Once transmigrated, the woman would become the ruler and the man would become the concubine. The beautiful man repeatedly cried out His Majesty's blessings, scaring a certain woman to the point that her face turned pale. Grass bag? Puppet? Unrestrained and unbridled? The martial arts world? The imperial government? A battle for the harem? The woman smiled. It seemed like this empress was much more exciting than a godly thief! There were thousands of beautiful men in the harem, and even if they were to linger amongst the flowers, it was still a good show. There were thousands of weak waters, and only one ladle of wine was taken, but this ladle seemed to be ruthless. Black lines appeared on the face of a certain man: "Madam, this is all just a ladle!" Join Collection

Historically, many royal marriages have represented the unions of dynasties, with true engagements of the heart notable for their rarity. Yet royal couples could fall in love, and this book is full of surprises, from the undying love that the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, felt for his Tsarina, to the unlikely love that flourished between Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Amongst them, too, are less happy loves of Crown Prince Rudolph for his 17-year-old lover, Countess Mary Vetsera, or, in the 1940s, of the Prince of Sweden, refused consent to marry the girl he loved she only became his princess over 30 years later. Bringing the reader right up to modern times, and touching, absorbing, and tragic by turns, these stories bring the glamour and the contradictions of royalty vividly to life.

The superb historian and biographer Antonia Fraser, author of Marie Antoinette, casts new light on the splendor and the scandals of the reign of Louis XIV in this dramatic, illuminating look at the women in his life. The self-proclaimed Sun King, Louis XIV ruled over the most glorious and extravagant court in seventeenth-century Europe. Now, Antonia Fraser goes behind the well-known tales of Louis’s accomplishments and follies, exploring in riveting detail his intimate relationships with women. The king’s mother, Anne of Austria, had been in a childless marriage for twenty-two years before she gave birth to Louis XIV. A devout Catholic, she instilled in her son a strong sense of piety and fought successfully for his right to absolute power. In 1660, Louis married his first cousin, Marie-Thérèse, in a political arrangement. While unfailingly kind to the official Queen of Versailles, Louis sought others to satisfy his romantic and sexual desires. After a flirtation with his sister-in-law, his first important mistress was Louise de La Vallière, who bore him several children before being replaced by the tempestuous and brilliant Athénaïs, marquise de Montespan. Later, when Athénaïs’s reputation was tarnished, the King continued to support her publicly as Athénaïs left court for a life of repentance. Meanwhile her children’s governess, the intelligent and seemingly puritanical Françoise de Maintenon, had already won the King’s affections; in a relationship in complete contrast to his physical obsession with Athénaïs, Louis XIV lived happily with Madame de Maintenon for the rest of his life, very probably marrying her in secret. When his grandson’s child bride, the enchanting Adelaide of Savoy, came to Versaille she lightened the King’s last years – until tragedy struck. With consummate skill, Antonia Fraser weaves insights into the nature of women’s religious lives – as well as such practical matters as contraception – into her magnificent, sweeping portrait of the king, his court, and his ladies.

Wickedly inviting, the dark side of life has always seduced Lauren De Beauville. With copper-colored tresses and the smile of a pirate, this young adventuress throws caution to the wind and leaps into a quagmire of temptation that is 18th Century New Orleans. Will she survive her constant craving for danger? Dazzled by glamor, Lauren plays a deadly game joining a group of brutal con artists and smugglers who are cheating their way across the New World. There are splendid gowns, handsome men and nights filled with passion. What more could she want? At the very top is James St. Clare, the ruthless yet alluring captain of a pirate ship called The Pride of the King. Risking her life and her love, Lauren allows herself to be swept into his whirlwind of desire and treachery where she gambles everything.Once again, author Amanda Hughes splashes the pages of history with adventure and love stories about audacious women in the 18th Century. Her page turning tales will keep you on the edge of your seat as you take a wild ride through one of the most passionate and dazzling periods of history."James lifted her out of the tub water running down his clothing. Her shift hugged her skin and he ran his eyes down her figure then up again stopping at her lips. The firelight danced over them and for a moment Lauren lost herself. Fear, loneliness, desire all clouded her judgment and she opened her lips to kiss him."

Jews celebrate the story of sweet Esther and evil Haman every Purim.

Harry Driscoll is living in New York City (if you call trying to survive on an editorial assistant's salary "living"). His family is wealthy (but Harry Driscoll is not). His education is Ivy League (but what good is it doing him?). His publishing job is entry level (with no exit in sight). BUT... Harry Driscoll has a dream (if you call an unfinished manuscript hidden in the closet a "dream"). Harry Driscoll has a girl (although intercourse is out of the question). Harry Driscoll even has feelings. (He asked this girl, one day in the park, to be in his life forever--and meant it!) And the other girls? They're not the problem. (The problem is, Harry Driscoll cannot allow himself to say the word "love.")

The wedding of the century sets the stage for an unexpected romance as one repressed royal falls for his assistant in this novel in the Billionaire Boys Club series. As a member of the royal family in a small European country, Griffin Verdi’s presence is requested at the wedding of the century. The scholarly billionaire feels out of his depth in social situations, so a good assistant is required—especially when dealing with royal etiquette. Unfortunately for Griffin, he’s stuck with Maylee Meriweather, a pretty, charming, and thoroughly unsuitable woman who doesn’t know a thing about high society—but she sure can kiss. Her lack of polish may sink Griffin, because after all, even his money can’t buy class. But through Maylee’s eyes, he’s starting to appreciate the simple things in life—if simple means the most complicated woman he’s ever met. Maylee is everything Griffin isn’t—and everything he wants—if he can let down his guard and step outside his sheltered world...