Mozart (1759-1791), in whose shadow Mr. Varon is shown above, was (together with Bach and Beethoven) one of the fathers of classical music. He was also a full contemporary of Adam Smith (1723-1790), father of classical economics.They died a year apart, and they both deserved and have been honored with statues. This book leaves no doubt about where Mr. Varon’s preferences lie, especially in his retirement. The book follows in substance and in spirit his last one titled Book Love: Twelve Essays on an Affair without End (2018). Mr. Varon lives and writes in Alexandria, Virginia and can be reached at [email protected]

Featuring five deliciously romantic stories set in historical and high fantasy worlds, this exclusive eBook set is the perfect gift for any romance reader. Featuring stories by Jo Beverley, Cecelia Holland, Robin Hobb, Jacqueline Carey, and Tanith Lee, this collection of five wonderful romantic stories from five wickedly creative authors includes beautiful maids and clever minstrels, orphans destined for greatness and spies thirsting for revenge, and a pair of lovers who must struggle against the forces of magic and fate. Originally published in the anthology Songs of Love and Death (edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois), these compelling stories are specially packaged in one eBook set at a great price.

A feel-good romance by the author of Star-crossed, perfect for anyone who loves David Nicholls, Marian Keyes and Jojo Moyes. Arie and Diana were destined to be together. Arie falls for Diana in a heartbeat. Their love creates a life for them, a marriage and a home. Pianist Diana wants to capture this in a song for Arie. But that’s not where the story ends... After Diana debuts their song to a room full of strangers, tragedy strikes and Arie never gets to hear it. There’s still a verse to come. Diana’s melody lives beyond her and the lost love song begins to find its way back home. Can it help Arie to find new hope, and a new love? Readers love Minnie Darke 'Witty, mischievous and intelligent... if you enjoy Marian Keyes or Mhairi McFarlane, you'll enjoy this. 'A clever and witty comedy' 'Warm, funny, addictive, I couldn’t put it down.' 'A smart and funny novel' 'Beautifully written with warmth and wit... a truly delightful read.' 'Uplifting, romantic and fabulous... I loved this charming book.'

The first novel in the Bluford Series.

This heartwarming true story of one lost cat's journey to be reunited with his refugee family gently introduces children to a difficult topic and shows how ordinary people can help with compassion and hope. When an Iraqi family is forced to flee their home, they can’t bear to leave their beloved cat, Kunkush, behind. So they carry him with them from Iraq to Greece, keeping their secret passenger hidden away. But during the crowded boat crossing to Greece, his carrier breaks and the frightened cat runs from the chaos, disappearing. After an unsuccessful search, his family has to continue their journey, leaving brokenhearted. A few days later, aid workers in Greece find the lost cat. Knowing how much his family has sacrificed already, they are desperate to reunite them. A worldwide community comes together to spread the word on the Internet and in the news media, and after several months the impossible happens—Kunkush’s family is found, and they finally get their happy ending in their new home. This remarkable true story is told by the real people involved, with the full cooperation of Kunkush’s family. “Bound to be a hit with cats and kids alike.” —People.com

From "the queen of heartbreaking prose" (Paste) Helene Dunbar, We Are Lost and Found is a young adult realistic fiction novel in the vein of The Perks of Being a Wallflower about three friends coming-of-age against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s. Michael is content to live in the shadow of his best friends, James and Becky. Plus, his brother, Connor, has already been kicked out of the house for being gay and laying low seems to be Michael's only chance at avoiding the same fate. To pass the time before graduation, Michael hangs out at The Echo where he can dance and forget about his father's angry words, the pressures of school, and the looming threat of AIDS, a disease that everyone is talking about, but no one understands. Then he meets Gabriel, a boy who actually sees him. A boy who, unlike seemingly everyone else in New York City, is interested in him and not James. And Michael has to decide what he's willing to risk to be himself. This book is perfect for: Readers who want stories centering gay boys coming of age Parents and educators looking for realistic historical fiction for teens Fans of Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera, and Stephen Chbosky Praise for We Are Lost and Found: "Dunbar painstakingly populates the narrative with 1980s references—particularly to music—creating a vivid historical setting... A painful but ultimately empowering queer history lesson."—Kirkus Reviews "It's a certain type of magic that Helene Dunbar managed with this story... A hauntingly beautiful, yet scarring story that captures the struggles of figuring out who you are while facing the uncertainties of the world, a story that should be mandatory reading for all."—The Nerd Daily "We Are Lost and Found absolutely sparkles... she so perfectly, so evocatively captures the angst, uncertainty, and shaky self-confidence of adolescence that it might make you wince."—Echo Magazine Optioned for a major motion picture adaptation by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's production company, Ill Kippers!

Fans of Lucy Christopher’s Stolen, Caroline B. Cooney’s The Face on the Milk Carton, and Natasha Preston’s The Cellar will be captivated by this twisty psychological thriller about an abducted girl who finally returns home to her family—but is she really who she claims to be? THE LOST When six-year-old Laurel Logan was abducted, the only witness was her younger sister, Faith. Since then, Faith’s childhood has revolved around her sister’s disappearance—from her parents’ broken marriage and the constant media attention to dealing with so-called friends who only ever want to talk about her missing sister. THE FOUND Now, thirteen years later, a young woman is found in the front yard of the Logans’ old house, disoriented and clutching the teddy bear Laurel was last seen with. Can her sister finally be back? Faith always dreamed of her sister coming home; she just never believed it would happen. But soon a disturbing series of events leaves Faith increasingly isolated from her family and paranoid about her sister’s motives. Before long, Faith begins to wonder if it’s the abduction that’s changed her sister, or if it’s something else. . . . “An intriguing story from start to finish.” —Kirkus Reviews “Clarke’s true success lies in crafting a realistic and haunting story of two young women who redefine what it means to be sisters.” —PW “This mystery will have wide appeal and keep teens riveted.” —SLJ “A compelling story with sympathetic and credible characters.” —The Bulletin