Disclaimer

Originally published in 1960, this popular novel about frustrated youth laid the groundwork for contemporary writers such as Tony Parsons and Nick Hornby. All about love, lust, and loneliness, the book introduces Vic Brown, a young working-class Yorkshireman. Vic is attracted to the beautiful but demanding Ingrid, and as their relationship grows and changes, he comes to terms—the hard way—with adult life and what it really means to love. The influence of Barstow's novel has been lasting: the literary label "lad-lit" was first applied to this book, and over the years it has been adapted for radio, television, and the big screen.

Product Description

The long way home could be the shortest road to ruin.

The king of Scotland is in a snit. Which means Britt MacKinnon, proud captain of the king’s guard, has an onerous task: fetch Alexander’s favorite paramour back to the royal bed—_now_. Never mind that the crown should be about the business of getting a legitimate heir. Especially since England’s Edward I would love nothing more than to seize an empty Scottish throne.

When the handsome soldier appears on her doorstep, Geneen Armstrong has to think quickly. Her twin lies abed in her cottage, pregnant with the king’s bastard. If the barren queen learns the truth, the foolish girl’s life won’t be worth a farthing.

She must somehow transform her graceless, plain-spoken self into her vivacious, talented sister. Then, after the court is convinced she carries no child, use her herbal knowledge to sour the king’s taste for her sister’s company—for good.

By the time Britt realizes this unusually articulate, ungodly stubborn woman is the wrong woman, tendrils of attraction have already tightened into a bond. A bond that will be tested when the king’s unexpected death puts Scotland’s very destiny at stake—and unleashes an ever-tangling web of court intrigues, secrets…and lies.

Warning: Men in kilts, Scottish accents and a feisty heroine contained herein. A more perfect historical romance doesnae exist.

Knit shop owner and sorcerer's daughter Chloe Hobbs felt the Fates finally got it right when she met Luke MacKenzie. And no one could have convinced her otherwise—including the trolls, selkies, or spirits who also call Sugar Maple, Vermont, home. But then out of nowhere Luke's ex-wife suddenly shows up, claiming to see the spirit of their daughter, Steffie—a daughter Chloe knows nothing about. Steffie's spirit is being held hostage by a certain Fae leader. And if Chloe weaves a spell to free her spirit, her nemesis will also be free—free to destroy her yarn shop and all of Sugar Maple. But if she doesn't, Steffie won't be the only one spending eternity in hell. Chloe'll be joining her, cursed with a broken heart.<

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–9—Two 15-year-old boys' lives are connected through parallel worlds—one medieval, one present day—in this debut fantasy. Leo's routine life in his medieval country of Malonia changes after he finds a powerful blank book that mysteriously writes itself in two stories. One reveals how the present King Lucien usurped the throne from his brother, the rightful ruler. Lucien had his brother assassinated but spared his young son, his nephew Prince Ryan. Aldebaran, Leo's great uncle, a powerful seer, prophesied that whoever harmed the prince would receive the same fate. Ryan is exiled to a mystical place called England where he lives while waiting to return to his homeland. A magical necklace belonging to Ryan's family also disappeared when he was exiled. Anna, 15, lives in modern-day England and inherits her grandmother's necklace. This is the first book in a proposed trilogy. The parallel worlds are well realized, particularly Malonia, but the characters lack depth. The book is confusing at times, and Leo's story goes on for too long. Several tragic events cause him to become depressed, and his constant crying gets tedious. There is more emphasis on his story than on Ryan's, but Ryan is more likable and his story more relevant to contemporary teens. Fantasy readers who like multilayered plots will pick up this lengthy book, but they may not stick with it.—_Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton_
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From Booklist

In a fantasy marked by invention rarely seen from authors this young (Banner, currently 19, started the novel when she was 14), 15-year-old Leo learns that his kingdom’s lost prince may have been exiled to a “fairy story” land called England. The novel’s complicated structure, mixing Leo’s first-person memoir with legendlike snippets from an enchanted book, showcases Banner’s ability to create distinct narrative voices. She also makes some bold choices, from casting contemporary reality as a foreign, faraway realm to strongly focusing on characters on the periphery of the large-scale political machinations. At times, Banner’s dissection of Leo’s inner life, which turns unremittingly grim following several hard turns of fate, slows the novel’s momentum. Even so, readers who don’t necessarily crave tidy, joyful closure will find much to relish in this textured fantasy, well cued to fans of Megan Whalen Turner (for her character-driven political plots) and Garth Nix (for the Sabriel series’ fresh interplay between parallel realities). In the bargain, they’ll get a sneak peek at a rising talent in the bargain. Grades 7-11. --Jennifer Mattson

Asking for the truth can be as painful as telling it. . . .Anselm Andros has clearly defined roles in his family and they are roles he plays very well—he is confidante to his mother, Maria. He is the confessor to his stepfather, Leo, a man haunted by the secrets of his past. And Anselm is also the patient, caring brother to his precocious sister, Jasmine. When the political landscape of Malonia starts to shift, this unassuming family begins to unravel. Even though they’ve spent the past fifteen years leading a quiet life, Maria and Leo’s actions are forever linked to the turbulent history of Malonia and its parallel world, modern-day England. With so much uncertainty at home and in his world, it is more important than ever for Anselm to put all the pieces of the past together. He must listen to his own voice and acknowledge his fears and desires—whatever the cost.<

We've been over this, he says. We have to get to her first.I know! Olivia snaps. I'm keeping company with a suspected murderer and I've probably become an accessory at this point, and a runaway besides. So don't tell me what I need to do. I'm doing it.Lily Odilon—local wild child from a small Idaho town—has vanished after spending the night with her sometimes boyfriend, new kid Albert Morales. Suspected in her disappearance, Albert sets out to discover what happened to her. Kidnapped? Runaway? Murder victim?Joining Albert is Lily's prickly younger sister, Olivia. Their distress is mirrored in a fastpaced narrative that jumps through three timelines. Each thread adds a new level to the mystery and reveals clues that paint a startling picture of all three teens. Theirintertwined destinies come to a head in an unconventional climax.<

SUMMARY: When Web London's FBI Hostage Negotiation Team is ambushed in a dark alley, Web is the only survivor. As the FBI investigates, suspicion surrounding Web deepens. Now, he needs help from an unlikely ally in his desperate search for the killer of his friends, and finds himself up against a force intent on finishing the job that began in the alley. SUMMARY: Web London, a member of the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team, roars into a darkened alley one night with his team members, only to be ambushed seconds later. For reasons he can't understand, Londonis the sole survivor. As the FBI conducts their investigation, the cloud of suspicion surrounding London grows. Riddled with questions and guilt, he seeks the help of psychiatrist Claire Daniels. In a search for the truth, that will take him from the battlegrounds of inner city Washington to the affluence of Virginia horse country, Web London sets out to discover what really happened that deadly night, as forces from all sides try to stop him.<