Great kingdoms and rulers from the distant past can become lost over time. For some, no records survive to prove their existence. For others, the records are woven with so many fanciful details they seem like legends. How do we distinguish what’s true and what’s false? This inclusive volume offers the latest insights into familiar legends such as Arthur and his Camelot, but also equally intriguing lore and history of lost kingdoms of Africa, Asia, and the early Americas. Readers will discover that the endeavor to unearth these realms reveals much culture, history, and geography about different world regions.

The New York Times–bestselling author delivers “a riveting saga about Big Sugar flexing its imperialist muscle in Hawaii . . . A real gem of a book” (Douglas Brinkley, author of American Moonshot). Deftly weaving together a memorable cast of characters, Lost Kingdom brings to life the clash between a vulnerable Polynesian people and relentlessly expanding capitalist powers. Portraits of royalty and rogues, sugar barons, and missionaries combine into a sweeping tale of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s rise and fall. At the center of the story is Lili‘uokalani, the last queen of Hawai‘i. Born in 1838, she lived through the nearly complete economic transformation of the islands. Lucrative sugar plantations gradually subsumed the majority of the land, owned almost exclusively by white planters, dubbed the “Sugar Kings.” Hawai‘i became a prize in the contest between America, Britain, and France, each seeking to expand their military and commercial influence in the Pacific. The monarchy had become a figurehead, victim to manipulation from the wealthy sugar plantation owners. Lili‘u was determined to enact a constitution to reinstate the monarchy’s power but was outmaneuvered by the United States. The annexation of Hawai‘i had begun, ushering in a new century of American imperialism. “An important chapter in our national history, one that most Americans don’t know but should.” —The New York Times Book Review “Siler gives us a riveting and intimate look at the rise and tragic fall of Hawaii’s royal family . . . A reminder that Hawaii remains one of the most breathtaking places in the world. Even if the kingdom is lost.” —Fortune “[A] well-researched, nicely contextualized history . . . [Indeed] ‘one of the most audacious land grabs of the Gilded Age.’” —Los Angeles Times

"In vivid detail... examines the little-known history of two extraordinary dynasties."--The Boston Globe "Not just a brilliant, well-researched, and highly readable book about China's past, it also reveals the contingencies and ironic twists of fate in China's modern history."--LA Review of Books An epic, multigenerational story of two rival dynasties who flourished in Shanghai and Hong Kong as twentieth-century China surged into the modern era, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist The Sassoons and the Kadoories stood astride Chinese business and politics for more than one hundred seventy-five years, profiting from the Opium Wars; surviving Japanese occupation; courting Chiang Kai-shek; and nearly losing everything as the Communists swept into power. Jonathan Kaufman tells the remarkable history of how these families ignited an economic boom and opened China to the world, but remained blind to the country's deep inequality and to the political turmoil on their doorsteps. In a story stretching from Baghdad to Hong Kong to Shanghai to London, Kaufman enters the lives and minds of these ambitious men and women to forge a tale of opium smuggling, family rivalry, political intrigue, and survival.

A galactic revolution has toppled the Starfire dynasty, and swept into power the harsh Democratic Republic. To support the murdered king is now punishable by death. But on distant worlds, the few surviving Guardians carry a dangerous secret: Somewhere in the galaxy, they shield the rightful heir to the throne. Stalking the hidden king is the Warlord, a ruthless Republican general who wields the bloodsword. Only a few brave rebels dare to oppose him: young Dion, who fights to find his destiny; the mercenary Tusk; the outlaw commander Dixter; and the beautiful Lady Maigrey, the only person alive who can match the Warlord’s cunning. Theirs is the ultimate battle against a star-spanning corruption—the ultimate sacrifice for the glory of the lost king’s throne.

The funny thing about fate - about life, is you never know what the next day holds. Live with no regrets. Quinn Beckett, Sergeant At Arms for the Kings of Retribution MC, knows life is all about what you make of it. For Quinn, he couldn't imagine life getting much better. Until a chance meeting, a couple of years ago with a bright, attractive doctor altered his course in life. She became his only desire - his obsession. Quinn wanted nothing more than to make Emerson his. To outsiders Emerson Evans had all the things in life you could ever hope for; family, friends, and a great career, but what they didn't know was she wasn't happy. Being a doctor means everything to her, but she finds herself longing for more out of life. Including wanting a sexy, long-haired biker, who happens to be part of the local MC. The very Club that fate decided was to be a part of her life. She could never have foreseen that giving her heart away and loving a man so fiercely would be the source of strength she would lean on when the unexpected happens.

TWO TATTERED SOULS After countless detours, Wrath and Trinity’s wedding is only ten days away. Together they’ve battled their demons and are ready to declare their commitment to each other in front of their entire Lost Kings MC family. ONE BITTER ENEMY No one is prepared for the threat that crawls out of the shadows and issues an evil ultimatum. One that places Trinity’s future in danger and jeopardizes the entire club. Trinity’s more than ready to put her life on the line to save the club. For her it’s not a question. AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE Wrath’s role as protector of the club forces him to choose between the safety of his angel or the future of the Lost Kings MC and all they’ve built together. But Trinity won’t relent. A queen always fights for her king. She’ll risk everything to hold on to the love she shares with Wrath. FAITH IS STRONGER THAN FEAR When evil takes her for a ride, will Trinity’s faith in Wrath and her faith in the Lost Kings MC be stronger than her fear? White Knuckles is the seventh full-length novel in Autumn Jones Lake’s popular Lost Kings MC series. It is suggested readers have at least read books four through six in the series before reading White Knuckles. TOPICS: Weddings, Bride, Groom, Bridesmaids, outdoor wedding, angst, vows, faith is stronger than fear, adventure, property patch, engagement, engagement party, dress-shopping, best friend's little sister, older brother's best friend, marriage, trip, honeymoon, angst, anti-hero, anti-hero romance, alpha hero, alpha male hero, alpha bad boy, biker, bad boy biker, dominant alpha male, dominant alpha male hero, protection, male, crime, criminal, criminal underground, outlaw, criminals and outlaws, crime fiction, hidden, opposites attract, lawyer, fire, prospect, professional, criminal element, outlaw motorcycle gang, outlaw motorcycle club, motorcycle club, motorcycle club romance, MC Romance, Lost Kings MC, May wedding, romantic suspense, long road, second chance, upstate New York, Capital Region New York, strong heroine, rogue, player, motorcycle man, outlaw bikers, brotherhood, loyalty, possessive male, possessive hero, sons of anarchy, MC biker romance, biker series, steamy romance, sexy, dark romance, motorcycle action adventure, ruthless, enforcer, contemporary romance, romance, Motorcycle Club, ride, road, obsession, obsessed, wild man, autumn jones lake, wild, danger, rival, rival gang, swoonworthy, addicting, series, family saga, kristen ashley, romantic mc, loving alpha heroes, faithful, mc president, zero to sixty, gritty, dangerously sexy, dirty talk, vengeance road, mountain man, rider, addictive series, binge read, steel, asphalt, iron, arson, rebellion, rebel, Wrath, Dex, King, Hope, Rock, Trinity, Murphy, Teller, Heidi, Lexi, savage, redemption, motorcycle club compound, bad boy obsession, bad boy romance, no cheating, honorable, dominance and submission, strong female character, possessive alpha male, criminal elements, strip club, marijuana grow op, passion, no cliffhanger, series, feisty, desire, flirting, tattooed outlaw, tattoo, ink, tattoos, inked hero, inked, dirty but romantic, alpha male president, steamy scenes, older couple, older hero, adult romance, joy ride, cut, leather, patched, colors, patched, club colors, old lady, ol' lady, club brother, blood brothers, crime romance, smoldering, scorching, dirty, crude, raw, honor, faith, loyal, sergeant at arms, highway, park, emotional journey, rollercoaster, crossroads, mature, continuing romance, continuing story, continuing characters, character journey

Real love isn't a fairy tale. Although attorney Hope Kendall cares deeply for President of the Lost Kings MC, Rochlan "Rock" North, the truth is they come from completely different worlds. Add to that the fact that they are also both headstrong people, and they have a very rough road ahead of them. Love is the ultimate outlaw. For Rock that means introducing Hope to what it really means to be part of his brutal and shady world, where the Lost Kings Motorcycle Club is his main focus. For Hope it means accepting the things she can't change, and understanding that Rock is a man who will do anything to keep her safe. Love doesn't follow any rules. As Rock continues to draw Hope deeper into his world, painful misunderstandings, past relationships, and opposition from the members of his club will threaten to drive them apart. How do a lawyer and a badass biker with a heart of gold keep love alive while their opposing worlds collide? Corrupting Cinderella is the second book in the Lost Kings MC series and is the continuing story of the outlaw MC president and his spitfire lawyer. Topics: anti-hero, anti-hero romance, alpha hero, alpha male hero, alpha bad boy, biker, bad boy biker, dominant alpha male, dominant alpha male hero, protection, male, crime, criminal, criminal underground, outlaw, criminals and outlaws, crime fiction, hidden, forbidden romance, opposites attract, lawyer, professional, criminal element, outlaw motorcycle gang, outlaw motorcycle club, motorcycle club, motorcycle club romance, MC Romance, Lost Kings MC, series starter, first in series, autumn, slow burn romance, widow romance, second chance, prison, upstate New York, Capital Region New York, rural, snarky, sassy, sassy heroine, rogue, player, motorcycle man, outlaw bikers, brotherhood, loyalty, possessive male, possessive hero, rockstars, party, club whores, manwhore, MC biker romance, biker series, steamy romance, sexy, dark romance, motorcycle action adventure, contemporary romance, romance, Motorcycle Club, ride, road, mma, underground fighting, gambling, danger, rival, rival gang, swoonworthy, addicting, drama, relationships, romantic relationships, family relationships, series, family saga, romantic mc, loving alpha heroes, faithful, mc president, zero to sixty, gritty, dangerously sexy, dirty talk, motorcycle club compound, bad boy obsession, bad boy romance, no cheating, strong female character, possessive alpha male, criminal elements, strip club, marijuana grow op, passion, bullet, Whiskey, spitfire, no cliffhanger, happy for now ending, HFN, series, feisty, desire, flirting, tattooed outlaw, tattoo, ink, tattoos, inked hero, inked, dirty but romantic, alpha male president, steamy scenes, innocent heroine, older couple, older hero, adult romance, joy ride, cut, kutte, leather, patched, colors, patched, club colors, old lady, ol' lady, club, property patch, patched-in, brother, blood brothers, crime romance, smoldering, ruthless, scorching, dirty, crude, raw, honor, faith, loyal, sergeant at arms, highway, park, emotional journey, rollercoaster, crossroads, mature, continuing story, long romance series, birthday, birthday party, brother's best friend