The Handmaid's Tale is not only a radical and brilliant departure for Margaret Atwood, it is a novel of such power that the reader will be unable to forget its images and its forecast. Set in the near future, it describes life in what was once the United States, now called the Republic of Gilead, a monotheocracy that has reacted to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by reverting to, and going beyond, the repressive intolerance of the...

Alessandra Cecchi becomes enchanted with a young painter her father has brought back from nortern Europe to decorate the chapel walls in the family's Florentine palazzo, but their relationship is interrupted when Alessandra's parents arrange her marriage to a wealthy older man.

Elenora Lodge accepts a position as the paid companion of Arthur Lancaster, the Earl of St. Merryn, and soon discovers that he is concealing dark secrets that involve her as his unwilling partner in a quest to catch a killer.

While decorating Elm Creek Manor on Christmas Eve, Sarah McClure discovers an unfinished Christmas quilt. Only Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, the master quilter and matriarch of Elm Creek Manor, knows the story behind the quilt, revealing that it's the work of several generations of the Bergstrom family. Sarah suggests that they complete the quilt. Although reluctant at first, as they do so, Sylvia rediscovers the joy of the Christmas quilt.

Thirty-three-year-old widow Tracy Potter, in the midst of renovating the historic Heartbreak Hotel--the only asset she has left after the death of her wheeler-dealer husband--takes in Wade MacAllister, a famous author running from his past, and together they try to learn to trust and love again.

Burned-out New Jersey narcotics officer Stephanie Lowe buys a house on the coast of Maine with intentions of opening a bed-and-breakfast, but a leaky toilet and other problems--including a ghost--lead her to a cooking gig on a schooner captained by Ivan, the man who sold her the place, whose good looks and charm suddenly seem more potent to Stephanie at sea than they did on land.

Lily Robinson, a gifted teacher, gives up her independent lifestyle to help Sean McGuire after he assumes guardianship of his nieces and nephew following the deaths of his brother Derek and sister-in-law Crystal--Lily's best friend, and together they work toward restoring the children to hope and happiness, and find love along the way.

Pamela is a mystery Alexei is determined to solve ... Prince Alexei of Avalonia is a master at the art of seduction, butwhen a mysterious young woman he meets at a masked ball spends the night in his bed, he finds he is touched in ways he cannot forget. Still, he wonders if she was real or a dream spun of moonlight. Alexei might well be a temptation Pamela cannot resist ... And Miss Pamela Effington is no dream. Certainly, succumbing tothe prince's...

Mary, trying to handle the suffocating grief she feels over the death of her young daughter, Stella, reluctantly joins a knitting circle and over the course of time learns about the problems others in the group have had to face, and comes to cherish them as friends.

Max Moreton is a rising culinary star, until nearly all the guests who enjoyed one of his meals at a private catered affair fall victim to severe food poisoning. At his next obligation, an exclusive luncheon for forty in the glass-fronted private boxes at the 2,000 Guineas, a bomb blast rips through the private boxes, killing some of Max's trusted staff and many of the guests. Two close calls are too close for comfort, and Max vows to protect his...