Timothée de Fombelle and Isabelle Arsenault capture the heart-wrenching cost of war for one small girl in a delicately drawn, expertly told tale. While her father is at war, five-year-old Rosalie is a captain on her own secret mission. She wears the disguise of a little girl and tracks her progress in a secret notebook. Some evenings, Rosalie’s mother reads aloud Father’s letters from the front lines, so that Rosalie knows he is thinking of her and looking forward to the end of the war and to finally coming home. But one day a letter comes that her mother doesn’t read to her, and Rosalie knows her mission must soon come to an end. Author Timothée de Fombelle reveals the true consequence of war through the experiences of small, determined Rosalie, while acclaimed artist Isabelle Arsenault illustrates Rosalie’s story in muted grays marked with soft spots of color — the orange flame of Rosalie’s hair, the pale pink of a scarf, the deep blue ink of her father’s letters. All the more captivating for the simplicity with which it is drawn and told, this quiet tale will stay with the reader long after its last page is turned.

Determined to seek out the villain who destroyed her family, Rosalie Rowland masquerades as a courtesan at London's infamous Temple of Beauty. But when she revels in her alter ego a little too willingly, Captain Alec Stewart's potent masculinity proves impossible to resist…. Alec is as much a stranger to the high-class brothel as he is to the feelings that Rosalie incites within him. The passion between them may be unquestionably real, but having met under the guise of secrets and seductions, how can they be sure where the lies end and the truth begins?

ABOUT THE BOOK Mystery and Romance in Regency England It is the spring of 1817, and 28-year-old widow, Amanda Fletcher, guardian to Sir Piers and Rosalie abbot, has accompanied them to stay with the dowager Marchioness of Coverdale, for the London season. Amanda has been obliged to bring with her a rare and valuable yellow diamond, because mysterious, anonymous notes claiming that the jewel does not belong to the Abbot family, have been received. Justin, the handsome,32-year-old, Marquis, offers to keep it safe for her. A rapport develops between them, until Amanda discovers some unwelcome news. In Coverdale House; 19-year-old Rosalie a talented musician, realises that a shadowy figure is listening to her practicing for a concert. Is this Justin’s reclusive younger brother, who occupies rooms in the east wing, and looked after by the “sergeant”? Justin is intrigued by an impression of a seal he finds, belonging to Amanda, and visits the eminent Dr Pargeter, her some-time mentor, for information. Another anonymous note is delivered, and then Rosalie is abducted in broad daylight, and the footman accompanying her badly wounded. Who will ride to her rescue? And who is the true owner of THE YELLOW DIAMOND? More about the families in “STAPLEWOOD PARK”. Coming soon!