviltry of early Renaissance Italy, and the terrible choices one must make just to stay alive.
It must be by his death." On the brink of betrayal, loyalty clashes with honor. Step into the gripping world of intrigue and betrayal with "Eve Of Ides," a drama that delves into the untold story behind the night preceding Julius Caesar's fateful assassination. Join Caesar, Brutus, and Antony at a feast where secrets are unveiled, and destinies are sealed. March 14, 44 BC. Elected Dictator of Rome, Caesar is about to embark on a new war in the East to avenge an old friend. With just one meeting of the Senate standing between him and his foes, Caesar attends a farewell dinner. Unknown to him, several of the guests are plotting to end his life. Among them is Brutus, who is deeply conflicted about the plan, struggling with both morality and mortality. As the tension rises, Antony poses the question of the best way to meet one's end. Caesar's poignant response, "What does it matter, so long as it's quick?" sets the stage for a journey that intertwines history with Shakespeare, delving into the unexplored relationships between the key players of the age – Caesar, Brutus, and Antony. Experience history in its most vivid and dramatic form!
Blixt is a man of many talents - actor, director, author. In his hands, history comes to bright, blazing life." - Sharon Kay Penman, author of Lionheart and The Sunne In Splendour Prepare to be swept away by the thrilling epic of love, destiny, and treacherous adventure with the third book in David Blixt's mesmerizing Star-Crossed Series! In the turbulent world of Renaissance Italy, 'Fortune's Fool' continues the saga of Romeo and Juliet like you've never seen before. Italy, 1326. Cesco, the mercurial heir to Verona, is thrust into a deadly game of politics under the stern guidance of a relentless master. Meanwhile, Pietro Alaghieri embarks on a treacherous journey to the heart of the Papacy in Avignon, fighting for Cesco's rightful place and battling excommunication. Little does he know that a cunning enemy, long in the shadows, is poised to shatter his life and seize Verona's throne. As Cesco faces trials of wit and courage, he finds himself pitted against a power-hungry cousin, an enigmatic assassin, and even the formidable Holy Roman. Separated from his allies, Cesco's fate hangs in the balance as a harrowing series of adventures reveal a secret long hidden, one that threatens Cesco's only chance for true happiness. Inspired by Shakespeare, Dante, and Petrarch, this Renaissance novel of intrigue and passion reflects the heights of drama, exploring the capricious whims of lady Fortune, who has her favorites—and her fools. Replete with swashbuckling adventure, unrequited love, and brutal treachery, this epic journey recalls the best of Bernard Cornwell, Sharon Kay Penman, and Dorothy Dunnett.
Blixt is a man of many talents - actor, director, author. In his hands, history comes to bright, blazing life." - Sharon Kay Penman, author of Lionheart and The Sunne In Splendour Dive into the treacherous landscape of Renaissance Italy, where alliances shift like shadows and betrayal is a constant companion, with the explosive fourth novel David Blixt’s critically acclaimed Star-Cross'd Series! Triumphant in its clash with Padua, Verona now stands at the precipice of a foretold disaster. The Montagues and Capulets continue their epic feud, threatening to plunge Verona into chaos. The once-promising Cesco, a rising star in his own right, plunges headlong into the shadows, steering his extraordinary talents toward a tumultuous existence that defies not only the Veronese lord and the Church but challenges the very constellations themselves. The heart of the struggle is a love that could either be the key to lasting peace or the catalyst for utter destruction. In a bid to reclaim Cesco’s faltering spirit, Pietro Alaghieri welcomes the seething plots and intrigues of the Veronese court, hoping they'll jolt Cesco from his languor. Yet, as the first lifeless body hits the ground, it becomes starkly evident that this new game is a lethal gambit, a perilous trial that threatens to doom them all. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of swashbuckling adventure, smoldering passion, and ruthless betrayal, as this epic tale unfolds—an electrifying odyssey reminiscent of the best works by Bernard Cornwell, Sharon Kay Penman, and Dorothy Dunnett. The stars may have foretold the doom, but the chaos that ensues is beyond even their celestial predictions. Prepare to be swept away by the intricate web of alliances and enmities in The Prince's Doom, a gripping addition to the Star-Cross'd Series that will leave breathless readers eagerly anticipating the next twist in this captivating saga.
Rome under Nero is a dangerous place. His cruel artistic whims border on madness, and any man who dares rise too high has his wings clipped, with fatal results. For one family, Nero's whims mean either promotion or destruction. While his uncle Vespasian goes off to put down a rebellion in Judea, Titus Flavius Sabinus struggles to walk the perilous line between success and notoriety as he climbs Rome's ladder. When Nero is impaled on his own artistry, the whole world is thrown into chaos and Sabinus must navigate shifting allegiances and murderous alliances as his family tries to survive the year of the Four Emperors. The second novel in the Colossus series.
Judea, 66 AD. A Roman legion suffers a smashing and catastrophic defeat at the hands of an angry band of Hebrews armed with only slings and spears. Knowing Emperor Nero's revenge will be swift and merciless, they must decide how to defend their land against the Roman invasion. Caught up in the tumult is the mason Judah, inadvertent hero of Beth Horon, who now finds himself rubbing shoulders with priests, revolutionaries, generals, and nobles, drafted to help defend the land of Galilee. Denied the chance to marry where he will, he turns all his energy into defending the beseiged city of Jotapata. But with a general suffering delusions of grandeur, friends falling each day, and the Roman menace at the walls, Judah must brave a nightmare to save those he loves and preserve his honor. First book of the Colossus series.
A SONG OF WAR Troy: city of gold, gatekeeper of the east, haven of the god-born and the lucky, a city destined to last a thousand years. But the Fates have other plans—the Fates, and a woman named Helen. In the shadow of Troy's gates, all must be reborn in the greatest war of the ancient world: slaves and queens, heroes and cowards, seers and kings . . . and these are their stories. A young princess and an embittered prince join forces to prevent a fatal elopement. A tormented seeress challenges the gods themselves to save her city from the impending disaster. A tragedy-haunted king battles private demons and envious rivals as the siege grinds on. A doomed hero launches a desperate plan to bring the war to a close. A grizzled archer and a desperate Amazon risk their lives to avenge their dead. A trickster conceives the greatest trick of all. A goddess' son battles to save the spirit of Troy even as the walls are breached in fire and blood. Seven authors bring to life the epic tale of the Trojan War: its heroes, its villains, its survivors, its dead. Who will lie forgotten in the embers, and who will rise to shape the bloody dawn of a new age?
Before he was famous, he was a fugitive. Before he wrote of humanity, he lived it. Before he was the Bard of Avon, he was a spy. A very poor spy. England, 1586. Swept up in the skirts of a mysterious stranger, Will Shakespeare becomes entangled in a deadly and hilarious misadventure as he accidentally uncovers the Babington Plot: an attempt to murder Queen Elizabeth herself. Aided by the mercurial wit of Kit Marlowe, Will enters London for the first time, chased by rebels, spies, his own government, his past, and a bear. Through it all he demonstrates his loyalty and genius, proving himself to be - Her Majesty's Will. Combining the whimsy of William Goldman's The Princess Bride with the swashbuckling panache of Raphael Sabatini, and inspired by the Hope/Crosby Road Movies, this rollicking novel takes solace in knowing that these events surely never happened, while secretly hoping that they did.
Plague has no favorites. In this anthology, USA Today, international bestselling, and award-winning authors imagine a world where anyone-rich, poor, young, old-might be well in the morning and dead by sundown. Readers will follow in the footsteps of those who fought to rebuild shattered lives as the plague left desolation in its wake.
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