Historical novel based on the life of the 19th century Chinese prostitute who became the most powerful pirate in history. The first time her story has been fully told in any language.

An intimate portrait of America's foster-care system is told through the experiences of a foster parent and an emotionally abandoned girl who, ensconced with the author's biological, adopted, and foster children, began to thrive in her new family environment. 20,000 first printing.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the author's family lived aboard a 47-foot sailboat, spending their summers along the U.S. East Coast and their winters in the Bahamas. As an adult, she lived aboard her own 28-foot sailboat and had several relationships trying to find someone who wasn't intimidated by her stubborn independence and free-spirited lifestyle.

An eleven-year-old girl demonstrates her sailing skills during a Labor Day weekend race.

Cheryl's Dad had a crazy plan. He wanted to build a cement boat and take the entire family, including a newborn, on a voyage around the world. They would leave their home on the eastern coast of Australia, sail to India, around Africa, and over to the United States where they spend a few months visiting relatives before returning through the Panama Canal to their home. But the crew, a lousy engine, foul weather, and other perils of the sea jeopardize the voyage. Will they survive a cyclone at sea? Or an oncoming oil tanker? Will Pierre-Paul, the bully of the crew, destroy everything on board? How will Cheryl go to school? Will they have enough food and water? Can they avoid pirates? Will they make it back to AustraliaExperience the adventure as they explore a deserted island, escape a harbor at midnight, resort to eating peanut butter and onion sandwiches, and much more. "Around the World in a Cement Boat" is a true story of adventure on the high seas told by one who lived the adventure.

Her father traded away her youth. Sea bandits stole her freedom. She has one way to get them back: Become the most powerful pirate in the world. South China coast, 1801. Sold as a child to a floating brothel, 26-year-old Yang has finally bought her freedom, only to be kidnapped by a brutal pirate gang and forced to marry their leader. Dragged through stormy seas and lawless bandit havens, Yang must stay scrappy to survive. She embeds herself in the dark business of piracy, carving out her role against the resistance of powerful pirate leaders and Cheung Po Tsai, her husband's flamboyant male concubine. As she is caught between bitter rivals fighting for mastery over the pirates—and for her heart—Yang faces a choice between two things she never dreamed might be hers: power or love. Based on a true story that has never been fully told until now, The Flower Boat Girl is the tale of a woman who, against all odds, shaped history on her own terms. "A breathtaking saga of a real life heroine, so richly alive that the pages seem to breathe." -Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author

A gritty story of two girls from opposite backgrounds and their search for freedom and happiness. 1925 - The Midlands Born on the canals, feisty Beth Dawson knows danger lurks in the shadows and suspecting she might be pregnant after a vicious attack she quickly marries a fellow boatman. Her mundane existence is interrupted by the arrival of Anthony Wesley whose mission is to organise the impoverished boatmen for strike action. Feeling valued and soon falling for Anthony, Beth wants to help the cause in any way she can. Along the way she is befriended by the company owners rebellious daughter Abigail Gatehouse. She too is in love with Anthony and sensing the attraction between Beth and Anthony, Abigail is overcome with jealousy. Soon both young women are caught up in events that spiral out of control. Only time will tell what the future holds for them both. In the meantime, it’s all about survival... Previously published as Where the Wild Thyme Blows by Jeannie Johnson