Anne Foxworth Jennings was out of cash and nearly out of hope when she stepped inside Spider's Houston pawn parlor to trade her diamond watch for enough money to stay one step ahead of the man who had threatened her life. But Spider proved to be her knight in shining armor, and Anne finally found the time--and the courage--to trust again.

Chapters from fourteen best-selling classic novels published between 1842 and 1919 are compiled here for today's readers. The selections not only give a rare un-stereotyped look at the day-to-day life in grandma's time but also reveal a wealth of good reading that has long been forgotten. Tales about sheepherding contest, a family Sunday evening around the fireplace, a great snowstorm, a new minister in town, an American who inherits an English estate, and a look at Victorian-age generation gap have been selected from a variety of books ranging from classic novels to light, humorous works. Many of the novels so captured the fancy of public in their day that they were published in several languages, performed as plays, and later, as movies. Lorna Doone, Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch, Old town Folks, Tom Brown at Oxford, T. Tembarom and Bob, son of Battle represent some of the books that will stir the memories and capture the interest of many readers. Containing some of the most beloved writing of the 50-year period preceding World War I, this tome is for those readers of the supersonic age who do not want to lose sight of humbler era.

When unlucky gambler Rico Gambini is found with his throat slashed, police suspect a mob hit, until they uncover his secret history of domestic violence. For Teri, Rico's death means she no longer has to live in fear. But the nightmare is far from over. The successful book cover illustrator cannot begin to guess at the chilling motive behind her husband's murder--and she has just become the prime suspect.