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Watching Over Her
by Jean-Baptiste Andrea
From French literary talent and Prix Goncourt winner Jean-Baptiste Andrea, a sprawling fresco and star-crossed love story (The New York Times) following a dwarf and skilled sculptor as he recounts the moments in his life that inspired his mysteriously powerful masterpiece--perfect for readers of Martyr and The Covenant of Water.In an Italian monastery, a sculptor named Mimo lays on his deathbed. For decades, he has lived among the monks who watch over his masterpiece, an arresting statue that haunts all who see it. During his final hours, he reveals his life story: his impoverished childhood, brutal apprenticeship, and, most important, his meeting with Viola Orsini, the only daughter of a powerful and dangerous aristocratic family. Mimo and Viola are instantly drawn to one another, viewing themselves as outsiders--Mimo, for his dwarfism, Viola for her ability to remember everything she has ever read or experienced. Together, they traverse the unrest of the twentieth century, from the rise of fascism to the violence of the world wars. While Mimo becomes a celebrated artist, Viola chases her own dreams of becoming an emancipated woman. Over the decades, they will lose and find each other time and again, but never will they give up on the love they share. Immersive and full of heart, Mimo's adventures are ribald and hilarious, challenging conventions of his day. Jean-Baptiste Andrea's Prix Goncourt-winning novel has captivated audiences around the globe and is available to readers in English for the first time thanks to Frank Wynne's wonderfully vivid translation.
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New Beginnings: An Amish Romance
by Linda Byler
The first book in beloved Amish novelist Linda Byler's Seekers series. As a young man growing up in an Amish family, Amos struggles to fit in. Slow in school, overweight, and afflicted with terrible acne, he feels he's a constant disappointment to his mother, sisters, teachers, and employers. Convinced that he will never be good enough for them, he leaves home and accepts a job as a live-in groundskeeper for an English (non-Amish) couple. Gradually, he moves toward a healthier, more confident version of himself. But he can't leave behind the fact that living as an English person--driving a pickup truck, sporting short hair and a flannel button-up shirt--is the greatest disappointment to his family yet. When Amos meets Skye, he's drawn to her refreshingly forthright mannerisms. With her camouflage baseball cap and love of the outdoors, she's fun and free in ways that only an English girl can be. And then there's Anna, a young Amish woman who is sweet and kind and unmistakably cute. In fact, she's special enough to make him wonder if he could go back to the Amish life to be with her. But how could he do that with any kind of sincerity, given he's not even sure he believes in God? Author Linda Byler is an active member of the Amish church and writes all her novels by hand with a pen and notebook. She offers a unique and fascinating look into Amish history and culture.
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Beyond the Clouds
by Elizabeth Camden
As teenagers, Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney fell in love while flying kites and dreaming of a future together--until betrayal tore them apart. Now, Delia, a pacifist and paralegal, and Finn, a decorated war hero, cross paths in famine-stricken WWI Belgium. As they navigate war's dangers, they face another risk--falling in love again.
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Order of Royals
by Jude Deveraux
Princess Aradella is trapped in the iron grip of her evil and powerful aunt, Queen Olina. Navigating the treacherous waters of political machinations and familial duties, Aradella discovers allies in unexpected places, including Tanek, a swansman with his own mysterious connections. Set in a world where royalty, magic, and mythical beings coexist, Aradella's path is intertwined with that of Kaley Arens, an Earthling who becomes deeply entangled in the planet's intricate social hierarchy, as she is faced with a choice between her homeland and newfound love. As Aradella and her companions uncover dark secrets and hidden agendas, they embark on an adventure filled with loyalty, romance, and courage, where the lines between magic and reality blur. Aradella's heart finds a beacon in Mekos, the son of Tanek, whose distinct heritage and protective nature captivate her--
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Graceless Heart
by Isabel Ibañez
As a sculptress, Ravenna Maffei has always shaped beauty from stone but she has a terrible secret. Desperate to save her brother, she enters a competition hosted by Florence's most feared immortal family, revealing a dark power in a city where magic is forbidden. Now a captive in the cutthroat city of Florence, Ravenna is forced into a dangerous task where failure meets certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the immortal family's mesmerizing but merciless heir. But as he draws her closer, Ravenna realizes the true threat lies beyond Florence's walls. The Pope's war against magic is closing in, and Ravenna is no longer just a prisoner but a prize to be claimed. As trusting the wrong person becomes lethal, Ravenna must survive the treacherous line between a pope's obsession and the seductive immortal who might be the end of her--or surrender her power to a city on the brink of war--Provided by publisher.
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| Slaying the Vampire Conqueror by Carissa BroadbentIn this compelling standalone set within the world of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, seer-assassin Sylina is tasked with infiltrating the army of the villainous vampire Atrius and killing him, but a vision makes her reconsider everything. For another enemies-to-lovers romantasy set in a vampiric realm, try We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark. |
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| The God and the Gumiho by Sophie KimIn New Sinsi, Korea, Kim Hani, a nine-tailed fox, and Seokga, a fallen trickster god turned detective, form a reluctant alliance to hunt a demon intent on destroying the world. For fans of: banter-filled enemies-to-lovers romances; KPop Demon Hunters. |
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| The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLeanAila Macbhairan, head phoenix keeper at the San Tamculo Zoo for magical creatures, fights to restart the zoo's dormant phoenix breeding program, a project that forces her to work alongside her rival, the intimidating griffin keeper Luciana. For fans of: queer cozies like Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree or The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. |
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| Swordcrossed by Freya MarskeWith his family's wool business flagging, Mattinesh "Matti" Jay agrees to an arranged marriage to the daughter of a prominent family, though he'll need to hire a duelist in case he's challenged for her hand. Enter charismatic con artist Luca Piere, who teaches Matti to sword fight -- and perhaps follow his true desires. This steamy romantasy from the author of the Last Binding series "sizzles with the heat between Matti and Luca" (Booklist). Try this next: One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny. |
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| The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. PearsonBristol Keats struggles to keep herself and her sisters alive after the tragic disappearance of their parents. When she receives a letter from a mysterious aunt she didn't know existed, everything she thought she knew about her family crumbles and she must carefully navigate a world of monstrous intrigue to rescue her father. For fans of: slow-burn faerie-centric fantasy with well-developed characters and steamy romance, such as Sarah J. Maas' Crescent City series or Lyra Selene's A Feather So Black. |
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| Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh SbranaIn exchange for aid and supplies for her earthquake-ravaged village, human Lore Alemeyu of Duskmere agrees to work for the Fae, cataloging the contents of an enchanted library. This "spellbinding romantic fantasy debut" (Publishers Weekly), the 1st in a duology, boasts a courageous heroine, a love triangle, and an atmospheric setting. Try this next: Lexi Ryan's These Hollow Vows series. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Centerville Library
111 W. Spring Valley Rd
Centerville, OH 45458
(937) 433-8091
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Woodbourne Library
6060 Far Hills Ave Centerville, OH 45459
(937) 435-3700
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Creativity Commons
895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd
Centerville, OH 45459
(937) 610-4425
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