If ever a writer needed an introduction Arthur Conan Doyle would not be considered that man. After all, Sherlock Holmes is perhaps the foremost literary detective of any age. Add to this canon his stories of science fiction and his poems, his historical novels, his plays, his political campaigning, his efforts in establishing a Court of Appeal and there is little room for anything else. Except he was also an exceptional writer of short stories of the horrific and macabre. Something very different from what you might expect. Born in Arthur Conan Doyle was born on 22 May 1859 at 11 Picardy Place, Edinburgh, Scotland. From 1876 - 1881 he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh following which he was employed as a doctor on the Greenland whaler Hope of Peterhead in 1880 and, after his graduation, as a ship's surgeon on the SS Mayumba during a voyage to the West African coast in 1881. Arriving in Portsmouth in June of that year with less than GBP10 (GBP700 today) to his name, he set up a medical practice at 1 Bush Villas in Elm Grove, Southsea. The practice was initially not very successful. While waiting for patients, Conan Doyle again began writing stories and composed his first novel The Mystery of Cloomber. Although he continued to study and practice medicine his career was now firmly set as a writer. And thereafter great works continued to pour out of him.

Jane Austen's Lady Susan (1871) is an epistolary novella centering around the character of an attractive and flirtatious widow who is after a second marriage. Lady Susan Vernon is basically portrayed as a selfish villain and a conniving sociopath who engages in different schemes to realize her vicious ends. Her social life is marked by hypocrisy, manipulation and opportunism. She secretly despises all her liaisons. The reader gradually learns that she even looks down on her own daughter Frederica and considers her to be a sort of impediment for her. Throughout the narrative, Lady Susan does her utmost to get rid of her sixteen-year-old daughter by trying to find a wealthy husband for her. Moreover, she makes use of her seductive strategies to lure noble men who are often younger than her. Single men as well as married ones get entangled in her nets as the plot proceeds to its end. Although the resolution of the story is far from being disastrous for the unscrupulous Lady Susan, it still takes the form of moral rectification when Frederica develops an honest, romantic relationship with the warm gentleman Reginald de Courcy while her mother eventually marries after many a flirtatious adventure. We've also included a concise and informative biography of Jane's works and life at the end of the book. We hope it helps to give a little context and colour about how her life interacted with her art.

Henry Jones was born at Beaulieu, near Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland in 1721. His working life began when he was apprenticed to a bricklayer. Jones, however, was keen to better himself and studied hard in his private time. He fashioned some complimentary verses, addressed to the corporation of Drogheda and together with some lines 'On Mr. Pope's Death', managed to attract the attention of Lord-chief-justice Singleton, who lived at Beaulieu.In 1745 he obtained employment at the parliament house at Dublin. Jones, used the position to promote his literary talents and celebrated the arrival of Lord Chesterfield as lord-lieutenant of Ireland in a poem that was then presented to Chesterfield by Singleton. Chesterfield asked Jones to accompany him on his return to London in 1748. There, he and his friends helped Jones to publish, by subscription, 'Poems on Several Occasions' in 1749, which delivered a handsome profit for the young poet. Jones is though more noted as a dramatist and that, primarily, is due to his tragedy, 'The Earl of Essex' which he completed in 1752. Chesterfield introduced both the play and Jones to Colley Cibber, the Poet Laureate, who then introduced Jones to the manager of Covent Garden Theatre. Cibber would later attempt to secure the laureateship for Jones after his own death.'The Earl of Essex', after being revised by Chesterfield and Cibber, was premiered at Covent Garden on 21st Feb. 1753, and played for seventeen sold-out nights. It was a triumph, and was equally well received in Dublin and then later in the provinces. It brought Jones over GBP500, a large sum even by today's standards. The play was printed soon after its production, and eventually sold through four editions.The success, unfortunately, was to be the ruin of Jones. His drunken habits, indolence, raw manners, and harshly arrogant temper appalled most of his patrons who soon withdrew their support. However, he seemed adept at keeping on good terms with Chesterfield for some years longer, but at length even he gave up on the relationship when Jones borrowed money from his servant. Jones did continue to write and had made progress on a tragedy entitled 'Harold,' and, on that thin security, managed to raise money as an advance from booksellers. He was rather more successful in his revelries with the acting profession. Jones continued to be on friendly terms with many of the leading actors although in his often drunk state he would harangue the more minor actors as 'parrots', but he repaid them with puffs and panegyrics. His charm and ease with a few lines were valuable commodities.Whenever he was an inmate of sponging-houses he contrived to flatter any bailiff's daughter or wife with verses on their beauty or talents, and, in the process, secured himself more comfortable quarters than he perhaps deserved. Henry Jones died in the parish workhouse in April 1770.After his death, Reddish, the actor of Drury Lane, acquired Jones's manuscripts, which included 'Harold' and three acts of an unfinished tragedy, 'The Cave of Idra.' This was completed by Paul Hiffernan, and re-titled 'The Heroine of the Cave,' was produced for Reddish's benefit on 25th March 1774.

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in late April 1565 and baptised there on 26th April. He was one of eight children. Little is known about his life but what is evident is the enormous contribution he has made to world literature. His writing was progressive, magnificent in scope and breathtaking in execution. His plays and sonnets helped enable the English language to speak with a voice unmatched by any other. William Shakespeare died on April 23rd 1616, survived by his wife and two daughters. He was buried two days after his death in the chancel of the Holy Trinity Church. The epitaph on the slab which covers his grave includes the following passage, Good friend, for Jesus's sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed me the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones. Here we publish his comedy from 1599 'Twelfth Night'.

Aphra Behn was a prolific and well established writer but facts about her remain scant and difficult to confirm. What can safely be said though is that Aphra Behn is now regarded as a key English playwright and a major figure in Restoration theatre. Aphra was born into the rising tensions to the English Civil War. Obviously a time of much division and difficulty as the King and Parliament, and their respective forces, came ever closer to conflict. There are claims she was a spy, that she travelled abroad, possibly as far as Surinam. By 1664 her marriage was over (though by death or separation is not known but presumably the former as it occurred in the year of their marriage) and she now used Mrs Behn as her professional name. Aphra now moved towards pursuing a more sustainable and substantial career and began work for the King's Company and the Duke's Company players as a scribe. Previously her only writing had been poetry but now she would become a playwright. Her first, "e;The Forc'd Marriage"e;, was staged in 1670, followed by "e;The Amorous Prince"e; (1671). After her third play, "e;The Dutch Lover"e;, Aphra had a three year lull in her writing career. Again it is speculated that she went travelling again, possibly once again as a spy. After this sojourn her writing moves towards comic works, which prove commercially more successful. Her most popular works included "e;The Rover"e; and "e;Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister"e; (1684-87). With her growing reputation Aphra became friends with many of the most notable writers of the day. This is The Age of Dryden and his literary dominance. From the mid 1680's Aphra's health began to decline. This was exacerbated by her continual state of debt and descent into poverty. Aphra Behn died on April 16th 1689, and is buried in the East Cloister of Westminster Abbey. The inscription on her tombstone reads: "e;Here lies a Proof that Wit can never be Defence enough against Mortality."e; She was quoted as stating that she had led a "e;life dedicated to pleasure and poetry."e;

Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West Country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with doctorates from many universities, and a knighthood, which he refused. Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, wolud be a major work by any hand and shows why such praise and accolades were given.

George Farquhar was born in Derry, Ireland in 1677, one of seven children. Farquhar was educated at Foyle College and later, aged 17, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. He departed after only two years, accounts vary as to why, and he took to acting on the Dublin stage. As an actor he seems to have had no real talent. A terrible accident, when he failed to distinguish between a tipped foil and a deadly rapier, and seriously wounded a fellow actor, resolved Farquhar to give up acting for good. His first play, Love and a Bottle, was well received at London's Drury Lane Theatre in 1699 and was admired "e;for its sprightly Dialogue and busy Scenes."e; With the play a success Farquhar settled his talents on a career as a playwright. He had a second play open that same year; The Constant Couple. Again, it was warmly received on debuting at Drury Lane and proved a great success. However, another interest and opportunity now unfolded into his life. He received a commission in the regiment of the Earl of Orrery. His time now became divided between the duties of a successful new playwright and the vocations of soldier. In 1701 Farquhar wrote and debuted a sequel to the Constant Couple, called and based on its main character; Sir Harry Wildair. The following year was to be prolific for the young playwright. He penned both The Inconstant or, The Way To Win and The Twin-Rivals as well as publishing Love and Business, a collection that included letters, verse, and A Discourse Upon Comedy. His work for the army, recruiting soldiers to fight in the War of the Spanish Succession, occupied much of his time for the next three years, and he was to write little except The Stage Coach, in 1774. Farquhar was able, however, to draw upon these years of recruiting experience for his next comedy, The Recruiting Officer in 1706. Early in 1707, Farquhar wrote what was to be his masterpiece: The Beaux Stratagem. In these last two plays his real contribution to the English drama is all the more apparent. He introduced a verbal vigour and sparring, as well as a love of character that are more usually associated with Elizabethan dramatists and laid much of the foundations for Sheridan and Congreve to build upon. George Farquhar, aged only 40, died on April 29th, 1707, almost two months after the debut of his greatest work. He was buried in the Church of St. Martin in the Fields, London, on May 3rd, 1707.

Publius Terentius Afer is better known to us as the Roman playwright, Terence.Much of his life, especially the early part, is either unknown or has conflicting sources and accounts.His birth date is said to be either 185 BC or a decade earlier: 195 BC. His place of birth is variously listed as in, or, near Carthage, or, in Greek Italy to a woman taken to Carthage as a slave. It is suggested that he lived in the territory of the Libyan tribe that the Romans called Afri, near Carthage, before being brought to Rome as a slave. Probability suggests that it was there, in North Africa, several decades after the destruction of Carthage by the Romans in 146 BC, at the end of the Punic Wars, that Terence spent his early years.One reliable fact is that he was sold to P. Terentius Lucanus, a Roman senator, who had him educated and, impressed by his literary talents, freed him.These writing talents were to ensure his legacy as a playwright down through the millennia. His comedies, partially adapted from Greek plays of the late phases of Attic Comedy, were performed for the first time around 170-160 BC. All six of the plays he has known to have written have survived.Indeed, thanks to his simple conversational Latin, which was both entertaining and direct, Terence's works were heavily used by monasteries and convents during the Middle Ages and The Renaissance. Scribes often learned Latin through the copious copying of Terence's texts. Priests and nuns often learned to speak Latin through re-enactment of Terence's plays. Although his plays often dealt with pagan material, the quality and distinction of his language promoted the copying and preserving of his text by the church. This preservation enabled his work to influence a wide spectrum of later Western drama.When he was 25 (or 35 depending on which year of birth you ascribe too), Terence travelled to Greece but never returned. It has long been assumed that he died at some point during the journey.Of his own family nothing is known, except that he fathered a daughter and left a small but valuable estate just outside Rome.His most famous quotation reads: "e;Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto"e;, or "e;I am human, and I think nothing human is alien to me."e;

We all love a good crime story. An anthology of short crime stories, written by the finest of craftsman of their age, is always a welcome treat. The short story is often viewed as an inferior relation to the Novel. But it is an art in itself. To take a story and distil its essence into fewer pages while keeping character and plot rounded and driven is not an easy task. Many try and many fail. In this series we have a selection of short stories from many of our most accomplished writers written at the beginnings of Detective fiction. Our stories include these classics: The Adventure of the Dying Detective by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Secret Garden by GK Chesterton, Gentlemen and Players by E W Hornung, The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe, The Death Of Halpin Frayser by Ambrose Bierce, The Man With The Cough by Mrs Molesworth, The Man With The Pale Eyes by Guy de Maupassant, On Duty With Inspector Field by Charles Dickens, The Stolen Cigar Case by Bret Harte, A Scandal In Bohemia by Arthur Conan Doyle

The life of William Shakespeare, arguably the most significant figure in the Western literary canon, is relatively unknown. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1565, possibly on the 23rd April, St. George's Day, and baptised there on 26th April. Little is known of his education and the first firm facts to his life relate to his marriage, aged 18, to Anne Hathaway, who was 26 and from the nearby village of Shottery. Anne gave birth to their first son six months later. Shakespeare's first play, The Comedy of Errors began a procession of real heavyweights that were to emanate from his pen in a career of just over twenty years in which 37 plays were written and his reputation forever established. This early skill was recognised by many and by 1594 the Lord Chamberlain's Men were performing his works. With the advantage of Shakespeare's progressive writing they rapidly became London's leading company of players, affording him more exposure and, following the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603, a royal patent by the new king, James I, at which point they changed their name to the King's Men. By 1598, and despite efforts to pirate his work, Shakespeare's name was well known and had become a selling point in its own right on title pages. No plays are attributed to Shakespeare after 1613, and the last few plays he wrote before this time were in collaboration with other writers, one of whom is likely to be John Fletcher who succeeded him as the house playwright for the King's Men. William Shakespeare died two months later on April 23rd, 1616, survived by his wife, two daughters and a legacy of writing that none have since yet eclipsed.

All profits from the sale of this eBook will go to Lumos, a charity founded by J.K. Rowling to end the institutionalisation of children worldwide. As familiar to many Hogwarts students as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty are to Muggle children, The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a collection of popular stories written for young wizards and witches. Translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger, they include fascinating additional notes from Professor Albus Dumbledore, with intriguing glimpses into his life at Hogwarts, as well as illustrations from J.K. Rowling herself.For wizarding and Muggle readers alike, this is a must-have edition, featuring fate-seeking witches, a hairy-hearted warlock and the tale of the three brothers who tried to cheat Death . . .By buying this unique and special book, you are helping Lumos to make sure that, by 2050, no more children live in institutions or orphanages around the world, and that every child is able to enjoy their right to grow up in a family.All profits from the sale of this eBook will go to Lumos. The Lumos Foundation is a charity registered in England and Wales with registered charity number 1112575.

J.K. Rowling’s five-film Fantastic Beasts adventure series continues with the original screenplay for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Version révisée d'octobre 2015.Les colonnes du temps" est le conseil de lecture du site www.monBestSeller.com, sélectionné pour le Prix Concours de l'auteur indépendant 2015.Automne 2003.Notre planète est agressée par une sphère lumineuse qui dévore lentement sa surface.Seuls ses p?les semblent épargnés par l'avidité du monstre qui, en peu de temps, finit par effacer l’Europe et l'ouest asiatique.Tandis que la population mondiale se terre dans des grottes ou colonise l'Alaska, les nations s'organisent et b?tissent une immense base souterraine, en Sibérie.Celle-ci devient le refuge de scientifiques réunis dans une course contre l’annihilation totale de notre monde. Parmi eux, Patrick Schimmer, jeune géologue fran?ais qui, sans le savoir, jouera un r?le important dans le devenir de l'humanité.Ceci est son histoire...Ce qu'en pensent les lecteurs :?" Lisez-le ! Même si vous n'êtes pas amateur habituel de science-fiction comme moi. J'ai été englouti par cette histoire qui vous plonge dans un futur peut-être pas si lointain quand on voit ce qu'on fait à notre planète""Fantastique ! (et je ne parle pas que du genre). Je dévore et recommande. Ps. A quelle page commence l’histoire d’amour pour que tous les ingrédients du succès soient réunis ? !""Dès le départ on est dans le feu de l'action, les personnages sont captivants, le décor est bien planté. On ne s'ennuie pas, pour moi c'est le principal. Bon livre.""Un chef d'oeuvre d'imagination et d'humanisme, truffé d'humour et de références culturelles.""Il y a beaucoup de clins d'oeil pour la génération des quarantenaires ayant une même enfance et regardé les mêmes séries TV... (Est-ce que les jeunes d'aujourd'hui vont capter ??) Les personnages sont attachants, le livre est bien écrit."

When?her job brings her to the city where her grandmother lives,?Lissa?first meets Jason.?Though their attraction to one another is immediate, Lissa refuses to be tempted into romance with a man in Jason’s occupation. She has been influenced by her mother to believe anyone in a creative job has the potential for ruin and starvation. These childhood teachings drove Lissa to actions that she now regrets. Although Jason is handsome and considerate, Lissa is wary and feels it is better to have a husband with a secure job than one who is at the mercy of public trends. Jason is determined not to fall for another committed career woman, and risk the pain of breaking up, as he did with his former fiancé. Taking second place to his wife’s work is not what he wants in a marriage. In addition, he takes his faith seriously and worries about Lissa’s ambivalent relationship with God. Will past experiences stand in the way of their relationship or will they grow together to find true love? ?

Bitan, the most valuable substance in the human universe, makes communication across vast distances possible.? Bitan only comes from one planet.? And that planet has a problem. The TransGalactic Corporation sends Luis Ahmad on a desperate mission to help the human colony on Bitanthra. Can Luis save the colony and stop the collapse of communications throughout the galaxy?

Do you want to transition to a new career or job but have no idea where to start? Here’s a step-by-step guide for your next career move to get the results you desire faster and painlessly. *FREE 100+ page worksheet booklet inside.* This book will take you by the hand to create an easy-to-follow masterplan for your life’s dreams. Learn from award-winning author, Tikiri, who used the techniques in this book to go from being an immigrant teen with $20 in her pocket to managing multi-million-dollar projects and traveling the world. You’ll discover how to: Craft smart goals that align with your personal dreams and vision for life.Design a practical step-by-step execution plan to reach your vision.Manage your days and weeks more effectively, so you can reach your goals faster. And much more Your Rebel Plans is a life-changing workbook with down-to-earth advice, inspiring quotes and plenty of space for you to write your answers. If you’d like to create a roadmap to your dream future, pick up Your Rebel Plans today! ___________________ The Rebel Diva Series - Your Rebel Dreams – How to discover your purpose and power up your life.Your - Rebel Plans - How to create a masterplan for your career change. - Your Rebel Life – Easy habit hacks to transform the most important pillars of your life.Bust Your - Fears - Three easy tools to conquer your fears and upgrade your career and life. The Rebel Diva book series is for the busy working woman who's juggling everything and wishes life had more to give her. Don't just read self-help. Get the Rebel Diva guides that will take you by the hand and show you step-by-step how to create your dream life.

Betty Falconen: the most overqualified low-rent geneticist in Atlanta. Overwhelmed by old insecurities and struggles to pay the rent. Her dreams of cutting-edge research withering on life-support. Betty wanted more from life and work. Will a stranger in a coffee shop bring the change she craves? Or prove her fears right after all? An excerpt from DNA Never Lies: An offer too good to refuse, but at what cost? One last surprise waited for Betty: an application to qualify as a contractor for the Baron County Police Department. Specifically, to re-examine evidence from recent crime scenes. A background check, a confidentiality agreement, and…an offer of payment. “Wow,” Betty whispered, shaking her head. Payment equal to what she’d earned over the last six months of work her lab assistants could do in their sleep. Turning Detective Willa Belladeux down cold didn’t seem nearly as easy as it had the night before, but not because of the money. Well, not only because of the money. The feeling of being in demand, of being appreciated, carried a lot more weight and influence. The idea of getting to work in the field she’d wanted. Yes, what she’d trained for. What her talents and skills were best suited for. All of that together got Betty up and dialing the number on the business card clipped to the application before she could change her mind.

From modern tales involving myths re-told, to trips to the far future where the end of the world is imminent, to an alternate reality where a jetpack-wearing hero fights for truth and justice. Other tales include a vampire and an elf vanquishing evil thus saving the worlds they inhabit. ?A remarkable collection of exciting stories guaranteed to thrill you. ?Stories included: War Eagle Captain Virtue and the League of Evil The Beast of Cadboro Bay Dark Night A Simple Assignment Scavengers

This special book is a real world combination of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. You begin with a precise blueprint of how to assemble a winning crypto portfolio. Then you continue on to expand your knowledge by entering the world of?blockchains beyond cryptocurrencies.? The official book of the 2018 Nordic Trading Competition at the Nasdaq OMX Exchange The book includes the following and much more! - Intensive and rapid guide to understanding the connection between cryptos and the blockchain - How to assemble and execute a crypto portfolio like a pro - Using crypto exchanges insider info to your advantage - Bitcoin and cryptocurrency trading tactics - How blockchain can be applied in your world - Smart contracts - ICOs This is a?combination of: The Next Level Of Cryptocurrency Investing and Blockchain: Real-World Applications And Understanding

A single dad. A special-needs child. Can he break down parent-teacher barriers to help his son? Ben’s frantic, sixty-hour workweek has no room for family. But when he learns he must care for the autistic son he never knew he had, he turns his can-do attitude toward helping his five-year-old adjust to a new school and home. And while he knows caring for Kyle will be challenging, he didn’t expect it to open his eyes to life’s everyday wonders… Schoolteacher Melanie is committed to a positive environment for every student. So when the new parent in class resists her advice for his ASD child, she fears he’s just another stubborn dad. But as she convinces Ben to work with her to support Kyle’s development, it could spark the beginning of a beautiful bond… From the creative mind of a psychologist, teacher, and specialist in autism disorders comes a collection of five memorable novels of life and love on the spectrum. Featuring schoolkids, shut-ins, and chefs, these unique fictional accounts depict the challenges and celebrate the joys of raising children and young adults with special needs. Autism Box Set contains Books 1-5 of the inspiring School Daze fiction series. If you like true-to-life stories infused with practical information, compassionate characters, and tales of overcoming adversity, then you’ll adore Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell’s heartwarming anthology. Buy Autism Box Set to join a brave journey of love and understanding today!

When snow shuts down Greg Heffley's middle school, his neighborhood transforms into a wintry battlefield. Rival groups fight over territory, build massive snow forts, and stage epic snowball fights. And in the crosshairs are Greg and his trusty best friend, Rowley Jefferson. It's a fight for survival as Greg and Rowley navigate alliances, betrayals, and warring gangs in a neighborhood meltdown. When the snow clears, will Greg and Rowley emerge as heroes? Or will they even survive to see another day?